Essence of ‘Good’ Nostalgia: Finding Joy in Remembrance

Recently I gave a friend of mine who once lived in Asia, a lychee jelly cup, and she declared with satisfaction, “it tastes like Asia” This experience made me remember my own moments of nostalgia and how it has affected areas of my life. Moments like this lychee jelly experience often reveal small pieces of joy. How are moments of nostalgia triggered? Why is the moment such bliss? Well the triggers come from our senses and prompt something within our memories and through this we reach a temporary peak of delight. When I was five years old I would ride my little BMX bike endlessly. On one particular day it started to rain down on the hot steamy ash fault creating a smell that would stick with forever. Twenty-two years later, whenever I smell “rain on hot ash fault” I think of that day and smile, because in that moment I am a kid again with that fresh innocence and freedom, who rides in little figure eights, her blond hair sailing behind her, friends in tow laughing.