Find Old Friends

There are no friends like old friends.

Sometimes we don’t like thinking about past life chapters for fear of traipsing into negative memories.  However, if you take the plunge, you will find ‘hidden gems’ in every chapter of your life.  For every ‘jerk’ not worth remembering, there are also some kind people -- friends at the time -- with whom you’ve lost contact for no particular reason.

If you choose to, you can use your fiftieth year to reconnect with these lost, hidden gems in your past.

Facebook and other social media are great for this, but personally, I prefer using the phone.

One thing I learned during my Fiftieth year:  it’s possible -- and fun -- to pick up the phone and call anyone from your past. 

Of course, it’s helpful if you give some context:  “This is a voice from your past.  It’s [insert the name they knew you by] from [insert the place where you knew each other].”  You don’t need an excuse other than “I was thinking about you and thought I’d call.  Is now a good time to chat?”

Using this completely obvious and easy technique, I was able to reconnect with some wonderful people with whom I’d had no contact in decades. These phone calls lead to some rewarding conversations and fun visits throughout my fiftieth year.  I highly recommend it.

I can also tell you how wonderful it is to receive these calls.  Recently, Harry, my long-lost housemate from grad school tracked me down and called me, out of the blue.  It was so good to hear Harry’s voice!  It meant so much to reconnect and to learn about his wonderful (some would say charmed) life in Texas.  It warmed my heart to know that he cared enough to track me down.  (I’m still not sure how he found me, half a country away but he’s always been a clever guy).

Activity:  Is there anyone you’d like to reach out to during this year?  Is there someone you’re not presently in contact with but would like to be?  Is there anyone you remember fondly from the past?  Pick one person.  Find their number.  (If you can’t look them up, ask someone who might know someone who might know).  Call them. 

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What about you?  I'd love to hear about your experiences tracking down hidden gems from the past -- or having nice people from your past find you -- message me or leave a comment below.