Published on 12:05 AM, December 01, 2013

Take Me Back to Yesterday

backNo, I am not on my deathbed and I admit that you don't really expect this sort of title from someone who has just stepped into the 20s and is still exploring what we call life. I am a preserver of my memories and I will scurry back to my past if I get the opportunity. We obviously can't do that but we can actually walk through the memory lane. Have you ever thought of pausing your never-ending run towards the future for a while? If not, then give it a try. You could be very 'rich' in terms of memories in your memory bank.
Pay a visit to your memory museum where scenes from the past are displayed. Happy memories, sad memories, memories that bring back regrets. You will
laugh, you will weep, you will wonder, “Oh my god! How could I do that!” You
will find yourself saying, “Damn, I could have done it another way.” That's the unique thing about reminiscing. The journey promises to be eventful.
There's a proverb which says, “Everyday is better than the next day.” I am not here to debate that but surely almost all of us wondered at some point that it wouldn't be too bad to go back to the past at least for once! Perhaps the concept of time machines (which are sadly non-existent) comes from that because going back to the past and changing it could be as exciting as taking a look at the future.

So go back to the days when you were a kid. Life was simple and you were a safe distance away from the complexities of life. Go back to the day when you blushingly said, “I love you!” to your teenage crush. Aren't you smiling? An old diary found at the corner of your drawer or an old photo album could be as precious as gold.

I remember my 70 days at BMA (Bangladesh Military Academy), getting introduced to the vigorous military life. We all had to maintain diaries. Now after one year when I read that diary it takes me back to the sleepless nights over the high ground and the tough days I spent with my 'brother from another mother' course mates. I love to remember the day when I first wore my coverall (flight suit).These memories are deathless.
So learn to pause after learning to press the restart button. Realists may disagree, but when there is nobody around and you are smiling at a lost memory, that's the purest of smiles. Who knows how many of those your journey into the past might provide you with?

Sabbir Hasan Rehan is a flight cadet, Bangladesh Air Force Academy.