The Good Ol’ Days Are Being Made Right Now

“The good ol’ days are being made right now.”

So go the lyrics to the most recent jingle for my beloved Blue Bell Ice Cream (best Homemade Vanilla EVER—trust me).

Over the past several decades Blue Bell’s advertising campaigns have typically drawn upon feelings of nostalgia, the beauty of simpler times, and the warmth and folksiness of gatherings with loved ones.

But it is the lyrics to this jingle—which caught my attention for the first time earlier this week—that truly resonate with me.

Older adults have often been given a bad rap for evoking—much of the time with unwarranted wistfulness—a longing for “the good ol’ days.”

When kids walked miles to and from school every day. Barefoot. In the snow (no matter the season—or in what part of the country they happened to live).

Uphill.

Both ways.

One could argue—and make an extremely good case, if you ask me—that at least some of those “good ol’ days” might not have been quite as “good” as they’ve been purported to be.

Nonetheless, I think the message of the jingle has merit.

Rather than focus on those “glorious days of yesteryear,” perhaps we would do well to pay greater attention to today—and the days to come.

By doing what we can to shape our present and future, we in turn create the times we’ll look back on years from now—fondly or not.

If we’re longing for simpler times with fewer screens, then maybe we should make a point of putting those screens down and trying to simplify our lives (whatever that means).

If we’re longing for days spent carefree—and, perhaps, outdoors—with friends, then maybe we should schedule an “adult” playdate with friends (a hike, a bike ride, a picnic, an outdoor concert, etc.).

If we’re longing for times spent pursuing hobbies or attempting new challenges, then maybe we should make time to revisit those types of activities today; after all, there’s no age limit on being creative or learning new skills.

Several months ago I shared my thoughts (read: concerns) about so many people’s desire to “make memories”—as if we’re not already doing that every minute of every day.

To me, our focus should be less on “making memories,” and more on the memories we make.

Because as the folks at Blue Bell so aptly teach us, “the good ol’ days are being made right now.”

What do you want your “good ol’ days” to look like?

Please share your ideas in the comments below.

#agingisliving #thesearethegoodoldays