Pleasure Bouquets: Looking On The Bright Side

Looking on the Bright Side

I live in Southern California. Every single year, we are confronted with what the weatherman kindly refers to as “June Gloom” – days of grey skies and drizzle reminiscent of that which Oregonians must suffer through for most of their lives. Every single year, I forget this. And every single year, I am completely affronted by nature’s decision to hide the sun.

Today, in fact, is the first day all month during which the sun dispelled the clouds completely. It’s been a glorious day – a nice little treat for everyone celebrating Father’s Day around here. The fine weather has me wanting to emerge from hibernation. My brain starts clicking again. I begin pondering life, particularly my life, as if I’m being introduced to it for the first time.

I wonder, why is it that I am affronted by “June Gloom”? Expanding upon that, why am I caught off guard by phenomena which I’ve previously experienced and therefore should expect, or avoid, next time they come around?

As soon as it stops raining, I forget that it ever rains in Los Angeles. As soon as I become involved with a new guy, I forget the red flags I learned to identify through the last relationship. As soon as I see that yummy caramel corn at the movie theatre, I forget that I always feel sick after eating it.

Now, this faulty memory doesn’t just make me forget the bad. I frequently forget the good too.

I never remember that I feel incompetent at the start of every new job, but then get over it. I never remember that waking up early to take a hike leaves me more alert than stealing that extra hour of sleep. I never remember that the load of laundry or sink full of dishes which I’m avoiding will only take five minutes to address.

Why is it, do you think, that we (I know I’m not alone on this) approach repeat situations as if we are facing them for the very first time?

Tell me, what do you always forget, no matter how many times you are met by it?

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