By Platte Valley Media

Back when we were growing up, riding our bicycles to school was a simple joy. Our parents didn’t worry about dangers lurking around every corner; we just pedaled to school without a care in the world. Occasionally, we’d take a different route, excited for the chance to see some new scenery. Those were the some of the most wonderful days of our lives—the Good Old Days.

I’m sure many of you remember starting our school mornings with the pledge of allegiance and a morning prayer. The teacher would begin the lessons for the day and the most important thing on my mind was wondering whether or not recess might run 5 minutes longer than usual. It was the Good Old Days.

Before the era of cell phones and social media, we weren’t burdened by the opinions of strangers online. We didn’t worry about who would join us or protest us. It seemed as if people were able to see other points of view and a disagreement over an idea or opinion wasn’t a friendship ending ordeal. Life felt simpler before the digital age took hold. It was the Good Old Days.

After school, the sole focus was racing home to finish homework and maximize our playtime with friends. Outdoor adventures filled our evenings, from games of hide and seek to baseball and beyond. We didn’t have today’s instant distractions; creativity was our entertainment and we made our own fun! Our folks couldn’t take a quick glance at their cell phones and see our exact location at any given time. They simply had absolutely no idea where we were around the neighborhood, and it was beautiful. The street lights came on signaling our time to head home for the evening. It was the Good Old Days.

We didn’t rush to the emergency room whenever we had a sniffle or a cough. We scraped our knees, skinned our elbows, and got hurt every now and again. There were badges of honor and it seemed like the best cure was some fresh air and a little Tylenol. There were no world wide pandemics or plagues or life altering quarantines and precautions we had to take to ensure our safety. Germs were just…germs. It was the Good Old Days.

Regardless of our current stage in life, those days feel like just yesterday. We blinked and here we are. One moment we’re picking out a new backpack for school and the next moment getting married and paying a mortgage. The passage of time seems inconsequential when we recall the innocence and joy of our youth. They were indeed the Good Old Days.

Perhaps in this fast-paced world, finding a balance between embracing modern conveniences and reconnecting with the timeless values of the past is the key to cultivating a fulfilling and meaningful life. It seems as if there is always a yearning for something more, something deeper—a return to important values of the past. These values encompass simple pleasures like spending quality time with family and friends, immersing ourselves in nature, and cultivating meaningful connections with others. Whatever it may be for you, try to slow down, disconnect, and get back to what makes you happy.

We’ll never forget the Good Old Days!