Broadening the mind

Did you know that the word “souvenir” comes from the 18th-century French verb for “remember”? Over the years, travelers have come to think of a souvenir as something to buy and take home, like a funny T-shirt or colorful mug. But “a remembrance” can be something you create yourself. My favorite souvenirs are photo scrapbooks and the travel journals that our kids wrote during a cross-country family vacation.

“ ‘Travel enlarges the mind, my dear Christine,’ said her aunt. ‘Yes, dear aunt, travel undertaken in the right spirit,’ agreed Christine; ‘but travel pursued merely as a means towards...extravagant living is more likely to contract the purse than to enlarge the mind.’ ” [“Saki, Way to Dairy” in “Chronicles of Clovis” (“Short Stories of Saki,” 1958) 195]

“It is the traveller’s personal reflection, interpretation and conclusion that ‘broadens the mind’...Travel presents experiences of other lifestyles, cultures, values and convictions. Expansion is gained by personal deliberation” reflected in one’s own life. [Coursework.info, Aug 18, 2003]

“The external odyssey accompanies an internal voyage of self-discovery, pushing buttons and touching chords within that awaken new thoughts and emotions...” [Maeve Tynan, e-Citylife, Vol. 11, No. 9, September 2002]

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
 

Collecting Memories

We have photographed many of our scrapbooks, page by page, and put them on a CD stored at my mother’s home. Why would we do such a thing? For safe keeping - they are the most important things we own. When all of one’s possessions could be destroyed in an instant by natural disasters - floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, fire - it’s important to protect the things that cannot be replaced at the local shopping mall.

Did you know that Mark Twain was an avid scrapbooker? He reserved this hobby for Sundays and included ideas and recollections as well as pictures, news clips and such. “Twain's appreciation for scrapbooks eventually led to a business venture. In 1872, he patented the self-pasting scrapbook, marketing it as ‘Mark Twain's Patent Scrapbook.’ Published by Daniel Slote & Co. of New York, it had gummed, perforated pages designed to make scrapbook additions easier, cleaner, and neater to do. By 1901, at least 57 different types of his albums were available. There are those who argue that Twain’s scrapbooks were more lucrative than some of his book sales.” [“Scrapbooks, The Collecting of Creative Ideas,” from PBS series on Mark Twain, Classroom Activities]

Two suggestions from PBS are especially good for children but are applicable to all ages: “Using the scrapbooks you and your peers have created, select an outstanding theme, place, event, etc., that inspires your creative thoughts. Begin to script a piece of writing, such as a short story, essay, speech, poem, critical analysis, or book chapter. Write notes in a journal, and be sure to jot down inspirational events, catchy phrases, and the characteristics of unusual people.”

“Or, in the role of a 30th Century historian, who discovers this unique scrapbook collection, write an original newspaper article, that showcases your ‘terrific’ findings. Highlight what the scrapbooks reveal about the times, events, places, and individuals of the period in which they were assembled. Perhaps, in Twain fashion, you can write in a humorous tone. Make sure to build on all the relevant details found in the scrapbook entries you have chosen, and research what you need to know, especially if you are discussing a specific event or place.” [“Scrapbooks, The Collecting of Creative Ideas,” from PBS series on Mark Twain, Classroom Activities]

Other ideas from an insightful physical therapist: “I made a 25th Wedding Anniversary album for my parents and which included photos from their childhood as well as photos from the time since they were married. What I learned from rummaging through all these old photos was an invaluable lesson in family heritage. There were places they had been, and family members I did not know and events that were unknown to me until I sorted through these photos and interviewed my parents. The end result was a wonderful memento of their lives and a keepsake we could all cherish and share for generations to come.”

“The physical benefits of scrapbooking became evident to me while working with a young brain-injured individual in Rehab...Cutting with scissors or a paper trimmer and handwriting journaling helps build good fine motor skills as does using shapes and stencils. Visual/perceptual skills are also utilized with the activity...Then putting all the pages together to form a completed scrapbook reinforces the idea of task completion and the overall understanding of getting an end product from their labor of love.” [Kathy Johnson, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and Crop Camp Coordinator, 1/20/05]

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
 

Exercising the brain

History travel also contributes to personal growth and good health. Before the trip even begins and long after it has ended, you will be energized...

• researching and planning what could be the vacation of a lifetime.

• exploring unusual and interesting destinations that spark new thoughts.

• chatting with historical interpreters about anything you want to know.

• learning the insider’s perspective on people, places and events.

• discovering first-hand what you can only imagine in books and films.

• writing a travel journal along the way or afterwards as a keepsake.

• thinking about stories to tell friends and family at home.

These benefits are important at any age - from the young, developing years to the senior stage of life.

“Focus keeps you on a direct path to your goal. Just like a river needs its banks to keep it flowing, your mind needs focus to keep it from wandering and straying from your desired intention.” [Danny Dryer, “ChiRunning, ChiWalking,” 2006]

“One of the great fears of growing older is the fear of becoming senile and losing your mind. But...to a large extent, problems with memory and thinking are just the same as problems with our physical body. If we don’t use a faculty, we will lose it.” [James F. Fries, M.D. in his book “Living Well-Taking Care of Yourself in the Middle and Later Years”]

“Researchers at the University of Michigan studied brain images and discovered that older people used both halves of their brain simultaneously to handle memorization or other tasks. They performed as well as younger volunteers who used primarily one side.” [AARP bilingual magazine, “Segunda Juventud,” October/November 2006]

“Acquisition of new skills is important,” says Denise Park, director of University of Illinois’ Roybal Center for Healthy Minds, which studies cognitive function and aging. “My advice: Travel, go to the theater, go to museums, take a dance class.” [“Kiplinger’s Retirement Report,” December 2006]

“A National Institute on Aging study found that adults who regularly listened to the radio, read newspapers, played puzzle games and visited museums over a four-year period cut the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by 47%.” [“Kiplinger’s Retirement Report,” December 2006]

What about the addition of physical activity? “Despite all the evidence, exercise seems to be like spinach. You know it’s good for you, but given the choice between leafy greens and chocolate, between a brisk walk and an extra hour of sleep, we all know which tends to win out.” Regardless, exercise is important. [Dr. Susan Vaughan, assistant professor of clinical psychiatry, Columbia University medical school, October 24, 2001]

For three years, Dr. John Stirling Meyer, a neurologist at Baylor College of Medicine, followed 90 people who had just reached retirement. “In the February 1990 ‘Journal of the American Geriatric Society,’ he reported that blood flow in the brain had significantly declined in people who retired to their easy chairs. Among those who kept working or pursued new interests, cerebral blood flow remained strong and healthy.” [WebMD Feature]