P:005

Change of Scenery | 

I have often wondered what it would have been like to be born in a different time.

I was born in the 1980s, but what if it had been 20, 50, or 100 years earlier? What if I had been born in the distant future?

I’m sure we’ve all had similar thoughts. We daydream about how much better things could be if only (fill in the blank here) were different. 

I concluded, however, that I was born at precisely the right time. 

I suppose I could explain that God’s timing is perfect and His plans are so neatly knit together that I shouldn’t be surprised that I live at this specific time. And, of course, I believe that’s true. 

But I think the reason I feel perfectly suited for this day in time is nearly everything I want to attain is within reach. Technology has made it so that, on any given day, I can choose the music I listen to, the shows and movies I watch, and the recreation I want to participate in. If I wake up wishing I lived in the 1950s, I could queue up a playlist of hits from that time, watch “I Love Lucy”, read old magazines online- anything my heart desires. 

I know it’s not the same thing as traveling back in time, but if you think about it, that’s not really what we want when we daydream. It’s almost like nostalgia. We long for a time when things were simple or more exciting. We think about the best-case scenario. We seldom think of the unrest in any given society of the past. We don’t consider what it would take to get food on the table, maintain a home, or any number of other needs and how we would meet them. 

I guess that’s kind of the point of daydreaming. We can leave out all the worrisome things and focus on something ideal. That can be a problem if we hold on too tightly. But that’s why living right now is great. We can pick and choose the moments or eras we’d like to experience and sample the entertainment, the music, and the food; then we can try something different tomorrow. 

I like to play ambiance videos on YouTube as I go about my daily chores and routines. I choose the scene and the music to fit the mood I’m in (or to put me in a better one). Sometimes I want relaxed and calm, other times, fun and upbeat. I love creating a Christmasy or autumnal atmosphere throughout the year. Sometimes I’ll play music from Disney World or the soundtracks of my favorite movies. 

In a way, Quaint Crossroads is an attempt to create the world I want to live in, even if it’s just in my own home and this small corner of the internet. 

I believe it’s important to have a firm foundation and a good grasp of reality, but we can throw in a little whimsy; and a little fun. We can add small things that make a boring workday a little more enjoyable. Life’s too short to be too serious. 

I’ve dabbled in making some ambiance videos for YouTube in the past. Truth be told, I only ever put them up for a short time before deciding it was silly and removing them. 

I’d love to recommend or create something that will uplift or encourage someone; to help light a spark of happiness in our everyday life. 

So, here’s a link to a playlist I like to use on my YouTube channel. I hope you find something that makes your day better. If you don’t like my particular list, search for other videos. There are some great ambiance creators out there. 

If you find something you’d like to share, tell me about it in the comments.

Hope to see ya there soon!