Make a Magic Box

 

Wouldn’t it be fun to relive past joys, if only in your mind? They could be treasured moments spanning your life from childhood till now. Collect remnants of them: coins,  cards, your written memories (perhaps a page from your journal) and put them into what I named the “Magic Box.”

I’ll reveal the magic later.

First, find a box.

No wait! Let’s cover why we’re not doing this on a computer. (There’s no app for this lol.)

It has to do with tactile stimulation. Can't touch lambs’ ears or pieces of cotton on the computer.

Texture perception in the brain is processed in the parietal lobe which sits on top and back of your head roughly behind the frontal lobe. It’s responsible for touch,  temperature and  pain which can also be instrumental in the sensation of feeling. According to the University of Chicago News the area of the brain for the sense of touch is in the section of the lobe called the somatosensory cortex “ which can tell silk from  sandpaper.”

 

 

Dementia significantly alters the experience of texture. It often causes extreme hypersensitivity like discomfort or agitation. Hyposensitivity is a reduced sensation in feeling and food consumption.

Sensory changes can also lead to confusion.

 

So what’s this box?

You could make your own magic box. You'll keep your memories on the inside, that you design on the outside which, if you wish can also be designed with successes and souvenires. Find a shoe box or an empty Kleenex box will work. Another alternative is an old purse. You could design them for yourself, with your caregiver, or with your friends or family. They might have some ideas for you.

It might be fun to host a self-esteem party where you each design your own box with inspiration from the rest. Use markers, colored paper. Look for patterns or colors from  magazines. Maybe you can get hold of a People or Good Housekeeping magazine. Go through magazines or newspapers paying attention to what you see; do any spark pleasant nostalgia?  Cut it out and place it on or in your box.You can also use any ads that come through the mail, a good place to find a spot of color  -  or a pattern.

You can also find already-made boxes in stores or online. Google “memory boxes” and see what comes up. Surprised at the variety? I was. It'll give you lots of suggestions. If you decide you'd like to purchase your ready- made box, you might want to share your choices with your caregiver for feedback. “Two heads are better than one.”  There are different kinds. Amazon has a good variety.

 

Okay, what can you put in your box?

I bet you have some Ideas you’ve already addressed: a coin that can represent getting ice cream with grandpa, Ìf you earned a degree you might want to consider sliding in your tassel. Put in anything that alerts you to positive remembrances:  booklets or comic  book covers, some jewelry, magnets. Try to get some texture like a  piece of your bridal dress, a sea shell from a beloved vacation, a recipe. Yes, don’t forget the sensations of paper, cardboard to homemade.

Try to get some additional texture. Some people put a small container of sand from the beach or you can add a pack of soil to remind you of gardening with a family member. Some have used a rabbits foot on a key ring to represent a favorite pet.

 

A Box of Wins has been my magic.

You could use some of these ideas for your project. Years ago, I started what I called a box of wins. It was my way of keeping track of the things I did well. At those times I didn't feel very good about myself. So keeping this collection helped me see there was good in me.

I wrote down on little pieces of paper items such as during my talk at the women’s center,  I was very scared but by the end of the four-week sessions, I ended up feeling pretty confident. Then the director of the conference revealed to me that I had drawn more people into the workshop than anyone else had. I put three wins (therefore three pieces went into my Box of Wins,) one for creating the program, one to mention I had overcome my fear of public speaking and the last one (which was a copy of the program) to celebrate how successful it was.

That was a big win for me. Some smaller ones like a walk in the park, donating books to the local library or getting up earlier I placed into my box along with compliments I received from other people.

 

You might want to do the same thing by putting “wins” into your magic box.

If you have trouble remembering some of your wins or objects to put in your box, ask someone in you're family, one of your caregivers or a longtime friend to help you with that. Remember to keep the wins small. You’ll begin to see how each behavior  - or attitude -  brings blessings to you and to those around you.

Feel free to add dreams. Maybe you want to have your whole family (within reason) join together at the park. Perhaps you want to read five books this summer. Or take a class in small-engine repair.

 

Note: memory boxes can be presents for others.

They will likely be made of your memories of them. You’ve seen the military boxes if you looked online. Graduation boxes have been popular. You could make a birthday or anniversary box for someone you know.

 

So where’s the magic?

It stems from the making of the box with your caregiver or any friends you invite over. It’s also related to the tactile sensations you chose plus the joy arising as a result of doing something for yourself.

But the superpower appears when you bring it out on a bad day and see your wins appear before your eyes and you recognize that your life hasn’t been so bad after all.

Please remember, you are not alone.

Till next Monday, or in the chat…

“In the box of dreams, imagination knows no sounds.”  J. K. Rowling