The Power Of Nostalgia | Cheyne Gallarde | TEDxHonolulu

The “Power of Nostalgia” comforts us during scary times of dread and doubt.

Cheyne Gallarde is a self-taught photographer who was born and raised in Hawai‘i. He has an affinity for the midcentury, and an insatiable curiosity. He combines his theatre and graphic design experience to craft unique photos, using very simple equipment to bring sophisticated ideas to life. Cheyne’s thought-provoking exhibit “Wat School You Wen Go?” just finished its run at the Honolulu Museum of Art’s Spalding House Museum. He is currently finishing up his second book and preparing for his third crowdfunded publication.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

Hello,

I couldn't help but notice you all

admiring my jacket.

Yes, it is.

Remembers only jacket.

I don't blame you

for looking it is awesome.

All right.
Well maybe it's a bit ill fitting,

and it's a bit smelly

because I dug it out of storage.

And it's a bit dated.

All right. Well maybe it's not so awesome.

But you know who thought this jacket

was really awesome

thirteen-year-old me.

(Laughter)

That's right.

Thirteen-year-old Cheyne.

I was young and had discovered the power

and potential of art.

But don't get me wrong.

I could always draw as soon as

I could pick up a pencil.

But you see,

thirteen-year-old Cheyne

had just recently won

the yearbook cover contest.

And seeing my work

for such a shy reserved kid,

seeing my work

in the hands of all of my classmates,

Well, that was a life-changing moment.

It was then and there that I decided

to pursue art as a career.

You know be paid to do the thing

I love to do.

At thirteen, even at that young age,

I was so certain

with what I wanted to do

with my life.

I knew the direction I wanted to go.

But now, like most adults,

I have a lot of moments of uncertainty,

a lot of moments of dread,

and self-doubt.

You know if I could write a letter

to my younger self

and give myself advice,

I wouldn't even know what I would say

because honestly,

I'm pretty happy with the path

that I took in life.

It's just that I've lost some direction.

And I could use some reminders.

So a compass for guidance

a North Star if you will.

And then I remember this jacket.

I remember this jacket

and I get nostalgic about it.

I get nostalgic about being 13 again.

But don't get me wrong

there's a lot about being 13

that I do not miss.

But there's a handful of things

that I do miss.

I miss the limitless dreams that I had.

I miss the unflinching optimism that I had.

Being nostalgic is awesome.

But when I think about that,

when I get nostalgic about the past,

I feel kind of guilty about it.

And I'm sure

we've all felt moments like that.

You know, and you're not alone

because traditionally and historically

nostalgia has

a lot of negative connotations.

It was actually seen as a disease.

It was actually labeled

a psychological disorder,

very similar to homesickness.

But for those of us

who have ever thought

fondly on the past,

we know that is definitely not a sickness.

And we know that it happens to everybody

not just people who are away from home.

So why all the negative connotation

with nostalgia?

Nostalgia can be

such an important part of our lives

if we we use it wisely.

We all have these objects,

things, food,

music, books,

places, memories

that we hold onto.

And we should be able to

reflect upon them.

fondly.

it's okay to go back there as long as

you don't get stuck there.

The trick is to let it ground you

but not let it weigh you down.

Nostalgia gives our lives texture.

It reminds us

that we are valuable people,

that we've led meaningful lives.

That's why this jacket is so awesome to me

because it reminds me of who I am,

who I chose to be,

what I decide to do with my life

and why.

In all of its faded glory,

it gives me wind in my sails.

And so I say,

the next time you are ever feeling unsure

about something in life or uncertain.

I say fish out

that object,

that thing,

that memory,

and reflect upon it.

Because life is full of

so many winding roads

and we could all use a really good compass

once in a while.

And wherever you go

in life on your journey,

make sure you bring a jacket

because a little comfort goes a long way.

Thank you.

(Applause)