It’s a beautiful fall day, and I’m out walking in the river valley with my coworkers and Randy, a black lab therapy dog. Randy loves being in nature, and as he’s playing in the bushes, he tugs at a branch, making a rustling sound that catches my attention.

That sound! Instantly, I’m transported to a memory I hadn’t thought about in years. In my mind, I’m back to my childhood, out in the yard with my dad and siblings. My dad is raking up the leaves, creating big piles, and as he bags them up, he lifts us up to jump inside, to press down the leaves. I can almost feel it again—the excitement of being picked up, the crunch and softness of the leaves, and the laughter filling the air. That same rustling sound I heard with Randy was there, too.

In that moment by the river, all those playful, joyful feelings flood back. I let myself sink into the memory, feeling the warmth and lightness it brought.

As a trauma therapist, I spend a lot of time with clients working through difficult memories, but this experience reminds me of something I often share in sessions: connecting to positive memories and their sensations can be just as powerful. Positive memories can remind us of our resilience and capacity for joy. In the journey of processing trauma, holding onto these kinds of memories is so important—it adds balance and hope to the process.

When we let ourselves pause and reconnect with the good moments, we find another way to ground ourselves. Moments like these show that healing isn’t just about resolving pain; it’s about rediscovering joy and playfulness too.

Check out my latest video! And let me know what you think. 🎥   👉 https://youtube.com/shorts/p7Kh96nodJw