What Made It My Favorite?

8/13/2021

As Far Back As I Remember

Some things about me have been true as far back as I remember. I absolutely love purple. It has been my favorite color my whole life...as far as I know. I do recall my mother saying I would outgrow it. I never did. Dark shades of royal purple and the lighter shades of lavender and lilac have always touched my heart and figured into my home decorating. I never have purchased much clothing in these colors, but if given any that were purple, I would wear them until they fell apart.

In addition to purple, I have other "favorites" which have held their positions in my mind since so far back I cannot recall what exactly happened that let them rise to their current position of importance. For instance, I love dragons, and fairies, and oriental knickknacks. I also have collections of shot glasses, jokers (from decks of cards) and salt and pepper shakers. Why I give them such a large place in my life, I have no clue.

Two things that have also been true about my likes is my total love of jasmine (which resulted in the naming of my only child), and the love of waves crashing against rocks.

To this day, I've never seen waves crashing. I do love waterfalls, though, and I had plenty of exposure to them growing up. Therefore, I always assumed the love of waves was just an extension of my waterfall obsession.

Where my love of jasmine came from, I really had no clue. It is not as if this tropical flower was readily available in Upstate New York.

Recently I have been watching a DVD set of one of my favorite shows from my youth, Dark Shadows. I remember rushing home from school and finishing my homework just so I could watch this "horror soap opera". After the first two episodes, I realized the sign on was, in fact, waves crashing against rocks. Could this be where the desire to see this phenomenon? I began to wonder...it did make sense. I watched this show for its entire run from 1966-1971, so my exposure to the opening credits was extensive.

As I continue watching this show, I find myself deeply enthralled again. It was while watching the second season that the scent of jasmine was mentioned as lingering scent, whenever the ghost of Josette was near. Once again, I had discovered the probable cause of my partiality to this delicate flower.

Finally, after 64 years, I have discovered the roots of my fondness for things I had no early exposure to.
I wonder when I might discover why I love purple...

~Cindy J. Smith

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16 Comments

Erika M Szabo link

8/12/2021 05:17:26 pm

I love this post!
I strongly believe that our favorite colors are intuitive.
Being a color purple personality, you most likely have a peaceful and tranquil quality and a quiet dignity about you. People are drawn to your charismatic and alluring energy. You are usually introverted rather than extroverted and may give the impression of being shy although this is not the case.

My favorite color is teal.
The teal color personality is reserved, intuitive and perhaps introverted, different, yet it doesn't look for attention. Teal personality is to think before acting. Those who like or wear teal are also probably open minded people, they like to keep their options open and they don't judge situations and people quickly.

Cindy J. Smith

8/12/2021 06:01:13 pm

I never knew favorite colors gave insight into personality. That is interesting. I really don't know why I like purple, even my sister says it has just always been true.

Alex

8/13/2021 04:11:41 pm

Purple is my favourite colour too:)

8/13/2021 04:15:20 pm

You have great taste!

Paula J. Mann

8/16/2021 02:52:49 am

I think I don't have a particular colour I prefer. Depending on the day, I love blue, green or dark red. Mostly, is blue. I love this post, and I do believe that tastes are different, for different states of mind.

8/16/2021 07:55:57 am

My daughter loved pink for most of her youth, then when she turned 12 she decided her favorite colors were red and black. They remained those the rest of her life. Most of my sisters kept their favorite colors throughout all their lives.

Lorraine A Carey

8/16/2021 07:15:59 am

It's not wonder Cindy loves purple. It was deemed as colour for royalty through the ages and is said to instill a sense of calm by just looking at it. Purple on, Cindy.

8/16/2021 07:57:30 am

I knew I could get someone to agree that I was royalty! lmao!

Suzi

8/16/2021 10:42:53 am

I read this article with great interest since the color purple has always attracted me. I read that purple is the color of royalty. I also know that it is an extension of the color blue. And now that I have read your article, it doesn't surprise me that it is a part of your soul.I very much enjoyed knowing how it connects to the memoies of your daughter through your memories.Who knew a color could touch so deeply.

8/16/2021 11:12:08 am

Purple is the best color ever! I have never considered purple as being an extension of blue although blue is half of its identity. I just think I am special, lmao

R. A. “Doc” Correa

8/16/2021 02:02:29 pm

I love it Cindy, well written.

8/16/2021 02:08:47 pm

Thanks Richard, it sure is weird "discovering" where our likes and dislikes originate.

Slate R. Raven

8/17/2021 01:01:26 pm

I’m so glad you named your child Jasmine and not “Water crashing on the rocks” it’d be a mouthful. Interesting the things people collect, prior to my divorce I had a substantial sword collection. Now I collect unique blades from all over., and old coins. Knives are likely more upkeep than joker cards, but everyone must have a hobby.

8/17/2021 04:37:50 pm

My daughter loved her name until Disney came out with that Aladdin movie...then she probably would have preferred "Water Crashing on the Rocks". I forgot I save foreign coins too, I do know how that started. Knives are awesome!

A.J. Park

8/18/2021 10:30:46 pm

I don't think we have to have a reason for loving colors, or other moments that speak to us. These are the things that bring joy in life. Enjoy your purple!

8/19/2021 07:38:49 am

I agree that we don't need a reason, but I am sure we all want one.