Today’s post title triggers a wish to define “triggers.”
trig·ger
ˈtriɡər/
noun
plural noun: triggersa small device that releases a spring or catch and so sets off a mechanism, especially in order to fire a gun.
“he pulled the trigger of the shotgun”
verb
3rd person present: triggers
cause (an event or situation) to happen or exist.
“an allergy can be triggered by stress or overwork”
synonyms: precipitate, prompt, elicit, trigger off, set off, spark (off), touch off, provoke, stir up
Here‘s a description of psychological triggers:
What is a Trigger?
In the strictest sense of the term, trigger is used to refer to experiences that “re-trigger” trauma in the form of flashbacks or overwhelming feelings of sadness, anxiety, or panic. The brain forms a connection between a trigger and the feelings with which it is associated, and some triggers are quite innocuous.
Today’s date, November 22, is a trigger for me. Because my thoughts and feelings have triggered a daily blog post since 1/1/13, November 22 has triggered two previous posts (here and here).
This triggers a question and an answer:
Q. Why is November 22 a trigger for me?
A. On November 22, 1963 — when I and modern medical technology were both very young — President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed AND I underwent my first heart surgery, receiving my first of many cardiac pacemakers.
This photo of my family, taken shortly before November 22, 1963, triggers many memories for me.
Looking at those faces, here and now, triggers this thought:
We didn’t know what was coming.
Yesterday, I was triggered to capture lots of photos. Which ones trigger reactions in you?
This fish bowl, which triggered my taking two photos …
… triggered this reaction in me:
OMG. They designed this so that the world looks right TO THE FISH.
November 22, 1963, doesn’t trigger any particular music for me, since I was out of it, the whole day. If this post triggers any music in you, feel free to share that (and anything else) below.
Many thanks to all who visit here, today.
The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally 
This triggered a smile, a laugh, and gratitude in me. Many thanks!
Tears of gratitude for Elvis and for you!
I think guinea pig pictures and the cat pictures trigger me the most. For the 1963 songs, I looked up (I do not have an ability to associate songs with the year they came out), there are few that I like – Rhythm of The Rain by Cascades came is one of them (I hope that is correct for the year that it came out).
“Rhythm of the Rain” by Cascades was released in November 1962, but your comment triggers nothing but gratitude in me!
Thank you Ann, I am listening the song to re-trigger the old memory again.
Some triggers are great.
Love the fishbowl!
Love is a wonderful trigger, Emilie! ❤
It is so important for one’s fish to have a proper geography education. !?
That fishbowl triggered similar reactions for me, Debbie.
Trigger – Ditto for me.
❤
I remember that day so well. I was in the second grade. Love & hugs to you-
I was in 6th grade. Love and hugs back at you, Cindy! ❤ ❤
Your post triggered so many memories for me of that day in 1963. It was a school holiday for me, patron saint feast day, so we were at home. I watched in horror at the event, and at my mother’s reaction. It was the national tragedy of my childhood, with so many more to follow. We were forever changed.
I love your family pic. So sorry for you dealing with health issues at such an early age.
As usual, you trigger gratitude in me, Van, that you and I have met here.
topoet beat me to the draw. My trigger-finger wasn’t quick enough
You are trigger-quick, Derrick.
11/22/63 the day before my 13th birthday…remember that day so well. They made an announcement over the school PA system. Shock… now, so many tragic days since then…making triggers for so many people.
I appreciate that this post triggered this comment from you. Many thanks for sharing.
thank you for triggering
a sad, distant
young memory 🙂
you always
trigger a calm
smile in me
One tune comes to mind. It is sung by an old time cowboy favorite of mine and many; Roy Rogers: “Happy Trails.” It hasn’t a trigger in it. Unless for the fact that it was sung on Roy’s horse’s back, who’s named “Trigger.”
-Alan
Happy Trails to you, Ann. And a Happy Thanksgiving also.
I’m giving thanks for the tune, for Roy, Dale, and Trigger, and for you, Alan!
Many thanks, Ann.
-Alan
My son just had a pace maker implanted he’s 27. Phone calls at midnight trigger memories of that situation. I’m so happy your pace maker worked out for you and for him.
I’m so happy for all of us, Wendy!
Thinking of you (but never triggered by you).
My pacemakers have kept me staying alive, every day since 11/22/63.
That is something that matters.
Oops! I really did not mean to post Stayin Alive! How inappropriate! I wanted to post this song — Massachusetts– but I think the link I posted was for a playlist.
Feel I’m goin’ back to Massachusetts,
Something’s telling me I must go home.
And the lights all went out in Massachusetts
The day I left her standing on her own.
Tried to hitch a ride to San Francisco,
Gotta do the things I wanna do.
And the lights all went out in Massachusetts
They brought me back to see my way with you.
Talk about the life in Massachusetts,
Speak about the people I have seen,
And the lights all went out in Massachusetts
And Massachusetts is one place I have seen.
All your comments trigger my thanks, Maureen (see above).
Ann I just love that photo of you and your family. I think I had a dress just like the one you are wearing. It is funny that you wrote about this today as this morning when I saw the date it triggered a reminder that November 24 1974 was the day I met someone who had a major impact on my life.
I just love this comment, Lisa.
This post only triggers positive thoughts and good memories.
This comment does the same, Maria.
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I love the additional music to this post Ann. It triggered some memories that’s for sure!
I love any additional comments from you, Val, which all trigger good memories for me.
Reblogged this on Ancien Hippie.
It seems like any post from me triggers a reblog from you!
I’m glad your surgeries were successful. And sorry you had to endure them, but thankful that they were possible. 🙂
The cup of unfinished ice cream makes me feel sad. It looks lonely.
At first I thought the fish bowl was some weird ghost design for Halloween, then I realized it was backward maps and thought, what the heck?! Who *does* that?! Goofs! LOL
And your posts trigger my comments. 😀
I’m glad my post triggered your kind, lively, and interesting comment. I felt the same way about that ice cream. Now, I feel less lonely!
LOL Me too! 😀
And thank you. 🙂
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