Memory

Memory is important.  Especially now while our education systems still rely more on memorizing than on how to do research. Memory speeds things up when I don't have to look up every detail, but computers make looking those details up pretty darn easy. Sometimes I think we would do well to encourage common sense, order and research rather than memory and competition.  But I know there are ups and downs to everything and our society is in no danger of losing the need to remember.

Memory, though, is not an exact science.  In fact, it is like the silly putty of the mind. It can pick up the comics just by being pressed against them.  It can pick up almost anything that way.  An ardent counselor can dig up memories and reasons and experiences we never knew we had -- because we didn't.

We all know people who remember things much differently than we do.  I am in awe of the different memories my siblings and I all have of growing up together with the same parents at the same time.

The point of this little rant is that the future is much more important than the past, because nothing dug up, or resurrected, or even evaluated from memory is particularly reliable.  Any good debater could make a case for almost anything depending on what they were looking for.

Go forward!  Take what is in this moment and step out into a whole new world of possibilities unhindered by the baggage of memories.  Focusing on the past seems like worrying about what is in the garbage bag sitting by the door.  If I'm going to take it to the curb anyway, why worry about that?  I don't want to be a garbage picker, so I need to focus on what I do want and put my energy there.

Sometimes it can be as simple as I want a cup of coffee, or I want a nap, or I want to be happier.  One baby step at a time can be a very positive thing, because even good memories brought up at the wrong time can be damaging.