The first thing to understand is that far from being akin to a marriage of video recorder and a computer data bank, our observations tend to be highly subjective and our memory is extremely malleable. The second thing is that not all forms of forgetting are necessarily bad.

Some forgetting is the equivalent of cleaning out the garage, clearing out mental debris, useless or outdated data, unneeded details that would otherwise clutter your mind. At other times, forgetfulness can be a sign of stress; a valuable warning to take a break, slow down our mental lives a bit to a safer, saner speed. Forgetfulness can also be both a coping mechanism (conscious) or a form of defense (unconscious).

We can block out unpleasant memories, bury them deep. We can also choose to focus on the positive, eliminating the negative. Do we choose to focus on the tiff we had last night or on the warm hug we got this morning? Whatever you choose to focus on will expand and thoughts held in mind attract in kind. When you choose to dwell on the good in your life, you will attract more of it. When you spotlight the positive qualities of those around you, comment on them, appreciate them, feel and display gratitude for them, you will bring forth more of those attributes. If you choose to remember their faults and decide that it is your job in life to point them out, along with a detailed recital of the related history…Well, I feel for you.

Closing Quotes:

“Time and memory are true artists; they remold reality nearer to the heart’s desire.” – John Dewey, 1859-1952

“There are lots of people who mistake their imagination for their memory.” – Josh Billings, 1818-1885

“Nothing is more responsible for the good old days than a bad memory.” – Franklin Pierce Adams, 1881-1960

“Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory.” – Albert Schweitzer, 1875-1965

As always, I share what I most want and need to learn. –  Nathan S. Collier