Our Past is nothing more than a collection of memories?

[rfc@i-change.biz]

"Everyone's past… is nothing more than a collection of memories that they chose to remember" Andrew Davidson

I came across this interesting sentence in a marvellous book I have just read called The Gargoyle and it got me thinking. I'm inclined to agree but do we actually choose the memories that we remember? What does it take to erase a bad memory? I have been relatively lucky in my life and my past isn't scared with many traumas, so I claim no expertise here, but I do know people who have lived through tough experiences and I can see how these are imprinted on them. Read the Rest of the BLOG HERE

[VizcomDesign]

Interesting quote.....I read a similar one many years ago now, from a neurologist that stated 'The Human Brain cannot differentiate between what we've experienced, what we've dreamt at night, what we've imagined and what we've watched on TV', and therefore, any past life regressions and other such activities are null and void- so I guess our brain really does choose what we want to remember.

Oooh that was deep for a Tuesday afternoon

[rfc@i-change.biz]

Yes, I think there maybe some truth in that.

[NikkiPilkington]

I was talking with a friend about this a few days ago. We were saying how we remembered things from our childhood, but I think that a lot of my memories are enhanced by photographs my mum has, rather than the memory itself.

My daughter vividly 'remembers' an incident in her childhood, but if you go deeper into it you realise she 'remembers' my version of things from when we've gone through photo albums. So while her memory is still there, it's clouded/tainted/enhanced by talking about it over the years.

[testudo]

Have you seen the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind? Jim Carey has his memory of his failed relationship completely erased from his mind. (Great film and I'm not a Carey fan). Anyway the ultimate message is we need to have those memories in place. Life is a learning experience, good and bad.

[rfc@i-change.biz]

Nikki, I think there are some very interesting observations there.. thank you.

I have few early memories and mine are like rather short, low quality video clips.

HOwever my eldest daughter and my wife have memories going back till they were tiny.

The other issue is what we do with these memories

[rfc@i-change.biz]

Thanks Yvette, I can't remember if I did or not but wil llook out for it now

[fundingportal]

Presumably the ability to remember the good and elliminate the less good is essential to sanity and personal growth?

In view of the current climate, I remember an Irish colleague during the last recession, who oft repeated the phrase 'one day we'll look back at this and laugh'. And he was right!

Lots of our memories are also laughing at adverstity, having shaken off the fear and panic of the moment.

[rfc@i-change.biz]

I agree with this and an interesting thing is what we choose to hold onto and laugh at and which ones we bury and try to forget. Oddly some of hte worst weath walks I had I now remember fondly