Memory is TIME that lasts, because of INTEREST.
Or it could be TIME that won’t depart, and thus reappears, even though we would rather forget it.
And the core process of memory?
Psychologists break it down into three main stages:
Encoding: Taking in new information and registering it through the senses.
Storage: Maintaining and keeping that recorded information over a period of time.
Retrieval: Recalling or bringing the stored information back into conscious awareness when needed.
Whatever MEMORY is, we need it, rely on it, and yet sometimes would LOVE to run away from it.
MEMORY IS TRULY US, A CONSTANT COMPANION, no matter who we are, where we live or how we live, memory is a guide that is always with us.
THINK ABOUT IT.
You wake up and immediately know where you are. Because of memory.
But if you were traveling, had too much to drink, or agreed to imbibe something your body was not used to…it might take you some time to remember where you are.
You might feel frightened for seconds…until your memory kicks in. Oh come on , you’re in Florida and that last drink was a huge mistake.
Another reason I don’t drink alcohol….mostly I don’t like the taste, and I always want to know where I am.
OTHER ASPECTS OF MEMORY
And please note, we often have some control over our memoires, and hopefully it is a gift we always take advantage of.
Because humans need to know where they are, who they are with, where they are going.
Just reading the newspaper will remind us that the threat of being out of control of your own life often means you do not KNOW where you are, who you are truly with and where you are going.
In our youth that might have not been a very big deal….but of course it was.
MEMORY?
Yes to this day, I remember having, for some reason, gone to a party on the far north side of Chicago with a friend from my dorm. BAD CHOICE. She loved to party…but I found myself in some home with everyone drinking. And I still remember looking at my watch, knowing I had a midnight curfew.
AGAIN, where was my brain? But I asked the fellow who was running the party to drive me back to my dorm. And he did, wildly cruising the Dan Ryan Expressway so that I would make my curfew.
I never saw this person again, but I am grateful that I arrived back in time and safely. I never ever did that… go to some strange party…again.
AND YES, a truly great example of human memory. Not unlike animal memory. We learn to stay away from choices that might put us in danger. Animals do this. People often do NOT.
ARTHUR and THE BEE
John and I love Friday mornings. While our son works, we play and care for our grandson, Arthur.
And it’s still warm and sunny, so on Friday, we went for a long walk outside. Arthur loves to run ahead, find things on the sidewalk, wander into the grass. And we are there to watch his choices. But when a tiny bee settled on Arthur’s cheek, it was too late for us to stop the sting.
And yes, he cried. We brought him inside, our son who was working, immediately came to the rescue with something to stop the sting, soothe the tears.
And in moments, Arthur was okay.
But questions:
Will that experience create a memory, and if so, how will that memory work…will Arthur not want to play outside?
No, I think he will.
Will Arthur still go searching in the grass and sticks and things? Yes, I think he will. Memory works at different levels and extremes.
As a child, I scraped knees, was stung and had a bad fall off my bike. But that did not stop me. A bee sting made me cautious. A bad fall off my bike with skin scraps and bleeding made me more careful. That’s memory at work. Another version of the drinking party, but at a different level.
Because memory is a teacher. It is how we learn about that guy in college, Kevin K., who I thought was good looking and cool, until after a long walk, he took me to his frat house, said he was going to run upstairs to get his jacket. But while I sat in the frat house kitchen for 30 minutes, he was a no show…until another guy came in, basically asked me what I was doing there, waiting. And yes, it turned out Kevin was actually on his bed, sleeping. He did finally appear, walked me back to the dorm, then later dated another girl from my floor. But not me…and a good thing. Who needs that?
And yes, I am certain that everyone reading this can provide a memory that changed how they live or make decisions etc. Some memoires are so painful we try to push them aside. I get that.
But all memory is there for a purpose…as small as a bee’s sting or the possibility of a car crash on the Edens Expressway. Thus it is wise to honor and support your memory. It is a gift…the long term and short term. You do not want to lose it. EVER. Thanks for reading.