Enduring power of the memory: Navigating the past and future

Memory is an important part of human’s lives and it makes us the way we can represent ourselves in the world. Over a period of time, memory has been a complex topic which offers insight into the nature of human experience and the relationship between mind, self and world. There have been researches regarding the relationship between memory and selfhood which raises questions such as How do our memories contribute to our sense of self? And what is the relationship between memory and the continuity of our personal narratives over time? Let’s delve deeper into the intricate workings of memory and explore it more.

“Imagining the future is a kind of nostalgia”. This is a line from John Green’s book Looking for Alaska. This statement provokes the idea about how human approach the future. Humans often predict their future using their past experience and they often tend to revisit those made-up imaginary scenarios. This can result in exploring new possibilities and developing creativity and problem-solving skills. However, it’s important to balance imagination with reality and not let our imagination run wild to the point where it interferes with our ability to take actions in the present. You must be able to enjoy the moment and appreciate the value of what we have in the present moment.

It can be difficult to accept but the past is unchangeable and that time moves on regardless of whether or not we are still stuck in the past. You will have to let go eventually. You can’t cling to the past, no matter how tightly you hold on. This might be hard to accept, but it’s the reality. There will be days, when you will ruminate about your past. But you know within that you can’t erase what happened. What’s done is done. Memories of our past, including memories of lost loved ones can be precious in their own way. They may not be physically present but their spirit and life can continue to live on through photographs forever. Everyone carries a painful memory along with them. Share these experiences with your loved ones and it will increase the personal bond you share. They will be able to see you as a real person. But it’s important to not dwell on it, to find a balance between acknowledging the past and living in the present. Cherish fond memories and positive experiences and learn from the negative ones. And this will lead us to view the past through rose-colored glasses.

Future is uncertain, it’s natural to feel anxious about it, clinging to the past simply because it feels familiar is not a correct outlook towards life. Instead of running back to the past, it’s important to embrace the present moment and look forward to the future with hope and optimism. This means acknowledging and accepting the uncertainty of the future, while also setting goals, making plans and taking actions to shape our lives in positive ways. The quote from the TV show “How I Met Your Mother” describes this idea very well. It says “The future is scary. But you can’t just run back to the past because it’s familiar.”