What's in a Memory

I've been pondering a lot lately on how our past experiences and memories affect us. To have you understand a little of where I come from, I personally have a wonderful memory for test taking, but not one for being a reliable source of the small things.... I can memorize fairly quickly, but organizing facts and details in such a way as to have them enter my long term memory and stay with me is fairly difficult. It's a struggle, to be honest. As such, my tactics for study used to only consist of the following: 1. Learn concepts, not specifics. THAT, I am really good at. Concepts always stick for me. 2. Cram details and facts into my brain and short term memory right before examinations. 3. After tests, promptly forget all except for the basic concepts of the pertinent subjects.

Basically, schools the way they are set up in the U.S. are kind of useless to my learning style. I might as well have just mastered only the concepts, rather than waste hours, weeks, months and years filling and emptying my head of everything else. Obviously, I'm inclined towards the opinion that by learning the governing principles and the overarching structure of things, it is simple if not inherent to understand the particular applications of such.

Relating to memory, I propone that the more we can remember and reflect on these memories, the more we will understand the governing principles and overarching structure of life. In my study of memories and the thinking processes of the brain over the past couple of weeks, I have found to my satisfaction that the events we do not remember have just as much if not more effect on our lifestyle than the happenings that we are aware of. This I find intriguing. For almost all human beings, the memory and everything else our brain tells us we perceive and know is not an accurate reality, but rather a functional one. Our perceptions of what is around us and what is occurring is based on the interpretation by our brains of a minuscule amount of sensory input. Think of a picture of connect the dots. Now take off of the page all but two of those dots. With just two dots and expectations of the future by past experience, your brain provides you with a reality to work with. And all in real time! ;)

My musings and imagination in my functional reality have led me to believe that our brains don't so much interpret data from surroundings, as match input to anticipated results or expectations based  on past experiences. This I submit is why our memories of what has happened before are vital to what is to come. The more we can recall and reflect on all events in our lives, both positive and negative, the more accurate our predictions of the future. When we suppress negative experiences, we are skewing the accuracy of our predictions. By removing the most negative consequences from our awareness, I think we cause ourselves two distinct problems. 1. We lose the most potent and protective experiences we have from our accessible files. 2. We cause ourselves undue stress and uneasiness. Those memories are not gone, just suppressed. Our brain still tries to alert us to triggers, but at the same time we push them away. We both simultaneously drop into fight or flight instincts, as well as attempt to subdue our responses to the situations due to having manipulated our recollections by setting aside the repercussions of our choices that we did not enjoy. Thus is my claim that the events we do not remember have just as much if not more effect on our lifestyle than the happenings that we are aware of. They impact us in ways that frankly confuse us and make life difficult to understand because we have attempted to ignore them.

I therefore opine that honesty with ourselves and what we have done is essential to maintaining a functionally accurate reality around us. By not omitting unwanted consequences of our actions when we anticipate and form expectations of ourselves, others and the world, we will have for ourselves a greater ability to match outcomes to our desires. And who wouldn't want that?

Means and Ends

Does the end justify the means? I hear this statement altogether too often. And I find it utterly ridiculous. If one has to question, then one is wrestling with himself and against his naturally nurtured conscience. ;) It's all a matter of perspective here anyway. When the end is 'righteous' as it has so commonly been said, then any means is justified, but what is righteousness? What is wickedness? How can something so relative be solidified unless there is a ruler to measure against? Far too common in the history of mankind has injustice been masked as the cause fighting for the 'greater good.' Can that even be judged without the ability to predict the future? And what of the differences of culture, country, family traditions, or religion? But I wander in my musings. This is a line of thought for another day!

Rather, I wish to speak of the manner in which one lives his life. We can focus on ends, we can describe them, imagine them, dream them, boast of them and even 'accomplish' them. Many people call them goals. We attempt to visualize having something currently outside of our 'possession' or in the more abstract sense outside of our ability to 'reach' or 'be.' And we strive to attain it. Goal setting is perceived as an art mastered by 'successful' people, and yet so many of the goal setting gurus that I have known are seldom satisfied. They struggle to find themselves moving forward in life. They achieve so many of the things that they want to do, and yet don't often discover happiness, just more goals to pursue.

I imagine that I would differ to opine that goals are not so necessary as many understand them to be. I set goals myself, but I do not micro manage them. I don't create 10 or 12 steps on a staircase that I absolutely must follow. I visualize arriving to the top of the hill, but I do not mark the trail beforehand. I seek simply to arrive. If it is something I desire, I will get there. If not, it's luster will fade and I will find myself climbing to a different peak. Apart from simply choosing destinations, I spend much more of my time developing habits. Instead of conforming to preset actions, I instead pass my time refining who I am. When I am more able, I'll climb much further. My effort continues to become more efficient, my labors more concentrated and powerful.

I believe that much of success is confidence, of imagery and also of self acceptance. Being aware of oneself, one's needs and desires and applying passions to abilities and strengths makes a person powerful. Knowing where you want to go is powerful. But refining oneself and cultivating valuable habits provides a lever. With a lever or gear speed or force can be greatly amplified.

Enough.