Memory-p. 70 & p. 74
Barbara Streisand is our guide into the misty and uncertain world of memories
I have two selections to comment on both concern memory. They are from my book, The Other Road Ahead, p70 & p74
My Comment
In a way memory is the substance of our life. Although we live in "now" all of our references are part of our memory which is often influenced by various intruding thoughts that have nothing to do with our past. Sorting out what is real and what is mental static can be frustrating.
We sometimes say that we are "haunted" by painful memories as if they come from somewhere outside our head just to give us grief. Yet we seldom have the same idea about good memories which we usually take personal possession believing they are accurate. In the end all memories, good or bad, should belong to us and are the material from which we shape our present and accurately remember out past.
Barbra Streisand's famous song, The Way We Were*, notes that memories "light the corners" of our mind but are not the whole of our being.
"Memories,
Light the corners of my mind
Misty water-colored memories
Of the way we were..."
The lyrics also make the observation about memory that, “What is too painful we simply choose to forget” and it is, “…the laughter we choose to remember…” The song also asks the question if we could, would we rewrite every line [of our memory]?!
The implication is that in many cases we have rewritten memory. Or some outside force has helped. This is a function of something called “cognitive ease” ,that is, we are more likely to recall memories that comfort us or reinforce our our beliefs. Marketing people and propagandists (two peas in a pod) know this phenomena very well and use it to influence us to buy pancake mix or vote for a particular candidate.
On the other hand something called “cognitive dissonance” which refers to a situation involving conflicting attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors that cause us to be uncomfortable, anxious, or confused. This part of our mind is also used to steer people by using fear or avoidance. By using the two concepts alternatively it is believed we can be made to do things or buy things we do not want and our memory can be diverted.
Memory is a powerful and illusive mental faculty that seems to be so concrete and real. Yet memories can be distorted with time, emotions, and stress. Outside influences can make memory pliable and subject to interpretation. As progress continues private memories can be changed, obfuscated, or manipulated by sophisticated media operations.
Caitlin Johnstone in her recent Substack newsletter explained these concepts
*Writer(s): Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Marvin Hamlisch ©
The Other Road Ahead is also a textbook. This road is about travel however it is not a straight line Interstate Highway where you can get somewhere very fast but not see anything interesting. Nope. The Other Road is an elliptical narrative like driving a country road with many twists, turns, side trips, and roadside attractions of hidden knowledge, ancient wisdom, and magic. If the reader pays attention to the process soon a more balanced way of thinking will take shape. In our uncertain times it will build your spirit one daily stop at a time.
You can purchase my book, The Other Road Ahead, by clicking HERE
Memories are a choice. I choose the hood ones.