Memory is far from an exclusively intellectual function, a person’s memories are not like those of a computer: they do not store data, but pay attention to experiments, does this mean that we remember visual images, words, but also smells, flavors?, sensations, moments?
It can be said that the memory of the human being is fundamentally an emotional function, the information and experiences that we remember almost never correspond to objective data, human memory is creative and therefore removes or adds elements to memories, depending on the feelings involved.
“The day will come when our memories will be our wealth
? Paul Geraldy?
In fact, there are times when we remember facts that never happened, this happens mainly with childhood experiences, a fantasy was lived with such intensity that it eventually became part of the memory, without reaching.
In fact, memory is able to store absolutely everything we experience throughout our lives. However, only some of these events are consciously remembered; the rest is immersed in the unconscious.
There is certainly a place in our memory where the memory of the moment we open our eyes to the world is printed, however none of us can realize this and this is due to two reasons: first, according to a study conducted in Canada, the memories of the early years fade due to the constant production of new neurons.
And secondly, we do not have these memories present because, at this stage, several deeper experiences occur in our psyche and these end up being repressed, because they can be intolerable to our conscience, this is what happens with the Oedipus complex.
However, many of these memories persist and appear in consciousness as an isolated and, at the same time, very deep sensation, for example, when we hear a melody and an emotion is activated that takes us back to the past, but we cannot say exactly. when or where a certain situation occurred.
Generally speaking, we can say that what we consciously remember is what required a lot of attention or concentration and that has content understandable to us, can be positive or negative situations, but relatively reasonable and devoid of emotionally confusing or contradictory content.
These situations that capture our attention completely involve the commitment of a number of components: mental concentration, senses of alertness, a strong associated sensation and an element of surprise or novelty related to the previous three components, so it is relatively easy to remember unusual events and, on the other hand, easily forget those that are everyday.
We consciously remember those moments that one way or another require total attention and affect us emotionally. But these moments must also be perfectly understandable so that they are frozen in consciousness, otherwise they will be repressed.
What is not forgotten is what forces us to live intensely the present in a situation, those moments when you feel like the universe, when there is nothing but what surrounds you and when you feel that the world begins and ends where you are. both pleasant and terrible experiences.
These are the moments when you feel the pulse of life on your skin, no matter if it’s day or night, it’s cold or hot, all that matters is that you feel the protagonist of an ephemeral and, at the same time, eternal history.
These moments become so lasting that even after years, they can be evoked with a very similar emotion. We have almost begun to live this moment again, because the reminiscences remain intense enough to do so.
Depending on the experience before or after this moment, the invocation is more or less accurate, if what happened to a negative event was a pleasant moment, it is certainly possible to remember it with less drama and even laughter. We had other difficult situations, we will have a deep aversion to ourselves.
If what was lived was positive and was followed by negative events, it will be remembered with nostalgia. If what happened next were other good times, the thrill of remembering can be very intense and rewarding.
Memory is like this: creative and flexible, like a sponge that absorbs those unique and irreplaceable moments that make a difference in life, like a great album full of photos that you review when the heart asks you and that makes it possible to understand that you do not remember the days, but the moments.
Image credits: Jennifer Holmes, Kim Joone