Contemplating the memories I don’t have—and how my life might change if they existed—was recently sparked by discovering family memorabilia. (See here.)
Contemplating the memories I do have—and how my life would change if they didn’t exist—started years ago after I read a book review.
I forgot the title and author, but I never forgot the circumstances. A man lost his memory and had to continue his life with a blank slate.
What would it be like for me to lose memories—and not just any memories—but the ones I believe hinder me? Once, it seemed like something I might want to try.
What if I didn’t remember the unkindness?
What if I didn’t remember the betrayals?
What if I didn’t remember the unmet expectations?
What if I didn’t remember the failures?
And much more.
As the years have passed, I have come to a different conclusion than I had originally. I might be more successful or braver or happier without the negative memories, but I would be less.
Less kind.
Less loyal.
Less realistic.
Less encouraging.
Less helpful.
Less me.
How have negative memories molded you?
