Monday, July 16, 2007

Memory Box














So the other day, I was having a conversation with one of my best friends, and we were talking about situations in the past and how I could have changed the outcome or maybe how I overreacted to another. I have a photographic memory, and for some reasons, when I am sad or I feel alone, I conjure up some memories that will bring back a good feeling. I tend to dwell on memories that were picturesque or sentimental, because they usually made a major impact on my life at that time. Memories are beautiful... you can remember the kiss of someone you love, the hug of a close friend, the laughter of an amazing moment. I love to remember... I find such joy in remembering that which has past. But the past memories can also conjure up the hurt that followed it. As soon as your mind drifts to the first kiss, and your heart swells with nostalgia, you are almost instantly reminded of the first rejection as well. It literally crushes and expels the good memory. Same with the laughter between friends, you can distinctly remember the hurtful words displayed, along with remembering the good natured laugh that came soon after in hopes of smoothing over.

Another instance is when you relay a memory in the presence of someone else, and they immediately find the bad in yet another memory and your smile and laughter immediately dies. Sometimes as I am trying to go to sleep, I think of memories of those whom I have loved. Sometimes it makes my heart happy and content and other times memories invade your pleasant night dreams and you awake feeling discontented and full of regret. To be honest, it seems like I grasp for my good memories and cling to them. Cherish them, love and protect them. Always hoping to experience its equivalent again. But my conscience says, No, remember how you felt at this other moment, when you felt so alone and they weren't there. So instead of continuously dwelling on the not-so-memorable memories, you close the memory box, for it is too painful to be open for long. There are the days I open it up and gaze within its beauty and see only its good. Then there are those days that you open it with that intent, but only see the hurt and disappointment of yesterday. This, my dear readers, is how I feel. I need to close my memory box for a while... I am not properly extracting other memories and desires from my life. So to you, my beautiful, yet deadly memories, I will see you in but a moment, when I am stronger and not so susceptible to follow in the paths of yesterday...

2 comments:

Mystic said...

Wow. I couldn't have said it better myself, for I too have the same problem...I can't think of the good things and leave out the bad things. Sometimes though I'm amazed when I look back and realize that something so hurtful turned out to be a good thing. It's sort of ironic.

DL said...

if only we could see the strength that we have derived from every painful memory. maybe having that knowledge wouldn't make it any easier to revisit the hurtful, blinding past but hopefully it would rejuvenate us enough so that we could continue boldly, open and unafraid into our futures.