Everyday Canvas

Memory

Prompt: Memory
“Our memory is a more perfect world than the universe: it gives back life to those who no longer exist.”
Guy de Maupassant
What if you had a perfect memory, and every terrible thing you've seen, said and done was seared in your mind, never to be forgotten? And/or write about this quote.


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What if I had a perfect memory? As a first impulse, I would jump for joy. Yet....

On the plus side, where learning and retention is concerned, a perfect memory is priceless. It can also aid in problem solving, if I can overlook the unnecessary data. It might also aid my sagging creativity because I'd recall what, at first, seemed original to me was said before. In addition, memories from the past might be a source for some material to serve as inspiration. Also, I would be able to remember important dates, events, and the names of people I have met.

Still, on the positive side, I would have liked to recall all the nice people and all the niceties thrown my way. Although, now, I think I remember most of them, I know I don't recall everything.

On the negative side, too much recall would overwhelm me and even could make me lose sleep over past events and some people who no longer matter. Forgetting and letting go of certain hurtful memories would be very difficult, too. Then, I would fear making mistakes, as in the past, and would stop trying, as I would be afraid of remembering vividly any new mistake.

That perfect memory could create social challenges, too. I would remember my embarrassing or awkward moments with heightened recall. Also, I could turn off people by remembering everything about them while they don't even recall having met me.

Still, while a perfect memory offers numerous advantages in terms of learning, problem-solving, and productivity, it can also come with the potential for emotional challenges, overwhelming recall, and social difficulties. Thinking and writing about this made me see that my faulty memory should be something I should appreciate.

If only, I hadn't forgotten, the other day, that UN's headquarters were in Geneva and hadn't given a wrong phone number to a neighbor!


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