Sunday 29 June 2014

Mixing memory in reality

R responds to memory in a meticulous fashion. He never speaks of the past as often but while passing a place that was once dear to him, he never misses an opportunity to turn back and freeze the sight. I can clearly see that in the present, he is looking at his past and reminiscing his days spent in the portals of his Alma mater. But with me the scenario is the opposite. I don't turn back and hope to see me in another bygone time. Not even a fond glance. Sometimes, I find that a bit strange - an attitude of having grown rather outgrown the memory. People close to me find it scandalous. I choose to remain quiet, almost absent from the scene. I choose to see the bus stop where I stood. The car passes by the road and then turns. The once-upon-a-time familiar road is just another road where three years' worth of foot prints might be buried somewhere beneath the layers of tar and cement. Nursing dreams and chasing love marked those days of wanton abandon. No, they were not the best days of my life. I choose not to eulogize those days. 

The days pass by. Reality is something tangible not the memories. Sometimes the past is alluring but jaded and yellowed. They are no longer mine though they hold me chained to another reality and time. I like R's way of seeing things. He does not speak about his past in glowing adjectives nor does he miss an opportunity to mix a bit of memory when reality is happening.

Dear Reader, pray tell me what's your thought on this.




 

 

                                                                                                                                                 

6 comments:

  1. It's enjoyable to return to the good memories. The memories of our pain and suffering sometimes seem to return on their own involuntarily. But, like you, I don't like to dwell in the past. It's best to focus on the present. The moment we're living now. (Of course, I learned this from Eckhart Tolle, author of "The Power of Now".

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    1. Myrna, glad to see you. Memories of certain times are indeed good as motivational factors but certain others which bog us down are better unvisited.

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  2. I think its good to learn from the past but as much as possible dont ponder over it. You are lucky to be able to live in the present, not many are able to do that :)

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    1. I am quite scared of losing the present moment, Seeta and hence I plan to not dwell on memories.

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  3. I don't really form attachment to places...perhaps specific instances and people can form memories that are nice to go back to from time to time.. but I definitely prefer living in the present than going back!!

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    1. For me it's places and then people, Rosh but I get what you mean. Many people I know get attached to people rather than places. And, yes, the present is what we have.

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