What’s it about our Memory that’s so beautiful if it’s retains that which pleases the heart and burdens it with negativity if it’s unpleasant or sad. They’re best forgotten we say and deleting them, we move on creating more mind-space for happier thoughts to enter. This selective process serves us well till we attain a certain stage and that age when we suddenly encounter what’s called an unexplained ‘Brain Fade’ ! Like a dip in electric voltage, this memory lapse is a temporary inability to recall information, often resulting in forgotten names, places, misplaced items or momentary confusion.
Seniors we have so much to retain as hangovers from the past that like the mobile space that’s perpetually low, the mind tries to cope with the data load and at times gives up. Typically we males have selective memory spaces for the things that interest us but depend on the spouse (at home) & assistants (in office) for supplying the specific details of names, dates, appointments etc. As they get older & older forgetful husbands might misplace keys, glasses, medicines, mobiles, shoes but never forget their old friends ! Not entirely removed from this affliction, I have tried to devise methods like making daiy to-do lists, diarising bank a/c details, due dates,renewals, passwords, pins & medicines !
Normally the system works well but I’ve started having my off days too that have even surprised me. Recently, I had to send an urgent courier to a relative and for the address & pin-code I checked my records quickly and completed the packet. Next day, I was told by my relative who’d got a call from the Courier, that the address on the packet was their old address. I hadn’t rechecked that their address had indeed changed and I’d actually noted it down earlier. It took a few days to rectify the mistake & get the delivery made. How could a meticulous person like me, make such a stupid error ? A real brain-fade !
In conversations with my peer group friends, we have animated discussions on the geo-political tensions engulfing the ‘Gulf’ & now famous waterway called ‘Strait of Hormuz’ is easily talked about but most of us struggle with the names of various protagonists and players of the conflict, but they do come back to haunt us later ! Research suggests that while these lapses are common & often normal with aging or due to stress/distraction, we must energize minds with various mental exercises & problem solving, reading and conversing on diverse topics with people, physical activity and healthy lifestyle habits.
In an uncanny quirk of nature, there are many things we can’t remember and also those we never forget, specially from the past & we call them ‘unforgettable’ moments of life. Many marvel that I hardly ever look at the song lyrics while singing as I remember the words & tunes by heart. To never forget good events & good people is such a good thing !
Working on Living 