Memory and imagination

Beyond Brushstrokes

By Marivic Rufino

"MEMORY IS a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose." -- "The Wonder Years"

Memory and imagination are fascinating functions of the brain.

Imagination is in the realm of the possible and what could happen. Children and creative individuals, for example, have active imaginations and use their right brains. Colors, dreams, numbers and images exist in their minds. These subjects can take from one day -- in an art work, a building or an invention.

The great film director Alfred Hitchcock never sat among the audience to watch his films. When asked if he missed hearing them scream, he replied, "No, I can hear them when I’m making the picture."

Memory is about what has transpired. We have a data bank that stores details from the time we are in the womb. Thus babies can remember sounds -- classical music or loud noise, words and scents. They respond to the same stimuli. Toddlers can recall seeing celestial phenomena such as the solar eclipse, earthquake, falling stars, orange full moons and exuberant fireworks, bursts of color and explosions.

Kids absorb everything they hear and see like a sponge absorbs water. Their memory is fresh, uncluttered. Learning and retention are easy.

Memory stores experiences -- happy, mundane, sad ones.

As we mature (and add chronological years), we notice little quirks. Our short term memory plays tricks. Beyond a certain age, people joke about "senior moments" and being forgetful about little things.

Forgetting is normal. When one is still a teenager, it is panic time during exam week. A bright student suddenly forgets the algebraic formula or the chemical composition or the important historical date. The lapse happens due to nerves, cramming, lack of sleep.

What is very interesting is that a person can recall minute details about a childhood adventure but she cannot remember a trauma or people associated with it.

"I distinctly remember forgetting that," said American social reformer Clara Barton, when someone reminded her of a wrong done to her many years earlier.

One would rather remember the happy times. When one undergoes a devastating experience, the brain has a protective mechanism that blocks certain painful memories.

An individual develops selective recall. One "forgets" the sad, heart wrenching moments of grief and loss. Victims of abuse suppress the memory. It is a defense mechanism the individual use so he can function. Psychological therapy and spiritual counseling are needed to deal with such traumas. A support system and time can heal the wounds eventually. Moving on takes time.

An individual with a photographic memory has the gift and advantage of remembering innumerable images, numbers and details. However, he may find it exasperating occasionally when he cannot recall dates and names. This could be due to stress, anxiety, worry or a simple overload of things happening too quickly or simultaneously. One needs to use an internal sieve to sift through the overwhelming, assorted, distracting stimuli and objects.

The brain’s memory bank can only store so much information. Overload can cause "brain freeze."

For example, at a business forum or social gathering, one sees a familiar face. But it is a struggle to recall his name. ("What’s his name?" Where did we meet? )

The solution is quite simple. Introduce yourself and shake hands. Hopefully, the other person is polite enough to identify himself, too.

Memory experts say that one can thaw the freeze with practice. De-clutter the brain. Visualize pleasant scenes. Do crossword puzzles. To remember names: Pay attention. Visualize the name. Create mnemonic associations (ROYGBIV for colors of the rainbow -- red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and indigo, violet).

Here are more tips: Remind yourself. Make it a habit. Start a ritual. Sing it. Tie a string around your forefinger. Ask: "What was I supposed to do today?" For a healthy brain, limit alcohol intake. (Too much alcohol kills brain cells that will not re-generate).

Notice how the "older seniors" (the elders) have excellent long term memory. They can recount clearly what had happened several decades ago -- WW II, the first trip, the neighborhood, the first day in school and so forth. However, they forget what happened yesterday, a few hours or minutes ago.

The frequent class reunions for jubilee celebrations are occasions to reminisce the good old days. People want to remember only the pleasant things and how perfect things seemed to be.

Wishful thinking?