Memoirs are what memories create. Some
happiness, some tears, some agony. As we grow older, we seem to start dwelling
on the past very naturally. I always used to wonder why the older generation
talks so much about their past. I guess, when we are younger, there is so much
to look forward to. Our energy levels are high and life seems to stretch in
front of our line of vision as having many goals to look forward to. Towards
the evening of our lives, a saturation point is reached for many people. Some
others retire from their workplace because they have to. Some pass on their
work to the next generation. Some opt to resign and take life easy after many
years of hard work.
For all of these people, there seem to be
many experiences in the past to talk about. There is a lot of learning there
for those who listen. But, to handle a phase of inactivity or less activity can
get very difficult as well. Not everyone can accept this phase graciously.
Our sense of self esteem depends hugely on
how occupied we are, and, more important, how this places us in the eyes of the
world. When our identity comes from the approval of others, anonymity can be
very unsettling. If life can be viewed as a series of phases, it would be
easier to accept changes, both within ourselves and the external set of
circumstances.
What is really the issue here is that there
is little to look forward to. There are no new goals for many. Actually, the
world has opened up so many opportunities that we can learn something new every
day. Recently, I saw a computer class with seventy year old individuals and I
was thrilled! When so many new vistas open up the Mind, and we have the child
within us alive and motivated enough to keep learning, the present and future
become so exciting that the past ceases to be a compulsive memory and remains
dormant within us, to be brought up at will when lessons from it need to be
remembered.
The productive use of each present moment is
the key to living rather than existing on past memories just because we don’t
see anything before us that would adorn our present and future.
Surekha
Kothari
surekhakothari.wordpress.com
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