WE DO NOT HAVE TO RELY ON MEMORY TO ENJOY TODAY

Forget what you went in to the pantry for? Oh yes frequently! Did you eventually remember what you were going there for? Oh yes after a while. How do you eventually remember what you were going there for? I retrace my steps to where I first started and then rather than struggling to remember, say a couple of unrepeatable expletives to myself, although all this does is release a bit of tension. Waiting there for a few quiet moments thinking of something else entirely, invariably frees up the mental block and I remember the reason for going to the pantry. The secret then, is to set off post haste and get there before you forget again why you are there!!
Is the above frustrating? Yes and upsetting, on the first few occasions. Can it be embarrassing? Yes, particularly if it is in connection with getting something for a visitor who does not know about your condition. Can you overcome the frustration and upset? Yes after a few occasions, if one conditions oneself to see it as a small rather than another big obstacle to undertaking daily routines. The challenge is to not let such events disturb one's equilibrium or knock one off course. Always remember, (no pun intended) that sooner or later you will invariably recall the forgotten thought.

Now, one can, rightly, argue that it is all well and good saying "chill you will eventually remember what it is you are looking after" etc. However, in many circumstances, these lapses of memory are extremely inconvenient and may have potentially serious implications / repercussions. Yes this is true, like the time when, for no apparent reason, I put a pan of water on the stove and went off to church, having left it on the stove. Fortunately, on nearing the church,(maybe Divine intervention!) I realised I had left my spectacles at home, so I went back for them. On entering the kitchen, I saw the pan of water bubbling away with just a small amount of water left in it!! While turning it off, I could recall lighting it, but to this day, I still don't know why I put it on in the first place!!

Apart from the extreme type of memory lapse, referred to above, I now find that many of the lapses I experience, can be best managed in as calm and philosophical manner as possible. I am now at the stage, maybe dangerously so, of  viewing such occasions as an opportunity to "move on", thinking of something else, not to dwell on the wrong note played by one instrument, but rather listening to the orchestra complete the piece. This "moving on" I find helps prevent getting bogged down by the stultifying frustrations
of dwelling on what one has missed. Rather, I try and look for the next opportunity for the brain to focus on assisting with something positive / creative. This can be a reflection on happy memories of times past, the appreciation of the beauty of the present moment, or the anticipation that, for every major / minor slip up, there is still always another opportunity to broaden one's horizon.

WE DO NOT HAVE TO RELY ON MEMORY TO ENJOY TODAY!

JSAFGA.