Carlos Muniz
Perspectives On Aging

Pleasant Memories of Past Experiences

By Carlos Muniz - April 2009

Bringing to life pleasant memories of the past is a healthy hobby for many Seniors of today. It is a hiding place that brings peace and joy to many, serving as a shield against the rush and noise of the present, so unkind to all who knew the peaceful ways of the past. This ability to retrieve the good memories is something that can be strengthened by practice, thus facilitating the nerve connections needed in the process. It can be done at will in moments of solitude, so necessary for the elderly. Every exercise in memory contributes to the maintenance of an active brain, thus avoiding the barren desert of amnesia.

But this doesn't mean that we should live mainly in the past. The present and the future are always a part of life no matter how many years have passed. Sometimes the old need to fight the inclination of living in the past. The wisdom of a long life demands to be used in the present and placed at service of others who lack the treasure of so many experiences. As long as there is life, projects are needed to fulfill future expectations, as life is far from over no matter how old one is.

Because throughout life, everybody experiences good and bad times, we all have our baggage of bad memories. Those were useful in the past in order to learn from them and avoid their repetition. But now their recollection can only bring sorrow, so they should be left alone to fade away. Bringing them to conscious awareness is nothing else but an exercise in masochism.

To remain active, to make projects for the future, and to occasionally spend time in recalling pleasant memories is a balance necessary for a healthy existence at any stage in life. §

Dr. Carlos Muniz is a retired psychiatrist from Gainesville. He may be contacted through the editor at editor@towerpublications.com

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