Memory: Is it about Age or Importance?

After listening to the classic complaint that memory is lost due to age, I made an effort to observe everyone’s memory.

Starting with the older and retired people, I remembered that when they were working, their minds were sharp. Now, at a loss without pressing schedules or responsibility, they forget small details, yet remember what’s important to them.

Looking at the middle-aged, they’re able to appear sharp on pressing matters for survival, yet when overwhelmed, they decide what’s important and some things get forgotten.

In observing the youthful, they, too, are forgetful. Assumed as irresponsibility, they remain sharp on topics that hold importance to them. Reminders to clean the table is easily overlooked, but meeting in a game with a friend is hardly forgotten.

Overall, I question the argument that memory is based on age. I recall losing my sharp memory when I was eighteen due to medication. I just finished high school and had to work to prioritize and schedule my life to regain memory. The sharpness is different, but memory is available when I make it important. In the long run, I believe good memory is based on our conscious decision on how important the matter is to our person. At any age, we will be forgetful when we don’t recognize the importance and it is an individual choice which way it goes. Make your choice today and don’t make old age an excuse.