Do you USE your memories or Do you let your memories Use you?

It is a wise and mature person who can make the shift from the latter to the first.

Both postulates are correct. Sometimes our memories influence us, and sometimes we make use of our memories. Having memories is essential to our development, and defines us as humans. For one thing, if we did not have memories we wouldn't be able to retain what we learn throughout our lives. This capacity helps us to progress, and hopefully helps us to avoid old mistakes, like disastrous relationships.

On the other hand, memories (whether conscious or subconscious) also influence our behavior. Sometimes, all of a sudden, feelings of sadness wash over us without any plausible explanation. I believe that this triggered by our subconscious. I believe that this happens when we experience something that our subconscious associates with a distressing past experience. Thus, we are not as autonomous as we like to think. Who knows! It might be a good thing. It is like getting drunk, making a fool of yourself, and remembering nothing the next day.

I've learned to use my memories constructively to remember everything from crucially important details to enjoyable times. A photographic memory can be a useful tool and a blessing in this case. As for the bad memories, which have used me if I stayed too long in the past, I have learned to leave them behind. Dispose of them or delete them because they are neither pleasant or useful. You can learn from them but you need to move on from there.

Hum........I guess both, I have made it a choice to only remember the good memories, this morning I woke up thinking of a little village in France, although I remember everything about the village I just can't remember the name ( but I know that as I let go, the name will come back to me) I rented a little car and decided to go for the experience I travel to the most beautiful roads and steep hills, I got lost (but loved it) and end it up in this little Magical place,( I have lots of pictures and I know the name will be there) so I guess there is your answer, I do let my memories USE me, but only in a good way, as my mind wonders and I let go sometimes "it" wants to take me to dark places and I said "no I don't care to go there and "poof" it disappears just like that. We are totally in control of our on thoughts or memories, it takes lots, and lots of practice but eventually " It" listens.

If you didn't have a memory you wouldn't have a personality. You also wouldn't be able to function in the world, as you would have to learn the same basic tasks every single day.

People can become trapped in their memories, and live in the past. This happens to a lot of vets, due to the intense nature of combat and the bonds formed during it. Civilian life in contrast can seem boring in the extreme. People who strongly identify with a certain period in their youth (one thinks of the 65 year old hippie) are also to a certain extent living in the past (but boy was it fun).

It is very good question but very few people use their memories like.

1. Story writers

2. Mathematicians.

3. Scholars of all religious to convince their people or others

4. Scientists.

5. Kings, warriors or Politicians

These people use their memories to achieve the goal. But very few people use their memories for future rectifications.

I am an ordinary person and not among these lucky people.

My mind and emotion control my memories. People that let their memories use them are very unbalance. Like for instance,You fall in love to a man,and this man did not return your love but take advantage of you financially and emotionally. You never let go of that memories, eventually, you think that all men are like him. You become bitter,and you lose your chance to find a good man. Life is YIN and Yang, or negative and positive.

Most nights i cant go to sleep with out my memories.. I use them .. but at one point my memories use me when i should be thinking about other things. My memories wont leave me alone..

I guess a little bit of both. I use my memories to try to improve myself. Things may happen in my past that I should not have done and those memories help me to make sure that I do not repete myself. Then of course I have the memories of those wonderful moments in my past that use me for inner happiness and to help me realize that I am loved and they help me to continue on with laughter in my heart and happiness in my soul.

I use my memories---without resentment---

I embrace my life journey experience all of it.

To get to this point in time took much reflecting and true

honesty, And unconditional love for my self and others. Forgiving

the whole. Happiness is an inside job and It's my job.

Very good question, It was in a book I once read.

I do use my memories - but inevitably my memories use me, because they shape me (just as I've shaped them). Nowadays I'm using my memories to write my memoirs for the family - but I've warned them my memories are unreliable and no model to follow! It'll be a good test of their affection and compassion.