Erasing Memories

[Sowelu]

If you could~would you have any negative or painful memories erased from your mind?

[halfwaynowhere]

any negative events that have happened to me that haven't already been blocked out of my mind have taught me valuable life lessons, so no.

[Sowelu]

For myself...there are one or two I could do without...

[Valerie]

Heh you mean like what happened in Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind? ;) As much as I would like to, I'd have to say no - only because those memories have made me a stronger individual and I am who I am today because of the various experiences I have had to endure. Many of them were unpleasant, many of them were grueling, mentally, physically and emotionally exhausting, but I know that in the end, I will have come out on top and worked through it. My experiences and my memories helped to mold me into the better person that I am today, and (unfortunately) I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Sowelu]

Heh you mean like what happened in Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind? ;) As much as I would like to, I'd have to say no - only because those memories have made me a stronger individual and I am who I am today because of the various experiences I have had to endure. Many of them were unpleasant, many of them were grueling, mentally, physically and emotionally exhausting, but I know that in the end, I will have come out on top and worked through it. My experiences and my memories helped to mold me into the better person that I am today, and (unfortunately) I wouldn't have it any other way.
It's that obvious I just got through watching that movie eh?
lol:lol:
Actually I have thought about it before.....:reading:

[QUEEN OF THE DAMNED]

I wouldn't erase them because I feel I have learned and grown from them. Same as my scars on my arm, I wont cut anymore, but I wouldn't have them removed, because everyday they remind me of the pain I suffered through and how I came out on top of it.

HAPPY EASTER BREAK EVERYONE!! I love you all, esp. Sowelu :hugz:

[Boogins]

I have plenty of ugly memories--but I survived all that. I figure that makes me stronger. So... no.

And I haven't seen that movie yet...

[semi]

Aries and Queen said what I would have.

[Valerie]

It's that obvious I just got through watching that movie eh?
lol:lol:
Actually I have thought about it before.....:reading:

LOL What's funny though is that I still didn't get a chance to watch it! I've been meaning to for the longest, but can't seem to get around to it. Was it good?

[Sowelu]

I wouldn't erase them because I feel I have learned and grown from them. Same as my scars on my arm, I wont cut anymore, but I wouldn't have them removed, because everyday they remind me of the pain I suffered through and how I came out on top of it.

HAPPY EASTER BREAK EVERYONE!! I love you all, esp. Sowelu :hugz:
I LUVA you girl!!!!!!:heartthro

[Sowelu]

LOL What's funny though is that I still didn't get a chance to watch it! I've been meaning to for the longest, but can't seem to get around to it. Was it good?
Yeah...if you can follow it. Hurt my brain a little bit *points to elbow*:spinnysmi

[Sowelu]

I have plenty of ugly memories--but I survived all that. I figure that makes me stronger. So... no.

And I haven't seen that movie yet...
Boo? Did ya catch that thread in Arts n Crafts I did for ya? It was just a link I found and I immediately thought of you!;)

[-Ember]

Hmmm... my first reaction was the same as earlier posters. No, made me who I am, etc...

Then I thought about that. Made me who I am... there are parts of me I would like to no longer have. Things that I would love to be able to get past and just haven't. Things that get in the way of who I feel like I really am. If forgetting was all it took... I don't know but that I might. Not all of my experiences have made me a stronger or better person.

[Catiana]

probably not. If I didn't remember them, I might be destined to repeat them.

[Valerie]

probably not. If I didn't remember them, I might be destined to repeat them.

That's a really good point. *Nods*

[Spera]

Yes, then maybe they wouldn't affect me so much.

[sarabethv]

No, while it would be tempting to not remember some things (and right now there is a strong sense of wanting to erase the memory of ever having met someone) I feel there may be a reason that these things have happened and if not, then there is a lesson from everything good or bad. It is up to me to use it for the good or bad.

[Flaire-FireStar]

Yes. The ones that cause me deep stress when thinking about them.

[Raven Reed]

Some of them, in a heartbeat.

Do I REALLY need to remember my father's attempted suicide in front of me when I was four? Really? I can be a perfectly wonderful person without that particular little gem. I could think of a few others I would like to remove as well.

[trippingdaisy]

tempting as the idea sounds sometimes, I think I'd have to say no. They remind me how far I've come since then.

[lil_suzie]

Nuh uh I wouldnt. Its just that I have faith in gods plan and
i belive that everything happens for a reson, even the realy bad
things, and maybe the bad things will turn out to be good things
later on, we dont know, just cos somthing is hard or painful
or ugly dont mean that its not real important for us, and besides
if we erased the ugly things from our mind how would we know
the beutiful things. No I wouldnt do it but thats just how
I feel and I dont mean to say its how anyone else should feel.

[morrigan]

i voted no without pain/ negativity we cant truely know what is good enjoyable positive.. the lessons we learn from the painful times in our lives are very valuable and shape who we are as do the good things in life

[BrigidMoon]

Absolutely not. I'd be more naive and the same crap would just happen all over again if they were gone from my memory. I need those painful memories to learn and grow.

[Hærfest Leah]

Sure take them but then knowing me I'd still be mad at the person I only wouldn't remember why.

[happyprincessfairy69]

Noooooo because then I would have to do something else stupid/painful to learn the lesson the event has taught me. So I'd rather have been there, done that.

[LadyTrinity]

Yes. I would love to get rid of some.

[Kaliel]

I wouldn't erase my memories, I want to know the good, bad and the ugly.

Kaliel

[Élistariel]

:lookaroun I can't even remember if I paid my water bill this month or not. It's not where I left it, so I guess I did.... :foh: If not I can pay it late with no trouble...

Sorry, what was the question?

[Tzhebee]

I don't know if I'd have the entire memory erased...but there are definately some details that I wish I could forget.

[soilsigh aingeal]

Everything that I have experienced has made me who I am right now. I am finally at a point where I like myself again and I wouldn't change anything for the world :)

[DixieWitch]

I would have to say no because they've made me who I am today, along with the good stuff. but thankfully, I've had enough good stuff happen to balance out the bad stuff.

[Rhianna813]

No. Like others have said your painful past helps you grow and makes you stronger. Plus having the memory no matter how painful helps you to make better choices now. If those memories were suddenly gone what would stop you from repeating the situation again and thus creating new bad memories. That would be worse! Memories give you control over your life now.

Rhianna

[memnoch]

I first thought of my ex but then realized I would not be the man I am if it weren't for her. I used to get into controling, mentally abusive relationships, I did not realize it. She helped me to realize it and avoid it. I used to use relationships to make me feel good. Now I know I don't need a relationship, but still love them while I'm in them. Also she introduced me to Jon, my ex roommate, who introduced me to james, who got me into many adult scenes. Because of each of those situations I met my current g/f and couldn't be happier

[John_Mischief]

There are a couple I would consider, I don't think I'd do it.

If I didn't remember certain people, I would have no idea how dangerous they were and too avoid them. The whole thing could happen over again. That would be bad.

[Dawa Lhamo]

I voted both no and it depends. Because in general, there is no memory that I would erase. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that I regret nothing I've done in life or that has happened to me. Even when I've made a fool of myself, it has been very important for my personal growth. I've lived a generally happy life so far.

But, were something so traumatic to happen to me that I would not be able to function (like seeing my whole family brutally murdered or something), then I might consider it. If I there were no other way of dealing with it, then it might be something worth doing. It wouldn't necessarily be right or wise, but it might be what I need at the time.

Or perhaps a better solution wouldn't be absolute erasure, but a voluntary repression, until I would be able to handle it. Hey, the mind already does that anyway, this would just be by conscious choice.

Or even a way to soften the memory so that you're aware that it happened, but it's not vivid like a memory, and doesn't have the traumatic effects that a memory can have.

Tashi delek!
Dawa Lhamo

[Sowelu]

alot of good replies here!

[IvyWitch]

I can think of one. It's more embarassing than it is painful, and it has not made me a better person or affected me positively in any way. Really I would just like to erase that day from everyone's memory so this way nobody ca bring it up again....

[BabblingImp]

Me no....I wouldn't all those memories that I have I can tell to my childeren and they can learn from them, so they don't have to make the same mistakes I did, you know so they can make new ones of their own!

[Sowelu]

:durrrr:

[Nighthawk]

On the one hand, it would be nice to do that..but in the long run, those memories and the rest make up what I am.. or what anyone is.. I guess I would personally rather keep 'em..

[Earthy]

I think my memories have made me who i am, even though things have been tough at times.
Also, having gone through the things i have, i'm able to empathise with others and try to help them from my experiences.
And who's to say i wouldn't make the same mistakes again?? So,i guess i'll keep the memories i've got thanks :)

[BlackMagicalCat]

no,there is no need to,im so forgetfull they slip away all by themselves,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,besides we can learn from them over and over as a reminder and I know the Lord has a hard time trying to get me to remember anything already.

[TheTempestuous1]

Just see eternal sunshine of the spotless mind for my views on this... NO! Every experience you have is for a reason. Maybe not a divine one, but it will shape who you are, and at the end of the day, I like to think that people generally like themselves and where they are in life, and if they don't.... well maybe they are going through one of those bad experiences that will be looked back on later as a necessary evil..

[Illuminatus]

If you could~would you have any negative or painful memories erased from your mind?

Funny how this thread is right beneath the "Fifth of Vodka" thread. Cause if there's anything that can erase your memory, that's it!

[merlo]

The scars and shards of glass in my perception give me the right mixture of cynicism to separate the losers and lovers of life.

[fay]

i voted 'it depends' because, well suprisingly, it really does depend.

i agree with a lot of people that my past made me the person i am now and without them i might be a different person, so some memories are mine for keeps, even the painful ones. there are times i have been so low and so hurt, but the memories of those times remind me of how good i have it now and how lucky i am.

there are other memories though, that i dont need. theyre not helping me at all. some of them get in the way, others are just pointless, but there are some memories that i can do without.

blessed be

[SilverClaw]

Even though I would rather not have the memories of sexual abuse verbal abuse and crap I do think it has helped me grow stronger and made me who I am today even though other days I would say Get them far away from me, especially like things like my friend being murdered and having a gun put to my head.

[CalisticSunrise]

I may... but unfortunatly i already don't remember a lot so i think i need some memories

[WynterWynd]

Nope....even the 'crap' is all part of my life:p

[Rowan Darkmoon]

No, not even the really bad ones.

[DarkDancer]

Nope, my sucky memories are mine and I'm keeping them.

[SilentDreams]

I've learned from them. As much as it hurts me to look too them sometimes they are vital to the person I am today and the person I will grow to be in the years and decades to come.

But some memories have had negative effects on family and friends. It was my fault so I feel I shoudl burden the pain, not them.

[HorseCrow]

No, I would not- for all the reasons all ready mentioned. I might consider it, if it were memories so horrid that they were ruining my life and sanity... but over all, no.

[Pentangling_57]

I don't think that I'd get rid of any bad ones... but I could do without some of the, err, embarassing ones... Not important things, I don't want to feel like I'm going insane! Just a couple of embarassing moments that didn't actually amount to anything save my own embarassment.
~Penty

[GalenaFaolan]

To get rid of the bad would take a vital part of ME away. Through all the abuse, the put downs and all the crap........I wouldn't be who I am today. I'm a survivor. To be a different person would be sad somehow. There are painful things, but I'm stronger now because of it. I couldn't imagine not being me, crap and all!!

[Sowelu]

_catroll_

[Aelfoak]

I definitley would, i have too many bad memories from my childhood with my father passing away and having a difficult time in my teens with my mum, i didn't like my childhood one bit and i would like to erase it if i could for a more happier one.

[TaysatWesir]

I erased plenty of my childhood and adulthood memories I almost amnesic. :goodgrief

[Fireheathen]

To get rid of the bad would take a vital part of ME away. Through all the abuse, the put downs and all the crap........I wouldn't be who I am today. I'm a survivor. To be a different person would be sad somehow. There are painful things, but I'm stronger now because of it. I couldn't imagine not being me, crap and all!!

I agree. Without our memories we wouldn't be ourselves. If the only thing we can prove to be real is ourselves, and our memories are what make us us, then removing one's memories would not only change that person, but the entire world from that person's point of view. So no... I wouldn't give up my memories, because then I would have to give up myself, and my entire world.....

[Nissala]

I would like to erase negative memories since I have had so many bad experiences and find it hard to be happy for any length of time, especially in relationships! It seems to start out great but the more serious it becomes the more I find myself doubting the person I am with to be truthful, even though he has done nothing for me to suspect him of otherwise... two bad marriages, unfaithful husbands, etc... but really am not sure if that would be the answer..

[6th Angel]

Depends if I learned something from it.... Otherwise, what´s the point?

[AuroraSilvermist]

As difficult as the painful memories can be, I have to agree that they teach us things, and...we need them. So, no, I wouldn't have my painful memories erased. Those events, and the process of dealing with them, have made me who I am, for better or worse, just like others have said.

What I don't appreciate is when my subconscious chooses to lock a certain memory away, only to let it loose to run rampant through my mind in the middle of the night. I hate that. BAD subconscious! *whacks it with a rolled up newspaper*

[zilith]

No I wouldn't erase any memories... although thats mostly because I wouldn't trust any operation that screws around inside my head. ;)

[enchancea]

Theres one I could do without

[BelovedDru]

I don't think I would. I've had my share of painful memories...but each one taught me something, made me stronger, or reminded me somehow that there are still people who love me and care for me. With the bad comes the good.

[Sowelu]

http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/contrib/ruinkai/upsidedowna.gif

[Bigboper123]

I would rather keep pain and remember it always it is pain that truly teaches us not good feelings and happiness.

[BelovedDru]

I don't know if it's appropriate to put here, but I'll give it a try. You guys should check out the movie "Endless Sunshine on the Spotless Mind" It's got Jim Carrey in it--I thought it was a great movie, and it deals with erasing your painful memories.

[innocent]

I wish i could erase some of my sisters memories, i would try if i wern't afraid i could backfire it and cause her to have amnesia or something. She has alot of memeories she doesn't need. The only thing she ever learned from a certain one is that men are the epitome of evil and she thinks that she *let* herself break a wrist, ankle, 3 ribs, a hip, and god only knows what else.

[Jenne]

I put it depends...depends on how crippling it is for me emotionally. I don't think we need pain to be strong...recognizing the lessons from painful experiences and learning from them yes. But sometimes that doesn't work. *shrug* As a kid, yes, there are some things I'd rather not remember at all. The problem I have is, if you've already lived through them, even if they were "wiped from your mind" there would still be some sort of ripple effect that retained their value...somewhere...I don't think it would be possible to remove everything about that negative experience from your psyche. *shrug*

[Noriohtle]

There is no reason i would ever erase any memory no matter what i be.. as it was destined to be part of my life. To make me into whom i am right now. I see the hours i have spent in tears over something that has ripped my heart apat as much a woven part of my being as the countless happy hours i have spent snuggled on the couch or running in the park with my daughter. So think long and hard before you choose to change anything about yourself or your past.. as they are part of who you are as a whole... the amazing wonderful one that has become you.