A nostalgic journey through memory and truth
A City Long Gone but Never Forgotten
Henry left his childhood city long ago. He was nearly 12 or 13 years old when his family moved to this megacity, where they are living now. He is often hit by his past memories, becoming nostalgic about how happy a life he used to live there.
How beautiful the roads of that city were. The lake in the middle of the city was the biggest. Swimming in that river with his friend was not only an act of joy but also a matter of bravery.
There was a man always sitting by the river who used to catch fish. Henry cannot recall his name but can remember his face. He was very tall and muscular—a strong man. His primary school was also a big one, and the principal was a big guy whom he feared a lot. There was Miss Theresa, who taught English literature; she was very gorgeous.
Memories Aren’t Always Sweet
Along with all the joyous memories, Henry often gets the appearance of a sad memory in his mind. He was not welcomed by the people of the city, as he was an outsider. But despite everything, he must admit that he misses his childhood city a lot.
A Sudden Reunion and a Journey Back
Now he is an adult. Very busy with his work, he doesn’t have any time to revisit his childhood city, which is only a 2-hour drive away.
Last week he went to a seminar where he found one of his childhood friends, whom he had been disconnected from for a long time. That friend was very happy to see him and convinced him to make a visit to their childhood city.
On the next holiday, nearly 17 or 18 years later, he went to his nostalgic city.
Reality vs Memory
He was struggling to match his memory with the reality he was witnessing.
The childhood city he used to think of is actually a small countryside town. The roads in this small town are not as big as he remembered. He met the people he recalled in his memory. That big guy who used to catch fish in the lake is not a big guy; he is only 5 feet 5 inches tall—not because of age, but in reality, according to his professional biodata. The lake is not as big as he used to think.
He went to his childhood school. The school is also not a big one, nor is the principal. Miss Theresa seems like a kind teacher, but in no way does she look gorgeous.
Uncovering the Facts
He collected all the 17- and 18-year-old school magazines, online profiles of the school and teachers, and Miss Theresa’s. Back home, he studied all the old magazines and factual data.
He learned that everything he used to think about his childhood city and the people was not real. There is a mixture between reality and illusion.
“He noticed and was astonished to see how his memory was shaping his past into an illusion—a mixture of reality, assumptions, and imaginary information.”
The Truth About Memory
He came to realize that all his memories are not true. In fact, no memory is one hundred percent true. All memories are a mixture of true facts and illusions in different proportions.
Back home, he did some study and found some interesting facts about memory.
Freedom Through Realization
After learning all this about his past, Henry felt free from all the guilt, all the grudges he had held for years. Finally, he was able to forgive everyone—and also himself. He felt a stream of peace flowing through him.
A Bonus Gift of Forgiveness
Henry lost his father a few years ago. He used to think that all the trouble he had to go through in his childhood—his father was responsible for all of those. Now, he understood he was not right.
The story his mind made about his childhood and father was not true.
So, he released all the resentment about his father and his childhood. He forgave his father, himself, and all the people of his childhood city.
Finally, Henry found release—lighter like a bird.
What Should We Do If Our Past Is an Illusion?
Nothing.
Just feel this moment, this place, this time, these emotions, and these people.
You do not need to go anywhere. No need to go to the past or future.
Just live in Now.
Whenever you are making a decision or feeling emotional pain thinking about your past, keep in mind:
“They are not as true as you are thinking.”
