Think of a memory that these things remind you of (that is if you want, I'm not going to be bossy):
a) the song The Spirit of God
b) the smell of skunks
c) the sound of crickets or cicadas
d) the sight of a brick sidewalk engraved with names
e) the taste of apple pie
f) the feel of fluffy cat
g) the idea of trust
Which memories came easiest?
This week I've been thinking about how we remember things. Mostly I remember things spatially. When people ask me what someone I met looks like, I draw a blank. Someone asked if one of my teachers was bald. I had absolutely no idea. I feel like that should have been kind of obvious. It turns out he wasn't. But, I could tell them where they were standing in the room (to the left side of the desk).
I was sharing some memories I had with my parents and I realized that almost always I start with "I was standing and they were over there," or something like that. Also, I'm more likely to remember if that person said something interesting, or told a story or something of that nature.
I know other people that can describe someone they saw once with surprising detail, or people who have songs that bring them back powerfully to a certain time and place.
Although, like I said I'm quite spatially drawn, occasionally sounds (like a car door slamming) smells (peppers) or other things can trigger memories. I suppose triggering memories and the way you remember may be different, but still something to think about. I wonder if knowing your ideal recall can help you learn to remember things more accurately.
