i-TFTD #200

#200-1. We have not passed that subtle line between childhood and adulthood until we move from the passive voice to the active voice - that is, until we have stopped saying 'It got lost,' and say, 'I lost it.'
-Sydney J. Harris, journalist (1917-1986)

#200-2. Memories are interpreted like dreams.
-Leo Longanesi, journalist and editor (1905-1957)

#200-3. The obscure we see eventually, the completely apparent takes a little longer.
-Edward R. Murrow, journalist (1908-1965)

____
The small but subtle shift in language, taking responsibility, does wonders to our demonstrated sense of ownership. Practise it and you shall experience a positive change in how others react to you.

Memories are not only interpreted, recent research confirms that we actually reconstruct descriptions of past events on-the-fly. The remembering function of our brain is not at all comparable to a computer retrieving data from a storage disk. Key impressions and perceptions, highly influenced by emotions and experience, are stored as snippets and mysteriously manifest as we create stories as part of the recalling process. What does this imply? We should leave a little door or doubt open when we are "100% sure" of what we "clearly remember" when arguing with someone who has a different take of it. If we wish to learn something or teach something to someone, emotion in the form of humour and example stories would help in retention and recall.

Another interesting phenomenon is "the expert misses the obvious" or "you don't see the water if you are a fish". It is a good habit to quickly state or list the top-of-mind ideas to free up our mind to delve deeper for new thoughts. Another useful technique when faced with intractable problems or complex challenges is to periodically examine the fundamentals: what exactly is the problem? why is it a problem? what is the consequence to whom if we do not solve it?