Melissa watched the little gold fish swim in the safety of the fishbowl. She was so happy to finally be getting rid of all her emotional baggage.This clinic used a form of ‘applied amnesia’ that could specifically target memories she no longer wanted. The abusive father, tormenting high school bullies and horrendous first marriage and divorce would alas be cleansed from her consciousness. She would go into her second marriage with Paul happy and free of memories that continued to torment and shade her life.
The brochure said that removal of the memories was permanent and she was certainly ready for that! Life would be so much better!
The nurse came in and gave Melissa a legal agreement to sign. She insisted that she read it thoroughly. The agreement stated: The above signed individual accepts and agrees to this procedure under the following conditions: Emotional ties, sensitivities and perception will change radically with the ‘Bad Memory Removal’ procedure. In some cases, relationships end as the cognitive structure and identity of the patient is changed with the removal of certain life experiences. The Clinic is in no way responsible or liable for the consequences of ‘Bad Memory Removal.’
Melissa looked up and again watched the little gold fish swim around in the fishbowl. She thought about her work in Social Services with abused children and how gratifying it was. She thought about Paul and how much she love him. They both experienced brutal divorces, both understood of how fragile a marriage can be and both knew they’d have work to keep their marriage strong.
Melissa looked at the little gold fish swim around in the fishbowl. She smiled, picked up her purse and left the clinic with all her precious baggage.
Vikki
Hey! I’d love to get rid of some of my baggage also, but are bad memories an important part of us? Do they help define who we are and make us better people? How do you feel about it?
The Gold Fish painting is 5”x7” Acrylic on Canvas. He’s part of my personal collection. Please visit The Red Chair Gallery.
THINK PRINTS! They’re available on most of my work.
And visit The Artist Challenge. Spring Fever is showing in Gallery #8.
http://www.theredchairgallery.com/
http://www.theartistchallenge.com/
All images and stories in this blog are Copyright 2009 Vikki North. Unauthorized use or duplication -in any form-is absolutely restricted by Law.
12 comments:
There is always something so mystical in your paintings, even when it is a simple goldfish but wow, so beautiful... Love what you come up with!!
Hi Sandy,
Thanks. It's so much fun to come up with these little spoofs.
Vikki
Hi Vikki,
This gold fish looks so alive and real.
I also like to get rid of some bad memories also, but, you're right about they define who we are. Without bad memories, we'll have narrow perceptions about life. Our way of thinking and reasoning will both be affected, limiting our abilities to deal with everyday life's challenges. In essence, we'll never gain knowledge and insight as we advance in age. For those reasons I've mentioned, I shall keep the bad memories, along with the good.
Tasha
Hi Tashabud,
I agree. People focus to much on trying to not allow their baggage color their personality rather than using it as a tool to better their lives.
It is the dissapointments that make us wiser and kinder.
Vikki
i was thinking "Don't do it. Don't do it." And she didn't.
cool.
Like your painting. Like ALL of your paintings.
This is such an incisive post Vikki - even without that wonderful little image.
There's no doubt in my mind that our emotional 'baggage' is a very important part of us and that painful stuff is integral to our personalities.
Damn it!
June in Oz
Hi June,
Thanks for you comment.I agree. It's irony, huh? Our painful baggage can actually become our grace. It's really up to the individual to find it.
Vikki
Hi Lucy!
And thank you. Thank you.
Vikki
I love the painting. I swear I see it swimming in motion, not just.. painted. Beautiful work.
As for bad memories of the past.. I told this to Greg once, "If going through some down right scary situations with my ex's meant that I would find you, I'd do it all over again, because you're worth it." As long as we can learn and move on, it can be character building and positive in the end...
Hi Aleta,
You are so right on. That's exactly the case and it is truly up to the individual. It is one of the ways we learn from the first time we reach up and put our hand on a hot stove.
Vikki
There are so many details that I enjoy in this painting... the highlights, the colors, the textures. New and cool patterns!
And I'd opt for keeping my memories, otherwise I don't know how I'd learn from my mistakes! ;-)
~Michael
Hi Michael,
Thanks. I have to admit that there's a couple things I would prefer to not have in my memory banks. But- I fathom it's like time travel. You change a single thing and it changes the whole picture of the future.
Vikki
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