...and discovered that nobody alive knew or even remembered who you were...which people within your world--outside of family members--would you try and keep within your life?

Think for a second before answering...Nobody, and I mean nobody, knows or remembers who you are...so you're in essence given a blank slate, if you want to look at it that way, with which to form friendships and relationships. Under those circumstances, who from your life would you try and continue interacting with, try and reform that relationship with...and who would you silently remove from your world without guilt? How many people that you interact with would you still want to have close to you?...Most of them? All of them?...Only one or two at the most? How many relationships would you end, and how many relationships would you want to attempt to continue?

Feeling philosophical tonight...lol...and in a slightly PKD mood (sci-fi). Anyone who's read "Flow My Tears" understands what made me think of this question...

Byron said:

Mm.

INSATIABLE said:

can some of the family not remember me too? Please

charlottegelin said:

...Well, no family members remember who you are, either...I just threw in that part about excluding family members from consideration to focus on everyone else we bring in and/or keep in our lives...I guess I imagined that most people would immediately say they would keep relatives in their lives.

I have some extraordinarily melancholy music playing right now and I've been reading some philosophical interpretations concerning identity and human relationships...lol
[Edited 10/30/05 21:08pm]

It's an awful thing to say, but I'd be almost relieved that certain people had forgotten about me completely. It'd feel incredible- invigorating, even.

But there's a few, of course, that would be different. For them to look at me blankly (after experiencing years of friendship thick and thin) would crush me. At the same time, it could be an appreciated opportunity where I'd never have to feel guilty about mistakes I had made in the past, as they'd not exist to these people anymore, and they'd never have to look back on it painfully. I hate to admit I've done a few grandly unintelligent things that have only harmed things between me and those I care about.

Byron said:

I would like to keep MOST of them, there are a couple that I feel it would be better to start over with them.

INSATIABLE said:

Do you think your memory of those transgressions between you and those few "others" would still effect you significantly, even if they would never remember or relive them??...Or is it their memory of your actions which cause you the most discomfort and guilt?

charlottegelin said:

Then in a way what you're saying is that you would keep all of your family members, and take advantage of the clean slate with a few of them...??..

Byron said:

yep! I'm not talking my immediate family, not my kids or anything

Byron said:

Unfortunately, I'll never forgive myself for the things I've done but I consider it a deservedly hefty weight I shall carry for the rest of my life. Though our time here is incredibly short and there's no reason to dwell on the past in any circumstance, I don't believe I'll ever come to a point in my life where these specific things won't matter to me. They'll always scar me, I think.

Amazingly, the two people in my life that were affected by the 'situation' have forgiven me honestly, completely, and I'm fully convinced they're angels walking the planet. I couldn't ask for more loving and incredible friends as the two of them.

And you, Byron? Who would you attempt to reconnect with, and why?

It's a vast question, isn't it! Though there's no better kind...

INSATIABLE said:

The power of true, sincere foregiveness is indeed amazing to experience, both giving and receiving it...when you know--know--they mean it in their hearts that they forgive you...not that they fear losing you or are just saying "let's not talk about it anymore"...it's obvious and so damn beautiful to feel within your own heart and soul.

That's too much to ask...some people like myself just hate to think.

INSATIABLE said:

I gotta answer my own questions, huh??..lol ...hardly seems fair.

Well...in reality, the truth is I let so few people within my life, my world and my heart...that if you're one of the people I've let in, there's no way I would ever not want you to remainn there no matter what the circumstances are.

And yeah, it would kill me to see someone I love stare blankly at me, as if I don't register in their mind or heart one iota..

Who the hell are you?

Byron said:

You're exactly right. Even thinking about at this moment: it doesn't fail to literally break down any reservations I have about what people are capable of. Experiencing their heartfelt forgiveness alone gives me an incredible amount of faith and really shows how strong they are to have done such.

Again, 'one of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can't speak'.
It feels overwhelming and liberating. If I could speak in words what it feels like, well, it'd sound beautiful. Boy, I've really made a mess of myself on here.

ReturnOfDOOK said:

Um, nobody...

INSATIABLE said:

LoL...

Byron said:

Byron said:

I agree. When I remove acquaintances and incidental friendships out of the mix, I can't say I wouldn't want to touch souls with any my few close friends.

Natisse said:

LoL...

Nope, not at all...

Byron said:

to answer it... I'd have to say the people who are close to me I've CHOSEN to be close to me and I wouldn't have it any other way

Natisse said:

So all the relationships and friendships you have now that aren't in that catagory...you could walk away from them without too much of a problem??...

Byron said:

the people who are close to me, no I couldn't... I'm gonna have enough trouble being across the other side of the world from some of them again some day let alone not know them!!

people who are not terribly close to me yeah of course you could walk away... most people could and would I think

Natisse said:

Do you think we tend to spend too much time and energy on relationships and friendships that, in reality, we could somewhat easily do without??...

Byron said:

I think everyone who touches our heart in some way is/has been there for a reason... so no we couldn't do without it

This is easy for me, as I could easily carry on without any friends in my life. This is not to say that I would be untouched by the emotions of knowing that someone close to me doesn't remember me, but I could easily carry on with my life being happy that I held the memories of those friendships.

I wouldn't go out and try to form friendships with those that no longer remember me. I'd probably take it as it comes. If it forms again I'd be happy. If they didn't form again, I'd be comfortable as well.

Outside of my family.... hmmmmm!

Hard one.... I don't think I could stand losing my friends, or the memories that took a lifetime to build.

I'd try to keep all of them in my life. Irregardless of what has happenend in the past

Azure, I owe you a phone call... Love, love you lady!


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[Edited 10/31/05 8:43am]