We always think that those significant events we have gone through, those passionate loves, and those sleepless nights will be preserved permanently in the album of our memories like photographs. We firmly believe that as long as it is important enough, it will never be forgotten. We cling to every detail, fearing that as soon as we let go, that period of time will vanish into the wind forever. However, this belief is the greatest misunderstanding we have about memory.

Time is like the most ruthless sieve, silently filtering out many precious details. You may remember the face of your first love, the lines at the corners of his eyes when he smiled, but you might forget what color shirt he wore on your first date, or what you talked about. You might remember the hustle and bustle of the graduation ceremony and the tears of farewell, yet forget what whispers your best friend said to you then or the warmth of the sun's rays that day. Those scenes that were once so vivid gradually became blurred, even covered by new memories, leaving only an empty framework in the end. We desperately try to hold on, but it's like grasping a handful of sand, ultimately leaving only traces between our fingers.

But forgetting is not a betrayal of the past. It's actually a survival mechanism of our brain. If we had to remember all the pain, mistakes, embarrassments, and regrets forever, we would not be able to move forward. If we always remembered the feeling of being hurt, we would never trust again; if we always remembered the taste of failure, we would never try again. Forgetting allows us to distance from pain, put down the burdens of the past, and make space for new experiences. It is a form of self-healing, a capability that allows us to breathe again, feel beauty again, and even love again.

We also need to forget in order not to be overwhelmed by the weight of memory. Forgetting is like our brain's "garbage cleaning system", automatically filtering and discarding the useless memories that hinder our progress. This doesn't mean forgetting past lessons, but rather putting down the heaviness of the past. It allows us to carry on with experience, not be stalled by burdens.

Therefore, instead of fearing forgetting, we should strive to feel and remember the warmth of the present moment. Feel the warmth of the sunlight on your face, the temperature from the palm of the person beside you, the dialogue you are engaged in, and the emotions and feelings of the current moment. Because one day, when you look back, you will find that what you possess are not clear memories, but each moment that was truly lived. Those forgotten details exist in another way, perhaps having merged into your character, becoming your wisdom, and shaping who you are today.

We are all travelers through time, and memories are our baggage. In some future day, you will find that the baggage you carry has become much lighter. You will forget those people and events that caused you pain, but you will remember how bravely you walked through that journey; you will forget the moments that filled you with despair, but you will remember how you eventually stood up again. This is the meaning of forgetting. It does not mean losing, but carrying the essence with you as you continue to move towards the future.