Defined by morals, not memories

Last updated on: October 4, 2017 at 9:43 am by Kate Cousino

Defined by morals, not memories 2017-10-04T09:43:10-04:00 Kate Cousino

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

This piece popped up in my FB memories from last year, and I was moved again by it.

The article is by Scientific American, and talks about how patients with Alzheimer’s disease (which affects memory) but not dementia (which can affect moral traits like honesty and compassion) continue to be perceived as “themselves” by their loved ones, and maintain close bonds with caregivers. In a study on memory loss and identity, statements like “The patient seems like a different person” were rarely endorsed by caregivers unless moral changes came about.

Efforts aimed at helping sufferers to understand themselves in terms of their moral traits—characteristics like altruism, mercy, and generosity—can restore their sense of identity and control as memory fades or cognition declines. Simply knowing that others continue to perceive them as the same person, even when they feel that their own identity is changing, can allow them to securely protect their sense of self.

As someone with a…well, “poor memory” might almost be understating just how fuzzy my recollection tends to be…I find this both reassuring and intuitive. And, of course, from a metaphysical perspective we are ourselves regardless of age, condition, disability, or other changes.

There’s a lot of focus sometimes on “making memories.” And experiences do enrich our quality of life. But perhaps more important is that we understand that we are, every day, making our selves. Who we are affects our choices, but our choices also shape who we are. Our moral choices mark us more deeply and more legibly than the things that have merely happened to us.

And there’s a kind of peace in this for me. Whatever storms come, I will always be able to choose to live from my values, my faith, my center. It might be difficult–it might sometimes seem unfairly difficult–but it is in my reach always to be a moral person.

And if I break and fail to be my best self, there is always another moment, another choice, another chance to begin again. To be someone who loves. To be someone who is constant. To be someone true.

To be, not a collection of skills or abilities, or a collection of memories, but a person striving to be ever more fully whole.

Striving for Holiness

Previous Post

August 22, 2016

A defence of earthiness

Next Post

November 8, 2016 An Open Letter to Fr. Frank Pavone's Superiors

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category ADHD Blog Business Body and Soul Books Faith Faith in Action Family Feminism Fertility Awareness Friendship Geekiness Guest Post History Hope Just For Fun Love Marriage Memory Mental Exercise Movies Parenting Personalism Poetry Prayer Quotes Scripture Seven Quick Takes Striving for Holiness Television The Stories We Tell The World Uncategorized

Select a Month September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 August 2016 June 2016 March 2016 January 2016 November 2015 October 2015 August 2015 July 2015 May 2015 April 2015 February 2015 December 2014 November 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 August 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 November 2009 October 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which king was famous for his wisdom and built the first temple in Jerusalem?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Rehoboam Solomon David Saul

Support this
Column