An Old Forumla

Sometime ago I ran into a formula I'd like to share with you: ICR = FI.

Here is how it goes: If You Can't Recall It, Forget It.

When I was working on my MA degree many years ago, I remember a Professor talking about selective stuff. Like Selective Perception (we perceive what we want to perceive) and Selective Retention (we remember what we want to remember). There was a third but I can't remember it. So, ICR = FI. Neat, huh? Maybe.

It's interesting. I sort of like this formula (it didn't come from the same Professor mentioned above) as I would like to shrug off bad memories. But then, there are some good memories I don't want to shrug off.

Right now I can easily remember how much 9 x 8 is. And I know that P is in the latter part of the alphabet. This comes in handy quite often. However, I am not sure how much 14 x 13 is because I never learned (memorized) that in grade school. We stopped too soon I suppose. So, now I have to get a piece of scrap paper and a pencil and compute it.

Then, there are some other matters where ICR = FI isn't too helpful. Ever tried calling home and forgetting your own phone number? After all, how often do we call home? I even have our home phone programmed in our cell phone which is the phone I'd probably use. Alas, the alphabet doesn't change but our phone number could. Many times for some of us.

Catechism. Remember how we learned that Moses is in the OT while John the Baptist is in the New? Transfiguration and Eschatology are not as easy to recall. Precise definitions of Forensics and Rhetoric may not surface as easily as we would like. Or locating obscure countries on a map or remembering important dates. FI (forget it) isn't always a useful tool. But it can be a rather convenient apparatus to have nearby.

As yes, we live and learn, and forget. And so we relive and relearn and will do so as long as we breathe. Even so, don't put this formula away. Or hide it. Or destroy it. Just when you may need it most, ICR = FI might inadvertently create another senior moment.