“Memory is a strange thing; it doesn't work like a computer. It's more like a river that sometimes overflows its banks.”
What this quote means
Alain Mabanckou compares memory to a capricious river, highlighting its unpredictable and emotional nature, far from the cold precision of a computer. This image evokes how our memories surge, overflow, and transform. It reminds us that memory is not a reliable archive but a living material shaped by time and emotion. This invites us to accept our memories as they are, with their shadows.
How to apply it daily
Take a notebook and write down a childhood memory. Let it evolve without seeking accuracy; observe how it transforms with each writing.
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