Sanjana is a medical student and photographer based in Houston, Texas. Being people-oriented, she is always listening to people. Her focus is to take care of people, not cases; capture memories, not click photos. She also enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, and listening to music.

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Sanjana Ayyagari

<h4 style="text-align:justify;">SANJANA AYYAGARI explores the paradox of memory—both cherishing memory and, sometimes, the need to forget. She has come to see them not as opposites but as interdependent processes, shaping our understanding of our own identity.&nbsp;</h4>The paradox of memory is so pervasive in the human experience that even J.K. Rowling alludes to it in her famous work, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. In the film adaptation, Neville, one of Harry’s friends, receives a Remembrall from his grandmother. The smoke inside the marble-sized glass ball turns a scarlet red when he has forgotten something, to which Neville replies, “The only problem is, I can’t remember what I’ve forgotten.”Memory is a vital tool for human processing and interpersonal interactions. It shapes our identity, helps in decision-making processes, and acts as an anchor as we live through time. Our ability to remember is essential for our survival, as it provides us with continuity and an understanding of the world we live in. In contrast, forgetting, while often perceived negatively, also plays a crucial role in our cognitive functioning and mental health. With the amount of data and information we are bombarded with daily, especially in the age of technology and social media, forgetting allows us to filter out irrelevant information and focus our cognitive processing on what matters. However, within the very process that helps us make sense of our lives, there is a paradox: how can we cherish the act of remembering while also acknowledging the need for forgetting?In his book The Power of Paradox, Daaji proposes approaching paradoxes with the DARE to RESOLVE framework. DARE (Dismiss, Accept, Resolve, and Explore) represents four different ways to approach and make sense of paradoxes. The memory paradox seems to be best approached through exploration, so let’s delve deeper together.The paradox of memory lies in the fact that remembering and forgetting are not opposites; They are interdependent processes that work together to shape our lives and how we interpret the world around us. Our memories are dynamic. As we live and gain new experiences, we build on our memories and the understandings and effects they have on us. The way we remember certain events—whether with nostalgia, regret, or joy—shapes our understanding of our identity and our sense of continuity across time.<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/cant_remember_forgotten2_6d28bafd29.webp" alt="cant-remember-forgotten2.webp"></figure>As a graduating medical student, I have spent over a decade primarily focused on studying to remember information and apply it to patient care. Despite learning and reviewing information for hours every day, many times I found myself staring at an exam question, unable to remember the information I needed to select the right answer. Surprisingly, while I was struggling to recall the specific facts, I could remember that I had forgotten the information I needed.This experience exemplifies the paradox of memory. Despite my efforts and the countless hours spent absorbing knowledge, forgetting was an inevitable part of the process. And yet, this phenomenon of forgetting was not without its own significance. The awareness that I could remember what I had forgotten prompted me to reflect on the limitations of memory and the inherent imperfection even in the most rigorous mental efforts. It served as a reminder that while memory is invaluable, it is ultimately fallible, and forgetting is an essential part of how we navigate the complexities of the mind.<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">It served as a reminder that while memory is invaluable,&nbsp; it is ultimately fallible, and forgetting is an essential part of how we navigate the complexities of the mind.</h4><hr>

I can’t remember what I’ve forgotten!

<h4>SANJANA AYYAGARI shares some everyday images of ways to be more aware, take care and responsibility for self and others, and build community. All this leads to a better sense of well-being.</h4><hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/better_leader3_700x511_33997710d2.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-11T07:01:02.602Z" alt="better-leader3-700x511"><h4>Education</h4>Today, young people are revolutionizing the world by educating themselves on issues pertaining to society as a whole. They are conversing with each other, whether over email, social media, or in person. While they do not always find all the answers to their questions, they are enriching their minds and preparing themselves to face the challenges ahead.<hr><hr><hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/better_leader2_700x511_de3b7238f8.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-11T07:02:27.721Z" alt="better-leader2-700x511">Environmental ConsciousnessYoung people are striving to limit the negative impact of their existence on the planet. Everything from metal straws, reusable grocery bags, and recyclable materials have become staples in their households and their mindset is governed by the goal of leaving the planet in a better state than it was when they arrived.<hr><hr><hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/better_leader4_700x486_ce1fcd9245.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-11T07:03:52.209Z" alt="better-leader4-700x486"><h4>Health and Well-being</h4>Health and well-being are no longer a series of quick schemes to get fit and be ready for the next Instagram post, but rather a lifestyle adopted by young people to feel their best from within. Whether it be yoga, meditation, lifting weights, or simply staying hydrated, this generation is prioritizing feeling good physically, mentally, and emotionally.<hr><hr><hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/better_leader5_9b37c56479.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-11T07:05:08.008Z" alt="better-leader5">Community and CamaraderieAt times it can be isolating to be part of a generation that is going through a lot of self-doubt and creating their own path to living a fulfilling life. But young people have realized that it is always better to collaborate and not compete. By coming together as a community, this generation is not only better equipped to navigate the obstacles of their individual lives, but also to redirect their collective journey and create lasting positive change.