*A rare, signed, higher resolution and non-watermarked version of this image is available for download at: https://creary.net/digital-art/@jaichai/raining-reminiscence
I often revisit my past written work for a nice stroll "down memory lane".
It reminds me of the good, bad and boring things I've managed to create and upload in the past.
Forgotten topics are remembered; oftentimes, leading to new, "updated" or "was/is now" articles.
Other times, the old posts point me towards new, exciting territories to explore.
Some of my written archives represent work for contracted writing gigs, academic submittals, or military and technical training manuals.
But most of my writing is about life or whatever else I find interesting at the time - resembling an eclectic, personal journal more than a news or magazine article.
This spontaneous, first-person, "talking one-on-one with the reader" type of writing is what I enjoy the most.
About Systematic Learning -
Ironically, the best way to learn something is to ultimately teach it.
Let me explain...
While on active duty, apart from all the physical training that usually rated high on the "Pucker Factor" scale, I learned a profound lesson about "Learning".
In the U.S. Marines, there's a saying that encapsulates their philosophy for fast, effective training:
"SEE ONE. DO ONE. TEACH ONE."
*This image sans watermark and in a higher resolution is available for download at: https://creary.net/digitalart/@jaichai/your-personal-archives-an-invaluable-resource-and-pow
I totally agree with this practice and mindset.
Let's face it, if you can't explain something to a layman or a five y/o in a way they can understand, you really don't know it.
Writing about stuff satisfies my insatiable curiosity, while ensuring that I've actually learned enough about it to explain it confidently with simple clarity.
Back on topic: Revisiting Personal Archives
I get to see how my viewpoints and writing style have developed (or degraded) over the years.
Looking back on my past prose, I see all the data dumps I needed to properly "defrag my brain".
Otherwise, my bouts with insomnia would be worse than it already is!
Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn't mention this unavoidable fact of life for any prolific writer:
When reading your past work, YOU WILL ALWAYS find embarrassing, cringe-worthy mistakes!
It's inevitable.
Just like losing hours of work when the platform's text editor or Wifi hiccups; instantly turning your "masterpiece in the making" into unrecoverable vaporware.
Of course, the simple solution - something that's often ignored by those who know better - is to ALWAYS compose in an auto-saving text editor or word program FIRST, THEN pasting into the platform's text editor for uploading.
Funny thing.
Even professional proofreaders and editors succumb to this lazy error in judgement now and then.
Lol!
Submitted FYI.
May you and yours be well and loving life today.
In Lak'ech, JaiChai
(JaiChai 24 May 2022. Simultaneous multi-site submissions posted. All rights reserved.)