I’m a big fan of mnemonic devices. I know that may sound a little intimidating. I promise, I’m not going to hurt you. A mnemonic device isn’t a weapon, it’s a tool. Big difference.
According to Wikipedia, a mnemonic device is “any learning technique that aids information retention in the human memory.”
I’ve got many of these little aides running around in my brain and plugging the leaks where the memories are threatening to ooze out of the crevices.
These aides help me to remember the notes on the treble clef scale (Every Good Boy Does Fine) (PS: This phrase happens to be true in parenting a middle school son as well.)
The aides help me to remember that when writing an email to my daughter’s principal, I can address it to her as the princiPAL, not the princiPLE, because she’s not only in charge of the school,she’s my pal. See what I did there?
The aides helped me to memorize the names and birth order of Jacob’s 12 sons in the Old Testament. That’s right. You never know when you’re going to need this information, and quickly. I haven’t come across a time yet, but I’m prepared for when I do.
And just last night my son was studying Latin root words for an upcoming test and he told me his own mnemonic devices for each one. It was a proud moment as his mother when he explained that he remembers the definition of “superfluous” by thinking of a super hero named “Super Floss” who has too much floss. Brilliant. (And I think most of us can relate to this super hero as we also have too much floss and not enough motivation to actually use it. Actual flossing must be the superpower of another hero?)
All of these little mnemonic devices help me keep things straight. I don’t have to remember EVERYTHING, that’s what Google is for, but it does help to have a few stored memories when I’m not getting a good wifi signal.
And we’ve all learned from school that the real question is, “Is this going to be on the test?” Translated, this means, “What do I really have to remember here?”
And granted, this is a big question when it comes to life. What do we really have to remember here?
There are many things that seem important. Traffic rules (‘Hands on the steering wheel at 10 and 2 like on the face of a clock!’) The order of the planets in our solar system (My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles) and who can forget ROY G. BIV. Everybody knows him and his colorful personality.
Yes, all good things to know. But when it comes down to it, I believe the most important things to remember in life are these:
- Love God.
- Love Others.
Those are the big ones.
Everything else is just superfluous.
This blog is part of the Five Minute Friday community where bloggers are challenged to write about a topic for about 5 minutes based on a one-word prompt. This week’s word: TEST.
Christy Cabe 
I am the same way with mnemonics, especially because my main language is Spanish and there are certain things are easily remember this way. And in the end those two truths are what really count. Have a wonderful weekend. Your neighbor on FMF.
Maria
http://maria-baer.com/
Great post and one I definitely can relate to. It’s so helpful to have little reminders that actually mean something. I think the first such reminder I learned was because I’m from Michigan where everyone hopes to have beautiful HOMES (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior) on the great lakes. 🙂 Visiting from FMF#43.
Love this… but just realized that it tells my age. In school we learned “My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nine Pickles” because back in my day Pluto was “still” a planet!!