Memories.

       "Memories warm you up from the inside. But they also tear you apart." is a quote by Haruki Murakami. In life, you are inevitably going to experience a series of both good and bad times. With these successes and hardships come an abundance of great and awful memories, some that you wish to cherish forever and some that you wish were erased from your mind instantly. But what actually determines whether you have a good or bad memory? It's the choices that you make, the attitude that you show towards the situation and whether you learn any lessons from these memories.

       Firstly, good memories. These are the best kind of memories, any person's most prized possession. These memories can come from things like simple family dinners to vacations in the most picturesque tropical island on Earth. Just the slightest thought of them is able to bring a warm, tingling sensation to your heart and has a calming effect on your mind. For myself, one of my greatest memories would be the get-togethers my family, close relatives and a few close friends never fail to have. Nothing beats the feeling of the joy and laughter you get from hanging out with your relatives, especially in my tight-knit family. Whether it's the festive season, a birthday or a wedding, my family is always together. This gives me the chance to spend quality time with my relatives and cousins. It's through these moments that new memories are created, and these memories will remind you that your family will be right by your side as you go through thick and thin. With family being your main source of safety and support, you ought to keep family as your first priority at all times. These good memories are the ones you wish to keep close to your heart forever, whether in the form of photographs or just in thought.

       Secondly, bad memories. They come from bad experiences, from disagreements to disappointments. They intend to break you down, crumble you to pieces and haunt you in your nightmares. But guess what? It is ultimately your choice to whether you would allow yourself to be dragged into the dark world of regret, or free yourself by moving on with life. This is the only way you can turn a bad memory into a valuable life lesson, which you will continue to look back on for years.

       So, what can we take away from this? Memories give you the opportunity to change negativity into positivity, to turn your frowns upside down. But this decision depends on you, the individual. Are you going to make the best out of life?