The benefit of repetition

I used to think it a grave error to tell someone a story they already knew, or for an author to repeat themselves in different words on the same subject in a book. I would run away from re-reading and (to some extent) re-watching or re-listening. Once I had ingested a message, that was that, and there is so much more out there in life why would I go back to something I had already experienced.

I was wrong. Humans are much better at forgetting than remembering, and repetition is an excellent weapon against the abyss of the forgotten. Indeed, each re-experiencing of something you’ve heard before reveals new layers in itself and also in you.

Therefore do not be afraid of going back to something that you already know. You probably don’t know it as well as you think you do.