I can't understand this sentence. Could you help me do it?
Why, of all the things that might occur to us when we think of childhood, do we mention a few particular memories? Why, of all the things that happened to us as children, do we rehearse and remember the stories and images that we do? One answer is that the memories we produce constitute a personal narrative that makes sense of our lives. Good feelings and positive events, on the one hand, can be placed in a context that makes them seem as if we deserved them and as if they help define who we are. Such a context may also include important information about how to repeat desirable experiences.

What does " Good feelings and positive events, on the one hand, can be placed in a context that makes them seem as if we deserved them and as if they help define who we are." mean?

Question

I can't understand this sentence. Could you help me do it?
Why, of all the things that might occur to us when we think of childhood, do we mention a few particular memories? Why, of all the things that happened to us as children, do we rehearse and remember the stories and images that we do? One answer is that the memories we produce constitute a personal narrative that makes sense of our lives. Good feelings and positive events, on the one hand, can be placed in a context that makes them seem as if we deserved them and as if they help define who we are. Such a context may also include important information about how to repeat desirable experiences.

What does " Good feelings and positive events, on the one hand, can be placed in a context that makes them seem as if we deserved them and as if they help define who we are." mean?

Answer

I can understand why you are having trouble. The whole paragraph is quite complex.
For the meaning of the sentence, start by ignoring "on the one hand". That just means that this is the first of two things the author is going to talk about. So now the sentence is:
"Good feelings and positive events can be placed in a context that makes them seem as if we deserved them and as if they help define who we are."
We are talking about memories and how our mind processes them. So the first bit, "good feelings and positive events" refers to our memories of these feelings or events.
When our mind places a memory in a particular context, it means that the memory is connected to other things in our mind. Those things might be memories of places, or people, or events. So my mind might place the memory of a "good feeling" into "the context" of memories about studying hard at school. 
Now my memories of these good feelings are related to memories of studying hard at school, and so I can begin to believe that these good feelings are something that I deserved or earned by studying hard. Therefore, I feel that I deserve them. I deserve to feel good because I studied hard at school. My mind has arranged my memories of the good feelings in a way that makes it seems as though I deserve to feel good. Those things may also become part of how I understand myself or define my self. Who am I? I am a person who studied hard and now deservedly feels good about myself.

Answer

I agree with Nathan, the paragraph is badly written also, I agree "on the one hand"  does not belong in this paragraph.
even if it comes from a book you own, get a pen and strike out that phrase from the book. Do not be shy "do it". it is something I do myself when I came across this type of writing. Now each time you read it, it will make better sense.

"on the one hand" = we have two hands I will talk about two things or I will give two opposing, contrast or balancing arguments.
"on the other hand" = similar. used to draw attention to opposites or contradictions​ etc

Answer

Good morning guys,, I am going to summarize the things that I understand from the paragraph,tell me if I am right ??       
summary of the paragraph is a) why do we remember only a few events of all from our childhood?? b) do we remember only the positive and happiest event because that defines who we are??

Answers · 5

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