Recent research has identified several very healthful aspects of reminiscing. First, reminiscing allows us to recall previous life situations and re-experience them. This helps us to integrate our life in the past with our current life. Second, it helps us to make meaning out of our previous life experience. If we are unable to find meaning in our life, we are unable to develop any new insights or benefits from our experiences. Third, reminiscing can strengthen our self-esteem and reduce feelings of isolation. As we share our remembering with others, we can develop a powerful sense of ourselves as survivors. The sharing of our life story with another person reemphasizes our interdependence with other people and it validates our lives in a social context. The philosopher/theologian Kierkegaard remarked, "Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Reminiscing is a useful companion to our lives in the past, our lives today, and our lives in the future.
There are several different ways that you can benefit from this gift of reminiscence. You can consider remembering your own life story, retelling someone else's story (e.g. your children) or listening to another person's story. Whether you are the story-teller or the audience for another's story, you can reap the blessings of this life-giving gift.
In order to tell your story or the story of another, you only need to follow three simple steps:
- Remember it
- Record it (in writing, audio, or video)
- Relate it to another person
If you are going to help another person in their reminiscing, these suggestions might be helpful:
- Consider looking at pictures, letters, other remembrances to stimulate the flow of memories
- Listen attentively and thoughtfully
- Offer encouragement and support to the person reminiscing
- Encourage the person to share not only experiences, but more importantly, their feelings.
- Assist in recording the reminiscing, so that it can be used in the future.
I am here,
Sue Ellen
