In Every Life: The Power of Memory
Posted on May 1, 2012 by bob in In Every Life
Memories are important! Spring cleaning or moving often involves going through old papers, pictures and other memorabilia, initiating a trip down “memory lane.” Such memories provide a history of our lives and interactions with others that can help evaluate who we are and how we fit into the world. Memories can help us gain greater understanding and insight about our emotions and patterns of behavior, by showing us how we responded to life’s situations. This greater insight offers opportunities for evaluating our emotional strengths or needs, and is a step toward the development of wisdom.
Reminiscence Therapy(1) is the recalling of past events, feelings or thoughts in order to promote pleasure, quality of life, or adapt to present circumstances This therapy can be used in health care, with a person reflecting on the past and helping recreate their life story through events that took place long ago. For example, pictures that include clothing from the 1940s may recall memories of World War II-era rationing of leather, cotton and wool, and remind the person of coping strategies used to overcome the challenges of that time.
Another example is from a friend’s account of borrowing rationed sugar from church members in order to bake a wedding cake for a military bride. These examples illustrate how “simple reminiscence” provides the individual an opportunity to recognize how they adapted to trying circumstances and coped with difficult situations.
Recalling our reaction to a stressful situation in the past can help us handle a similar situation now, or in the future. If our past coping method was successful, there is hope this same method will yield similar positive results. If our past coping method was not successful, we can strive to avoid that strategy in the future. Additionally, sharing stories with others who have had similar experiences can help strengthen our resolve and provide entertainment and pleasure.
Another facet of Reminiscence Therapy, “insightful reminiscence,” helps us consider life situations with a view across one’s own lifetime. This kind of therapy is useful in promoting forgiveness of oneself or others for unresolved conflicts –helping to decrease despair or depression. Resolution involves evaluation of both positive and negative life experiences(2).
Sharing stories of perseverance and coping can also provide perspective for others, when they encounter similar stressful situations in their own lives. This “social reminiscence” can create an autobiographical legacy within a family. By allowing individuals to share their life experiences, they can provide historical context as well as moral or ethical guidelines for other younger family members. Adding photographs or letters to this personal perspective can be passed down, creating as an heirloom of valuable wisdom for future generations.
Arlene Morris, EdD, RN, CNE
Arlene H. Morris, EdD, RN, CNE, is Professor of Nursing
at Auburn Montgomery’s School of Nursing.
She can be reached at amorris@aum.edu.
References
1. Dochterman, J. M., & Bulech, G. M. (Eds.) (2004). Nursing interventions classification (NIC) (4th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.
2. Butler, R. N. (1963). The life review: An interpretation of reminiscence in the aged. Psychiatry, 26, 65-76.
