Remembering Your Life Story

Memories are subjective. We can remember our lives through many lenses, seeing different scenes as important at different times. Keeping a journal of personal stories remembered is way to start looking at your life as an interesting story.

Catching Memories

Imagine that your memory bank is the shore of a great ocean of stories. Cast out a line or phrase as "bait" and see if a recollection comes to the surface. If one does, "catch it" by naming it. Give it a title and write the title in your journal. No one but you needs to understand the title's meaning. Choose a title that helps you remember the memories that just came up to the surface of your ocean of stories. Later, if you choose, tell a friend the story that goes with your title. Then write out the full version in your journal.

Some "Bait" For Catching Stories

Memory-catching "bait" could be a single word, a short phrase, or a sentence. Allow yourself to cast out to your younger years to catch a memory, too.

• Lost
• Best Friends
• Favorite Vacation
• Bad Haircut
• Scar
• Pet
• New House
• Secret Hiding Place
• Dressed Up
• Big Trouble
• Best Gift Given or Received
• Favorite Relative
• Cooking Disaster
• First Love
• A Moment of Bravery
• Surprise Party
• Best Sunset
• Big Crowd

Exploring Cultural Roots Through Storytelling

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