The Positive use of Memory

 You will find here some journalling exercises to help work with memories in a positive way.  In addition there is a recommended pamphlet, a book and a handbook for small groups on the general theme of remembrance.

Journalling:

• an explanation of this prayer tool
• using it to explore our memories of particular people

Some general points about keeping a journal:

It might help to keep a notebook specially for the work of “journalling”.

Journalling is a useful tool to loosen the soil of our memory as well as to help us reflect on contemporary experiences.Memory of course has to do with the unhealed and painful as well as with gladness; our memories are fundamental to us, they shape our identity. The act of putting pen to paper in journalling helps to bring memories into the present in a way which makes them available to us in a positive way and helps us shift our stance in relation to them.In particular it lends itself to exploring any issue which for you remains unresolved - perhaps an issue from quite early years.In the exercises which follow, there is an opportunity to explore an issue around one or more significant people you have known.

You need not journal every day. Experience shows that once or twice a week for say 15mins., until people get into it, is a good guide.As with most things, you will be drawn to do more of it if you find it useful.

Journalling needs to be approached spontaneously and not censored. It is best done with a mixture of spontaneity and quiet reflection.Since your journal is seen by no-one unless you choose to share it, your writing can include strong words, dis-jointed sentences, - even drawings and images that may emerge as you sit in front of the sheet of paper. It can be helpful to hold in your mind and heart that your response carries “no praise, no blame – it just IS SO.”If the writing seems to dry up, continue to reflect in stillness, holding the pen near the paper; in due course it may be that you can start writing again.The apparent stuckness is often a moment when the work of the journalling is deepening.As the soil ofmemory loosens, we go down the deep well of our life to work with the movements underneath the external circumstances of what has happened to us – all our questionings, problems, joys etc – and join the underground stream where the living waters of the Holy Spirit can “warm the heart” and bring healing,moving us on into new possibilities. It may therefore greatly help the journalling to approach each session with a short time of stillness and consciously ask God to surprise you, to give you courage to work at some things in your life which have been, and still are puzzling, and indeed may be very painful.

Starting the Journal

It is always helpful to link journalling with insights from stories and themes in the bible, and allow each to mingle with the other.God in Jesus wants to draw us from unfreedom, darkness and death into freedom, light, and life.

Advent has imagery of the crooked places to be made straight and the rough places level together with making straight the Way of the Lord.Easter-tide gives us the opportunity, through the processes which the bible stories of that Season sets before us, to bring the traumatic parts of our lives into relationship with the risen Christ (“wounds transfigured into glorious scars”).

As you work at each exercise, be aware of your “inner handbrake” where, as an adult, you can make choices about which aspects of your life and relationships you want to work with. Some choices will be easier than others.At first, it may not be too productive to continually challenge yourself by going to places in your life that, for example, you know are particularly painful. As you get used to journalling and experience its value, it becomes easier to manage your level of discomfort and so make appropriate choices.