As you face serious illness your thoughts may turn to the past and to reflections on the life you have lived until now. You might want to reminisce with family and friends about the people and events that have been part of your life. These reflections and reminiscences can be the beginning of a process called life review.
Reviewing your life is not simply about assembling the details of your past. It’s about finding meaning there. It can help you see clearly what the themes of your life have been and what principles have guided you. As you tell your story you may feel as if you are putting together all the pieces of a puzzle and seeing the big picture in a way you never did before.
You may end up reminding yourself of some of the positive things you have lost track of like your own strengths and skills as a person. You might find that your imperfections don’t seem quite so bad anymore. Reviewing your life can also help you gain a new perspective on your past and present relationships and to see where you have unfinished business.
