People like to think that memory is like an internal video recorder, accurately recording the facts of our lives. Studies on memory show it just isn’t so. Memory is both unreliable and fickle. Alfred Adler, one of the founders of psychology in the early 20th century was fascinated by early recollections. He posited that the way we remember things from our past is a reflection of our current feelings, attitudes and convictions. He observed that as people feel better, their narratives change. It’s not a great leap to think that perhaps it can also go in the other direction. If we can help clients change their personal narrative, their feelings, attitudes and convictions will change accordingly. Theorists in both Positive Psychology and Narrative Therapy have supported this idea. Many of the exercises used in Positive Psychology (the gratitude visit, writing about one’s best self, reframing negative experiences, etc.). involve creating a more positive life story. Techniques of Narrative

Source: Using Holiday Memories to Help Depressed Patients | Psych Central Professional