Ask someone about their most cherished memory ever and, more often than not, they will tell you it's the birth of a child, the day they've got married, a lavish holiday they took, the day they graduated against all odds, the special celebration night for an award they received, or something else just as memorable.
On the other hand, some people will reply "The next one, the one I didn't create yet" or "Each one, I cherish them all".
[The three most cherished memories could be
from three completely different life areas]
It may seem like an easy thing to ask, and yet replying to such a question can feel daunting, confusing, or even "dangerous": The risk of saying something awkward or not aligned with social expectations is high.
The answer may change based on life experiences, context, age, culture, and plenty of other factors.
Will the answer change ten years from now? Is the actual answer they are giving now the same they would have given as a child?
The answer may also change based on the person asking the question: Some memories are very personal and someone may not feel comfortable sharing them with everyone, or it could be impolite to say in front of a spouse or a parent that the best memory in life was an evening out with friends or that big promotion a couple of years ago...
So how about asking about the three most cherished memories instead?
They could be from different life areas, and people can decide which one they want to share freely. It may become a precious tool for practicing personal storytelling and building resilience, and it can be an interesting game as well.
What are your THREE most cherished memories?
Tags: Coaching question, Self-coaching, Self-awareness, Self-reflection, Personal storytelling, Resilience
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