ABSTRACT
This chapter explores savoring processes within reminiscences that are strongly felt and often partake in identity-giving functions from savoring processes that are weakly felt and have little connection to self-affirmation. It begins with some research Fred B. Bryant has done with two of his graduate students, Scott King and Colette Smart, exploring the connection of positive reminiscence to savoring. Consistent with the view of savoring the past as a coping strategy, the most commonly mentioned reason for reminiscing was to gain new perspective and self-insight toward present problems. The joy of looking forward to sharing the memory of the present moment in the future illustrates the amazing richness and complexity of time in relation to savoring. The different orientations to savoring memories are good examples of both maladaptive and adaptive savoring. The cognitive developmental changes also enable adolescents for the first time to adopt a variety of different temporal orientations in savoring positive experience.
