Awhile back I stumbled onto this thing called a "Best Possible Self Intervention" (Or 'Optimism Intervention'). It maybe have been this: www.winona.edu/resilience (though I'm not entirely sure).
It is actually a 6-week process, but I've lately been thinking about the initial assignment. These are the instructions:
Think about your life in the future. Imagine that everything has gone as well as it possibly could. You have worked hard and succeeded at accomplishing all of your life goals. Consider all the relevant areas of your life, such as your career, academic work, relationships, hobbies, and/or health. Think of this as a realization of all of your life dreams. For the next 15 minutes, write continuously about what you imagined. Do this exercise for at least three days in a row. Each day, reflect on this desired future, and then discover ways to make it become a reality!
I have always struggled with exercises like this. I've done them before, yet as I sit and look at this one, I can't remember a thing. So, here goes another...
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CAREER
When I was off work for a week while recovering from surgery, I had about a day and a half where I felt okay enough to relax at all. It was then I realized I really do wish I were a writer. I think I am self-disciplined enough I could establish a daily routine of reading, research, and writing. I would love the freedom of that life. Being able to ease into the day. I would also need to build in going to the gym or something, so I would get the needed social part of life.
That's my ideal life though - as some kind of writer. Of course, what that would look like... I have no idea. I'm not smart enough or good enough with grammar to write books or probably articles even.
I've thought about just starting up a new blog. I can't think of a focused subject matter though. Ugh. Running, spiritual direction, wellness in general... I don't know.
ACADEMICS
Oh, sure, I would love to go back to school. I like to learn. Maybe even learning without going to school. But there is so little time in each day.
RELATIONSHIPS
I don't have a lot of relationships in my life, and the ones I do have... I don't do very well with. The one I most wish I could develop is with my grand kids. Unfortunately, the more time I spend with them, the more tired they seem to make me. I WANT to be around them, it just needs to be in small doses. And when it's not... I fear I make them not want to be around me. I can be grumpy and short, and I'm probably the "mean" grandpa. I hate that. I wish I could do a do-over.
HOBBIES
I do wish I could still play the guitar and bass, and would like to learn piano. Again... time. I suppose running could be a hobby too. I hope to continue running/jogging forever.
HEALTH
I would like to get down around 155 lbs if I could. I can get close, but just can't stay there. I think if I could stop drinking wine I could do it. For the time being, I'm okay with ONLY drinking wine though... So, one of these days.
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Well, there is 15 minutes worth. Off the top of my head.
(here is another version: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/pdfs/optimism_intervention.pdf)
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