8: Key Insight: Your past is flexible. Your view and “memory” of your past is always based on your perspective of the present. You can change the meaning of the past. When you make your past into a positive narrative, then you’re free from it.
–How has your view of your past changed over time?
I understand that I can “rewrite” my past to suit what I need from it. I am not a victim.
-What negative episodes or memories from your past could be reframed?
I am doing what I can to reframe my relationship with my mother.
DAY 9:
This is not as easy as it sounds. Imagine having a truck come by and splash you with cold water from a puddle and say, “Oh, this happened for me!” To what? Go home and change your clothes? Did someone else in the office wear the same outfit? Did you dress like a skank that day? Maybe you would miss a mass shooting by a few minutes. I do not know about this as a mantra.
-Moving forward, whenever you face hardship, immediately frame it as, “This is happening for me.”
I can see this working for a cynic, but I am mostly optimistic so…
DAY 10:
Challenge:
–Take the time to have an imaginary meeting with your future self.
-What would you ask them?
-How would you feel in their presence?
Me: “Uh… hi?”
Future Melinda (from here on out will be called Melinda X): “How are things?”
Me: “Are you… me?”
Melinda X: “No, you are me.”
Me: “How is that different?”
Melinda X: “It just is.”
Me: “How?”
Melinda X: *shrugs*
Me: “Is Trump going to be reelected?”
Melinda X: “Ugh, girl, you know I cannot tell you what is going to happen in the future.”
Me: “What is the point of talking to my future self if I cannot know what happens in the future?”
Melinda X: “Ask about your future, girl.”
Me: “Right. Will I ever get laid again?”
Melinda X: “Reply hazy, try again.”
Me: “You really are me!”
Melinda X: “No, you are me.”
Me: “Same thing.”
Melinda X: “Not even close.”
Me: “Ugh, we are even wearing the same pants.”
Melinda X: “That is because you are a copy cat.”
Me: “No, I had them first.”
Melinda X: *glares*
Me: *mwhahahahahahahahahaha*
DAY 11:
–What is your Achilles’ Heel?
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you will join us
And the world will be as one
-What would your future self be like if you removed that Achilles’ Heel forever?
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too
-Are you ready to cross your point of no return on this matter?
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
DAY 12:
-In the next 24 hours, tell 3 people about your future self.
I am telling all of you that I am Melinda X.