Your Future Doesn't Really Exist
Have you ever wanted to see into the future? I think most of us would like to see the future (at the very least, a few days’ worth of winning lottery numbers, right?). So when I ask if you’ve ever wanted to see into THE future, I mean YOUR future.
You know you can, right?
No? Don’t think so? Hang on. You might in a minute.
The Future Doesn’t Exist
Technically, the future doesn’t exist. We pretend that it’s a physical thing, but it’s not. It’s just mental construct, a label we’ve given to the concept of everything in front of the present moment. It represents the moment in front of now, and the moment just after that, and the moment following that, stretching infinitely forward.
The future is simply a story. And it is 100% fiction. Always. Without exception. Any idea or thought of the future is purely made up. Sure, we use our past and present as building blocks and background material, but the story we tell ourselves about the future is pure fantasy.
Does it sometimes come true? Sure. Is our future story guaranteed? Never. As the saying goes, you could get hit by a bus tomorrow, and I’m guessing getting hit by a bus is not in anyone’s future story. Sure would mess up your future fantasy, though, wouldn’t it?
Who Writes the Story?
So, if the future is only a story — and fiction at that — you and I can write whatever story we want to, yes? We can craft a grand quest, a romantic love story, or an action-packed adventure. We can fill it with fun, discovery, love, travel, friendship, sunsets, triumphs, exotic locations, and anything else our heart desires. We can take along whomever we want and leave behind everything that weighs us down or bums us out. In our future story, we are undoubtedly, unquestionably the hero of our own journey.
The story we create and tell ourselves about our future is crucial to living a superpowered life. It becomes our map, our GPS system, guiding our steps, decisions, and direction. If we tell ourselves a crappy story about the future, we end up with a crappy map. But if we tell ourselves an awesome story, well, then I like that map a whole lot better.
You’re Not Just the Audience
Why am I telling you all of this? Because you’re not just the audience of your future story. You are also the author. No one else writes it. No circumstance creates it. No parameter defines it, except the parameters you invent. Remember, nothing exists in the future because the future doesn’t really exist.
Your STORY about the future does exist, though. It’s in your head right now. Maybe you’ve never thought about where it came from or how editable it truly is. It’s just a story, after all. You’re the author. You hold the pen (pencil, actually) and the eraser. The entire story is up to you, written by you.
You are free to write — or rewrite — whatever story stirs your soul. You have the freedom to write whatever story you want to live. Will it all come true? I don’t know, but let’s assume for a second that you DO get to pick the story, and whatever story you tell yourself DOES come true. What story will you tell yourself now?
My suggestion? Make it a good one.
Superpowerfully yours,
Mark
P.S. Write the origin story of a new, superpowered life! Pick up a copy of my new book, Ordinary Superpowers and unleash the full potential of your most natural talents. Learn More