Your Best Possible Life

Today, February 28th, the happiness calendar said hi to me, "Imagine your best possible life would look like."Isn't that amazing that you can do that? No, seriously, you can!

Professor Martin Seligman says, “The important thing about imagination is that it gives you optimism.”We were told when we were kids that if we imagine something; it will come true. I had to go back in time and rethink things I dreamt about and came true. Oh, I got one, I made it to Paris. It was not something of my childhood but high school. It took years for me to make it happen but I did. Ok, childhood? Snow! Omg, snow, tons of snow that I have experienced already. I was chasing them, mind you. Labrador, Fort Nelson, hello! I remember looking at those snow globes in stores, and the thought of experiencing the cold was a childhood imagination and dream. I think Professor Seligman was right. It gives you optimism and what comes after that is hope, determination, perseverance, patience, etc.

Even as an adult, my mind is full of imagination, and people do not get dirty. I have other things in my mind that fulfill me. Could you imagine a crisp night in Iceland and watching northern lights? Naturally in that picture, I have someone in my arms. What about Faroe Island and witnessing its beauty and vastness? My mind is just flying right now. I know I am talking about travels here. I am very preoccupied with travel ideas and thoughts that all I have been doing in the last two months was looking at my travel pictures. All being well, it will change this year, and I can properly explore.

Professor Laura King found out that writing about one’s best possible future self aids someone's moods, health and ability to set and achieve goals. This came from the field of social psychology. She asked participants to write their best possible future self in 5 years. Imagine they have worked hard to achieve their goals, and everything has gone well.

Professor Martin Seligman says, “The important thing about imagination is that it gives you optimism.”

Imagining your best life is not limited to travel. I meant, BEST! Like everything that you can think of. We started with travel. What about your aspirations and dreams? You can think of yourself as whatever you want to be. Dare to dream and make it big. You are in charge. Be the driver. Do not be in the backseat.

Our internal dialogue should match how we imagine our best possible life. We sometimes get caught up with all these narratives in our head that "we are not going to make it." "I am not enough." "I will lose anyway." If you look at it, the only person blocking you from achieving your dreams is you. Do not let that happen. Give yourself some credit, and every little step helps towards your goal.

This exercise gives us the ability to imagine and create our happy endings. You can sketch out how you wanted to see things. Do not limit yourself in the process. You might hesitate in the beginning but do not. Ignore your self-limiting beliefs. Take that step in creating that picture in your head of your dreams coming to fruition. Let your heart get fuelled with hope and optimism.

Go get that pen, paper or iPad and start writing. You can be creative in the process, maybe write a speech or a letter. Be mindful of the emotions you are feeling when you are doing it. Boost that optimism and hope tank of yours!

References:

Melander, R. (2019, Sept.) Imagine Your Best Life. Retrieved from: https://writenowcoach.com/imagine-your-best-life/

Perton, V. (Unknown). Imagine Your Best Possible Self. Retrieved from: https://www.centreforoptimism.com/Your-Best-Possible-Self