We often think about the future like it’s a far-away land we haven’t reached yet, right? Think again! The future isn’t just some distant dreamland; it’s being cooked up right here, right now, in the present moment. Yep, you heard that correctly! It’s all about what we’re thinking, feeling, and how we take on the big wide world around us and respond to it right now, this very moment.
Now, let me share a little story. I was minding my own business, following my curiosity like a boss, when suddenly, I became intrigued in a what-if scenario. It sparked a wild inner journey that lasted a few days. It was like I hit the start button on a rollercoaster ride through my mind!
Thankfully, I managed to hit pause on that whirlwind of thoughts and its effects on me on an energetic level after a bit. But here’s the kicker: that question and the answers I uncovered could have become the blueprints for what was about to unfold. Talk about mind-bending stuff, right? When you start tinkering with what-ifs or any other thoughts or emotions, and follow up on them without full awareness, we set wheels into motion. Voila, you get the future with the consequences of what you create here and now.
It all began with my insatiable curiosity. You know the expression, “Curiosity killed the cat”? Well, I was that cat. Luckily, I lived to tell the tale, though I learned a few lessons along the way.
What, if?
My curiosity led me to a moment of questioning—was it wisdom or folly? I posed a hypothetical “what if” to someone close to me, expecting an honest answer. I got one, but it wasn’t the answer I wanted to hear. Through my personal filter—let’s call it Parisa’s filter—I processed the response, letting it spread through my brain like a thick layer of thought-provoking jam.
This sparked an uncontrollable torrent of thoughts and emotions, leading to even more questions. One pressing query was, how much honesty can I really handle? I like to think of myself as a “goddess of honesty.” (By the way, if you haven’t read my post on “ The Size And Color of a Lie, you can read it here.” ) Then came the big question: What do I do with this newfound truth? It hit me how every single choice has consequences. Thoughts, once entertained, can spiral into powerful emotions. My musings, thrown into the world as a “what if” question, brought back an answer. But it wasn’t the one I wanted.
Was it worth it? Would I do it again? I’m not sure, but one thing is clear: everything we do has consequences.
Our minds are always buzzing with thoughts, often unnoticed. I realized this recently, during a 10-day silent Vipassana meditation retreat. It wasn’t until the third day that I could still my mind enough to see the madness inside. There, I found great compassion for humanity. No wonder the world is chaotic and crazy—most of us aren’t aware of the constant chatter in our heads. We say we know ourselves, but do we really? Our thoughts, emotions, intentions, and reactions shape our lives. If we want to create a peaceful world, we must start with ourselves.
Curious about what I’m getting at? Sign up for a 10-day Vipassana course and start practicing daily. Then you’ll hopefully see what I mean. But back to my point: had I not asked that question, I wouldn’t have gone through this inner process or written this post.
Recently, a colleague of mine tossed another “what if” my way. It was more fun than mine:
“What if you could time travel to any period in history and take only either a thing or person, not both, what age would you choose, why and what would you take with you?”
I can’t wait to read your answers.
Thanks for stopping by to check out this post. If you haven’t yet, hit subscribe to join our cool group of writers. By the way, if you’re interested, check out my poem “Mirror Mirror On The Wall” inspired by my Vipassana retreat on my blog or catch me on Instagram. Need some tunes or movement inspiration? Head over to my Spotify (look for Movement Coach Parisa.)
The last ‘what if’ from your friend triggered an image in me… gonna write a blog post on it. Thank you for sharing this post.🥰
So happy that it inspired you to do some new creation through Words.
Please share the link to your post here under the comments, when done.
I would really like to read it.
I will do that, definitely.
https://truselph.wordpress.com/2024/05/19/scenario/
This is the post
🙏 very much. I look forward to read it.
I like especially the sentence – if we want to create a peaceful world, we must start with ourselves. It’s absolutely true! About the age I would choose, it will be during the belle époque in Paris to get to know all the painters I love today!
Oh, Thanks for sharing. I think I will need to do a little research about that epoque.
But living in a time where all your favourite artists are around sounds vraiment Belle.
Ooh! What a great question. I would travel back to my high school. I would take samples of my writing. (I can’t use my blog because the Internet didn’t exist then.) I would show those samples to the grade 12 Geography teacher who told me I was a terrible writer and should just stick to typing. That would feel good!
Ohhhh, Michelle, and lol ( to not being able to take samples of your writing ….) To me it sounds like, it was your teacher who was terrible, or? Your Idea to travel back to that time and start writing is sooo good. Do you think it would have changed the course of your life if your teacher was another one? I am again back to what, IF🙈😂as you read.
Yes! It took me many years to realize that he was wrong. I admit, I hated his class. Being the only female in a class of 17-18 year old males with a male teacher was a nightmare. But if he didn’t like what I wrote, he could have found a more constructive way to say it.
I love to write but didn’t discover that passion until 30 years after that conversation. Those words stuck with me my whole life. I do think I would have started writing and could have been a famous author. There’s still time, though, right?
Thanks for sharing all of this experience. For sure many are not aware of the power of Words. Good that you are writing now, and it is never too late, never!
Another interesting piece of music! 😎 The meditation retreat sounds very interesting as well.
I think I would travel back to the 1400’s in the Eastern part of what is now the US. I think it would be interesting to see what the land was like then and what life was like in the large native civilizations.
Yes, Todd, the Vipassana retreat was the most challenging and biggest gift I have given to myself.
You’re chosen period sounds very interesting. I think I changed my mind about my chosen period. I would rather go to your suggested time.
I am happy by the way that you found the Music interesting
I’d love to read more about out what the Vipassana was like.
Since I didn’t list a person or thing to take with me to my chosen period- I have a spot open- hop in! 🙂
I am in😁 Let’s go.