Thanks for the book recommendation, Emily. I'm wondering how it might work in a congregation-wide setting to imagine the future, especially where the majority of people are retired. That is my challenge, getting a group of still capable retirees to imagine a future for the next generation and commit to it, even if it makes them uncomfortable.
That is a challenge Todd. As a bit of inspiration, perhaps, the women’s discussion group I mention here has a median age of about 75, if you don’t include me. They are engaged and active. My prayers are with you and your congregation.
Wow. I do have a history of complex trauma and catastrophizing as a method of coping, and did not have resources in my childhood to help me with significant loss and grieving. It's very difficult for me to imagine the future. I relate to "I may actually still be here in ten years" and "A future me may actually exist beyond the blanket of terror that has blocked my path to her for so long." Now that my children are adults, I have been thinking about what I want this next stage of life to be like. I noticed that my motivation for exercising now, so I that I have a chance to be fit and independent in the future, has been affected by not being able to imagine a future. And motivation to save for retirement is another example. I've made it to my middle 50s, and now I'm finally thinking, gosh, I might live awhile, maybe I can start thinking what that might be like! I have also started following some inspiring people on social media who are further along the path than I am, and that's really been helping me to envision some things for my future self/life.
Oh, I can identify with so much of this. I’ve exercised for years because it took the edge off my anxiety and depression. Now, when a doctor tells me that I’m in good shape for my age, or when I find that I can do things other people my age struggle with, I think, “huh, I guess all that exercise actually helped my physical health too.” In my experience, reactivity and management of circumstances is something you get really good at as a trauma survivor. We really have to work on forward thinking and planning. I’m glad you’ve noticed this in yourself. Thank you for being a fellow traveler!
I just spoke to my husband about us reading Parker Palmer's book, On the Brink of Everything. We have been discussing the future and what we envision it might look like for us and the world. Two things I imagine will be different is how young people will engage higher learning... will residential college experiences still be relevant? Affordable? Another arena will be Christian churches... will we adapt to changing needs of younger generations or will churches be vastly dwindled as we age out?
At 59 and with a husband over 70, we hope to have move into our next property... ideally smaller than the acre we have now and with newer, sustainable and smaller houses for us and my sibling. We also envision incorporating pads/utilities for tiny home parking to accommodate younger, similarly-minded people who can explore community together.
Thanks for this Julie! As you know, I love your tiny home parking pad idea. Thank you also for the book title. I’m interested. I agree that colleges and churches will see big shifts in the coming years. I want to cultivate and maintain curiosity around this shifts.
I must admit the older I get the reality of my mortality becomes more in focus each day. My wife and I were discussing how we met 10 years ago and we both remember it so well. I’m 66 and still doing physical activities I thought I would be too old to do. Fortunately my wife and I are in good health and hope to be in the future. We’re financially stable so hopefully that continues also. I’m hoping that my spiritual and mental well being and growth continue as long as I live. Thanks for this Emily.
Thanks Steve. Perspective certainly shifts as we get older. Mortality just gets, quite literally, more present! Like you I hope my health continues to be good and that I have financial stability. I can’t completely control these of course, which makes me really grateful for spiritual growth and well being. I want to always lean in, learn, be willing to be uncomfortable, and grow. May your growth and well being continue as well!
What a timely thought for me! This hit home. I've been trying to be more intentional about my future but am rarely able to sit long enough to let any thoughts unfold. I've added the book to my audible to do list. 16.5 hrs! But sounds like a good investment. Thanks Emily!
Hi Amy! I’m glad it was timely. That’s a lot of audio, but even if you listen to the intro and parts of the other chapters, the book is helpful. Once you kind of get the hang of what she’s saying, you can apply some of the practices to your life. Thanks for your comment!
Before COVID, one of my professors was leaning into futuristic teaching/writing/reading practices. Que the end of the world. Coming back to this imagination does feel like opening a window nailed shut.
Yes, I find it helpful to remember that I have already lived through a variety of “ends” to my world. I am still here. When I remember this, I have less trouble imagining a future. Thank you!
What a brilliant exercise. My life is so changeable and unpredictable I find it hard to imagine where I might be in a year let alone ten! But I do often hold visions in my mind of where I’d like to be. I do think I’ll still be running writing courses and writing my own stories. I hope my husband and I will have good health still, somewhere to call home with food and flowers growing in the garden, and friends not too far away.
I love your vision of the future Amanda. Mine has similar characteristics:). Yes, I’m sure the changeable logistics of your life make the specifics of the future hard to pin down. However, I found that something about the spirit of the exercise opened up my heart a bit and helped me to be hopeful, even without the details. Thank you!
This is so beautiful, Emily! Imagining a future in which we grow and change in the direction we want to go is a powerful exercise. I love the way you image your future self! (Sounds a lot like how I envision mine! Including the retreats. :)
Oh yay! Yes, to future retreats and selves! Change happens no matter what, so imaging change that is expansive and helpful really shifted parts of me. Thanks Anne.
Thanks for the book recommendation, Emily. I'm wondering how it might work in a congregation-wide setting to imagine the future, especially where the majority of people are retired. That is my challenge, getting a group of still capable retirees to imagine a future for the next generation and commit to it, even if it makes them uncomfortable.
That is a challenge Todd. As a bit of inspiration, perhaps, the women’s discussion group I mention here has a median age of about 75, if you don’t include me. They are engaged and active. My prayers are with you and your congregation.
Wow. I do have a history of complex trauma and catastrophizing as a method of coping, and did not have resources in my childhood to help me with significant loss and grieving. It's very difficult for me to imagine the future. I relate to "I may actually still be here in ten years" and "A future me may actually exist beyond the blanket of terror that has blocked my path to her for so long." Now that my children are adults, I have been thinking about what I want this next stage of life to be like. I noticed that my motivation for exercising now, so I that I have a chance to be fit and independent in the future, has been affected by not being able to imagine a future. And motivation to save for retirement is another example. I've made it to my middle 50s, and now I'm finally thinking, gosh, I might live awhile, maybe I can start thinking what that might be like! I have also started following some inspiring people on social media who are further along the path than I am, and that's really been helping me to envision some things for my future self/life.
Hi Caryn,
Oh, I can identify with so much of this. I’ve exercised for years because it took the edge off my anxiety and depression. Now, when a doctor tells me that I’m in good shape for my age, or when I find that I can do things other people my age struggle with, I think, “huh, I guess all that exercise actually helped my physical health too.” In my experience, reactivity and management of circumstances is something you get really good at as a trauma survivor. We really have to work on forward thinking and planning. I’m glad you’ve noticed this in yourself. Thank you for being a fellow traveler!
I just spoke to my husband about us reading Parker Palmer's book, On the Brink of Everything. We have been discussing the future and what we envision it might look like for us and the world. Two things I imagine will be different is how young people will engage higher learning... will residential college experiences still be relevant? Affordable? Another arena will be Christian churches... will we adapt to changing needs of younger generations or will churches be vastly dwindled as we age out?
At 59 and with a husband over 70, we hope to have move into our next property... ideally smaller than the acre we have now and with newer, sustainable and smaller houses for us and my sibling. We also envision incorporating pads/utilities for tiny home parking to accommodate younger, similarly-minded people who can explore community together.
Thanks for this Julie! As you know, I love your tiny home parking pad idea. Thank you also for the book title. I’m interested. I agree that colleges and churches will see big shifts in the coming years. I want to cultivate and maintain curiosity around this shifts.
I must admit the older I get the reality of my mortality becomes more in focus each day. My wife and I were discussing how we met 10 years ago and we both remember it so well. I’m 66 and still doing physical activities I thought I would be too old to do. Fortunately my wife and I are in good health and hope to be in the future. We’re financially stable so hopefully that continues also. I’m hoping that my spiritual and mental well being and growth continue as long as I live. Thanks for this Emily.
Thanks Steve. Perspective certainly shifts as we get older. Mortality just gets, quite literally, more present! Like you I hope my health continues to be good and that I have financial stability. I can’t completely control these of course, which makes me really grateful for spiritual growth and well being. I want to always lean in, learn, be willing to be uncomfortable, and grow. May your growth and well being continue as well!
What a timely thought for me! This hit home. I've been trying to be more intentional about my future but am rarely able to sit long enough to let any thoughts unfold. I've added the book to my audible to do list. 16.5 hrs! But sounds like a good investment. Thanks Emily!
Hi Amy! I’m glad it was timely. That’s a lot of audio, but even if you listen to the intro and parts of the other chapters, the book is helpful. Once you kind of get the hang of what she’s saying, you can apply some of the practices to your life. Thanks for your comment!
Before COVID, one of my professors was leaning into futuristic teaching/writing/reading practices. Que the end of the world. Coming back to this imagination does feel like opening a window nailed shut.
Yes, I find it helpful to remember that I have already lived through a variety of “ends” to my world. I am still here. When I remember this, I have less trouble imagining a future. Thank you!
What a brilliant exercise. My life is so changeable and unpredictable I find it hard to imagine where I might be in a year let alone ten! But I do often hold visions in my mind of where I’d like to be. I do think I’ll still be running writing courses and writing my own stories. I hope my husband and I will have good health still, somewhere to call home with food and flowers growing in the garden, and friends not too far away.
I love your vision of the future Amanda. Mine has similar characteristics:). Yes, I’m sure the changeable logistics of your life make the specifics of the future hard to pin down. However, I found that something about the spirit of the exercise opened up my heart a bit and helped me to be hopeful, even without the details. Thank you!
This is so beautiful, Emily! Imagining a future in which we grow and change in the direction we want to go is a powerful exercise. I love the way you image your future self! (Sounds a lot like how I envision mine! Including the retreats. :)
Oh yay! Yes, to future retreats and selves! Change happens no matter what, so imaging change that is expansive and helpful really shifted parts of me. Thanks Anne.