I’m always trying to think of ways to cut through the negative noise in my own head, things like—excuses, defense mechanisms, comforting lies, fears, past trauma, victimhood mentality, etc. These things always stand between where we are and where we want to be.
I’ve had a few moments where I feel like an opportunity has completely passed me by. As a believer in reincarnation when this happens I usually say to myself, Maybe in the next life.
The other day I got to thinking about what a revelation it would be to describe my ideal next life in vivid detail. Whether you believe in reincarnation or not, this exercise could be a powerful tool for uncovering hidden roadblocks as well as wishes, ambitions, and emotions that have been long-buried in the subconscious.
I encourage you to start thinking about this and set aside a half hour of your day to give it a try. If you do, include the tag #InMyNextLife. I’m looking forward to reading your posts as well as your thoughts about what this thought-exercise reveals to you about yourself. It certainly did uncover some things for me that I never could have anticipated—in fact some of them were pretty shocking to me. This taught me more about myself than I realized.
In My Next Life
In my next life I’ll be born in or around 2060 to a healthy child in a middle-class British family in the countryside just outside of London. I’m born the eldest of three siblings and have a great curiosity. My parents are inherently kind and life-long learners who aren’t afraid to discipline me when I need it but are also my biggest supporters.
I begin my academic life in public schools but transfer to a specialist school by the third grade. From a young age I realize it’s more important in life to be happy than wealthy and the importance of family. I work hard to stay fit but don’t obsess about it. I practice meditation every day. In my early twenties I meet a kind, optimistic, well-balanced, and goal-oriented woman. We both are eccentric and have great senses of humor—we don’t try to change each other and accept each other for who we are. We have a healthy boy and then a girl a few years later. We encourage them to pursue things that excite them, raising them with discipline and love.
I follow my dream of creating software company, DreamWeaver, that focuses on benefiting humanity in multiple ways. We create a universal OS for AI and robots that allows them to be more empathetic, making them a true partner of humanity instead of trying to govern it. We also create a decentralized platform that pays users a generous universal basic income for sharing their own user data and interacting with AI and the world. This data is then used to help mindfully coach them into the best and healthiest versions of themselves.
By the time the kids are entering school I’m already cutting my hours back, working mostly from home. DreamWeaver is sold when I’m in my early thirties but part of that deal ensures that I stay on the board giving me a real say in the company’s future direction. I never move far from where I was born but spend my remaining years with my family and a few loyal, close friends traveling the world. DreamWeaver, and companies like it, help to rebalance society in unpredictable ways, ushering in a golden age for humanity.
I continue to tinker with software developing ways in which humanity and AI can work together in greater harmony and safeguarding it against accidents or malintent. We live to see many great-grandchildren born and live out our final days reading, working, and creating peacefully in a small, self-sufficient cottage by the sea. We have a few humanoid robots that help with the gardening and chores, they become like family and will eventually be passed down to the children. We grow most of our own vegetables and have fruit trees on the property. A fire is usually burning in the fireplace and our door is always open to the many frequent visitors who come to share wonderful conversations. The overall feeling is one of comfort and content.
Once you complete this exercise the obvious question is which of these things can you accomplish in your current life?
Be well, make the most of this day. Thank you for reading!
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This is an awesome challenge, Eric. Your next life sounds idyllic, and I'm not surprised that it also is about making the world a better place.
I had a good chuckle at how you will pass the humanoid robots down to the children. Then also thought they may be archaic by that time and there may be a more advanced model by that time😅
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!
Thank you Lizelle! I think that kind of software could make a huge impact. The robots bring a whole new set of issues and benefits to think about! They’re going to be such a help to humanity. You’re right! They would be out of date in a lifetime! Maybe the young hipsters will think the “vintage” ones are cool. 😊 I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I just had a massage so I’m on cloud nine.
Oh that for sure would put you on cloud nine, think it's time I spoilt myself. Have been too so much physio the past few months, just need something a tad more gentle!
Haha, they will be vintage by that time. A mind-blowing thought!
Hello dear friend @ericvancewalton, good afternoon.
I think most of us struggle with our negative inner selves, and excuses are rampant. Even though we know it's not good for us, it's not that easy to eradicate.
What a great idea to write an essay about InMyNextLife. I loved what your future life would be like, and I think I'd also look for a self-sufficient house by the sea. If I can, I'd welcome humanoid help.
Have a lovely afternoon.
Thank you! I could see that little cottage so clearly as I was thinking about it. That would really be the ideal way to spend the elder years. Enjoy the weekend, my friend!
I agree. If you are wealthy, but not happy, your wealth wouldn't have a meaning. We should know being happy from simple things.
I agree. Being happy with very little is the key to finding contentment.
Sounds like a pretty ideal situation. I think my next life it would be cool to be living in space! So the robots... no free will ever? You pass them down like objects to the next generation? :) Just giving you a hard time! Definitely something to think about though...
I think so! Lol, that discussion will come up a lot in the next 10-20 years as they become more human-like. Have you watched Isaac Asimov's Foundation series on Apple or read the books (it's a great story!)? Equal rights for robots will definitely happen eventually. Enjoy your weekend my friend!
I haven't read the books or watched the show but it is on my list of things to watch. I have heard really good things about both formats. It's going to be a touchy subject for sure. Then you have shows like Altered Carbon, where AI is seen as a second class citizen and pushed down to menial tasks.
Your next life is peaceful. I like the idea of a cottage by the sea with robots helping out. Family and simple joys matter most.
For sure! The exercise was a huge help to me in the present too.
do you really think there will be a next life?
I do believe in reincarnation. A lot of people who've had near death experiences talk about it. There have even been some stories of children who remember their past lives in such great detail it would be hard to believe they're making it up.
Wow. You totally had me at "I’m always trying to think of ways to cut through the negative noise in my own head, things like—excuses, defense mechanisms, comforting lies, fears, past trauma, victimhood mentality, etc. These things always stand between where we are and where we want to be." This is like the monologue of my internal process almost to the T.
I find concepts like reincarnation, extra terrestrial life, living in a simulation and the like entertaining but try to stop it at that. Pausing reality for a break of thoughtfulness is one thing but too much of that drains my will to face reality and do what needs to be done for my family, friends, and community.
That being said, I too dream of the cottage beside the water and a simpler yet productive end of life. Seeing that I am immortal, that seems like the horizon that never arrives as I concentrate on building a business and supporting a family. ;)
Pondering the next life is a wonderful exercise even how I frame it as it is never too late to start something and those objectives can drive change right now so we attain some of those benefits in this life.
Let's do this!
This idea had been rattling around in my head for a few days and when these ideas don't vanish into thin air I've learned to write them down.
I was really surprised by what I learned by doing this...software development?! I hadn't thought about coding much since I was in middle school doing basic coding on an old Macintosh. I think there will be a real need for this though, even after AI can do it all themselves. Humans will want a seat at that table.
I tend to try to keep an open mind about these things, while trying not to go too overboard. I've experienced things I can't fully explain, especially living a few hundred miles from Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio.
Looking forward to reading your post if you give it a go!
I can’t wait to start working on this! Seems so fun!
#hive #posh
Great next life Eddie
Choosing to be the eldest of theee siblings shows your large hearted mess…am presently an elder sister to four siblings..
In my next life an definitely coming out as the last in a very wealthy family 🤣🤣😂