Futurescape by Traci Baxendale Ball, LMSW, CAADC

From my upcoming workbook:

“It Still Hurts”
Overcoming Suffering with Mind-Body-Behavior Approaches
A Workbook for Trauma Survivors, Their Loved Ones, and Healers
By Traci Baxendale Ball, LMSW, CAADC

**“Create whatever causes a revolution in your heart.” ~ Elizabeth Gilbert**

Here is how to futurescape.

Embrace hope and optimism for your future. As you practice being at ease in your body, relationships, and life, you can now focus on discovery and experimentation. You can take small risks as you dip your toe in the waters of your imagined life with a better mindset. There really are no mistakes when it comes to trying new things.

There are two major assignments in futurescaping.

The first assignment is a life list. Think of it as the optimist’s version of a bucket list. This will be about getting all you can out of life versus anticipating death. Life list items do not have to be big, expensive gestures. It is better if they are simple, attainable, and inexpensive (unless you have unlimited funds).

The second is to create your future by futurescaping.

Imagine there are no rules or obstacles. Imagine you had no fear. How would you live? How would you make a living? What is your best imagined life? Can you translate this to a vision board? Are you willing create this life? Can you manifest this daily with all your heart? What daily practices can you use from this workbook to help this dream come to life?

Next, here are some questions to help you build toward your best life in a logical manner.

What is your monthly budget? How much money do you need to make to have the lifestyle you want? Be specific about the amount by adding up your expenses.
Where do you want to live? Think carefully about your preferred demographics (size of community, climate, features of the community such as politics, culture, activities, natural habitat) and rank your dream locations in order of preference.
What are some essential features of your dream home?
What is your ideal, dream job? Make a list of possibilities.
Is the answer to question four a realistic version of your dream? Does it have enough elements of your dream to satisfy you?
What shifts or hours do you need to work to stay well?
What companies do you want to work for?
What keywords can you use in a job search engine?
What do you need to change about your life to help you build your ideal life?
What are some logical steps you can now take?

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Traci Baxendale Ball LMSW, CAADC is the founder of Vibrant Health Company LLC

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