Month: March 2025

Frantically searching for fresh content on one of our many streaming services, anxiously scrolling for my next opium hit, I came across a very interesting documentary by a futurist. This futurist talked about the importance of being able to visualize or envision our future. That perhaps by envisioning what we want, we can better manifest a brighter future. Allowing that vision to guide us toward more impactful choices today, in an effort to craft a better future.

As part of his research, he came across an interesting study done by a neuropsychologist , which posed the question…”Can we visualize our future selves? “

His research showed that when shown a picture of our selves, a certain area of the brain lights up. When shown a picture of a total stranger, a totally different segment illuminates. The fascinating finding was when he asked the subjects to try to envision their future selves, the “stranger” area lit up. Which made me wonder…Do our brains categorize our future self as a stranger? How do we have empathy for someone we have yet to meet, especially for someone as important as our future self? How do we navigate our coming years with no clear vision of the person we are to become?

Seeing an old photo of myself, as a child, a teen, a young woman…it’s all familiar. I know her. I remember where she was when she wore that scratchy dress. I remember how she felt safe under that big willow tree or how she loved the smell of wet dirt. She was me and I’m still her. We are Lisa. These memories have created indelible images of me, myself, and I. I have respect for all that she went through. I love that little girl, that young woman…she’s awesome. Not always the sharpest tool in the shed, but I’m proud to be her.

But what about my future Lisa? I haven’t met her yet but she’s right around the corner, knockin’ at my door! “Someone’s knockin’ at the door…Somebody’s ringin’ the bell…Do me a favor…Open the door and let ‘em in…yeah, yeah, yeah…let ‘em in”. Paul McCartney and Wings 1976. Classic song, right?

So, I open the door and guess who it is? “It’s me…you!”

“Oh. I’m so sorry I didn’t recognize you! With your grey thinning hair and expansive waistline. Well, I just didn’t think you would be moving so slowly and forgetting your words. And when did your hearing start to fail? I SAID WHEN DID YOUR HEARING START TO FAIL? You used to be kind of cute and have some sex appeal. I don’t mean to be an ageist, but what do you bring to the table now? And when did you start wearing those old lady readers and watching birds? I ‘m sorry. I’m being a mean girl, right now, aren’t I? I just never thought you would look like this. But then again, I never tried to envision you. So…come on in!”

So now that I’ve invited you in, I promise I will kinder to you…me…us…starting now.

I will try to make decisions now that will positively impact your life, always having empathy for you, my “ inner old woman”.

I will tell you daily how I’m proud of your fortitude , which will hopefully be enough to carry you(us) through what’s to come.

I will assure you that together, we will discuss how my present choices may impact your future… what is best for our body, embracing the importance of movement and muscle strengthening so we can age with grace and resilience. Stretching as much as we can, although stretching is just so boring…maybe I will leave that part up to you?

I can’t wait to introduce you to my “ inner child”. She’s an adorable little cry baby that demands things her way. I blame her for all of my anxiety but she taught me how to have fun and be creative, so I keep her around.

I need to apologize for not really thinking about you until now, but it just hit me… I need you on my team, cause the ride’s gonna get real bumpy. Growing old ain’t for the faint of heart, sister. We are going to need to put on our big girl panties on. Got that one covered, literally with our awesome granny panties. Cool beans!

So in an effort to welcome you into my psyche, I embrace you with open arms. Cherish all that you bring to the table…wisdom, wrinkles, honesty, depth, positivity, charity, grace, and resilience. I think we are going to the best of friends. We make a great team, you and I!