In case this is your first introduction to this concept, here’s the favor we’re doing for our Future Selves:

Intentional Meaning-Making

Did you know you actually have a lot of power over the life story you’re writing?

Here, I’ll go first.

I have a lovely set of art on my wall including one piece that pictures a star.

This particular part of the set refuses to stay attached to my wall.

I’ve tried a couple of things. I’m not really looking for problem solving at the moment.

Why don’t I want to fix it? Because I’ve made meaning of it.

I have a falling star that lives in my bedroom. It has proven its potential on multiple occasions. It now lives in a spot just below the rest of the suspended set, persistent in its low positioning, and ever-tempting me with an unclaimed wish.

The next time I hang it up, it might fall again and grant me another.

In this way, we can make the most of what could be at best an inconvenient situation. We may have different preferences and tolerances. Some might prefer the aesthetic of the completed set of art.

I prefer the self-made magic. To each their own.

SO. In this part of the weekly book club, I make some meaning.

I like to be pretty intentional about this.

Another Metaphor.

Often, memories function like old books in a personal and much-marked up library.

We pull them from the shelf, highlight the piece of the memory we most want to recall next time…

…or maybe we check our phrasing for that one often-used quote or synopsis…and we put the book back where we found it.

We change the meaning of our memories with every moment we access them.

Every association we attach.

Every revision.

Every note in the margins.

We make our own meaning this way on a daily basis.

That work interaction you’re stewing over could have been frustrating… or encouraging.

I could say I was the life of the party… or I could say I made a scene.

Context is important, and we are all unreliable narrators.

Our biases are often unconscious. We do our best.

Who among us is 100% nonjudgmental?

(I try to raise my % each day, but it’s definitely not me.)

Making Meaning of Vision

My vision of the future is still pretty blurry.

My left brain doesn’t have the words for it yet.
My right brain has a sense for its’ feel, though.

My vision feels like the comfort of being in the company of likeminded friends at a café – surrounded by cards, open books and compassion… with people taking notes on their favorite takeaways from the shared conversation.

My vision feels warm and cozy, like a fireside snuggle on a rainy autumn day.

My vision feels abundant and willing and curious – always searching for how to highlight the daily noticings I love most about my companions’ ideas or immaculate vibes or discussing ways to increase our group’s capacity for lingering in the collaboratively built joy… even long after we’ve drifted in to the other spaces and contexts we inhabit.

My vision is imaginal, and so I need to build it out using my 5 senses.
I’m intentionally envisioning it as a future reality towards which I can aim my efforts.

The meaning I’m making of my Vision is a favor for my Future Self

She won’t have to imagine it. My vision will be her reality.

And she won’t have to feel like she doesn’t for some reason deserve it.

She’ll have earned it. Crafted it. With intention.

It will be uniquely hers.

And I can’t wait to give it to her.