fine. Now imagine that your perception of the past connects to you with a
360-degree ball joint. This enables you to change the orientation of the
past so it extends away from you in any direction. Slowly swing your rep-
resentation of the past through different directions, like swinging your
straight arm from your shoulder joint. Watch it point, up, down, left, right,
straight ahead, and behind you, and all other combinations. As you do
this, notice how you feel. Most people find that one direction causes them
to feel most empowered. This most empowered direction may be the same
one you had originally or it may be different. Once you have found this
most empowered direction for the past, leave it there. If your most empow-
ered direction is different from the original one, from time to time you may
have to consciously reset the direction of your past to the new orientation
by taking your mind through the process you just did.
Now do the same thing with your perception of the future. Clearly the
future matters way more than the past, so we will pay it particular atten-
tion. See your future stretching away from you. Once again imagine that
your future connects to you with a 360-degree ball joint, enabling you to
swing it in all directions, front, back, left, right, up, down, and all combi-
nations. As you do this, notice if a particular direction causes you to feel
most empowered. Leave your perception of your future in that position.
Most likely this will be in front of you.
Now we will examine your most empowered perception of the future
more closely. Does your representation of the future start where you are, or
is there a gap between where you are and where your representation of
the future begins? If so, notice how it feels when you fill in this blank spot,
so your future begins now.
How wide is the line that represents your future? Experiment with dif-
ferent widths. You are free to decorate your mind in any way you like.
Some people prefer to see their future as a narrow line; others as a foot-
path; still others prefer it to be as wide as a ten-lane freeway. Try different
widths to discover which is the most empowering to you.
What about color? What color is your representation of your future?
Would you like a different color better? Experiment with different color
combinations so your future looks most appealing to you.
What supports your perception of the future? Some people prefer to
see their future suspended in space; others add graceful stone arches be-
neath it like a Roman viaduct; still others add cables similar to a suspen-
sion bridge.
What symbols appear in your future? If you like, add symbols of suc-
cess like roadside billboards to your future. What do you want in your fu-
ture? Add symbols that represent the success, health, wealth, recognition,
or whatever you seek onto the timeline that represents your future.
You may find it necessary to repeat this exercise from time to time until
this new vision of yours becomes the way you naturally perceive your future.
Your Traditional Perception of Time 153