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.