Time Travel

A photo of my son is petting a random cat in Switzerland.

Many people want to time-travel. But something I like to think is “What if I already was?”

The truth is, that it’s always right here and right now. There is a reason why you are right here and right now. This specific moment is very important.

I like to ask myself the question, “If I could travel to any point in time, what would I do if it happened?” I realize that I would do two things. First, I would observe and appreciate special moments that I was not fully appreciating at the time. Second, I would make different choices.

Live as If You’re Time Traveling

But what if we were already time-traveling? What if we had actually traveled to this moment? When I think about this, I immediately realize that I can pay more attention to the life right in front of me; the life that is happening right now; the people who will not be here in the future, or how they will change; and the moments that I can’t go back to.

I can do those two things above, right now: pay attention and make more meaningful choices rather than letting life pass by. I ask, “What if I were a future version of myself right here and right now? What would I be doing? What advice would I give to myself?” Then I live that way.

What Will it Be Like in 10 Years?

“What would I think ten years in the future, when my dogs have passed? What would I think ten years from now when I no longer live here? What would I think ten years from now when the kids have moved on? How many people will have come and gone during that time? What would I wish I had done differently? If the future were bad, how would I have wanted to live? If the future was going to be amazing, how would I have wanted to live?”

How would you answer these questions? How would you live your life differently if you were time-traveling right now to this moment?