Here is an exercise I often catch myself doing when observing people: Trading Consciousnesses. The game is a simple one but requires the use of your imagination. You may also look at it as exercise for your imagination but it also provides insight to your own life experience and how you may handle obstacles or challenges. So here is how you play: when observing somebody (without creeping them out of course!) imagine what it would be like to switch consciousnesses with them on the spot. You immediately inherit their life situation, memories, relationships, and overall situation while losing your own. Your consciousness exists – your “Am-ness” so to speak (you know, I am that I am).. Imagine how you would take their life and run with it. The other part of the game is to imagine how they might run with yours.

You can play this game with imaginary people or personalities you do not come into actual contact with also. I guess it would be similar to the WWJD movement: What would Jesus do? You can play this game with any persona though. What would Winston Churchill do in my life situation? What would Bill Gates, the Dali Llama, Tiger Woods, Neil Armstrong, Pee Wee Herman?? You name it. This exercise gives you an insight to another way of thinking that may not be otherwise available to you without the role playing.

Take this example:

My best friend's brother has a life that has been spiraling out of control for a long time. He is sick, jobless and broke, addicted, depressed, and has attempted suicide multiple times. He has diabetes and his lifestyle has allowed the disease to wreak havoc on his body. His thinking has changed so dramatically that he no longer finds joy in any of the activities that he used to. He is in perpetual boredom, ill-health, and despair. His relationships deteriorated because it is such a downer to be around him that nobody comes calling and even avoid him. Employers would probably not take the risk of hiring him. Now, imagine if we were able to suck his consciousness out and replace it with that of say, Lance Armstrong. Now, one of two things can occur: 1) The life, or environment, that Lance's consciousness inherited would be so strong that if pulls his consciousness right down into the gutter and the inevitable outcome or destitution occurs or 2) Lance's consciousness is so strong willed and determined that it starts to right the ship of despair and turn that life upside down.

Personally, I am a positive thinker and prefer to let my imagination run with option 2. I see something like Lance's consciousness waking up one morning and saying, “Holy shit! What has happened to me? This is unacceptable. Let's get going, NOW!” and reach over and throw the cigarettes away and start walking, one painstaking step after another. He'd force a smile and forge a “no pain, no quitting, no turning back” attitude. He would catch negative thoughts as they leaped into his mind and throw them out. He would take unpleasant memories and chalk them up to experience and learning and turn his eyes forward, back to the task at hand. He would let the words of naysayers and pessimists bounce off him like he were coated in Teflon. He would become a warrior to his own cause. He would work and rest his body and mind deliberately. He would go out into the world with a smile and positive attitude, and even though still weakened and decrepit people would see the spirit brewing in him and be attracted to him, to provide help or assistance where necessary. It might be a long row to hoe but slowly, over time the body would mend, personal relationships restored, and pure joy returned.

Try this with your own life. Try it with someone you admire. Better yet, try with the life you want. How would the YOU you want to be take on your life situation. Start playing the role. Act out the part.

“You must eventually be everyday the person you want to be.” - Don't remember and haven't found it online... but I read it once and it has stuck with me for a long, long time.