7. Time and Timelines

Related Reading

Activities are based on Chapter 7, “Time and Timelines,” in Healing with Language.

Nonverbal Indicators of Timelines

See the video for an overview of the nonverbal indicators of timelines.

Eliciting Timelines

Everyone has a timeline, although not everyone has the same one. Timelines may vary based on culture and on individual differences. Timelines usually develop through a process of accidental reinforcement until a particular timeline becomes habit.

Multiple Timelines

Different timelines have different advantages and disadvantages. You may have already considered how your timeline influences your behavior. If not, now is the time to do so.

1. Use the exercise on p. 104 of Healing with Language to elicit your own timeline and those of several of your family members or friends. What similarities and differences did you notice?

2. The exercises on pp. 108 – 111 in Healing with Language provide you with the techniques required to install multiple timelines and switch between them when appropriate. They also give you a technique for removing trash from your timeline and giving yourself a brighter future. Complete the exercises, and report on your results.