Although it’s Wednesday, the challenge for this week’s Sunday Scribbling is so perfectly timed, that I could not resist contributing (even a few days late). My almost 32 year old self decided to write letters to who I was half a lifetime ago, and half a lifetime in the future.
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Dear 16 Year Old Me,
Your future has so much in store for you, so many things that you can not even imagine. Travels around the world, overcoming challenges set in your path, learning another language, finding your calling in life, and finding those kindred spirits that you always searched for. You will even find solace and a sense of purpose in running, which I know you definitely can’t imagine right now. I won’t ruin the surprise of what the future holds for you, but just know that you are stronger and more independent than you think you are. If you hold onto that, you will always be heading in the right direction.
Love,
Me
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Dear 48 Year Old Me,
It has always been difficult to envision life so far in the future, partially because I want to keep life’s possibilities free and open and follow where my path takes me. But where ever you are right now, don’t forget to hold on to your sense of self and your desire to make the world a better place. Don’t ever let yourself become so comfortable that you become apathetic to the world — in its richness, as well as its struggles. Remember everything you have accomplished in life, everyone you have known, and everywhere you have been, because it all has contributed to who you are today. If you hold onto that, you will always be heading in the right direction.
Love,
Me
Let’s hope your forty-eight year old me has a similar revelation to mine. I started throwing off shackles that had been with me since my childhood as I aged into my fifties and had more fun than I remember having in my life before! It can be done. ;)
By the way, another thing I’ve learned is that although it is up to each of us to do our part, and live conscientiously as we walk our paths through the world, no one person can save the world. We can only do the starfish thing, and ‘save’ what we can, as we can. Learning to take on only what we are capable of and not let all the rest get to us too much is very important to our sanity and peace of mind.
Oh, by the way, I left the wrong link. You’ll find my contribution to Sunday Scribblings ‘Past Me, Future Me’ at my fiction sub-domain. Follow the link in this comment. Sorry about that.
Beautifully written. Thank you.
i like your letters! interesting that you became a runner.. who knew :)
I just stumbled upon your blog and really like it. What a wonderful couple of letters you’ve written to yourself. I’m going to do that too.
Jay: Thanks for sharing, your comments ring so true.
AGirlNamedMe, floreta & christy: I’m glad to know my letters were as much a pleasure to read as they were to write!