My daughter is working on a project in school right now. They are writing a letter to their older selves before they enter the next big step in their school career. When she told me about it, I thought it was a great idea and decided to write a letter to my older self.
As I consider where I am today and the things I know now, I would never have wasted so much time worrying about the things I worried about in my youth. It is easy to look back and reflect on the things you understand now but wish you understood back then. However, it is interesting to write about your future because you don’t yet know what you will learn or experience tomorrow or next year. I decided to try it. Here’s what I discovered.
I found myself writing about what not to do in the future. I wrote it from a place of remembering some negatives and what I don’t want to repeat in the future. Such as succumbing to the pressures all around me and the unrealistic expectations that our society places on women, wives, moms, leaders, and world changers. I am here for such a time as this, and so are you!
I wrote about stopping to enjoy life, taking the scenic route and not always the short cut. To enjoy the time with family that flies by so quickly. To enjoy all the seasons and changing landscape in my part of the country. Nothing in my life is enhanced by a screen. My life is altered by the presence and word of God, by the presence and time with my husband and daughter, by the relationships with family, by godly friendships, by the ministry and love of the Lord I get to share with those who are hurting. In my letter I wrote one of my favorite Bible verses – Psalm 37:8. Do not fret – it only causes harm. That verse has ministered to me for over a decade.
Here’s what’s interesting: My daughter wrote about her accomplishments instead of what not to do. She congratulated her older self and said, “You did it, you made it!” She reminded herself to be who God made her to be and to be herself. I find this very insightful. She was writing about her successes and the important things to keep in mind at the next stage. I wrote about what not to do, remembering regrets and things that did not produce fruit. ☹ Wow! Her slant of perspective blessed me. I can learn from her.
The Lord wants us to enjoy today. Every day is today. This is the day He has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it! Psalm 118:24. With joy I will draw water from the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3.
If you want to write a letter to your future self, expand past your limitations, and make sure to add in some “atta boys”. Don’t make it all about what not to do. Children generally have a refreshing perspective on life and see things through hopeful and expectant eyes. We should never lose this as we get older. Don’t let the world around you cloud your hope, expectation, and anticipation of what lies ahead. I will be making edits to the letter to my older self. 😊