I was thinking about this whole concept of writing letters to one’s self when I read Alisha’s letter to her sixteen-year-old self on Seattleite Imagery.  As you might know, I wrote a similar letter to myself not so long ago.  After reading Alisha’s letter, I went back and re-read my own.  And it got me thinking.

I wonder what I would say to my current self ten years from now? What advice would I give?  What would I regret?  What would I wish I had savored more?  I started imagining the details of that future letter.

And then I realized something.  I’m pretty sure I already know what I would say. I’m pretty sure I know what I would regret not doing, what I would wish I had taken a chance on, what I would remember the most fondly.  Because I know myself pretty damn well by now.  Deep down, I know.

Which got me started on a whole new letter.  A letter to myself.  Not my ten year’s past self.  Not some distant self in the future.  Just a plain old letter to myself — in the here and now.  So without further ado, here it is:

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Dear Self,

Right now, you feel like you’re at a turning point in life.  Things are changing.  Big time.  Rather than feeling settled, rather than feeling like you’re finally at the place you should be, you feel like this is only the beginning.  Sometimes this disappoints you.  You feel like you should have it all figured out by now.

But, perhaps that’s the way it’s supposed to be.  Things are always changing.  Few things are ever really figured out.  Nothing is ever truly settled. So why bother focusing on that?  No.  Focus on the everlasting change.  Focus on the unlimited possibilities.  Focus on the fact that you could be on the path to something amazing. Focus on anything.  But don’t focus on settled, resolved, figured out.  Settled is stagnant.  It’s unmoving.  And let’s be honest, if you’re stagnant and unmoving, you’re probably dead.  So, no.  Don’t focus on that.

If you want my advice, here it is:  All those things in your heart?  You know.  The deep down things.  Go after them.  For lack of a better word, don’t settle.

And take more chances.  Sometimes you hold back because you’re afraid of the consequences.  You’re afraid the money will run out, or people will think less of you or that it won’t turn out perfectly.  But don’t worry about that.  In the end, that’s not what you’ll remember anyway.  You’ll remember the experience.  You’ll remember that you tried.  And you’ll smile.  And you’ll laugh.  And maybe you’ll even cry a little.  But that’s what it’s all about.  So do it.  Take a chance.

Be more assertive.  You have a tendency toward shyness.  You question yourself.  But don’t stress over what people think of you.  Who cares if you say the wrong thing?  Remember.  There are few things in life that can’t be done over, undone or changed in some way. So put yourself out there.  Be yourself.  Ask for what you want.  You won’t regret it.

Love bigger.  Yes, even though you think you couldn’t possibly love more.  Do it anyway.  Love more.  Love bigger.  Love easier.  Don’t let past hurt get in the way of your heart.  Don’t stop short of going all out. Tell others that you love them every chance you get.  Tell people you care.  Share your feelings.  Give gifts.  Give hugs.  Lots and lots of hugs.

And while you’re at it, be more generous.  Give of your time, give of your money.  Just give.  There are so many people that have less than you.  There are so many people in need of a shoulder to lean on, advice from someone who knows, help with a project, or just a buck to take the bus.  The point is, be generous.  If you have it, you don’t absolutely need it and someone asks for it — give.

Keep writing.  Even when you feel like it’s all for nothing.  Because it’s not.  And it never will be.  Writing feeds your soul. It nurtures your creativity.  It makes you feel like what you think matters.  It makes you smile.  It makes your heart happy.  So even when you’re ready to give up, even when you think your writing sucks, keep writing.

And for God’s sake, travel.  Go.  Do it.  Stop making excuses.  Take every opportunity you get, and get out of town, get out of state, get out of the country.  See the world. Experience new cultures.  Let it change you. Let it open you to new possibilities.  Love every moment of it.  You deserve it.  And you won’t regret it.  So go to Argentina in the fall, go to Thailand in the spring.  Go everywhere and anywhere.  Just go.

You know, I’m pretty sure if you head all this advice, you’ll be just fine.  After all, the world is yours.