While reading through ericvancewalton 's TimeTravel101 and lizelle's post, Letter to my 20 year old self (both amazing posts), an idea occurred to me – I wanted to write such a letter, but could not.
Because I'm only 18. So, even if I do write a letter to my 20 year old self, it's still more than a year away. A future me.
But 20 is quite a close number, and I figured, since I was toying with the idea of writing a letter to my future self, why not stretch it a bit more?
I chose 50 because it's quite far away (or so it seems) and I'm pretty sure I'll be much different then. I'm sure I will have forgotten many things I know now.
I'm not saying, with this post, that the present me couldn't benefit from some advice from me in the future. I'm just saying that maybe my future self could gain a few things from right-now-me:
Dear 50 year old ME,
Hi!
I can't help but wonder what life has brought you, about all the things that have happened and I have a nagging urge to inquire how everyone's doing.
As for me, I am well. I look forward to the future. I believe that I can take on the world. I believe I am lucky, usually because of small things that have happened to me, but I believe that. Often, in times of uncertainty, I tell myself that I will be fine, 'cause luck is on my side.
Are you still writing? Even more important, are you still reading? I do hope you haven't become one of those lazy people who hasn't finished a book in ten years. Perhaps it seems silly, but it's one of my greatest fears.
Had to get that out of the way.
I think the world is good, I think that despite all the bad things that happen in this world, there is an inherent goodness in people that will prevail. What do you think?
My plans for the future are:
I'm going to travel the whole world, see everything there is to see (or as much as I can) and I'm going to chase moments, not things. I'm going to build memories in all four corners of the world.
I'm going to do things that frighten me, because that makes me feel alive. I like adrenaline. I like to do things I'm not sure are going to turn out well, I like to have that small moment of doubt. I like to dare.
I like to test my limits.I'm going to fall in love like there's no tomorrow, because I want to feel everything. Both the good and the bad.
Right now, my working motto is a sort of YOLO, although I hate these modern abbreviations.
YOLO means You Only Live Once, in case you're old and senile and have forgotten this (sorry, I couldn't resist cracking a joke about your age. But, if you're anything like me, you'll have a pretty good sense of humor).
But really, it's what pushes me, whenever I doubt if I should do something, go somewhere, say what I'm thinking, you only live once.
Please buy the concert tickets. I know I am, because I don't know where you are and I plan on having fun, as long as I am in control. I believe in FUN. Big time. I tend to lean on the hedonistic side, I think one of our main reasons to be is to enjoy our lives, to have fun, to do what makes us happy and gives us pleasure.
And I hope to God you haven't become one of those boring old people who doesn't remember how to have fun and only lives to pay bills and die or whatever.
(old people= folks who don't have any fun, has nothing to do with age. Age is just a number)
Also, I found this note from last year (even younger ME) and thought you might like it:
26.08.2016
I haven't lived much yet, but from all the smiles and the memories and the pain and the tears and the fabulous, larger than life happiness and the heartbreak, I would not change a bloody thing. Life is the best deal you can get in your time here, so never be truly, completely sad whilst you're alive.
I love you. So, so much.
18 Year Old ME
When I was younger, I had a concern that I wouldn't complete books when I grew older. Well, it turns out that I've read a Hell of a lot online (articles, white papers, even books) -- so I guess I needn't have worried .
As to ♥ Love -- well, when I Fell I fell hard .. and it was for a Gloriously talented (musically talented) young man of 24 who had the most seductive voice [he had been trained to SING Opera as a teen - what a HANDSOME voice he had to match his handsome face ].
Anyway, it was not to be [he noted our Age range was too great - as he was 5 yr older than me ]. ♥ I wish for you a Great Love affair... as I got to EXPERIENCE
☻☻ Lucky me, lucky you !!
P.S. - It was the 1st and only time I 'fell in love' BOTH with someone's walk/gait & his voice
Sincerely, Jan A.
(Now following you )
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Wow, that is such a sweet, incredible message. I loved it.
Thank you so much for this and for wishing me a great love affair, I really think that's one of the nicest things you can wish for someone. I hope to experience the same thing one day :)
Preferably with someone with a lovely voice :D
As for the books, yes, I hope I keep on reading as I do now. Knowing me, I don't think I'll ever stop, but then again, you can't quite now what the future holds, can you?
Thank you for the support and for this comment, it really made my day <3
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Dear 18 years old YOU, I hope you don't lose the energy or the will to do all those things. Or the guts, for that matter.
As for the YOLO part, it tends to sound a bit silly, some modern abbreviation young people like to throw around - but it is painfully true. Far too often, we take it for granted there's always another time, there's plenty of time. There is not.
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Wow, this is super powerful @honeydue. You are wise beyond your years. Great job and thanks so much for participating. I'm going to do a letter to my 80 year old self soon. Upvoted and resteemed (and will be shared on my social media outlets outside of Steemit)
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Thank you. That is really nice of you :)
As I said, it was really fun, especially since it started more as a funny idea, not an actual...writing prompt. But the more I thought about it, the more I liked it.
Thank you for the support. I really appreciate it.
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Wow! I can't believe your 18, you have a great perspective for being so young. You nailed it with chase moments not things. Your future looks bright, you better grab some shades!
-Godspeed
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Thanks. That's really sweet.
I don't know if the way I see it is good (although I appreciate you saying it is), I just wrote what was on my mind.
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Wow @honeydew, you truly have the wisdom of 50 year old you. Beautiful letter! Please don't allow anyone to ever take away that enthusiasm for life nor that belief in the inherent goodness of people, do not miss any concerts, keep on reading, keep that sense of humor, build the memories. You're so right, one can be old at 18 but young at 80, you are so young but also amazingly wise! May the road you travel bring immense joy :)
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Wow, thank you, this is such a lovely comment. I hope I don't, I certainly don't want to and will do my very best to hang on to the good things.
May your road be filled with happiness as well :)
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Thank you :)
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Your 18 year old self has some great plans for the future. :) Good luck with it!
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Thank you very much :) I hope my 18 year old self succeeds :D
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