Time Travel 101: A Letter to My 20 Year Old Self - Noboxes Edition

I was fortunate enough to catch the post by @ericvancewalton the the other day. In this post, Time Travel 101, he presented a fabulous idea. Writing a letter to your younger self from today's perspective.

I've actually given it some thought, perhaps not enough, but here goes my attempt:

To my 20 year old self,

First of all, I expect this to be the first of many letters, so don't expect this first one to answer all of your questions. It's 28 years later and there are still several questions unanswered. Perhaps we can find some answers together amongst our correspondence.

You have recently married a wonderful woman ( still the smartest decision you've ever made). You should appreciate her more. She's your greatest partner in figuring out the answers.

This letter is reaching you while you're circumnavigating the globe on that monstrosity of a ship. What compelled you to join the Navy in the first place? I actually know the answer to that, and it would require too many pages of letter head to formulate your response. By the way, we don't use letter head anymore.

Actually, one of the many great things that come out of you joining the Navy, it kept you out of university. You'll be really happy about that later.

While on this sailing expedition, you've taken a stand not to drink. I commend you for that stand and holding to it. You'll augment that stand later.

I'm not going to tell you how many kids you'll have, I'll leave that one for the grand surprise that it will be. Ok, just for shear enjoyment on my part, you're up to two grand kids. Sorry, couldn't help myself.

You have no idea what's ahead young man, no idea. Actually, I find that to be a very good thing. You would avoid a lot of hurdles that have turned out to provide so much for so many. I know you, if you knew what was coming, you'd turn and run in the opposite direction. Don't avoid the hurdles, jump!

You'll have this gig for a few years where you travel a lot. You'll end up in New York City often. Look up a guy by the name of Eric Vance Walton, I'm pretty sure you could end up great friends.

You'll get involved into politics and current events ( aka mainstream news). Please don't, it's all bullshit! Later, you'll get into what they refer to as 'alternative news.' Please don't, it's all bullshit.

You're at that age where you haven't figured out that when you're 48 year old self is writing you letter and he tells you something is bullshit, you don't believe him. You should listen more.

You'll become fascinated with history and become a self proclaimed historian. Don't, it's all bullshit.

I'm sorry, did I happen to mention that politics, news and the text book history, it's all bullshit?

You're currently a 'member' of a group that gather every Sunday. You'll eventually figure out that you don't need a broker between you and your maker.

So, this is late November of your 20th year, that means you're in South East Asia. Trust me, it's the first of your many international travels. You'll eventually realize that there are no borders that make one man better than another. I encourage you to embrace that quicker. Say hi to the Russians in Thailand for me.

You'll eventually become much more open and accepting / tolerating of other's opinions. I encourage you to embrace that sooner as well, it will save you a lot of grief.

Oh, just a little thing, you're going to hear about this thing called 'the Internet' and eventually become involved. Become involved SOONER! Earn the label, 'early adopter' and own it. You'll understand later.

Well, I think we're off to a good start here. I hope this didn't tweak your melon too much.

I have a lot more to tell you, however, until the next letter, I'd like to leave you with an absolute truth. I must admit, I am still working to master this one myself: Love your neighbor as yourself. It will change the world!