What would you say to the Future You? A year from now, or two, or ten, what will you hope to have gained? What will you have left behind?
What memory do you want to share with yourself?
What was special about Today?
Steadfast readers, I have stumbled across a marvelous place that lets you send an email into the future. To yourself! I'd give you the website URL right now, but I'm afraid you will dump me...which affects my Bounce Rate, in blog-speak. (The longer you stay on my site, the better.) First, let me tell you a little more.
We've all done the "What would you tell your 20 year-old self?" exercise. Or some other age: 30? 40? 50?... Sure, we're a zillion times wiser now, so that's not exactly a toughie. It's incredibly simple to look back and see where we turned left when we should have turned right...or, in my case, married waaaaaaaaay too young. Before I got to Paris. (THAT would have changed everything.)
Besides creating frustrating reminders, nothing can be done about the past. Regrets and lessons are part of being human. If you don't have any, contact me immediately: [email protected].
BUT--the future is still being planned. It's open and waiting. A blank canvas, ready for you to step in and decide again: Left or right? North or south? Stay or go? It's kind of exciting to think about. Maybe even a little scary.
Imagine sitting down this afternoon and asking yourself: "Where do I want to be a year from now?" And then you write to your Future Self, explaining what should occur. Maybe you're more sentimental and want to remind your Future Self of how much you love someone, and how you hope he/she is still there twelve months from now. Or possibly a habit to you want to break. Or a reminder NOT to repeat a certain experience.
A medical scare? A dismal family situation? A career leap? A secret dream? Heck, a new set of tires? The list is endless...children, money, travel, sex, school, peace on earth. Everyone is different. Everyone is entitled.
I'm going to share some of the emails that people have written, to get the creative juices going:
*The 5 most important things about my life now are probably my health, family and friends, studies, seeking the path for my future and most importantly, music! How's your life now? Do you still see these things as major elements in your life?
*Dear Amma,
If you aren't on the road right now, DO IT! Get and convert that van! DO IT! Don't be so scared! It will be the best experience! you HAVE to! Do not give up on yourself!
*Things are incredibly hard right now dad's in the hospital and we don't have much money the horses might have to be sold and everything seems to be falling part and I know Those animals are the only thing keeping your spirits up. sometime you might actually have to take a chance ethan offered for u to move to Virginia with him. and I know you haven't told mom yet But maybe thats the best option for you. believe it or not moms actually right you can't rely on someone to take care of you anymore to start doing it yourself. are really hard for you right now but the only give you is please please please do not push people away because You can't be alone not right now you need people you need a superhero you need a miracle
*You're a good person. you're not a bitch; you were never a bitch. You're so much better than you think you are- or than you used to think you are.
*If you're falling apart, remember all the times you were whole.
See? No rules, no boundaries. Whatever is in your heart. These emails are posted under "Public, but Anonymous"...you can also do a Private message to Your Future Self. Either is fine.
Ready to do it? Go to www.FutureMe.org....and just write. Write ten words or ten paragraphs. Then decide how far in the future you want to go...up to thirty years! And hit "Send into the Future."
FutureMe.org is pure genius. Here's what the Founders say:
FutureMe.org is based on the principle that memories are less accurate than e-mails. And we strive for accuracy.
See, usually, it's the future that will reflect back on the present. We here at FutureMe think it's fun to flip that all around.
So send your future self some words of inspiration. Or maybe give 'em swift kick in the pants. Or just share some thoughts on where you'll or what you'll be up to in a year, three years...more? And then we'll do some time travel magic and deliver the letter to you. FutureYou, that is.
Give it some thought and do it. Today. We'll check back in a year, okay?
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