Advice from my future (and wiser) self

I've been inspired by Daphne's post at Joyful Days (and she in turn was inspired by Giovanna) to  write myself a letter from my older, wiser self.  A letter that will help the me in this here and now to live more joyfully in each here and now as it presents itself.  Here is is:

Dear Hilda,

Be patient with yourself.  Yes, you are a work in progress, but that is a process that will never be completed (at least not in this lifetime), so it doesn’t matter how long it takes.  There is no race or competition in life, we all get to where we’re going according to our own personal schedules.  All your life you will be evolving, even now I am still a “work in progress”. 

 Detach from all your worldly desires.  Yes all of them.  Each morning when you say the words “Thy will be done” add the words “not mine”.  You are currently afraid to do that. You are afraid to truly hand over control in case the Divine will is not aligned with your desires.  Hand them over and mean it – everything will be fine and you will have no regrets.

 

You have no idea how little you will come to care about the many things you obsess over now.  You have always aspired to “go with the flow”, yet you struggle too with the desire to control.  Control is an illusion and so is the concept of security or certainty.  Let it go.  Embrace uncertainty.  Enter each new day with a sense of curiosity as to what might unfold.

 

Yes it is true that you appreciate that life is more about the journey than the destination.  BUT you’re still just a little bit picky about what the destintation might be.  It’s ok to have preferences, but you need to be truly open to all possibilities.  Maybe the destination will be nowhere as exotic as you currently hope for, but as soon as you truly open yourself up to all eventualities and accept whatever shows up for you, you will experience more joy in the journey than you can even anticipate right now.  Trust me.  I am you, I have been through it.

 

The best thing you can do for yourself, now and always, is to remember every day the advice you offer so freely to others:  Live joyfully in the here and now – that is the only place where true happiness exists.

Always watching over you,

Love Hilda xx

This was a really nice exercise.  Why not do it for youself?  You will find yourself tapping into your innate wisdom that already exists.  You don't have to wait till you've experienced more in life to feel and trust that wisdom - just step into an imaginary time capsule and let it come forth!

Comments

[Positively Present]

So great! As I said on both Daphne and Giovanna's sites, I really do love this idea. I think it's so wonderful and it really forces you to think about the things you've learned in your life and remember how far you've come from where you were. This is a great exercise to inspire future self!

[Giovanna Garcia]

Hi!
I am so happy you have been inspired and motivated to write a letter to your future self.
Like you said....live joyfully, in the here and now. These are great words to live by.
I wish you a wonderful weekend.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than no Action

[Daphne @ Joyful Days]

Hilda,

Lovely! I especially like the like "There is no race or competition in life" because this is so true, and something that competitive people like me need to remember.

Thanks for the link love, and for spreading the awareness of such a letter!

[Hilda]

Thanks PP,

It is a great idea, and actually easier to do than I originally thought it would be : )

Hi Giovanna

Thanks for starting this off, I really enjoyed it. And I think I've received some really sound advice from my future self. Here's hoping I heed it...

Daphne,

You're so welcome. I hope we get to read some more of these around the blogosphere, because I think everyone's future self will provide wonderful wisdom that all can benefit from.

[Tess The Bold Life]

Love it, love it, love it. "Live joyfully in the here and now – that is the only place where true happiness exists."

Copying it on a index card. A great reminder!

[Hilda]

Thanks Tess, I'm delighted you liked it :-)

[Sara]

Hilda,

I love this idea and will have to try it soon. I really like these words from your future self, " Enter each new day with a sense of curiosity as to what might unfold." If we all do that, think of how we would delight in our lives...it makes me think of how children approach life. We grow older to learn to be a child again (at least think like one). Thanks for this post:~)

[Hilda]

Hi Sara,

How true! If we could look at the world through the eyes of children we would be filled with delight and wonder on a daily basis.

I hope you do try this out, and look forward to reading your letter ;-)