There's this song from Brad Paisley where he writes a letter to himself when he was 17. He warns the younger version of himself against certain activities and encourages him towards others.
I thought I would write this letter to myself at that age (or any earlier age) and as I was doing this, I realized that I wouldn't change anything. Not even the Very Bad Things from when I was a child. All these things I've done and seen and been through - every one of them has shaped me in to who I am today.
The instability of my childhood, the reasons I joined the Army, my time in the Army, the job I had when I got out of the military, the 2 years it took me to sign up for massage school, the classmates I had in that school, the job I took after graduating.
Every opportunity. Every missed opportunity. Every lesson. Every misstep. Every adventure. Every tragedy. Every love. Every heartbreak. Every person. Every moment.
Everything.
All of it led up to this incredible life. The life I've lived and the life I have now. And I wouldn't give up any of it.
How about you? Anything you'd like to say to your younger self? Anything you'd change or do differently?
Writing it down, Ruth!
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5 comments:
I would have gone to medical school instead of giving up on myself so easily. But, like you said, I have a great life. And all my choices have made me who I am. And I really wouldn't have met my wonderful husband if I hadn't moved to Columbus after college. So, there are worse things that could have happened.
I wouldn't change anything major. Maybe wear a different dress to prom. Maybe shut the cats up somewhere during that one party when, allowed to roam free, they scarfed up on the hors d'oeurves and then vomited it all back up. On the table.
Even though not all of my decisions were perfect, none of them were so bad as to ruin my life. Luck had a lot to do with that, I think.
I wouldn't have taken so long to realize that I wouldn't change anything- also your alphabet blogging is the best in town.
I'd tell myself not to sweat the small stuff. In the grand scheme of life no one really gives a crap.
I would only tell my teenage self to not worry so much. I used to worry myself sick over everything and it was not much fun!
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