Dear 60 year old self.

“For yesterday is but a memory, and tomorrow is only a vision. But today well lived makes every yesterday a memory of happiness. And every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well, therefore, to this day.“

Ancient Sanskrit poem by Kelidasa

So if you recall, a couple months back I received a birthday card that instructed me to write a letter to my 20 year old self and one to my 60 year old self. I posted the letter to my 20 year old self. Apparently that was the easy one.

I have been struggling with what to write to my 60 year old self. What in the world do I want to say to myself in 10 years from now. I sit quietly in front of my keyboard and just when I think I have it… nope. That’s not right. So I abandon it. This morning I was contemplating it once again and I realized, I have no idea what I want to say to myself in 10 years from now. I have no idea what life will be like in 10 years. What questions do I have for my 60 year old self. What congratulations shall I give to her. I don’t even know where she lives so where would I even send it? (that’s rhetorical)

I could say… I hope you are living abundantly. I hope you have found the love of your life… your best friend. I hope you career is rewarding and amazing. I hope you are healthy and doing all the activities you enjoy. I hope you love your life even more than you did 10 years ago. I hope…

The point is, we don’t have a clue what life is bringing us tomorrow much less 10 years from now. I have worked so hard on learning how to live for today so how do I abandon that and send my mind 10 years into the future? I don’t.

I continue living for today. I continue making all the choices today that will bring all those future hopes to fruition. I continue to trust in my choices so that I can go forth with confidence and pride. I continue to live my life with integrity and positivity so that I am living to my fullest and truest potential.

I have gone through so many changes over the past 5 years. So many moments that have defined me. So many successes built on failures. So many oopsies and pivots. So many moments of pure joy and so many moments of deep darkness. And so much learning. So. Much. Learning. About me. About life. About knowing that the only day that matters is today.

I am the creator of that 60 year old self. And I am creating her with every moment I live. Today. She does not yet exist as she is a work in progress. She will always be a work in progress. And oh what fun I am having creating her.

But I like to follow the rules so here is my letter…

Dear 60 year old self… I love how happy you are.