Imagine....time travel has been perfected. And despite dire warnings about disrupting the whole space-time continuum, you are allowed to do it. The following restriction is given: You can only go back to one time in your life and you can only give yourself one minute of advice. What would you say? What advice would you give to the younger you? Would you tell yourself to be more grateful? More relaxed? Worry less? Exercise more? Eat dessert first? Would you warn yourself? Don't take that job. Don't marry that man/woman. Don't buy that house. Don't put off that doctor's appointment. Would you encourage yourself? Don't give up on getting your degree. Keep trying to get published. Be open to that relationship. I think I would go back to when I was 22, after my first child had just been born. We had been married about 3 years, and I had dropped out of college to work so we could get into a house and start a family. It was a time of beginnings and really entering adulthood. I can think of a few things I would say: - Savor this time while your kids are young and don't hurry them or yourself so much.
- Start a journal and make yourself write in it.
- Wear a bikini now. It's only going to get worse and you'll kick yourself later for being so self-conscious.
- Don't ask 'what will people think?' as much as 'what do I think?'
- Spend less on stuff and give more away.
- You won't regret buying that boat. It will foster years of family fun and memories.
- Don't waste time working at what you don't really love or enjoy unless it's absolutely necessary. If it is absolutely necessary, ask God to show you something that makes it bearable and even enjoyable.
- Pray more. Read more scripture. Less rules. More love.
I know you're out there, blog readers! What advice would you give yourself? Special book prize goes to the most profound comment. Or the one I just like the best! Family members are not necessarily disqualified from winning, but get no special advantage either!
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2 comments:
That's some good advice. I would tell myself to focus on friendships rather than on boys. Be confident in yourself..you are your worst critic. Laugh more. Listen more. Worry less
While I haven't got much life to go back to, I'd think I'd like to have a chat with myself somewhere around freshman year of college. Dump that boy, don't date that one, don't tell that lie, don't compromise what you believe, be patient, write more, read more, don't compare your accomplishments to everyone else's, and really try to find some solid Christian friends and mentors, I'd say. It was a searching kind of year.
And yet... If I hadn't made all the mistakes I did, I wouldn't be who I am today, and I'm pretty certain this is exactly where God wants me to be. And had I not cried all those tears, fought all those internal wars, made all those "mistakes," I might not be so well equipped to comfort those who fell into the same traps. I can say with confidence that God makes beautiful the things that once seemed so ugly to me, and that is a gift that can only be earned by experiencing ugliness.
So perhaps instead I'd say, dear me, have hope. Have heart. Have courage. The grass is greener from my point of view.
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