As a coaching exercise, my coach asked me to hand write two letters. One letter, from my current, 35 year old self to my past, 25 year old self…thanking her for what she did and went through for me to be who I am today, reassuring her and telling her what her life is like now. And one letter, from my future, 45 year old self to my current, 35 year old self…encouraging me and thanking me for everything that I am doing and going through right now that is setting me up for my future and also describing what my life is going to be like in 10 years.

The letter to past me was not difficult to write because it is all stuff that has actually happened and is happening. A few excerpts being… “I’m sure you think that your life is a mess right now and it does get worse before it gets better but don’t freak out because you make it to the other side in a really good place.” And “The fun you are having now will turn into heartache and turmoil for many years to come but don’t be afraid of that because it makes you who you are and leads you to your purpose.” Along with, “I know this sounds a bit crazy but please, please, trust God and go with it…you will be single for the next 10 years but your life will be so full and rich from investing in your relationships with God, yourself and those you love, that you will barely notice. Oh, and you will be ever so amused by the men that you do end up going on dates with during that time.” Hahaha!

The letter to current me from future me was another story. Since it is mostly imagination and fiction (as of this moment), I had a much harder time. It felt awkward to write and it took much longer. Here are a few excerpts from that letter…“Please stop waiting to be ready. You will never be ready, so just go for it.” “Fear is going to continue to be there at every level of your growth, so stop letting it hold you back and take action in spite of it.” “Be you. Not everyone is going to like you or what you have to say. It’s cool, you are not for everyone.” “I promise that although you won’t be able to see or feel it, in the moment, some of your worst disappointments and failures will lead to some of your biggest blessings and accomplishments.” And finally, “Since I want you to be pleasantly surprised by who you end up with, I’ll just say…thank you for waiting on God’s best for you because he is everything you prayed for and so worth the wait.”

I was pretty resistant to doing this exercise but I am so happy that I finally did it (FYI, doing what your coach asks you to do, is key). I learned so much about myself and from myself. It caused me to feel extreme compassion for and kinship with past me (instead of mostly judgment). And it helped me realize that I need to start thinking a lot more about how my decisions today, affect future Angela. Is what I am currently choosing, doing and thinking, bringing me closer to or further from the future that I am trying to create for myself? I highly recommend trying this exercise yourself.

Blessings,

Angela