"We are singing you this message through our music reaching for a better brighter..." - De La Soul, The Future
December 21 – Future Self.
Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? (Bonus: Write a note to yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self?)
(Author:Jenny Blake)
Dear 35-Year-Old Me,
You are entering 2011 with a future of amazing possibility. The question I ask of you is simply this: are you ready to go for it? I mean really ready because it involves you taking more risks, going bigger, pushing others, and not being bogged down by the past. Yesterday is gone, my friend. Trust me, I know.
So push. I mean, you're doing fine at 35, sure. Professionally, you're at the height of your career, making more, doing more, being responsible for a good portion of one of the most visited websites in the world but I don't think you're where you want to be. I think you want to change the game. So, change it. There are ideas running around in your head right now aren't there? Try them. What are you waiting for? Of course, some of them will fail. Of course, some of them won't even get out of the starting blocks. That's not the point. The point is you have ideas, good ideas, and you'll never know if some of them are great ideas until you get them out of your head and in the world.
Love harder. Look at that woman in your life. She has uprooted her entire world in no small part to spend the rest of her life with you. Make it count. Make sure she knows she is loved intensely, passionately, meaningfully every day. Love is about showing not telling. Follow through with your commitments. Do the tasks that aren't asked for but might be needed. Listen. Support. Do for her beyond what you would do for yourself. Build. You already know how amazing partnership can be. Now that you're embarking on the next chapter of your life together, why not make it truly spectacular?
And, I know this is harder for you, buddy, but the same is true for your family and friends. Give more to those you love. More of your time and attention. That's what matters.
Do right. Hey, I know this isn't a big challenge but it's always a good reminder, we like leading an ethical, righteous life. Continue to invest in the right way of doing things. Continue to think about what is fair. Continue to do for others. And then? Do more.
Do you see the theme, 35-year-old Jason? There is more. More of the world for you to see and more of you to put in the world. Make a difference in everything you do.
Now, 25-year-old Jason, all I want to say to you is...Thanks. You got us here, kid. If we had it to do all over again, I only have three notes for you:
- Remember what Queen B tells you - Some relationships are forever, some seem that way but aren't, and some are brief. All, however, are valuable to you. Be thankful for all of them and for the time, however long, you have with the people in your life.
- Trust your heart and your instincts - You know what's right. Do it. There is one moment in the 2000s when you followed the weakness of some friends (friends who, by the way, won't be in your life much longer) instead of standing with a forever friend and her family when they most needed you. It will be the first (and maybe only so far) real regret of your life.
- Get familiar with more leafy greens - Your middle expands my man. Broccoli and Spinach should've become your homeboys in the year 2000.
Other than that, though, I have no quarrels with the life you've led. Every experience has gotten us to this point and this point? We've got love. We can provide for ourself and others. We laugh way more than we cry. We dance. And we still wake up excited every day about the opportunities, surprises, and challenges to come.
2015 is looking forward to seeing you.
Let's Go!!
Cheers,
The 40-Year-Old Jason