letter to my younger self

One of my favorite books to pick up and read over and over is called "What I Know Now: Letters to My Younger Self." Forty well-known women write short letters passing their current wisdom to their younger selves. I highly, highly recommend this to anyone-in any age and stage of life. So, without further ado, I am going to steal this idea and write to myself at age 23. I was in the stuck in Memphis when I wanted to be in Austin. I was just back from Chicago and the flight school debacle and already planning my next adventure.



Dear Mary,


Be content in each moment. Please learn this now. It is such an important skill to have in life. You just got back from Chicago. You thought that flight school was the answer-but if you're being honest with yourself then you can admit that you knew all along it wasn't the life for you. You love family and friends too much to be so far away for so long. You are just wanting to do something. Anything really. You know that you want an exciting life and life in Memphis isn't so exciting. So before you can really settle back into your home(your home that you love so much with your family you love so much... by the way ) you are already plotting your next escape. Why are you escaping? Learn to be happy here. You will learn to-but learn now. Learn to be happy in all circumstances. Find good in every little thing. What you don't know right now about your time in Memphis is that it will really change your life. And all for the better. You will re-become best friends with some of your oldest and dearest friends. You will be with your best high school friend the night she gets engaged. You'll be with another life long best friend through a tough break-up. And since you're in Memphis long enough-you'll get to watch her fall in love again. With someone right for her. Sure, you're going on dates with your parents right now while your friends are out on real dates. I know that is kind of tough for you. Soak it up sister. Your time will come. This time is a precious opportunity to get to know your parents as an adult. You're forming your own ideas and opinions about everything and now you're starting to see why your mom did things just the way she did. You won't be able to eat special 'mom's out of town dinners' with your dad when you live somewhere else. Goodness, I can't reiterate enough how special this time in your life is. You'll eat pizza with your grandparents every week. Mary, realize now how precious life is. Soak up every opportunity to learn from the family you love so much. Things change, and when parents are in their 60's and grandparents are in their 80's and 90's, there's really no guarantee. There is really never any guarantee. What you are so scared of, Mary, is being around your beloved aunt Ellen. It's so hard to watch someone be so sick. No one knows what to do in that situation. No one knows what to say. Just be there. Even when it's sad and scary. Be there. You go to movies with her, watch movies with her and you're around-but really be there. Not only does Aunt Ellen need you, your mom needs you to. This is her sister after all. Think about if it were one of the brothers. This might be the hardest thing your mom has been through yet. You need to step up, put on your big girl panties and be better. Be more helpful. At the end, you do just this. You get bravery from someone much more in control than you. You are there. To hug your mom and your grandmom and your uncle on their very worst day. Way to go!! You're starting to get it. You'll wish you had stepped up sooner. So Mary, I beg you, learn now that life is short, time is precious and you shouldn't waste one minute of your life wishing you were somewhere else. You're going to get wherever it is you're going. Be content with where your life is now. Trust me. You'll have lots more 'in between' times. You need to learn to be content always. Don't wait for life to begin at some other point. Your life is unfolding right now. Make sure you don't miss one second of it. Mary, you have an amazing life-with tons of people who love you. You're going to meet so many more. Life in Austin will change you too. You'll meet lots of new friends ...who won't replace the old ones, but they'll be super special to you too. They will become your 'family' in Austin. Family you eat with, family who buys you toilet paper, family you road trip with and family you cry with. You'll also meet a very special someone else there. So when an old college friend asks you to hang on a hot Sunday in July-forgo your nap and GO swimming! Trust me on this. Live life. It's way to short to be napping. Also, be kind to everyone you meet along the way. Each person has their own story, their own battle. This is something else you should pick up on now. Lastly, always, always remember your mom's favorite song lyrics "if you get the chance to sit it out or dance...I hope you dance."



Someone who has learned a few things,

Your 28 year old self