I’ve seen the thought experiment of visiting yourself in the past. There’s been enough science fiction (light hearted and serious) to bludgeon that theme to death.
Not to mention the cathartic exercise of writing a letter to your past self. Well… to some it may be angry and torturous.
However, I want to consider something different:
What if my future self came to speak to me right now?
What would future Vito say to me?
This requires an incredible amount of honesty on your part and really, it’s more an examination of conscience than anything else.
In some ways, it’s a point of wisdom manifesting itself.
Future me (10 years from now):
Listen, I’m not here to give you winning lottery numbers, stock picks or provide any other scheme to amass a ton of money.
Yeah, sure, we both would appreciate it, but let’s dig for some of the deeper things that can’t be purchased.
I think we both know that I’m not going to solve the problems you have right now. The issues you’re refusing to deal with are nothing more than the messes I have to clean up.
And let me tell you, those messes don’t get easier to clean in the future.
I know you think there’s not enough time because life is too busy. Hate to tell you, there’s not enough time on this end either.
You need to make some hard decisions and create time for those things we really want. I know you’re kicking yourself for wasting so much of it in your twenties.
You’re close to making that same mistake again.
There’s less available, but it’s still there.
On that note, take heed with the advice you were given when you first became a parent: the days are long, but the years are short.
Take care of your health. You think you’re feeling the effects of age (partially true), but what you’re really feeling is many bad decisions compounded on each other.
Don’t hesitate when an opportunity comes your way. Pounce on it and see where it takes you.
Even if you don’t know what it fully entails, go for it. You’ll figure it out.
Appreciate the people you have in your life right now, but know some of them will only be there for a season. Treat them well.
You’re really honing your crafts, both in writing and teaching. You still have a lot to learn, but keep pushing. No one ever became great at what they did by coasting.
Take ownership of your mistakes and strive for brutal honesty with others. Don’t be fearful of standing up for what you believe in, but accept you might not always be right.
Finally, in case you still haven’t figured it out, this is your life. It’s not some practice round so you can go back and do it again, nor is it the thoughts in your head of what would be ideal.
This is it.
Make it happen and enjoy what you can.