Over the weekend, I was digging through some photos to use on my "U" day, and I posted this on Facebook:
Here goes:
Dear Lisa,
I want you to know that you have already lived through a lot but there is more to come. Along with the hard days, there will also be days filled with incredible over-the-top joy!
This is the main thing you need to know. YOU ARE ENOUGH. Seriously.
You are a creation of God who is loved by him and he has and will continue to pour out his unmerited grace on you. Don't listen to those voices of the world. Listen closely and God will continually whisper into your ear,"You are enough. You are loved. I'm right here beside you - always. I'll never leave you nor forsake you."
You need to trust God. You don't know any of these things yet but you are going to have a good life. You will marry a man who loves you. You will have great kids who will grow into fine adults. You will actually live in a house with a white picket fence.
Make sure you surround yourself with good friends. Laugh a lot!
Go ahead and finish your college degree now . . .don't wait until you are 63.
Keep running - exercise will keep you young!
Get counseling - NOW! At 23, you've already lived through too much. Don't wait until you are in your 30's. Do it now.
There are so many other things. Don't waste time on guys who aren't worth it.
Always remember -- YOU ARE ENOUGH.
Love,
Lisa
What would you tell your 23 year old self?
Uplifting, and stirring, too! I'm not brave enough to share my own letter, but it's given me lots to ponder.
ReplyDeleteYes, I understand about not sharing. I've actually thought about sharing my whole story on here but have never been brave enough.
DeleteLisa,
ReplyDeleteGood advice to tell one's younger self if we could. I'm sure I'd say many of the same things as you to myself. I was already married and celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary by the time I was 23. Thankfully, I landed a good husband. In June we'll have our 43rd anniversary and I still count myself as a lucky girl. Thanks for dropping by today. I'm so glad that the A2Z blogfest is winding down. It's been a tough month for me and am ready to get this challenge behind me for another year. Congrats on staying on course, the finish line is in sight! :)
It has been a tough month! Yay for the finish line -- just a couple more posts!
DeleteI have had that conversation so many times with myself. My life would have been so different however some of the best things in my life if I had listened to "me" also would never have happened. End of day I have to accept it as God's plan and Im thankful I am not 23 or 43.
ReplyDeleteGreat thought provoking post. Hope you have enjoyed the A to Z challenge this year.
I do agree with your thought - - "if I had listened to me"!
DeleteGreat advice
ReplyDeletethanks for visiting!!
DeleteI love this! I would tell myself to trust God and my own instincts more. Be honest with yourself and others. Plus a lot of other stuff. And that guy named *** that you met at that party at Gene's house -- run away! You're going to meet Dave in just a few years. God makes all things beautiful in God's time.
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful that God makes all things beautiful in his time! Thanks for the question!
DeleteGood friends and laughter, and a truly good husband make all the difference in life. So pleased you are working on your degree…it will probably mean more to you as an accomplishment by doing it now rather than in your teens or twenties. Go you!!
ReplyDeleteI think my degree will mean more to me now, too.
DeleteI was already in the middle of it when I was 23, having my first daughter, with the man I'm still with and going to live through so much life that I couldn't even imagine. Enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeletethank you so much for visiting! I apologize for my slow response! Hope you have a great day today!
DeleteI'm not sure my 23-yr-old self would listen to anything I had to say. I think I did all right -- the things I might change came later and would not be things my 23-yr-old self would have cared about yet. But it's an interesting question.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I would have listened either but it was a good thought process for me.
DeleteI occasionally write letters to my younger self and say many of the same things -- you are good enough, exercise, don't waste time on guys who aren't worth it.
ReplyDeleteI'm visiting for the A to Z Road Trip. Great post.
thank you so much for visiting and commenting!
DeleteI, too, wrote to myself at an earlier age, for this year’s A to Z Challenge. I’m not sure at what age he received the letter. I tried to give myself a lot of advice, without giving away too much of the store. https://www.hdhstory.net/Storyblog/?p=2984
ReplyDelete