November 13 is World Kindness Day. To celebrate this, I will be blogging about kindness over the next few days.
Kindness Begins With Me
There are two ways of interpreting this – one, that kindness must start with me being kind to others and two, I must start with myself. Today, I’m choosing to start with myself.
Inspired by this post, I decided to write a letter to future me. While I’m sharing it with you today, I’m also archiving it on the FutureMe.org website, to receive it on 1 January 2017.
Dear FutureMe
I am so happy to be writing to you. I’ve seen people write letters to their future selves before, but never quite had the inclination to do this. However, when I read that this was an act of kindness to you, dear Me, I just had to do it.
This letter will find you entering into a new year, and will be the year you complete 52. I am certain, that as I’ve found out by reaching 50, that life has become more interesting! đÂ
I can see that you’ve grown in self-acceptance and have resolved the issues of the past that tended to cloud your mind from time to time. Your relationships with JosĂ©, your family and your small group of friends have only got better and more meaningful. And in a few days, JosĂ© and you will be entering year 10 of your marriage. Time does fly when you’re having fun.
Congratulations! You’ve actually managed to stick to your health goals and look so much healthier than you did at the end of 2015.Â
How lovely that you, JosĂ© and Pablo have settled into your new house and have made it into the home that you all love. I’m happy to see the flowers blooming and the trees starting to grow.
I love the ‘creativity den’ you’ve made for yourself in your new home. Your writing, your painting and all your other creative pursuits are giving you so much joy.
You’ve also managed to find a lot more people to reach out to in a way that truly makes a difference to them and brings joy to you.Â
Ah! And you’re driving around too. I’m sure you’re loving the sense of independence that gives you.
You enter 2017, being wiser, happier, fitter, more generous and much more grateful for all that you have. I’m proud of you, dear FutureMe.Â
Stay blessed,
Corinne
Dear reader, have you ever written a letter to your future self? Would you like to do this with me today? I can assure you it was a lovely exercise and I’m looking forward to reading my letter in the future.
I hadn’t heard of Kindness Day. What a lovely sentiment.
What a great idea to write to your future self. Some days I’d like to write to past me and tell me to keep going because it got so much better.
What a lovely post… I’ve seen lots of ‘To my past self’ letters floating around the bloggy world, but not so much the ‘future self’ idea. I love how your letter flows so comfortably…as if you’re talking to a dear friend đ
I have written letters to future me before for blog posts. It is a great exercise!
Oh I’d love to read those, Kathy!
What a beautiful thing to do! Because of my situation I try to avoid thinking of the future and what it might bring. Either option is scary. I have felt that my life is in a holding pattern, but the scary thing is I don’t know how old I will be and what my options are going to look like so I quit putting some things off like finishing my book. I did finally do that, now I just have to work up the nerve to send it to a publisher or agent…someone! I just haven’t gotten that part figured out yet. I am not letting that stop me though I just started number 2. Now that the pressure of actually finishing is off I think I will enjoy this one so much more!
First of all, congratulations on getting your book done. Such a wonderful thing. Now I hope you’ll send it off soon. I’m visualizing reading and promoting it already!
Second, I do understand your fears. I have them too. But I’ve chosen not to mention them in my letter.
I have never written letter to future me, but I like the idea. It’s like putting words on a wish for the road you would like to follow. Only positive vibes reading this, and I found it inspiring. Made me think where I want to be, Good one, Corinne dear:-)
Thanks, Eli. I enjoyed doing this exercise and I’m sure you would too. Send me the link once you do.
I’ve not tried writing my future self a letter, maybe it will be a fun ritual for New Year’s.
My New Year preparations unconsciously begin every November, Jennifer.
It’s a great way to channel the way you want your life to go. Much better than being vague and random or complaining about what we do not have. Lovely positive article.
It is, Gilly. Although Jose wanted to know where we’re buying our new house! đ
Corinne, this is something I’ve never done, but what a great idea it is! I love your letter to yourself! If you don’t mind, I might write myself a letter and include it in a future blog. I think it creates such a positive attitude as we live each day in hope for a better tomorrow.
Blessings!
Why would I mind, Martha? I’d encourage you to do it at once! đ
I finally blogged to my young self earlier this week. Why not blog to my future self who, perhaps, may read that very blog post one day (if there are still blogs to read). Indeed, why not?
Looking forward to read both your letters, Alana.
What a wonderful idea! I’ve heard of writing to our younger selves, but writing to our future self is a new one to me. Thank you for the inspiration – loved your letter!
Wow! I have never read or written a letter to the “future me”. May be I should try! Sounds like a good exercise and a positive on too. Thanks for sharing this letter with us đ
Corinne, this post is so you; warm and caring. That is why I love to read what you write. Your words, âeach time Iâve reached out to someone in kindness â even a simple gesture, it has left me feeling so much better about myself.â, reminded me of something that happened a few years ago when I was still part of the corporate world. I had written a post about it and forgotten all about it. Thanks for reminding me about it. I have posted it on my blog.
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