A Letter To My Younger Self

A couple of weeks ago a dear sister of mine asked if I'd be interested in writing a letter to my younger self. She invited several "super women" to participate and thought it may be wonderful to gather these letters into a book that may serve to guide girls growing up and women in our lives. Below was my submission for the project. Please note that I really wrote this for me and wouldn't necessarily advise the same things for others. I usually offer more of a balanced perspective. What was fun about this project is that I could speak directly to myself and my particular lessons of life. If you are interested in submitting a letter or helping our book come together, please let me know!! :)

Letter To My Younger Self

Dearest Me,

Guess what! Today you have been blessed with a slip of time and a bit of magic. You are receiving a letter of wisdom from your future self – when you’re wiser, more beautiful, and more amazing…. Not that I think you need to make any changes because everything works out perfectly, always. I just want to offer you a great opportunity to really live it up the whole time. So take advantage, open up to the messages, and enjoy the experience!

Now Dani, I know you think you know everything already. When you think that way, you don't give yourself opportunity to learn more. So never think "I already know". Open to what more you can learn. I know you're brilliant! Now keep developing that! Okay, so here it goes... wisdom from YOU:

Enjoy the journey. Love every moment of life that you can, because it always goes faster than you think it will go. Especially once you step up and really live it. Don’t worry, you will – and the sooner you can do that, the more amazing your life can be. So have fun during the amazing exploration and unfolding of the life you create and see the gift in each experience. Start with presence and awareness.

You are amazing. Don’t waste your younger years looking up to others as being better than you and giving away parts of yourself to fit in. Know that you are beautiful inside and out. Uncover what makes you special and express it. Make it better, highlight and explore it. If you are attracted to another, find out what they represent to you and reclaim that part of yourself as well. Develop those characteristics you admire and be the best you! Don’t go overboard and judge others. When you feel a superiority complex coming on, realize that you have something to learn and figure out what it is. Keep growing. As you find your specialties, share them with the world.

Be love. Develop a loving relationship with yourself. Make sure that you are nourished and full. Then share your well of love with others. Be a compassionate loving presence to everyone you encounter. Share your services with those who are ready for it.

Treasure your relationships as sacred arrangements of brothers and sisters. They truly are a blessing and you are a lot more alike than you may think. Everyone is learning here. Make time for your friends. Listen to them and be interactive in their experience. Treasure your relationships – those that are for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Nourish those in which you are at your best and are mutually beneficial.

Do what makes your heart sing. Have fun finding out what makes you feel joyful. Find several things, simple and great. What makes you giggle? What gives you excitement and energy? Be open and try lots of things. Figure it out. Get to know your self. Go toward these treasures when you find them. Reward yourself with exploring them in balance with everything else.

Feelings are gifts rather than things you should out-think. Being aware of your emotions and following your feelings will guide you to the divine wisdom in your heart. When they get tough, have faith that you can get through and will be only greater and stronger. Learn about yourself and how to be your own best friend. Develop your relationship with the Creator as your greatest treasure and supreme guidance. You will be able to get through it all and it won’t be as tough. Nurture your feelings and allow them to expand you.

You gotta have faith. Whatever it may be. Openly explore and develop your trust and beliefs endlessly. Keep what feels true for you in your heart. Once you really feel it, you’ll know you are never alone. Express your faith. Be it. Share it with others who are curious.

Every morning get into the rituals or habits that connect you to your greatest being before starting your day. Your entire experience will shift to grander levels. Give thanks for all the little things, every day.

"The lightning flashes and the thunder roars

and the superior man does not drop the ceremonial spoon."

Okay, that’s it for now. Stay focused on these things first. Every one of these is key. Use this like a checklist and review every spring to see how you can incorporate these into your daily being on a new level. You will always grow and see more in the same simple things.

Pay attention and find messages all along the way. You can sense hundreds every day if you are really open to them. You may see, hear, or feel something. Ask questions and you’ll find the answers, but maybe not where you think. Look everywhere and be ready. They may come from a child or from a stranger.

If you tune in you’ll figure it out. Delight in the uncovering of divine timing.

Always be your best.

LOVE!

You

Danielle Marie Crume