Dear 4-year old Me:

In moments where chaos seems to be the general energy around me, I tend to clean or organize.  I guess it’s my minds way of finding calmness and peace.  Last week, finding myself in one of those moments, I tackled my bookshelf and the three baskets that live on it.  In one of those baskets, I came across a the innocence of this smiling face.  

I sat there, staring at her rosy cheeks and big smile and started to think about all of the things I would tell her if I could go back in time…

·      Stop furrowing your brow, it takes away from the joy in your smile.

·      Travel every chance you get – the lessons you learn from other people, other cultures and the history of streets you walk on are far more profound than any lecture you’ll sit through.

·      Don’t be upset when someone teases you for having glasses, soon enough they’ll have to wear them too.

·      Relish in your childhood – responsibilities are overrated.

·      Don’t be afraid to be hurt because in those moments you gain strength and appreciation.

·      Laugh.  Often.  And loudly.  Others will see your joy and be drawn to your energy.

·      Smile at children.  Smile at old people.  Just smile.  Even when it seems like you can’t or shouldn’t, smiling brings happiness to your heart.

·      Be grateful every day.  For the people in your life, for the experiences and adventures you’ve been afforded.

·      Don’t be afraid to fail. 

·      Know yourself well and be comfortable and confident in who you are.

·      Listen to music – all kinds of it – it speaks to you in different ways.

·      Do things out of joy, and not obligation.

·      Find the things you’re passionate about, and go after them.

·      People treat you how you allow them to treat you – be cognizant of how you want to be treated – and set the bar high.  You’ll be glad you did.

·      If you’re curious about something, and in a safe environment, proceed with no regrets. 

·      Always assume the good in people.  Forgive quickly, resentment only hurts you.

·      Forgive yourself.  Every step, every decision whether good or bad is part of your journey.

·      Be as kind to yourself as you would be a stranger or your best friend.

·      Surround yourself with people who love you, encourage and support you and make you want to be a better person.  Remember, this is a two-way street, with intersections – and the cast will change as you grow.

·      Love fiercely.  Even when “rules” say otherwise. 

·      Be authentically you – there is no one else quite like you.  By being authentic, you attract authenticity.

·      Trust – trust the timing, the plan, the path and the purpose. 

·      Check in with your heart – your heart will always tell you what you need to hear or see.  Don’t worry, you’ll know when your heart is on-board.  It’s calm and you can feel it smiling from the inside out.  But be warned – sometimes you have to stop to actually feel that.

·      Take care of yourself and make time for yourself.

·      Be at peace in the quiet moments.

·      Don’t worry about things you cannot change.

·      If they mean something to you, tell them – you’ll never know when it’s the last moment you have with them. 

·      Find purpose.  Find passion.  Pursue them both.  Everyday.

Then I stop myself and smile, thinking… ahhh… but aren’t these messages something that the 33-year old me has enjoyed discovering?  Would I be doing the 4-year old me a disservice by cluing her in to the future and potentially changing her path.  At any rate, it was fun to think about… because I’m fairly certain the 33-year old me needed to hear each of those again.

So… what would you tell your younger you?