I was listening to the radio the other day when Brad Paisley’s “If I Could Write a Letter to Me” came on. It made me wonder what I would say if I could write a letter to my younger self.
The top three things I’d tell myself are the following:
- Get with God – you’ll be so much happier;
- Stay out of debt – you’ll have less worry about your future;
- Exercise and stretch properly to avoid a lot of physical pain in the future.
It’s always nice to look back and dream about how things might be different, but we need to look forward more than backward. We can’t change the past, only our futures. Too often we look back and blame it for the way our lives are. Sure we’ve made mistakes, but they can be overcome if we work hard.
Right now I’m working Dave Ramsey’s plan to get out of debt, and I’m doing physical therapy to alleviate my leg pain. I’d also like to think I’m good with God right now. So my future is looking much better than my past.
Paul knew the importance of not looking back. He wrote in Philippians 3:13-14 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
We should all want such a prize.
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We are products of our past, but we don’t have to be prisoners of it. – Rick Warren
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The more we look back, the harder it is to go forward. But it is fun to play the “What if” game. So what one piece of advice would you give a younger you? Please share it in the comment section below. Who knows someone might actually learn from your mistake.
If you or anyone you know is in need of prayer, please let me know. I’ll be happy to pray for the situation.
Dear Younger Me: Take the road less traveled, don’t take the easy way out and give into temptation no matter what your home life is like right now. God has great plans for you, listen to Him.
Great advice, Darlene. Thanks for sharing.
I would stress the importance of starting to save for retirement sooner rather than later. It should be a long-distance race, not a 50-meter dash!
I understand totally, Jeanna, and that is wonderful advice. Thanks for sharing.