What would be infinitely valuable - but is alas, impossible - would be to send a letter to the past, to our younger selves. Actually, earlier this year CBS's This Morning began a reoccurring segment based on that premise, where celebrities read hypothetical letters to their younger selves. So far, to my knowledge, Maya Angelou, Chuck Close, and Oprah have been featured.
As today marks closing ceremony of the XXX Olympiad, this session of regular posts will come to a close. I'm not sure when I'll return, but following traditional it will be at least again during the 2016 Olympics. I tried to image myself four years from now, what I want that person to be like, and I'm mailing the following letter to myself:
Dear Future T.J.,
In 2016, more than anything, my hope is that you are finding balance. You've just started a new job, a first job after grad school. Be careful and mindful to keep a healthy perspective. You have a tendency towards workaholism; give your best for 40 hours but not a minute more. Don't let work bleed over into your other time. You're only getting paid for 40 hours and that's already too much time to lose. Although you've gained discretionary income, you've lost discretionary time. Money is one kind of freedon, but free time is another of which you now have less. With your time now more constrained, I hope that you're leaving time for yourself, for your health and your love of knowledge, continuing to learn through books, exploring art and the world. There is more out there than you'll ever have time to experience, so don't waste a precious moment more than you have to on work. Whatever your career becomes, if any random person on the street doesn't understand an aspect of your job, it's probably not important enough to waste much anxiety on. Remember the past, and everyone who's ever done anything for you. Pay forward the countless help you've received from your family, friends, mentors, and community. Roberta, especially, who you've been lucky enough to marry, has a good heart and kind soul. She likes you a lot. Remember all the support she's given you and how much color, warmth, and happiness she's added to your life. It's unimaginably better now than before she was a part of it. Finally, of course, remember not to put too much stock in any advice I offer. You have the experience and developed perspective that only four more years of life could purchase. I only wish it were I that could receive advice from you. So for now, to a happy future: my best wishes, my best hopes, and my best regards, from 2012. - T.J.
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