Because age shouldn’t forget how youth feels…

Nearing quarter of a century

Dear Me (hopefully a more graceful version),

I really hope you stumble upon this at a happy time in your life. Because it is often at your best, that you forget humility. When everything is rosy & going well, it is easy to forget what struggle feels like. Easy to forget how it felt to be unsure of the consequences of your actions. Of what is feels like, to battle on every front in your life. Of the joy in little victories. Of small celebrations. Of carefree ways & an unburdened life.

This is a period where you are starting to establish yourself in your professional circles. It’s a time where you look forward to things going a certain way. Dreams, hopes & aspirations are a part of your daily routine. There are people you look up to & wish to be like. Whatever you do, has already been done by someone else, & in a way far better than you. Never forget that. You are doing a number of things with a lot of zeal… whatever that led to, certainly doesn’t feel like a waste of time right now. Don’t regret what you did back here. That is what seemed like the right thing to do. And in any case, you wouldn’t have known better until you took the plunge. There are multiple things that you wish to do, at this point. Did you give at least half of them a shot? Or did it get lost in the mundane regimens of daily life? Its never too late to begin something. Just because it hasn’t been done before by someone this old, shouldn’t stop you. Its okay to be unsure. That is where you began. When you start again, it will be at the bottom. That’s okay too. If Chandler Bing can do it, so can you.

Just because you have grown older doesn’t make you right, automatically. Listen to other people, especially the younger lot. They bring in a freshness, that might have dissipated from your life over the years.

Skip the lecture. Do you remember, any advice given to you, only prodded your rebellious self?

Don’t be hardened by bad experiences. Always remember a good turn done unto you.

Don’t let go of civility, ever. Its easy to let ego come in the way. Let good sense rule, at such times.

Always see the best in people. Even if they aren’t at their best behaviour right now, always remember the time when they were there for you.

Some people you met through the course of your life showed you what not to be. Thank them. They are partially responsible for the person you have come to be.

You will realize people have changed over the years. You did too. Accept it. Do your best to empathize.

Act your age. You are constantly under scrutiny. There is a whole group of people, who look up to you. Don’t let them down.

Don’t dwell too much on the past. Particularly the nasty parts. Let those be a lesson & not your personal dementors.

Keep the romance alive. Make impromptu plans. Work other things around it. Appreciate little things. You did them at the start of your relationship. What could possibly be holding you back, now? Often trivialities matter. Pay attention to them. There are small ways in which you can show affection. Even if it is run of the mill, show it. If you have something to say, its best to let it out. The bad- definitely. But the good- especially. Don’t ever take your other half, for granted. Sure, you know them well. But they just might have changed their mind. Don’t assume. Always be polite. Often, it is with closest people that we can afford to be rude & quite naturally end up hurting more than anyone else. Don’t let it happen to your relationships.

There will be technology that you simply cant seem to follow. Remember, its user friendly. And that child is the father of man. But it usually comes at a price ;) :P

For heavens sake, do not go on & on about your kids. If people smile & show appreciation at this, its out of politeness. Not admiration. If anything, their thought bubble will read “Yeah right!”.

At weddings, never ask youngsters, “Do you know who I am”. Even if you are tempted to, don’t follow it up with “Tell me who”. Honestly, if you are asking that, you are not that memorable, obviously :P

Arguments, speeches, patronizing- end it ASAP! If you could keep it short back then, it shouldn’t be that hard, now!

Sincerely,

A dreamier me

P.S. Revisit your bouncier self every once in a while, although that does not mean dressing like your children or talking their lingo ;)