An Open Letter to My Future Self

Dear Future Self,

If you are reading this, you might have achieved some of the things that you prayed and hoped for since you were young. By that time, you might have scaled greater heights than you have imagined possible. Remember the Snowball Effect you wrote when you were still starting your blogging hobby? If I'm not mistaken, you are now in that snowball that's slowly gaining momentum and tumbling down the hill. You are now at the point of your life when you're slowly reaping the fruits of your labor.

As much as I am happy and proud of what you might have achieved, I can't help but have some reservations about your status. If you're reading this, please heed to these following reminders:

1. Take a Rest

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Success can sometimes be blinding that you forget about yourself. Power is corruptive, fame is fleeting, and money can't buy everything. Please don't be a slave and a zombie just to acquire them.

You might neglect your own welfare because there are greater feats to conquer. With the hype of getting to the top, you might sacrifice your own happiness.

"Great success requires greater sacrifice."
_{- Sachin Prabhu}

I get that and I agree with that. There's nothing wrong with sacrifice because in economic terms, "There's no such thing as free lunch.". You must give up something in order to acquire something, but don't give your everything. Leave something for yourself.

Take a break if you're confused. Take a rest if you're exhausted.

"Rest if you must, but don't you quit."
_{- Don't Quit by Edgar A. Guest}

I know what kind of person you are and I cheer you for that. Don't stop conquering mountains, both literally and figuratively. I know you can achieve your heart's desires without compromising yourself.

2. Cherish Your Family

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Success is only meaningful when shared. Don't neglect your family and always make them your inspiration in doing the things you ought to do. They are the reason why you continue to strive for the best.

Spend time with them as much as you can. You never know when they will be taken away from you or you will be taken away from them. Always make them feel that you love and care for them. I know that you are having a hard time expressing your feelings, but simple gestures will work. After all, they're the ones who fully understood your attitude and disposition in life.

I know that your pursuits might take your time away from them. It will always be the case. Just always have in contact with them. Always remember that you have a home to go whenever you felt tired of chasing all your pursuits in life.

3. Remember Your Friends

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Remember those who helped you in achieving your dreams. I know that you are choosy when it comes to friends and there's nothing wrong with that. One true friend is better than a hundred fair-weather friends.

Remember those who choose to be with you no matter how ugly you have become. They're your true friends and they're hard to find these days. Always be there whenever they need your help, not because you're returning the favor, but because they're your friends and that's what friends are for.

I know you are a fan of severing ties when someone wronged you, but I hope that you have toned down a bit. It's not always a good practice.

4. Be a Beacon of Hope

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Continue to inspire the youth, especially those who are marginalized and often neglected. Help them in your capacity. Sometimes it's not the amount of help that's important, but the idea that there are still people who cares. Show those people that you cared for them. Always look at them, especially the children, with compassion. Always remember that as long as you can hear the laughter and giggles of the children, there's still hope in this world.

Go out there and be aware of what's happening in places where only a few would dare to go. Bring with you the hope that was instilled in you when you were young. Spread that hope like a fire so that others will be like you.

5. Don't Forget Your Childhood and Where You Came From

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Remember that you came from a poor family in a mountain barangay in Negros Oriental.

Remember that you grew up with any idea about the internet. You had an amazing childhood. You had a fair share of experiences in both worlds: the old and the new.

Remember that eating rice was once a luxury because all you have was corn that was milled in a traditional stone mill.

Remember the time when you would go home without a pair of slippers because you forgot which tree you climbed you have left them.

Remember when you would bathe in the river and would not go home until 4:00 PM or until you have bloodshot eyes from constantly swimming and jumping from a cliff. Remember that you almost drowned three times in that place and you almost lost your hearing due to water intrusion into your ear. Remember that the place you grew up with taught you to be persistent.

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."
_{- Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) by Kelly Clarkson}

Remember that you never stopped until you knew how to swim. In the same way, whenever you want something, you never stop until you get them.

6. Stay In Love

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At least don't stop believing in love. I know that you have this tendency to shut yourself down and be numb when you're hurt. Just don't stop believing and loving. It's hard, but it will be worth it in the end. Love will always prevail. Don't fight against it, instead fight for it.

7. Don't Stop Learning

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You might settle on being average and that's fine. Just don't be stagnant and stop learning. Always have the same excitement whenever you are to learn something new. You only stop learning when you are to take your last breath. Some things are hard to learn and it's to be expected. I know you have the perseverance to continue with whatever you have started.

You will never run out of new things to learn and discover and I know it's exhausting. Some will just stop and be contented with what they have. Please don't stop. Don't let the Dunning-Kruger Effect ensnare you. Always remember this:

"The more you know, the more you know you don't know."
_{- Aristotle}

8. Know Your Grounds and Stand Firm on Them

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Maintain your standards and always calibrate your moral compass. When you know where you're standing, you better be firm on that. Don't get swayed as mob mentality is prevalent these days. Rise above the common opinion and do your own research. Always know at least two sides of the story first before making any judgments. There are issues that have vague or obscured facts so you better keep your judgment your own about them.

I know you love debates and heated discussions, but don't stoop down to common fallacies and faulty arguments. It's not worth your time. Stay away from stubborn and negative people. I know you will recognize when you find one. They will bring no good to you so it's better not to associate yourself with them.

9. Don't Be Too Hasty in Your Decisions

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I know your temper and you might sometimes make hasty decisions. Don't make everything final unless you have evaluated all your options. Think it through and recognize the repercussions of your actions.

Be vigilant of the changes, both in your own self and in your surroundings as they might affect your decisions. Only make a declaration once you are certain about it.

10. Don't Take the Shortcuts

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Don't fall in easy-money, rich-quick schemes or anything that's too good to be true as I did in the past. As they say:

"If it's too good to be true, it probably is."

If everyone's doing it, that doesn't mean you will follow them. Do your own research and evaluate all the risks involved according to your own risk appetite. Your risk appetite might be different from mine as you have accumulated experiences through the years. Just don't forget No. 9.

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As you have continued to gain knowledge and experience through the years, your perception of the world will continue to evolve and expand. Those reminders might be nothing to you anymore. Just always be happy and healthy.

Sincerely,
Your Past Self

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_{Note: Images are from pixabay.com and edited using canva, except the last image.}