Sharing Knowledge with Your Younger Self
What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me-practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
(Philippians 4:9)
April 2nd was the 39th anniversary of my broken back and short-lived paralysis. I was just a couple of months from college graduation, and I finished my degree in the hospital. Now, at 60 years old, there are several truths I would like to tell my 21-year-old self. Here are just a few of those founts of wisdom. First, several stinky moments will come, but you will weather them and not just endure but grow. Second, you will have some fantastic moments that defy what the doctors envision for the rest of your life. Third, God will bless you with a wonderful wife and a daughter that ain’t too big a pain in the neck. You will have a son-in-law you are proud of and two grandsons that tease you mercilessly.
Fourth, even when life is harsh, God will not feel far away. Fourth, you will not give up, partly because you’ve already been through the greatest fear of your life. All other challenges will seem minor in comparison. Fifth, you will continue making mistakes, but God will help you own them and learn from them. Sixth, the more you succeed, the more you experience imposter syndrome. You will overcome it by accepting yourself, as God has accepted you. Seventh, no success will make you eternally famous, and no perceived failure will define you.
These seven statements were just simple examples to spark your creativity. The list of information I would like to share with my younger self is long. I assume I am not alone. You are encouraged to talk to your own younger self. If you are 18 years old, what would you tell your nine-year-old self? If you are 80, what would you tell your 30-year-old self? Do not remain simplistic, but share your innermost joys and struggles. Then, even more challenging, tell your younger self how God walked with you through each phase of your life. By meeting this challenge, you will recognize your resilience and God’s commitment to your life, now and for eternity. Thinking about what you would say to your younger self is a spiritual practice that will empower you now and for the rest of your life!