I love surprises. Some of the best things in life can come to you by surprise — falling in love, laughing, sneezing, giving birth, farting, running into an old friend, and meeting someone new.
Last year I stumbled upon a collection of letters that I had stored in a closet at my father's house. I found them just in time – they were letters that I had instructed my Arroyo Grande high school juniors to write to themselves in the English class I taught. I told the students that I would keep the letters private and sealed, and deliver them the letters in five years, in the year 2011.
Driving to the post office, I excitedly stamped each student's self-addressed envelope and decided to leave the return address blank. I, the old teacher, am not the important one here, and hence, need not be personally advertised or displayed on this letter they wrote to themselves. How interesting to imagine them opening their letters, and re-meeting themselves five years later!
Surprise yourself. Receiving a self-written letter in the future could remind you of something important or meaningful that you may have forgotten (or wish you'd forgotten!). It can reflect the ways in which you have grown, show you how you have remained the same, and often provide for some really good laughs.
How to:
You will need someone you trust who will be willing to send the letter to you in five years. The person you ask to send this letter to you could be a friend, family member, mentor, or teacher.
Begin by writing your name at the top of the paper in greeting to yourself. Feel free to include a recent picture of yourself in the letter.
What questions do you want to ask yourself?
Some example questions:
1) What has been your favorite age so far and why?
2) What are the five ingredients you would suggest for a rich life?
3) What are some of your dream jobs?
4) What do you fear?
5) Who do you admire?
6) How do you calm yourself?
7) What has been the most life altering moment or experience of your life so far?
8) Where do you want to go that you haven't gone to yet?
9) What do you think you will be like in 20 years?
Answer your questions in whatever manner is most comfortable to you. It's not necessary to answer in full sentences, and you can elaborate on an answer as much as you want.
Put the letter in an envelope and address it to yourself (or you can list a parent or friend's address that you think will stay the same over time).
Ask that person that you can depend on to put the letter away for safe keeping, and to send it to you in five (or ten if you want!) years.
An inspiring message that one of my Arroyo Grande students' wrote to himself on the back of his self-addressed envelope – "Here it is! Look familiar?"
|
