Dear Younger Will
There's a new "challenge" on the Internet lately, one that's been popping up over just about everyone's social media news feeds: the 10-year Challenge. People are posting a photo of them from 2009 versus a photo of them from 2019. I still have to remind myself that it's 2019, let alone that we're in the last year of the 2010s. It feels like the 2010s went by a faster than the 2000s, but that's another story.
Seeing all the "10 Year Challenge" posts got me thinking about how much has changed in the past. In the spirit of the 10 Year Challenge, I'll do one myself - but with a twist: a "Dear Younger Me" letter that the Will from today would tell the Will from January 19, 2009:
Dear Younger Will,
As you read this, you are halfway through 8th Grade at Hungary Creek Middle School. In just a few months, middle school will be thankfully over. There's no way around it, Will: middle school stinks. I'm not writing to tell you otherwise. But take heart - it's almost over and you'll be better off because of middle school, even if you don't always feel that way. This fall, you'll be a freshman at J.R. Tucker High School, so you will get that "new start" that you were clamoring for at the end of the 7th Grade.
10 years from now, you'll be 24 years old. Right now, 10 years seems like forever from now. Heck, the end of middle school seems like forever from now. But I'm going to tell you now: those 10 years are going to go by faster than you think. Time goes by faster as you get older. With that in mind, fin the small joys in each day. Each day is a blessing in itself. It's a reminder that God's not done with you, that He's got a purpose and plan for you greater than you'll ever know, even if you can't see what He has in store.
The truth is, a lot of times you're not going to understand what God has in store. There are going to be times you're going to be lost, confused, hurt, and upset. You'll be at a loss of words, feel like an outsider, or feel like you're not good enough. Those will be the times that you'll need God, friends, and family to remind you that you are not an outsider and that you are good enough. You always were.
You're a good guy. Don't beat yourself up too much. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, humility is thinking of yourself less. Remember that. The smallest mistakes can manage to frustrate you the most, like getting a "B" on a test. Try not to dwell on those. Life's too short to dwell on that. 10 years from now, you're not going to remember what you got on a math test or science quiz. You know what you will remember? The people you met and the memories you made along the way. Cherish those. God has a way of putting people in your life when you need them. There's so many great people you're going to meet that you haven't met yet. You'll learn a lot from them. You'll grow with them. Show them that you care about them, that you love them.
If you haven't figured it out yet, you're a funny guy. Don't resort to self-deprecating and know when (and when not to) make jokes. You have a lot of great gifts and talents - use those to build others up and help others. What good is it if you have talents and gifts that you never share with others? God gave you them for a reason.
Timing is everything, but not everything is timing. God's timing is perfect. Your's isn't. You'll have a way of wanting to have your life mapped out...only for a curve ball to be thrown in there. They say that life is 10% what happens and 90% how you react. Work on that 90% and find healthy ways to manage stress. Don't live in your head so much and let go of your worries, anxieties, and insecurities. You won't be an awkward 8th grade that much longer.
Stay true to yourself.. You have an idea of who you are - and over the coming years you'll learn more about yourself. Be at peace over who you are. You really are a great guy that works to do the right thing. Keep doing that. Don't lose that work ethic and attitude. Who you are "will" take you a long way. Be open and honest with those that matter. Authenticity goes a long way.
Above all else, have fun! You're going to have more fun than you can ever imagine. Watch and quote Spongebob Squarepants. I know you've gone back and forth about liking it because it's gone in and out of style, but you'll ultimately be thankful for the laughter it brought you. That's another thing - forget about the in-crowd and what people say. Use that uniqueness that you have to your advantage. Eat cake for breakfast (on special occasions). Sing Taylor Swift songs and make stupid jokes and puns. Keep writing. Once you rediscover your love of flannel shirts, wear them a lot. Live out those dreams that you've always had, like going to watch the Green Bay Packers or Wisconsin Badgers. Heck, go see the Milwaukee Bucks play! Hang out at coffee shops (spoiler alert - you'll start drinking coffee towards the end of college), shop at TJ Maxx (no, this wasn't a typo), and go to church. Don't stop going to church, reading the Bible, and spending time with God. At the end of day, that's what will matter - your relationships with God, family, friends, and so on.
So there you have it, Will. I know it's easy to smile, nod, and ignore this, but I promise that this will all help you. I would also tell you to save as much money as you can, but you'll inevitably forget to do that until after college. Your middle name is Wheat - own that! And one more thing: you're going to create a blog later this year - don't forget about it! To quote Monk, "you'll thank me later". You've got some great years ahead of you, Will - enjoy them!
Sincerely,
Future Will
Seeing all the "10 Year Challenge" posts got me thinking about how much has changed in the past. In the spirit of the 10 Year Challenge, I'll do one myself - but with a twist: a "Dear Younger Me" letter that the Will from today would tell the Will from January 19, 2009:
Dear Younger Will,
As you read this, you are halfway through 8th Grade at Hungary Creek Middle School. In just a few months, middle school will be thankfully over. There's no way around it, Will: middle school stinks. I'm not writing to tell you otherwise. But take heart - it's almost over and you'll be better off because of middle school, even if you don't always feel that way. This fall, you'll be a freshman at J.R. Tucker High School, so you will get that "new start" that you were clamoring for at the end of the 7th Grade.
10 years from now, you'll be 24 years old. Right now, 10 years seems like forever from now. Heck, the end of middle school seems like forever from now. But I'm going to tell you now: those 10 years are going to go by faster than you think. Time goes by faster as you get older. With that in mind, fin the small joys in each day. Each day is a blessing in itself. It's a reminder that God's not done with you, that He's got a purpose and plan for you greater than you'll ever know, even if you can't see what He has in store.
The truth is, a lot of times you're not going to understand what God has in store. There are going to be times you're going to be lost, confused, hurt, and upset. You'll be at a loss of words, feel like an outsider, or feel like you're not good enough. Those will be the times that you'll need God, friends, and family to remind you that you are not an outsider and that you are good enough. You always were.
You're a good guy. Don't beat yourself up too much. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, humility is thinking of yourself less. Remember that. The smallest mistakes can manage to frustrate you the most, like getting a "B" on a test. Try not to dwell on those. Life's too short to dwell on that. 10 years from now, you're not going to remember what you got on a math test or science quiz. You know what you will remember? The people you met and the memories you made along the way. Cherish those. God has a way of putting people in your life when you need them. There's so many great people you're going to meet that you haven't met yet. You'll learn a lot from them. You'll grow with them. Show them that you care about them, that you love them.
If you haven't figured it out yet, you're a funny guy. Don't resort to self-deprecating and know when (and when not to) make jokes. You have a lot of great gifts and talents - use those to build others up and help others. What good is it if you have talents and gifts that you never share with others? God gave you them for a reason.
Timing is everything, but not everything is timing. God's timing is perfect. Your's isn't. You'll have a way of wanting to have your life mapped out...only for a curve ball to be thrown in there. They say that life is 10% what happens and 90% how you react. Work on that 90% and find healthy ways to manage stress. Don't live in your head so much and let go of your worries, anxieties, and insecurities. You won't be an awkward 8th grade that much longer.
Stay true to yourself.. You have an idea of who you are - and over the coming years you'll learn more about yourself. Be at peace over who you are. You really are a great guy that works to do the right thing. Keep doing that. Don't lose that work ethic and attitude. Who you are "will" take you a long way. Be open and honest with those that matter. Authenticity goes a long way.
Above all else, have fun! You're going to have more fun than you can ever imagine. Watch and quote Spongebob Squarepants. I know you've gone back and forth about liking it because it's gone in and out of style, but you'll ultimately be thankful for the laughter it brought you. That's another thing - forget about the in-crowd and what people say. Use that uniqueness that you have to your advantage. Eat cake for breakfast (on special occasions). Sing Taylor Swift songs and make stupid jokes and puns. Keep writing. Once you rediscover your love of flannel shirts, wear them a lot. Live out those dreams that you've always had, like going to watch the Green Bay Packers or Wisconsin Badgers. Heck, go see the Milwaukee Bucks play! Hang out at coffee shops (spoiler alert - you'll start drinking coffee towards the end of college), shop at TJ Maxx (no, this wasn't a typo), and go to church. Don't stop going to church, reading the Bible, and spending time with God. At the end of day, that's what will matter - your relationships with God, family, friends, and so on.
So there you have it, Will. I know it's easy to smile, nod, and ignore this, but I promise that this will all help you. I would also tell you to save as much money as you can, but you'll inevitably forget to do that until after college. Your middle name is Wheat - own that! And one more thing: you're going to create a blog later this year - don't forget about it! To quote Monk, "you'll thank me later". You've got some great years ahead of you, Will - enjoy them!
Sincerely,
Future Will
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| Me in Nevada, August 2008. What a (Hoover) Dam difference 10.5 years make! |
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