Dear Future Me,

On a day like today, when the storm is calm, and very little has occurred, I ask you to think of me and remember how far you have come. In each day passed since the last time you've thought of me, you have continued to find your way. You have found the importance of both the beauty and pain that hides between the cracks of all life's experiences. You've learned something new about yourself thanks to a mistake you once wish you'd never made. You've formed an opinion on a topic you had never once thought about. Most importantly, though, you have moved one day closer to becoming the "you" that you've always dreamed of becoming, whoever it may be.

I hope with all my heart that when you think of me, some of the dreams you once had begun coming true. I hope that you have found the people in life that bring you the utmost joy, the kind of joy that consumes you and lifts you off your feet. I hope that you have learned to say "yes" to the once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and "no" to the situations that shade your life with darkness. I hope that you have begun to learn the importance of living in the moment and letting go of all the things that once weighed you down from being the person you so often talked about being someday.

I hope that you have learned to smile every chance you get, and that you remember how good it feels to laugh until your stomach hurts, because everyone needs a little more of that. I hope that you have made some choices in life that you regret, because it keeps you on track to the right ones. I hope that every day, no matter where in this world you may be, you remember where you came from and who helped you get here. Remember to thank them as often as you can, and keep them in your heart, always.

I hope in this crazy life that you have felt joy, but even more than that, I hope you have felt pain. The kind of pain that breaks your heart and changes your life forever, because that pain is a reminder of how incredible the good days feel when they come around again. I ask you to please never lose sight of that difference.

I hope that you find it in your heart to forgive those you have done you wrong, and to search for the good in everything, because life is far too short to be anything but happy. I hope that you continue to dream bigger than your mind is capable of dreaming, and that you work harder than anyone else in the world to get there, because no one deserves it more than you do. I hope that you find the strength to move forward when everything in the world is pushing back against you, and to remind yourself that you are stronger than you seem.

I hope that you remember to be brave in your moments of weakness, and to learn from others every chance you get. I hope that in this world, where you can be anything you want to be, you choose to be kind, and giving because life needs a whole lot more of that. I hope you know that life can be a cruel place for a person with a beautiful heart, but never let that stop you from sharing it with others, because it will change your life.

More than anything in this world, I hope that you find love -- the kind of love that leaves you breathless and terrified all at the same time. I hope that you have found someone perfectly flawed that completes you like no one in the world ever has. I hope that when you find this love, you never let it go, and remind them of how grateful you are to have them each and every day.

Before I leave you today, I hope that wherever you may go, or whoever you become, you know that occasional failure and heartache is inevitable in this world. That’ll never change, but it doesn’t make this crazy life any less important. Remember that everyone is fighting their own battles, and everyone is different. Remember, however, the one thing that forever remains the same: that we are all only human. You will make mistakes, you'll feel joy, and you'll feel pain. You will find yourself confused and hurt, yet so incredibly in love and infatuated with your life all at the same time.

Let me remind you that today, and every day from now until forever, the love and the life shared with those who truly care about you is what will keep you going on the days that your heart feels nothing but empty and broken. I can promise that life will hit you harder than you will ever expect, so let it. Let it hit you so hard that you fall flat on your back that it knocks the wind out of you. Lie there for a moment, and allow yourself to feel the pain and catch your breath, then pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and fight back. Fight so hard that you have absolutely nothing left in this world to give, for in that moment of nothingness, you'll know you’ve done everything you could do. In that very moment you’ll know what life’s all about, you’ll know why this crazy beautiful life is all worth it.

When the storm calms for you once again as it has for me today, you will find the person you've always wished to be, standing there in front of you. Take pride in that person and love yourself with all your heart.

Remember me always, but keep moving forward,

Your Past Self