An Open Letter to Myself, 5 Years Ago
Hello, 16-year-old Ryan. It's me, 21-year-old Ryan.It's been a while. I haven't forgotten about you. How could I, with Facebook reminding me every day now of the things you said, cared about, and focused on. I'll say it's been... interesting to say the least. It had almost slipped my mind how cute I used to be.Others would look upon their younger selves with scorn, but I do not. I do not hold against you the innocent, energetic, and often cringy way in which you viewed life and presented yourself. I quite envy it.But overall? I want to say thank you.
Thank you
Thank you for the steps you took to make me who I am today. You created so much for one so young. You did what it took to release your first ever podcast, your first ever YouTube channel, and take your first steps towards figuring out what this crazy world of content creation and design could look like.Today, I have a job because you weren't satisfied with goofing off as a teen. You took the time to think about what you wanted to do. Who you wanted to be. Your choices lead to who I am today, and I'm incredibly grateful.Thank you for the pain you went through. I haven't forgotten about the girl you liked but didn't date because of your conviction to not date until adulthood. Though I can empathize with the pain you felt later on when she got a boyfriend and things never went anywhere with her, I can't exactly say I'm sorry. Today I have a beautiful, God-loving girlfriend that I can't wait for you to meet. She points me (you) to God and shows His love to me on a daily basis, and I'm thankful to God for putting her in my life. It was you, my younger self, who took the steps to make yourself who I am today. I'm thankful, because now I have the honor and privilege to show God's love to her as we grow in our relationship and both seek God together.
What you could do differently
Do something every week. I know how busy you are. But I also know how much you play Minecraft. Even if it's just filming something you know you can't edit now, or editing for 5 minutes. Do it.Read your Bible more. I know it's hard to pick it up and read it on a daily basis. The motivation isn't really there right now. But I know that your faith is there. And I know that you love God. Make an effort to spend time with Him. Even if it's just one chapter, you are capable of spending more time with God than you do. Let Him fill and enrich your life.Finally? Don't worry. God is in control of your life, and you don't have to freak out about everything. He holds you when it comes to your future job, your schooling, your future love-interest, your extra-curricular activities, and the whole path He's going to lead you on to get where I am today and beyond. And you know what? A lot of it you won't even see coming, but it's going to be awesome. Trust Him, let him guide you, and do not fear."Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." -Proverbs 3:5-6"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9This was a speedwrite done to challenge myself. This was written in a collective thirty minutes of time.