Dear Future Self

I wonder if you still remember me,

I wonder how you are doing,

I wonder if you have accomplished all our dreams,

Or if our dreams have grown and changed,

If they have shifted and morphed to bigger and better ambitions,

Or realities.

I wonder if you are happy.

If you are looking back at me with awestruck eyes,

And a heart willfully encouraging me to press on,

Wishing me to worry not because you are happy.

I worry about you sometimes,

I worry about letting you down,

I worry about not paving the way well enough for you now.

I hope you are doing well.

xoxo
Chido Dziva Chikwari

Image Source: Nakai Kazhanje
@sihle_kazh

I think about the future a lot and I also do a lot of retrospective thinking. I know people who are older than me will read this and tell me not to worry because things will be okay. Granted I'm also a believer in things being okay in the end but I'm also a believer in making purposeful decisions and mindful steps to get to where I want to be.

There are things burning in my heart and I know if I don't act nothing is going to miraculously make them come to pass. I know I have to work hard and I know that 20 years from now I don't want to look back at present day Chido and feel like I let myself down. So I look forward, I look to Chido 20 years from now in the hopes of not letting her down. I have a feeling one of the things she would tell me is RELAX WOMAN! Everyone does and I always plead guilty to that one but the lesson I'd like to share that I learnt when rereading this letter to myself is this: In everything that you do today be conscious of tomorrow. The decisions you make now have an impact on and make vibrations till eternity. It's important.

There is a quote by Warren Buffet that stuck me last week and he said, "Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago." PLANT! I have a son and undoubtedly one of my biggest drivers to work hard and SMART is my baby boy, I want to leave a legacy for him. I want him to have a good life. What I do now is not only critical for my future but for his as well.

I'm not advocating for big scary moves here, no. It's the little things:

• If you have the opportunity to, advance your education. Invest in yourself. 
• If you can, save some money. Open a savings account. Deposit a small amount every month. You never know when that will come in handy for future you. 
• Be disciplined about certain things! If there is something you have always wanted to do do it. Start that video blog, what do you have to lose? Register that business! Start writing that book. Nothing hurts more than having regrets. Don't carry "what if's" into your future. 
• If there is something you have always wanted to change about yourself change it. Wake up earlier. Make healthier decisions for your life - eat well, exercise. Spend more time with your mother and your father. 

Be purposeful about the decisions you make.

Do things future you will be grateful for.

And most importantly...

Keep Shining!!