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There was a topic on this morning's "Thought For The Day" that got me thinking (the clue's in the title I suppose), and that was on a subject which I later found, via Google to be quite a popular notion.

Put quite simply, if you could send a letter back in time to yourself, aged 11, what would you say?

I think I might put something like...

Hi QuarterPart,

You don't know me - yet, but I know you, of old, so I thought I'd send you some words of advice to help you on your way.

I know you've always been pretty strong-willed - or stubborn, if you prefer, and although that does have its merits it always helps to take note of other people's points of view, whether you agree with them or not.

Always stick to your principles & try not to be pressured by the 'In'-crowd. One day your radical ideas about Conservationism WILL be the 'In' thing, no matter how bizarre a notion that might seem.

Next year you'll be taken on a School Trip to see the local College's computer. Believe it or not it can actually store a whole KILOBYTE of memory - that is, until it has to be powered down to cool off. Don't just think of this as merely something you'll only ever see Captain Kirk managing to operate. In less than 40 years everyone will have their own computers that can handle at least 100, 000 times that amount, and what's more they'll be carrying them around in things called 'Mobile Phones' (a bit like Captain Kirk's communicators, only much more advanced).

Take no notice of that Careers Teacher of yours. He doesn't know what he's talking about. He'll try telling you about all the qualifications you'll need to get into the Army. The truth is that they don't ask for any, as they give their own exam.

Don't be ashamed of the way your Father is constantly beating you up. Have a word with Mr Baggely about it - he's going to be the Deputy Head next term, and you can trust him to do something about it.

I know you have one major crush on Carol - no, don't deny it - we know better than that, don't we? Well, take the bit between your teeth & tell her how you feel. After all, what's the worst that can happen? She can only say 'no', and even if she does, then what have you lost?

You'll be getting a Brother in a few weeks, and get this, it's going to be on their Wedding Anniversary. Take care of him. You're going to be proud of him for the rest of your life.

And most important of all, be sure to let your Mum know how much you love her. You won't get another chance once she's gone.

Anyway Kiddo, Stand true, don't be a sheep, go against the flow & be yourself.

See you in another 40 years or so.

You sound like Polonius talking to Laertes. I bet you'd have taken that letter & ripped it up!

AnneBoleyn;1460494 wrote: You sound like Polonius talking to Laertes. I bet you'd have taken that letter & ripped it up!
I doubt it. I was very philosophical even then - and was thought of as being 'weird' because of it.

Just kidding. I've always treasured the 'weird'. It's just that it did remind me of Polonius lecturing Laertes, I mean giving good, well-meaning advice, of course.

I think I'd have written "Don't pay more attention to others than you pay to yourself. You are the most important person in your world. The world is a shallow place---play outwardly by their rules; inwardly by your own."

I don't think I would have listened to that at 11, but maybe if the right person told me.....................

PS--I definitely would have kept it short (and sweet).

The world is a shallow place---play outwardly by their rules; inwardly by your own."
I like that bit. That could have applied to me.

FourPart;1460483 wrote: ... if you could send a letter back in time to yourself, aged 11, what would you say?


I wouldn't burden myself and jinx my childhood. I've done many dangerous things in my life. Some of them were not my doing, some were. If I were to caution myself before I even started out in life it might influence the future decisions I would most certainly have been forced to make. I am 67 today, I have many regrets but also many lucky stars to thank. All things considered I've done alright for myself. I've got both arms and both legs with all of the extremities at the ends of them. I have a magnificent relationship with my family and I've even been awarded a cat, a puppy, and a pint on Forum Garden. Com. What more could one want out of life? Sending a letter to myself at the age of 11 would have had an adverse effect - and my life would have turned out differently. No Thanks! :yh_wink

I started keeping a personal journal in 1984, in my 30s. I wrote regularly for several years and then, only occasionally.

I wrote on only one side of the page back then, and I've recently started to write again, on the blank page. It's quite a fascinating process. Part of me is the same as I was then, which I didn't expect. And it makes me feel as if I'm playing with time, the 65 year old talking with the 35 year old. Odd, but exciting too.

theia;1460524 wrote: I started keeping a personal journal in 1984, in my 30s. I wrote regularly for several years and then, only occasionally.

I wrote on only one side of the page back then, and I've recently started to write again, on the blank page. It's quite a fascinating process. Part of me is the same as I was then, which I didn't expect. And it makes me feel as if I'm playing with time, the 65 year old talking with the 35 year old. Odd, but exciting too.


That's interesting. I only need to look 5 years back at myself (at any given point) and I see an idiot.