Your future self is begging you

There’s a version of you ten years from now begging you to enjoy where you are a little more.

My 56 year old self is probably screaming to me now.

Because a decade later, my son would be in his teens. He’ll want to hang out with his friends. He might need me less, or not need me anymore. The days of household bliss with a young child will be over.

I beg you, enjoy it now!

A decade later, my wife and I will be hitting 60s soon. And maybe health will be for the worse. We’ll be less mobile, energetic. Having nurtured our children, what’s next? Will we still be able to go out and fulfil our dreams? Travel?

I beg you, do it now!

A decade later, my already elderly parents might no longer be around. Life is fragile. I’ll miss my mum’s cooking, her signature dishes of stewed pork ribs, minced chilli pork. Her back view always cooking in the kitchen. We’ll never be able to cook like she does. I’ll miss the quiet, calm presence of my dad in the house, sitting there watching TV. Ten years later, all that will be gone.

I beg you, savour it now!

I’m trying, I’m trying. Even in the midst of very trying challenges, stress, burnout, I remind myself that as I am now. I beg of myself. I converse with my 56 year old self. And he begged me. Everything.

I’m trying.