Dear Futureme

An "under the radar" online service I love (I mean obsessed-in-love with) is called FutureMe.org. It's simple. You write yourself an email to be delivered to yourself at some point in the future. It can be next week, next year, I guess indefinitely as long as the service stays running and your email address is current. You can mark your letter private or public (your name isn't included but then you might not want to write anyone else's name which would show up in the body of the letter).

I've written the Future Me some powerful stuff (it seems I know how to push my own buttons) but this one below knocked my socks enough that I wanted to share it. Share it because, I believe, in the moment I was writing it that I was writing it to ME, but also to anyone knowing that change is a-coming and trying to come to grips with that and wanting to overcome potential fear but not sure how.

I received this letter on January 1, 2010 from myself written in November, 2009.

Here we go.

Dear FutureMe,

It's the start of 2010. Another decade. And you've been in New Orleans one month now. Are you secretly freaking out? I just wanted to give you a little pep talk from yourself from one month before. Because tonight, I'm sitting at Hidden Valley DYING without human contact and you're waiting for your life to begin.

There is much to be excited about in New Orleans, new job opportunities, new horizons, building friendships, possible relationships, a new place to called home. This is what you want. This is what you fought so damn hard for all year - clarity to make a decision about what you want to do with your life.

It's New Orleans. It's always been New Orleans. You know when you fall in love it's like getting hit by a bus. New Orleans captured your heart from that first visit. Don't judge it, don't make it into too much, just enjoy it. Some things CAN last forever. Don't be scared of forever or of commitment. You can do this Sloane Victoria.

Your heart will open again, and believe in all the wonderful things that life has to offer. You have the strength to get through the good and the bad. You haven't worn yourself too thin, you're just perfect the way you are.

Just keep working towards a goal, moving the cursor forward. I have all the faith in the world in you.

Remember, in your own way, you're fearless. You can do this. You are doing this. Don't be a statue, let people in, embrace the world and not just the parts you want to let show. Let people in and watch how the world embraces you. You can be scared, you'll always be scared, but this time around, work through that fear. Love more. Hope more. Don't sabotage because you're scared. I know you better than anyone, but we don't talk much like this anymore. Maybe we should.

You ever need me, just write a note. I'm the best resource you have. And I love you more than anything in the whole world. Remember that when you're down or in moments of doubt.

Love, Me