30 Pieces of Advice For My 18 Year Old Self
A note to the reader for context:
The other day, I saw a Facebook memory of something I posted when I was 18 years old. As I read the post, I got an overwhelming intuitive urge to write to him/myself. To reach across time and space and extend love/support along this quantum journey of existence.
So here it is…
Hey, it’s me.
Well, you, from the future.
Sheesh. Even just writing that made me think about time in a whole new way.
Like, I’m aware of you, and I know you, but you’re not aware of me. Or maybe I’m one of many vague projections of who you might be?
Time is the process of change. The past is our integrated experience, and the future is our possibilities. So, from my perspective, you’re part of my integrated experience. But from your perspective, I’m a possibility.
Happy to know you still philosophize about random shit?
(Yeah, me too)
So anyway, I’m writing this to you after about 16 more years of experience.
Am I living the dream? Yes, but not in the way you probably think (you’ll find out soon enough).
I’ll keep it real with this and only write what I know in my heart will benefit you. No bullshit, fluff or preachiness.
I’m just planting some seeds that might help you.
And who knows, maybe it’ll help us both somehow in this quantum omniverse.
How much I care about you is beyond words. It’s the purest love. If you pause and close your eyes right now, you can feel it reach you through time and space. That’s real.
Okay, so I distilled what I wanted to say to you into 30 quick points.
Here they are.
30 Pieces of Advice For You
Follow your inner calling, your curiosity and what lights you up.
Know thyself. (There’s a reason why this was inscribed in the Temple at Delphi in Ancient Greece. It’s a lot deeper than you might think it is.)
Practice mindfulness (whatever form of it resonates with you). If you can master your mind, you can master anything.
Don’t live by anyone else’s standards. Find the truest principles of reality you can and let those be your guide.
You don’t need to achieve anything to be worthy, happy or fulfilled. Learn how to find it within (it’s there, trust me) and express it. That’s how you create success in this world while enjoying yourself the whole time.
Use interesting questions to solve problems and spark new insights.
Live from the heart. Don’t get too caught up in your head.
You can learn something from everyone, everything and every situation.
Patience isn’t sexy, but it’s life changing.
Recognize what’s a waste of energy and what’s truly in alignment with where you want to go in life. Hint: Most surface-level pleasures are no more than shiny distractions.
Pause and feel the aliveness (the life force energy) in your body more often.
Genuine confidence comes from your soul, not your ego. And this soul-based confidence is what makes you magnetic to good things.
You have more power and wisdom within you, already, than you can even fathom.
Stay lighthearted. Keep your inner child alive. Life doesn’t always have to be so serious.
Never hold back a genuine compliment.
Savor the moment, always.
Don’t empty your cup to appease people, fill your cup so that you can serve people at the highest level.
Do no harm, take no shit.
Do the following every day: something creative, any meditation/mindfulness practice, move your body, tell someone you love them (remember, your habits determine your life).
All emotions are temporary. They come and go in waves. Learn to observe, sense and feel emotions, without being a slave to them.
Cherish your family. Cherish your romantic partner. Cherish yourself.
Want to build good relationships? Ask people meaningful questions and listen to them with full presence.
Discern instead of judging. Practice seeing the good, the bad and the weird in everything — from a place of loving neutrality.
Balance is key. Sometimes finding balance comes from trial and error. And that’s okay.
Every thought, word and action is an investment. Energy flows where attention goes.
You don’t have to be so hard on yourself. Really. Focus on appreciation and gratitude, even for the smallest things. That simple shift has a magical way of changing things in life.
What you’re looking for is looking for you.
Karma is real. And there’s levels to it.
God is everyone and everything (and the nothingness from which everything emerges).
It’s all good, even when it’s not all good. Learn to trust the higher, divine plan.
I honor you. Keep honoring yourself.
I trust you. Keep trusting yourself.
I love you. Keep loving yourself.
That’s all I have to say for now.
I love you infinitely,
Stephen
PS - If you ever need anything — any help at all — just close your eyes and ask with sincerity. Your request will be received. Trust.
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