Dear Future Family

I recently created an assignment that had students looking ahead to the year 2040. They were to write about their predictions and give any advice to a family that might be opening their letter in 2040. As I read them, I was pleased to see so many having a positive outlook about the future, but so many were down and out on the future being anything but bright.  Some struggled with this task. So, I thought to myself that perhaps I should try to do this assignment. After all, I have had my share of ups and downs and at almost fifty, I have much wisdom to offer. So, here it goes.

 

Dear Future;

Please stop spending so much time on social media. Use it to improve your life, to brand yourself, to connect with others. If you spend hours and hours on it, it will consume you and you will lose valuable moments with your family and friends that you cannot get back. Gone, those moments will be gone.

Please pick up the phone and talk to people. I know you have no time, but a real person is the best thing because that’s how relationships are built. Stop texting all the time. This is coming from someone who had over 2,000 texts last month.

If your children need medication for ADD, do it. I spent years trying other alternatives and once the meds came into play along with their maturity … viola … a child who could manage emotions and school. Instead of constantly hearing about all the things my child couldn’t do and how my child was misbehaving he/she became the child that could manage every aspect of his life and get on the honour roll. There was no need to self-medicate to cope. That alone is worth the decision in the end.

Try to understand the younger generation because they will be your biggest teacher.

Work life balance is a load of____. You will need to find what works for you and patent it.

Do take time to spend many moments with the people who matter for you. Family or friends or both.

Try to take the time to cook healthy and have a vested interest in what goes in your body.

If you become rich, don’t become a snob. You were not rich before and you can return there alone!

Everything seems worse at night, go to bed and wake up in the morning and see your situation in a new light.

Don’t feel the pressure to have a mate or child that society puts on you. Do everything on your terms.

Volunteer! The world needs you and you need to share your skills.

Plan a date night once a month at least with your partner. Invest in the relationship.

Live by the following motto: For every negative there are three positives. Really, really try to do this.

Just ask, the worst they will say is no. Don’t ever lose your voice. You have options, you are not a victim.

Love every aspect of yourself, the fat, your rolls, your wrinkles. You are amazing.

When given a compliment a simple and grateful thank you will do with your head held up high.

Being spiritual or Godly does not mean you let people step on you. Speak up in a way that gets your point across but is not hurtful. We were never meant to act small and timid.

If you dream it, you can do it.

You always have some control in your life, even if you think you don’t.

Live each day to the fullest, you can rest in this life, but you will rest more when you are dead.

Unfortunately, there will be people out there that are not really who they appear to be. If you discover them, learn from this experience. Don’t let it get you down.

 

P.S. Please share one piece of advice to a future family in the comments section.