Time travel

A video that went viral earlier this week (Dear 16 year Old Me - see link below) got me thinking about how often I've said, “If I'd known then what I know now, I would have done things differently.”
Ha. I've lost count of the times.

But, it makes me wonder – If I could travel back in time, what would I tell my younger self?  Back to when I was in High School with the self-consciousness and the rejection (oh the tears)..... when at 21, I unintentionally broke someone's heart, then at 25 when I discovered my boyfriend (who I was madly in love with) was unfaithful.  Those times when I settled for less than what I knew I deserved, when I did things (that didn't feel quite right) for fear of being rejected or alone.

What advice would I give myself if I could go back to those moments?

Yes, I know I can't travel back in time – and I understand that all of my life's experiences have led up to this moment in time.  Perhaps I would have been a different person if I'd done things differently.   I am now much more clear about who I am and I feel a compassion for myself (and all of my foibles) that I didn't have then.  I like who I am now, so I have no regrets.

But - if I could go back,  I would console myself, tell myself that I was doing the best I could – that 'he didn't deserve me anyway' and that I do deserve to be treated with respect.  I'd laugh at myself more and realize that those 'character building experiences' were worth it. I'd remind myself to stay true to my heart and values and that I would succeed by doing things in my own, unique way.   I'd encourage myself to stay emotionally open, knowing that I would eventually meet a very special man who loves me for who I am.   I would give myself a hug with the reassuring words, 'It's all going to work out for the best.  Relax and try not take things personally, or yourself so seriously." *

Wow.  These are all things I would say to my best friend. And that, in itself is a big shift for me - from self-criticism to compassion.

So, maybe the experiences we have in life are like arrows along the way, guiding us to a clearer understanding of who we are?  Hmmmm.  That certainly helps me look at the experiences I'll have today (and the future) in a new and much more positive light.

* By the way – props to my mom, who reminded me of these things all through my life. I'm sure she'd be very happy to know that I finally listened.

Here's a link to that video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4jgUcxMezM

So - what would you say to yourself if you could go back in time? What advice would you give the younger you?