Asking yourself some hard questions

Colleagues,

I’ve written before about referring to a picture of your childhood self in order to remind you to be nice to yourself. Treat yourself the way you would treat that child and let go of the self-criticism and negative talk.

Every now and then, I look more deeply at the photo I use, and I wonder what little Ricky was thinking in that moment.

However, this post is about a different picture. One of my cousins recently shared a picture of me from 1984. The look on my face in that picture has been like a needle in my brain over the past week. Without getting into all the emotions and details, I will simply say that it has been worth reflecting on the differences in my beliefs, attitudes, and values between yesterday’s 21-year-old and today’s 57-year-old. It has been hard, but worth it.

We change over the years, but we also remain the same. If you can find a picture of your younger self, look at it and reflect:

1. Can you still smile like that?
2. What did you value and what brought you joy back then?
3. In what ways are you thankful you have changed?
4. What do you wish you had retained?

 
Then think about what your answers say about who you are now. Examine the experiences that have brought you to today. Maybe choose to let go of some things, and to value more the things that you have held onto.

Do good and be well,

​Frederick