Sunday 23 September 2012

Letter to the 12 year old me


Happy 12th birthday, Vaishali!

I was about to make you a card but then, what fun would that be? 

If this letter reaches you, I advise, you start believing in miracles… and if you understand any of my suggestions written in it, I shall be witnessing a huge miracle, too. 

Lend me your ears; help me change ‘our’ lives.

I know you because I’ve been you. Well, okay, let’s get introduced first. I am you… just add ten years to your sweet life and you’ll get me as your future You. Now, as much as I know you, you’ll not take this letter seriously but you’ll read it till the very end. 

Don’t expect me to help you with your future details and exams and stuff. That’s your headache!

I’m just going to put things down in simple words. I know you won’t heed to any of that but please, and I mean PLEASE do keep this letter safe with yourself for future reference. Okay? Get it framed, laminated, whatever… just don’t lose it like you lose your pencils every other day.


Twelve honest advices I hope you take in… with a bonus thirteenth. –

  1. You don’t know but you have a really good puppy-dog face. Use it smartly; it will make your life much easier.
  2. That black, thick diary in your shelf (?)… Write in it. Daily.
  3. Relations are peculiar; they are strange. Don’t take them for granted… even the best ones.
  4. Stop being a recluse. Participate in social activities. Quit your stage fear.
  5. Apologize if you are wrong… even for the small things; sometimes, being late can be too late.
  6. Don’t compare yourself with others; things can get much worse than they are and a lot better, too… it’s all in your hands.
  7. Bad times have an expiry date. Always.
  8. Cry if you must but don’t be a coward EVER. Speak up!
  9. Develop a passion. Create. Invest your time in art and literature. You’ll thank me.
  10. Math is easier than you think. Try, at least.
  11. Stop procrastinating. I can give you 70 good reasons why but that’s not the point… you have to quit putting things on tomorrow.
  12. Shed your stubbornness… you won’t be pampered all your life.


I know you’ve always wondered about this and I hope it makes a difference now that you have an answer –

   13. Believe in dreams. They do come true. 

Don’t forget to make some happy moments this birthday. There is a lot more to be said… let’s save it for your thirteenth, shall we? 
 Here’s hoping a much better version of

(Your future self)


This post is part of the contest A letter to yourself.. on WriteUpCafe.com

48 comments:

  1. Point 13 Is the best one.. DReams only come true for those WHO DREAM.. So Dream ONE MUST..

    lovely advice and a very happy birthday From my side too , to the 12 year old :)

    Bikram's

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    Replies
    1. True... dream one must. Thanks for leaving your thoughts, Bikram. :)

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  2. Wow ... this was quite an amazing birthday gift i should say !!!

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  3. Very well written, Vaishali!
    All the best:)

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  4. http://effortlesslife0.blogspot.in/2012/09/take-life-by-balls.html

    Is the answer to your post.

    Keep Penning down.

    I dont know if I have said this to you but I would like you to write for the new literary magazine (international circulation) that will be launched in India with the first issue coming out next month. I could mail you the details if you like. :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks a ton, Nikhil! I'll definitely try going for it. Please do send me the details. :)

      Delete
  5. This was a very 'inventive' take on the given theme. I'd have used the word 'creative' but then you went for the time-travel! :)

    I really enjoyed reading it. Thank you.

    Time Travel is a very complicated subject. I'd recommend you to read 'The Prisoner of Azkaban' to witness an excellent use of time-travel in story.

    Btw, do you realize that if time travel was ever to be invented by the human race, we would already have it! :)

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    Replies
    1. That's the result of haste, I believe. As much as I was skeptical about using that picture, your comment made me remove it. Thank you for the nice response to it. More than anything, I'm glad to hear from you. :)

      As an idea, 'time travel' is ingenious but I doubt its verity. So, yeah, I do realize that.

      Delete
    2. Miscommunication! For which I blame myself alone. I didn't mean to say that your story wasn't 'creative' but I chose the word 'inventive' because it suited more to your kinda scientific story, and had the same meaning of 'creativity in thought or action'. Good day! :)

      Delete
    3. To get any sort of positive review from you is such a pleasure, Prateek. Even when the post isn't THAT good, your reviews make them look good. Can there be anything better?! And there was no miscommunication, really. Thanks a lot! :)

      Delete
  6. LOL for the first advice, which is true, you have a cute face. And I believe 7, 9 and 10 holds true to me. I wish I was 12 years old now, so that I can use it for my future. For 11th, though I learnt the word fairly young in my life but implemented it after meeting my husband. He never ever procrastinates.

    A wonderful and mighty useful letter to self. All the very best for the contest :)

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    1. Thanks a lot, Saru! :D

      For the first point: I didn't really mean I have a cute face but I can make a real puppy-dog face. If only I had learnt it earlier and in a better way!

      And, really, it's great to know about you, even if a little. Thanks for the wishes, too! :)

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  7. Goodness me! You have dished out some real pearls of wisdom! Wonderful..!!

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    1. Thanks a ton, Panchali ji! It's always a pleasure hearing from you. :)

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  8. hehe good one yaaaa !!
    the best one was the 13th , Law of attraction always work i mean ALWAYS !!
    best of luck :)

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    1. Thanks, Sunny! :) I didn't understand the bit about 'Law of attraction'. :o

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  9. Hmmmm! a great collection of reminders which we usually forget ;) Life is too beautiful & we must enjoy it! And, yes! you have a cute face :)

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    1. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Gayatri, and for the compliment, too. :blush blush:

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  10. Hmm.!! elements with time travel are always amazing!! nice shot!

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  11. The one i liked best was 'Bad times have an expiry date. Always' :D

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  12. well..that was thought provoking..a nice way to look at the way how you have come this far

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  13. an interesting letter, with some handy advise....:)

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  14. Nice one..
    'Maths is easier than you think...' I always had a problem with maths... ;)

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    Replies
    1. I still have and see it's more important than I'd thought it would be. Guess, that's why I want her to give it a try. :)

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  15. What a lovely letter your future self has written for you. So, when are taking to the stage Vaishali? When do we see you singing, dancing, acting, speaking on stage?
    Pay heed to the advice and start preparing, wonderful times await you.
    Keep posting Vaishali :)

    Regards

    Jay
    http://road-to-sanitarium.blogspot.in/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope the past me understands the pointers and you'd soon see me doing all of that. Nevertheless, it's not too late to start now, what say?

      Thanks for stopping by! :)

      Delete
  16. Lovely letter one could write to one self... :)

    Do land in my world some time... :)

    http://apparitionofmine.blogspot.in/
    http://creativeworldofnoopur.blogspot.in/

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Noopur! And your world is quite interesting, I must say. :)

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  17. What a creative idea and wonderful approach for your upcoming year(S)! Happy belated birthday. . .we are both September babies. LOL:>) [I like your list and as others commented, #13 is the best.]

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    1. Not September, January actually. ;)

      Thanks a lot for the wishes and Sweeeet comment. :)

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  18. Hey I am first tym at ur blog... Its just awesome... Nd this poast too good... Main impressive thing is. In short tym..Just 4 month u got lot of attention.. Comment awards... Thats big thing.. Ndmotivate me. All d best. Keep writing..waiting for your next post..:)

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    1. Thanks a lot, Ajnabi!(That's a cute way to address someone.) lol

      I just tried my best in the first two months... have been pretty inactive since past two months but your comment makes me want to drop my exams and join in again asap.

      But, well, sanity prevails and I'll again go in the hibernate mode. :)

      Thanks for your visit. :)

      Delete
  19. well ths s an impressve blog i must say...loved it...keep flushing more of your thoughts towards us...i don't know whether you read much of hindi or not but if you do...then visit my blog and have a look...

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    Replies
    1. Thanks a lot, Pranshu! Those are really encouraging words. :)

      Delete
  20. www.pranshuprashu.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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