Hindsight Insights

If you could have a conversation with your 18 year-old self, what words of advice would you give?

I asked that exact question to nine adults over age 50 and here are the answers they shared in a random order. Five men and four women.

• Don't be so critical of yourself. As a child and (one day) as a parent, you'll do better than you think. Be true to yourself and trust yourself. You do have good instincts, ideas and thoughts. Stop trying to prove yourself good enough. You only have to please yourself. One day you'll step back and appreciate all you've done.

• Study German over French. Ask more questions. Take more chances. Get out more. Travel. Regular exercise is a good thing. Think before you act. Don't drink so much (alcohol). Think of others before yourself.

• You will die. Big change is inevitable. Whatever you worry about today, will be different tomorrow.

• Don't sell the Roadrunner. You can never have too many cams. Don't inhale. 

• Slow down. Take better care of your body so it will be in better shape when you get older.

• Live on your own before you get married. Then you will know you can care for yourself and will marry for love versus for someone else to take care of you.

• If you want to do something, do it now. You don't have all the time in the world.

• Work on life balancing. Don't invest so much into work and the kids. You deserve to have a social life and time to work on yourself.  

Amazing insight. Don't you think?

When I asked this question, I told each one to take some time to reflect and to give me their answer later. Not a single person needed time. Each answered the question immediately, as if intuitive awareness floated around in their brains. I find this astounding. Powerful bombshell insights just hovering and waiting for the chance to burst forth.

One of the nine answered in a shocking way. He said, "I wouldn't give my 18 year-old self advice. He wouldn't have listened anyway."  Now I didn't know him at 18—but I know him pretty well now—and his answer is accurate for him. He distinctly knew this about his 18 year-old self. Wow.

I've always believed in the wisdom found in older folks. Time along with learning hard life lessons as the world constantly changed around them—all seem to ripen into wisdom-bearing fruit just waiting to be picked. I wish young people would harvest from those well-seasoned trees more often.

Here's what I would say to 18 year-old Tammy.

Start yoga right away. Eat healthy foods. Exercise more. Decide on your ideal weight and maintain that number with an iron fist. Start American Sign Language classes ASAP. Give up perfection and seek more life balance. Pull those books out of your head and write them down. Wear sunscreen. 

What about you? What would you say to your 18 year-old self? What's the best piece of wisdom-fruit given to you by an older person? Thanks for sharing.  

Tammy Van Gils is a writer, blogger, and co-owner of S & N Paint Contractors, Inc. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Word Weavers International. In the Richmond area, she is a member of The Christian Writers Hub and Word Weavers Richmond. Visit her Facebook Page, Pinterest and Twitter @Tammyvangils.