I have been absent in my writing for a while now and it's not that I don't have ideas but it's that I've been so darn busy. With the kids, and the job and the life and all, it starts to wear a girl out, ya know? But now I'm back and, boy, do I have a challenge for you!
Quite some time ago, a reader sent a request that I write something to the tune of a letter to myself in the past. Like a Dear 16 year-old self, kind of thing. I thought it was a fabulous idea at the time and so I stashed that thought in my back pocket and today I starting thinking about it again. I was thinking about what would I write to my younger self and what I would say. Then I thought some more about how I sometimes get the best ideas and inspiration from my friends and readers. And just like that, the idea hit me! A READER'S CHALLENGE!
Indeed, I want to hear from you, readers! I know that you all have a story to tell and I can't tell you how much I love a story written in a letter form!
What I am wanting you to do is think about a pivotal point in your life. Maybe it was when you met your spouse, had your first child, moved away from home, lost a loved one or made a major life choice. Whatever your pivotal point is, I want you to write a letter to yourself at that point in your life.
- What would you say to yourself?
- What advice would you offer?
- What things would you change, or would you?
- Would you tell yourself to run fast the other way or would you pat yourself on the back for a job well done?
- Would you offer words of encouragement or tell yourself to snap out of it?
We all have an important time in our lives where we could have taken a different path, done something differently or responded in a different manner. Let us inspire one another with our stories. When you write your letter, I want you to be shameless in your delivery. I want you to be brave and honest with yourself. Tapping into what choices we have made and coming to terms with those choices can have a very healing and calming effect. Trust me when I say that writing can be very therapeutic for the soul.
So, women and men of all ages, I challenge you tap into your inner "Dalai Mama" and have a great conversation with yourself. If you haven't done anything for yourself in a while, I challenge you. After you put the kids to bed, finish your homework, or get off work, I challenge you to sit down and write yourself a letter. I challenge you to write for just 5 minutes, to get started. I promise that once you start, it will be hard to stop until you're finished.
So here is how it is going to work:
You will dedicate some thoughtful reflection time to yourself and write your letter. You can send your submission to me by emailing me at dalaimamablog@gmail.com. I will be accepting submissions for your letter to your younger self from Sunday, Nov. 3 until Sunday, Nov. 17 at 10pm. Once I have had time to review your submissions, I will post your letters on Dalai Mama. If you choose to remain anonymous, I will respect that and your name and likeness will not be included.
I can't wait to hear your letters. I will be working on mine and it will be posted by tomorrow, Nov. 3 on Dalai Mama. Now, get to writing!
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