Dear Unhappy Former Self,
At lot has changed since we parted ways…
The basic differences are easy to point out. First and foremost, I am in a lot better shape than you. I am about 60 pounds lighter, and significantly more agile and flexible. I can maintain a dead sprint for half a mile at sea level without losing my breath. You get winded after a 10 meter dash to answer the phone. It might seem hard to believe, but I also heal faster than you. Injuries and bruises are gone much sooner for me than they are for you.
The world reacts in better ways to my presence than it does to yours. When people give me a double take now, it is no longer to make sure I am not trying to sneak candy into a movie theater.
I also feel a whole lot better than you. I sleep less hours, but feel more rested. I have more energy, but eat less sugar. My mind feels sharper, but I take no medications. I am better at doing mental math, remembering names and communicating my ideas. I have improved focus, stamina and discipline. You have cheap beer and even cheaper promises.
You were an important part of my life, but like a negative friend, you were holding me back. The wit we share is no longer the sole life preserver that keeps me afloat in social situations.
I now have purpose, goals and confidence.
So what changed?
Simply put, I decided to dump you. No more excuses. No more whining. No more accepting the world as it was. It wasn’t me, it was you. The break up was difficult, but put frankly, I realized I could do better than you.
I decided to make diet and exercise a priority, and made the purposeful decision to fully commit myself to my life list. It was incredibly hard at first, but gradually I started to become better than you. My priorities became clear, and I started to gain momentum. I started to take more chances, and slowly learned what was possible.
We still have a lot in common, you and I. We both have the same difficult past experiences. We still have the same fears, and the same faults.
You wake up every morning with a smile and optimism for tomorrow.
I wake up every morning with a smile and optimism for today.
I make change happen now.
Hope is not lost for you. You can still become whatever or whomever you want. That burst of inspiration that occasionally ignites you can still be turned into action. The only variable is you. You must decide to cultivate that change in yourself. It won’t be a caring friend, a successful co-worker, or a concerned doctor that turns the steering wheel of your life, it will have to be you. You are not the best version of yourself. You can improve. Make the decision to act! If you do, a happier future awaits.
Love,
A much happier you :-)
Respect dude! That’s awesome! How long did that take you?
Danny,
I’m a keen follower of your blogging, I think your SEO stuff is in a different class, but this, this is something else.
You’re a truly gifted writer and I thank you for sharing.
Dover’s Checklist:
1. Write insightful SEO how-to manual
2. Lose crazy weight
3. And to top it off, a black iphone instead of the stupid white one!
(Full disclosure, I am not of the iPhone elite.)
Anyhow, I know how good it feels to lose the unwanted pounds, and better yet when other people notice. So, well done. What’s next on your agenda…any interesting projects coming up?
Pic 1: “Derp”
Pic 2: “Wut!?”
Danny this is awesome. Thank you for sharing this personal letter. I’m reading a book about this very subject and in it they suggest that I write a letter to myself and that I need to love all of me, including the fat me. I think this is an awesome example. On another note, I saw Sucker Punch this weekend and it helped me with inertia. The line is something like, “you have all the tools you need, now fight!”
Danny, congratulations. You inspire me so much!
Haha! Once again, a great post!
So exercise and diet is your solution… I’ve been exercising, so maybe it’s time to take some time of the beer to see if results appear :)
Cheers Danny!
Nice Work on dropping the weight but more importantly nice job on changing your outlook and then doing something to make it happen. Gotta respect that!
Well done!
Namaste my friend. You have become a true yogi; an enlightened, self-actualized creature. I bow my head to you sir!