Once upon a time, I wrote this for a newsletter for Ricky Martin fans. When I started this blog, I titled it “Rita’s Rambling Road” to write whatever I felt like. I thought if I didn’t pigeonhole myself with one topic, I would have more opportunities to share my thoughts and even share some older writings.
Unfortunately, despite being able to write about anything here, I’ve been busy and haven’t had many opportunities to do so. I came across this personal essay I took from that old newsletter and posted on Facebook several years ago. Now, I wanted to share it here.
I sometimes forget the young woman who wrote this. I’m glad I recently found this in my Facebook memories feed.
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I wrote this up today. Nothing too original. We have all heard these ideas before, but do we really believe them. If our life is headed in a direction that makes us happy and excited, then we probably do. If not, maybe we should take some time out to think like a six-year-old.
I still remember reading the question in the “Book of Questions”: If you had lunch with your six-year-old self today, what would she say about your life. Well, the question went something to that effect. So it’s funny when Ricky Martin references his six-year-old self in interviews, and even funnier when Disney does a movie on the concept. “You mean I grow up to be a loser,” the little boy yells. Man, I always thought that was what my six-year-old self would say. In other words, why didn’t I think of that movie? Oh well, I guess I’m not a screenwriter.
Ok, so, did you ever think what it would be like to meet your six-year-old self and tell her about your life? What would your mini-self say? Would she be happy, or would she be really upset with you? I’m not talking about how she feels after you try to explain to her that things happen in life. (Even then, she will probably still be upset with you.) I mean, her initial reaction when she hears what happened in her life. What would your mini-self, who has no concept of the limitations of time, energy and money (whether these truly affect our goals or not), say? If you think she would be a little upset, don’t even pull out the laundry lists of “I would have done this, but …” throw it out. Mini-self doesn’t want to hear it. She wants to be all she can be and has issues with you right now. Major issues!!!
So, now that you’ve thrown your list of excuses away (not enough time, energy, money, “that’s what people my age do,” or well that’s what my parents wanted, etc), now it’s time to think like a six-year-old. Come on; dig deep into YOUR mind, YOUR heart and YOUR soul. Think back to when you thought you would live forever and YOUR options were limitless. Think like you have an unlimited amount of time, energy and money. Dream. What are your dreams? What are your goals? Do you even remember, or are they buried underneath what your family wanted for you, what your friends thought you should do, and what society expected of you? Come on, YOUR goals and YOUR dreams are there. No one can take them away because they are YOURS. Come on dig! You can do it. Now, sit back, relax, take a deep breath, and dream. Let YOUR dreams, YOUR goals stream through YOUR mind, heart and soul. Don’t listen to anyone else’s voice but your own.
Ok, now that you have a stream of dreams and goals, write them down. Ok, now make a list in whatever way you make a list. Maybe you want to categorize your dreams and goals into how important each one is to you. Whatever. Just do it. Then, break each goal and dream into steps. Steps that will enable you to accomplish YOUR goals, YOUR dreams. Each day, look at this list to find at least one step you can take to move in the direction you want to in your life. Hopefully a more content, more satisfied, more fulfilling life. Now, you’re probably saying, “But when I was six I wanted to be a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.” Hey, I didn’t say have the dreams you had when you were six. I just said to think like a six-year-old. With that “I can be anything I want to be” attitude, we may have forgotten. However, if you have a dream from your childhood that still sticks in your head, go for it. If you wanted to be a ballerina, take some dance classes. If you wanted to marry Donny Osmond, write him a letter. Just do something.
Of course, as adults, we realize that sometimes the best-laid plans of mice and men tend to go astray. But just because you can’t obtain a goal or dream by plan A, doesn’t mean that plan B or C or D won’t work. As long as you’re on the right path, you’re headed in the right direction. I don’t know who said it, but I read somewhere that you have to dream like you are going to live forever and live each day as your last. That’s the most important thing to remember when trying to obtain your dreams and goals. Dream big, reach for the stars, but remember there are no guarantees in life. You don’t know when you will take your last breath. Most likely you will have the time to achieve all that you want to and more, but don’t take that for granted. Wasting the time we have here on earth is like wasting food. So, keep on dreaming! Keep on moving along YOUR path of life! Soon, you will find your six-year-old self and your current self as happy people.
As for my six-year-old self, well, she thinks we have a lot to work on, but we’re ready, willing and able! And that, of course, is the first step!
Rita's Rambling Road 