From your future

I come from your future, as I decided to meet you face to face rather than write a letter. I am not sure I am best qualified about giving you advice. Mistakes, errors of judgement, wrong choices, I can tell you all about those, all based on your real future life, my past, unless somehow you retain anything of this conversation. How to start? First of all, take your time, the future does not come rushing: you have time to explore, question, reflect, there is not rush for you either.

I know, you’re keen to understand, to grow, to become your real self, to undress those girls, to smash those bullies. Believe me there is no shortage of any of those in your future, so try and learn first. A few of your friends had interesting experiences, talk with them, don’t pretend to know more than you do, it’s better to claim ignorance, than experience you don’t have. Experience builds up with patience and time, not rushing is password for good, rewarding experiences, rushing often means missed opportunities, missing the wood for the tree, so slow down.

Skills for your future success

Acquiring skills, life skills, is as important as learning, acquiring knowledge. For example seduction skills are valuable, you can acquire them slowly, experimenting, knowing women of your age, on average, will be as clueless as you are, but those who are not, merit your attention, even if not as glamorous as others, they will teach you. Accept your teachers, they won’t be perfect, some may even be abusive, try to recognise the signs.

I know you’re already trying your hand at writing, at the moment mainly on technical subjects, do continue, try different styles. Keep a diary, even only noting down a few observations will be useful. You are starting practising good sports, make sure you are assiduous, do not lose focus, train!

Then there is reading, an inexhaustible source of lessons, I know you’re doing well, and you should do more, even authors who at first don’t attract you, glamour is not all, far from it. Then try in other languages, the earlier the better. When you are elsewhere, try to speak as much as possible, speak, read, write. It is surprising how those simple things complement each other. They open doors. To keep them open, means cultivating those friendships that are offered to you, do not neglect them, you are growing, and those people who approach you are growing too: don’t ignore what they can teach you. 

Future work

You will learn soldiering, and this is good, providing you take it as another learning experience, you won’t make it a profession, for it does not last, and you can only rely on your luck for a while. You’re attracting by maths and the sciences, good and go ahead, without forgetting your other interests, history, and literature. The renaissance is no longer fashionable for your/our generation, and even less for those who follow us, yet the Renaissance man is still an ideal for many people: a healthy mind in a healthy body, this is a good maxim. You have yet to find out that extreme specialisation render people stupid.

Don’t forget this: people and organisations change, what is an ideal situation won’t last, you have to move when this happens, it was good, it no longer is, recognising this early is one of the pillars of wisdom. Note that this has always been true, even for our ancestors. A hunting ground is good for so long, then it becomes sterile, it applies in all walks of life, and has to be accepted.

One thing you have to keep up as you grow is sport. Never give up exercising, it’s the only way to remain alert, and sane. Finally I want to say something about loyalty.

Loyalty in your future

I have pointed out seduction as a skill. It’s also a responsibility. You may break up a relationship, but if you create a strong link with someone, it takes two to achieve this, then think twice about being disloyal. If you want out then it’s a matter of not only decision, but also of diplomacy: another life skill. Loyalty is a fundamental quality, don’t flout it lightly.

As for diplomacy, and negotiating skills, then listen to the master: the art of compromise is key to happiness. Keep up your faith in the Saviour.

Picture: Magnolia in full bloom