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bretagne, brittany, finistere, flowers, france, Ice cream, Napa County California, photographie, photography, self, travel, voyages
Dear Louise, my younger self,
Here is May 2013 opening its door, clear blue sky, a gentle breeze is passing by… and it’s by the sea that I have chosen to send you these lines. I know what the sea means to you. High and low tides have been coming and going for ages and will carry on through years and years… It’s just like in life, ups and downs… No choice, you will have to face them. Take advantage of the ups to fill yourself with hope and strength, this will help you facing the downs, even if some of them are tough. Remember, it was September, this new star shining in the sky, this is yours only yours. He was strong and had always a positive way to see the “roll out” of events… Live as he would have loved to see you living…
Don’t forget others, listen and hear them… Be always ready for your friends and family… Be faithful… righteousness is a “master card”, use it… Be strong, you are the driver of your life … Love others… Love yourself… Be kind to yourself… Think of yourself, knowing you, this is the hardest task to put into practice, a few drops of selfishness is sometimes useful… Smile even if you don’t feel like it… I know it’s not easy, life is very demanding… Never forget those who have travelled to this one way ticket land… if you are what you are be thankful to them…
Carry on photographing, look and see around you… Be creative… Listen to your favourite music and read when you feel like it… Travel, travel as soon as you have the opportunity… Enjoy your treats : chocolate, sea food, vanilla ice cream and a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa or Sonoma…
On your road you will, for sure, encounter some slyness, disappointment, don’t pay too much attention to these steps of life, use your strength to pass through them but be careful even so. The outcome will be positive, you will get stronger. It will be your triumph through adversity …
There’s a four letter word which is the base of life : LOVE, love dear Louise… love!
It’s possible that I have forgotten other points worth mentioning but whatever your life is, Louise, be yourself …
Don’t forget, I will always be there for you no matter how, where and why …
Talk to you soon, dear younger self,
XO
Home in Brittany, May 2nd, 2013
Drops of Everything 
Very nice letter Louise. A universal letter to all our younger selves! Thinking of you.
Written from the heart, Doris… It’s the best “ink”… xo
A meaningful letter on so many levels, it could have been written for me too! I will heed your words of wisdom… 😉
Merci Louise pour tes paroles. Serge
Louisie, c’est Martine…bien émue de ta petite conversation intérieure…c’est très beau et très vrai tout ça…même si parfois cela peut-être difficile, tu as raison…vraiment raison.
Merci Martine et Serge de vos commentaires. Ce genre de vérité seules les années qui passent nous permettent de la découvrir…
Wisdom which came as a gift along the road of life, Isabelle 🙂
Hi Louise
I’m Josee’s son. She suggested I read this. I think it is really beautiful – you have a great philosophy on life, so full of wisdom. I recently had to do something similar at a workshop I attended. It made me think what would my self in 20 years time would want to say to me now?
It also reminded me of the poem Desiderata – I think he was writing it to himself as well.
Wishing you happiness and peace in life.
Sean
Here is the poem which you may know already:
Desiderata (Max Ehrmann – 1927)
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Thank you so much, Sean. I do appreciate your comments… I love this “Desiderata”, one sentence, among several caught my attention : “Take kindly the counsel of the years…”, this is so true, believe me Sean. Knowing what I know now, I would have probably seen and act otherwise in life, but only years can bring this type of knowledge… All the best and hope to see you in London one of these days.
Thank you would be lovely to meet you one day!
Hi Louise, you right some one once said : we cant ask for love but we have plenty to give! but turning the other cheek is not me… I am bad and a bit cynical about life! of course you right ,I still have a lot to learn,may be one day….love josee