Page 78 - Reflections of you 8-12

Dear Future Self,

What will you be doing with your life in ten years? I hope you are OK when you read this. You are not
depressed, anxious, or afraid. I hope you were able to do what you set out to do. I can only hope because I have
no idea what the future holds. Take a deep breath and relax. Take a look at your two feet. What are their current

whereabouts? Do you feel the warmth of the sun on your skin? If not, walk outside and be glad that the sun is
always shining on you and that you are still alive.

I hope your high school experience was all you dreamed for, and that you continued to live it up in college. I

can't sit here and claim to understand what it's like to grow up because I don't. I can't claim it was easy, based on
what my parents have told me. I know you had big ambitions in life, but I'm sure you haven't followed through.
Don't forget to go get a taste of something wonderful and relish every second of it without worrying about
gaining weight. Not everyone is so privileged to have access to food, so superficial aesthetics should be the

least of your worries regardless of the deep societal impositions. And please don’t you dare when you feel guilty
for taking the time for yourself.

This year has been a crazy one. You learned what family's love really means, the lengths to which friendship

can be tested and lost. You've been living in Mongolia for 17 years and are excited to see the Bogd khaan
Mountains. Did you do it? You've begun to consider having children, but you're not sure if having children or
embarking on another epic backpacking journey is the better option.

Recognize that whatever decision you made was correct. You've arrived at your destination and are precisely
where you need to be. You've come this far because of all you've been through. Don't make any changes.
Everything worked out just as it should have. All of the jigsaw pieces are precisely aligned, and all of the
pathways are logical. Everyone was placed on this planet for a certain reason. All of the victories and defeats, as

well as the joyful and sad moments, were well worth it. There are no apologies.

What matters most is that you were, are, have been

, and will always be yourself.

Dulguun

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