Wouldn’t you love to go back in time and give your younger self advice? Looking over my decades, I have plenty I would have loved to tell me! If only I had had my future wisdom for my previous present, my worries would have decreased and my choices-IQ would have increased.
My friend, Andrea Lucado, launched a wonderful blog series with this very question. Entitled “Notes to my Younger Self,” her series brings together writers to reflect on years past. I’m so looking forward to the wisdom of each article.
Andrea’s new book, English Lessons, inspired the series. In her memoir, Andrea revisits her year abroad to sift through lessons learned. She lays bare her heart. Her honesty emerges in faith meanderings, relationship insecurities, loneliness, and culture clashes. I found myself nodding as she put words to feelings that I too have wrestled.
Here is the beginning of my contribution to Andrea’s new blog series…
Note to My Younger Self: The Threat of Pleasing Others
Ugh, I did it again. With my undiagnosed-people-pleasing nod, I agreed to help with another event on campus. It’s not that the outreach was wrong but the screams of an overbooked schedule reminded me of my limitations.
Although college was three decades ago, I still recall how time ranked as my most precious commodity. A heavy course load, lab work, ministry involvement, and additional campus life clubs filled every minute of the day. Life careened from class to meetings to social events to more meetings. The conversations and interactions fulfilled my desire to contribute.
Yet, a still quiet voice in my soul remained unsatisfied. Although my juggling act kept me active, purposeful activity felt elusive. Things would be different next week, I would tell myself.
….. hop over to Andrea’s blog to continue reading… (click here)
Free Book!
Leave a comment below — or on my Facebook post to this article — and you’ll be entered in a random drawing to win a free copy of Andrea’s book, English Lessons. It is truly one of my favorite reads this year!
Posted by Sharon R. Hoover
What I have read so far from excerpts here and there has really drawn me in! I’d love to finish reading it all!
Yes, Andrea’s writing kept me turning the pages chapter after chapter! Thanks for dropping by, Melissa!
I am looking forward to seeing more on this blog. What a great partnership! Love the Lucado family and their ministries!
Thanks for your encouraging words, Deborah! I join you as a fan of the Lucado family. I love connecting with the larger family of God, even over the many state and country lines! :)
I’ve gotten the book now. I pre-ordered the book & got it in the mail yesterday. I’m so excited to get started reading it. God bless it & you too.
So great! Enjoy the book! And, thanks for stopping by. :)
This book is so relatable. Especially for someone in her twenties. There’s definitely an inner tug-of-war between fulfillment/ambition and contentment/joy. This is for sure on my summer reading list!
Great point, Dorina! And then, companionship and shared experiences help ease the inner tug-of-war. Thanks for stopping in and continuing the conversation.