Future Letters to Self #1

Art Journaling Mindsets

When Shanon asked me to continue the blog, I undoubtedly said, “Yes!” Of course, because I thought at the time, I knew where she wanted to take the blog and what she wanted it to become. We started our journeys separately, but charted our course together. Consulted eachother on our ideas. Pondered, wondered, and encouraged each other's hopes and dreams. I have come to learn that this new course, written by me with Shanon’s guidance, journals, and art, is still just a guidepost. I will never fully know her true innermost thoughts. None of us will. We truly only ever fully understand our own.

There were so many times she was in tremendous pain, and she would unequivocally still make and hold space for others. She didn’t want to be a burden. I will speak for myself (and assume many others), she was never a burden, and I would gladly hold her pain.

She wanted to create this blog and share her art because she hoped it would help others find some much-needed peace within themselves. I believe the tools she left us is the education she was learning and teaching herself. She was on a journey to fully understand herself: her limitations, her shortcomings, her grievances, and her lack of compassion. If you knew her at all, you would not think she had any such things, but we all do. In this earthly form, we all do. She and I both believed that it is the soul’s purpose in being here. To learn, grow, shed, connect, and share your light, your dharma. As a practicing Buddhist, it was at the center of her being.

Her lesson for us today- in A Letter to my Future Self

Shanon,

Don’t be afraid to admit your shortcomings and the things you don’t know. Please don’t be concerned about comparing yourself, your knowledge, or your abilities to those of others. All of this is the process of learning and gaining a more impactful understanding of the world in which you live in. It’s more powerful to admit what you don’t knowand learn it than remain convinced you know it and never learn it. Give yourself boundless opportunities and experiences that will have a profound impact on you and the life you live.

I think of her every day and feel like we have a secret language between the realms. I wonder what she would think about this post, then I see her in my mind, and I know. Learn, grow, embrace, and love.