THE BOOK
(Looking Forward to Looking Back)
There is a game I like to play called "I'm From The Future". There are two ways to play it. One way, is by talking to little kids: "Mark my words .. one day, you'll come back here and everything will seem smaller, but it'll be because you're bigger." Another way is to pretend to travel back 5, 10, 20 years ago and tell yourself all the events that will transpire in your life since then. (I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have believed some of the stuff I'd tell myself).
Sometimes, I'll think back to a time that seemed bad and I tell myself all the ways that it resulted in something good. For example, my first job was a disaster. I was stressed out, overwhelmed, and my boss hated me. I couldn't have known at the time that having that job AND leaving it would eventually lead me to songwriting. When I think of all the amazing things that have transpired since leaving that job, I'm thankful it was awful enough to make me want to leave it. If I had stayed, I'd have a different life right now.
I've found that playing I'm From The Future has changed the way I view missed opportunities, or other trials. I've started thinking to myself, "I wonder what I'll think of all this a year from now? I wonder if my plate been has cleared for something better down the road?"
Do you have a story to add to the book?
I am compiling a book that will be a collection of people's encouraging letters to themselves. It will be published along with my new album and website next year. Would you like to be in the book?
If you traveled back in time to tell yourself something good was going to happen, what time would you choose, and what would you say?
- A trail of interesting, touching, or funny, dots that connect a rough patch to a great change in circumstances?
- A note of encouragement to your 14 year-old self?
- Tragic event that led to a positive change?
- An amazing, unexpected, blessing that came out of nowhere, and changed your life?
I think we'll be amazed at all the different stories that come together, and be inspired to face our challenging times with an eye toward looking back on it from somewhere positive.
Email your story in an MS Word document to stories(@)deniserosier.com before Dec 1st, 2012.
MAILING ADDRESS:
Notes from the Future
PO Box 845
Lake Forest, CA 92609 click here for more submission details
I look forward to hearing from you!
Denise Rosier
http://deniserosier.com/
EXAMPLES ...
Michelle Brown
9th Grade Algebra Teacher
San Diego, CA
Note to self in 9th grade
Dear Michelle,
Math was hard wasn't it? Remember all those nights of crying with your dad over algebra and word problems? Well, guess what? You become a teacher. I'm serious .. a math teacher. Not only that, but you develop a way of teaching those pesky word problems to kids, and the other teachers adopt it. So relax! .. Oh, and go to the football game on Saturday. Joe will be there..
Love,
Future Michelle
Georgia Kane
Artist/Photographer
St. Louis, Missouri
I'd go back to October 11, 1997
I had been dating my boyfriend, James, for 7 years. I was 30, and was positive we would end up getting married. However, one night it all came to a screeching halt. I thought it was odd that James wanted me to meet him for dinner after work instead of picking me up. Even stranger was that he had parked in the 15-minute take-out space. I soon realized that he parked there because he knew he wouldn’t be staying long after breaking up with me. I didn't get out of bed all weekend. The entire plan of my life had evaporated in the amount of time it took me to order a drink ...
Dear Georgia,
Three weeks from now, Jessica and Irene will force you to go on a blind date with a guy named Rob. You almost cancel, but you decide to meet Rob anyway. You'll only go out with him a few times, but that's no big deal. He's a cool guy. On your second date, you'll mention to him that you're a part time artist. Rob will introduce you to Shelly, who's opening a coffeehouse. She'll let you hang your work there. You haven't painted it yet, but you'll paint a piece called "Blue Heaven". It will end up being used for notecards, posters,and puzzles. You'll be a full time artist, and happier than you've ever been.. (By the way, James ends up with Diane (yikes)).
Love,
Future Georgia
John Beltzer, Founder
The Songs Of Love Foundation
Queens, NY
John and his brother, Julio, were both musicians in New York until Julio's sudden death in the 90's. John's letter to himself will detail how that devastating loss would lead him down the path to starting the Songs Of Love Foundation. Since then, his foundation has provided over 23,000 terminally ill children with personalized songs.
