The Time Machine of Me

Somewhere behind the [person] you have become, the hours of [work, studying, building relationships], the [coaches, teachers, your parents] who have pushed you... is the little girl who fell in love with the [logic, thought process, challenges] and never looked back. [Do it] for her.

Originally Published: Jul 16, 2014

I had the chance to talk to a very special seven year old today which may have changed my life. She was shy and short in speech, but the words she spoke were well articulated and clear.

She knew at seven what she wanted and she was determined to get it. I asked her what her favorite things to do were. She responded that she loved to play soccer even though her teammates were mean. She continued that they just didn't understand. Before I could respond, she jumped in by saying that she really liked spending time outside and that her favorite animal was a butterfly because it was pretty and free. I laughed, but continued.

So what do you want to be when you grow up? (I know, typical question) She said she wanted to be a scientist and she wanted to help people. She made sure I knew her most important goal was to be a Steelers fan. Hmm... Man, I like this kid.

I asked her two more questions.

How are you today? She responded: HAPPY.

What is today's date? She responded: MAY 5, 1999.

She then proceeded to sign her name nice and small in the corner of the page. That's right, that little girl was me. A very long time ago. My diary at age seven was a book filled with questions that you could fill in each day of the year. I talked to me. The time machine of me.

When I found this, all I could think about was little me sitting in my room writing this and then I quickly thought about how I hoped I was the person that the little girl wanted me to be.

Somewhere between the person you have become, the hours of life you have lived, and the experiences which have molded you, there is a little child, live for them. That little child is proud of you, because you are even better than little you could have imagined.

If you don't believe me, it is never too late to be what you might have been. Because what you might have been is what you want to be, which you are fully capable of becoming.

-Happiness in Handfulls