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Dear Me: A Letter to My Sixteen-Year-Old Self
If you were to write a letter to your 16-year-old self, what would it say?
In "Dear Me," some of the world's best-loved personalities have written just such a letter. These range from the compassionate to the shocking via hilarity and heartbreak, but they all have one thing in common: they offer a unique glimpse at the teenager who would grow up to be...
"Dear Me"
Advice to their teenage selves from three knights, a handful of Oscar winners, a bevy of Baftas, an intrepid explorer, a few teenage pop stars and avid horticulturist, pages and pages of bestselling authors, a dishy doctor, a full credit of film directors, a lovey of actors, a giggle of comedians and an Archbishop!
"Dear Me" is by turns funny, moving and uplifting, and offers a unique insight into the lives of some of our best-loved personalities - and the universal conditions that are youth and life.
In "Dear Me," some of the world's best-loved personalities have written just such a letter. These range from the compassionate to the shocking via hilarity and heartbreak, but they all have one thing in common: they offer a unique glimpse at the teenager who would grow up to be...
"Dear Me"
Advice to their teenage selves from three knights, a handful of Oscar winners, a bevy of Baftas, an intrepid explorer, a few teenage pop stars and avid horticulturist, pages and pages of bestselling authors, a dishy doctor, a full credit of film directors, a lovey of actors, a giggle of comedians and an Archbishop!
"Dear Me" is by turns funny, moving and uplifting, and offers a unique insight into the lives of some of our best-loved personalities - and the universal conditions that are youth and life.
110 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
21 people are currently reading
891 people want to read
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March 17, 2012
What an inspired and charming book. I'd like to see another one published with letters from Everyday Joes (and Janes). In the spirit of this book, I am going to write a letter to my 16-year-old self too. I think everyone should do the same!!
Dear Ky (Miss 16),
What baggage you will have in the future! But as heavy as it is, it's all you, girl! I am here from the future to dispense a bit of advice to you. My first thought penny is that you should take everything with a grain of salt, including all of the following. Ha!
1. Do not run away from your problems by agreeing to be homeschooled. Amy is going through the same angst you are, and Jason is just a dumbass. You all are at that age. Suck it up, chica. What about prom? What about a real graduation? Coming from the future I can tell you that you will not have another of those for a longggg time. Give serious thought to what you will be missing for at least more than one night. And then carry on with your original plans in case these revised ideas cause you to get knocked up or lose your virginity on prom night (like some of your other friends... they know who they are!). I know how emotional you are. You don't need that.
2. And speaking of virginity, quit your moaning! You will make up for lost time in five years, when you realize that you're not missing anything unless you're having sex with love in there somewhere. It still hasn't happened yet (the love thing). So maybe if you stick to your 16-year-old plan of not having sex until you are in love you'll save yourself (me) quite a bit of scars. It's worth a shot (because I know you still won't listen).
3. And what of love? What of that boyfriend that you never stop wanting? Well, all these years later and off medication, you do not stop wanting. But now you have something much more important than a boyfriend: you love yourself. You didn't ever think you'd say that and really mean it, did you? Time is funny that way. So, no boyfriends. Two two-week flings and one for a month and a half, that's all you've had in 24 years. But I am telling you then as I am telling myself now, there is no need for jealousy. All these girls with boyfriends, just wait until they take off their make-up. After that they won't look quite so Hollywood to you. You've got to save yourself the agony of trying to figure why you've never had a proper relationship, because you'll never understand it. And I can tell you that it makes no sense, because you are beautiful, funny, very smart and in possession of pretty darn good tastes (well, more so now, but you see my point). So stop trying to figure it out and start embracing all that you are. Maybe you're just the one person on Earth who is too awesome for a boyfriend. I know that's one you haven't considered. Start considering it now and you'll love yourself much sooner.
4. And speaking of boyfriends, go ahead and date Jon in 2008. He'll break your soul in two weeks, but he'll also derail your life plans and enable you to go out in the real world. I've seen what living in California did to you, and I can tell you that need it in every possible way. However, you also need an education (sucks when people are right). With this in mind, call PVCC at the end of the 2008 semester and get that F off your transcript. It's just bowling, but still.
5. Your initial desire to go to ODU is the correct one.
6. Your dad is right about a few things, like the fact that you will not love Clay Aiken forever (or Aaron Carter - oh god). Nor Enrique Iglesias, LFO or Britney Spears. But some things you have carried with you since being 16. You still love the Backstreet Boys, Lizzie McGuire, Titanic and anything pertaining to the 90s. So save your money on romcoms and purchase those instead. Since you're going to spend money anyway, you might as well know what to spend it on.
7. For fuck's sake girl, open a savings account. Even $10 a month will be a small fortune by the time you are 24. And do NOT go on that cruise in 2008. Again, you need an education. And you need that money. You could have traveled the world by now with it (or bought a car, paid for school, etc). It's the dumbest mistake you will make, and probably one that will not effect the space-time continuum if you actually listen to me and DON'T GO.
8. Twilight is as bad as you think it is. When you go to read it in 2009 so that you can properly pass judgment, DON'T. You don't need to, because I'm telling you now, it really is that bad. Some books you can (and should) judge by a cover. Stop trying to be so self-righteous and "reserve judgment." You should have trusted your instinct instead (which is that you hate vampires and these books are stupid). Your instincts are often right. Imagine that.
9. When your future friend Lauren (you'll meet her soon) sends you that bundle of CDs that includes Say Anything's, don't save it for last. You need to listen to it first, because it will render everything else irrelevant. And go to their concert in 2007 even though you will have no one to go with you.
10. Most of the people you talk to now you will not be talking to in 2012. Keep that in mind when you give your heart away so freely.
11. In two years you will leave Texas. Sometimes you do get what you wish for.
12. You never thought you'd live to see a legend die. You are wrong.
13. You also never thought you'd meet a celebrity (you wished it, but never really believed it): again, you are wrong. You will meet Ryan Gosling. Think about that the next time you watch The United States of Leland!
13. Screw everything I've told you to do except this one thing: ENJOY your moments of happiness while you are in them. I know how you analyze every happy situation even while you are in it. Don't think about why you are happy. Just be happy. Life's gonna get pretty fucking tough, chica, and you're going to need to know how to be in the moment without overanalyzing. You don't think you can do it now, but *I* know you can. You're the toughest bitch I know. You'll grow to have alligator skin and still not lose the core of who you are. It's pretty miraculous. Now you know that in those fleeting moments when you love your life that you are absolutely RIGHT to do so. So please, breathe, while it's still easy to do so. You're going to be a fine young woman; one of the greatest.
Love,
the Future Kyla (age 24)
Dear Ky (Miss 16),
What baggage you will have in the future! But as heavy as it is, it's all you, girl! I am here from the future to dispense a bit of advice to you. My first thought penny is that you should take everything with a grain of salt, including all of the following. Ha!
1. Do not run away from your problems by agreeing to be homeschooled. Amy is going through the same angst you are, and Jason is just a dumbass. You all are at that age. Suck it up, chica. What about prom? What about a real graduation? Coming from the future I can tell you that you will not have another of those for a longggg time. Give serious thought to what you will be missing for at least more than one night. And then carry on with your original plans in case these revised ideas cause you to get knocked up or lose your virginity on prom night (like some of your other friends... they know who they are!). I know how emotional you are. You don't need that.
2. And speaking of virginity, quit your moaning! You will make up for lost time in five years, when you realize that you're not missing anything unless you're having sex with love in there somewhere. It still hasn't happened yet (the love thing). So maybe if you stick to your 16-year-old plan of not having sex until you are in love you'll save yourself (me) quite a bit of scars. It's worth a shot (because I know you still won't listen).
3. And what of love? What of that boyfriend that you never stop wanting? Well, all these years later and off medication, you do not stop wanting. But now you have something much more important than a boyfriend: you love yourself. You didn't ever think you'd say that and really mean it, did you? Time is funny that way. So, no boyfriends. Two two-week flings and one for a month and a half, that's all you've had in 24 years. But I am telling you then as I am telling myself now, there is no need for jealousy. All these girls with boyfriends, just wait until they take off their make-up. After that they won't look quite so Hollywood to you. You've got to save yourself the agony of trying to figure why you've never had a proper relationship, because you'll never understand it. And I can tell you that it makes no sense, because you are beautiful, funny, very smart and in possession of pretty darn good tastes (well, more so now, but you see my point). So stop trying to figure it out and start embracing all that you are. Maybe you're just the one person on Earth who is too awesome for a boyfriend. I know that's one you haven't considered. Start considering it now and you'll love yourself much sooner.
4. And speaking of boyfriends, go ahead and date Jon in 2008. He'll break your soul in two weeks, but he'll also derail your life plans and enable you to go out in the real world. I've seen what living in California did to you, and I can tell you that need it in every possible way. However, you also need an education (sucks when people are right). With this in mind, call PVCC at the end of the 2008 semester and get that F off your transcript. It's just bowling, but still.
5. Your initial desire to go to ODU is the correct one.
6. Your dad is right about a few things, like the fact that you will not love Clay Aiken forever (or Aaron Carter - oh god). Nor Enrique Iglesias, LFO or Britney Spears. But some things you have carried with you since being 16. You still love the Backstreet Boys, Lizzie McGuire, Titanic and anything pertaining to the 90s. So save your money on romcoms and purchase those instead. Since you're going to spend money anyway, you might as well know what to spend it on.
7. For fuck's sake girl, open a savings account. Even $10 a month will be a small fortune by the time you are 24. And do NOT go on that cruise in 2008. Again, you need an education. And you need that money. You could have traveled the world by now with it (or bought a car, paid for school, etc). It's the dumbest mistake you will make, and probably one that will not effect the space-time continuum if you actually listen to me and DON'T GO.
8. Twilight is as bad as you think it is. When you go to read it in 2009 so that you can properly pass judgment, DON'T. You don't need to, because I'm telling you now, it really is that bad. Some books you can (and should) judge by a cover. Stop trying to be so self-righteous and "reserve judgment." You should have trusted your instinct instead (which is that you hate vampires and these books are stupid). Your instincts are often right. Imagine that.
9. When your future friend Lauren (you'll meet her soon) sends you that bundle of CDs that includes Say Anything's, don't save it for last. You need to listen to it first, because it will render everything else irrelevant. And go to their concert in 2007 even though you will have no one to go with you.
10. Most of the people you talk to now you will not be talking to in 2012. Keep that in mind when you give your heart away so freely.
11. In two years you will leave Texas. Sometimes you do get what you wish for.
12. You never thought you'd live to see a legend die. You are wrong.
13. You also never thought you'd meet a celebrity (you wished it, but never really believed it): again, you are wrong. You will meet Ryan Gosling. Think about that the next time you watch The United States of Leland!
13. Screw everything I've told you to do except this one thing: ENJOY your moments of happiness while you are in them. I know how you analyze every happy situation even while you are in it. Don't think about why you are happy. Just be happy. Life's gonna get pretty fucking tough, chica, and you're going to need to know how to be in the moment without overanalyzing. You don't think you can do it now, but *I* know you can. You're the toughest bitch I know. You'll grow to have alligator skin and still not lose the core of who you are. It's pretty miraculous. Now you know that in those fleeting moments when you love your life that you are absolutely RIGHT to do so. So please, breathe, while it's still easy to do so. You're going to be a fine young woman; one of the greatest.
Love,
the Future Kyla (age 24)
November 30, 2011
What a neat concept for a book. In Dear Me: A Letter to My Sixteen-Year-Old Self, Joseph Galliano has enlisted seventy-five celebrities to write letters full of advice, warnings, and encouragement to their sixteen-year-old selves. With a group that includes writers, singers, actors, and musicians, old and young, you won't be surprised that the letters range from the humorous to the serious to the touching.
Some of my favorite advice:
Dear Angie, Treasure your abilities: you won't always have them.
"I can see. I can pee. I can hear.
I can bend. I can steer.
I can kneel. I can crawl.
I can run backwards.
I can chew.
I can do it all.
I can fall."
So, dear one, dance and ride your bike, but don't forget that, one day, you won't be able to get back on.
Angie Dickinson
***
...oh, one more thing, your "across the street" neighbor is going to ask you to learn guitar with him...I suggest you take him up on it.
Garth Brooks
***
Dear Gillian, You are completely and utterly self obsessed. If you spent a quarter of your time thinking about others instead of how much you hate your thighs, your level of contentment and self worth would expand exponentially...Oh and honey, expand your horizons; your world is a bigger oyster than your low self-esteem wants you to believe. Love yourself, think of others and be grateful. I love you, I believe in you, and I look forward to respecting you. Me. You. Us. P.S. Follow your dreams and not your boyfriends.
Gillian Anderson
***
Dear Jo, ...This must be a lot weirder for you than it is for me; after all, I know you. I also really like you, which you will find impossible to believe, given that you are racked with insecurity and self-loathing. Jo, give yourself a break. You're not the only one who feels small and inadequate; you'll realise eventually that everyone is the wizard of Oz...One last thing. One day you will not only meet Morrissey, but he will know who you are. I KNOW!
J.K. Rowling
I would tell my sixteen-year-old self that all the universe-stopping drama of high school won't add up to a hill of beans the day after you get your diploma. And I would be right.
What would you tell your 16-year-old self?
Some of my favorite advice:
Dear Angie, Treasure your abilities: you won't always have them.
"I can see. I can pee. I can hear.
I can bend. I can steer.
I can kneel. I can crawl.
I can run backwards.
I can chew.
I can do it all.
I can fall."
So, dear one, dance and ride your bike, but don't forget that, one day, you won't be able to get back on.
Angie Dickinson
***
...oh, one more thing, your "across the street" neighbor is going to ask you to learn guitar with him...I suggest you take him up on it.
Garth Brooks
***
Dear Gillian, You are completely and utterly self obsessed. If you spent a quarter of your time thinking about others instead of how much you hate your thighs, your level of contentment and self worth would expand exponentially...Oh and honey, expand your horizons; your world is a bigger oyster than your low self-esteem wants you to believe. Love yourself, think of others and be grateful. I love you, I believe in you, and I look forward to respecting you. Me. You. Us. P.S. Follow your dreams and not your boyfriends.
Gillian Anderson
***
Dear Jo, ...This must be a lot weirder for you than it is for me; after all, I know you. I also really like you, which you will find impossible to believe, given that you are racked with insecurity and self-loathing. Jo, give yourself a break. You're not the only one who feels small and inadequate; you'll realise eventually that everyone is the wizard of Oz...One last thing. One day you will not only meet Morrissey, but he will know who you are. I KNOW!
J.K. Rowling
I would tell my sixteen-year-old self that all the universe-stopping drama of high school won't add up to a hill of beans the day after you get your diploma. And I would be right.
What would you tell your 16-year-old self?
February 25, 2010
“You seem to spend a lot of time laughing: that’s good. You’ll remember laughing like that when you’re old.” — Joanna Lumley
This is a really, really lovely book. I adore it. It is what the title states — lots of celebrities and personalities writing letters to themselves when they were 16. Most have advice, some are funny, some are sad, some are touching. It doesn’t matter that these people are famous. That may be why some people buy it, but that’s not what you get from the pages. If you’re young, it’s interesting to see what people (other than your parents) would want to know when they were young. And what a vast variety of people! From Stephen Fry to Archbishop Desmond Tutu to Tracey Emin. It’s fantastic. If you’re older, it may touch you differently, make you wonder what you would want to know at that age and see the mistakes that other people have made.
I’m really glad I bought this, and I want all my friends who are running around or crying their eyes out or thinking they’re unbeatable to read it. I quote Joanna Lumley because even though I don’t know who she is, her entire letter seemed to be written for me. I bet you’ll find one that you think is aimed at you, too.
This is a really, really lovely book. I adore it. It is what the title states — lots of celebrities and personalities writing letters to themselves when they were 16. Most have advice, some are funny, some are sad, some are touching. It doesn’t matter that these people are famous. That may be why some people buy it, but that’s not what you get from the pages. If you’re young, it’s interesting to see what people (other than your parents) would want to know when they were young. And what a vast variety of people! From Stephen Fry to Archbishop Desmond Tutu to Tracey Emin. It’s fantastic. If you’re older, it may touch you differently, make you wonder what you would want to know at that age and see the mistakes that other people have made.
I’m really glad I bought this, and I want all my friends who are running around or crying their eyes out or thinking they’re unbeatable to read it. I quote Joanna Lumley because even though I don’t know who she is, her entire letter seemed to be written for me. I bet you’ll find one that you think is aimed at you, too.
August 11, 2016
A really great collection of letters, and interesting to see the differences between them!
November 12, 2018
Some of the writing is to scrawly to read unless you're really dedicated and want to spend a long time staring at a page of squiggly lines. A lot of the letters are very good and some seem quite rushed. Good book but a bit of a disappointment in places
September 28, 2015
Like in any anthology, there are hits and misses. It's hard to single out anything particular for the former because they all say more or less the same thing - a Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II blend of make the most of the time you have and don't sweat the small stuff. The difference really amounts to whether there is a smattering of humour (Joanna Lumley, Emma Thompson) or a little bitterness (Annie Lennox, Lesley Manville) and more or less biographical information in the letters. As for the misses, some people just didn't seem to have put as much thought into it (Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall for e.g. - really? All you'd like to tell your teenage self is to say no to things that "cannot be done properly in the limited time available"? And this was the letter to close the book?) and some people put things that were, frankly, revolting. When I say some people, I mostly mean Jonathan Ross and his desire to express that he has always liked masturbating. Charmed, I'm sure.
I liked that Dear Me was composed of pictures of the letters people wrote. It had much more personality than if it had been just straight typing, although some of the handwriting took some deciphering! I also liked the space included to write your own letter at the end. This would be particularly useful for an adult presenting it to a teenager, to write what they would like the recipient to know. Dear Me would, however have benefited from an index or alphabetical order to allow the reader to pick out particular letters. Perhaps, also, a reader who knew who half of these personages are!
My favourite quote: Trisha Goddard - "Not belonging will give you the freedom to follow your dreams instead of the crowd."
P.S. A large chunk of the letters are from the LGBT community (chiefly gay male), which is perhaps to be expected in a book which is fundraising for the Elton John AIDS foundation. Or perhaps it's simply that figuring out your sexuality is less of an issue for heterosexual people and thus less likely to be mentioned. Either way, I'm mentioning it as Dear Me might be most relevant to a young person struggling with their sexuality.
NB: Different editions seem to contain different authors/letters. Mine is the version with foreword by Elton John.
I liked that Dear Me was composed of pictures of the letters people wrote. It had much more personality than if it had been just straight typing, although some of the handwriting took some deciphering! I also liked the space included to write your own letter at the end. This would be particularly useful for an adult presenting it to a teenager, to write what they would like the recipient to know. Dear Me would, however have benefited from an index or alphabetical order to allow the reader to pick out particular letters. Perhaps, also, a reader who knew who half of these personages are!
My favourite quote: Trisha Goddard - "Not belonging will give you the freedom to follow your dreams instead of the crowd."
P.S. A large chunk of the letters are from the LGBT community (chiefly gay male), which is perhaps to be expected in a book which is fundraising for the Elton John AIDS foundation. Or perhaps it's simply that figuring out your sexuality is less of an issue for heterosexual people and thus less likely to be mentioned. Either way, I'm mentioning it as Dear Me might be most relevant to a young person struggling with their sexuality.
NB: Different editions seem to contain different authors/letters. Mine is the version with foreword by Elton John.
December 8, 2011
I will freely admit that the only reason I even knew about this book was because my favorite actor, James Marsters, has a letter printed in it... but it was really quite an interesting read. Some of the letters were flippant, some were way more personal than I would have expected, but nearly all of them got me thinking. My favorite may have been the letter from Alan Rickman saying, basically, if in the future someone asks him to write a letter to his 16 year old self, don't do it: "Make your own unique messes, and then work your own way out of them."
And as for my favorite actor? Well, it was about what I expected... mostly flippant and taking the whole "writing a letter to your 16-year-old self" way too literally. Still, overall it was a fun and thought-provoking book.
And as for my favorite actor? Well, it was about what I expected... mostly flippant and taking the whole "writing a letter to your 16-year-old self" way too literally. Still, overall it was a fun and thought-provoking book.
June 18, 2024
I've read Dear Me once before, when I first got it. I found it quite fascinating on what these big names would have said to their 16 year old self. Some generic stuff we'd all say, some wholesome stuff, something raw and something insightful.
The first time I read this book, I was 16. At 16 words in this pages felt human and relatable.
Dear Me got 16 year old me to write a letter to my future self, it's somewhere buried in pages of notebooks but I do randomly come across it every blue moon, which causes the Laura of that present to respond to the past and question the future.
At 29, I look back at my teen years...if 16 year old me and present 29 year old me were in contact..God.. I'd hug her and never let her go. She was scared, alone and hurting. The darkness in her mind was pushing her to the point of no return, which turned into a battle of survival.
God..getting all teary eyed writing this..damn..
The first time I read this book, I was 16. At 16 words in this pages felt human and relatable.
Dear Me got 16 year old me to write a letter to my future self, it's somewhere buried in pages of notebooks but I do randomly come across it every blue moon, which causes the Laura of that present to respond to the past and question the future.
At 29, I look back at my teen years...if 16 year old me and present 29 year old me were in contact..God.. I'd hug her and never let her go. She was scared, alone and hurting. The darkness in her mind was pushing her to the point of no return, which turned into a battle of survival.
God..getting all teary eyed writing this..damn..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2012
Too homogeneous to read more than a handful of entries in one sitting, but not meaty enough to work as a coffee table book. It casts a wide net, covering everything from bestselling authors to youtube sensations, but the same sentiments are repeated over and over, those sentiments themselves being rife with cliches.
I also take fundamental issue with the premise of the book. I know the point of it is to see what wisdom various personalities have gained in the course of their lives, and there's nothing wrong with that, but I find the medium it's presented in, writing a letter to your past self, bothersome. Of course something like telling yourself that you will meet the love of your life in a nightclub on a trip to a specific country, as someone whose name eludes me does in her letter, is ridiculous, but even just giving yourself general advice is pointless. You're obviously going to learn anything you can tell yourself eventually, and when you do, it will most likely be through (an) experience(s) significant enough to deeply ingrain the wisdom in question in you, instead of trust placed in a letter, even if it is from your future self.
Anyway, there are good and bad letters here, but there's so much overlap between the two that the whole book just becomes a blur of "Don't give up!" and "It's okay to be different!" I'd be content just reading J.K. Rowling's to learn that she was (is?) a Smiths fanatic (such a telling thing about a teenage girl, really) and being unaware of the rest's existence.
I also take fundamental issue with the premise of the book. I know the point of it is to see what wisdom various personalities have gained in the course of their lives, and there's nothing wrong with that, but I find the medium it's presented in, writing a letter to your past self, bothersome. Of course something like telling yourself that you will meet the love of your life in a nightclub on a trip to a specific country, as someone whose name eludes me does in her letter, is ridiculous, but even just giving yourself general advice is pointless. You're obviously going to learn anything you can tell yourself eventually, and when you do, it will most likely be through (an) experience(s) significant enough to deeply ingrain the wisdom in question in you, instead of trust placed in a letter, even if it is from your future self.
Anyway, there are good and bad letters here, but there's so much overlap between the two that the whole book just becomes a blur of "Don't give up!" and "It's okay to be different!" I'd be content just reading J.K. Rowling's to learn that she was (is?) a Smiths fanatic (such a telling thing about a teenage girl, really) and being unaware of the rest's existence.
August 19, 2013
I think this book would be just as interesting if it was written by everyday people, as opposed to just those who have gone one to fame and success. Thankfully, there seem to be lots of places for people to post their own (the book's website, Facebook page, Twitter, etc.) which I think I'll enjoy checking out. This also made me think a lot about what I would write to myself, which has proved to be an interesting thought exercise.
July 29, 2011
Great book, that inspired me to think what would I say to my sixteen year old self, and how would I advise myself.
Love the fact that most of the writers at some point usually tell themselves to not start smoking.
Good little book, I just wish I knew more of who some of the contributors are.
Love the fact that most of the writers at some point usually tell themselves to not start smoking.
Good little book, I just wish I knew more of who some of the contributors are.
June 15, 2013
75 celebrities, (writers, musicians, athletes and actors) are asked to write a letter to their "Sixteen-Year-old Self."
I enjoyed reading most of the letters, but, there were a few where the hand-writing was simply so illegible, that I had to give up on trying to decipher it and move on to the next page.
Other than that little bit of bother, it was a really good book.
I enjoyed reading most of the letters, but, there were a few where the hand-writing was simply so illegible, that I had to give up on trying to decipher it and move on to the next page.
Other than that little bit of bother, it was a really good book.
January 3, 2012
capodanno 2012
Eccomi, come ogni Capodanno, a fermarmi per qualche giorno a pensare, e alla fine a raccomandare agli amici un libro che mi sembra particolarmente adatto a capire l'anno appena trascorso e a prepararci a quello che arriva.
Il libro di quest'anno si intitola Caro Me: lettera a me stesso sedicenne (Dear Me: A Letter to My Sixteen-Year-Old Self, Autori Vari, a cura di Joseph Galliano, Atria Books, ottobre 2011). 75 scrittori, atleti, attori, scrivono a altrettanti se stessi adolescenti, dandosi consigli, avvertimenti, dritte.
A dire il vero, il libro non è un capolavoro: tranne qualche raro caso, le celebrità tivù scrivono per coltivare la loro immmaggine, e quindi c'è un diluvio di vanterie camuffate da "simpatico imbarazzo", note di moda, piccante educazione sessuale un tanto al chilo... "Eravamo tutti già dei fenomeni anche all'epoca dei brufoli". Seeee, ciao...
Ma l'idea mi è sembrata interessante (almeno finché non ci ho provato davvero). Perciò, comincio io il gioco: la mia lettera a me stesso sedicenne, la copio qui sotto. Lo so, dei miei sedici anni non gliene può importare di meno a nessuno. Ma suggerisco che ciascuno ci provi, e veda un po' cosa succede.
Le conclusioni, e gli auguri per il nuovo anno, alla fine.
***
Ciao, Me.
Qui è Capodanno 2012. E quindi, innanzitutto: sei ancora vivo dopo tanto tempo. Sì, arriverai a vedere la tua età da lontano. Fra l'altro: non mi ha scritto nessuno dal futuro fra 40 anni... e scriverti mi aiuta a non pensarci.
So che chiederti "chissà se stavolta ne esco vivo" ti è già capitato e ti capiterà ancora almeno un paio di volte, quindi era la prima cosa utile da dirti. Cerca di non usare l'informazione per fare cazzate, fai già abbastanza danni così.
A proposito di argomenti allegri: cerca di essere meno brutale quando parli con le persone.
Tu dici "diretto", loro pensano "stronzo". Non funziona alla tua età dire in faccia a tutti ciò che sai, e funzionerà ancora meno quando saprai davvero qualcosa che non sanno, e ancora di più quando loro sapranno che lo sai e si fideranno di quel che gli dici. Ma non vorranno saperlo fino in fondo. Raccontarsi delle palle, qualche volta, fra esseri umani, ha senso. Lo so che non ci credi. Non ci credo nemmeno io, ma...
Detto questo, fra noi parliamo da uomini: tu, non farti illusioni. Sarà dura. Fra circa un anno e mezzo si ricomincia daccapo. Cambieranno di nuovo radicalmente i programmi che avevi per la tua vita.
Non andrà come ti aspettavi, non farai gli studi e il mestiere che ti aspetti, non vivrai dove ti aspetti. Non vedrai mai più praticamente nessuno di coloro con cui hai vissuto finora. E questo ti ricapiterà poi, di nuovo, in futuro.
E so che non ci sei preparato.
Quanto a carattere, magari anche sì: sei anche troppo pronto a restare senza e a restare solo. Anzi, fammi un favore: appena possibile, impara a affezionarti a qualcuno e qualcosa e qualche posto. E soprattutto: qualche volta, ridi. Sorridi. Ridere e sorridere non è lo stesso che avere senso dell'umorismo. Non è necessario, sai? Non è irrispettoso o sleale o infantile o debole. Puoi essere felice. E' la tua vita, non puoi portarteli addosso tutti per sempre.
Ma quello che mi preoccupa di più è che non sei preparato nel merito.
Ti piace troppo imparare, studiare, e ti preoccupi troppo poco del contenuto e dello scopo di quello che studi. Con questa scusa, perdi tempo appresso a cose interessantissime ma che un domani farai una grande fatica a adattare alla vita concreta che ti è capitata in sorte.
Sai, non sarai uno scrittore, come ancora sogni. Passerai più tempo a agire che a meditare. Penserai, sì, scriverai, e molto. Ti prenderanno in giro perché leggi anche mentre mangi. Anzi alla fine riuscirai a guadagnarti da vivere con quello. Ma non scriverai quello che ti pare e piace.
Scriverai sempre con uno scopo pratico, in un contesto operativo, per influenzare decisioni, per raccontare fatti, per dare istruzioni. Se farai teoria, saranno al massimo scenari sui temi più crudi e concreti della vita. Ti leggerà qualcuno che deve agire sulla base di quello che dici. E agire "in bianco e nero". La maggior parte delle volte scriverai contro qualcuno o qualcosa.
Nessuno valuterà quanto bene avrai pensato prima di scrivere: ma solo le conclusioni e le decisioni alle quali arriverai, e le loro conseguenze.
E tu invece oggi ti aspetti il contrario. Credi che pensare, e pensare bene, possa essere un mestiere in sé. Credi che il tempo e la fatica passati a preparare ciò che dici siano quel che vale. E ti aspetti che vengano riconosciuti. Ti capisco, ma non funzionerà così.
E quindi: il greco? Sì, certo. Solo poche settimane fa qualcuno mi ha finalmente spiegato perché: passare ore ogni giorno, per anni, a decifrare segni incomprensibili, a mettere insieme pezzi di frase ambigui, a imparare la lingua di gente mai vista, a familiarizzarti con un contesto sconosciuto e venirne a capo... insegna a fare esattamente... questo. Non ci avevo mai fatto caso, ma non farai quasi altro per la maggior parte della tua vita (per tutto ciò che non rientra nel "quasi": non arrabbiarti con Nando quando ti fa fare la corsa in salita con la roba addosso, ti tornerà utile. A proposito: dì a Nando di fumare di meno. Anche per lui, la moto non è il problema. Ma digli di fumare di meno. Ah: e fatti spostare in prima appena puoi. Dammi retta, non fare quella faccia. Non hai il braccio, e mi hai lasciato in eredità delle ginocchia...).
Storia, non ho bisogno di dirtelo. Hai presente Tucidide? Lo recito ancora a memoria. Senofonte, Plutarco... sapessi... ci vivo in mezzo.
Però fammi un favore personale: la matematica. La matematica! Ricominciare daccapo a studiarla a vent'anni è stato un incubo. E poi, scusa: ti piace la biologia e non la matematica? La logica ma non gli algoritmi? I codici ma non le cifre? Mah...
E dammi retta: lascia subito perdere sociologia, psicologia, sociosessuopedagogia, metodologia, Adorno, tutta la biblioteca Einaudi. Ti sto solo risparmiando tempo: lo sai già, la leggi annoiandoti, e la leggi perché la leggono tutti, perché sono i libri che vi passate con i tuoi compagni di scuola, perché i prof. più giovani, di quella parlano. Fra l'altro ci si spaccano le palle anche i tuoi amici, solo che loro posano. Tanto sanno benissimo che lavoreranno nella farmacia di papà - gliene frega assai degli "orrori dell'omologazione consumistica"...
Fra trent'anni saranno tutti psicologi. Tutti: insegnanti, avvocati, massaie, preti, zie, direttori del personale, segretari alla Difesa, bancari, terroristi. Anzi, di Freud portati in valigia un solo libro: Il problema della psicoterapia praticata da dilettanti. Lì il vecchio marpione c'aveva imbroccato in pieno.
E poi c'è un problema più ampio: non è una filosofia di vita. E quando lo è, è distruttiva. Almeno, distruttiva del mondo come piace a te.
Sai, l'adolescenza ama ragionare su se stessa. Più meno alla tua età la mente matura la capacità di capire se stessa e di percepire le emozioni come un fenomeno specifico. E allora, farlo, pensarci, parlarne, giocarci, diventa un gioco appassionante. L'interesse per le scienze umane, quindi, ci sta. Per sei mesi. Un anno. Credere che la realtà sia plasmata dalla forza del nostro pensiero, ci sta. Per sei mesi, un anno.
Poi però per il resto della vita... basta una volta all'anno (oggi, per esempio). Ci sta, fermarsi ogni tanto a guardarsi.
Ma l'assorbimento della mente nel pensare a se stessa invece che alla realtà, con le regole della mente invece che con quelle della realtà, il dominio della pedagogia e della metodologia sull'insegnamento, il dominio della psicologia sui rapporti umani, la terapia come forma di organizzazione dell'esistenza, l'economia affidata alla "manipolazione delle aspettative", la politica estera fondata sulla "conquista delle menti e dei cuori del nemico", quella interna fondata sull'"entusiasmo" e sul consenso...
... questa è adolescenza eterna. Arresto dello sviluppo.
E la linguistica? Stai sul greco, e lascia perdere Barthes. Ho visto un generale tenere nel suo ufficio la copia del quadro con la pipa e con scritto sotto "questa non è una pipa". E lui fumava la pipa. Uh, che ironico, quanto spiritosamente dada, che moderno... Ma tu daresti in mano dei missili a uno così? Uno per il quale il rapporto fra parole e cose è al livello di "... e non solo pizza"? (sì, le pizzerie nel 2011 si chiamano "non- pizzerie").
E' tradimento della formidabile capacità della mente di usare la parola per vedere il mondo com'è, alla luce, capirlo, e casomai capire come trasformarlo vivendoci, agendo in esso, non giocando con le parole. E' abbandono della tua vera passione, che è toccare e vedere le cose e poi dare loro nomi, dare nomi alle terre, leggere le leggi della natura, e avere la sensazione di muoverti in mezzo alle cose come l'unico animale che le capisce e quindi le domina.
Questo è il tuo specifico: non invece essere "l'unico animale che inventa parole piacevoli per nascondere le cose, che inventa scuse per i propri errori, che dichiara vittoria prima di combattere, che si dice sazio per calmare la fame".
Poi, fra l'altro: già oggi senti come un insulto, quando qualcuno pontifica sulle "emozioni", sulla mente, sullo "spirito", e su quanto lui li capisca (il prof. di Inglese, poi... da ammazzarlo). Come le emozioni le provasse solo chi si sente autorizzato a parlarne incessantemente. E tu chi sei, solo perché non le mostri: un bruto? Un sasso? E' uno scippo. E ti farà incazzare anche in futuro.
Ma preparati a questo: quando avrai la mia età vivrai in un mondo in cui il ceto intellettuale sarà dominato da chi si è fermato all'adolescenza dalla quale tu stai uscendo.
Non "un'adolescenza" qualsiasi: proprio quella, quella del 1974. In questo momento c'è al potere la generazione che si è formata nei tuoi stessi anni e proprio sui libri che ti sto consigliando di evitare.
I risultati si vedono: economia e politica sono una caricatura degli anni Settanta.
Stati imperiali indebitati per guerre combattute senza volerle vincere. Inflazione perché la moneta si stampa alla bisogna, secondo i desideri, per evitare tristezze e nascondere i problemi del potere e dei suoi sudditi svogliati, incompetenti e mendicanti, e non per rappresentare lavoro e ricchezza già creati nella realtà. Quindi: ricchi scontenti per tasse e debiti esorbitanti e poveri scontenti perché non c'è lavoro e l'affitto costa caro. Non c'è ancora la conseguenza successiva, la lotta politica violenta che tu invece vedi intorno a te in quegli anni, ma temo che la rivedrò presto. Per dirtene una: sai delle rivolte al Cairo per la fame nel 1973/74, sai cosa hanno significato rivolte simili in passato e cosa sono costate, immagini che cosa significheranno anche quelle che sono iniziate ora. Be', il 2011, quattro decenni dopo, è cominciato allo stesso modo... Stessa rivolta, stessa fame, stesso regime, stesso cambio di regime, e daccapo stessa rivolta. E sai cosa ne pensa la casta dei "pensatori", i tuoi amici filosofi in décolleté [sì, sono ancora qui...]? Sono tanto, tanto "emozionati" dall'"entusiasmo" dei ggiovani, dalla "novità assoluta" di una piazza affamata in rivolta. Pensano per associazione d'idee. Per immagini. Per intuizioni sentimentali.
Ti ho detto che le vicende della vita ti costringeranno a pensare e scrivere sempre con uno scopo, senza mai poterti dedicare a "pensare a come pensare", o a scrivere per amore delle parole.
Be'... è una condanna, ma credimi: ti è andata bene così. Meglio così che essere dall'altra parte. Mollali, adesso. Guadagna due o tre anni.
E anche i libri di "attualità politica"... Mah, senti... Tu sei e resterai di fatto un anarchico, ma non sei "di sinistra". Il Potere ti dà l'orticaria, ti stanno sulle palle fascisti e ciellini, ma francamente: con gli scout con le chitarre hai qualcosa da spartire? E con quelle facce infastidite da funerale permanente del Comitato di Base? E con chi dà del "nazista" alla tua gente?
Anche qui: lo sai. So che lo sai. Perché te lo devo dire io? Dittelo da solo. Sei la persona più solitaria e scorbutica che io conosca: perché mai è così facile farti aggregare a un gruppo di imbecilli solo perché stimolano la tua curiosità intellettuale? Perché perdi tempo a condividere le loro letture, le loro mode?
A te oggi sembra niente, cedere a qualche moda. Serve per convivere con i compagni di scuola, di squadra, di musica. In realtà però tu non avrai il tempo per smaltire la sbornia. Smetti di bere adesso.
Non te lo ripeto oltre, non voglio frantumartele più di così: ma per ciò che ti aspetta hai la preparazione fisica, il carattere, la storia personale, fin da bambino: non farti fregare sul punto che importa di più: la consapevolezza di ciò che sei.
Mi stanno chiudendo il collegamento, devo stringere (a proposito: impara a scrivere più conciso. No, eh?).
Cose essenziali da dirti: hai ragione, a nessuno frega niente di Rumor, fin dal 1975. La DC non esiste più. Il comunismo nemmeno, sostituito dalle rassegne di film di Fellini. I socialisti si battono per la privatizzazione delle farmacie, i liberali per mantenere il controllo statale sulle Banche. I fasci sono tornati al governo in Italia, e stavolta erano filosionisti, e li hanno mandati via dal Governo un pubblicitario e un commercialista. I razzisti militanti in Italia se la prendono con (senti questa) gli Albanesi, i Rumeni (da un momento all'altro anche con i Baschi e i Polinesiani).Gli antirazzisti militanti, indovina con chi se la prendono? Boicottaggi eccetera? Esatto: e ti pareva... "Lady Marmalade" è musica eterna, e Zawinul e Miles Davis battono tutti per manifesta. Lavora sulle interne, la bassa esterna ormai è tua per la vita, ma resterai debole sulle interne. Quel casino con Anna e Liliana: negare, sempre! Quando parti, non lasciare il guanto e la roba a Ezio. C'è una sorpresa che ti aspetta dall'altra parte. Bella? Uhm, sì, ma... diciamo che... quando Wocniak tira per terra, non dirgli sempre "tu al massimo puoi fare softball, o danza classica, che è lo stesso": te ne pentirai. Tieni le monete d'argento del nonno ancora cinque anni, poi vendi tutto. In generale, i soldi non saranno un problema, quando non lo farai diventare tu.
Cosa ancora? Ah: un elenco di persone di cui non fidarti e posti dove non andare: ...ahem..., no, lascia perdere. Le fregature le prenderai comunque, per definizione, da qualcuno di cui ti sei fidato, perciò è inutile.
Ecco, mi dice qui che devo proprio chiudere. Ho riletto, e...
... da quello che ho scritto, e dal tono con cui l'ho scritto - imperativo, negativo, brusco, polemico, dandoti le mie conclusioni senza pazienza per la tua passione per il ragionare e sragionare -, sospetto che i miei buoni consigli non ti siano arrivati. O semplicemente non hai lasciato che ti cambiassero. Dal fatto che sono qui, vivo, e felice di essere te, capisco però che hai ragione tu a ostinarti.
Perciò, cerca solo di guidare più piano, di tenere la spalla davanti bassa, impara anche lo spagnolo,
e passa un buon 1975.
Eccomi, come ogni Capodanno, a fermarmi per qualche giorno a pensare, e alla fine a raccomandare agli amici un libro che mi sembra particolarmente adatto a capire l'anno appena trascorso e a prepararci a quello che arriva.
Il libro di quest'anno si intitola Caro Me: lettera a me stesso sedicenne (Dear Me: A Letter to My Sixteen-Year-Old Self, Autori Vari, a cura di Joseph Galliano, Atria Books, ottobre 2011). 75 scrittori, atleti, attori, scrivono a altrettanti se stessi adolescenti, dandosi consigli, avvertimenti, dritte.
A dire il vero, il libro non è un capolavoro: tranne qualche raro caso, le celebrità tivù scrivono per coltivare la loro immmaggine, e quindi c'è un diluvio di vanterie camuffate da "simpatico imbarazzo", note di moda, piccante educazione sessuale un tanto al chilo... "Eravamo tutti già dei fenomeni anche all'epoca dei brufoli". Seeee, ciao...
Ma l'idea mi è sembrata interessante (almeno finché non ci ho provato davvero). Perciò, comincio io il gioco: la mia lettera a me stesso sedicenne, la copio qui sotto. Lo so, dei miei sedici anni non gliene può importare di meno a nessuno. Ma suggerisco che ciascuno ci provi, e veda un po' cosa succede.
Le conclusioni, e gli auguri per il nuovo anno, alla fine.
***
Ciao, Me.
Qui è Capodanno 2012. E quindi, innanzitutto: sei ancora vivo dopo tanto tempo. Sì, arriverai a vedere la tua età da lontano. Fra l'altro: non mi ha scritto nessuno dal futuro fra 40 anni... e scriverti mi aiuta a non pensarci.
So che chiederti "chissà se stavolta ne esco vivo" ti è già capitato e ti capiterà ancora almeno un paio di volte, quindi era la prima cosa utile da dirti. Cerca di non usare l'informazione per fare cazzate, fai già abbastanza danni così.
A proposito di argomenti allegri: cerca di essere meno brutale quando parli con le persone.
Tu dici "diretto", loro pensano "stronzo". Non funziona alla tua età dire in faccia a tutti ciò che sai, e funzionerà ancora meno quando saprai davvero qualcosa che non sanno, e ancora di più quando loro sapranno che lo sai e si fideranno di quel che gli dici. Ma non vorranno saperlo fino in fondo. Raccontarsi delle palle, qualche volta, fra esseri umani, ha senso. Lo so che non ci credi. Non ci credo nemmeno io, ma...
Detto questo, fra noi parliamo da uomini: tu, non farti illusioni. Sarà dura. Fra circa un anno e mezzo si ricomincia daccapo. Cambieranno di nuovo radicalmente i programmi che avevi per la tua vita.
Non andrà come ti aspettavi, non farai gli studi e il mestiere che ti aspetti, non vivrai dove ti aspetti. Non vedrai mai più praticamente nessuno di coloro con cui hai vissuto finora. E questo ti ricapiterà poi, di nuovo, in futuro.
E so che non ci sei preparato.
Quanto a carattere, magari anche sì: sei anche troppo pronto a restare senza e a restare solo. Anzi, fammi un favore: appena possibile, impara a affezionarti a qualcuno e qualcosa e qualche posto. E soprattutto: qualche volta, ridi. Sorridi. Ridere e sorridere non è lo stesso che avere senso dell'umorismo. Non è necessario, sai? Non è irrispettoso o sleale o infantile o debole. Puoi essere felice. E' la tua vita, non puoi portarteli addosso tutti per sempre.
Ma quello che mi preoccupa di più è che non sei preparato nel merito.
Ti piace troppo imparare, studiare, e ti preoccupi troppo poco del contenuto e dello scopo di quello che studi. Con questa scusa, perdi tempo appresso a cose interessantissime ma che un domani farai una grande fatica a adattare alla vita concreta che ti è capitata in sorte.
Sai, non sarai uno scrittore, come ancora sogni. Passerai più tempo a agire che a meditare. Penserai, sì, scriverai, e molto. Ti prenderanno in giro perché leggi anche mentre mangi. Anzi alla fine riuscirai a guadagnarti da vivere con quello. Ma non scriverai quello che ti pare e piace.
Scriverai sempre con uno scopo pratico, in un contesto operativo, per influenzare decisioni, per raccontare fatti, per dare istruzioni. Se farai teoria, saranno al massimo scenari sui temi più crudi e concreti della vita. Ti leggerà qualcuno che deve agire sulla base di quello che dici. E agire "in bianco e nero". La maggior parte delle volte scriverai contro qualcuno o qualcosa.
Nessuno valuterà quanto bene avrai pensato prima di scrivere: ma solo le conclusioni e le decisioni alle quali arriverai, e le loro conseguenze.
E tu invece oggi ti aspetti il contrario. Credi che pensare, e pensare bene, possa essere un mestiere in sé. Credi che il tempo e la fatica passati a preparare ciò che dici siano quel che vale. E ti aspetti che vengano riconosciuti. Ti capisco, ma non funzionerà così.
E quindi: il greco? Sì, certo. Solo poche settimane fa qualcuno mi ha finalmente spiegato perché: passare ore ogni giorno, per anni, a decifrare segni incomprensibili, a mettere insieme pezzi di frase ambigui, a imparare la lingua di gente mai vista, a familiarizzarti con un contesto sconosciuto e venirne a capo... insegna a fare esattamente... questo. Non ci avevo mai fatto caso, ma non farai quasi altro per la maggior parte della tua vita (per tutto ciò che non rientra nel "quasi": non arrabbiarti con Nando quando ti fa fare la corsa in salita con la roba addosso, ti tornerà utile. A proposito: dì a Nando di fumare di meno. Anche per lui, la moto non è il problema. Ma digli di fumare di meno. Ah: e fatti spostare in prima appena puoi. Dammi retta, non fare quella faccia. Non hai il braccio, e mi hai lasciato in eredità delle ginocchia...).
Storia, non ho bisogno di dirtelo. Hai presente Tucidide? Lo recito ancora a memoria. Senofonte, Plutarco... sapessi... ci vivo in mezzo.
Però fammi un favore personale: la matematica. La matematica! Ricominciare daccapo a studiarla a vent'anni è stato un incubo. E poi, scusa: ti piace la biologia e non la matematica? La logica ma non gli algoritmi? I codici ma non le cifre? Mah...
E dammi retta: lascia subito perdere sociologia, psicologia, sociosessuopedagogia, metodologia, Adorno, tutta la biblioteca Einaudi. Ti sto solo risparmiando tempo: lo sai già, la leggi annoiandoti, e la leggi perché la leggono tutti, perché sono i libri che vi passate con i tuoi compagni di scuola, perché i prof. più giovani, di quella parlano. Fra l'altro ci si spaccano le palle anche i tuoi amici, solo che loro posano. Tanto sanno benissimo che lavoreranno nella farmacia di papà - gliene frega assai degli "orrori dell'omologazione consumistica"...
Fra trent'anni saranno tutti psicologi. Tutti: insegnanti, avvocati, massaie, preti, zie, direttori del personale, segretari alla Difesa, bancari, terroristi. Anzi, di Freud portati in valigia un solo libro: Il problema della psicoterapia praticata da dilettanti. Lì il vecchio marpione c'aveva imbroccato in pieno.
E poi c'è un problema più ampio: non è una filosofia di vita. E quando lo è, è distruttiva. Almeno, distruttiva del mondo come piace a te.
Sai, l'adolescenza ama ragionare su se stessa. Più meno alla tua età la mente matura la capacità di capire se stessa e di percepire le emozioni come un fenomeno specifico. E allora, farlo, pensarci, parlarne, giocarci, diventa un gioco appassionante. L'interesse per le scienze umane, quindi, ci sta. Per sei mesi. Un anno. Credere che la realtà sia plasmata dalla forza del nostro pensiero, ci sta. Per sei mesi, un anno.
Poi però per il resto della vita... basta una volta all'anno (oggi, per esempio). Ci sta, fermarsi ogni tanto a guardarsi.
Ma l'assorbimento della mente nel pensare a se stessa invece che alla realtà, con le regole della mente invece che con quelle della realtà, il dominio della pedagogia e della metodologia sull'insegnamento, il dominio della psicologia sui rapporti umani, la terapia come forma di organizzazione dell'esistenza, l'economia affidata alla "manipolazione delle aspettative", la politica estera fondata sulla "conquista delle menti e dei cuori del nemico", quella interna fondata sull'"entusiasmo" e sul consenso...
... questa è adolescenza eterna. Arresto dello sviluppo.
E la linguistica? Stai sul greco, e lascia perdere Barthes. Ho visto un generale tenere nel suo ufficio la copia del quadro con la pipa e con scritto sotto "questa non è una pipa". E lui fumava la pipa. Uh, che ironico, quanto spiritosamente dada, che moderno... Ma tu daresti in mano dei missili a uno così? Uno per il quale il rapporto fra parole e cose è al livello di "... e non solo pizza"? (sì, le pizzerie nel 2011 si chiamano "non- pizzerie").
E' tradimento della formidabile capacità della mente di usare la parola per vedere il mondo com'è, alla luce, capirlo, e casomai capire come trasformarlo vivendoci, agendo in esso, non giocando con le parole. E' abbandono della tua vera passione, che è toccare e vedere le cose e poi dare loro nomi, dare nomi alle terre, leggere le leggi della natura, e avere la sensazione di muoverti in mezzo alle cose come l'unico animale che le capisce e quindi le domina.
Questo è il tuo specifico: non invece essere "l'unico animale che inventa parole piacevoli per nascondere le cose, che inventa scuse per i propri errori, che dichiara vittoria prima di combattere, che si dice sazio per calmare la fame".
Poi, fra l'altro: già oggi senti come un insulto, quando qualcuno pontifica sulle "emozioni", sulla mente, sullo "spirito", e su quanto lui li capisca (il prof. di Inglese, poi... da ammazzarlo). Come le emozioni le provasse solo chi si sente autorizzato a parlarne incessantemente. E tu chi sei, solo perché non le mostri: un bruto? Un sasso? E' uno scippo. E ti farà incazzare anche in futuro.
Ma preparati a questo: quando avrai la mia età vivrai in un mondo in cui il ceto intellettuale sarà dominato da chi si è fermato all'adolescenza dalla quale tu stai uscendo.
Non "un'adolescenza" qualsiasi: proprio quella, quella del 1974. In questo momento c'è al potere la generazione che si è formata nei tuoi stessi anni e proprio sui libri che ti sto consigliando di evitare.
I risultati si vedono: economia e politica sono una caricatura degli anni Settanta.
Stati imperiali indebitati per guerre combattute senza volerle vincere. Inflazione perché la moneta si stampa alla bisogna, secondo i desideri, per evitare tristezze e nascondere i problemi del potere e dei suoi sudditi svogliati, incompetenti e mendicanti, e non per rappresentare lavoro e ricchezza già creati nella realtà. Quindi: ricchi scontenti per tasse e debiti esorbitanti e poveri scontenti perché non c'è lavoro e l'affitto costa caro. Non c'è ancora la conseguenza successiva, la lotta politica violenta che tu invece vedi intorno a te in quegli anni, ma temo che la rivedrò presto. Per dirtene una: sai delle rivolte al Cairo per la fame nel 1973/74, sai cosa hanno significato rivolte simili in passato e cosa sono costate, immagini che cosa significheranno anche quelle che sono iniziate ora. Be', il 2011, quattro decenni dopo, è cominciato allo stesso modo... Stessa rivolta, stessa fame, stesso regime, stesso cambio di regime, e daccapo stessa rivolta. E sai cosa ne pensa la casta dei "pensatori", i tuoi amici filosofi in décolleté [sì, sono ancora qui...]? Sono tanto, tanto "emozionati" dall'"entusiasmo" dei ggiovani, dalla "novità assoluta" di una piazza affamata in rivolta. Pensano per associazione d'idee. Per immagini. Per intuizioni sentimentali.
Ti ho detto che le vicende della vita ti costringeranno a pensare e scrivere sempre con uno scopo, senza mai poterti dedicare a "pensare a come pensare", o a scrivere per amore delle parole.
Be'... è una condanna, ma credimi: ti è andata bene così. Meglio così che essere dall'altra parte. Mollali, adesso. Guadagna due o tre anni.
E anche i libri di "attualità politica"... Mah, senti... Tu sei e resterai di fatto un anarchico, ma non sei "di sinistra". Il Potere ti dà l'orticaria, ti stanno sulle palle fascisti e ciellini, ma francamente: con gli scout con le chitarre hai qualcosa da spartire? E con quelle facce infastidite da funerale permanente del Comitato di Base? E con chi dà del "nazista" alla tua gente?
Anche qui: lo sai. So che lo sai. Perché te lo devo dire io? Dittelo da solo. Sei la persona più solitaria e scorbutica che io conosca: perché mai è così facile farti aggregare a un gruppo di imbecilli solo perché stimolano la tua curiosità intellettuale? Perché perdi tempo a condividere le loro letture, le loro mode?
A te oggi sembra niente, cedere a qualche moda. Serve per convivere con i compagni di scuola, di squadra, di musica. In realtà però tu non avrai il tempo per smaltire la sbornia. Smetti di bere adesso.
Non te lo ripeto oltre, non voglio frantumartele più di così: ma per ciò che ti aspetta hai la preparazione fisica, il carattere, la storia personale, fin da bambino: non farti fregare sul punto che importa di più: la consapevolezza di ciò che sei.
Mi stanno chiudendo il collegamento, devo stringere (a proposito: impara a scrivere più conciso. No, eh?).
Cose essenziali da dirti: hai ragione, a nessuno frega niente di Rumor, fin dal 1975. La DC non esiste più. Il comunismo nemmeno, sostituito dalle rassegne di film di Fellini. I socialisti si battono per la privatizzazione delle farmacie, i liberali per mantenere il controllo statale sulle Banche. I fasci sono tornati al governo in Italia, e stavolta erano filosionisti, e li hanno mandati via dal Governo un pubblicitario e un commercialista. I razzisti militanti in Italia se la prendono con (senti questa) gli Albanesi, i Rumeni (da un momento all'altro anche con i Baschi e i Polinesiani).Gli antirazzisti militanti, indovina con chi se la prendono? Boicottaggi eccetera? Esatto: e ti pareva... "Lady Marmalade" è musica eterna, e Zawinul e Miles Davis battono tutti per manifesta. Lavora sulle interne, la bassa esterna ormai è tua per la vita, ma resterai debole sulle interne. Quel casino con Anna e Liliana: negare, sempre! Quando parti, non lasciare il guanto e la roba a Ezio. C'è una sorpresa che ti aspetta dall'altra parte. Bella? Uhm, sì, ma... diciamo che... quando Wocniak tira per terra, non dirgli sempre "tu al massimo puoi fare softball, o danza classica, che è lo stesso": te ne pentirai. Tieni le monete d'argento del nonno ancora cinque anni, poi vendi tutto. In generale, i soldi non saranno un problema, quando non lo farai diventare tu.
Cosa ancora? Ah: un elenco di persone di cui non fidarti e posti dove non andare: ...ahem..., no, lascia perdere. Le fregature le prenderai comunque, per definizione, da qualcuno di cui ti sei fidato, perciò è inutile.
Ecco, mi dice qui che devo proprio chiudere. Ho riletto, e...
... da quello che ho scritto, e dal tono con cui l'ho scritto - imperativo, negativo, brusco, polemico, dandoti le mie conclusioni senza pazienza per la tua passione per il ragionare e sragionare -, sospetto che i miei buoni consigli non ti siano arrivati. O semplicemente non hai lasciato che ti cambiassero. Dal fatto che sono qui, vivo, e felice di essere te, capisco però che hai ragione tu a ostinarti.
Perciò, cerca solo di guidare più piano, di tenere la spalla davanti bassa, impara anche lo spagnolo,
e passa un buon 1975.
August 2, 2018
2018 Popsugar Reading Challenge: Read A Book Of Letters
This was a quick, enjoyable and at times insightful reading experience. There are some wonderful nuggets of wisdom in this collection of letters. Reoccurring themes of compassion, self-love and optimism are sprinkled throughout many of the letters. My personal favourites weren't based on my favourite public figures but valued upon the content of the letters. Some of these included;
1. Jodi Picoult who reflects on the importance of valuing what you do more so than what your salary earns you. She also acknowledges the value of mother relationships stating, "Over the years you'll have confidantes come and go, but your mom will always be your best friend". And finally the importance of slowing down and taking everything in.
2. Graydon Carter, who I actually didn't know at all wrote one of my favourite letters in the book, which I also actually took a great deal of wisdom from it. Some key points were that, "Life is not a dress rehearsal. But don't get hung up on every little thing. The key is to concentrate on the big issues and the little details. Everything in between will kind of take care of itself."
3. Steve-O, who's letter surprised me greatly. His letter was rather compassionate and insightful. I appreciated his messages of self importance and happiness. One such idea I appreciated was, "Don't ever worry about who's better than you, just stay focused on improving yourself".
4. Garth Brooks wrote a wonderfully reflective letter which had some powerful feminist undertones to it. He writes, "... you have no idea how much what you say to a young girl will shape how she feels about herself. Things you never give a second thought [too] will determine her level of self-respect and these 'seeds' will last her entire lifetime".
5. Armistead Maupin was another figure I was unfamiliar with but his letter touched my heart. He writes with compassion and openness to his younger self, who is struggling with his sexuality.
Although many of the letters were insightful and inspiring, others were rather lack lustre and short. I understand that not everyone may have profound words of wisdom for their younger selves, which is fine. However, for the purposes of composing a book, I felt a bit more effort could have been made by the contributors of the collection. For example, Steve Vai's letter is so short it features only ten words, which include him writing "To Young Steve" and "From Old Steve", meaning he writes only four actually words in his letter to his sixteen year old self; "You're doing just fine". I appreciate the sentiment nonetheless, but felt a bit more effort could have been made beyond those ten words.
Moreover, although it was aesthetically pleasing for the book to be composed by the original letters sent in, some were completely illegible. For example, I couldn't read Beverely D'Angelo and Jerry Springer's hand writing at all and simply skipped them both.
Nevertheless, this was a hopeful and nice read which I was able to take some insights away from. Three thumbs up!
This was a quick, enjoyable and at times insightful reading experience. There are some wonderful nuggets of wisdom in this collection of letters. Reoccurring themes of compassion, self-love and optimism are sprinkled throughout many of the letters. My personal favourites weren't based on my favourite public figures but valued upon the content of the letters. Some of these included;
1. Jodi Picoult who reflects on the importance of valuing what you do more so than what your salary earns you. She also acknowledges the value of mother relationships stating, "Over the years you'll have confidantes come and go, but your mom will always be your best friend". And finally the importance of slowing down and taking everything in.
2. Graydon Carter, who I actually didn't know at all wrote one of my favourite letters in the book, which I also actually took a great deal of wisdom from it. Some key points were that, "Life is not a dress rehearsal. But don't get hung up on every little thing. The key is to concentrate on the big issues and the little details. Everything in between will kind of take care of itself."
3. Steve-O, who's letter surprised me greatly. His letter was rather compassionate and insightful. I appreciated his messages of self importance and happiness. One such idea I appreciated was, "Don't ever worry about who's better than you, just stay focused on improving yourself".
4. Garth Brooks wrote a wonderfully reflective letter which had some powerful feminist undertones to it. He writes, "... you have no idea how much what you say to a young girl will shape how she feels about herself. Things you never give a second thought [too] will determine her level of self-respect and these 'seeds' will last her entire lifetime".
5. Armistead Maupin was another figure I was unfamiliar with but his letter touched my heart. He writes with compassion and openness to his younger self, who is struggling with his sexuality.
Although many of the letters were insightful and inspiring, others were rather lack lustre and short. I understand that not everyone may have profound words of wisdom for their younger selves, which is fine. However, for the purposes of composing a book, I felt a bit more effort could have been made by the contributors of the collection. For example, Steve Vai's letter is so short it features only ten words, which include him writing "To Young Steve" and "From Old Steve", meaning he writes only four actually words in his letter to his sixteen year old self; "You're doing just fine". I appreciate the sentiment nonetheless, but felt a bit more effort could have been made beyond those ten words.
Moreover, although it was aesthetically pleasing for the book to be composed by the original letters sent in, some were completely illegible. For example, I couldn't read Beverely D'Angelo and Jerry Springer's hand writing at all and simply skipped them both.
Nevertheless, this was a hopeful and nice read which I was able to take some insights away from. Three thumbs up!
May 7, 2018
What will you write a letter to your younger self? The moment I read the header of this book, I knew I have to read it. When people you look up to, people who are successful in their life, write about what troubles they've faced and how they thought miserable of themselves, gives one a hope of a better future.
One thing common in all the letters was how everyone thinks they're useless as they are, insecure about themselves, they find ways to make the world around them happy with their being. How every celebrity in the book suggests to LIVE YOUR LIFE YOUR WAY, LOVE YOUR MOTHER AND CALL HER, DON'T BREAK THE FAMILY BONDS.
This book will give you some simple life lessons that often times we tend to ignore.
It made me ponder how sometimes I break call on my mother for other chores. I felt guilty of doing it. This book does not have hardcore life lessons but simple ones that are a must-have for a better life!
.
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Joseph Galliano did a great job to ask celebrities to write a letter to their younger selves. A great intriguing concept.
/
THIS IS A MUST READ GUYS. (4/5 **** )
.
. BLOG - https://areebaflaunts.wordpress.com/
.
.
INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/areebaflaunts/
One thing common in all the letters was how everyone thinks they're useless as they are, insecure about themselves, they find ways to make the world around them happy with their being. How every celebrity in the book suggests to LIVE YOUR LIFE YOUR WAY, LOVE YOUR MOTHER AND CALL HER, DON'T BREAK THE FAMILY BONDS.
This book will give you some simple life lessons that often times we tend to ignore.
It made me ponder how sometimes I break call on my mother for other chores. I felt guilty of doing it. This book does not have hardcore life lessons but simple ones that are a must-have for a better life!
.
.
Joseph Galliano did a great job to ask celebrities to write a letter to their younger selves. A great intriguing concept.
/
THIS IS A MUST READ GUYS. (4/5 **** )
.
. BLOG - https://areebaflaunts.wordpress.com/
.
.
INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/areebaflaunts/
October 10, 2019
If there’s is something you want to say to your younger self, I think I want to tell her to be bold and don’t try to understand everything because even at any point of your life you still have things that you can’t figure out.
my best pick from this book is from Alam Rickman; Make your own unique messes and then work your own way out of them. ❤️❤️
my best pick from this book is from Alam Rickman; Make your own unique messes and then work your own way out of them. ❤️❤️
September 26, 2024
Despite the Foreword by JK Rowling, I really enjoyed this book! I found it very nostalgic and although it is aimed at 16 year olds, I think I’m much more receptive to the advice now as a 21 year old. I found myself tearing up quite a few times often when being reminded how unexpectedly short our time can be with loved ones!
December 30, 2023
Quite a different book. I didn't know most of the "stars" ,but the advice was interesting...self worth and self-confidence levels were revealing at how much 16 was a difficult year for many...and mid-teens in general....
February 6, 2020
an eclectic group of people writing to their 16 year old selves. So really little auto-biographies and general life advice for the rest of us. Fun to read though.
March 17, 2020
I have to say that I skipped some of the letters. Some of it was interesting
October 5, 2020
A good collection, some quite insightful and from a selection of big names. But I wasn't particularly moved in reading them.
Want to read
April 10, 2022How I can read this book.it's looking calm.i hope I can get a copy of it .
July 11, 2022
A lovely concept but a bit disappointing in reality.
April 7, 2021
A short collection of candid letters, that really gave a deeper look into the minds and lives of celebrities.
A nice and quick non-fiction read that allowed a look past the public personas that we see, but don’t truly know.
A nice and quick non-fiction read that allowed a look past the public personas that we see, but don’t truly know.
April 10, 2013
If you wrote a letter to your sixteen-year-old self, what would you say?
In Dear Me – A Letter to My Sixteen-Year-Old Self (Hardback, 128 pages, Simon and Schuster, $20), that is the topic addressed by 75 celebrities, writers, musicians, athletes and actors. They offer words or encouragement, reassurance, warning and advice.
Initially, I was attracted to this book because of the entries by authors; I wanted to see what Stephen King would say to his younger self. I did read that, and I expected there to be so much more from this prolific author than what was there, but then, this was a letter to himself. It wasn’t for me or anyone else, though it’s published for us all to see.
Many of the letters are phoned-in and just a few lines. Often, these were presented in the original handwriting of the author, and that helped raise my interest a little, but only a little.
The response from Alan Rickman to his sixteen-year-old self was equivalent to throwing himself in the deep end and saying, “Sink or swim!”
Pauly Shore tells his sixteen-year-old self to kill himself at seventeen.
Then there were the ones that took this exercise seriously or managed to endear themselves in some way.
The Forward, written by J.K. Rowling, was exquisite.
Mark Everett (E from the musical group, Eels), was very thoughtful, and his entry was on a typewriter and likely, a first draft.
Jodi Picoult (author) really took this seriously, and I enjoyed reading hers the most. It was also the longest one in the book.
Finally, the book concludes with an invitation for you to write your own letter to your sixteen-year-old self, and even gives you lined, blank pages to do it on.
Note: Profits earned from Dear Me – A Letter to My Sixteen-Year-Old Self, got Doctors Without Borders, a very worthwhile cause. Also note that some reviewers who bought e-book versions of this complained that some of the letters had type too small to read. If you want to buy this book, I recommend the physical copy for that reason.
In Dear Me – A Letter to My Sixteen-Year-Old Self (Hardback, 128 pages, Simon and Schuster, $20), that is the topic addressed by 75 celebrities, writers, musicians, athletes and actors. They offer words or encouragement, reassurance, warning and advice.
Initially, I was attracted to this book because of the entries by authors; I wanted to see what Stephen King would say to his younger self. I did read that, and I expected there to be so much more from this prolific author than what was there, but then, this was a letter to himself. It wasn’t for me or anyone else, though it’s published for us all to see.
Many of the letters are phoned-in and just a few lines. Often, these were presented in the original handwriting of the author, and that helped raise my interest a little, but only a little.
The response from Alan Rickman to his sixteen-year-old self was equivalent to throwing himself in the deep end and saying, “Sink or swim!”
Pauly Shore tells his sixteen-year-old self to kill himself at seventeen.
Then there were the ones that took this exercise seriously or managed to endear themselves in some way.
The Forward, written by J.K. Rowling, was exquisite.
Mark Everett (E from the musical group, Eels), was very thoughtful, and his entry was on a typewriter and likely, a first draft.
Jodi Picoult (author) really took this seriously, and I enjoyed reading hers the most. It was also the longest one in the book.
Finally, the book concludes with an invitation for you to write your own letter to your sixteen-year-old self, and even gives you lined, blank pages to do it on.
Note: Profits earned from Dear Me – A Letter to My Sixteen-Year-Old Self, got Doctors Without Borders, a very worthwhile cause. Also note that some reviewers who bought e-book versions of this complained that some of the letters had type too small to read. If you want to buy this book, I recommend the physical copy for that reason.
April 14, 2012
This book is a collection of letters that are being written from various well-known celebrities and successful people. They are letters they are writing to themselves. They are their sixteen-year-old selves writing nuggets of wisdom that only time exposed to them.
This book was fun to read and worth reflecting on.
A few of my most touching individuals:
Angie Dickinson - Treasure your abilities; you won't always have them.
James Woods - Call someone in your family every single day.
Jodi Picoult - Calculus. Trust me: you will never use it.
Stephen King's letter primarily focused on his ten year drug addiction. This was touching for me because I was a huge fan of King. When I found out some of his work was created under the influence I was really disappointed. He went to the bottom of my list. For me his letter symbolized how much he recognized what the drug use did to him and others.
The most meaningful letter was from Garth Brooks. Garth informed his younger self that he had no idea how much he said to a young girl will shape how she feels about herself. Things you would never give a second thought about could determine a girl's level of self-respect among other things. And, these mispoken words (seeds) will last her entire lifetime.
As my son has grown into a man I have shared this same advice with him over and over. I was touched that Garth made this part of his letter. I'm not sure if Garth had specific regrets regarding things he might have said, but it is an important nugget of wisdom.
The book contained actual photos of the letter writers themselves at age 16. The book also illustrated some of the actual letters that were hand written. I had a slight problem reading some of them. Unfortunately I had to give up on a couple of them.
Also nice to know that $1 for each book sold will benefit Doctors Without Borders.
This book was fun to read and worth reflecting on.
A few of my most touching individuals:
Angie Dickinson - Treasure your abilities; you won't always have them.
James Woods - Call someone in your family every single day.
Jodi Picoult - Calculus. Trust me: you will never use it.
Stephen King's letter primarily focused on his ten year drug addiction. This was touching for me because I was a huge fan of King. When I found out some of his work was created under the influence I was really disappointed. He went to the bottom of my list. For me his letter symbolized how much he recognized what the drug use did to him and others.
The most meaningful letter was from Garth Brooks. Garth informed his younger self that he had no idea how much he said to a young girl will shape how she feels about herself. Things you would never give a second thought about could determine a girl's level of self-respect among other things. And, these mispoken words (seeds) will last her entire lifetime.
As my son has grown into a man I have shared this same advice with him over and over. I was touched that Garth made this part of his letter. I'm not sure if Garth had specific regrets regarding things he might have said, but it is an important nugget of wisdom.
The book contained actual photos of the letter writers themselves at age 16. The book also illustrated some of the actual letters that were hand written. I had a slight problem reading some of them. Unfortunately I had to give up on a couple of them.
Also nice to know that $1 for each book sold will benefit Doctors Without Borders.
February 22, 2012
I became interested in Dear Me: A Letter to My 16 Year-Old Self when I discovered that many celebrities I look up to and admire had written letters to their younger selves, and all were compiled into this book. Then, as a surprise birthday present from my sister, I received a copy. I immediately started the book, and it was so much more than I imagined.
The letters vary on topic, style, and intent. Some are hilarious while others have a much more somber tone. My favorites can be found somewhere in the middle of the tones, and have a touch of humor to go along with a serious message. Either way, though, I found myself emotionally involved in each letter and the message it sent.
My top 3 letters were from Hugh Jackman, Alan Rickman, and James Marsters. Each had a message that I responded to. With Hugh's letter, I gained more of an understanding about where he comes from. Alan's (very) short letter had me in tears from laughing. The first half of James' letter had me giggling while the second half was a touch more somber and had me connecting even further with his portrayal of Spike on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and his need to be loved.
I loved this book, and give it 5 stars. I cannot recommend it highly enough, and sincerely hope that new editions will come out with more celebrities involved.
This review is cross-posted at Amazon.com.
The letters vary on topic, style, and intent. Some are hilarious while others have a much more somber tone. My favorites can be found somewhere in the middle of the tones, and have a touch of humor to go along with a serious message. Either way, though, I found myself emotionally involved in each letter and the message it sent.
My top 3 letters were from Hugh Jackman, Alan Rickman, and James Marsters. Each had a message that I responded to. With Hugh's letter, I gained more of an understanding about where he comes from. Alan's (very) short letter had me in tears from laughing. The first half of James' letter had me giggling while the second half was a touch more somber and had me connecting even further with his portrayal of Spike on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and his need to be loved.
I loved this book, and give it 5 stars. I cannot recommend it highly enough, and sincerely hope that new editions will come out with more celebrities involved.
This review is cross-posted at Amazon.com.
February 7, 2016
Some of the content of the letters got repetitive, but I think that just speaks to the universality of life's journeys. I was looking forward to the letters of the celebrities I admire a lot, but was surprised at how touching I found some of the letters by celebs I'd barely given a second thought to before. Elvira's letter to her younger self was so sincere and void of camp! I might start carrying a handkerchief, thanks to Graydon Carter's (Editor of Vanity Fair) list of all the possible uses. At 16, Kathleen Turner was forecasted by her yearbook staff to be "Lady Ambassador to the Moon." Stephen King issues a powerful warning to his youth about recreational drug abuse. But the theme that came up again and again was one of self-acceptance. The writers often lamented the paradox: wishing they could be more specific about challenges their younger selves should avoid and deciding to be vague because those challenges shaped them into who they eventually became. Great addition to the classroom library! No matter what age reads it, there are takeaways. I think it would be a fun writing assignment for our staff to do. Maybe something along the lines of our BIONIC. Each month, a few teachers' letters to younger selves get hung in the hallway along with a photo of themselves at 16! Ooh, or an advice column to publish in the print and online editions of The Eagle Eye!
January 14, 2011
The premise of this book is that a number of actors, writers, sports stars, comedians and musicians (among others) write a letter to themselves at 16 with words of wisdom, humour, reassurance and advise. Proceeds from the book go to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Stand-outs for me are Stephen Fry (that probably goes with out saying) but also Baz Luhrmann who's heartfelt letter shows just how much understanding he has gained about his relationship with his Father - parents can baffle and frustrate your younger self but once you're older you realise that becoming a Dad (or Mum) does not make you suddenly infallible!
On a more humourous note, Danny Wallace has inadvertantly convinced me to pick up one of his books as he very amusingly advises his 16 year old self to start learning guitar so as not to look like such a loser when flat-sharing with a group of musicians at university and only being able to join in by banging a toaster with a spoon!
An interesting idea, what words of wisdom would you offer yourself at 16? I'd already made some monumental muck ups (the word I'm think of rhymes with muck) BEFORE 16, I reckon I'd need to catch myself at 13 or 14 but then it's very doubtful I would have listened anyway...
Stand-outs for me are Stephen Fry (that probably goes with out saying) but also Baz Luhrmann who's heartfelt letter shows just how much understanding he has gained about his relationship with his Father - parents can baffle and frustrate your younger self but once you're older you realise that becoming a Dad (or Mum) does not make you suddenly infallible!
On a more humourous note, Danny Wallace has inadvertantly convinced me to pick up one of his books as he very amusingly advises his 16 year old self to start learning guitar so as not to look like such a loser when flat-sharing with a group of musicians at university and only being able to join in by banging a toaster with a spoon!
An interesting idea, what words of wisdom would you offer yourself at 16? I'd already made some monumental muck ups (the word I'm think of rhymes with muck) BEFORE 16, I reckon I'd need to catch myself at 13 or 14 but then it's very doubtful I would have listened anyway...
February 22, 2012
I just found this at the library today and thought it sounded interesting! I stood there in the aisle reading the many letters written by famous people to their 16 year old self. Some were eloquent-so funny-some foreboding-some happy-some sad. Of course I found Hugh Jackman's letter to himself first because I love that man! hahaha What would you say to your 16 year old self? I think a rough draft letter to my 16 year old self would be something like-
Dear Eri-
Hey sweetie! How's that red oldsmobile treatin' ya? You're going to have that car a long time so don't damage it too much...when you accidently rip out the dashboard your inventive brother will patch it back together with Christmas ribbon so don't stress. Also you don't have to worry to much about your skin. After a good ol' dose of Acutane you will be just fine. Also you should probably avoid boys with names that start with C's and T's-they are not good! And just remember life just gets better and better and you should enjoy the ride everyday and laugh and dream constantly.
Love, Erika
It would be something like that! :)
Dear Eri-
Hey sweetie! How's that red oldsmobile treatin' ya? You're going to have that car a long time so don't damage it too much...when you accidently rip out the dashboard your inventive brother will patch it back together with Christmas ribbon so don't stress. Also you don't have to worry to much about your skin. After a good ol' dose of Acutane you will be just fine. Also you should probably avoid boys with names that start with C's and T's-they are not good! And just remember life just gets better and better and you should enjoy the ride everyday and laugh and dream constantly.
Love, Erika
It would be something like that! :)
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