Real Life of an MSW

Note to Self: Inspiring Words From Inspiring People by Gayle King (2018 143 pages), Gayle King collects her favorite inspiring letters from the popular CBS This Morning segment Note to Self, in which twenty-first century luminaries pen advice and encouragement to the young people they once were. It’s not a new idea to write a letter to your younger self. I recall in grade school we were assigned to write letters to our older selves. Oh, how I wish I still had that letter or could recall it. Though I digress, back to the review. I have read this book once before, as I found notes written in the margins, and came across highlighted sentences. Here are a few of my favorites:

Jimmy Greene pens “John 16:33 –I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take care! I have overcome the world.” (115)

Alice Waters reflects “never quitting, never surfing, and never giving up – that makes you a hero” (76), and “Work and pleasure will become the same thing.” (69)

Tyler Perry pens “Thank you for living so I could thrive” (48)

This is a delightful book if you are looking for something light and uplifting to read. It might even inspire you to write your own letter to yourself. This book is technically 162 pages, but pages 145 through 159 are blank pages that allow you space to pause and write a letter to a younger version of yourself. Have you read this book? What are your thoughts on writing letters to your younger and older selves?