A letter from Sep 6th, 2021

Dear FutureMe, I hope that you are happy. Your professional life has, thus far, been a constant battle between being the best at what you do and feeling that, because you make less money than some of your peers, you are somehow inadequate. This sentiment is nothing new; you have felt this way for quite some time. I hope that you have learned to be happy — that you understand life isn’t about the number that appears on your direct deposit receipt, but rather on the self satisfaction you derive from what you do and the impact you have on those around you. The world doesn’t need another person rifling through spreadsheets or making hundreds of thousands on Wall Street; they need someone who makes them smile again and reminds them to look up. I’m not sure where you stand with long-form programming, but hopefully you are one step closer to showing people that the world is a little smaller than it appears. People need someone who makes them smile and reminds them to be good to one another. Any small part you can play in that will, at the end of the day, translate to meaning. Life is short; you have fifty years left. You could squander it in the pursuit of the almighty dollar, or relish the things in life that money can’t buy. Your fatal flaw is jealousy and pride. There will always be someone richer than you or someone who works less than you for way more money. Finance doesn’t translate to virtue; there is more virtue in a hard day’s work. Ultimately, I hope you have stayed the course and that it has taken you to the amazing places we all knew it would. I hope too that you have found a permanent adventure buddy — or someone who might be a good candidate. I hope that you are learning to accept yourself, and know that you are enough. You care too much about your image, both outwardly and inwardly, and it seems to be getting worse with time. Find someone who views you through the same lenses you see. Ultimately, I hope that you are happy — that you are continuing to make everyday life an adventure. Life isn’t just about the big moments — it’s about cobbling together a string of much smaller, more fleeting memories, even in places like Walmart, random parking lots or at midnight fast food joints, that mean the world. I hope you have found this person. And — if you have — don’t let him go. I hope that you have enjoyed years of tornadoes and special moments. I hope that your path has taken you into hurricanes and allowed you to bask in the shadow of the moon. I hope you have soared to new heights and that you’ve kept life an adventure. And, above all, I hope you stayed you. You’re not a Wall Street banker or a robot who types in Courier New. You’re the one that’s helping your generation to look up again. Matthew September 5, 2021