Svasti is a blog about the author’s journey from assault to wholeness. Svasti lives in Australia and we just discovered each other’s blogs recently. I am so grateful she reached out and sent the following pearl:
Dear Svasti at age 12,
So, guess what? It’s totally true that you are going to become a powerful, creative, passionate and strong woman.
In a couple of years you’ll want to give up writing because of your perfectionist streak. Don’t. Keep going.
And you know how you’ve always been fascinated by people who can speak more than one language? Well guess what? You can learn to do that too! Try Spanish, it’s your favourite.
When you meet that girl who tells you how great yoga is when you’re eighteen, ask if you can go to a class with her. Trust me, you’ll be endlessly grateful!
I’m sorry but your brother is not going to change and it’s not your fault he is the way he is. BUT you need to get Mum and Dad to pay more attention.
Say these words to them:
Mum and Dad, I know that brothers and sisters fight. But my brother hurts me way more than he should and he does it no matter how many times you tell him not to and get him to apologise. He also calls me very nasty names every day. It’s destroying my self-confidence and my faith in other people. Unless you can stop all of this, I’m going to become very secretive because I will start to believe I can’t trust you.
If things still don’t get any better, tell that nice English teacher at school. Just don’t stop til someone pays attention.
Your first boyfriend? Don’t go out with him! Or, if you can’t resist because of the flattery, then don’t go to that wedding with him.
Take your time finding the right person to fall in love with.
Oh, and even if you fail year 12, you can still go to university. Work towards that goal. You’re made for that life, so no matter what, go for it! Don’t worry if you have no idea what you want to do. But stick with the arty/theatre/performance subjects and you’ll be sailing to the stars.
A big bear hug and lots of love,
Svasti aged 37
P.S. You always have such a hard time believing you’re pretty, but you are you know. And years later you’ll look back on photos of younger you and you’ll be able to see it. xo
Photo credit: tanakawho
General Disclosures & Disclaimers
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I loved this one. So much wisdom here!
wow, this is an amazing pearl. so very, very moving!
what can i say? you and your younger self are, as ever, totally beautiful, Svast. *hugs* you've inspired me with this one
p.s. City Girl, great blog!
Svasti, Beautiful. Perfect. Oh, how I wish these letters could have really gotten to us!
Beautifully said Svasti, and I believe she/you did hear the whispers of your letter, through an illusive wrinkle in time, and knew you'd be her advocate through life choices to become the amazing woman you are today. Our injuries become our strengths of grace. love to you, Karin
Svasti–would that we could actually time travel and write a letter to ourselves when we are older–so that our younger selves could have guidance from our older, more wise selves. But then, I have always had fantasies about time travel!
I loved this letter. It was wise and very sweet at the same time.
Melinda
This is totally delightful, Svasti! While not spilling all the pain that befell you back then you said a lot to indicate there was pain. But you also share humor and true nourishing love. It's wonderful.
Beautiful, Svasti. Really nice. I agree with Lydia up there that you hinted at pain in your life, but tempered it with love and humor. It was quite the "love" letter.
Very cool. Well done.