Generally, we should be concentrating on the present, as every moment is a gift in and of itself. However, sometimes it is important to take a step back to think about the past and the future. This article concentrates on the latter, and hopefully reminds our future selves to think of what we valued in the past as well as things that we'd like to continue to value for the rest of our lives.

Dear future self,

My name is Hasan Nadeem and I'm 20 years old. I'm midway through my third year of college, and it seems the last two years have flown by. I've had a lot of fun in my life and I've definitely had my trials and tribulations as well. However, I've tried to take each and every experience as an opportunity to learn, and this letter explains something important I've learned thus far and life and why I hope to retain it as well.

As I sit here in my bedroom and reflect upon my character, I wonder how I will change in the upcoming years. I've inherited from my father the constant and nagging necessity to worry about something at all times. This is a blessing and a curse. There has not been a day in the last few years where I haven't had the pressure to do something productive or accomplish some goal, either big or small. 

I've grown accustom to this feeling, and it has led me to do many things. This guided me through rural Honduras, national research presentations, and academic achievements. I have always tried to better myself and outdo myself each and every year. But in the end, it is not these accomplishments that I take pride in.

As I truly reflect on my life, my greatest accomplishments have been the friendships I have made. I have connected and spoken to some of the greatest people in the world, and it is an absolute pleasure to call them my friends. Though people may change as the seasons, and enter and exit our lives, I have learned that we must keep with them what they have taught us. My philosophy has developed into an understanding that our peers and colleagues are the greatest teachers and mentors in our lives. We can learn more from any human than we can from a textbook or lecture.

Future self, I'd like you to remember what your passion is, and it is the people around you. If you are true with yourself, it isn't proving to others that you are capable of something great or more intelligent than your competitor. Future self, I feel as though I know you quite well. One day, you will get lost in your work and career and will lost track of what is really important to you. In that time, I hope you come back to read this article. Because it will remind you that being successful by societal standards is facetious and for lack of a better word, stupid. Please, follow your desires to help other people and to learn from each and every person you encounter. Don't forget your love of traveling the world and experiencing the unknown. Spend your time and energy with you future kids and wife and friends.

Do not be afraid to do something for yourself. Your 20-year-old self is telling you this because he knows that is what he values now. And although people change throughout the years, this is something that should never change about you/me. So work towards making the world better and making your friends and family happy. But also remember to make time for reading a good book, seeing a new city or sight, and trying something entirely out of your comfort zone. But finally, always always always, prioritize happiness. Don't be too critical of yourself, because all people are inherently good (this I believe), and with the belief that we ourselves, deserve happiness, we end up making others happy as well.