The weather’s been erratic the last few days. We are hoping for good days ahead. The weather gods aren’t too pleased with me, as I see it. I’ve just returned to Quito after a trip to the Ingapirca ruins, the largest Inca ruins in Ecuador between Chimborazo volcano and Cuenca.

Susha offers my favourite Ecuadorian cacao drink and cookies. Tea and coffee are no longer my go-to beverages. My soul lies in Ecuador and cacao. I am still learning about the country, exploring it slowly, savouring my travels.

I sink into my corner, the pink velvet sofa with a view of the infinite sky. The ceiling to floor glass window of my penthouse needs cleaning.

After living for four years in the capital, I am more than ready to move to the countryside villa in the Quito Metropolitan area. I want to be away from the hustle bustle of the city, amid my winged friends.

My work as foreign affairs editor requires frequent flying, working with governments and meeting senior officials. The skyscraper residence is perfect for this, close to all the offices. But it tires me out. It’s time to do things my way and implement time management techniques.

The mail needs to be answered and I reluctantly turn towards my work table. What’s this? Snail mail? The envelope is scented with traces of lavender, handmade and a golden Q is embossed on it. It’s addressed to me. Another party invitation! I groaned, for society parties are nothing but gossip grounds, high heeled idle people sapping energy. Nevertheless, I open it.

Arriba
8.11.2034

Hiya Babes,

Can I call you granny? I know the relationship status has changed and he must have come with his cradle full of grandchildren. LOL! Or this outdated now? Well, who cares. I thought it’s good to keep in touch, think about it, snail mail is still alive!

No Granny! Yes. I have a partner, but no grandchildren, even children. I prefer two of us. I was practically scowling.

Good, you’ve been regular with your fitness schedule. I like the health club, so relaxing. You are energetic with pilates, tai chi, strength training, massages, and a lot of thermage and botox.

Yes, what’s wrong with using the best scientific procedures to remain fit and well groomed? I have a stylist too, mister. There are new procedures on the roll and I am using them to get rid of fat as well. I need muscle power to stay in business. Nobody gives work to bedridden oldies.

I like the new you, happier, younger, except you have to show off your knowledge of the world to everyone. Why must you have an opinion on everything and everybody? Is it important to tell the world how much you have experienced, written and weeded out?

It’s called putting your views forward for optimal and positive change. My knowledge stems from first-hand experiences with people on the ground. The communities who live within the forests, people who want to safeguard their culture and live on their homeland, connected to their ancestors and their heritage. I help resolve conflicts, you moron. See my work in Syria,Yemen. Gaza, Palestine, Ukraine weren’t as successful, but then, more than success, the intent counts.

How many of those ‘100 experiences I must have before I die’ have you ticked off? Oldie goldie, I am sure you didn’t go trekking to Machu Pichu. With your well-cushioned job, you must have surely been on luxury cruises and trains.

FYI, I did trek to Machu Pichu. Yes, I did take the Alaska, Arctic-Fjord cruises and Trans-Siberian Railway journey is booked for next year. There’s also the Suez Canal, Nile Cruise and more biosphere expeditions planned for the next two years. But wait a minute, how do you know about this check list? Dude, who are you? BTW, where is my check list now? In the Mumbai apartment, or somewhere in my drawers here?

Queen of Treasures survived. The follower number spiked, 600x. You did set fire to your social media, eventually. After all that ‘such a waste of time, no monetisation, lost efforts, no ROI’. If Pinocchio did exist, you would be one at this moment, your nose touching the ground.

I like the small and quality e-store that you launched on the website; sticking to genuine, experiential content paid off. It was tough going though.

Remember, the treasured walks through the bird sanctuaries and safaris in national parks. How many of those photographs haven’t see the light of day? Oh! I enjoyed your slide show at the school in Mexico for small children. What a grand introduction to Indian flora and fauna. It was cool to gift the 100 of them a printed book. When’s the next exhibition?

Pinocchio! I fumed, wait till I get my hands on you. Next exhibition is in December in a village in Nagaland on world flora and fauna. Wait, why I am talking to a letter that doesn’t have a return address?  

You and I have always been together—till death do us apart! Get ready for your scuba diving class, I am always with you. Wish lists, check lists, your new mystery books, new adventures with jungle keepers, indigenous tribes, new languages, hideouts in war zones, new cruises-trains-drives-flights, I love them all. Don’t leave your binos and new camera behind. Your pix, words, sound ‘n’ motion docus are a killer combo. I love you.

Whoa! This is spooky. My eyes almost pop out when they see the date… 2034! Hell, who sent me this letter, an alien?

Your very own self, Ambica

My eyes popped out. What have I been eating and drinking? My brain’s got stuck in the Museum of Illusions; all those visits to futuristic science pavilions, and writing fantasy tales. I take a deep breath, close my eyes to feel my identity. Yes, I am still in Quito, holding my press card, and this handwritten, scented letter is also mine.

This post is a part of Blogchatter Blog Hop

This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.

Neuroscientists says that writing letters to your future self boosts happiness. According to psychologists who study narrative psychology—the way people construct stories to make sense of their lives—find particular value in future-self letters as a meaning-making tool. Dr. Dan McAdams, Professor of Psychology at Northwestern University and pioneer in narrative identity research, says, “Writing to your future self requires constructing a coherent narrative that connects your present circumstances to your envisioned future, which helps create meaning and purpose.”
This narrative process serves multiple therapeutic functions:
Temporal integration: Connecting past experiences, present actions, and future aspirations
Coherence creation: Organizing scattered thoughts and feelings into a structured narrative
Agency enhancement: Positioning oneself as an active author of one’s life story rather than a passive character
Meaning discovery: Identifying themes and values that provide direction and purpose
Identity clarification: Articulating who you are becoming and what matters most to you
(Source: The Therapeutic Effect of Letters to the Future: The Opinion of Psychologists)