A letter to my 100-year-old self would go something like this:
“Dear Louisa,
I am so glad to be writing this letter to my 100-year-old self because I am so glad I got to live to this age. It means so much given I have spent as much time on this earth with my son as I possibly could.
It’s funny, when I was young I do distinctly remember fervently believing that people lived to 100. And for me, this has been proven to be true – and I hope my 100-year-old self is still going very strong. Aim for 111 and see what happens!
I am sure that things have changed significantly in the 45 years between my writing this and my 100-year-old self reading it. I do hope it has changed for the better.
You will know by then what the outcome of having Saturn and Neptune in Aries at 0 degrees as they now are. You will know what impact this planetary alignment, which hasn’t happened for thousands of years, will have on people. You will also know the impact of having a unique planetary alignment of Pluto in Aquarius for the first time in nearly 250 years, Neptune in Aries at 0 degrees for the first time in thousands of years, and Uranus in Gemini for the first time in 80-odd years. You will know whether or not this did bring in the sense of oneness and community that they promise. If they did bring in more harmonious societal structures and if they did bring in innovation in technology that serves community rather than billionaires. You will know if we managed to stop the ravaging of the environment, if we managed to reverse our impact on nature and accept that we are a part of it, not separate to it. And I hope that the innovations in technology since 2026 have been focused on serving people rather than people sacrificing their health and the earth for it.
I hope that by the time you read this in 2071, that society has been focused upon authenticity, integrity, personal responsibility, empowerment and a sense of community rather than on the individualism of the early 21st century. I hope that the political structures and how community is served by them has been fundamentally altered so that it is about serving the community rather than self. I hope that the religious doctrines have become less dogmatic and more inclusive and tolerant of the fact that other people are allowed their beliefs. I hope that culture has flourished, that art in all its forms has continued to be produced by human beings expressing themselves in the most powerful way possible. I hope that nature is also resplendent in all its wondrous glory.
I hope that the scourge of poverty has been ended by communities coming together and working together, by people taking responsibility for themselves and their own welfare as well as understanding that they are a part of a greater whole and equally have a responsibility to it. And I hope that the evil of greed has been eradicated and everyone is aware that there is more than enough abundance to go around for all. I hope that while the universe has been explored from earth via innovations in telescopes, we have focused more on our own planet rather than attempting to create a base on another. There is no need for us to colonise another planet just to ruin it. I am sure, though, that the universe is proving as elusive as ever and all attempts to fully understand it are an ongoing process. The universe does not dance to anyone’s tune and is an ever-changing, ever-growing creation of endlessness that has no beginning or end in time and place.
I hope you are living the life of your dreams, surrounded by grandchildren and having the peace you have so richly deserved. I hope you are surrounded by love, nature and joy. I trust you are enjoying robust good physical, mental and spiritual health and will continue to do so. We have been through battles but have always come out the other side scarred, yes, but also stronger and more connected than before.
100 years old. A wonderful milestone. Now push on to make 111. You know it makes sense!”
Louisa Simpson 