As a teenager, I couldn’t wait to grow up. I was in a desperate rush to be free – free to date who I wanted, free to do what I wanted, free to be ME. I thought everything I ever dreamed of would be within my grasp once I crossed over the threshold into adulthood. Being an adult meant people would respect me, take me seriously, trust me and let me be me. Sound familiar?
I have adamantly told myself that I would never go back to my teenage years – not via time machine, not even in my thoughts.
And yet, for so many reasons I had to take myself back there recently, to uncover some truths of who I am today. This is what I learned:
- Love is blind. It knows no boundaries and can form between two most unlikely people. Love is sacred and a gift and should always be respected.
- When forgiving, it is important to start with yourself. Treat yourself kindly and then see the miracles it can have on those around you.
- The people in your life have their own stories. They have their own teenage years, their own angst and their own underlying beliefs. Let them have theirs and send them love to heal and restore.
- There aren’t any mistakes in life, just twists and turns and oh so many lessons. Be grateful for them; every lesson learned is another tool for yourself and your children.
- Resisting something only gives it more strength in your life. If you truly want to let go of something, deal with it. Do the work.
This weekend, my son turns 2. One day he’ll be 12 and at the cusp of the years that I had the most “trouble” with. I’m hoping that if I live the lessons I have recently uncovered, like really live them, it might help him and his sister even just by making me a more “aware” parent.
If you feel like you have your own stories to tell, what’s stopping you from telling them? Can you take any of the lessons you have learned in your life and turn them into a piece of art? A short story? A novel? How about a letter to your children for when they grow up?
Want some direction with this? Drop me a line – I’d love to help!