In life during COVID-19, one thing we have had a lot of, is time. And reflection is the gift we can give ourselves. đ¤ Looking back, I spent much of my childhood on the outside, looking in. Racism, bullying, not fitting in, and cultural miscues playing a significant role. đ I didnât find my voice until I was well into adulthood. When I think about my younger self, I wish I could just give her a big hug. â¤ď¸ And tell her that those years of crippling self-doubt and uncertainty were just temporary. This weekend, our family went for pizza to celebrate our teenage daughterâs birthday. A simple COVID-19 birthday. đ We were with a small group of very candid loved ones. In talking about the difficulties of life, we were trying to relay to one another, young and old, that the first form of conscious love must be self-love -- understanding ourselves, forgiving ourselves, and committing ourselves to growth. These are the pillars, even we adults work to build our present and future selves on.
As Mia starts a new year, I look at her in awe.đ She is a young woman in todayâs world. Currently a COVID-19 world. One in which her parents, and an army of extended family are constantly evolving. Thereby pushing her to continue on her own journey to self-discovery. Having witnessed personal and social struggles in adolescence, she has grappled also with adults finding their way, and fully understands that trauma comes in many shapes and sizes. All at the tender age of 17. She is a beautiful sponge, soaking it all in like sunshine. âď¸ The good with the bad. She is already finding her voice. This is our hope for her. đđ˝To learn from us, taking that knowledge as far as she possibly can. And then some. Deep within her is so much sensitivity and grace, that I am utterly floored. đ She is an old soul, and she sees people, really sees them -- knowing that we are all created from our memories and experiences. Sometimes our love for her is just unbearable. đ And embedded in it, is a deep wish for her to continue to seek balance and mindfulness.
I am amazed at the youth of today. At their understanding of the world. Yes there is angst that smells like teen spirit. And there can be that tone of dismissiveness in their demeanour at times. But coupled with it is so much yearning, so many dreams, and such a vast awakening that most of us did not have at that age. đŤ I applaud these kids. Kids who know words like âanxietyâ, âdepressionâ, âaddictionâ, and âhealingâ. And now, âpandemicâ.đˇ
How are they? Really?
While I dealt with tacit and real hardship, I only learned empathy as an adult. âđ˝And being able to impart this mentality to our children is a wonderful thing. Watching classics like âDead Poetâs Societyâ, âDirty Dancingâ, and âSome Kind Of Wonderfulâ during COVID-19 has led to much discussion and learning. đ đ The compassion born from all of this, simply moves me. Youth like Mia and her brother, their peers, and the children of close friends, truly restore my faith in a world where tenderness and hope are just so needed. đ
More than anything right now. đđ˝ đ
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