For the longest time, I equated growing up with numbers, with responsibilities, with that dull ache of a regular, safe life. I always thought grownups lost much of their sparkle, and were just about as exciting as my high school biology classes. Grownups had no magic in them. Just strings of DNA pieced together by salaries (that they weren’t satisfied with), jobs (that they hated), and gray hair (that they could really do nothing about).
But it just hit me: growing up is so much more than numbers, responsibilities, and gray hair.
It’s about forgiveness. You can get over the events and the people that break your heart. You can, and you will. It’s hardly ever easy, but just give it time. It will make you stronger in the end.
It’s about asking for forgiveness. At one point in your life, you’ll slip up and do something stupid. But learn how to say sorry and mean it, and you’ll be fine.
It’s about learning things the hard way. Sometimes, that’s the only way.
It’s about keeping people in your life that constantly inspire you and challenge you; those who make you happy and keep you grounded. These people are the only ones that matter.
It’s about taking a leap of faith. If you never do, you’ll never know if you can fly.
It’s about second chances, to make sure you don’t have any regrets. But it’s also about knowing when you’ve had enough. Everyone has a limit. Know yours, and don’t compromise it.
It’s about living in the moment, no matter what that moment is. Don’t be ashamed to feel what you feel — you’re only human, and your emotions define your humaneness. You can’t help what you feel inasmuch as you can’t help that you feel.
It’s about realizing that you won’t always get what you want. However, you will always get what you need.
Growing up is simply learning to love yourself. No matter who you are. Just love yourself, inside and out, and you’ll always know what you need to do. You will get by, and most importantly, you will always be happy.
JieJah's Say...I feel old already but young at heart :)
