This post is inspired by a young woman who I've known since she was 2. I used to babysit her and now she takes care of my kids. Lately she has posted a few things up on her facebook that make me so proud. Lessons that it took me awhile to learn, she has seemed to learn them her junior and senior year of high school. As a young woman in today's society, she has a good head on her shoulders. She is so intelligent. She may make mistakes her and there, but that's allowed as you grow. She's had her heartbroken, not only by boys, but my friends as well. She doesn't let this break her though, she becomes stronger. She accepts herself for who she is, for who God made her to be.
As a teen you have your insecurities, and in today's world we unfortunately have bullies in this world who want to put you down and make those insecurities worse. They make you feel worse. But does she let this get her down, no she doesn't. She retaliates by posting a handwritten letter of how she won't let anyone affect her judgement of her own self worth. Amazing.
She's had to learn already that there are people in this world that are here for the here-and-now, some will hang around for a little bit of time, and then there are those who are there for a lifetime. She has her family, her extended family, and has a few of those lifetime friends. She has an inner strength so strong. I can't wait to see what she does with her future.
Friendships that you gain help you move through life each day. I learned how precious those relationships are when I hit college. It has been 16 years since I started high school. During that time I had a lot of the here-and-now, the few that last awhile and a handful that have been around for the lifetime. But what has been interesting is that some of those awhile-friends have come back into my life. I've been able to reconnect, heal, move forward. Some relationships have been ones that I really missed having in my life.
I've learned that friendships are hard work just like any relationship. Some of them you can't move on until you open old wounds. You find that somethings were misunderstood, somethings were helpful, somethings were hurtful, yet you can heal and move forward. You find support in those you didn't think you would. They need time, nurturing, care.
I've had some emotional conversations with some old friends. Peeling back old layers to make new foundations. You realize that if you really want the friendship, you will take that time. You come back more honest, truthful, and trust that if your heart is in the right place and theirs is too then you can rebuild.
My heart has expanded these last few weeks. To be so completely honest with a lot of different conversations. Knowing that I don't have to hide, I can be just me. If I'm not accepted that's okay, I have those lifetime friends. But if I gain another lifer, well more power to me. :-)
No comments:
Post a Comment