Changes

I do not know if anyone has told you this before but it's okay to grow and become a better version of yourself. You know the saying "If you aren't growing you're dead" right? Every part of life will demand a new version of you; If you aren't constantly evolving than more times than none you

will repeat the same phase in your life. It's crazy because I preach this so well but when it's happening on the forefront it's hard to accept. Trust me I know! It's so hard to see people change because memories never fade (unless you've had damages to your limbic system). But we have to change, we must move forward and we should expect/accept this from every person in our lives. I have 12 nieces and nephews ages 18 to 3. I get so excited seeing them growing into themselves, finding out their talents, likes/dislikes, etc. But most of them are teenagers and are doing things I either 1. never did or 2. never thought about doing because I know I would get my ass beat. The wildest thing is that I am watching them become actual adults! They speak their minds now, they aren't as inclined to listen, they have attitudes and everything! I swear sometimes I want to slap them silly because they think they know everything & don't understand I'm trying to help them. But then I realize they aren't the sweet, little babies I once knew them to be and I was the same way. I thought I knew everything, I was fearless, wanted to be everywhere, and just having fun! They want the same things. And though it frustrates me I have to let them grow into their own person. What did I just say before? If you aren't growing then your dead. And you should want a long, healthy life for everyone you surround yourself with.

I love humans. I love sitting back and observing people be their BEST selves. We have to let the people we love become their AUTHENTIC selves regardless of what that entails. We must understand that we are here to play our roles in their lives and just love them unconditionally. Whatever life throws at them I want them to be as resilient as I've made myself. But they can't GET through things if I don't let them GO through things. In life you never want your family and friends to be broke, hungry, unhappy, etc. But that is life and you cannot shield them from it. My mother told me that we have to allow people to be themselves in order to understand what's the best version of us is. "The broken are the more evolved." -The movie "Split" You can either continue to feed your family fish or teach them how to fish. I want you to set them up for success! One day you will expire from this earthly experience, think about how you would want them to continue to live after you're gone. Would you want them seeking someone that'll feed them continuously or do you want them out here grinding like you taught them? Understand that mistakes are a part of the growing process. No one can learn until they've fell down. They will not learn from your lessons. Humans have to be burnt in order to understand that fire is hot. Set the people you love up for success and let them grow! Because they'll either grow with you or without you. Do not expect them to be perfect, expect them to be human! Just how you wanted your parents to understand you make mistakes, give them the same respect.

"We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community... Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own."

-Cesar Chaves