I've been thinking a lot about the messages we tell ourselves and how that impacts who we are... and who we become. Our daily train of thought... the conversations we have with ourselves... they play such a huge role in the end.
One of my favorite people is about to turn 14 and has entered into the teenage years which can be particularly volatile for girls. I knew her better when she was much younger until I moved away. First of all... she is adorable. She has the best curls that shape her face and her smile is contagious. The last time I saw her before last she was in elementary school gabbing about a mathathon and trying to keep up with her big brother. Fast forward more than five years and we were finally reunited a couple of weeks ago.
I was reminded of how much I miss her and I'm still so proud of the teenager she has become. We agreed in our adoration for Lauren Alaina on American Idol and were both appalled at Lady Gaga's performance. We laughed at her mom's comment, "five years ago you wouldn't be watching this!" I told her my parents were the same way and then she let me know she was glad she couldn't watch some of that stuff. What?! She's not even 14 and she's already understanding the concept of parents protecting you from some things while I know for sure I was still crying about them "punishing" me by withholding it at her age.
My friend told me she didn't have many friends until she started playing lacrosse and my heart melted when I first found out she was a goalie like me. She posted a picture of herself in her eighth grade formal dress and tried to balance this "please like it" with the "I don't care what people think." She is so strong and I'm so impressed with the messages she's telling herself. I don't think she's perfect... and I don't think she has it all figured out... but I felt like I could see the conversation in her head. She seemed to be fighting back against any negative thought knocking her down and countered with a reminder she is going to be okay.
I want to be like her. I'm not unrealistic to think we can eliminate all of the haters in our heads... but I want to battle back with optimism... the optimism of an almost 14-year-old who very well may have it together more than me.
One of my favorite people is about to turn 14 and has entered into the teenage years which can be particularly volatile for girls. I knew her better when she was much younger until I moved away. First of all... she is adorable. She has the best curls that shape her face and her smile is contagious. The last time I saw her before last she was in elementary school gabbing about a mathathon and trying to keep up with her big brother. Fast forward more than five years and we were finally reunited a couple of weeks ago.
I was reminded of how much I miss her and I'm still so proud of the teenager she has become. We agreed in our adoration for Lauren Alaina on American Idol and were both appalled at Lady Gaga's performance. We laughed at her mom's comment, "five years ago you wouldn't be watching this!" I told her my parents were the same way and then she let me know she was glad she couldn't watch some of that stuff. What?! She's not even 14 and she's already understanding the concept of parents protecting you from some things while I know for sure I was still crying about them "punishing" me by withholding it at her age.
My friend told me she didn't have many friends until she started playing lacrosse and my heart melted when I first found out she was a goalie like me. She posted a picture of herself in her eighth grade formal dress and tried to balance this "please like it" with the "I don't care what people think." She is so strong and I'm so impressed with the messages she's telling herself. I don't think she's perfect... and I don't think she has it all figured out... but I felt like I could see the conversation in her head. She seemed to be fighting back against any negative thought knocking her down and countered with a reminder she is going to be okay.
I want to be like her. I'm not unrealistic to think we can eliminate all of the haters in our heads... but I want to battle back with optimism... the optimism of an almost 14-year-old who very well may have it together more than me.
No comments:
Post a Comment