Familiarizing with Family

Do you ever look back at the adolescent relationships you had with your family as life develops; hoping to recapture those moments of unconditional love, which are hard to come by today ? Well, if you haven't, I have. It seems the older I get, the more important my family becomes, no matter how far I pushed them away as a teenager. Especially with all of the catastrophe, hate, and darkness around us today, cherishing our loved ones can be more healthy and helpful than ever.

During my first attempt to transfer college's from Junior College, my mother couldn't get away any sooner. However, after pushing to handle all of the responsibilities of college on my own and realizing how much she has been there to help, my mother has an entire new role in my life. In fact, when issues get too problematic, it is better to complain to her than some of my friends, who I am sure have enough to worry about. For the first time this summer I put my family first, and priorities/ friends second. In doing so I found time to paint my grandma's finger nails, do her laundry, bring her flowers, help my mother and father, still having time for all of the important activities and people in my life.

Lately more than ever, there is a social standard set requiring we build an army of friends just to say "mine is bigger than your's." But what good is an army of friends who will all flee when a battle breaks lose. By putting family first and only my dearest friends second, this summer has been more fulfilling than most. (Not to say I didn't have and unforgivable amount of fun certain summers) In any case, next time the world is on my back or a war is approaching in my life, I know those people ( family especially) will be there. 

I am all for moving towards a brighter and more advanced future; as long as we don't lose sight of what's important in life. So I propose spending even a few days away from electronics, jersey shore, or whatever other distracting factor we spend time on, and with our family.

 No matter how different we grow from our family, they are still there and more important than anything imaginable. Next time you are getting ready to argue with an ex, watch a mindless reality show, or party, think about someone who has given you unconditional love and how good it may feel to return it. Familiarize yourself with family, and next time a difficult situation approaches "Winc" with confidence knowing there is a solid army behind you.

Yielding to Youthfulness

The other day, I ran into my Uncle while leaving my fathers home. He asked how I was doing and my reply was "tired." After twisting his face in a manner suggesting his opinion of the statement he responded saying "You're to young to be worried about a bunch of stuff. Slow down baby." About a year ago that statement would have gone in one ear and out of the other, but a year ago, I wasn't this tired.

The rest of the day I did my best to be steady and patient while also getting to the root of this exhaustion. I had moved about 6 times in the last year, had a soul depriving boyfriend, and spent at least 2 hours a day crying and running through my memory to find out where it all started. I am sure even you are exhausted at this point just imagining the energy it took to do that. In any case, my mind has wondered so aimlessly for the last year because I was spending to much time trying to be an adult, or the next Oprah Winfrey if you will. 

All the while, other kids my age were taking life as it came, enjoying each moment, nourishing their friendships, the way we should when we are younger. With media so available in our present day society and the constant push to "be" something you just are not, its easy to overstep our youthful boundaries. However, I have discovered only when I let myself be, well, myself, does my life progress in any manner.

There are a ton of young adults who live their lives separately from me, make their own choices, and make more or less mistakes than I have, so this might not apply to all. But to those young 20 somethings who are moving too quickly in the wrong direction, next time you get to an intersection, yield, and take a deep breath before crossing, who knows what you may be missing if you chose a different direction. Yield to your youthfulness and when you are already in your late 20's and a fine, successful adult, you'll be happy. Oh, and when life is going the direction you had always hoped, don't forget to look at yourself in the rear view mirror and "Winc."



"You are only young once, and if you do it right, once is enough" - A woman I interviewed named Annie