Growing up, I imagined a smooth life, no stress, no putting in so much effort to achieve something, and one free of complications. As a child living in my little world, I expected things to just happen; I asked, and I received. I believed that life would always be that simple - no worries and you don't need to struggle. But as I matured, reality dawned on me and unravelled that illusion, and my perspective changed.
The more we grow, the better we understand and see life in its 3D portrait. One of the first things I realized was that change is constant. Life does not remain the same. Life, being easier in childhood, where responsibilities were minimal, slowly transformed into the complexities of adulthood.
I saw that every stage of life comes with its own demands, and adaptation is a must to embrace at that point and to learn. I thought everyone - my parents, older siblings, aunties and uncles in the neighbourhood had everything figured out, not knowing they were also navigating their own challenges, trying to keep up with life's changes.
Another significant shift in my mindset was in how I viewed disappointment as a child. Whenever things didn't go my way or when I asked my parents to do something for me, whether it was getting a toy or food I craved but didn't get, I would feel sad, confused or even frustrated. Also, I remember at age 16, whenever I asked for something from my aunt, she would refuse, saying I must come over to help before I was given what I requested.
As I became more mature, I began to understand something important: life doesn't always give us what we want, but often, it gives us what we need and other times, you have to work for it. I realized that those moments, where my expectations weren't met didn't mean discouragement but taught me how to be patient, resilient and, above all, to be grateful.
I understand that not every "no" you get is a rejection; sometimes it's a way to redirect your path and focus. The more I observed, the more I understood that everyone around me was dealing with their own struggles. It wasn't that those who couldn't help me did that willingly; they had their battles to fight. The understanding came, and that shifted my perspective to be more empathetic and appreciate people's efforts, no matter how small it is.
Life has been my greatest teacher, showing me that maturity isn't just about growing older or adding a number every year; it's about growing in understanding. Life made me understand that we are all in this together, everyone carrying their burdens and we should support one another.
As I grow older, I do not need to dwell on what I lack but rather to be grateful and focus on what I have at the moment. Instead of feeling angry at someone, I should love and see every struggle as a stepping stone to becoming the best version of myself.
Reflecting back, I see how much I have changed. It made me realize that I was just an innocent little child back then, and my thoughts were normal, but with my maturity now, my perspective has changed, and I have become wiser.
I understand now that life is a journey of growth, and while life may not always be easy, it is always worth living, learning and embracing with an open heart. My sister would say, "Enjoy life now. Live in the present and be grateful."
Image in the post is mine
