For the longest time I can remember I used to cringe with embarrassment for things like
a) being an aggressive tomboy in school, I was 10 yrs old
b) dancing on camera for my sister’s wedding, I was 13 yrs old (btw having two left feet I am still a little embarrassed every time I see the video)
c) not being an avid cook at time I got married, I was 24.
I am 30 now and all these things are pretty insignificant leading me to believe, age and ergo our experience/inexperience makes us label incidents good, bad or ugly.
I can never get my daughter to feel bad for not wanting to go to the kindergarden or stop her from wondering out aloud about why that lady on the bus has blue hair. Why? Because at 3 staying away from home, even for a couple of hours, is unthinkable and the second because she is only learning the ways of the world.
When your little brother stops you from calling him the sobriquet he was born with, its not him. Its just that he hasn't been around long enough. Haven't we all been there and done that? When your parents ask you save and pay off that loan, it is their experience talking and we shall all get there sooner or later.
On being upset at doing poorly in a test while at school, my teacher remarked that there was no fun if you scored full marks at the first shot. He went on to say give yourself a break and some room for improvement.
The big picture being you can't grow unless you goof up. Besides only as we age will we understand the many subtleties of life.
Additionally reminding myself of the age factor, every time I feel wronged by someone’s behaviour, does the trick of beguiling my herculean ego and getting on with life.
ps. I do dance with my children and enjoy it a lot more than I did earlier.
Disclaimer: Some of us are evergreen and continue with our puerile pursuits just refusing to grow up. But then that is just who we are.
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