Growing up was less about growing out of my shoes

and more about growing into my sense of self-worth.

 

As I matured,

I realized a number of things that I had overlooked

earlier in my childhood.

 

Parents were not "always right".

Parents did not always "know what's best for you".

 

You get to a certain age

where you know exactly where you want to be.

Both in that moment,

and in ten years.

 

And you begin to wonder

if you are heading toward your dreams,

or toward your parents'.

 

I overlooked my dad forcing me into computer programming,

which is fine in moderation.

It's just that that was his job,

not mine.

 

I have had a dream, my whole life,

of being a doctor. 

 

But he told me that was "stupid"

because robots will take over that field

by the time I'm out of medical school. 

 

What I learned is that no matter how much

the ones that supposedly love you most

degrade you,

diminish you,

and mostly just treat you like the raccoon living in their garbage can,

 

You do not have to grow up like them.

You do not have to fit their mold of a person.

 

Now, this does not mean a child should never listen to their parents.

This is not at all my point.

A child has to ask themself several questions, first.

 

One, are they doing this for me, or for themselves?

Two, do they value my opinions?

Three, do they help me find success in what I want to do, 

or what they want me to do?

 

The takeaway from my childhood

is that my dreams are valid.

my dreams matter. 

and most of all, 

I can achieve my goals

without those who no longer support me.