Acknowledgment

As a young woman in this crazy world run by “laws and morals,” where can I find my place to grow up without the corruption of others?

Being a teen in today’s society involves media saturation, new age social norms, and the fight to differentiate yourself from others who “look like you.” The older I get, the more I have to prove myself to get ahead. Lately, I’ve been finding the most significant advice from the elders in my family. They give the most considerable input on my life issues because they’ve been around for ages. And yes, taking advice is a good tactic for personal growth, but to apply the advice, you need to be in the mindset to change and absorb new concepts like a sponge. I think people in my generation struggle with that the most. Now I’m not saying always take the advice and change yourself when people critique you. No, it’s the concept of acknowledgment. Acknowledging your traits, be it negative or positive, is one of the essential steps in self-improvement.

I have worked on internal improvement myself, considering what my family tells me and really sitting with myself. Looking for emotional patterns to maybe how I react or lash out, what triggers me, what makes me happy, and what sends me spiraling, I got to know myself over winter break. I’m starting to love the girl I see in the mirror. I started seeking a lesson in everything I’ve experienced.

I know that there’s more to learn- knowledge is endless. There is always more to discover, not just of oneself but every aspect of this lifetime. That’s the difference between education and knowledge. Going to school and getting an education has a limit. After college, that’s it’s- the real world is out there, and school won’t teach you everything. It is impossible because knowledge is infinite.