Showing Up: The New Superpower

You Don’t Have To Save The World… Just Show Up

The age of the teen is an interesting time. One where we seek understanding and validation, affirmation, and a boost of self-esteem. A time when we’re reaching out, while simultaneously looking within. Where things are changing oh-s0-fast that we resist and yet we absorb it all. The same time where everything we do appears to be opposite of what we truly want. We want to be left alone only to feel connected. We don’t want to talk about it, only to feel heard. We get upset easily, only to crave feeling understood. We resist expressing love, only to crave it more than anything.

And of course, we appear aloof, lazy, and rather annoyed by anything beyond the expected. But think about it, might you be as well, if the whole world you once knew was changing, never to be the same again? A world now requiring more of you than the 10 year old mind you once found playful solace in. And now; now you cannot turn back. Why? Because she knows too much. Yes, it’s true… It’s human nature, somewhat of an obligation, a need, maybe even a craving really, that the more we know, the more life requires of us. So here we are, thrust into a world of rules, obligations, “shoulds” and “success.”

We want to crawl back into 10 years old again and hold tight, but we cannot… though we seem to sleep more often than we are awake, it must be understood that we are exhausted by the processing of it all.

Imagine it, my mind, a huge call center in the brain, my brain, processing everything in an attempt to sort, file, research, edit, delete, and modify information as the world hurls seemingly out of control straight at me. Doesn’t anyone else seem to know? Is it just me? Hello… ? Helloooo…? Is anybody out there feeling the same way I am?

Do I want to talk about it? No, heck no, I don’t want to talk about it. You don’t understand. Well, I mean… Maybe I do, but I don’t want to appear different than my friends. Or maybe I do want to be different than my friends. And maybe I do want to talk, but I want you to validate me. Don’t tell me you’ve been there. Be here with me in it, because it’s new to me. It’s my life and my experience. But seriously, guys, am I the only one who is taking on the world, here? I really could use some support. No, don’t tell me what to do. Maybe just… well… could you just listen? I mean, I don’t even know what to say, but maybe… I guess maybe I just want you to be here. Just sit here with me. Gosh, I sure could use some peaceful silence.

There is nothing extravagant that we must do. No award winning speech needs to be given, or even words of wisdom… The greatest gift we can give any human being no matter their age is to simply show up.

As for the teenage time warp, it will get better, it will never stop changing, but the change will soon come as comfort and instead of feeling like it’s coming at you, you’ll seek it out.

Who will you show up for today?

To bravely showing up,

Lacy

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