What I Wish They’d Said To Me Growing Up

Reparenting Myself So I Can Raise Others Better

I don't know about you, but when I was growing up, I wasn't asked what I love about myself.

Instead, I heard things like:

"You're your own worst enemy."
"Stop being so negative. You need to think more positively."
"Why do you always have to be so hyper?"
"Can’t you just sit still for once?"

If only they'd known better, huh?

My peers weren’t much different:

"Stop being so annoying."
"You’re always so distracted. If you really cared, you'd pay attention."
"Can’t you just act normal?"
"Why are you always interrupting?"
"Why do you talk so much?"
"Why can’t you keep up?"
"You’re too much to handle."

If only they knew how much it hurt.

And day after day, the teachers echoed the same tune:

"Brian, pay attention!"
"Stop daydreaming."
"You need to stop procrastinating."
"You’re not working to your potential."

If only they knew how smart I really was.
If only they understood how deeply I wanted to succeed.

If they had known better, maybe they would’ve said things like:

"You have a unique way of seeing the world."
"You're so creative."
"Your energy is contagious."
"Your curiosity is a strength."
"You have a lot to offer."
"Your enthusiasm is inspiring."
"You have the ability to achieve great things."

If I had received those messages growing up...
Imagine what it could’ve done for my confidence.
My empowerment.
My resilience.

Alas, my journey has required a lot of reparenting in adulthood.
But here’s the thing:

I can pass along what I’ve learned.
So others can know better—and do better—for themselves and for their kids.

Helping the next generation do better requires it of us.

Thanks for being you,
Brian

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