Nobody Pushes Your Buttons Like Family

They say that "A parent is the child's first bully."

I cannot stand parents who treat their children like shit and then have the audacity to demand respect from their children. Respect is earned. Not given. Just because your parents "made you" that doesn't mean you owe them. Parents need to learn how to be the kind of person their child needs, because when a child shows their parents a drawing or something they wrote and their parents just brush it off of their shoulder you create a rift between you and your child. Your child learns that you don't appreciate their work, and eventually they stop trying. If they do something wrong, and you insult them and point their flaws out YOU WILL PERMANENTLY DAMAGE THEM. You are their parent(s). From a child's perspective, they want nothing but your approval. When you knock them down or point out their flaws, it gets in their head. What are they supposed to think of themselves when the person they look up to most, thinks about them that way? Every child is flawed, but pointing that out will not help. My mother often told me to stop eating because "my butt can only get so big." As a result, I struggle with my self image. A lot. I would often "punish" myself by not eating dinner if I had eaten a lot at lunch. Same with lunch (and dinner) if I had a big breakfast. I struggle(d) with self harm because I could not lose the weight I wanted to. I think about the things I'm bad at, more than I think about the positive things. I beat myself up with words more than any bully would. I urge and implore parents everywhere. Be kind to your child, be kinder than you feel at times. I know it's not easy, but think of how it would affect your child in the long run.

Sonder

n. the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.

Public places really make you realize this. Airports, parks, restaurants, schools, even your neighborhood. It is incredible to realize that we're all on this planet together and we all have our own stories. Stories of heartbreak, love, failure, success, sadness, happiness and joy. It's hard to imagine living anybody else's life but yours. For some, it's easy not to care about others. After all, they are just passerby. However, you can't help but wonder what it must be like to be that pretty blonde haired, blue eyed woman walking with the confidence she's carried all her life. Or maybe what it would be like to be that homeless man on the side of the road just struggling to get by. Every single person has their own life. Every. Single. Person. No two lives are exactly the same. So it's a wonder why we don't appreciate each other more.