Growing Up

I've done a lot of growing up this month, and this is what I've decided:

Growing up is not fun. 

Growing up hurts. 

It hurts a lot.

I don't like it. 

Growing up means you learn that people are liars. 

Growing up means you will fail at things. 

Growing up means learning that parents aren't super heroes. Parents are people; and sometimes people suck. 

Growing up means making sacrifices. 

Growing up means paying for your own health care, which blows.

Growing up means health problems.

Growing up means bad shit will happen, and people will die. 

Growing up means mortgages, car payments, insurance, and other bills deplete your bank account regularly. 

Growing up means you have to put your own bandaid on your cuts and scrapes. 

Growing up means you have to do your own laundry and clean your own house. 

Growing up means making your own Mac N' Cheese. 

Growing up means buying your own gas. 

Growing up means a whole lot of responsibility, stress, frustration, and fear. 

In other words... Growing up sucks!

Don't do it!

Don't do it unless you also can deal with the fact that:

Growing up means you will fall in love. 

Growing out means you get to discover yourself.

Growing up means having your very own pet. 

Growing up means starting your family. 

Growing up means you get to be a super hero, at least for a little while. 

Growing up means accomplishing your goals and living your dreams. 

Growing up means you get to choose what you eat.

Growing up means mom will never pick your underwear for you again. 

Growing up means wearing only your underwear in your own house.

Growing up means making your own bedtime. 

Growing up means your finally get to own and control the remote. 

Growing up means becoming your own hero. 

Growing up means you can watch R-rated movies. 

Growing up means buying what you want when you can afford it. 

Growing up means independence. 

Growing up means a growing waistline too. Be careful about that part. Make sure you workout. 

Growing up means making lasting friendships. 

Growing up means traveling and sightseeing. 

Growing up means moving away, physically and emotionally. 

Growing up is exciting, fulfilling, confusing, and intimidating. 

But growing up is worth it.

I'm growing up, and while it is easier to focus on the negative aspects of the evolution and progression of life... There really are so many positives that I forget that are right under my nose. 

So grow up, but never grow away from your youth. Never grow away from the ability to see the world through the eyes of an adolescent. Don't lose that connection that colors the world in brilliant shades of carefree splendor. 

Growing up is required, but growing up and choosing to enjoy it with childlike optimism... that's optional. (And it's much less depressing.) 

Love,

Mych