BECOMING

I WAS THINNKIN about becoming. We are always becoming. When I was a baby, I was busy becoming a toddler, then a pre-schooler, then a child, then a pre-teen, then a teen, then a young adult, then a wife, then a mother, now I am busy becoming something more. I keep wondering when this business of becoming will end -- I guess it all ends when life ends. Here's the thing about becoming. It is a never-ending process that can create a false urgency within us, a dissatisfaction for where we currently are. Preteens are well-known for their desire to become 13; at 13, we just wish for 16; at 16 we constantly dream of 18; at 18 we look forward to magic 21. And one of the strongest desires to become occurs during pregnancy, when most women can hardly wait to see, touch and smell their baby! But slow down; don't move too fast; why can't we make the moment last! (Okay, that last line is from a song) There is nothing wrong with looking forward, for we cannot and should not move backwards. But if we spend our time in remembering yesterday or striving for tomorrow, we just might miss the wonderful little miracles of today. Childhood comes only once and should be left behind at the proper time. A teenager is a strong, healthy, beautiful person who is not yet an adult -- and should not be treated by anyone (including themselves) as adults. Adults should be strong and proud of who and what they are -- even if they find they are still on the road of becoming. We are amazing, incredible people. How long has it been since we have each stopped to appreciate who and what we are, right now, on our way to becoming something else? So, I am going to look into the mirror and acknowledge that I like me. Right now, right here. So, what were you thinking?