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“GROWING PAINS”
Nachi Aguboshim
(Nachi,
like most African Children born in the diaspora
is trying to redefine himself.
He writes with passion and an open mind. Nachi
is an intern at the youth desk of African Echo
media group.) |
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Growing Pains or should I say the pains of growing up? Which ever way you look at it, it is hard making that transition from a child to a teenager then from a teenager to the promised land. . . . . . . . that's right adulthood!
Now as you embark on that journey you do face the odd 'distraction', for me it was girls, food (correction a lack of food) and even friends, however in many cases you find yourself forever fighting with your arch-nemesis. Arch-nemesis? I hear you say you know who I'm talking about, your dad's favourite belt the one with the extra large buckle. Yep the same one he polishes every Sunday, in aid of that special occasion when it interacts with your rear end. (And yes that is experience talking) I'm Nigerian and it is as common as bad weather and England.
But really who said that life was easy? I'll be honest some of my best times were spent growing up, like my first kiss, what was her name again? It escapes me but you get the idea. But then again so were some of the worst times, like the time 'The DJ Kat Show' got cancelled (dramatic pause) . . . . . . . . A small part of me died that day.
But all jokes aside the learning experience that growing up offers you, be that good or bad is priceless when aiding you in your journey of self-development. What it falls down to is the understanding of the experiences that you go through as you grow up, but most importantly it's about what you learn.
However I look back at how things were for myself as I grew up, and it was hard, in terms of my experiences. And in reference to the way that many children, teenagers and adults are today, (though the situations depend on the individual) their mentality tends to be somewhat similar, I say this because I have studied situations according to their attitudes. Don't believe me? It's okay it sounds a little like this.
'Child - Teenager'
In the eyes of your parents your birth is as distant as yesterday, however you grow at such a frantic rate physically, you don't allow yourself the same time for mental growth. And with that lack of balance you find yourself exerting your presence, but not through your intelligence, but through your physical presence as that is all you know.
Misunderstood is what you say to people when they challenge your actions. But it is down to your ignorance and your urge to be an adult which has blinded you. As you don't fully understanding or acknowledge the responsibility that it takes to be an adult. Saying that people don't understand you is far from the truth, the truth is you don't understand yourself and this frustration (along with puberty) causes you to embark on your journey.
'Teenager to Adult'
The frustration still remains and so does the immature viewpoint of your adolescence.
And with that your need to be what you clearly aren't (an adult) also exists, Growing is a natural process, that should come from the development of self but you wish to gain it through status, money and the job that you now have.
Your progression from child to teenager has openned doors for you socially and financially within the confines of 'The Real World'. And because of your failure to develop intellectually you are very much caught up in it's confines, for you are programmed not open. You feel as though you are an adult but are you really? By appearance it is clear, by mentally I beg to differ.
You move from diapers to boxer / panties From Ruskin Biscuits to KFC and Mc Donald's From seeing the birds and the bees, to talking about the birds and bees.
Time moves on as do you as you begin to grow, just because you are now an adult it doesn't mean that the growing process has stopped. Be all that you can be and let the growth continue. 'The key to success is to keep growing in all areas of life - mental, emotional, spiritual, as well as physical'.
by Julius Erving
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