I would like to begin with two assumptions: i) In the depth of every young person there is a desire for progress in life and ii) The young have a tremendous capacity to love.
Youth search for meaning in life and to achieve this, they may take different paths. Secondly, young people have tremendous energy or the capacity to love. In the venture to search for purpose in life and in exercising the capacity to love, one may acquire some bruises. Failures teach many lessons for life. No one is perfect and shall not become perfect, there is always room for improvement as they say. Basing ourselves on the two assumptions, we can reflect on the two questions: “What attitude do I require as I embark on the endless journey of growth?” and “What it means to Love oneself genuinely?”
In the depth of every young person there is a desire for progress in life:
As years pass by one begins to consciously strive for progress in life: Intellectually, Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually. In this adventure and discovery, one meets improvements and failures. Young people have lots of energy but less experience in life, therefore most of the times, there is a clash between the ideal and the real situation of life. This is clearly manifested in the effort to achieve something or become somebody within a short span of time and space. With all the good will to make progress, often young people push themselves too much. In which ever area, that one is focussing to improve, one has to give time, energy, and lots of positive strokes like self-encouragement, self-affirmation, and good-treat as well, whenever one does fine.
The picture of Human vulnerability becomes clearer as the young grow up. Now, the question arises, “how do I face this vulnerability?” Perhaps, there can be two obvious ways to face this reality: i) to fight against it or ii) to accept and embrace the vulnerability and grow with it harmoniously. The latter is more humane way of accepting life. It calls for unconditional acceptance of oneself with all limitations and strengths. It calls for genuine love of oneself. They say, “Charity begins at Home.” Love of oneself is necessary; if only one practices love for oneself, then he or she will know how to love the other as well. Many questions arise in this regard: Am I comfortable with myself? Do I spend some time listening to my inner voice? Do I encourage myself for the good I do? Do I take care of my health? Do I forgive myself? Do I find time to do the things that I like most? Am I concerned about my happiness? Do I invest time for my holistic growth? To be in touch with oneself requires a shift of one’s attitude about growth. In the journey down the river of life, compassion acts as the gentle breeze that helps the ship to sail. The whole hearted acceptance of oneself in compassion will enable to appreciate and accept other as well.
The young have a tremendous capacity to love:
“What it means to love oneself?” Loving oneself is not doing whatever one desires. On the contrary, it means investing time and energy in all those activities that contribute to the holistic growth of a person. Through one’s experience and understanding of the day to day happenings, one can make appropriate decision to choose those things that foster progress in the intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual areas. The invitation is to exercise “Tough Love,” to choose only those that will enhance one’s integrated growth. In due course of time, one will realise that convictions and consistency developing from within. However, one needs to be compassionate to oneself, because growth is precarious process, not a safe and secure zone but a continuous effort. Being compassionate and tough in loving oneself is an antidote to discouragement and boredom in life.
Continue searching for meaning in life whole heartedly with all the capacity to love. Be compassionate, Be loving and keep soaring higher and higher.
