Light at the End of the Tunnel
Being a teenager can get pretty sucky so --- yeah.
Adolescence, puberty, teenage years - whatever you may wanna call it - one thing is for sure : being a teenager sure is difficult. In nursing, we are taught about the developmental stages each and every one of us undergoes all throughout our lives. Given that this stage includes those in the age range between 12-20 years, we definitely are within this phase.
They say: “Experience is the best teacher.” And what better way to exemplify such than the experience that is adolescence. I, for one, having experienced what I have gone through within the past few years, am sure that no amount of preparation - may it be in terms of reading books or advices from those who have gone “ahead” of us - could have prepared me for the ride that I was in for. Seriously.
Technically, adolescence is described as the onset of various changes in the body - mainly reproductive maturation. Thousands of books are dedicated to the science of physical development that is anatomy and physiology. What these books left out though is for us to find out and experience for ourselves, thus, learning the hard way. For example, menstruation, although life-changing, would seem insignificant when compared with the experiences we go through in these times. I’m leaving all the drama of first loves gone bad, failed relationships and etcetera out of this - I know you get the point.
There is only one thing in this world that is constant - change, that is. Adolescence is the epitome of change. It is at this time wherein we start to get rid of our childish ways whilst maturity is still underway. Everything happens so fast, but as the years swing by, you learn a lot. And before you know it, the ride has ended; thus, the Identity vs. Role Confusion task. It is stated that a teenager must develop his/her own identity or risk identity crisis - easier said than done right? How come no amount of psychiatric books would suffice in providing us with the knowledge that REALLY matter. When you’re 12, you start to develop a kind of self-preservation that is dictated by society - or for that matter - your mother. “Close your book when you sit down.” " It’s not proper for a lady to laugh boisterously.” “You shouldn’t do this.” “Ladies don’t do that.” There goes the endless array of dos and don'ts that are forced upon us. I think they should have at least the decency to explain why we ought to do such things in the first place. Despite the lack of knowledge, we still follow them because, well, it’s what is supposedly RIGHT. But when you grow a few years older, say, our age, you start to see things at a new perspective. You begin to realize the essence of these changes. With this realization comes the acceptance and adaptation you undergo through the years. Some cope gracefully, while others, not very well. Thus, the identity crisis.
What we need to bear in mind is that: some people may seem cool and all. We may look at them and wish we were in their shoes. In our thoughts we say: “He’s/She’s way better than me.” “She has bigger boobs.” “I wish I was as tall as him.” “I hope that I’m half as rich as him.” “I would give everything up to be as pretty as her.” - there goes the endless rants of insecurities which preoccupy our thoughts even at moments when we simply pass by and enviously stare at these people who are “better” than us - or so, we think. What we have to accept is the fact that all of us, pretty or not, rich or poor, thin or fat, are equal in the eyes of God. That in itself should be the guarantee that you are uniquely beautiful. You’re YOU. I mean, hey, if being yourself is good enough for HIM, who has the right to think you’re not, right? Think about it. God created us equal. Ergo, one is bound to be better than the other in a certain field and then vice versa. If one is perfect, then you should check if there’s a power button at the back of his/her head. He/she may be one of the robots in the movie Surrogates. ~ Kidding aside, I think we should all realize that God gave us the capacity to learn and harness our skills so that we could become the best we can be. What one lacks knowledge in Math, he/she could always make-up for in English (or whatever subject for that matter). In doing so, one has to use the senses and faculties that were endowed to us by the Almighty.
Going back to the topic at hand, I know that the experiences we undergo in our teenage years may be as tough as hell, but it is necessary for us to learn, to grow up, to mature, and through time, to be as resilient as the strongest of the 306 acacia trees all over the university. Adolescence is just a transition. And with that word as cue, we must understand that something good will come out of this. In these times of crisis, what you really don’t need is blame, let alone self-pity. Regrets are normal - they’re part of being human.
Keep in mind that each person, however rich, beautiful or powerful he/she may seem, has to deal with his/her own issues. All of us are mere soldiers in the battlefield that is life. You may feel that all the world’s burden is weighing down upon your shoulders, but please do remember that you’re not the only one feeling that way. Some even have problems greater than you could ever imagine. I’m not saying you should be happy that you are…well…doing “better” than others - I’m merely implying that you should at least appreciate that as it is, and be thankful.
I know I need not to go one-by-one into the experiences of self-pity, insecurities, and mainly the stuff in the song that said: “when-you’re-fifteen-somebody-tells-you-they-love-you-you-gotta-believe them” drama that so many people had oh-so related to. I know that you know what I’m driving at. What I want to convey is that: even if this stage we’re in may make Sudoku seem as easy as pie, still, we have to fight in order for us to survive. Life, after all, is the survival of the fittest. Rest assured that when the battle is over, we’ll all be victors in terms of the wisdom we couldn’t have gained elsewhere but in the actual experience. And as a side trip, I know, we - would-be nurses, of all - should be able to understand this. It really is different when you talk to a classmate pretending to be your patient in your return demonstration than doing the real thing at the hospital with a real patient. You get the picture. Meanwhile, we might as well accept our situation and take pleasure in playing in the rain. Who said you can’t enjoy when there’s a storm? SMILE. It makes all the difference in the world.
So, the next time you feel worthless, when you feel that all people are staring you down, and you think you’re so small, remember that they’re all too absorbed in their own problems too and what you’re worrying about is just an imaginary audience. Bear in mind, God loves you for who you are. Knowing that, does anything really matter that much anymore? I think not. Problems are just like storms, testing you. Then again, just like any other storm, it will pass. =]
Adolescence, puberty, teenage years - whatever you may wanna call it - one thing is for sure : being a teenager sure is difficult. In nursing, we are taught about the developmental stages each and every one of us undergoes all throughout our lives. Given that this stage includes those in the age range between 12-20 years, we definitely are within this phase.
They say: “Experience is the best teacher.” And what better way to exemplify such than the experience that is adolescence. I, for one, having experienced what I have gone through within the past few years, am sure that no amount of preparation - may it be in terms of reading books or advices from those who have gone “ahead” of us - could have prepared me for the ride that I was in for. Seriously.
Technically, adolescence is described as the onset of various changes in the body - mainly reproductive maturation. Thousands of books are dedicated to the science of physical development that is anatomy and physiology. What these books left out though is for us to find out and experience for ourselves, thus, learning the hard way. For example, menstruation, although life-changing, would seem insignificant when compared with the experiences we go through in these times. I’m leaving all the drama of first loves gone bad, failed relationships and etcetera out of this - I know you get the point.
There is only one thing in this world that is constant - change, that is. Adolescence is the epitome of change. It is at this time wherein we start to get rid of our childish ways whilst maturity is still underway. Everything happens so fast, but as the years swing by, you learn a lot. And before you know it, the ride has ended; thus, the Identity vs. Role Confusion task. It is stated that a teenager must develop his/her own identity or risk identity crisis - easier said than done right? How come no amount of psychiatric books would suffice in providing us with the knowledge that REALLY matter. When you’re 12, you start to develop a kind of self-preservation that is dictated by society - or for that matter - your mother. “Close your book when you sit down.” " It’s not proper for a lady to laugh boisterously.” “You shouldn’t do this.” “Ladies don’t do that.” There goes the endless array of dos and don'ts that are forced upon us. I think they should have at least the decency to explain why we ought to do such things in the first place. Despite the lack of knowledge, we still follow them because, well, it’s what is supposedly RIGHT. But when you grow a few years older, say, our age, you start to see things at a new perspective. You begin to realize the essence of these changes. With this realization comes the acceptance and adaptation you undergo through the years. Some cope gracefully, while others, not very well. Thus, the identity crisis.
What we need to bear in mind is that: some people may seem cool and all. We may look at them and wish we were in their shoes. In our thoughts we say: “He’s/She’s way better than me.” “She has bigger boobs.” “I wish I was as tall as him.” “I hope that I’m half as rich as him.” “I would give everything up to be as pretty as her.” - there goes the endless rants of insecurities which preoccupy our thoughts even at moments when we simply pass by and enviously stare at these people who are “better” than us - or so, we think. What we have to accept is the fact that all of us, pretty or not, rich or poor, thin or fat, are equal in the eyes of God. That in itself should be the guarantee that you are uniquely beautiful. You’re YOU. I mean, hey, if being yourself is good enough for HIM, who has the right to think you’re not, right? Think about it. God created us equal. Ergo, one is bound to be better than the other in a certain field and then vice versa. If one is perfect, then you should check if there’s a power button at the back of his/her head. He/she may be one of the robots in the movie Surrogates. ~ Kidding aside, I think we should all realize that God gave us the capacity to learn and harness our skills so that we could become the best we can be. What one lacks knowledge in Math, he/she could always make-up for in English (or whatever subject for that matter). In doing so, one has to use the senses and faculties that were endowed to us by the Almighty.
Going back to the topic at hand, I know that the experiences we undergo in our teenage years may be as tough as hell, but it is necessary for us to learn, to grow up, to mature, and through time, to be as resilient as the strongest of the 306 acacia trees all over the university. Adolescence is just a transition. And with that word as cue, we must understand that something good will come out of this. In these times of crisis, what you really don’t need is blame, let alone self-pity. Regrets are normal - they’re part of being human.
Keep in mind that each person, however rich, beautiful or powerful he/she may seem, has to deal with his/her own issues. All of us are mere soldiers in the battlefield that is life. You may feel that all the world’s burden is weighing down upon your shoulders, but please do remember that you’re not the only one feeling that way. Some even have problems greater than you could ever imagine. I’m not saying you should be happy that you are…well…doing “better” than others - I’m merely implying that you should at least appreciate that as it is, and be thankful.
I know I need not to go one-by-one into the experiences of self-pity, insecurities, and mainly the stuff in the song that said: “when-you’re-fifteen-somebody-tells-you-they-love-you-you-gotta-believe them” drama that so many people had oh-so related to. I know that you know what I’m driving at. What I want to convey is that: even if this stage we’re in may make Sudoku seem as easy as pie, still, we have to fight in order for us to survive. Life, after all, is the survival of the fittest. Rest assured that when the battle is over, we’ll all be victors in terms of the wisdom we couldn’t have gained elsewhere but in the actual experience. And as a side trip, I know, we - would-be nurses, of all - should be able to understand this. It really is different when you talk to a classmate pretending to be your patient in your return demonstration than doing the real thing at the hospital with a real patient. You get the picture. Meanwhile, we might as well accept our situation and take pleasure in playing in the rain. Who said you can’t enjoy when there’s a storm? SMILE. It makes all the difference in the world.
So, the next time you feel worthless, when you feel that all people are staring you down, and you think you’re so small, remember that they’re all too absorbed in their own problems too and what you’re worrying about is just an imaginary audience. Bear in mind, God loves you for who you are. Knowing that, does anything really matter that much anymore? I think not. Problems are just like storms, testing you. Then again, just like any other storm, it will pass. =]