01 – "growing up"

Growing up is a journey that we all must undertake, and it is undoubtedly the most beautiful and painful experience that life can offer us. It is a journey that takes us through the mountains and valleys of life, and it is one that shapes us into who we eventually become.

It shows us beauty in its delivery to us, a world of possibilities we never knew existed. It is a time when we discover our passions, interests, talents, and dreams for our future. We begin to understand the complexity of the world around us, and we develop a sense of empathy, belonging and compassion for what and who we coexist with.

However, it also shares with us such incredible pain. It is a time of change and uncertainty, and it is a time when we experience heartbreak, disappointment, and loss. We may lose more than we can imagine, and we must face difficult decisions and situations bordering on the unimaginable that challenge us to our very core.

Despite the pain and difficulty that it will bring, growing up is inevitable. We must learn to embrace the beauty and the pain of the journey, knowing that it is what shapes us into the people we want to be and are meant to be.

To all those who are growing up, I offer this as a reminder that you are not alone. You are on a journey that has been undertaken by countless others before you, and it is a journey that will continue long after you. Embrace the beauty and fight through the pain of it all. It is the most precious and valuable experience that life can offer.