identity

Have you ever had that moment, that point in your life where someone has come up to you, asked you a question, they probably assumed to be insignificant, but it completely changed everything?

I never understood how people could put so much effort into criticising someone's else's life.

When it comes down to it, life is hard. We live every day in hope of the next and dream of these constant futures we never obtain. It's a struggle enough to find yourself in this messy, confusing world, so why make it any harder for someone else?

Yes your comment might have been well-intended. Indeed, perhaps, like you, I unknowingly asked someone a similar question. Perhaps we all have. However, whilst it may be an action we see as 'constructive', in reality, it only causes another individual to second-guess or re-consider everything they stand for.

We all make mistakes, and unfortunately, no matter the amount of 'constructive criticism', advice or help you try and give someone, mistakes will still be made. It's not something we should fear, running away from failure as if it leaves some criminal, dark imprint on our futures. In fact, isn't it the opposite?

I was always taught to see that in failure there is opportunity, opportunity to learn, grow or perhaps change. We all live our own journeys, windy and complicated as they may be. Our paths cross here and there, intersecting with another as we connect. However, we shouldn't confuse this intersection with that of an invitation to halt someone's journey or change their direction.

Time is precious. It's a notion that can be daunting yet inspiring. Whilst we hold fear with the thought of the end, we almost feel empowerment to embrace every moment before. With that said, why waste time on someone else's path? It's almost the highest form of procrastination, focusing on someone else's life, rather than your own.

Being able to assert who you are, or your identity is a notion I'm still unsure whether we can all do. We change so often and are impacted by so much that the idea of 'staying true to you' only arises more questions of 'who am I?'.

So I guess the next time you jump to criticise someone else's path, instead turn your eyes to you own, for whilst your questions may be well-intended, they are rarely ever well-received.

OG