When I was young, my teacher punished me for laughing in class.
My parents punished me for skipping school.
The police visited our school, giving speeches about why we should be good students.
The pastor preached until his voice grew dim, telling us to love one another.
Back then, I found all of them annoying.
Restricting.
Controlling.
I thought they were trying to stop me from enjoying life.
Then I grew up.
After leaving school, my teacher no longer corrected my behavior or cared whether I was disruptive and argumentative.
My parents became older, tired, and no longer had the strength to monitor how serious I was about my future.
The police officer who once tried to inspire us now looked at me as someone who should already know right from wrong.
And the pastor… he still preaches until his voice fades, but now I see another side of his work — dedicating babies, comforting grieving families, and conducting funerals.
That’s when I realized something:
None of them were trying to control me.
They were trying to prepare me.
Now I find myself doing the same things they once did.
Encouraging people not to give up.
Asking both young and old not to hurt each other.
Promoting peace, unity, discipline, and hope.
Growing up is realizing the people who corrected you were trying to stop the cycle before it reached you.
Now it’s our turn to continue the work.
Send this to a friend who needs this reminder.
