Push Into the Street
Years ago my mom would push me into the street. You're probably thinking "what?". How could a mother push her child into the street?. And for a long time I was quite upset and angry with her for pushing me into the street. It only took 30 years for me to see it was actually an act of love. Yes, you heard that right. So let me clarify, she didn't push me into the street in any sort of dangerous situation or where it would cause me harm. I was an extremely shy person. I was usually found behind my mom's back or Godmother's legs. I was so shy and afraid of everything. I was so shy and afraid I would literally be sick to my stomach. My mom is a tough cookie. She had been through a lot in her life from her early years well into her adult life. Her intention was for me to be brave, have courage, toughen up and go after what I wanted. In some regards, it was the characteristics she had and wanted me to have the same. As I go older, I though I could never be like her - she was brave, tough and resilient. The pushing me into the street incident was actually pushing me to get candy at a parade. I liked candy, but I didn't love it, and somewhere along the way convinced myself I did want to the candy as justification to not go into the street to get any. Beside, I was afraid one of those floats would run me over. On the other hand, my daredevil brother would run full out, grab up the candy and toss a piece or two to me. He would remind me that I should go get my own candy. My mom was trying to teach me the same - I should go after my own candy - be brave and tough. So years later, I joke about the situation but it is a situation that remind me of how much love my mom has for me. She wanted more than just parade candy for me but she wanted a life candy, a life of lessons, and a life of skills to help me go after what I wanted. It took me until leaving for college for me to understand it and appreciate the gift my mom was giving me. The gift of pushing me into the street.
So the next time you're talking to a friend, family member or even a leader who sees potential in you and feel you're being pushed or pushing you into something unsure, stop for a minute and ask yourself why are they doing this? What do they see that I may not see for myself? Why are they "pushing me into the street"? Pause, reflect that maybe that person seems something in you that you cannot see in yourself quite yet. Trust being pushed into the street and trust you are brave, you are tough and you are resilient. ~ChaChaÂ
