Gratitude Practice 2020 Day 300: "Be You" by Peter H Reynolds
I've been a lover of children's literature for as long as I can remember even as I was a struggling reader as a kid. Nothing is better than getting lost inside a story and being found again as you reach the final page. A few weeks ago, we ordered some books from the good old Scholastic catalog that teachers across the nation slip into student backpacks. What can I say other than I am a sucker for a tall stack of children's books? Our order included a new to us book titled "Be You" by Peter H. Reynolds which has quickly become a new favorite.
Grateful for these important words and for these delightful illustrations. Grateful for how this book has been a literary springboard for a handful of important conversations with our girl. Grateful for this simple yet profound permission slip to simply be okay... just being you. Grateful that at 44.5 years old I am on the conquering side of a harrowing slog through religious, cultural, and familial limits, expectations, and social norms regarding just how much "me" I should, could and would..."be"...in any given situation. Blech! Grateful for the hard won security, confidence, humility and personal regulation that I now treasure and tap into on the regular.
Grateful for the painful and piercing yet powerful feedback regarding how I currently show up in the world. Grateful for moments of truth and kindness and how honest reflection helps me measure, monitor, mend evaluate, course correct and resolve. Grateful for the ability to change and grow. Grateful for the moments when I know and understand...bone deep...my worth, efficacy, place and purpose in this world. Grateful for the tempering that can only come from cooking a bit inside the hot seat of the refiners fire.
Grateful to have wrestled with these concepts and for what it has taught me about loving myself and others. Grateful for this slow growing late blooming but eventually developing critical awareness and for the accompanying heart and head work that is transforming be daily. Grateful for the message of this simple book and my personal "Be You" adventuring.
Grateful for the insight found on the final page…."Go ahead. Be yourself. Be the best version of you. Each day is a new chance to be more you."