Within every circumstance is a learning, but not all learning is necessary for flourishing.
Some circumstances hold learnings that will contort you in ways that flourishing becomes impossible.
The primary role of parents and guardians is to keep you away from as many of those circumstances as possible. They can’t eliminate all, but just as all poisons depend on dosage, they try to reduce the dose of unwholesome circumstances to the barest minimum.
Then at a point, we revolt. We want more exposure. We want to accelerate our learning. So, they start letting go, willingly and unwillingly.
The lucky few amongst us manage to still avoid many circumstances that can crush our souls. Some by intent, others by chance.
The unlucky majority jump head first into many circumstances that crush the soul. Some by intent, others by chance.
We all make the best of our stories, but our stories are seldom our best.
Think of someone you know who loves you wholly. Think of circumstances they would actively shield you from if they could. Their protective instinct often reveals what we already know but struggle to admit: some experiences simply aren’t worth the cost, no matter what lessons they might contain.
Avoid those circumstances, and maybe you will have a shot at a story closer to your best.
– Osasu Oviawe