Meet True, my fabulous great-niece.
Last night, we (her great-uncle and I) took True and her brother Avrie out to Burnaby Village Museum.
Having just turned six-years old, True is fearless. I know this because after we had mounted our carousel steeds, and after the operator had once-again reiterated that we hold on with both hands, True was soon holding the pole with only one hand, the other flung out like she was riding a twisting bronco.
She pivoted around to yell at her brother, “Look Avrie! I’m only holding on with ONE hand!”
Indeed. Two could play this game…her great-old Auntie followed suit.
And then.
I looked over again. With her feet snugged firmly in the stirrups, she was sitting with both hands on her legs. No hands at all.
Her look of accomplishment was written large in her self-satisfied Mona Lisa smile. She sat confidently on that pony, every inch of her compact body proclaiming the sure knowledge that she owned that carousel.
I sat beside my triumphant great niece and wondered…
At what age do we stop believing that we’re amazing? At what age do we shrink ourselves? When do we quit feeling satisfaction with each of our triumphs? When does the self-criticism start seeping in and telling us that what we did wasn’t that big of a deal at all?
It was drummed into my head that pride was a sin. And, when taken to its ugliest extreme, I think that’s right. But how about the kind of surety that True felt? How can that sense of accomplishment not help us grow?
So let it be known. I’m digging deep and finding my six-year old self and I’m going to let my little light shine. I’m going to practise being self-satisfied and honour my accomplishments. Whatever they are.
Because from here on in…
I am practising one True thing.
What darling girls you all are! Keep on resurrecting those six-year-olds, because they are your True selves!
I agree Mandy. I think that’s when we really knew, at some deep, deep level that we were a powerful force in the world.
Time to reclaim some of that girlie glory and take on the world.
I loved how my six year old self saved a spot in line for my friend, holding her hand as we would hippity-hop to the barber shop to get a stick of candy. I agree with digging deep to find that happy-go-lucky, confident six year old. Some days she appears and shows her beaming smile just like True’s. Thank you for the reminder and thank you for sharing a lovely memory that True will one day look back on. Merry Christmas Auntie Colleen.
Oh Karen, I can just see you skipping to get your candy. Your friend then (just like your friends now!) would have been lucky to have you at their side. I know you would have been a kick-ass six-year old!
Thanks for the reminder that this will also be a good memory for True, because it’s certainly one that I’m going to be smiling about for a long time. Merry Christmas to you and your six-year old self!
True is truly an adorable child, and clearly she sets an example worth following. Oddly, I’ve been finding it easier to believe I’m amazing lately, but then I remind myself not to fall prey to false pride. Somewhere, there is balance.
Hey Sharry, I’m glad to hear that you’ve been finding it easier to believe you’re amazing…because from my vantage point…you are!
Lately, I’ve also been getting glimpses of that for myself. True was a great reminder for me to own those glimmery moments.
I encourage you to do the same. It’s okay to think we’re pretty cool.
Besides, I figure it’s taken me so long to finally dare to believe it, that I don’t think I have to worry too much about false pride! I’m going to bet you’re in the same boat 🙂