little bit of this, little bit of that.

I can't tell you how many times I've heard the phrase "you are always in everything". It's a comment I've gotten really good at ignoring. Some people don't mean anything by it and are genuinely just making an observation out loud, but most people aim to try to make you feel bad about in fact being in everything. I know first hand, that a lot of people limit themselves in areas of their lives because they feel like their peers will think they are perhaps "too eager" and "overly enthusiastic". It's really silly in my opinion. Nothing's wrong with developing all your talents if you can and nothing is wrong with being passionate about making all your dreams come true.

I've asked myself so many times why "being in everything" has such a negative connotation in our society and the only conclusion I can come to is that most people lack the drive and confidence to be in everything. They are insecure about being one dimensional and mediocre and they project that insecurity on others who dare to go after everything. We've got a real bad habit of doing that here in the Caribbean, I find. It's such a huge problem to me but a lot of people just see it as part of life. Growing up, the side comments about the fact that I was a swimmer, dancer, track athlete and I could sing well, was a regular thing, but my parents always made me feel like I could do it all and more. And that's exactly what I did - more. And all those fun experiences I had growing up because my parents pushed me to develop every skill I had, a lot of people my age have never gotten a taste of. A lot of people have always felt like they had to choose one thing, be good at it and stay in that box and it's such a lie.

Each of us has so much to offer and our life experiences should reflect our efforts to better ourselves in ALL areas of our lives. I find out that people around me can sing, and draw and write music and poetry but they have all never been given the opportunity or had the forum to develop those skills. We stifle growth in our communities this way all because underachievers project their own insecurities on others. It ought to change and I'm starting to change mindsets by writing this piece. 

To all the young people out there:

 DO NOT be afraid to try everything. Experiment. Fail. Go back at it. Little bit of this, little bit of that. Never feel like you have to choose one thing and this is what you have to stick with til you die. Never be afraid of changing your mind. Never be afraid of being told you're always in everything. Take it as a compliment. It means you're not one dimensional. You're a unique asset. Always be passionate and enthusiastic and put in the effort. I promise you that if you do this, you will live a full life.

01.25.2016

Love, Kamilah.