For Yourself

Through all the misery I see, I also see potential. When I speak to others, I do my best to either make them laugh or at the very least be encouraging. You know, it’s not hard to see the potential in others. But when it comes to ourselves, we can be our own worst enemies. 

Growing up in a working class family, my parents were raised dirt poor. My father was born during the depression and mother towards the end of World War Two. They both grew up hard, all be it, in loving homes. But those times were different, love and feelings often gave way to survival. So growing up my parents incorporated those same techniques when raising me and my siblings. 
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Right or wrong, I wasn’t complimented or to a point even encouraged. By today’s standards I was verbally abused at home and at school. This in turn, has greatly influenced my unfortunate parenting skills. While it’s too late for me to do anything but apologize to my children for being a prick. This brings me back to encouragement, while we may all wear blinders when it comes to our own talents. Don’t let that blindness stop you from encouraging others. And while you’re at it, save a little of that for yourself.