Lessons From The Past

I recently discovered the journal I had when I was 12 years old. The first entry included a poem that I thought I would publish here.

Direct from my journal:

No matter how you feel
No matter how you look, 
You're always kinda special
of the human you are.

If you make a mistake,
It's just a lesson 
you've got to learn.
Just remember, you're 
Only Human!

Editorial corrections:

No matter how you feel, 
No matter how you look, 
You're always kind of special 
Because of the human you are.

If you make a mistake, 
It's just a lesson 
You've got to learn. 
Just remember, you're 
Only human!

Editorial comments:

By framing mistakes simply as "lessons," the poem removes the shame around failing. The final exclamation, "you're only human!", serves as a permission slip to let go of unrealistic standards and embrace the messy, imperfect journey of growing up, no matter how old you are. 
I do have to say that I am amazed at a newly 12 year old version of myself wrote a poem with such an important meaning. This is a lesson that I constantly remind my kids as well as myself every day.