February 25, 2021
Gonna get real. Maybe too real. Cuz in this age of uncertainty the act of keeping real was what we did before Covid 19. Now we have an excuse to lock ourselves down without having to deal with what’s real. But it is. And when it happens. For a moment you’re shocked. But you’ve been reading about the mental conditions of all people, not just adults and teens but every age. The mental conditions in the aftermath of this pandemic have been and continue to take their invisible toll. I say invisible because texting isn’t talking. Emails aren’t conversation. Posting pictures on Instagram isn’t reality. The core of our inner being has been cornered in a very small dark room for nearly a year. It didn’t feel real while it was happening and as we slowly climb our way back to the sunlight it still doesn’t come across as being real. All people, especially teens and younger have had to mentally deal and only a pinch will admit that it’s made them a little distant. Without outlets, hidden speak barely cuts into the river banks keeping stale water from flowing. I’m on the front line! I hear parents, “Oh the kids are fine. It’s good that they’re getting back to school. Everything’s gonna be great. No problems here!” We are the generation that can’t seem to stop setting reality aside. Young minds don’t have the mental experience to learn how to block out or build in other areas of expression. Even that is wrong. But we do it. To deal with it we bury our interests in social media. The new normal must come with new goals, missions and a desire to face the questions. Hear me please. We aren’t professionals but there are people who are. Don’t wait until reality bites. Don’t wait until a family member gains a little courage to make that call, “I’m not thinking right.” A little courage is all it takes in a world overtaken by judgement. My father would always shout, “Get over yourself!” We aren’t professionals but there are people who are. Your child is communicating in a language you don’t understand because our minds are elsewhere. Hear your child before reality bites.