Growing up is understanding that we're all just people

To cause others pain; I can think of no greater sin.

I know of very few people who are exactly who they want to be. The rest of us are striving for something more. We're clawing at the mountain, aiming for the apex. But it's all in the journey. It's all in getting there. It's all in learning that we can be more and turning that into a smile on a stranger's face.

On a loved one's face.

We cannot avoid who we are. I've said it before and I believe it still. We are flesh and emotions. We are bones and heartache. It's all part of growing up. What a shame some of us never do.

There are times when I wish I could go back in time to my days as a child; but what I crave is the innocence. All the effort that's gone into my acquired understanding of people and the world is something I would not forfeit. I'm proud of having grown into who I am. And I'm very conscious of causing others pain.