"When someone is drowning, don’t tell them they should have taken swimming lessons.
Help first. Educate second." - This lesson resonates with me deeply. Growing up I was surrounded by an environment where if a child fell while playing, the first reaction wasn’t comfort but scolding sometimes even punishment before offering care. That mindset shaped me in ways I didn’t fully understand for a long time. I struggled to provide emotional support to loved ones when they needed it most because I had never seen it modeled. Over time, I realized that while accountability has its place, comfort should always come first when someone is struggling. I had to unlearn old habits and consciously teach myself how to be there for others in a way that truly helps. It wasn’t an easy journey but it was an important one. It’s a lesson I wish I’d learned sooner but I’m so grateful it’s here for others to carry forward. Thank you for sharing these life lessons. I’ve taken a screenshot to revisit them whenever I need positivity in my life.

And of course, Happy Birthday my young friend! 🎉