Por qué es importante ser quien necesitabas cuando eras más joven

If there was one sentence that could change the entire world and make it a better place, it would be this: “Be who you needed when you were younger.”

Esta poderosa cita es mucho más que palabras convincentes. Resume todo el concepto de humanidad, empatía y trabajo en equipo.

It is true that we all came into this world alone, but we weren’t meant to stay that way. We all have a purpose and are here for a reason, but we often forget that.

También es cierto que vivimos en un mundo moderno y ajetreado. Trabajamos duro, pagamos facturas, estamos deseando pasar nuestro tiempo libre con nuestros amigos y familiares.

We’re in a constant race against time, thinking that we’re living our life to the fullest, meanwhile, we’re actually playing a game called surviving.

Non sibi soli homo vivit.

Esta es una de mis frases favoritas. Significa que un hombre no vive sólo para sí mismo.

It took me some time to fully absorb these powerful, inspiring words and over the years they’ve become ever louder and stronger.

Estas palabras eran como una melodía que sonaba en un compartimento oculto de mi cerebro, esperando a que su letra cobrara sentido.

Indeed, we all came into this world alone, but we weren’t meant to isolate ourselves from human warmth, kind words, meaningful relationships, and compassion.

We’re meant to be the person we needed when we were younger!

Ahora, retrocede en el tiempo y piensa en cuando eras adolescente. ¿Cómo te sentías entonces? ¿Probablemente confundido, perdido, presionado, desafiado, incomprendido?

Sé a ciencia cierta que odiaba la autoridad y que me peleaba constantemente con mis padres, sintiendo que nadie me entendería jamás.

Ahora piensa en tu primer día de instituto o universidad.

Can you recall the levels of severe anxiety before entering the classroom and then realizing that you didn’t know anyone and you were completely on your own.

How many times did you want to give an answer to a professor’s question but didn’t for fear of appearing too geeky among your peers or mejores amigos?

How many times did you feel uncomfortable in a group of random friends or peers because they ignored you in a conversation as if you didn’t exist?

And how often did you cry because you were convinced that no one wanted to hang out with you and you’d be forever a legit “misfit.”

¿Recuerdas todas esas veces en las que lo más bonito al final del día era que por fin había terminado?

Or when you’d upload the most badass pictures of yourself on social media in the hopes that someone would notice you and initiate contact, because that would mean the world to you?

¿Cuántas veces alguien dijo algo a tus espaldas que hirió tus sentimientos y rompió tu confianza?

¿Recuerdas lo que se siente al llorar a lágrima viva porque alguien te ha traicionado o te di por sentado?

Bueno, al igual que tú, recuerdo muy bien esos momentos.

Recuerdo cuando la gente se reía de que llevara tacones porque era demasiado delgada, así que para ellos resultaba ridícula con tacones.

Recuerdo cuando nadie quería salir conmigo porque era un niño muy introvertido, tenía salud mental problemas, y le resultaba difícil establecer contacto con otros niños.

Mi único amigo era un oso al que llamé Tedo (y aún hoy lo tengo, aunque ahora también tengo amigos de verdad).

Por aquel entonces necesitaba a alguien con quien compartir cosas, decir lo que sentía por ciertas cosas sin que me juzgaran por ello.

Así que decidí compartir todo eso con mi oso. Nunca me dijo nada a cambio, pero sabía escuchar.

He would silently absorb all of my words, making me feel less lonely in a world that has difficulties accepting introverted kids as “regular” ones.

Cuando miro hacia atrás, me doy cuenta de que las cosas que más necesitaba eran autoestima...calidez, aceptación, amigos y algunas palabras amables.

When I look at myself now, I realize that I still need all those things – just like you and every other single human being on earth.

Por muy seguro de ti mismo que estés en ese momento, siempre hay margen para mejorar tu autoestima.

No importa cuántos amigos tengas, nunca estarás harto de calidez, cortesía y aceptación.

But, we often forget that because we’re focused on other things that are “more important” to us at that moment.

Olvidamos que una sola sonrisa puede significar el mundo para alguien que tiene un mal día.

Juzgamos a los demás antes incluso de intentar comprenderlos.

We’re focused only on ourselves because we don’t have time to help others.

We don’t notice all the little things because we’re only preoccupied with the big ones.

Vivimos como si fuéramos robots desprovistos de emoción y simpatía.

We forget that life is a process and that, by only focusing on goals, we neglect the entire process in the hopes that one day we’ll wake up to a world that will somehow magically be a better place.

But, the truth is: Change starts within you! Be who you needed when you were younger and you’ll start changing the world around you.

Si cada uno de nosotros ha contemplado todas las veces que nos han tratado mal, ignorado y subestimado.

We’d never intentionally do the same thing to others or turn our backs on someone who’s feeling the same way.

De hecho, un solo ser humano tiene la capacidad de cambiar el mundo entero, porque cuanto más amor y calor difundimos, más se multiplica.

Mostrando compasión y amar incondicionalmenteevolucionamos como personas y ayudamos a los demás a evolucionar.

Instead of acting bossy and competitive toward others (especially those who are younger than us), think about how they’d feel if we were friendly and approachable.

Or think of how you’d feel if someone older had to treat you as their friend who fully understands you. We could be someone who encourages others to never give up, no matter what.

Podríamos darles algunos de los mejores consejos de la historia y cambiar su perspectiva de las cosas.

Una simple conversación puede inspirar a alguien a ver el panorama completo y darse cuenta de que está exactamente donde tiene que estar en ese momento.

Imagine you’re a stranger in a new city where you have no friends and no family.

You have only yourself and you’re dying to make new friends – or at least have someone to go for a walk or out for a drink with.

Ahora imagina que todas las personas con las que hablas son gruñonas y no están interesadas en entablar amistad contigo.

¿Te sentirías decepcionado y alienado? ¿Querrías ser la persona que necesitabas cuando eras más joven y estabas decepcionado? Seguro que sí.

Siempre que te encuentres con un desconocido, ten presente que tú también lo fuiste en algún momento o podrías serlo en el futuro.

Shower them with warmth, offer them a productive conversation, and ask them if they need something – because one day you’ll need the same treatment from others.

Did you have teachers in your school who didn’t believe that you were capable of achieving things?

Were you encircled by people who didn’t believe you have the capacity to do whatever you want only if you set your mind to it?

There are plenty of people feeling that way every single second, every single day. Don’t just pass them thinking that it’s none of your business and someone else will comfort or help them.

We, human beings, have wasted lots of time thinking that someone or something is none of our business and it’s high time we change that!

It’s high time we start noticing things and people around us and acting accordingly, because that’s what we ought to do.

We’re born to nourish teamwork, to help those in need, and to give a part of ourselves to humanity and the world we live in.

It’s time to tell those who are feeling sad that it will pass.

You’ve probably gone through all kinds of emotions, from uplifting to draining ones, and you know that they are not meaningless.

Sabes que todo sucede por una razón y que no importa lo mal que te sientas hoy, mañana, dentro de unos días, semanas o meses, todo tendrá sentido para ti.

But, someone who is in pain at the moment doesn’t know that. They sentirse solo, broken, and are gradually losing hope and trust in people. And that’s why you’re here to tell them that they are wrong!

You, just like me, are here to restore faith in humanity and to help others climb the same stairs we once climbed before. And that’s the real beauty of being who you needed when you were younger.

Not every single one of us has been lucky enough to feel unconditional parents’ love.

Lack of love can make children feel abandoned and unwanted, and turn them into future perfectionists thinking they are not worthy of love if they don’t earn it.

If you’ve been fortunate to experience unconditional love by your parents, then you know the amount of blessings you’ve had.

If you weren’t so lucky, then you know how hard it was for you to go through life feeling unloved and without support.

En ambos casos, tienes la oportunidad de poner en práctica lo aprendido en tu vida cotidiana y en tu futuro.

You have a chance to give unconditional love to others because you know how much it would’ve meant to you.

Be who you needed when you were younger and you’ll never need to question whether you’re on the right track.

You’ll live a life guided by your heart instead of blindly following the crowd.

“You have the power to make the world a better place by being kind to someone today.” – Joyce Meyer

Véase también: Qué es la verdadera felicidad (y los secretos para alcanzarla)