Do You See What I See?
Observation #27 by Andrew Pinto (Photograph by author)
My family places a high priority on bravery, success, and traditions created by humanity. I wanted to fulfill my parents’ expectations as a young child (and still do.) My future is set up for me to have a 4.0 GPA in high school, go to an Ivy League university (Go Bulldogs!), and marry rich. What if I told you that my goal was to release myself from the grip of perfectionism? What if I told you that nothing about my family is as it first appears? Everyone sees my family through our perfectly polished lenses, but if you dig a little deeper or turn your head a little, you’ll discover that my family is dysfunctional, like any other family.
We are portrayed in the media as a perfect family. They are unaware that my world is a colorful combination, nevertheless. Blue is frequently associated with sadness, red with rage, and green with, well, money. Everyone is in the palms of my family’s hands.
Well, at least not any longer, not me. I don’t want to live in this manufactured, ideal world. I want people to see me as I am. to see my messes, weaknesses, and failures. Being human while everyone is putting you on this pedal is challenging. I want my world’s colors to stand for happiness, peace, love, and joy. Do you see me in this mess?