SophieJ Life Experiences

Hey everyone! I’m back! I always have things to write about, but most of the time, my thoughts are too raw and need to be polished first, or I might get in trouble. Not in an immigrant parent’s way, so there is no need to be alarmed. Speaking of immigrant parents, shout out to my dad! Our Virgo King is turning a significant number this week, and I couldn’t be happier! I want to thank God for keeping him alive, my mother for keeping him in check, and my sibling and I for keeping him young! I feel sorry for everyone who hasn’t had the chance to experience his greatness. I’m not exaggerating; he really is that great! Of course, he’s still a man, so there’s that too, but he’s alright!

The first thing my dad taught me was to be a decent human being. He said, “No one is above you, but no one is lower than you. Treat everyone the same because they are human, not because of what they can do for you or what their bank account looks like. You are human before everything else, so remember, life comes with surprises, and the only constant is you.”

The second thing my dad taught me was to be cautious in everything. He taught me to think before speaking, to listen to different perspectives, and to show grace because you never know the whole story. He used to say, “Sois sage comme la Colombe et prudent comme le Serpent,” which translates to “Be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” He also warned me not to be deceived by shiny things, as they may not be as valuable as they appear, and to be wary of scammers and people looking to rush into things.

The last thing my dad taught me was to live according to my values and convictions. He always reminded me to know my limits, what I am unwilling to compromise, what may cause me to lose my conscience and peace of mind, and what makes me who I am at the core of everything. When all is said and done, will I be able to face what remains?

So often, we hear things said to us, but we truly only value what is practiced at a deeper level. I am fortunate that we cannot select the family we are born into. We are all playing the hand we’ve been dealt. I could speak at length about the remarkable person my father had chosen to be because he wanted to. He understands that life is about balance and choosing your battles. While I have never heard him use big words like “humanism” or “feminism,” I have learned these concepts from observing his way of life.

PS: stop saying that you are an ally to a cause, act like it.