I'm an adult now... I was young once upon a time...

Tonight I had the opportunity to attend the 2015 FSIN Youth Legislative Assembly. My good friend Helen Oro invited me to take pictures of her mini fashion show that was taking place. Of course I accepted as I'm always looking to promote local artists. Helen was invited as a guest speaker along with Tara "T-Rhyme" Campbell & Walter "Splisik" Kahpeechoose. I was completely in awe of the way in which they were able to reach the youth through their talents. I believe strongly in the power of our youth as they are the future of our nations. I am so grateful for everyone who came together to organize this event. Youth need to be shown that they are powerful and they need to be heard.

As some of you may know yesterday was my 26th birthday. I certainly don't feel like I am closer to 30 years old than to 20 years old. Somewhere in the last decade I've transformed into someone who's mature, sure of myself and full of ambition. It's been a tremendous journey and I've had a lot of inner battles to combat. One thing is for sure, I've realized that somewhere in the last decade I've lost what it means to be young. I'm not sure how it happens or how exactly I came to be an adult, but it happened. Piece by piece I slowly gave away my youth and traded it in for experience. I've made bad decisions, I've made good decisions, but I had to make decisions to find out who it is that I am.

The one thing I realized after tonight is that somewhere in my decade of 16 to 26 I'm not sure I entirely relate to the younger generation. I feel like sometimes I get lost in myself sometimes. When my ultimate goal is to be inspiring to those who listen. It's as if I need to step back and realize I'm where I am, because of where I was. There is no way a younger person is going to listen to the words I speak if I'm trying to speak over their struggles. I remember how lost I was, I remember how selfish I was, and most of all I remember how all I wanted was someone to listen to me. All I wanted was someone to accept me for me. Needless to say I never really found that in someone else until I found it in myself. As a mother of two young boys I seem to forget how voiceless I felt at their age.

In my mentoring roles I always try to seek a perspective that is different from my own. I always try to listen to the other side of the story. Most of all I always try to encourage people where they are, because I believe in who they can be. It's none of my business to judge the journey of another person. It is my business to be the best version of myself. This knowledge I have is often lost when it comes to relating to a younger person these days. So I feel like tonight was a really great way of reminding me. I need to step back and realize I don't have all the answers and it's not my job to. My goal is to listen, be supportive, and always be a light. So that when anyone especially the younger generation chooses me as a mentor, I'll be an example of what it means to empower others.

T-Rhyme Speaking to the hearts of youth creating new fans :)

Helen Oro's collection doing the last walk <3