yes you can!

I have had to revise how I see myself. In my mind I am naturally cautious, and imminently sensible. But I realise I'm actually less that way than I think I am. Hurrah!
A situation arose and some young people asked if they could join in and my immediate response was to say yes, of course you can. That, it turns out is my default response, and one I'm pleased with. With hindsight I realise it wasn't my decision to make, I wasn't the one responsible for the building we use. And the way things work nowadays, anything involving young people necessitates forms and consent and dbs clearance and risk assessments and rules and boundaries. I do know these things, I used to be a youth worker. But in my ideal rather than real world, my responses to everyone would always be yes, of course you can. You are welcome without limitation. You are welcome to come and be yourself in the way you need to be yourself, and I will endeavour to respond with love and delight. Problem is that in the real world we all need to get along and that isn't always easy when we have differing agendas. Some people's ways of engaging is to destroy and that takes away from others who are engaging in a more constructive way.

I'm feeling very grateful for all the opportunities and support I had when I was young. I know not everyone gets those.

It is good to see myself in a less cautious light. I shall look for more chances to put that into practice.