How A 4-Year-Old Boy Transformed My Life

The path to learning is a rocky one, and not all encounters can help us understand the epic impact one can have on our lives.

I remember a young boy entering Kindergarten for the first time. He was holding his father’s hand, with his school bag intact on his shoulders. A water bottle hung on the right side.

At first, the boy was quiet, tears streaming down his thin cheeks. But as his father let go of his hand, he screamed "NO!" and held onto it again. That small figure did not hide his fear; he was stricken with anxiety. His face contorted, displaying the most fearsome expression a child could ever have. Despite his 3-foot frame, he held on with all his might, refusing to let go of his father's hand. The father tried to disengage the grip, smiling as he pushed the boy further into the unknown abyss of classrooms.

When nothing seemed to work, a maid working in the school came over, snatched the young boy's grip away, and the father turned away without looking back. The boy kicked the air, screaming for help and calling for his papa, but he was dragged about 10 meters to his classroom.

After about 20 minutes, the boy calmed down. The teacher spoke to him softly, asking if he brought his books, and instructed him to sit in the middle of the class. Other students looked at him—some laughed, some were unbothered, and others were distressed by the aftermath of his crying.

During lunch break, the same maid who had dragged him served food to the children. The line was long, with plates handed over at the counter. The maid recognized him, smiled kindly, and said, "See, it isn't that bad now, is it?" She scooped extra food onto his plate and placed it in his hand. "Eat up," she said, pointing towards the empty benches in the class. He sat there and ate his lunch alone. Nobody asked how he was doing. Children are not mature; they tend to live their own lives in their own guided world, as directed by their parents: don't share food, don't talk much with other children, don't talk to strangers, study well, others cry but you are a big boy—big boys don't cry.

During the Play Period, that same maid recognized the boy again. While everyone else quickly picked up their toys, she handed him a massive red truck with yellow wheels and smiled. The boy sat in a corner of the mini outdoor playground, but he didn't touch his truck. The ground was filled with loud children squealing with amazement and joy. The maid and teachers were playing with some children, but she caught his eye once again and walked over.

"Why aren't you playing?" she asked.

He nodded.

"Come on, come here," she squealed, "let's play together."

And the boy didn't play alone.

That was his first day at school. When he saw his mother standing at the school entrance early that evening, he walked disappointedly towards her and held her hand. He was disappointed because he knew tomorrow would come, and it would be the same—lonely and tiring, forced to stay.?

That four-year-old boy made me do the following:

- Complain to my parents every day.

- Not let me eat my lunch.

- Try to get sick every day.

- Cry every day.

Because that four-year-old boy was me.

Last year, he confessed these feelings to me and apologized. I asked him why. He has grown up now, and he understood. I did too.

As children, we are often pushed into unfamiliar situations without fully understanding their implications. Many of us handle these situations in different ways. Some children, like me, didn't know how to cope with being separated from our familiar routines for long periods. The idea of being away from our parents was overwhelming. Confidence can be instilled at a young age, and the lack of it can lead to anxiety that affects our lives significantly.

I was that young boy back then. Today, I am different. There is a significant transformation. I am still learning to build confidence and hold myself high.

This is about Rebranding and learning to change.?

Learn more about self-branding by today's spotlight, Ana Calin ?? .

That first day at Kindergarten taught me a few lessons that I still remember and practice:

- Every beginning is scary.

- Food is a language of care.

- Confidence can take you far.

- Not everyone is a bad person.

This is the new me. These are the lessons that a scared 4-year-old boy taught me, and this is how he changed my life.

Do you have your own story to share? Tell me in the comments.

P.S. I write stories for a living. If you entrust me with your copies, I'll help you narrate your brand because your brand deserves the best.