Why Teenagers?
“If we are to reach real peace in this world… we shall have to begin with children.” — Mahatma Gandhi.
As adults, we look to teenagers as those who will eventually be making important decisions concerning every aspect of our world. Older generations sometimes worry about the generations coming behind them; fearing that youth today lack values, morals, and work ethic. Those who hold these views have not experienced the privilege of working with teenagers. Drawing on my personal experiences, I hold high confidence in our youth today. They have a powerful voice, and we need to listen..
I believe in the compassion, creativity, idealism, and positive energy of young people. They are not just our future; they are the now.
Throughout my years of working with adolescents, I have learned many important life lessons, and I would like to touch on the top five that have the most impact on my life:
Allow space for creativity. If you believe strongly in something, then push against the status quo. Imagine how things could be and work to create it.
Seek out novel experiences. Hold onto thecourage to leave the familiar, certain, and safety of the known. Go in search of the unfamiliar and uncertain world beyond.
Embrace your emotional spark. Don’t ever temper the powerful passion to live life fully.
Hold close to the desire for friendships. Connections with others are of central importance in our lives. Relationships are the key factor associated with health and happiness.
Laughter is key. Being able to express unbridled joy through humor and not taking ourselves too seriously will encourage growth and promote happiness!
My Wishes and Hopes for Teenagers
Trust yourself: You have the skills, knowledge, and understanding to be the best version of yourself. Believe in that person and stay true to that person.
Be original: Celebrate your uniqueness and the uniqueness of others. The world would be a boring place if we were all the same.
Fail often, as failure is inevitable. We become better each time we fail. Our empathy grows, our intelligence increases, and our humanness expands.
Lift up those around you. Life does not have to be a competition. Celebrate each other when achievements happen and console and support each other when life gets complicated. We are better off when we work as a collective society.
Be present within each moment; otherwise, you will miss your life. Spend less time concerning yourself with the past or worrying about the future. Instead, pay attention to where you are right now. Notice and enjoy the small things, and soak in the big moments with presence.
Love yourself and believe in yourself: Unconditional self-love gives you the strength and courage to try new experiences and chase your dreams. Remember the power of thought. What we think about, we bring about.
Finally, spend less time judging others and more time accepting others. Pay no attention to the faults of others, matters done or left undone by others. Instead, consider only the positive impact you are making on those you encounter.
