Ask
any teenager what is important to them. They will probably answer: popularity,
friends, and Facebook in that order. In the paper recently I read where a
father paid his teenage daughter $250 to stop using Facebook for the summer.
Interesting that we’ve sunk to using bribery
to motivate our children’s behavior. Although, it does work. It also takes away
the pleasure of achieving personal worthwhile goals for the right reason.
Youth
are so Inexperienced. If you can
remember when you were a teenager, it might be fun to list some of the things
you thought you understood at that point. I remember being devastated because I
was so skinny. As if that was really important to my well-being. Now I’d love
to be skinny. I also had a wart on my elbow which necessitated that I wear a
long sleeve blouse or sweater daily to school to cover it. The teen years are a
time of trying to find your self
by fitting in with the crowd. Hopefully, you pick the right group of friends.
I
went through a period in Junior College trying to fit in with the wrong crowd.
Friends who didn’t have the same values as I did. Going to their activities was
not a smart move for me as an inexperienced teen. It was an eye opener and
eventually I got back on the right track, headed in a more positive direction.
It’s important to carefully choose the friends you get involved with at any
age.
So
what is important? Now after years of experience, I realize it’s finding your voice: the unique person
you can be, developing your talents and
following the guidance or loving parents and inspired leaders to keep you on
track. In Junior College, I joined a religious sorority which surrounded me
with individuals that had high moral standards and pointed me towards
continuing my studies at BYU where I would find ME!
As
I see my grandchildren struggle with temptations and issues of low self worth. I want to make them
realize how precious this time as a teenager is. How easy it is to fall off the
path into depression or even suicide. I can’t force them to see my viewpoint,
but can only listen and love them. I’ve written my life story and hopefully
sharing with them my experiences as a teen will help them. NEXT TIME: Be an
Example