Hey random note from a random twitter/youtuber – College is one of those things that forces us to grow up in so many different facets that a lot of what’s going to happen to you is going to suck/hurt and otherwise make you wish you had never heard of college. On the other hand those changes and experiences can bring you the greatest joy and biggest smile.

It’s a two edged sword that cuts both ways – sometimes within the first hours and very much over the coming weeks/months. You can do it and without question have every possibility of going into those halls and classes and changing the world. There is no key or special sauce to get through the next few years as each will be different for everyone.

It’s your destiny. Your future. Own it, live it, love it and laugh your way through it.

And know there are people from your family to friends to random people on facebook cheering you on. Kick it in to high gear and roll on.

If I asked you to name the chief complaints you had about the youth of today I have the good sense to know the list would go on and on and on into infinity. It seems no matter what generation you live in, what year it is or what country you live in the youth are always regarded in a negative light for enumerable reasons. Truth is I’d probably agree with you on most if not all of the litany of lists you’d present.

The truth is the youth of today (and by proxy the future of tomorrow) are troubled by more than any group of teenagers that have come before. If you don’t believe me try the following experiment. Volunteer at a nearby church, youth center or other assorted group for a period of a month for just one day a week. Watch. Observe. Listen. Repeat.

I’m a people watcher and in that I observe. I listen. I might even eavesdrop. I watch people’s eyes. I peer behind the eyes in hopes of seeing the raw emotion that lies just beyond the horizon. In those moments from afar you can sometimes see a flash of the life being lived.

I can guarantee you that that world view you’ve occupied for so long will slowly begin to change as you spend more time with them.

You see, I volunteer at a church with a sizable junior high program. We’re talking grades six through eight. In that wide spread of ages and maturity there is serious angst and trouble to be had. Watching girls arrive alone and spend the entire service without a fellow girlfriend is heart wrenching. Worse is when she takes the step to combine with a group of girls and is rejected. Boys can be just as bad. The guys that suffer the most (and I was one back in the day) are the nerds, the shy ones and the guys who really aren’t all that into being all that.

There is real trouble in all this. From “cutters” to other unimaginable manners of self punishment we’re seeing more and more swings from rational to reactive in how our students deal with the frustrations of being in the age bracket they are. The truth is that they need us more now than ever. As cheesy as that might sound, there is real impact you, me and everyone else can have.

Junior High students are hard nuts to crack. I don’t even try to figure out the girls. I say hi and smile, hoping that’ll brighten an otherwise grey day. The boys are much more fascinating. The nerds and outcasts are always alone, rarely recognized and usually never speak up. When they do it’s usually a stumble. After that they’ll never speak up again. The best thing I’ve found to do is find that nerdy something that they’re interested in and get them to talk about it.

You see, nerds love to geek out. We love the ability to share all this knowledge we’ve spent serious time researching and memorizing. An extra bonus is when someone knows about what it is we’re talking about and is able to geek out along with us.

The reality of today is that life has become tougher for the current generation and that skyrocketing trend will not slow. The best that we can hope for is that a difference will be made by people who take a vested interest in these embattled lives and find ways to bring a smile once in awhile back to drive the furrowed brows away.

Feel free to agree, disagree or pontificate in the comments.

This is about support.  I’ve got an old friend from way back in the day running and fund raising.  As she explains on her message to her friends on facebook,

Please support me as I take an amazing journey in the fight against breast cancer! The Breast Cancer 3-Day is a 60-mile walk over the course of three days. Net proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure and National Philanthropic Trust, funding important breast cancer research, education, screening, and treatment.

So, if you’re inclined and have something to give…please do.  See the link here.