I remember a conversation 35 years ago as I was beginning my teaching career. I was at the mall with a girlfriend and she commented, “I don’t know how you can stand working with teenagers – they act as if they own the world!”

My response? “That is exactly why I love working with them! They may not feel that way again for really long time. They are just trying to figure out who they are.”

All of us know what it feels like to forget ourselves, to not act like we know ourselves to be, and the challenges that come with trying to figure out a new situation. What most of us don’t remember is that confusion can be the day-to-day reality for young people as they take the bridge from childhood into becoming a responsible adult.

Although the origins of proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” are unknown, the truth of it is obvious. Conscious adults who are able to stay solid and secure in who they are provide much needed guidance to teenagers as they navigate the demands, uncertainties, and realities of their lives. Coming from the “upside” in our encounters with young people – whether in our families or in our communities is an opportunity to be proactive in creating our future societies.

They aren’t “bad” – someone loves them. They aren’t by nature insolent – they might be confused or scared.

• I forgive myself for believing I need to judge adolescents.
• I give myself permission to focus on their positive attributes, and help them do the same.
• I choose to be a supportive model and mentor.
• I am free to make a difference in the world by “BE-ing there” for a teenager.
• I know what it feels like to try to figure out life when everything is changing so rapidly.
• I am a conscious model for young people – I come from the “up-side” of the line.

Our teens are more aware, more mindful, and faced with more life threatening situations than most of us were at their age.

They need our guidance, and mostly our compassion.

Remember what it was like? Wondering if someone liked you? Not knowing what to do? Feeling as though the adults around you were holding you back? Age provides a perspective that can’t be forced on the young, but by taking an active interest in a young person you can help them figure out who they are becoming… and you just might find yourself benefitting from their enthusiasm, creativity, and fresh perspectives!

Namaste,

Suze

 I remember a conversation 35 years ago as I was beginning my teaching career. I was at the mall with a girlfriend and she commented, “I don’t know how you can stand working with teenagers – they act as if they own the world!”

My response? “That is exactly why I love working with them! They may not feel that way again for really long time. They are just trying to figure out who they are.”

All of us know what it feels like to forget ourselves, to not act like we know ourselves to be, and the challenges that come with trying to figure out a new situation. What most of us don’t remember is that confusion can be the day-to-day reality for young people as they take the bridge from childhood into becoming a responsible adult.

Although the origins of proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” are unknown, the truth of it is obvious. Conscious adults who are able to stay solid and secure in who they are provide much needed guidance to teenagers as they navigate the demands, uncertainties, and realities of their lives. Coming from the “upside” in our encounters with young people – whether in our families or in our communities is an opportunity to be proactive in creating our future societies.

They aren’t “bad” – someone loves them. They aren’t by nature insolent – they might be confused or scared.

• I forgive myself for believing I need to judge adolescents.
• I give myself permission to focus on their positive attributes, and help them do the same.
• I choose to be a supportive model and mentor.
• I am free to make a difference in the world by “BE-ing there” for a teenager.
• I know what it feels like to try to figure out life when everything is changing so rapidly.
• I am a conscious model for young people – I come from the “up-side” of the line.

Our teens are more aware, more mindful, and faced with more life threatening situations than most of us were at their age.

They need our guidance, and mostly our compassion.

Remember what it was like? Wondering if someone liked you? Not knowing what to do? Feeling as though the adults around you were holding you back? Age provides a perspective that can’t be forced on the young, but by taking an active interest in a young person you can help them figure out who they are becoming… and you just might find yourself benefitting from their enthusiasm, creativity, and fresh perspectives!

Namaste,

Suze