Guidance

Today I look around and see that so many kids are left with no direction. I was having a conversation with a good buddy of mine and we got to talking about children with no guidance. Parental figures are no longer providing guidance nor or the so-called teachers. I can only shake my head at the thought of un-guided minds wondering aimlessly throughout life.

Could lack of direction be the reason why ambition is lacking in this generation? Could it be that parents are too busy? Could it be that missing parent? Could it be that divorces have put the children through agony? Could it be that teachers don't care anymore? Could it be the wrong influences intoxicating the minds of the youth today?There are so many factors that COULD be the cause. Whether it's one or all of the above, there is an issue with the youth. They lack the attention that they need to be strong and independent. We have too many children being followers and not enough being leaders!

If I go to the mall I see females in tight cloths or mini shorts and skirts. You have to ask...where is their parents? Surprising enough, mom is right next to them wearing the same thing. I have to shake my head as that is the wrong message to send to a young female. Wearing that type of clothing brings the wrong attention. Men will ogle and stare, however their thoughts will be negative and not a loving intention. Men will think of the quickest way to get you outta them tight shorts. Older men at that. Because when you dress like that, men cannot tell what age you are. You are not dressed like a girl but a woman showing off her assets like a hooker on the street. In this scenario, where is the guidance? Someone needs to let these young ladies know that they are portraying to the world that they do not have respect for their own bodies or themselves. Classy is the way to leave things to the imagination. Trust and believe respect is given to those who show respect for themselves.

On the other hand, I went to the movies a while ago and saw a young man with his boxers showing and his jeans hanging underneath his butt. Not to mention he was sporting around in just a wife beater. How could someone take this young brotha seriously? I sure nuff didn't.  This disturbed me something serious. I am one to prove stereotypes wrong, but this young brotha fit right into the black male stereotype. Once again...where was the guidance? Someone should've told this young brotha that he is representing himself in the wrong way.

There are so many instances that I can go into where the lack of guidance to youths today have affected society. Since when has it been cool to be stupid? Even when I was in high school, people hated on me because I was smart. Sorry, but people have fought and gave their lives for me to sit and learn. Having the opportunity to learn is a special gift. The guidance from the teachers are no longer there. I remember when I had some teachers who actually cared about the students. Now....it's just that has a paycheck for them.

My daughter came home from school this past year and said the teacher called the class babies and they are not ready for 3rd grade. I was furious! Teachers are suppose to uplift the children and show them their worth. No, we have teachers talking down to our children and they wonder why kids hate school. It makes no sense to me. The guidance is lacking or is negative.Our children need to be shown the right way. They need that village to raise a child. That old saying no longer exists. Everyone ignores the problems in their communities but holds tight to the no snitching saying. Instead we should be taking these youngsters under our wing and showing them the right path.Though times are rough, children still need to be raised. They need to be taught the lessons of life and how to deal with them. Hustlin is not a job. Playing xbox is not going to make your mind stronger. Chatting with people on facebook, myspace, and twitter is not going to broaden your horizons.

Michelle Obama did not make it to the white house with her husband by wearing tight shorts and hanging at the mall. We need more positive role models. We need more free community centers to give these children a place where they can grow to their full potential.We have to do our part and provide the guidance that our children and their friends need. We need to shape the world to be better than it has been. We need to make the best outta the youth today to mold a better future for them. Guidance is the only answer...

Product of your Envionment – August 8, 2009

The saying goes that you are a product of your environment. This could apply to a number of topics. I will touch upon 2 that I have personally experienced. When is to do with your physical surroundings and the other is the company you keep.

When your space is messy and cluttered, you seem to be the same way. Can’t think straight, feel overwhelmed and cluttered? Thoughts are not focused and everything that happens seems to be a mess. If you take the time to reorganize and filter out the clutter, this can make you feel less overwhelmed. I recently took the time to reorganize my bedroom and I feel much better. I positioned furniture to give me more space and I love it. I do not feel so claustrophobic anymore and it makes a difference in how I feel. I don’t start my day looking at a small space or a mess nor do I go to bed seeing it. The time I took to clean and reorganize, made a bunch of a difference in my thoughts and how I felt. Try this and it may help. Even at work, we went through musical work stations and if forced everyone to do a mass clean up of their cubes. I know I felt better dumping papers I no longer needed only to make space for...Nothing! Yes, open space is very nice to look at instead of a pile of paperwork!

On another note, let’s evaluate people. Everyone knows that people affect us in different ways. Does your life seem full of drama all the time? Does that one person always has trouble following them? Maybe its time to re-evaluate the company you keep. People can add stress to your lives and make you seem on edge constantly. You shouldn’t feel like you need battle armor just to go out with your so-called buddy. If they are not enhancing your life and complimenting your personality, then it’s time to face the facts. That person or people are a liability! They are constantly bringing negativity to your environment. This is something that you don’t need in your life. Many times we out grow friends as people change or don’t change. Maturity and responsibility comes at different times for various people. No one should try to change someone, but it’s ok to move on.

I have been trying to do some soul searching. So far it’s going good. I am trying to recognize who and what is not beneficial to my life. I am trying slowly but surely to remove everything that causes me stress. Some things we have to live with…such is life. However, look at whom and what is disposable and do a major clean up! You will feel much better and then ask yourself, “Why didn’t I do this before?”