Days of Disappointment

Do you ever have those days where you look around and just have to ask yourself, Why?

Just why?

I had a student tell me today that an adult in her life told her that she would probably spend the rest of her life working at McDonald's. (shakes head)

What kind of adult tells a 17 year old, kid that?

Ridiculous.

I recently had a concerned teacher approach me about all the fights that are happening in the high school. We had a good little chat about it, and about the possibility of SADD doing something to address it.

I've been thinking about that a lot today.

We all wonder why these kids have so little respect for themselves and others, but isn't that what we are showing them? Adults who are telling them that they are never going to amount to anything. That they are going to spend the rest of their lives in the fast food industry. If you were a teenager being told all of that, wouldn't you be angry? Wouldn't you have little self worth?

These kids, whether people realize it or not, listen to what we say to them as adults. If they are being told over and over that they probably will not succeed, then they stop trying. They stop trying to improve themselves. They settle for where they are. They act out because, well, what does it matter if you're just working hard enough to get that job at McDonald's?

Hey Adults, it starts with us. All it takes is some faith in these kids. Some encouraging words. Showing them that they can achieve something and be successful. It's starts with our attitude towards them.

Shame to the person who tells a child that they can not achieve their goals. Shame on you.

"My hands are small I know, but they're not yours. They are my own. I am never broken. We are never broken." --Jewel