Sunday, December 20, 2009

The Season of Giving

What's on the mind of a teen or young person?  What do they think about most days?  Is it school and making good grades?  Is it doing all the things your parents want?  Is it hanging out with friends and making new friends?  Is it securing that wanted job or internship?  Is it being the best at your sport of choice?  Is it how to handle stress and worry?  Is it how you could give back to someone or someplace less fortunate than you?  It could be a number of things.  One thing I have learned is that there is always something on the minds of teens and young people.  They are constant thinkers and constant observers.

Giving is something I don't believe teens receive enough credit.  I think "giving" is on their minds more than the adults in their lives realize.  I think the spirit of their giving gets lost in their dress, attitude, behavior and demeanor.  Sometimes the adults forget that the dress, attitude, behavior and demeanor generally reflects normal adolescent behavior and has no bearing on the giving nature of teenagers and young people.  There seems to be lots of talk about how teens are takers and not givers.  Talk about how they always seem to want something of personal benefit and resist listening to reason or compromise.  Talk about how they always seem to engage in selfish behavior. 

I don't believe there is enough talk about how giving teens and young people are in their actions and behaviors.  Spending time with a sick friend, either at home or in the hopital.  Spending time with a friend who may be experiencing challenges at home with a parent or other family members.  Spending time volunteering for an important cause, like a homeless shelter, soup kitchen or nursing home.  Spending time organizing clubs and activities which are of benefit to fellow students.  Spending time decorating the school building with holiday cheer.  Spending time exchanging cards and gifts to spread goodwill.  These are a few examples of deeds of teens who give for the positive benefit of another.  We, the adults in their lives, could probably do a better job of recognizing this spirit within our children.  We could probably do a better job of focusing more on the good that is being spread. 

This month of December is a time when society is reminded to give back in the spirit of the season.  No matter your personal beliefs, religious beliefs or otherwise, it is always a great time to "spread the good".  A good time to do for someone else.  A good time to experience the joy of "giving back".  A good time to share with others.  So, in this season of giving, may our teens continue to recognize the good in themselves and others and spread the spirit of this season of giving.

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