If I could persuade someone to do anything, it would be to better their life. There are so many lost teens that have no parental direction or any positive role models. I work with a girl who im quite concerned about, and I love her to death, but I don't know how to get through to her. She is doing what the "typical Joplin" teenager does, which is get high and not care about their future.
Growing up in Kansas City, my friends attitudes toward life was and still is Reach for the stars and don't stop until you make it. Im so used to that way of thinking, that when I moved to Joplin everyones perspective on life and their future is completely different, it's sad! I've met so many people who say, for instance, this girl on campus told me she wanted to take Spanish but she didn't think she could do it. ??? Whhhat..? She's not the only person to say things like this, but I know people who just don't believe in their self so they don't try to further their education. This kind of mentallity is coming from highschool honor roll teenagers who end up working minimum wage their whole life and not pursuing dreams.
What causes this type of attitude and how can we change it? Personally I'm trying to be a positive role model for classmates, co-workers, family, and friends. One thing I know i'm good at doing is listening to someone talk about their life and problems they face and I usually have good advice to give. I should really listen to my own advice! I think what causes this type of attitude, where you down yourself all the time, is being raised a certain way. If it's not how your raised then its the community you live in or someone along the way had to drill in your mind that your life isn't worth giving it your all and chasing your dreams. Or maybe it's just the opposite, maybe nobody ever told them that they are worth something and can achieve greatness if they applied themselves.
To prove I am actually trying to help better other people's lives, I will tell you a little secret. First of all though, I don't think im better than anyone, and i'm not judging anyone. With that said, this semester I picked up my first "project" is what I call it. I met this girl on campus that really desparetly needed someone to teach her some class, or hygeine, or IDK the girl was just screaming for help. For some reason, the first day of class I was drawn to this girl, who I could smell 2 feet away. Every day I see her I just let her talk and get to know her and try to understand where she's coming from, what's her background, and what areas in life I could help her with, and I sit with her every chance I get. She needs to know that she is important and beautiful. Sadly, she is one who thinks so negativly of her self. When I throw advice her way she chucks it and makes up some lame excuse why her situation "can't" be fixed.
Point is, be a positive role model for someone who needs it.
I could not feel your pain more. I have a family member that graduated as Salutatorian from her high school, but after graduating she had no encouragement to keep setting goals for her life, and to achieve them to better herself. So far she is unemployed today because she feels superior to people that work in food, retail, or factory work. She wants the nine to five job and just doesn't understand why she can't have a job like that in today's age. I try to be a positive influence when I can, but she just doesn't have the attitude to want to make things happen. Complaining is much easier than making things happen though, this I know. ;)
ReplyDeleteI've dealt with a few dream crushers in my life as a young person. I've noticed that they don't go away even when you get older. I really like your attitude on this subject.
ReplyDeleteThis is the attitude for many of those living in my community as well, young and old. I work with young students and it is hard to see them thinking like this. They think they cannot do this or that and then when I convence them to try and they are successful they are thrilled. However, when they are confident in themselves, usually at a game or sport, and they fail, it is the end of the world and nothing they do is good enough. I am trying to help these kids understand that they are capable of so much and even if they are not successful at one little thing, they are not a failure. Sometimes it is hard for me to follow this advice myself, but that is what friends and family are for. One of my friends, whether he realizes it or not, helps bring things into perspective for me and lets me know that it is okay if I do not excell at everything as long as I give it my all.
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