It has dawned on me recently that the one or few things that many of us say we stand for, could possibly be the one or few things we are the guiltiest of committing.
Recently, I have been able to really empathize with many of you young people that have to sit back and watch adults do the very things they insist are wrong, immoral, dishonest, unsafe, irresponsible and cruel. I am gaining a new found respect for the adolescence trying to grow and learn in an environment where you are told, “Do what I say not as I do and turn your head the other way and close your mouth.” Plain and simply, “DON’T, WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT ROCK THE BOAT!”
I am also challenging myself to examine what areas in my life I am willing to take that approach to life and change it. It really seems to be the “comfortable” route or the “path of least resistance” or neglectfully, the irresponsible route and as I have become aware of this syndrome so I wish to actively change it in my life.
The more I think about it, the more I can see just how much I am guilty of this syndrome. I feel badly that I say one thing and do another and I realize just how confusing that is for my own children who are trying to grow and learn. What a bunch of mixed signals?!?!?! How can I tell them no Kool-Aid at dinner and crack open a diet coke with mine!?!?!?
I have two pleas. One is to the adults, stop the insanity! Stop the it’s ok for me but not you, the shove it under the rug and pretend it’s not happening and second to the adolescence, examine your thoughts, words and actions on a regular basis and be sure they align. It’s hard to trust a source that advertises one product but sells you another. Be the best quality advertiser and product you can be at all times, even if it does mean you have to get uncomfortable. Life gets uncomfortable sometimes but if you can walk the walk you are trying to sell to your neighbors and community, not only does it feel better but it’s much easier to set positive examples for the generations around you!

Blessed be