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THE BIG QUESTIONS OF LIFEBe Happy in LIFE Inspiration - October 2005Creativity, flexibility, tolerance and love
are natural states of mind and our purpose is to nurture them to full blossom Talking about youth often brings a fresh memory of laughter, energy and friendship. Many adults would love to go back in time to their teen years and live them again with the wisdom of the present. It's like cheating life, if not in reality, then in memory. As if back then, when we were teenagers, going to school every day, having long summer holidays, life was easier, less complicated, with less responsibility and fewer options to choose from.
When writing "Be Special, Be Yourself for Teenagers", I wondered about this. In my work with parents and children, I looked for a clear definition of the teenage years. I realized that in those years, teens struggle with the greatest questions in life. Those were big questions. People take a lifetime to answer only some of them. When I gathered those questions, I realized, to my surprise, that I still had the same questions, long after I had passed my teen years. In fact, all our clients go through life coaching in order to have the tools to answer them. You see, being a teenager was not easier, because in our teen years, we first met those questions, but did not have the experience, the support structure or the wisdom to answer them. Our society has a fairly negative image of teenagers. As they grow up, teenagers fight this image, but at the same time it gradually turns into their own self image, because it is reflected to them by almost everyone around them. When they grew up a bit, most of their energy is turned to changing that image. Most of them follow the "rules" and try to fulfil the expectations of their parents, their teachers and later on their bosses. On the surface, there are fewer problems, but 20 years later, the questions come back, only this time they looked like this: Who am I? This time, there's a scream coming from inside. They realise they now have more experience but a lot fewer options, bigger support structure but a lot more responsibility, more wisdom, but a lot more frustration. "Be Special, Be Yourself for Teenagers" aims to help teens and their parents answer the questions. It aims to change the bad image of teens, by teens. As an educator, I believe in a holistic approach to answering the questions. In my perception, trying to find the reason for the problem is having the wrong focus. For many years, parents, educators and governments have tried to find a solution to the teen problem. Until now, we've heard two approaches: "Let's help the parents and they will help their teens" or "Let's help the teens and they'll grow to be supportive parents". Like the chicken and the egg, isn't it? And I say, why not help them both? The ordinary, yet extraordinary teens and adults in "Be Special, Be Yourself for Teenagers" deal with finding the balance between being unique and being loved and accepted. Each of them has a problem they have no control of, but they all have an attitude that focuses on solutions and in that sense they are inspiring. These are all a mixture of real teens I came in contact over the years. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: To be yourself, in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else, is the greatest accomplishment With this book, I hope to change the world and make it more accepting, because now what Emerson said is painfully true. In writing and publishing this book, I want to establish a new trend of teens taking control over their life. Understanding their talents and power and accepting their uniqueness as a gift. If I offered you this attitude when you were 14, would you reject it? Why wait until you are 40? I believe the book will empower parents to see the same in themselves and help put a stop to the vicious cycle of conforming. We can give our teens the power to be special, be themselves and trust them to use it wisely. The book "Be Special, Be Yourself for Teenager" was edited by teens, parents and educators in Australia, USA and Israel. The editing process was a fascinating experience. I guess I always knew that adults and teens see things differently, but reading their wonderful input made it clear again that once, all adult (including me) were teens and in a sense we are still teens who do not wish to give up the fight for staying true to ourselves. To read some of their input, click here. The preparations for our book launch on 16/10/05 here in Brisbane (Australia) are under way, and we are very excited and happy about the interest the book has aroused. We wish to invite you all, teens, parents, educators, social workers, youth and family organisation and friends to take part in our launch. We believe we have a common mission and that the encouragement of reading is a far better and more effective way to foster the attitudes shown by the characters in the book. I've chosen this month's song lyrics as an example of these attitudes. If your son, daughter or friend needs some encouragement in this direction, buy them the book or invite them to the launch. The launch that will take place on Sunday 16/10/05 from 2 to 4 pm at Mt Gravatt PCYC, 90 Klumpp Rd, near the Hibiscus sports complex. This is a free event and all are welcome. We expect a big turnout, with some important people and the media. The book is now available for purchase from our web site. To get a signed copy, you are welcome to join us at the launch celebration. Gal and I are involved in many business and community organisations sharing our values and beliefs. We wish to invite you all to consider joining us in any way you see fit (see sidebar). Again I want to thank all those who read and forward our newsletter to others and to readers who share their view on our newsletter. The Be Happy in Life family has over 400 readers all around the world. We hope to increase this number with every newsletter and again request that you let us know if you do not wish to get the newsletter by email.
Remember that to Be Happy in Life, you need to "Be Special, Be Yourself". Love, Do you like what you read in our newsletters? Please let us know Dare to dream
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