Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Where do the Youth go next?

I read this article this morning and decided to quickly vent.

http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/Youth-unemployment-risk-capress-1650399567.html?x=0

What are we thinking about? If we keep cutting education, cutting jobs, and cutting programs for at risk youth how will anything change? Obviously if kids believe their future to be bleak, why bother with school or anything! If all the media likes to portray is the end of the world in 2012 and pain, suffering and misery, then should we really be surprised why kids are so disengaged? It's almost as if the powers that be truly want our society to fall apart. How do you bring down a society without war, you make the future generations useless and dreamless!?

Without youth to fight for change and to lead us into the future we don't stand a chance. Maybe if more youth were taught how to work for themselves or become entrepreneurs then the unemployment rate wouldn't look so scary. What if we took more time to communicate with each other we could come up with better ideas as a group! There is always the possibility for change and it comes from within each and every one of us. We must come back together like communities of old and prove that there is strength in numbers and we can make anything happen when we try.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Bullying

We just keep hearing the same stories over and over again and nothing seems to be working. As a former victim of bullying, and now a parent myself, I have a few thoughts on how to deal with this situation. For starters, we need to communicate more often and with less judgement. If a child comes to us even once and we don't listen or even give it the attention necessary, we can lay the foundation for a youngster that doesn't want to share. Believe it or not, this world is a lot more "real" to the kids then it is for adults. Don't shake your head, it's true. They are not bogged down by all the nonsense and distractions that we as adults are. We have always heard that children are more connected with the universe, so wouldn't their feelings of doubt, despair, and fear be severly heightened versus our own? Maybe if we take that into account, things would be a lot better. Check out these articles just to get an idea of what's going on.

http://www.thespec.com/opinion/article/596741--preventing-bullying-starts-with-the-parent

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Police-probe-bullying-after-NY-teen-s-suicide-2183289.php

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Hoops for Hopes

I wanted to talk to everyone about a very special event that I have been asked to be a part of. Hoops for Hopes is a Celebrity Charity Basketball Event taking place October 16/2011. The goal is to raise $50,000 for at risk youth.

I couldn't think of a better charity to work with as I obviously believe the youth are the most important. I am looking for any corporate sponsors or assistance in collecting as much money as I possibly can for this event and cause. If any of you would be willing, or know of an individual or company that would be willing to assist me and this great cause I would be extremely grateful. This is a huge event with media coverage so its a win win situation for all who participate. On a personal note, any support you could offer me, which will in turn add to my spotlight, can only assist me in all future endeavors, most importantly Marion's Place.

Please take the time to go to Facebook and join the Hoops for Hopes page. Anything you could do would be incredible, and just think of that youngsters face when he or she finds out they get to go to a day camp next year because you donated something!

Let's all do our part!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Another tragic death: How can parents/schools stop bullying?

Another tragic death: How can parents/schools stop bullying?


As I was just preparing to write a piece on the struggles many may face with the start of another school year, I happened to stumble upon this and I wanted to share it with you. I also am going to ask that anyone who is facing similar struggles, or different ones as well, to please share them as often as possible. The more we all talk about our issues, fears, and so on, we demystify the subject and we lay the foundation for change. I am sure there are many of you out there who are concerned with bullying, sexuality, pressure from teachers & parents, fitting in, and many other issues that students face. I would love to assist you in overcoming some of these feelings as I dealt with them first hand and still do to this day.

Please pass this article along, and let's try to make a difference one person at a time! I know I didn't enjoy hiding in lockers so certain guys couldn't find me to hand me my daily beatings.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Chasing your Dreams

That was definitely a well needed break!  I had my 35th birthday, my son and wife have gone back to school, and things were about to get back to normal.

Unfortunately for me, normal is very relative.  We had a bit of a hiccup recently when a friend was in need of desperate help and all others had essentially turned their backs on him due to his destructive behaviour.  Even my wife was very skeptical because we have reached out to him many times and he has consistently let us down.

I felt different this time around and I personally wanted to put some of my new found knowledge to the test.  Here I am promoting my book, how we can help others, and especially at risk youth and what they become when their youth has past, and now I have the ability to try it with a 24 year old who has been down a dark path for the better part of 12 years.  By bad path I am referring to him being an addict and substance abuser, a young man who is riddled with depression and thoughts of hopelessness, and a very angry and destructive individual without much respect for himself or anyone else. 

I decided against my wife's advice to bring him home with us once more.  I spent all night talking with him, until 3am, and the headway I made was incredible.  4 days later he hasn't touched a drug, he hasn't needed any prescription drugs, and he has been sleeping well.  My wife the next day said what did you do, hypnotize him!?  The answer is so simple that most of us just dismiss it as drivel.  I listened to him all night, I didn't judge him, the tone in my voice never changed, and most importantly I told him I was there for him, I always will be, and he is not alone.  Mostly when he had a bad thought or he identified a negative feeling that used to lead him in the wrong direction, all I did was ask him questions that helped him connect some dots.  The results were incredible and I told him all he had to do was commit to the work and the results would follow.  Nothing is easy, nothing is a quick fix, but what I did give him was the ability to realize there is a better way, and he does have a shot.  The more we can make people feel that way, the more success we all will have.

Now why did I name this piece Chasing your Dreams??  Well because much in the same way my friend struggles, I see and feel the similarities between us.  The dream he has been chasing was that he wanted to wake up every morning and have a purpose and a belief.  At this juncture my dream is to get my book published, continue my outreach to today's and yesterdays at risk youth, and continue writing in order to support my dreams of building Marion's Place (A hybrid community centre and parent drop off program) we are working on.  Are dreams are at different stages, but the need or desire to achieve them is no different.  We all have something burning inside of us, most don't even know it's there anymore.  He struggles to achieve his dreams for the same reasons it can be difficult for me.  We all have doubts and when we are chasing our personal dreams we must remember that they are our dreams, not the dreams of others.  That is a very important part because others perceptions of your dreams will be one of the biggest challenges you face.  Understanding that this is YOUR dream and YOURS alone, therefore you are the ONLY one who can make this happen.  Get around people who are interested in you achieving your dreams, and try to ignore the one's who can't relate to them or don't agree with them.

Make a plan, map it out, and stick with it!!  As long as you remember your path is from A to B, and along the way there will be many, many hurdles and obstacles.  It's our duty to remember that regardless of what transpires along the way, we still must get to B or there was no point in ever having a plan or dream in the first place.