Where can we go? What can we do? (Advice for tweens, teens, and young adults)

[TheGurw]

A judge I know who deals regularly with young offenders says they often say that they have no way to entertain themselves, no money, or no other choice; so they turn to crime. I asked him how he responds - his answer struck me as very wise and often unheard, so I'm posting it here for this community made of mostly young adults, teens, and tweens.

Go home, mow the lawn, wash the windows, learn to cook, build a raft, get a job, visit the sick and elderly, study your lessons, and when you're done all that, read a book.

Your town does not owe you recreational facilities. Your parents do not owe you fun - whether that be in the form of an allowance or new game consoles or taking you to theme parks.

The world does not owe you a living, you owe the world something. You owe it your time, energy, and talent so that no one will be at war, in sickness, or lonely ever again.

In other words, grow up, stop being a crybaby, get out of your dream world and develop a backbone not a wishbone.

Start behaving like a responsible person. You are important and you are needed.

It's too late to sit around and wait for somebody to do something someday.



Someday is today, somebody is you, and something is whatever you can do.

 

[moondoggy23]

I remember when I was young and I got bored, I'd go out and provide free artwork for my neighbors. No cost to them, I'd bring my own spray paint and everything. It was very cutting-edge, although many neighbors never got the meaning. I'd never tell them it was me, either. Eventually, some people started asking me probing questions, so I figured I should stop before my secret identity was revealed and had all of this praise showered upon me. It did it for the art, not the attention. After that community service venture, I found a way to ensure drivers were paying attention to the road and not being distracted behind the wheel by placing hazards in the road in front of my parent's house like broken glass and rusty nails. I found there were more distracted drivers than vigilant ones, and was told that it wasn't my job to ensure drivers were paying attention, it was up to the police. It wasn't too long after this that I went to college and got drunk and stole campus security's golf cart. I parked it in the dark on the opposite side of campus. They enjoyed the game, from what I heard.

 

[JerzeyLegend]

This is so right, but what about the fact that we contribute to some of these behaviors with our awesome games ;-)

If you're old enough to work, DO IT! It sucks at first, but you'll get used to it. If you're young, having money is awesome. You can get a car, drive around, meet girls, buy the clothes YOU want, buy your own stuff. There is no greater feeling than paying for YOUR own stuff. Sure, free is awesome, but when you paid for it, there is a great feeling of ownership that free can't fulfill.

Not only that, but do right, and you can move the hell out of your parents home ASAP.

No one owes you anything. Stop expecting us to give it to you. Go out and GET IT, legally.

 

[RemOfShadows]

Of course this is what most of the society would want the young people to do: read books, mow lawns, get a job, conform to the fullest! be a nice and polite member of society.... but where's the fun in that? ;D
(i do realize that getting a job isn't a bad thing and so would most people thinking like me)

i could expand more on this as I have a very certain opinion on this, but i wont.... why? doesn't matter...

 

[Squeebz]

Someone get that man a medal and have him run for president. I'm seriously thinking about yoinking this and posting it on my facebook.

 

[TheGurw]

He's Canadian, Squeebz.

 

[ConroD]

So so true hahaha. So many people complain about the hardships and mundanity of life when none of them are willing to get out there and actually put some effort in.

Luck is no substitute for hard graft.

 

[MagicForDummies]

Damn son, I wish I had a judge as a friend... then again, I'm not at all like a young offender. I don't touch dope.

 

[Squeebz]

@Gurw
Deport him to the US, we need him ahaha.

 

[amaterasu]

Well, guess what I just read:

http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blog...-10-years-204920227--abc-news-topstories.html

 

[TheGurw]

I wouldn't normally agree to sentencing someone to church - but then again, I don't believe in forced religion anyway. However, the judge seems to be logical and (after reading some of the other stories about him) seems to understand that religion can't be forced, but instead is trying to introduce the young man to healthy influences. Whether or not those can be found in the church is up for debate, but the thought is there.

 

[GreenEarth]

I cried a single tear

 

[NewspaperCrane]

Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.

 

[Audi]

Your description is arrogant and this is coming from a vagina

 

[MagicForDummies]

Well, it does make sense that the environment changes when that certain someone steps up and does something differently from everyone else. Momentum builds and the world (or hood) becomes a better (or worser place). Who'd be the first of delinquents to turn good I don't know. She'd need some real motivation to do so.

 

[TheGurw]

It's surprising how many kids come back thankful to the police officers, judges, therapists, parole officers, or other official that first gave them a dose of serious reality.

 

[Darth_Purrface]

This is actually sooooo true....

SO MANY PEOPLE complain too much. My mother used to go around thinking soo much about problems then the next day she says "my daughter, i am siiiick". Stress is the no. 1 killer, think too much about it, you'll find yourself in a grave....