For the Teens in the House

 

I know there aren’t many teenagers reading this. It’s mostly old folks like me.

After it’s published in The Daily Times, I share it on social media, but again, the readers are generally older.  That’s OK.

Maybe it trickles down. I hope so.

I know I’ve had a lot of people through the years that told me that they sent it on to their grandkids or saved it for their kids. 

Today is a pass-it-down column. I know my audience but I hope it reaches a younger generation, specifically teenagers and especially teenage athletes.

Don’t settle.  In sports, in relationships, in life.  Ever.  You’re stuck on the bench—don’t accept that as the best you can do. Find out what you can do to get better, to get more playing time. Pay the price and don’t give anything less than your best.

Aim high. My kids and my grandkids will tell you, “can’t never did do nothing.” That quote came from my Dad and I’ve repeated it often. 

Dream big, bodacious dreams.  If you don’t dream it, you can’t achieve it. Don’t limit yourself to only what you think you can do. 

I’ll get personal here for a bit. I came from a small town with parents who had to work hard. Don’t get me wrong—I never went hungry and I was never cold from an unheated house. 

But I also didn’t have people around me (other than my mother, and she doesn’t count) that told me that I could make a difference, yet, somehow, I dreamed of changing the world.

Maybe that world is the one you can reach out and touch. Maybe it is the community where you live. Or your state. Or your country.  I’ve been able to change some things, however small and seemingly insignificant, on so many levels. If I hadn’t dreamed it, I couldn’t have done it.

Be kind.  Nothing can truly change the world without it. They say “no good deed goes unpunished,” but I say no good deed goes unrewarded.  Kindness to strangers, kindness to those difficult to be kind to, kindness in every situation—you may not see or feel the reward, and you may not change someone else with your kindness, but your reward comes in the adult you will become. And the positive influence you will have.

Have courage.  Maybe that means speaking in front of a group. Maybe it means asking that special person out on a date. Do it. You won’t regret it.

Make friends with the kid that’s different or maybe the one who doesn’t seem to have friends. You will get more out of that than they will. You will become a better person because of it. And when you’re old and grey, you’ll be glad you did that.

I know that I’m just some old guy but, just like your parents, if you’re paying attention, if you listen more than you talk, and if you’re honest about yourself, you gain some wisdom with all those years. 

So, take it from me—be the best version of you.  That’s it. That’s the whole game.