Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012

There are times when we have to stand up for those whom we care about.   Matters not if they won’t be pleased with what we have to share.  If we know that something they are about to enter into is questionable, could hurt them or might compromise their integrity or reputation, then, IMHO, we must, must, must stand up and be heard.  To remain silent is equivalent to allowing those we care about to be silently led to slaughter.

This subject comes up between my friends and I all the time, especially when we’re referring to today’s younger generation.  Today’s society not only coaxes our youth to do things that might not be in their best interest, but it glamorizes it more so than ever before in the past.  At least in years gone by, folks had a moral compass, influenced heavily by media and society that helped to guide their decision making process.  Even when not sure of the long-term ramifications of something they might consider, that small little voice inside the youth of yesteryear would niggle away at their thoughts, prompting them to reconsider.  Look at the bigger picture.  Become more informed prior to jumping in.

Today’s youth, however, doesn’t have those same safety nets.  Instead of helping to guide our youth into respectable lives where the choices they make today won’t run the risk of jeopardizing their future, today’s youth is saturated with images and promptings that they should show, flaunt and tell all.  The worst part is, many of the ones prompting our youth to follow this pattern are individuals who are aware of what the long-term ramifications of those decisions might be.  What it may cost the youth.  And yet, these more experienced individuals selfishly encourage the youth to make snap decisions or go in directions, some of the shadows of which they’ll never extricate themselves from.

Not that youth isn’t meant to be a time of exploration and self- discovery.  It is.  But the paths those journeys take shouldn’t lead the follower into realms from which they might not return.  When those of us who have been around longer and gained more life knowledge have the chance to help shed light on what future ramifications of certain acts might include, I believe it is our duty to stand up and speak our voice.  Doesn’t mean today’s will receive or even listen to what we have to share.  But at least we’ll know we were a good friend by trying….