The youth of today are often called, "lazy", "rebellious", "fast", and many more negative terms that they internalize: "to incorporate (as values or patterns of culture) within the self as conscious or subconscious guiding principles through learning or socialization" (merriam-webster.com).
We are not Blessing our children...we are cursing them! We are setting them up for failure!
So what can we do about it? How can we begin to purge their very Spirits of the negative labels, false beliefs, and what appears to irreparable damage to their psyches?
We must begin to surround them with every positive and good work under the sun!
The first light of positivity must come from us their parents, family members, and loved ones. We must consciously choose to speak LIFE to and into them daily. Resist the temptation to judge or ridicule...instead seek to understand them, question their perceptions and understand of the consequences of their actions/non-actions, and challenge them to see that there are always a variety of options to choose from "Good, Better, and Best!"
Our next source of light into their lives must be to surround them with the power and capacity to LOVE...to Love their God, themselves, their family, their community, their city...state...country, and world!
An important and often overlooked source of light (and unfortunately darkness) are the adults and peers that are in their external world...their teachers, youth pastors, "friends" (Facebook generation), and even the "role models" in the entertainment industry. We must be unafraid to do battle against the negative impact/holds these outside influences have on our youth (not just OUR children!....remember, it takes a village). We must help them to see the good and bad in all things so they can make informed decisions about what they are exposing themselves to.
We must discover the interest, strengths, and things that motivate our youth....even the "games" they enjoy can be used as tools to shed new light on their situations so they can make the necessary adjustments to be successful.
For example:
On Saturday, December 19, 2015, Mr. Orrin "Checkmate" Hudson demonstrated how the game of chess can be used to do just that.
At the end of each losing match the chess:
"Thanks for playing me...that's how I learn...I succeed by learning...make it ok to fail...every master was once a disaster...I am somebody! or some variation thereof.
On Saturday, December 19, 2015, Mr. Orrin "Checkmate" Hudson demonstrated how the game of chess can be used to do just that.
At the end of each losing match the chess:
"Thanks for playing me...that's how I learn...I succeed by learning...make it ok to fail...every master was once a disaster...I am somebody! or some variation thereof.
Mr. Hudson the director and founder of BeSomeone.org, is a former foster child, U.S. Air Force Airman, Alabama state trooper, Entrepreneur, and two time World Open speed chess winner is featured on the cover of the December 2015 Chess Life Magazine.
"We must give our young people hope. We must instill worth. Without it, they become hopeless, and when that happens, we all lose. Many young people do not know what it means to believe in themselves, or to have others believe in them. They have never been taught they can achieve or succeed.
I know what that is like. I am a former gang member who was raised in the housing projects of Birmingham, AL. I had six brothers and six sisters, for a total of 13 children in a small four bedroom housing project. You do the math. I was destined to fail but I was rescued. Now, it is my turn to do the rescuing." ~ Orrin Hudson
I know what that is like. I am a former gang member who was raised in the housing projects of Birmingham, AL. I had six brothers and six sisters, for a total of 13 children in a small four bedroom housing project. You do the math. I was destined to fail but I was rescued. Now, it is my turn to do the rescuing." ~ Orrin Hudson