Just as men are in sizes, so life is in phases. The phases of life are the childhood phase (morning), teenage phase (afternoon) and adulthood phase (evening). But the teenage phase is of particular interest because it is a period of strategic investment and self-discovery. It happens to be a phase where principles and values are built and foundation is laid for the next phase of life. In every phase of life there are prices to pay in order to successfully get to the next phase, you either pay “the price of discipline” or “the price of regret” and it is good you pay the price when you are young. You pay today and play tomorrow or you play today and pay tomorrow, whichever way the price will be paid. Therefore, in order to be a successful adult, one has to maximize this phase of life.
Unlike previous generations, the world is moving at a fast pace. The challenges of teens in previous generations cannot be compared with the challenges teens in this generation are confronted with on a daily basis. Nowadays, parents tend to give their teens more independence there by leaving them to chance all in the name of civilization forgetting that they ought to serve as a support system to their children. Due to this, teens now confide in their peers than their parents and believe more in what their peers say than advice from their parents failing to forget that their peers cannot see beyond their nose. Teens should learn to cultivate sound relationship with their parents and listen to wise counsel from their parents because they have their best interest at heart. Never think your parents are old school or outdated, there are wisdom deposit in them that you need to live a successful life.
It is obvious from the “Law of Association” that over time we become like the people we move with either consciously or unconsciously and we are either adjusting to their pace or theirs to ours’. On a daily basis, teens are prone to making critical decisions and they are influenced by their peers through diverse means just because they want to feel accepted, they want to be part of the COOL CROWD or probably satisfy their own curiosity. But as a teen, you must understand that you do not have to be part of the crowd to make a difference and when you follow the crowd you get lost in it. Remember, they that move with the wise will become wise but the companions of fools will be destroyed.
Most teens are faced with the issue of low self esteem, some as a result of their background, physical appearance, not been able to meet up with what their mates are doing etc. But as a teen, you must understand that low self-esteem leads to depression and frustration in life. You cannot be successful if you are not happy with yourself. It is crucial you know who you are and what you really want out of life. You are designed the way you are by God for your purpose or assignment. No one is like you or will ever be like you and you can never be like someone else no matter how hard you try. You are beautiful just the way you are to accomplish what God has created you for. You must learn to appreciate and make do with the little you have knowing that whatever you desire, you will have, it is just a matter of time. Though your beginning is small your latter end shall greatly increase. You might not be where you want to be but you are not where you used to be. You are not ending the way you are and where you are, there is more to your life than what you are displaying right now. Look within and see a better you! You must have a balanced view of yourself and see yourself from God’s perspective because it gives you a positive attitude towards life.
When it comes to the issue of social or electronic media, teens are seen as the main target. Unlike the previous generations, the media is now easily access through diverse means such as computers, iPods, mobile phones, etc. It has been proven that the rate of online activities is high among teens, 78% of teens are involved with video games, email 73%, instant messaging 68%, and social networking sites 65%, new sources 63%, music 59%, videos 57%. And for every hour of television watched by teens, there are, an average 6-7 scenes including sexual topics and about 10% of these scenes has sexual imagery and content. Teens spend more time using the internet and watching television (the silent killer) forgetting that life is measured in time. Time is one of the most valuable commodities that you have. It is more valuable than money. You can make more money but you cannot make more time. Every day God gives each of us a deposit of 86,400seconds. The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine, how you make use of your time matters, and you don’t waste but invest your time. However, better academic performance has been associated with moderate use of the social or electronic media. Engage time, exploit time! Don’t waste or wait for time! Those who watch two (2) home videos a day can never compete with those who spend three (3) hours a day to learn something or do something engaging.
Avoid distractions, be focused, have a dream, work hard, make well cut out choices, take good decisions and when in doubt talk to your parents, teachers, elders because one can make errors. Take time to deliberately develop yourself (spiritually, physically, socially, mentally etc). Choose your values-character, that is, honesty, integrity, law abiding etc and stay with them. Build self-confidence-know who you are… that you have a genius in you waiting to be explored. You are an answer to one of our social challenges! A blessing to this generation!
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