The People We Are Becoming

Much like the great depression, life today can be a daily struggle. At the peak of the great depression 25% of the nation’s workers were unemployed, leaving families with no money, no job and 250,000 young people homeless. CNN Money reported that in 2009, at the peak of the recession, the U.S unemployment rate rose 7.2%; its highest since the end of World War II, with homeless families climbing because of it.

Although the recession contributes greatly to mental stress and anxiety on our youths, it isn’t the only issue that elicits distress. With continued fighting in Libya, constant protests in Morocco, and an epidemic of bullying in the U.S., youths are bombarded with taxing and traumatic events every single day. And, let’s not forget about politics, terrorism, education, and plenty in between, such as extracurricular activities, exams, and the abundant amount of expectations that may be placed on them.

In his modest video, Mahmoud Jabari talks about the challenging issues that he feels are facing his generation. This video is straightforward but for this youth and others it encompasses an enormous message; that our young people take notice to the defiant events around them.

With the amount of pandemic dealings taking place every moment, it is important that parents, teachers, faith organizations, and community advocates stop and consider unanswered questions and unhealthy thoughts that may be sulking in the minds of our youths.

Bullying and teen suicide have become synonymous, which strengthens the need to encourage our youths to speak up and speak out

There are times in which we view our life from the outside in.  By doing this, we see our neighbors house and car, our friends personality, and our favorite sports and television celebrities actions. We investigate everything they’ve done, and our minds become absorb in this person. Suddenly we begin to mimic their ways.

After performing these actions for several days, weeks, and months, we suddenly become unhappy. Why? Because we are not living the life intended for us. We have develop ourselves from the outside in, becoming a second rate version of someone else.

Take Montana Fishburne (Laurence Fishburne‘s daughter) for example, who recently decided to launch a career in the explicit adult entertainment industry. Her decision to become an adult entertainer wasn’t because she always dreamed of a this type of profession. Her decision was because of her observation to Kim Kardashians career, in which Kim launched her own explicit tape, suddenly becoming famous. After being a second rate version of someone else, will Montana find the happiness she anxiously seeks?

We each have a unique blueprint, our own distinctive path. We must believe and trust in our ability to get there. At some point in each of our lives we desire the want of success. This can be the success of love, relationships, health and or finances. We each have the power to reach our own level of success, however, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will be a simple journey. One of the most important things for us to remember throughout our journey is to not be lead by the individuals around us. We must take our OWN hand, and lead ourselves down our OWN journey to success.

Starting today you will not be a second rate version of your friend, your neighbor, your favorite television or movie celebrity. Starting today you will be a first rate version of YOU.

In life we must define who we are, and most importantly what we want. Experiences both positive and negative that are embarked upon in life’s journey will mold and shape us to becoming the individuals we choose to become, however, it is up to each individual to decide which experiences will have the opportunity to endure the journey alongside us and which will be left at the posterior of the road.

You are the luckiest person on earth. No, really… you are.

Imagine how our day would start if this one simple saying was spoken each and every morning, “I am the luckiest person on earth”. A new self recognition would come over us. We would be aware of absolutely everything, everywhere. Our minds would be illuminated with a quantum understanding that would be expressed in our actions, words and deeds.