Holiday Challenge 2015

      Before I begin, I thought I would start with explaining my vision of Christmas. While much of this world likes to embrace the idea that Christmas (the holidays) are a time solely for receiving presents, spending boat loads of money, and nothing else. I like to take a more different approach to the holiday seasons. Personally, I like to look at the holiday’s as a time for me to enjoy my family, while many are very unfortunate to be missing a loved one or more than one. In addition, I love to believe that this time of the year should be celebrated with random acts of kindness, friendly gestures, and volunteering. Many of my post have been about volunteering, I’m aware. However, this time of the year I believe it’s more meaningful.

With the definition of this, I bring to you a bit of a challenge. Anyone who reads this, I don’t care who you are! I challenge you to do something this season. This thing can be anything. Something as small as hold a door for the person behind you, offering to help carrying someone’s goods, buy a snack for someone who’s down on their luck right now, maybe volunteer your time at a local organization. Anything you do, whether it’s big or small, it can make an impact. Take time to buy a toy for ‘Toys For Tots’, drop some loose change in those famous red kettles, maybe grab a warm drink for someone who is ringing the bell. There is no limitation on the amount of things we can do. Just a simple card, a simple message, a simple smile. Anything!

With all this negative stuff going on in the world right now, I feel like we could use some more positive uplifting stories. If each of us took a few minutes to spread some sort of kindness we might be able to put more smiles in the world.

If you have a chance while doing your random thing of kindness. Maybe snap a picture, take a video, then post it on Instagram or Twitter or Facebook. Post it with #2015HolidayChallenge and let’s make this positive thing a trend. The more people we get on board, the more good we can spread.

Don’t read this then just carrying on. Anyone around you could be suffering; your neighbor, your friend, your coworker. People have a good way of hiding what’s going on. Something so simple could change a bad mood. Something so little can start something so big. So join me and let’s finish off this year with something more positive!

As Thanksgiving rounds the corner, I would like to send a Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! I hope it's filled with many thanks, lots of food, and great memories. Take some time to be thankful for those around you. One day they won't be there. Stay positive and have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Youth Problems 2015

     Our youth are becoming a very interesting group. Sometimes it's not a positive interesting either. The youth today act like responsibility is a choice and not a priority. For me personally, I find responsibility to be a top priority. I'm responsible for anything and everything I do. Not a single person can make me do anything, they could influence me, but ultimately I make the decision. I've had enough of people blaming the parents for so many of these kids now and days. The more and more we set the blame to the parents, the more and more the kids will do these dumb and irresponsible acts thinking 'My parents are going to get the blame for it'. The less we show our youth that their responsible for their actions, the more likely we are to see a negative slope in attitudes. 

       Cell phones have become a problem for much of today's youth. Yes, I find cell phones just as useful as the next person, but how many of our youth are actually using their phones for productive things? I would guess about 10%, that could even be a bit high. For example, all of these apps now that we can download and expose ourselves to the world. Many kids get on these apps and start chatting and posting, then they feel all tough and land themselves in trouble. Unfortunately, these kids haven't really took the lesson of turning off the devices. They get all upset over things they keep putting on themselves, and sit there and whine about it. Every device has a power off switch, if more kids learned to use it, maybe cyber bullying wouldn't be such an epidemic. 

       Many of these kids are growing up to be irresponsible as I mentioned before, but not only irresponsible but disrespectful. Personally, I fully respect others. On the other hand, our youth have decided they'll pick and choose. Respecting our elders, is no longer a top priority among kids. They believe that they have full responsibility to do whatever they desire. Possibly because stricter child protection laws save their rear ends. Maybe because they just want to be cool. Whatever may be the case, it is becoming obnoxious. 

      I'm not saying that every kid needs to be church goers, not every kid needs to be spanked. I'm only saying that the youth now and days is immature. Overall, I believe it has a lot to do with cellphones, now that they have a phone they don't need their brains (I don't intend to sugar coat this). I also don't intend to blame every young youth today, so many amazing kids have yet to be discovered. Although, as news has taught us; if you didn't do anything bad, you're not worth the spotlight. 

     It's unfortunate that this youth can come up so negatively. Looking at it right now. I don't see anyway to change it. Though, one day we may find a way.