Excitable Endorphins
by Greg Dobson, author of Tools For Fulfillment

Does feeling good about the day that lies ahead of you affect your health? Of course it does. The well-known statistic about more deaths occurring on Monday morning, just before going to that stressful job, I’m sure still applies today.

Is this phenomena as prevalent with children? Maybe more so. I believe it is more stressful for young people today because of their vast knowledge (i.e. the first generation to teach the parents how to do their finances on the new software) and lack of control. Not having complete control over your life can create more anxiety. How can adults help the youth of today?

All adults in a young person’s life must support the ideas he or she shares with us (unless harmful). First of all, it gives the adolescent confidence to share and try new things. This also gives them a feeling of acceptance and more importantly, tells them that their ideas ARE important.

As adults we often dismiss young people’s ideas because we think they do not have knowledge, or that it might be one of those stupid ideas. Just in case your memory is fading, lets think of a couple of those stupid ideas others had.

The PET ROCK. This was a little rock with eyes attached. Thousands were sold in the seventies. I am sure someone said to the inventor, “come on buddy, who is going to buy a rock with a couple of rolling eyes glued to it.” Did I mention thousands were sold in the seventies? And what about those little plastic bags filled with sand in a shape of a head that grows hair! I believe some were called Chia Pets. “Don’t be ridiculous!” Can you hear yourself saying this to a young person? “Now come on son, forget about those silly ideas, get out there and cut the grass!”

One of those little hair-growing pets made a group of college students about half million dollars and launched them into the lucrative and fun toy business. There are no stupid ideas, only the condemnation of them.

Our youth need ALL our support. As a great mentor of mine, the late Dr. Paul Steinhauer once said to me said “It is the North American attitude, that our children are the sole responsibility of the parent, making it difficult to have a well-rounded and civic society.”

The only way that little seed named Jackie, Abdul or Sueshella will ever grow into a healthy adult and be excited about the day that lies ahead, is if we ALL contribute in the cultivation process. Cultivate the courage in the youth you happen to know!

Greg Dobson can be reached at youth@direcway.com

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