As an Executive Coach, I always find it effective to understand the moods, study and listen to the message and the body language of each person I mentor. It is not the words they speak but their hand , facial, and eye movements that reveal their narratives. I know that to be effective change agents, we need to reach out to as many young people as possible, in order to build bridges of hope that they can identify with, to build bridges of love to nourish their bodies, and to build bridges of peace to nourish their minds, and hearts to heal whatever fears, doubts and angst that permeate their beings.
There are sunrises that brighten our world daily and this is the miracle of life that we want the youth to appreciate. There are many good things that happen in our lives that give birth to our aspirations. This is the positive mindset we wish to inculcate in our youth so that they are able to reach their highest potential as a human being.
THE time to act is now.
This is the challenge that they have to face daily. And they know that the time to act is now — not tomorrow but today. We need to mentor the youth to become good leaders, to be effective agents of change. They need to think and act for the benefit of the family, the community and society. They need to keep an open mind and an indomitable will to face the challenges as they arise.
My objective in writing this article is to communicate to the youth that their greatest fulfillment will rise from the changes they can influence to happen all around them. They need to identify the qualities they possess such as the gifts of humility, hard work, focus, a sense of humor, integrity, and determination that will make them effective leaders in their communities and serve as good examples to the younger generation. The goal is to encourage the youth to create significance towards a kinder world and an environmentally sound community.
We often ask the hardest questions. Why do we want to effect change? Why do we want to be good members of society? What gives meaning to our lives? What makes us wake up each day to face the challenges we know confront us? The answer is simple: Because we want our lives to matter. We want to be able to touch lives not just for a day. We want to change lives, to uplift the marginalized from the quagmire of poverty, loneliness and hopelessness. We want them to realize that with a positive mindset and a will to fight, they can emerge as winners. Of course, this is easier said than done but with patience to guide them, educate them, teach them, and dignify them as human beings, they will rise up to the challenge because the love and compassion we show them will shine through. Our sincerity will ignite the hope in their hearts and they will believe in themselves. This belief will transcend all odds and difficulties and they will emerge as winners.
I challenge all the youth to come forward. Be counted. Be effective members of society because the lives you change, makes us all winners in this world.