A Letter to Young People by Rob Ingram

"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these"     -George Washington Carver



After a conversation with a couple of young people I know very well, it occurred to me that it's ripe time for a firm reminder.  And I figured I am qualified to craft this message to young people because to someone somewhere I am still considered a young people.  Also, after working with and around young people for 12 of the last 20 years, I think I know a little about where they are, where they are going, and what they need.  No, I don't know everything, but I do know a couple of things.

And one of them is this: if you look at your life and the people in it, there is some chance that some of the same people have been in your life for most of your life.  Whether you're talking about parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, or older siblings, we all have at least one person somewhere that's been there for us; even if we didn't feel like or know that they were with us.  And it will feel like that in life -- like you're in it all by yourself and no one cares about or understands you.

When you start feeling like you're out here all alone, look at those same people that have been in your life and ask yourself this question: why would the same people that have been in my life taking care of, feeding, clothing, and generally supporting all of a sudden flip and become my oppressor? 

Answer is: they wouldn't!  If this theory doesn't fit, either you didn't really find the people that cared about you, but you found the ones that say they care about you (big difference) OR you've confused guidance and support for kindness and happiness, which is a BIG mistake.  See, you have to always know who is in your corner, who is on your team and who is cheering for you like Patty Mills cheers for the Blazers.  And know that what might sound like and feel like mean-spirited orders from someone bent and determined on making you miserable is likely nothing of the sort, but rather love in a different form.  Think of it like this: the people that truly love and care about you want nothing more than what is best for you, and if they are as committed as they need to be, they are willing to houng you, ride you, fuss with you and even scold you; but only in order to teach, groom, discipline, protect, inspire and guide you! 

No matter what; no matter what you do, know that we are in your corner.

                                                                                                            -Uncle Rob

The views and opinions expressed are not representative of any agency, organization or entity,unless otherwise noted, but are the sole expressions of the writer.

The views and opinions expressed are not representative of any agency, organization or entity,unless otherwise noted, but are the sole expressions of the writer.