"What would you say to a younger generation?"

[Robert]

A while back, I was asked a question that required me to put a lot of thought into it before writing my answer down on paper. The question was: "If you could speak to a younger generation, what would you say?"


This was my answer...


"Don't cite the failures of the older generation, but believe on your own accord. Investigate for yourself, and when people try to pull you down and rip your dreams apart, get FAR, FAR, FAR away from them!!! Don't let them poison you and tell you to "settle for the mundane, your goals are unrealistic". If you listen to them, you'll be forever trapped by those whose own failed dreams poisoned them and made them bitter towards anyone whose ambition and determination highlights and shows the bitter ones' lack of effort and inertia. Instead, find those who will point you the way and help you in whatever way they can. Finally, God is your greatest ally, but you need to come to Him on His terms alone. He is not the reason everything went wrong, and He can be trusted far more than most ever give Him credit for.

If you want to find Him, find Jesus Christ first."


So my question to everyone here is: if YOU could speak to a younger generation, what would YOU say?

[Meg]

In a changing and unstable world, we need something that doesn't move to ground us. So know who God is and why. Then know who your friends are and why. Avoid negative people, they can and will poison you; its OK to have a few good friends who love you rather than a huge crowd who make you doubt yourself.

Money is a good thing, but be careful with the stuff. Too much money, and it owns you, because after a certain point you have to live up to a false image.

The things that last have great value. Home, family, marriage, these things should last.

Teach your kids to take no for an answer by framing decisions and choices. It is well to understand the difference between what looks good and what is good. Responsibility isn't a curse, responsibility is a framework upon which to build tomorrow. Self denial is actually healthy, although it may not seem so in the moment... Its balance you're striving for, and too much of anything, even a good thing can cause an imbalance.

Please, please don't start smoking cigarettes! I know an older generation seems to look "cool" smoking, I fell for that when I was 14. The thing is, if you decide you really want to quit, you may not be able to. Be patient with the moment, as it will very likely pass... Time flies when you're young. Youth years are some of the best, so try to live them well!

Oh, and its OK to wait until you're a little older to have children of your own. Its a LOT more fun babysitting part time than it is to be a parent full time. Again, the moment will pass, but once that child is yours, that is permanent, and the needs of a child must come first. Furthermore, whatever your kid sees you doing, they will copy. That can be hugely embarrassing when your kid is a toddler!

Be patient, life lasts longer than it may seem today... Remember kindness. We all need more of that. Value facts over feelings. Facts last longer!

[seank6]

i would be simple.. please don't make the same horrible mistakes that i did!!

[FaithInChrist]

I would say "I'm sorry for any mistakes I made that hurt you. Please accept my apology and forgive as Jesus forgave you. Hold the people you love close.

I would say release your anger, your hurt, your self-pity, do not let those feelings dwell in your soul, they will hold your soul down and prevent you from fullfilling the purpose God has for you. Do not give service to Satan, do not watch his influence, or read his influence or listen to his influence. If you feel Satan has a hold on a part of your life, pray for Christ to intervene. Pornography, alchoholism, drug addicts...are just a few of the tools that Satan has to get you in his grasp. Recognize the things that take your mind off Christ and avoid them because if they are not of Christ then they are of the world and if they are of the world then they are of satan.


Marriage is forever, forget that divorce is an option. If divorce is not an option then you can learn to get through all the hurdles together. Your children deserve their parents to love each other, from the moment they are married until death do them part. The problems that you cannot work out with one partner will appear again with the next partner. So fix the problems with the first partner and avoid repeats.

Put Christ first and your relationship with Christ can and should be shared with your family, so they can learn to love Christ as much as you do. Have faith and do not worry about things you cannot control. You might ask "what things are out of my control?", and I will tell you, you will know when something you worry about is out of your control. It's the kind of worry that eats the lining of your stomach if you do not release it to Christ. It's the kind of worry that causes you to be short with and snap at the people you love if you do not release it to Christ and it's the kind of worry that will discourage you and make you feel helpless if you do not release it to Christ.

I would say, if you live your life striving to live like Jesus then you will be blessed in every aspect. It may not be a monetary blessing, but you will always fill full-filled.

You can have a beautiful life, a beautiful family and you can have a future that includes eternity with Christ and the family you raised in the Church if you only heed the words of Christ, that is the Word of God and is Holy.

The Holy Bible is still relevant, even in 2012, it was relevant when I was your age, it was relevant when my grandparents were your age and it will still be relevant when your kids and grandkids are your age.

[FaithInChrist]

I forgot to add...I would say "Pull your pants up!"

[ShilohRose]

I forgot to add...I would say "Pull your pants up!"

[soundingthealarm]

I forgot to add...I would say "Pull your pants up!"

Back to what I would say...."take care of your body as if you will live forever but take care of your soul as if you will die tomorrow" Talk to God about Everything, listening all the while... Trust His promise that You are not alone ...that He will never leave and never forsake You.. in that light ..live your life for an audience of ONE. Hide His word in your heart and pray with a mindset that He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly beyond your ability ask, think or pray. In looking for a mate....it's a given you will want to be attracted but make sure your selection is based on if they can be your best friend, it will save you lots of wasted time and effort. If you don't enjoy talking and listening to them about everything ..then RUN from that relationship cause attraction can change like the seasons

Give often and forgive even more...they are God's promise of Him propelling You along a sure course

did I say "talk to God about everything?" Why? Because He has promised if you acknowledge Him in all Your ways He will direct your path" "You'll fall in Love with him more and more along that journey...thats His Master Plan"