TOO much access to a young or an immature mind can be very dangerous.
I am writing this article relating to the times we are in and it’s the festive season.
This message is important not only to parents, but also to teens and young people who are making choices.
December is always a month of festivities, of enjoyment, and often, our choices become blurred, emotional or because we have access to some things which we do not regularly have access to.
We might make decisions based on the vibe, the hype, the market noise.
But to every parent, I say: this is the right time to sit your child down and give them sound advice.
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So today, allow me to speak to you; not just as a writer, but as a brother, a father, a parent, a coach, an advisor, and a mentor.
This is an important article for every young person who wants to make the best out of their life.
My parents were right
As I grew up, my parents would always try to stop me from doing a number of things.
They wanted me home before 6pm daily.
They did not want me to play with certain people or children from a specific family.
There are places I was told not to go to.
They would caution me all the time and I thought they did not want me to enjoy life.
My parents, even though they were not very educated, would encourage me to read or study.
Today, I am a sum total of my parents’ tutelage.
I look back; I wish my parents were alive to see me travel the world.
They gave me wings to fly, even though they died without boarding a plane.
They empowered my mind, even though their highest level of education was Grade 7.
They sacrificed so much for me to be the best, even though they had little to spend on themselves.
As a young person, I thought it’s my parents who disadvantaged me, only to learn later that I had more advantages than privileged children who had so much at their disposal.
I leant that at times, little is enough, and too much is not always right.
My parents were right! God bless my late parents.
Never kiss anything below your value
Never kiss anything that’s below your value.
Most people indulge in anything that seems sweet, nice and entertaining, not valuable.
Why is that? Anything of value takes effort, hard work and even pain and it’s easy for most people to rather indulge in entertaining things.
But we need to go beyond that. What do I mean?
You need to understand your personal value. Ask yourself: Who am I? Why am I here? What can I offer? Who do I need?
These are critical questions. If you don’t know your worth, you’ll settle for anything.
And when you settle for anything, you lose everything.
You must act based on your personal value, not what other people say, or want.
Don’t let them choose you
Never allow people to choose you as their friend. Make a choice to be their friend.
In other words, there’s no friend in my life who chose me.
I personally hand pick anyone who becomes a friend or business partner.
I make an intentional, calculated, conscious move to choose someone to be in my life.
Yes, they might have chosen me, but they must go through a rigorous process.
I make sure they align with my standards, values, vision and strategies.
Remember, the quality of your friends will determines the quality of your thoughts.
And your thoughts are precious.
You must guard them daily.
That starts with choosing the right people to surround yourself with.
Power of principles
This life is controlled and made better by following and adhering to specific principles.
There are three types which this article will draw your attention to.
lHuman principles: This will make you win and influence people.
lGodly principles: This will guide you and what is right or wrong, good or bad.
lPersonal principles: These are personal laws / standards that you decide to live by.
These principles dovetail.
For example, before you marry, set a principle; no sexual activity before marriage.
I do not care what religion you are: Christian, Muslim, or anything else.
This principle protects you from cataclysmic results like unplanned pregnancies or emotional trauma.
Make choices based on principles that build you, not break you.
Seek to be a better upgrade
Choose to improve your value.
The best thing you can do now is look for opportunities to learn.
Improve your mind. Upgrade your thinking. Clean your heart.
Why is this important? The Bible in Ecclesiastes 10:10 says, “If the axe is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.”
So sharpen your mind. That’s how you shape your destiny.
Yes, it’s the festive season. Christmas is at the doorstep.
New Year is around the corner. But do not be carried away by the waves of entertainment.
While others are partying, take time to close yourself in your room and plan your life.
That’s how you win.
Believe you are great
You were created with power.
I love what the prominent speaker Zig Ziglar once said: “Man was designed for accomplishments, engineered for success, and endowed with seeds of greatness.”
That means you are valuable, despite your circumstances, your background, or your upbringing.
So believe. Believe that you are the one. Believe you are the next powerful leader. Believe you are the next powerful author. Believe you are the next powerful politician. Believe you can make it in this life.
Life is not chance, but choice
Your life is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice.
If you make good choices, you will reap a good harvest.
If you make bad ones, you will face the consequences.
Decide today on your habits.
Your daily habits will decide your future.
Most people think things are not working because they are unlucky or cursed.
No. It is not about luck. It is about choice.
Make calculated choices as a young person to build a better life.