Bad Choices: Big Consequences

Have you warned your children that there are always consequences for bad behavior? You may not get caught lying, cheating, bullying, stealing, or hurting other people, but you are a unique spiritual being, and your conscience records your behavior.

If you steal, bully, or intentionally hurt someone, you may feel good at the moment, but your conscience will eventually catch up with you.

You start to feel bad about yourself and try to feel good by taking drugs to escape who you are becoming. Or, you may turn to sex or violence to find immediate gratification. Some people end up homeless with drug problems because they can’t handle relationships or responsibilities.

On the other hand, when you do something for someone else, you feel good, and the reward is not money but an inner knowing that you made someone else happy. Good behavior increases your self-awareness, self-confidence, and self-esteem.

Every human being is born with a powerful inner spirit with the choice to do good or bad. It doesn’t matter if you had good or bad parenting; you are ultimately responsible for your behavior regardless of your circumstances. It is a difficult lesson to learn, but we all have the power to change and make life worth living.

Growing up, I didn’t have any spiritual understanding, but when I was abandoned, I remembered what my grandmother said when I was ten. “If you have a problem or need help, you can always turn to God.” That simple statement saved my life!

Let children know they have the power to rise above abuse and neglect. Never accept sinking into anger, depression, loneliness, or following the crowd. With God, you are never alone. Anyone can choose to become humble and pray to break the bonds of inner slavery and grow from their powerful spirit. Everyone can forgive and become free from emotional pain with the ability to discover their inner peace!

Our founding fathers understood, “In God We Trust.” That’s what true freedom is all about!

Stephanie L. Mann, Founder, Safe Kids Now
Crime and Violence Prevention Consultant
Author, “Empowerment Parenting: How to raise resilient children who become happy, self-reliant adults.”
www.safekidsnow.com