Teach youth: Adversity is your teacher

What would happen if human beings understood they are born with a strong, resilient spirit with the ability to be free from controlling people? What would change if children were taught to rely on their inner wisdom to overcome adversity? Would we still have an epidemic of drug abuse and homeless citizens flooding our streets? Would anger and violence continue to create chaos in our homes and neighborhoods?

The movie, “Lion,” is a true story about a five year-old boy lost in India. He tried to find help. A couple seemed compassionate and fed him. He instinctively knew they were going to harm him and he ran away. How did he know he had to escape? He was only 5 years old.

Every living person, young or old, has inner wisdom and power! However, we need faith in ourselves to rely on our instincts and intuition. Birds are protected by their instincts and fly south for the winter. Animals herd together for protection from predators. Why would human beings be less aware?

As a crime and violence prevention specialist, I’ve heard, “I didn’t feel safe walking into the elevator with that man.” She was raped. “It didn’t feel right letting that man into my house to use the phone.” He was attacked and robbed. An abused mother said, “I ignored my instincts and thought I could help him.”

Safety is an inner journey! If we teach youth to listen and trust their “gut” (intuition), they can discern the difference between responsible or self-serving individuals and what is right or wrong. Prayer and/or meditation help us listen to our “safety guide” and see others through enlightened “eyes.”

When we encourage youth to listen to their “gut” and rely on their instincts, they gain self-confidence and don’t become victims?

Anyone can stay calm and learn valuable lessons from adversity. We cannot change other people but we can change how we react and stay safe. We become powerful when adversity becomes our teacher!