I wonder how many teens love challenges. I guess not so many teens like being challenged with a hard task or faced with a difficult situation—you call it stress. Sometimes teens get all stressed out about this or that…and no matter how much help is around them, they choose to look away because problems seem like Mt. Everest. Blame it on the raging hormones. Even though teens are all cool and want to be in control, that cool air they carry around can sometimes get messed up just for show. It’s no big deal for those who’ve been through the stage—everything is heightened. Have you watched the mega hit Twilight trilogy, (Twilight, New moon, and Eclipse)—where vampires and werewolves battle for a human chick? Well, everything was heightened; blame it on the teenage fantasy world and rush that comes with it. Eventually one of the characters, vamp Edward Cullen managed to control his biggest challenge—draining the life out of the human chick who finally became his ‘super’ friend. I can assure you that challenges can sometimes be good. As much as it’s a big deal for teens to wake up in the morning during holidays; because they still believe that they have to get up after noon and chill with pals—that’s one hell of a problem. Something small like eating food or not eating for those on a ‘diet’ is challenging. What about consuming illicit drinks or puffing crazy stuff—how do you overcome that? The answer is simple. Accept that you have a problem and make a conscious decision to turn away from it. Sometimes they say, ‘experience is the best teacher’—but why wait for damage and live with the scars before change can happen? Avoid situations that will make you give in to temptation. Instead of self-destructing, look at challenges as a way of becoming a better person. For example, if you do not feel like waking up, think about the breakfast you’ll miss or a time when you will have to hit the road at 6:30 a.m because your job requires that you are at work before 7:00 a.m sharp. No excuses because, old habits die hard but develop from routine—your brain and body must work together to succeed. The future is bright for those who do not back down from challenges, but seize the moment and make something great out of it. Next week is 2011. Slay all the bad habits you’ve carried in 2010. Relax, exercise your body and mind, have fun, rest and give your school books a break—literally—because you want to hunger for them when the school term opens! What do you say? Glo.irie@gmail.com
