It's All Relative

Last week I sat through a presentation at our alternative education program (4th - 8th grades) as attorneys from both the Arizona public defenders office and the prosecutors office came to speak with our students on criminal law in hopes of preventing them from ending up in either of their offices. (unfortunately many have already been moving down that road)

First let me preface this by saying that these students are referred to our program through their K-8 school districts through some type of behavior issue leading to short term or long term suspension away from their campus. In their time away from their homeschool, we introduce them to behavior modification along with continued academic progress. The ultimate goal is to have them successfully transition back into their school setting.

Many of these students come from dire circumstances in which the values and appropriate behaviors that most of us take for granted have never been a part of their lives. The things that we learned growing up about respect, courtesy, being an upstanding citizen, setting goals, and making a positive impact on others didn't exist in their world...so they had to take it upon themselves to survive, in their environment, in their family.

In some ways it almost feels selfish that I was able to go to a great school and be exposed to incredible intellect and athletic talent as my foundation (I mean I went to the same high school as President Obama!) I was given many opportunities to find my own voice through some type of activity or skill and If I didn't have those opportunities, or the foresight of parents who supported and cared for my well-being that much...where would I be today?

Is it fair? There are many things in life that are not fair...but that doesn't mean we should cast anyone's fate in stone because they didn't have all of the advantages from the beginning. What is does mean, I think, is that we should rally even more to share our skills, talents, advice, and support to help them "catch up" in some way so that they can feel there is a glimpse of light or a sliver of hope to still "find their way".

I think it's much better with kids because they haven't set themselves in stone, they still have hopes and they are resilient enough if someone takes the time to nurture their spirit.

Let's face it, we all have busy lives, it's work, it's family, it's commitments, it's everything and we never have enough time in the day...maybe it's that our priorities are scattered. Think about the things you do each and every day and how that makes you as a person better for it...the tangibles will fade away or be lost but the intangible gifts you give away daily bring back 20 in return!!