Advice for the young at heart.....stay true to yourself....

[Baz]

Just thinking out loud....

Sometimes I find myself in a position to mentor young persons.

My usual MO is to stress how important the two concepts of "Excellence" and "Respect" are.

But earlier today I was thinking how important it is to stay true to yourself. Or as Shakespeare said "To thine own self be true."

Not always easy with peer pressure and all the distractions social media & pop culture can bring.

I really do believe there are many many wonderful young people in our society, who really do have their "act together". But I know there are others who desperately need guidance and someone to look up to.

Stay true to yourself. And never regret being who YOU are.

[911dean]

So True

[dipso]

What if you are a wife beating, police assaulti, deserver of a restraining order? Should I still be true to myself?
Or should I change before I kill someone?

Your platitude is neat. Unfortunately false..

[Baz]

Originally Posted by dipso

What if you are a wife beating, police assaulti, deserver of a restraining order? Should I still be true to myself?
Or should I change before I kill someone?

Your platitude is neat. Unfortunately false..

I was speaking of helping young persons.....

Not everyone can be reached before they turn evil.

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by dipso

What if you are a wife beating, police assaulti, deserver of a restraining order? Should I still be true to myself?
Or should I change before I kill someone?

Your platitude is neat. Unfortunately false..

Have you ever thought of changing the "PS" in your screen name to "LD"?

Baz, there are a lot of great people and kids in this World. Unfortunately, I think in this age of information, we are assaulted with so much negativity people are eventually going to be afraid of their own shadow. Live by the Golden Rule, always worked for me (so far).

[livi]

Word.

[cstreit]

Originally Posted by dipso

What if you are a wife beating, police assaulti, deserver of a restraining order? Should I still be true to myself?
Or should I change before I kill someone?

Your platitude is neat. Unfortunately false..

Well arent you a breath of fresh air lol. I bet they dont read here.

[mikeesik]

That concept is something that only your parents can understand and you attempt to try.
Sentimentalism doesnt work today.

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by dipso

What if you are a wife beating, police assaulti, deserver of a restraining order? Should I still be true to myself?
Or should I change before I kill someone?

dipslo, I didn't know you were into beating your wife, assaulting police, and thinking of killing someone, but I can't say I'm surprised.

But yes, you should change.

Not just those things, but many of your other "qualities" as well.

Get started soon and pack a lunch, because it's gonna take a while.

Baz, excellent thought, buddy.

[Gogar]

Unfortunately, that's a lot of fluff.

The term:
"Stay True to Yourself"

Means something entirely different for most young American Kids.

[Bill Douglas]

Stay true to yourself and don't take advice from people dumber than yourself.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Baz

I really do believe there are many many wonderful young people in our society, who really do have their "act together". But I know there are others who desperately need guidance and someone to look up to.

What a timely message. I spent yesterday afternoon with my 7 year old adoptive grandson. He follows me like a shadow and it is so, so gratifying to have his trust. His father is a POS and I feel like I'm in a constant struggle to show this boy a decent path for his life. But ultimately it's going to be up to him to choose.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by dipso

What if you are a wife beating, police assaulti, deserver of a restraining order? Should I still be true to myself?
Or should I change before I kill someone?

Your platitude is neat. Unfortunately false..

Don't discount what dipso says. There is a lot of truth in what he says. There are evil people in this world who are not aware that they are evil. For instance look at that Castro person incarcerating those three women. To him that was normal. Most of everyone has a perception of their being normal but is perceived through their own values. Their values and our own are not necessarily the same.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

What a timely message. I spent yesterday afternoon with my 7 year old adoptive grandson. He follows me like a shadow and it is so, so gratifying to have his trust. His father is a POS and I feel like I'm in a constant struggle to show this boy a decent path for his life. But ultimately it's going to be up to him to choose.

This comes over as a breath of fresh air. The boy has a second chance. Congrats WD for being a decent human being...

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by Gogar

Unfortunately, that's a lot of fluff.

The term:
"Stay True to Yourself"

Means something entirely different for most young American Kids.

Allow me to add: "and be good to yourself"

If (you) aren't in a good spot, you can't be good to anyone else. And Dispos post is a good example of not being in a good place within.

[matt f]

Disillusion and cynicism are easy.
To do something and help someone requires effort and commitment, not so easy.
Good on ya, Baz!

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Gogar

Unfortunately, that's a lot of fluff.

The term:
"Stay True to Yourself"

Means something entirely different for most young American Kids.

While Baz statement is honorable and well intentioned...

What of all those kids that want to be a pro athlete or Rock/Rap stars, invest half their life pursuing that dream... only to realize it is not going to happen?

Take my life for example... all that time and money I invested in training to be a ninja assassin... only to find that the market was flooded with ninja assassins.

[tweezers74]

Just as in everything in life, everyone is going to take Baz's statement the way they want to. Ironically, I think that is part of the reason why he is saying it. When I hear that, "be true to yourself", I hear, "Own it." Choose your destiny that is in line with your morals and values and despite the haters or the people that might want to get you down. Or the people who might not believe in you. Or society that says you need to do this or make this much money to be successful. Define "you", define "success", define "happiness" in your own terms, not anybody else. And own it. If you fail, if you were wrong, "be true to yourself". Accept your shortcomings in the face. Don't blame anybody or anything else. Define your destiny. If other people are responsible for your failures, most likely they would be responsible for your successes. I can't swallow that. I am responsible for my failures so that I can change it and make happen. "Be true to yourself" means I sure do have a lot of potential. That's what it means to me.

Thanks, Baz for the daily inspiration.

[rusnak]

The kids who need to be true to themselves are the ones who don't know or like who they are. The ones with healthy self esteem don't need much guidance. I wish there was a way to get through to the abused, the neglected, or kids with no guidance and somehow show them that their own happiness is within their control and will always be.

[Mark Henry]

By your title I thought you were aiming this towards us older farts.

I find with my age group (mid-40's to 60) I believe there are two camps, the miserable pessimist and happy optimist.
You can guess who I think is "young at heart" and it does't take a genius to figure which camp most of the PARF posters are in.