Trials of a Teenager

To the thirteen-year-old I pass in the hallway,

            Your entire life has been leading up to this moment.  Yes, this moment.  You may be confused (and possibly concerned) because you think there is no possible way your life is going to climax at the beginning of your teenage years, but it’s true.  You have a preconceived idea that people cannot reach their full potential until they have graduated high school, received a degree, maintained a steady job, and made a life for themselves.  This, however, is a lie.  Society has unknowingly forced this myth upon teens, and, in turn, teens have unknowingly used it as an excuse to settle for less.

            There is an expectation placed upon you in everything you do.  Whether in school, sports, clubs, or work, you are expected to reach a set standard of excellence.  But what if I told you that this standard has been placed far too low?  In school, for example, if you easily ace a quiz without studying for it, you are not pushing yourself to learn more.  In sports, if you are not breaking a sweat during your workout, you are not doing all you can to become stronger.  At your job, if you only do the bare minimum, you are not creating a good work ethic for yourself.  So what?  You still get an A in the class, you might still win your game, and you still get your paycheck, but these “accomplishments” will not get you far in the future.  I want to challenge you to do the unexpected.

            Take J.R.R. Tolkien’s Bilbo Baggins as an example.  A reserved and well-respected Hobbit, Bilbo took a journey filled with a dangerous dragon, fearsome fights, and exciting escapes.  “This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, and found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected.  He may have lost the neighbors’ respect, but he gained—well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.”

            Today’s teenagers have become lazy, and the worst part is that adults expect them to be so!  Very few folks encourage teens to go above and beyond basic requirements, and, as a result of this, teenagers are satisfied to merely “get by” and do not strive to excel.

            In my life, I’ve worked hard to exceed expectations.  I pushed myself in school by taking hard classes and achieving what many told me was improbable. I read and researched for the sake of learning, not just to earn a high score on a test.  In sports, I practiced during the off-season and perfected technique through patience and repetition.  I did more and became more.

            So do the unexpected.  Don’t settle for less.  Set standards for yourself that are high above the bar society has placed in front of you, and keep jumping until you top that hurdle.  Bilbo Baggins did the unexpected, and while his neighbors considered him crazy, he became a happier (and much richer) person because of it.  Your classmates, teachers, coaches, and bosses may think you are peculiar, but, trust me, the hard work you put in during your teenage years will reward you with many exciting opportunities in the next stage of life, and you’ll be ready. 

            Be bold. Be different. Be better.

                                                                                                Love,

                                                                                                A high school senior