Relationships: Parents

I have a strong relationship with my parents, even stronger still with my mom. I talk to her day in and day out about my feelings, concerns, and trivial stuff. When I talk to my friends, they are often surprised to hear about my relationship, as though it was abnormal, or ridiculous to be able to talk to my parents about everything. So, I have decided to compile a short list of ways to maintain/regain your relationship with your parents. 

1. Truth. 

All relationships are built on Trust, without that you have nothing. Think about it this way. Imagine a large bridge and it is built out of bricks (Trust) when you lie or mislead it destroys the bridge completely. It is like a bomb detonating, everything is turned to rubble. The problem is that you cannot use new materials, you have to use the same materials over, and over, and over again. The more someone breaks your trust, the weaker the bridge will forever be. 

2. Talk 

I talk for hours with my mom and am never satisfied. You may say that your parents do not have enough time, or love you enough to take that time. To be honest, there are a few parents out there, but this is where you need to try. Sit one of your parents down and just tell them what you want to talk to them about. Tell them that you need them to be there for you, and that you need them to listen. That leads me to the next point. 

3. Listen. 

I know, I know. Your parents are 30-40 years old and they just do not understand, but there is no point in talking to your parents if you are not willing to consider their advice. I learned that the hard way. 

I was good friends with a guy, and that was the time I did not have feelings, I was about to enter that stage, I was 9, and this boy was mean to me and then apologized and started being nice to me. I was at youth camp and my 2 friends (At the time I thought they were my best friends) were talking with me, and I ended up telling them about the guy and him being mean then apologizing then being nice to me. They asked me if I liked him, and I said yes (As a friend). Later that day he confronted me saying he did not want a relationship and that he just wanted to remain friends, I was confused, angry, and upset. My best friends had told him something that was not even true! It ended up that the guy and I did not talk again for four years. I barely talk to him now, but things are resolved. 

How does this have to do with my mom? Well, she had recently started talking to me about how girls acted at this age and how if I want to keep my relationships with guys (Specifically those I have crushes on) I should not hint, nor tell any girls about it. But I have learned that every single time I have ever told a girl about a guy I like, I have gotten hurt. 

I am also like most of you. I have broken my parents trust. I have done things I wish I had not and am currently paying the consequences. 

Anyways, I hope this helps. Comment or email me with your thoughts! I might do a question and answer blog post soon, so email me those questions you want to feature in it!

-Sapphire

Revolution: Loneliness

How many of you feel lonely? *Looks around and raises my hand* In fact I have thought about self Harm. I have even thought about commiting suicide... I understand that this is something people just don't talk about, but it needs to be talked about! Those of us who are lonely think that we are alone in this fight, but you know what? WE ARE NOT! We tell oursleves we are alone in this fight! That no one cares about us. That if we died today no one would miss us! Then Satan uses that lie to get at us to knaw at our hearts and eventually we will fall so deeply into the darkness, it will seem impossible to get back out. I experienced rejection from people I thought were my friends! I know how it feels. But we need to remember that there are others out there, just like us who think they are alone...I released my story to a few of my friends and three people responded to me telling me they had felt the same way! And had even gone further than I had. They were the most amazing people in the world! I would never have thought that they had those feeling! They had put on a mask like I had and we all knew each other pretty well, but had never known this.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
-Sapphire

Revolution: Importance of Diverse Knowledge

As an NCFCA debater I learn about one specific subject ALL year long. Well, it isn't that specific. Our resolution is "To Significantly Reform Federal Election Law within the United States of America" and last year the resolution was to "Significantly Reform or Abolish the United Nations." These might seem like rather ambiguous topics, but not really. They center on what is currently happening in our world/society today! I have learned so much about our (United States) election system this year, such as, 

• FEC
• Electoral College
• Territories right to vote
• And D.C. 
• Etc...

The thing is, is that a well thought of person, is a person who knows a bit about everything! But is also willing to learn.

Teens are often thought of, as people who obsess over Video games, Actors, TV Shows, and possibly how the government is going to turn on us. The thing is, is when I talk to an adult, adults are often stunned that I am capable of holding an articulate conversation with them about something going on in our government and/or society. It's because I often have diverse knowledge, but still there are a lot of things I don't know, and don't really care for.

I hope that this article has inspired you to try to be more than the typical teenager, and to start a revolution against standardization.

-Sapphire

P.S. Are you interested in debating about National and International Topics? Are you interested in debating on values? Are you 12-18? Well if you live in the United States of America you are eligible to enter a speech and debate league with thousands of competitors nationwide. Check it all out at www.ncfca.org

Revolution: Think!

I can't believe it! No one expects me to critically think about anything! Not Adults, Friends, or family! If I think I get in trouble! The basic thing is, people hate it when you think, but when you think you can tell who to trust and who not to trust. The simple truth is that Teens are not expected to think. We are expected to just consume the information and regurgitate it on command! We are taught Math and Science hoping that we will be analytical because when you think...you're free. We are no longer taught to create, but we are taught to learn pointless facts that will never help us in the future! That's exactly what happened in Germany, NAZI GERMANY! They taught the teenagers to only take commands and no to question the command. So, when Hitler fell no one knew what to do! PARENTS STOP. MAKE YOUR KID THINK!!!! IT'S THE KINDEST THING YOU CAN DO FOR THEM! Don't put us in a bubble, don't make us think that we have to go with the flow. It is time to think for ourselves! And when we think, we can change the world. 

What do you think?  How can teens change the world? Let me know your ideas in the comments! And I might do a post on one!

-Sapphire

Revolution: Decepted teens

I don't understand it I really don't.  I once knew a woman who said it was normal for teenagers to have sexual relationships. That drinking was normal.  That rebellion was normal. Seclusion, lieing, and just plain being STUPID was normal, because we are teenagers, and that's what teenagers do. I found out an enourmous amount of parents believe that! Parents talk about their teenagers being so unresponsible, while these same parents are the ones who set the bar so low. They call us the leaders of the future, but how do they expect us to lead when they won't give us the challenge, ethics, and chance to lead. Adults say they can't trust us because we're teenagers, but it's their own fault we can't be trusted!  I'm sorry Iay be standing on my soap box, but really this has to change! What do you think?
-Sapphire