shout out to The Youth

REAL QUICK: I want to take a moment to give a shout out to the youth for doing their best to keep their heads above water in this cold, cold world! It ain’t easy being young! It ain’t easy trying to make it! It ain’t easy dealing with distractions! It ain’t easy dealing with disappointment! It ain’t easy dealing with stereotypes! It ain’t easy being black and brown (although it’s awesome)! It ain’t easy being smart while still having to make dumb decisions and not be treated as a pariah for having done so! It ain’t easy having the prior generation as parents! It ain’t easy navigating through a world that’s unforgiving! It ain’t easy dealing with family issues! It ain’t easy realizing that your friends ain’t really your friends! It ain’t easy losing your friends! It ain’t easy dealing with regret! It ain’t easy being in your teens & twenties! It ain’t easy dealing with pressure! It ain’t easy dealing with deceit! It ain’t easy dealing with school! It ain’t easy dealing with fools! It ain’t easy out here, and yet they’re still pushing... still trying... still learning... still growing!

I’m truly concerned for the young people! I’m concerned because I’m a mother to young people! I’m concerned because the young people I’ve both birthed, raised and am still very much responsible for (no matter their ‘grown’ status) are not only losing their young peers, but are also among a generation of those that are losing or have never had a sense of morality, strength and respect in many cases. I’m concerned for the young people who don’t have anyone in their lives to truly love them beyond their mistakes, misunderstandings and missteps. I’m concerned for the young people who very much have people in their lives that love them and yet they refuse to see it. I’m concerned for the young people who do not understand the brevity of life or its value. I’m concerned for the hearts of young people who do not know how to handle the onslaught of misguidance and chaos that they’re inundated with in this time while trying to save face, keep up with the Joneses or maintain some level of ‘reputation’. I’m concerned for the young people who do not read. I’m concerned for the young people who do not take the time to nourish themselves, heal their wounds and be open about their struggles. I’m concerned for the young people. I’m praying for each and every one of you! I’m praying!

I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THE YOUTH! I’M PROUD OF YOU! I LOVE YOU! I’M ALWAYS ROOTING FOR YOU! I’LL ALWAYS BE HERE FOR YOU NO MATTER WHAT OR WHO TRIES TO MAKE YOU THINK OTHERWISE (INCLUDING ME)! KEEP PUSHING! KEEP PRAYING! KEEP GOD FIRST! KEEP ON KEEPING ON!!! I LOVE YOU! I’M PROUD OF YOU! I’M ALWAYS ROOTING FOR YOU! I’LL ALWAYS BE HERE FOR YOU!!! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU!