WHEN I GROW UP, I WANT TO BE ...
Let's grow the dreams togetherUnfortunately, not everyone in America has had the opportunity to have someone stand in their corner and share their dream. It's a failing of our ever-changing world. As a young boy, everyone in my neighborhood knew me and my family. All the adults in my neighborhood invested in me. They knew about my plans to be a Secret Service Agent when I was eight years old. They knew when I turned ten, I was going to pitch in The Majors. Of course, the members of my church knew of my plans to join the clergy when I was confirmed at 13. It was a foregone conclusion by everyone, especially my parents, that I would be off to college to find my calling-whatever it would be.
Today, one has to wonder who is invested in the neighbor kids. Which neighbor knows that the young boy living next door wants to grow up to be a fireman. Do they know that his sister wants to be a news anchor. Probably not. Our technological society is keeping us all busy on our phones, informational devices, and gaming platforms. No one has time. Sure, social media is great for connecting folks but it's not quite the same as having the next door neighbor showing interest in you. Our first reaction to our children having adult Facebook friends is to be concerned that the adult might be a predator.
One of the ways for adults to invest themselves in a child's life is through any number of mentoring programs. There are many different opportunities available through a variety of agencies, organizations, churches and even in our schools. The one on one relationship is a meaningful one and really does help build self-confidence in our younger people. Encouraging our young people to reach for their dreams is something that has gone on for a very long time. At the same time, there aren't as many people involved in encouraging the dreaming.
We need to get serious about it again. We need to find ways to connect kids to their dreams and the easiest way is to create mentoring relationships where adults can influence, encourage, motivate and build confidence in young people pursuing their gifts. The one thing that hasn't changed is that babies are being born in this country day in and day out and each one of these infants potentially has the opportunity to change the world. Rather than getting out of the way, we need to run some interference and join the ride encouraging each child to believe in themselves and their dreams.
The adults in my neighborhood engaged me every day. They would ask how school was going, how was baseball, camp or what girl I was interested in. They took interest in my sporting exploits and would often times show up unexpectedly at the ballpark or the gym to watch me play. On Saturdays at the barbershop, they would read the clippings of the game the night before and comment on how many points I scored, how many batters I struck out. I think they were more excited than I was when I was voted Class President of my High School, when I made the game-winning shot or threw my first no-hitter.
They would also make a point to tell me if I was doing something wrong. Then they would tell my parents. As Hillary Clinton once said, it takes a village to raise a child. I, for one, was that child. I have grown into the adult of today thanks to my loving parents, an engaged community, a congregation of believers and a handful of dedicated, well-prepared teachers.
My three children, Tim, Jen and Dan, all had a similar experience in their growing up years. They grew up in a summer camp setting where every adult knew them personally and served as their extended family mentoring them along the way. They too benefitted from an extended family at church, school and in their sports.
Today, our busy everyday life and lack of connectivity with these supportive opportunities is few and far between. Teachers are challenged with behaviors, academic standards and parents who are less engaged because of their own busy work lives. We've come a long way, haven't we.
Adults who take interest in young people are changing the world. I think of all my years in the YMCA directing summer camp. Where are those thousands of kids today. I'm aware of a few former staff members and campers who have become famous but what of all the others who are making a difference as teachers, managers, factory workers, airline pilots, congressman, social workers or serving in some other fashion. One has to wonder if something you did or enabled helped pave the way for a young person. Everyone has the opportunity to influence, encourage, motivate and support a young person in pursuit of their dream. Get about the business of making a difference today and let's grow the dreams together.
