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Guide Picks - New Year's Resolutions for Teens
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It's that time again, when we reflect on the events of the past year with a mind to self improvement. 2005 was an unforgettable
year, a heartbreaking year and a year that caused people of all ages to see the world in a brand new light. It all started on
Boxing Day 2004 when the Tsunami hit Indonesia and since then the headlines have been dominated by terrible natural disasters across the globe.
Earthquakes and hurricanes, like the devastating Hurricane Katrina which obilterated the historic city of New Orleans, took their toll on our hearts as
the images of ravaged areas were broadcast in to our homes.
Like 2002, a year that left the world reeling from 9/11,
this year the resolutions we all make should reflect a greater awareness of our place in this world. Our resolutions should be about
celebrating life, making the world a better place, and expanding our horizons.
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1) Get physically fit - for health's sake!
January is a very busy time in gyms and recreational centers, but most people sign up to sweat with weight loss in mind. If you
want and need to lose weight then this is a noble resolution to make, but all of us can benefit from adopting a healthy
fitness regimine. North American's are chronically "under-fit" and it is time that we all shaped up. Getting fit
will increase your energy level, make your complexion glow, keep illness at bay, keep your mind sharp and yes, even make your
clothes fit better. Give fitness a try, whether losing weight is among your goals or not, because being fit is great!
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2) Give some of your time away - become a volunteer!
The Tsunami in Indonesia, the earthquakes in the Middle East and the hurricanes in the Southern United States and Mexico
all left us painfully aware of the true power of mother nature, a force we can not control. In these circumstances people often
volunteer to help in an effort to take back some measure of control in an impossible to control world.
If we can take one lesson from those feelings of altruism it should be that there is great satisfaction in helping others, in doing something
to somehow make the world a better place. In volunteering you can find out first hand how great it is to be among those who make
a positive difference in this increasingly crazy world.
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3) Study hard - plan for the future today!
It seems like an eternity has yet to pass before you have to worry about a career, but the clock is ticking faster than you realize.
Before you know it you will be graduating into the adult world. Getting good grades now can help lay a solid foundation for
you to make all of your dreams come true. By taking the time to do your best in school now you insure greater opportunities in
life when you are an adult. The best favour the young you can do for the grown up you is make the extra effort to do well in school
right now. Even if school is very difficult for you, even if you have a learning difference, you will always benefit from trying your very best.
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4) Just say no! Stay away from drugs, alcohol and cigarettes.
At Teen Advice we spend a lot of time looking at the darker temptations of youth; drugs, alcohol and
smoking. Almost every teen will cross paths with one of these "foes" before they become adults, the trick to beating them is
to be prepared for them. When trying one of these vices most teens site peer pressure as the number one factor in influencing
them to experiment. This year, resolve to beat peer pressure whenever, and where ever, it challenges you.
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5) Take a spiritual journey - make a point of learning about other religions!
Many wars are fought and much evil is done in the name of religion, but for most of the faithful, religion is a path
to enlightenment not an excuse to do harm. Ignorance of other faiths and cultures can bring about terrible things, it can give birth
to pathological hatred, as we have all seen. As a final resolution for this year, learning the truth about faiths other than our own,
finding out the facts about different cultures, just makes sense. Nothing can beat the power of knowledge!
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