1. Be Who You Were Meant To Be.

Role Models are inspiring, but you can not spend your life trying to be like them. Your gifts, skills and talents are unique; don’t waste them trying to be like someone else. There is no one else on earth like you; embrace and flaunt the wonderful you!

2. Be In Control.

Drugs and alcohol can alter your personality. If you feel you’re more fun to be around when you’re drunk or high, you’re not presenting the real you. Let people get to know the real you. Be honest with your friends about who you really are. Trust your intuitions and find ways to resist peer pressure.

3. Be Proud of Where You Came From.

Whether you’re Haitian, Chinese, Indian, etc., take pride in your culture. Discrimination is a result of lack of knowledge and information. Don’t hide where you come from; share your culture or religion with others. Your ability to speak another language will come in handy in the future.

4. Be Cool.

There will be many things that will irritate you on any given day. It’s up to you to respond or react to these situations. Everyone gets mad once in awhile, but don’t let your anger get the best of you. If you have a need that is not being met, let the other person know. Before you blow up at someone, try to figure out what exactly is upsetting you and communicate it calmly with the other person.

5. Be About Something.

Support a cause, stand up for what you believe. Get involved in community events; share your talents at a fundraiser. Get your voice heard and make a difference in your life and the life of others. You are the leaders of tomorrow. Your leadership skills can be inspiring to your parents, teachers and peers.

6. Be Happy With Your Body.

The grass is not always greener on the other side. Despite the message shows like “The Swan, “Extreme Makeover” and “I Want a Famous Face” send us about beauty, you will only feel good about your body, if your sense of self is strong. Maintain a love of your body and treat it with respect. Find a supportive network to help you deal with body esteem issues.

7. Be Responsible.

Hold yourself accountable for all your actions. Be mindful of how you interact with other people. Respect the property of others. You will not always have your parents or guardians to help you. Set short term goals for yourself. Organize and prioritize your extracurricular activities.

8. Be In Balance.

Life can be overwhelming for a teen. School, family and work can create stressful situations. Develop good study habits. Stay focused on your goals, despite peer pressure. Do not set up unrealistic expectations for yourself. Talk over problems with your family and find ways to alleviate fears and anxiety. If stressful situations become overwhelming, consult with your parents or a trustworthy adult for where to get help.
9. Be Happy.

These are the best years of your life! Enjoy your life. Discover something new about yourself each day. Having fun is important to your emotional and spiritual well-being. Be joyful and thankful for the little things in life. Lighten up!

10. Be Positive.

Negativity breeds negative outcomes. There is a lesson to be learned in every situation or event that occurs in your life. If you have negative or toxic friends, think about how this relationship affects your life. Let go of resentment and guilt, clear your mind of negative chatter.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 1st, 2008 at 8:59 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.