Why I Work With Teenagers

October 3, 2011 in Leadership with 2 Comments

Jason Mraz is one of my favorite artist (he’s definitely in my Top 3). Not only is his music amazing, his lyrics are so authentic and soulful.

One of my favorite songs he sings is also one of the saddest songs he sings. It paints a picture of the incredible challenges many children and teenagers face during their coming of age years. Here are those lyrics, followed by a link to one of the most genuine and insightful online conversations I’ve ever read.

I’m not sure why I’m sharing this with you except to give you insight into my heart as to why I’m so passionate about serving teenagers and young professionals and helping them live it forward in the most important roles of their lives. Also, it’s why I’m so passionate about encouraging educators in what makes great teachers great!

Love For A Child by Jason Mraz

There’s a picture on my kitchen wall
Looks like Jesus and his friends involved
There’s a party getting started in the yard
There’s a couple getting steamy in the car parked in the drive
Was I too young to see this with my eyes?

By the pool last night apparently
The chemicals weren’t mixed properly
You hit your head and then forgot your name
And then you woke up at the bottom by the drain
And now your altitude and memory’s a shame

[Chorus]

What about taking this empty cup and filling it up
With a little bit more of innocence
I haven’t had enough it’s probably because when you’re young
It’s okay to be easily ignored
I like to believe it was all about love for a child

And when the house was left in shambles
Who was there to handle all the broken bits of glass
Was it mom who put my dad out on his ass or the other way around
Well I’m far too old to care about that now

[Chorus]

It’s kinda nice to work the floor since the divorce
I’ve been enjoying both my Christmases and my birthday cakes
And taking drugs and making love at far too young an age
And they never check to see my grades
What a fool I’d be to start complaining now

[Chorus]

It was all about love…

Here’s the link to that conversation I mentioned above. Again, it’s one of the most authentic conversations I’ve ever read about the challenges children and young people face as they come of age.

Also, I wrote Who Wants To Be NORMAL, Anyway?! as a real success guide for teenagers. I believe it’s a resource that every middle school and high school students would benefit from reading.

Thanks for letting me share my heart with you!

 

  • Pauline Scott

    It is an amazing song. I like the different takes on it that people gave that had been through divorce of their parents. The song lyrics are done so well, it seems to speak to any person whose parents had been through divorce, even if the details weren’t the same. (It did for me.)

    Thanks for sharing the song. Keep up your work with teens. They really need a great role model during that time of their life – especially if they aren’t getting it at home. Teachers can make a big difference, and I’m sure coaches can, too, although I was in band and did not have a coach.

    • http://www.liveitforward.com Kent Julian

      Polly…parents, band directors, coaches, teachers, youth leaders…the key is caring adults willing to invest in the lives of young people.

      Thanks for sharing!