Courageous Teens

I was recently traveling and met a courageous young woman I wanted to tell you about. This wasn’t courage like rescuing someone from a burning building or a heroic act.  It was a silent courage that probably has gone unnoticed by most people.  We bumped into each other during traveling and we talked about some of our life experiences.  I was so impressed with her courage and determination to be true to herself that I wanted to share some of what I gleaned from her in a short time.

Sydney shared with me a time in her life where she was in a long term relationship that was verbally abusive.  She didn’t see how bad things were getting and if it weren’t for one decision of hers, she might still be in a dangerous relationship.  She had an argument with her boyfriend and ended things.  Shortly after that when she was deciding what to do after highschool she decided to leave her town and go out on her own.  Sydney seemed to have bigger visions for her life than anyone around her had ever imagined.  I was so impressed with the courage this must have taken her.  She told me though that many of her friends have kids now and are probably barely 20 years old.  She didn’t want that life for herself.   I hope someday that Sydney and I will meet again and maybe she can tell you the story herself in her own words.  It is these stories we need to hear from each other.

I admired Sydney because she

• Listened to her intuition. She loved her boyfriend but could see it was not benefiting her and she had the courage to leave.  I’ve talked to so many teens who have struggled with dating violence and it’s never easy to figure out what to do.
• Wanted a bigger life for herself.  She went out on her own to find herself even though she was the only one of her friends that chose a different path.
• Has kept her passions alive.  She is working to support herself but is open to figuring out her next steps and how she can use her talents in the best way.