Be Where You Are

This may sound like useless advice. Of course you are going to be where you are. That's the way physics works, right? But I'm not talking about your body--I'm referring to your mind. I've seen many groups of teenagers that were physically together but miles apart in where their heads were. Symptoms include: standing next to someone that you could have a conversation with, but carrying on a text message conversation with someone else instead; going as a group to an event, but spending your time talking on the cell phone to the person that did not go; having the opportunity to visit with and become closer to your friends, but choosing to be hooked up to an iPod instead.

Now before you think I'm living in the past, let me put in a disclaimer or two. I'm not saying that you shouldn't send text messages back and forth. I'm not saying that you shouldn't talk on your cell phone. I'm not saying that you shouldn't enjoy listening to your music. What I am saying is that we are becoming a society where we are becoming more connected to the "network" and less connected with the people right in front of us. In a few years, your best youth group memories will be the conversations you had and the activities you did with your friends, not the latest songs you heard. Be sure to enjoy the moment with those you love.

Speaking of being places: Super Bowl party at my house. Be there or be square.

(From the Johnson Street Youth Group Trumpeter, 2/3/08)