Generation Love

Dear World,

This post is mostly directed towards my generation. And no, that does not mean people 15 years and younger. That includes EVERYONE in my generation. Those about 22 years and younger. People have a very strange view as to how the generations are separated. Just because I'm a freshmen and your a senior doesn't make you in a completely different generation then me. That just make you two years older than me.

My generation is the one that is going to set the course of things in this world. Just think about it. We're practically the first generation to have grown up using technology from birth. We've known nothing else. People don't give us enough credit. They say we're obsessed with technology, but come on? That is HOW the world runs now a-days. Everything is technological. There isn't many alternatives. Communication, entertainment, recreation... It's all we know because that's all we've been raised to know. What are we going to do with it?

My generation has also been through much too much. The biggest thing we face is being the children of divorce. Do people really understand how much this kills a child's life? They almost have no time to be a child. They are forced to grow up so quickly. It's heart breaking. And many of their view's of what a relationship is supposed to look like is corrupt. 50% of marriages in the United States end in divorce. Those kind of rates are bound to effect a child's view of a relationship.

My generation is also fighting some of the toughest things imaginable, more than anyone else in the world ever has had to before. Things like suicide, depression, drugs, alcohol, bullying, addictions, bulimia, or anorexia. These things are very, VERY real!!! And not only that, but it happens to kids in my generation so much more often then people even know. Maybe look in the mirror. You might see one of those struggling teens looking at you.

But you know what? We WILL be set apart from the generations before us. And it's not going to be any of these things above that is going to define us. It will be our strength. Our strength to get through all of these terrible things. Our strength that keeps us going because we know that it gets better. And not only that, but our love. The love that brings us together as a generation. Maybe not because we get along, or even particularly enjoy one another, but because we understand one another. We understand each other so much better than anyone else could. Because, not only are a lot of us dealing with this at the same time, or even particularly dealing with the same thing, but we understand the pain. And the fact that we can come together as one body and one people, and leave all background anger and bitterness between one another behind, is what is going to set us apart from the other generations.

Be proud of yourself. You are strong, and loved.

In Him,
Maddie Rose

Teen Suicides

Dear World,

I love God. He's pretty much my main man. And I've promised to listen to him when he's calling me to do something. And right now, he's wanting me to write this post. But seriously? It is so freaking late. Don't worry, I'll write the post, but just to let you all know, you're not always going to be willing to do what God wants you to do. Even if that means staying up late when you are already tired to write a blog post you've been neglecting writing for a long time.

Lately, there have been a lot of reports of teen suicides. In this past year, teenage suicide has increased by 10 percent. Each year, at least 8,000 teens in the U.S. commit suicide. It is the second leading cause of death in teenagers. There is this thing circling around asking people, teens mostly, to draw a heart on their wrist in order to support the prevention of teen suicides.

Teen suicide is an awful thing. People tend to underestimate how many people struggle with suicidal thoughts or fantasies. So many of the people in even your everyday lives could be struggling with it. It's such an overpowering thing that many people fall prone to it. But it's not unbeatable. Sometimes, it just means caring. Which can include a lot of things. A hug. Some love. The simple act of showing you care can go a long way in the prevention of a teen suicide.

It's something you absolutely can not ignore. Every one of those teens, every one of those human lives, is a future ended. It's potential, ended. It could have been a difference that never came, or a revolution that could not have happened.

And you can reverse that. Just take a step of faith. Ask that one person if they are alright. Talk to somebody new at school. Try to do one extra kind thing a day. You never know. You could save a life.

All for Him,
Maddie Rose