Keep the mind clear of Negative Distractions

Surrounding your youth with a positive environment will help the mind stay focused on the task at hand. Avoid negative distractions that can hinder the youths ability to grow. This may include some types of media, books, news, and movies. No two youth are the same so what could be a negative distraction for one may not be a negative distraction for another. The youth need to be led to discover clear focus for themselves. We can guide them to make healthy choices based on tangible and measurable observations. Avoid personal opinions and instead create strong positions with evidence to support the youth in their search of truth.

A peaceful home life, positive messages and influences will reduce the amount of negative input developing the young minds.  Watching violent movies, for example, could condition the mind to the acceptability of the use of force and limit the time needed to build real compassion in the brain. Games, unhealthy competition, TV, home stress, computer use and dirty neighborhoods can also all end up having an undue influence on the youths ability to achieve their full potential. Often I see the potential shining out of a youths eyes. Many teachers have experienced the same feeling. To see the potential “wasted” through poor practice is a loss of human resources both in now time and future hope.

Living Frugally 

There is a consequence for what we do. The law of nature states that for every action there is a reaction. This is a key concept to teach to youth. What impact does your habits have on the environment? Understand the consequence of your consumption. Living take a burden on the world. Society conditions us to have more possessions. After a time the possessions can start to own us by distracting from our study and practice. Take only what you need- any excesses should be shared thereby building good generosity practice. Having more does not equate to being happier. This flies opposite to popular culture where having more equates to being happier. 

This philosophy of living frugally also applies to eating and health. Understand that good heath starts with proper balanced diet- a diet that does not condone excesses. Eating only what the body needs to maintain optimal health makes sense. Eating more, just because it is there, does not make us happy long term. Short term the eating may give us pleasure but the long term consequence of a diet in excess does not bring lasting happiness- that is achieved through a balanced and frugal existence. Wasting precious time to acquire more than we need subtracts time away from the study and pursuit of the practice needed to attain lasting happiness. There is a real cost to seeking only pleasure. The key word being “only”. Teaching youth through modeling the behavior can lead to deeper appreciation and understanding- an important consideration that will lead to meaningful conversations and observation of their world.