The room is quiet as the teens try to grab the last few minutes of sleep before day 3 begins at Teen Leadership Foundation. The Arrowhead weather granted a small reprieve last night as the temperatures dropped bringing a refreshing coolness. I wonder if Teen Leadership is more difficult because of the sweltering heat, or is there just more sweat as 20 teens push through the mental, physical and emotion challenge of a program that would challenge even the strongest adult.
Day 2 was only 17 hours long from lights up to lights down. 17 hours sounds like a lot, especially knowing it was full of challenges, failures and successes as each teen pushed beyond their personal best. Best reached and it’s time to push past that. Best reached again and push more. Dig deeper and further until each teen’s individual self is brought into the light and owned. To “own” myself during teenage years…I cannot begin to fathom how that would have changed, polished and maybe, just maybe, redirected my life.
As I watch these young adults now, grasping at the last 5 minutes of sleep, I realize they have made that transition. No longer “teenagers” but young adults owning, being responsible for and recognizing their potential, and yes their responsibility, for theirown life. How is that possible to transition in 17 short hours? I must be mistaken and it’s actually been 17 days. I am certain as I look in the eyes of each teen, they certainly feel like it’s been 17 days!
