SIGN UP FOR MAILING LIST & NEWSLETTER

join our mailing list
Heather's Views triangular trees in a row

Dance to the Music!

Dear Ones,

When I was twelve years old, my friends and I really wanted to learn to dance to the rock and roll music to which our older brothers and sisters were listening. I invited four people to my house after school; we got my sister's portable record player (without permission) and her favorite 45 rpm (also without permission.) That record was Buddy Holly singing "Party Doll." All of us belted it out while we were stepping on each others' feet and having the time of our life. We must have switched to something slower, maybe Elvis singing" Love me Tender" because the next thing I knew one of the boys had sat on and shattered "Party Doll" and my secret was no secret anymore.

Why is the memory so vivid? Well, it was accompanied by huge feelings - first of excitement, joy, and the first acknowledged stirrings of "love" spelled "l-u-s-t" -then with the breaking of the borrowed goods - feelings of fear, guilt and shame.

While I was researching this theme, I came upon this quote regarding Chuck Berry, "Berry offered eloquent testimony to the experience of being a teenager in the changing world of the Fifties, whether he was describing the boredom of classroom-bound students or the liberating appeal of rock and roll itself."

What was your experience as a teenager? What is your experience of being a teenager in the changing world today? For many years I taught junior high school. Many of my friends and colleagues thought I might be a saint for making that career choice, but the truth is I really like teens and like working with them. What did I like about them?

One of the best things is they were naturally altruistic. When a young teen saw an injustice, he would be the first to speak out about it. You can see that when our teens come back from camp and talk about their experiences of being unconditionally loved and accepted.

Teenagers are naturally rebellious too; in order to become healthy-minded adults, they need to rebel against what is. Remember how popular the movie "Rebel Without a Cause" was? Yes, James Dean was a dreamy looking guy but the truth is we often identify with that rebel.

Regardless of your age, your inner "teenager" may be making your decisions for you. Are you feeling rebellious about something in your life? Is there a cause you feel passionate about? This month let's bring greater clarity and awareness to our own decision-making process. Let's allow the changes that we are ushering into the world to be God in expression. And let's keep rocking and rolling.

Love and blessings,
Heather

More Views