Truth #8: Technology makes it easier than ever to ruin relationships and reputations. We live in an age where people post everything online feelings, emotions, and pictures. I love technology when — used wisely, but too often, used impulsively. We let our fingers jump ahead of our brains, and it’s it’s within seconds, we can trigger hurt, misunderstandings, and serious issues. So please, think twice before texting, emailing, or posting on social media. Cool off before giving someone a piece of your mind, venting, jumping to conclusions, reacting out of jealousy or anger, embarrassing someone, or sending an inappropriate photo. Use the Internet for good, not as a dumping ground. And when you have an issue with a friend, call instead of sending to put in writing what texts. It’s easy in person, or to interpret a message the wrong way, and the tension this adds to a you’d never say relationship is hard to recover from. Truth #6: What makes you different is what makes you great. Middle school is largely about conformity. I see this firsthand because I live near a middle school, and over time how all I’ve noticed the kids dress alike, walk alike, and act alike. Meanwhile, at school, I see authenticity and diverse personalities because my children’s elementary the yet know how to be anything but themselves. It saddens me to know that they, too, will kids don’t eventually feel pressured to hide what makes them unique. influence the world by trying to be like everyone else in it. find your calling by You’ll never You’ll never following the crowd. God made you different for a reason, and what sets you apart plays into His plan for you. So listen to that quiet voice inside you and remember yourself as a child. Cling to the passions you had in your early years, because they hold more answers than you know
Truth #8: Technology makes it easier than ever to ruin relationships and reputations. We live in an age where people post everything online — feelings, emotions, and pictures. I love technology when it’s used wisely, but too often, it’s used impulsively. We let our fingers jump ahead of our brains, and within seconds, we can trigger hurt, misunderstandings, and serious issues. So please, think twice before texting, emailing, or posting on social media. Cool off before giving someone a piece of your mind, venting, jumping to conclusions, reacting out of jealousy or anger, embarrassing someone, or sending an inappropriate photo. Use the Internet for good, not as a dumping ground. And when you have an issue with a friend, call instead of sending texts. It’s easy to put in writing what you’d never say in person, or to interpret a message the wrong way, and the tension this adds to a relationship is hard to recover from. Truth #6: What makes you different is what makes you great. Middle school is largely about conformity. I see this firsthand because I live near a middle school, and over time I’ve noticed how all the kids dress alike, walk alike, and act alike. Meanwhile, at my children’s elementary school, I see authenticity and diverse personalities because the kids don’t yet know how to be anything but themselves. It saddens me to know that they, too, will eventually feel pressured to hide what makes them unique. You’ll never influence the world by trying to be like everyone else in it. You’ll never find your calling by following the crowd. God made you different for a reason, and what sets you apart plays into His plan for you. So listen to that quiet voice inside you and remember yourself as a child. Cling to the passions you had in your early years, because they hold more answers than you know