Accept it.

What, you may ask?

Lots of things.

You’re getting told to accept things - your ability to not go out and party, your curfew, the need to rock up to school every day.

Maybe you want to go out one night and meet some friends, and your parents say, “nope, you’ve got to do this instead. Accept it.”

Well, it’s bloody annoying, isn’t it? When you really want to do something, you’ve got your hopes set on it, you’re raring to go, and then something comes along and stands in your way? And you’re just forced to “accept it”?

Part of this is the result of being young.

You are young, full of energy, desire, and deep down, confidence.

You know you have the ability to change the world, and believe me, you do.

Simply read the books of history for young people who have done extraordinary things.

Yet as a young person with a fresh and wild way of looking at things, you’re going to come up against resistance in the adult conventions that surround you. There’s going to be push back!

And if your idea is worth sticking it out, that’s ok! But you’ve got to pick your battles, so to speak, and be careful not to burn out trying to resist every little rule that strangles your movement.

Use your energy at the right times.

Such times are when you develop resilience, too.

Resilience is that clay inside you that’s fired when you stick something out, despite challenges and knocks and bumps. It is a brilliant quality you would have heard so much about, and believe me, you are meant for it too. There’s no way of getting through this world and finding what you want without finding resilience! Most of the adults around you have it, in their own way.

Learn from them, and at the moment you really decide something’s for you, keep to your plan! Those around you may notice and nod their head. But the most important result is inside you: your self-respect grows.

These are two important qualities, acceptance and resilience, that will come to define your youth and future. And the difference between letting go and hanging on to your plan is a decision that’s up to you to make. Talk to others, seek advice, and think clearly about what you want to do with your sacred energy.

After all, it can’t be everything… it might just be something extraordinary.

And go for it!