jakorte's blog

Today’s youth can be very blunt. Especially when they think you are wrong. And, at one point on this trip, most of them thought I was wrong.

I attempted to shelter them from issues I thought would jade them. I prefaced physically separating them from the adult group, by saying this: as a youth contingent, they should not be held responsible for actions that should have been monitored by adults. What happened was that some innocent and initially silly fun somehow turned into personal affront.

The lesson came to me from not the original problem, but in the way I chose to move the youth out of the confrontation. I asked them to physically stand aside, out of the range of conversation. I physically moved them to another area away from the adult discussions. The result was not good. My attempt to alleviate them from internal “team" strife almost alienated me from them. Luckily for me, these younger team members had an objective view that went way beyond where I thought their minds would go, and a humbling maturity that surpassed mine as an adult.

Every member of the group that I set aside, that I told to “stand aside," spoke to me individually, directly, patiently and not with any trace of malice. They each told me in their own unique way, that they were a part of this group and as such should be included in all meetings, information and decisions that were to be made.

For the rest of this trip I will try to “stand aside." I will try not to control the dynamics of the mix; I will try not to run damage interference. If I find I am uncomfortable with a situation, I will remove myself from it. It will be I who will stand aside. It is what I need to do for the success of teams that are finding their own way, and with GOD’s plans, as well.

jak