Happy Thanksgiving … 112708

So many will see this day as just a day to get together with family and friends and eat and drink.  Yes, it is a time with family and friends, but what we do when we are together that is what really matters.

I hope this day will be one where you will take time out to say a special thanks to the ONE who deserves all the gratitude – “PAPA” – GOD!  Without him, we would not even have life.  So make a special effort to say thanks for life, family, friends, food, clothing, shelter, etc.

GIVE THANKS WITH A GRATEFUL HEART!

Internet Suicide … 112208

What kind of society are we becoming when someone threatens suicide on the internet only to be encouraged to go through with it by a visual audience? Is the life of another becoming so trivial that dying no longer matters? What is happening in our society?

There are so many questions that surfaces when something like this happens. You may be wondering what I’m talking about so let me give you a quick summary of a tragedy that took place in a 19 y/o life.

ABC news reported that 19 y/o Anthony Briggs of Pembroke Pines, Fla., had been blogging on an online body-building message board for 12 hours prior to overdosing on a deadly mixture of pills that led to his death. This was all done while his web camera was rolling. Live t.v. While he did this he was being egged on by some to go ahead with his plan.

Abraham didn’t think too much of himself. He had very low self esteem and according to his dad, struggled with depression.

“I hate myself and I hate living. I have let everyone down and I feel as though I will never change or never improve,” Biggs wrote in the posting. “I am in love with a girl and I know that I am not good enough for her. I have come to believe that my life has all been meaningless. I keep trying and I keep failing. I have thought about and attempted suicide many times in the past.”

Authorities say approximately 1,300 people watch as the boy takes his life. Some of those who watched made comments such as these:

“hahaha hahahahha hahahahahah ahhaha.” Wired reported that someone else wrote: “Instant Darwinism … Others called the teen a “coward,” “faggot” and other things I care not to repeat here.

I am not writing for sensationalism. My heart is pained as I think about this young man. I have a son who also is 19 y/o and I cannot begin to imagine what it must be like for his family especially his parents. This is indeed tragic!

Its sad that he could not get help in addition to the meds he was taking. He is a prime candidate for individual and / or family counseling and should have been receiving such. (I am assuming here that he wasn’t getting counseling). This could have helped him. I appeal to parents as well as to you who may be struggling with such internal battles, depression, etc. GET HELP! GET COUNSELING!

I know that some people see counseling for those who are weak or not spiritual enough. Some oppose counseling from a cultural standpoint. Let me hasten to say, counseling should be seen in the same manner as you see going to the doctor. The only difference here is that it deals with the mind and not the body and for the most part there is no drugs involved.

This is so sad. Let’s pray for the family as they experience this tragic loss. God help us!

Death @ the hand of the dying …111808

Fifteen year old Amanda Collette was gunned down by fifteen year old Teah Wimberly in their school’s hallway. Two lives and two families will never be the same again.

We mourn the death of Amanda Collette. Her death puts an end to any dreams she or her family may have had as it pertains to her future. I cannot imagine the pain Amanda’s parents must be experiencing. Such senseless killing of their daughter at the hands of another 15 y/o. Our prayers should be with both families at this time. My sympathy goes out to Amanda’s family.

As I read several reports, I must say that Teah has experienced and is experiencing a death of her own. Let me hasten to say the two cannot be compared. I do not condone or defend Teah’s action. She did wrong. She murdered someone.

Having said that, I would like to empathize with Teah.

This 15 y/o has had a very difficult life. Again, I’m not suggesting that because she has had a difficult life does it mean that she should be cleared of this horrific deed. According to Broward Herald, her father Jevon Wimberly was sent to prison for attempted murder in 2006. He was a single parent of Teah and she was the apple of his eyes. His imprisonment devastated her and even more so when he requested that she not come to see him in jail. (see article)

The article went on to say that Teah is a very talented musician who plays four different instruments. Her mom abandoned her at birth. She had been living with her grandparents. She became very depressed over her dad’s imprisonment. She would ask when her dad would be coming home, but no one was able to tell her. Can you imagine a child having to go through all this?

Gainsville.com reports that her attorney Kollin states that “the teen has been troubled since last year when her father was sent to prison for 25 years”. He went on to say that “Wimberly suffers from depression and anxiety and often cut her arms with razor blades, including the night before she shot Collette’.

This is a sad story. It is surprising that she didn’t or hasn’t tried to take her life. I don’t know if she now have suicidal ideation. It would not be surprising. Some has implied that Teah is a lesbian because of reports of Amanda’s alleged rejection of Teah’s proposition to be her “lover”.  We will never know this for sure because of Amanda’s death.  Could it be that Teah was looking to find a way to ensure some kind of long lasting stable relationship? Just a thought!

Teah needs help! I’m not sure charging her as an adult is the right thing to do. I’m wrestling with that.

Bully anyone … 111708

There are evidences all around that bullying is on the increase.  We are hearing about face to face bullying, phone bullying, internet bullying, as well as other forms of bullying.  Some have even said bullying is being done in the workplace.  The question I am posing is simply this, “What is bullying?” Do you know?

Secondly, who is affected the most from bullying?

Teen, Sex, and TV … 110508

ABC news reports that a recent study by the University of North Carolina published in the November 2008 issue of the journal Pediatrics, found that the more sexual content in television and magazines that teens are exposed to, the more likely they are to have sexual intercourse at an early age.

I’m not sure if there is any definitive conclusions that can be made from this finding. There are a number of factors that would have to be taken in consideration for this study to be valid. However, it is safe to say that there is some truth to that. We know that extensive exposure to any one thing, can lead to possible change in behavior and thoughts.

This is not anything new. We have known this for years. This study only confirms what many have believed all along.

The point of this is, monitor what your teens are watching while they are still young, and talk to them about sex before someone else does, including the media.