A Message to Young People (and to the Young-at-Heart)

For everyone living today, the problems we face can seem overwhelming. For young people today, that must be even more so. For someone my age, it's amazing to think that someone twenty-five or younger has no real memory of the twentieth century. For them, the twenty-first century is not a new century; it is all they have ever known. If that describes you, I have a message for you: you were born at a special time in history, and you will have a special role in bringing humanity to the next level of conscious evolution. If you ever feel discouraged, like you have lost your way, please remember these five things:

1. 1) You have everything you need. Sometimes when you are facing difficult obstacles, you might start to feel like you have no way to overcome the difficulties you face. Maybe you think you lack the talent, money, or power to do what you want to do in life. However, I know that you can do whatever you set your mind to do. Why do I know this? Because you have a brain. The human brain has cured diseases, landed on the moon, and built giant skyscrapers. Likewise, you can use your brain to create the life of your dreams. Just keep asking your brain for answers: “What is my next step? How will I get to where I want to go?” Soon you will have all the answers you need.


2. 2) Obstacles exist for your growth. When you face difficult problems, you may think that you are unlucky or that you are being treated unfairly by God or the universe. But, this is not true at all since obstacles exist for the growth of your soul. You wouldn’t grow at all if all your dreams came true just because you thought of them, right? If you plan to climb to a high mountain peak, it will, of course, be harder than staying down in the valley, but the process of overcoming obstacles will make you stronger, smarter, and wiser. If you have big problems to face on your way to a big vision for your life, it must be that you have a big soul destined for big growth.


3. 3) Progress is inevitable. On my life’s path, I have experienced much discouragement along the way. There have been many reasons for me to say, “I give up. I am defeated.” But, I never did, and looking back, I am glad I did not because I have found that great failures often come right before great successes—the darkness comes before the dawn, as they say. Whenever I went through difficulties, I would celebrate any successes, no matter how small, happening at the same time, and I found that there were always successes to celebrate, no matter how overwhelming my troubles seemed. Also, always keep the picture of your intentions—your beautiful life and a better world—in your mind. The American civil rights leaders of the middle twentieth century used to say, “Keep your eyes on the prize,” and this is very good advice. If your vision is pure and true, it will keep you going, like a beacon of light on a dark night.


4. 4) You have a special mission. I believe you were born at this time in history because you have something special to contribute to humanity. At this moment, humanity must make conscious choices about its own evolution. More than likely, you have some role in making that happen. If you can uncover what that is, that is your vision. It cannot be a vision born of ego, such as a desire for fame or heroic status. It must be something that truly contributes to the future of humanity and the planet. If you can find that vision, the reason you came to this planet, picture it in your mind and head toward that, one step at a time.


5. 5) The future is as beautiful as you make it. Never forget that every moment of your life is a chance to make the world a better place. Yes, you will accomplish great goals and perhaps rebuild a better world. But even if you are just sitting still and relaxing, you have a choice to keep a positive mind and to create your own happiness. As you sit there, will you become mired in negative thoughts about the future, or will you tell your brain, “I can do it!”? That may seem like something unimportant, a moment for yourself that has no bearing on the state of the world, but really it is what makes all the difference. The world of tomorrow will be created one choice at a time, one action at a time, and one thought at a time. You can have the world you want to have, but you must choose that now and in every moment of your life.

I also want to you always know and understand one more thing: I believe in you. I know you can do everything you set your mind to do, and that there is great reason for humanity to be hopeful. You are the bright hope of the future, and I can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring.