A brief note to the youth

To my young people who feel like they are living a life of struggle, I speak to you from a hurting heart. I’m hurting because you are hurting others. I have come to the understanding that hurt people hurt others. With that being said, I urge you to stop for a moment.  Think and reflect. Look at where you are at in life at this very moment.

Ask yourself, are you truly happy with what you have accomplished in life. Are you happy with where you are? Are you happy with the things you a have done?

If you can honestly say to yourself, no, then in fact a change must be done. Not the superficial change that we hear every day, but the true change that can only begin from within.

As I spoke to my cousin today, who was sentenced to do 20 years just got home from doing 12 years, because former Governor Kaine gave him a pardon?

When I asked him what gave him peace while in the penitentiary during that time, he told me it wasn’t until he looked back on his life and realized that he was responsible for his decisions, because of his thoughts. He then realized that he must change the way he thinks. He said he began to guard his thoughts from what was going on around him.

It wasn’t until he had that revelation is when he had peace.

So I say to you, Take responsibility for your actions and in order to change your life for tomorrow, change your thoughts today.