BRING PEACE TO OUR SCHOOLS

“If you want to create peace in our world, we must begin with our children.” — Mahatma Gandhi

There is a time in life between crayons and mortgages, make-believe and responsibility, childhood, and adulthood. It’s called adolescence, and it’s one of the most challenging periods of life a human will ever face. Even more so today. In fact, being a young person has never been harder.

Our world is facing some of the most frightening problems it has ever faced — global warming, violence, terrorism, poverty, and social unrest that is fueled by hatred and intolerance. On top of all this global stress, young people must then go to school and face the everyday challenge of fitting in with those around them or face being bullied or ostracized.

To be an adolescent is to live in what is often a divisive and unwelcoming world.

It is no wonder that our schools are facing an epidemic of students with so much anger and emotional distress — doubt, worry, fear, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

But I believe there is hope. And much to be excited about.

When I speak to adolescents in schools around the world, I can see their searching, hopeful eyes. These young people know that peace is possible. They already feel it in their hearts. They also come ready for the challenge to make it…