Have you ever gotten lost while hiking?
One minute you were happily strolling along and the next minute you’re anxiously trying to remember how to get back. Maybe you were going somewhere important and made a wrong turn, only to find yourself completely turned around, unable to get your bearings.
There are seasons in our lives that can feel like a long, winding pathway of obstacles and wrong turns; times when we’re confused and frustrated by what to do next. In those moments, we search for some kind of landmark or signpost to help give us some direction.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could flip a switch and turn on some path lights to direct us?
This blog is intended to be a form of “path lights” along your journey. You may not be lost right now, maybe you’re just trying to stay on course. Either way, we want to help you navigate the challenging pathways ahead.
At Pathways2Life, we are very focused on assisting young people who are in the transition zone. This time between 12-20 is when all of us face serious challenges and changes. It’s also a time when we make some of the most significant choices about who we want to become. In this period, we are in the most danger of developing high-risk behavioral patterns that can affect us for the rest of our lives.
The choices we make during the transition zone may be reactive or impulsive. Sometimes they are split second decisions that change the whole trajectory of our lives.
What information or resources do you rely on to help direct you when you feel overwhelmed or confused?
Many teens seek advice from their social environment and discount their parents’ counsel. Some are scared or embarrassed to ask, so they just guess and hope for the best. This can sometimes lead to wrong turns that can take you far away from where you want to go.
While we believe and advocate for the crucial work of parents, mentors, and teachers to help guide and protect, we also know that some students may not have/want their advice. This often comes from fear of judgement or a want for control of their own lives.
Our hope is to offer some tips, tools, and encouragement that can equip young people and families through a non-threatening online resource. We hope to be able to illuminate some dangers along the path and give direction towards a better route.
