Give me an S!

According to most television shows the stereotypical teen is supposed to be shallow, self serving and concerned only with being the most popular, or -- an absent minded genius who is totally out of touch with the real world.  As if they both grew up in bell jars isolated from reality.

Reality is that the teen years are fraught with insecurity as each one tries to sort out the rules of the world they will eventually live in.  It's a time when rebellion is natural, airs are expected, and it's easy to forget they are still very young fragile souls who are far from fully formed.

In fact, if you are fully grown at such a young age you are probably in for a world of hurt, because you haven't had enough experience to really know what maturity is.

It's different for adults, or it should be.

We know the rules.  Our feet are planted firmly on the ground and we keep our dreams and fantasies safely tucked up in treasure chests that only our very best friends know about.  The sad news is that many of us grew up thinking that exclusivity we deemed necessary at fifteen is a real rut and a necessary one.

Sarcasm still exists, perhaps more knowledgeable, but even more pointed.  Criticism becomes a way of life, anyone not us is wrong. And climbing the ladder seems to be a reality that dictates who will be king of the hill for real now. 

But the truth is that the most successful person can still be the kindest, the most empathetic and when the ladder tips over, he will still be on his way to the top. In fact, he may be the only one really in the fast track because he isn't playing games, he's just doing what's right.  That's something not many people seem to figure out.

But if they do -- watch out, because they are those rare souls who grab the golden ring and never have to let go.