Jain Spirit 2002 06 No 11

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 41

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Take it easy, carefully
CHOOSE
YOUR MATES
Reana Shah recommends discretion in choosing friends
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ROWING UP IN A SOCIETY SUCH
as today's where 'role models' such as Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez lack morality, teenagers such as myself often turn to peer groups for advice and companionship. Friends are an important part of every adolescent's existence because they have the ability to influence several aspects of our lives. As the saying goes, we are the company we keep. It is very easy to fall into the wrong companionship. During the tormenting teenage years, doing the wrong things seems to be a lot simpler than doing the right things.
Our conscience is on vacation, so it is very easy to sway into the wrong company.
Because friends are such an important part of our lives, it is vital to pick the right ones. This can be a difficult process of trial and error, but can also have various positive results. Because friends influence our relationships with our parents and other adults, our behaviours, actions, thoughts and academic success, picking an acceptable peer group definitely has the power to better one's life. Picking the wrong group to hang out with, however, can lead to a long
YOUTH
and harsh road of problems and difficulties.
Finding friends, let alone acceptable ones, can be a tough process especially if one is shy or afraid. Our parents have raised us with good morals and a great value system, and it is important to remember this when looking for friends. To steer clear of wrong companionship, avoid people with a different value system than you This advocate. The people with corrupt value systems may be 'cool' but befriending them could very well lead to self-destruction.
After deciding which groups are wrong, you must decide which groups are right. As mentioned, it is really important to pick friends that maintain the same morals. It's a fact of life: friends influence. To avoid being pressurised into something, it is wiser to pick the right peer group from the start. When doing this, keep in mind that the idle mind is the devil's workshop. Friends who are bored or have too much time on their hands can sometimes be a problem, because boredom increases the risk of getting into trouble.
When getting involved in any peer group, you shouldn't feel forced to do something that you aren't comfortable with. You should be confident saying 'no' in tough situations and stand up for yourself. It is important that you can stand up to your peers, because you never want to end up forced to do something against your morals. You should always let your conscience guide you, even if that means doing something uncool'. You might be made fun of for a few days, but in the end you will be respected because you stood up for what you believed in and stayed true to your inner values. And that is definitely cool!
Reana Shah lives and studies in a suburb of Los Angeles, California. She writes for the school newspaper.
June-August 2002 Jain Spirit
39