For our nation to move forward, something needs to be done to develop a sense of citizenship in our youth. We need to help them realize their role in community building. Bringing back the true purpose of the youth in filling up the missing pieces of our communities is the key to making this a success. In every dot begins a stroke. In every stroke begins a figure. In every figure begins an image. And in every image creates a masterpiece.
Like a painting, our world is full of dots and strokes, and through those dots represent us people though we may look like insignificant points, we, if taken as one body, can define the world.
This shows that no matter who we are or what we are, what race or nation we came from, how young we are and what role we play in society, each one of us is an important piece of the puzzle. And as youth like dots, are precious and have a purpose in filling up the world
As future heroes of the world, the youth have something to say as young citizens of our country. We may be like young birds that can’t fly yet on all the worldly events but we can build changes as we climb the ladder of our generation. However, it’s so sad that as the world revolves a thousand times, our purpose as significant dots is questioned a million times. Instead of saving the day, we are the ones to be rescued.
“The citizenship of young people is essential to the survival of our democracies; their participation at every level of society and their search for new prospects require […] democratic recognition of their status as fully-fledged citizens’(CLRAE, 1999, pp. 1-2). (Youth, Citizenship and Media: An Exploration from the Social Representations Perspective – Mauro Sarrica, Floriana Grimaldi et Alessio Nencini).
As future heroes of the world, youth have something to say as young citizens of our country
Many of us can be the next world leaders but it is also evident that many of us can be the next most wanted criminals. It is either we are like slippers in which someone holds our fate, driving us in a direction where we’re not wanted, or worms who can go wherever we want but are blind to know if it is the right path.
There were even some who were apathetic enough in the places they lived and the role that they could achieve that they were more concerned about worldly pleasures – money, gambling, the virtual world, drugs, alcohol and sex.
If we want to engrave within us the scripture of how we can be the best dots, then we have to choose and attach ourselves to the right mentors who we will in return help better connect these dots to create masterpieces in us.
We need proper craftsmen who will help forge a way out to solving the puzzles that live within our dots for better results. It does not mean that if we have fallen somewhere we cannot start all over again. As time ticks we become smarter, and we know that someday our nation will need us and it is our time to do what needs to be done for our country.
To realize that, we need a tablespoon of discipline, a cup of responsibility and a handful of service to the nation to make the best ingredient as the hope of our fatherland. Yes, this may be a mountain peak to reach but always remember, again every beautiful thing begins in a single dot and we know it is within us
If pencils can correct mistakes along the way, we too have erasers that can banish all the shortcomings we have made. If we can make candlelight in a room, we too can make our lives light up the world for a lifetime.
We may not be like pencils and candles to perfect the jest of life but we have hands that can reach out to help, a mind that can teach genuine knowledge to our fellowmen, and a heart that can spread the unconditional love for our nation.
We may be young and can experience the possibility of being hit by cars or tripping on manholes and giving up as we run to the finish line of our purpose, but dots are not just dots and we are not just youth with a pinch role in the society.
We may be bombarded by lots of stones that can make us weak but we know we can be a spark that can do something big. We can do something big and all we need to do is prove it. Can we?
Also read: The Power of Youth Leadership and Why Its Vital for Our Community
