I’m reading Walt Mueller’s book Engaging the Soul of Youth Culture
, and in it he talks about the fact that young people are stressed and hurried.
It is true that all over the world young people are looking for ways to relieve stress in their lives. I thought this article over at YPulse was interesting about how young people relieve stress. According to the article that YPulse references, “stress is the invisible global constant afflicting youth of all ages in all markets.”
5 Ways Young People Relieve Stress
- Listening to Music – 65% of all young people on the planet listen to music to relieve stress. I wonder what they’re listening to.
- Watching TV – 48% watch TV to relieve stress (but not the news…it stresses them out)
- Talking to Friends – the use of technology has made this even more available as a stress reducer
- Sleeping
- Praying – young people who pray more are less stressed. Ypulse says, “Stressed youth on average pray 3.7 times per week. Relaxed youth pray 8.8 times a week.”
Check out the article on YPulse for the Top 12 Ways Young People Reduce Stress.
As I’ve already written, we went to Xochimilco (pronounced So-Chee-Milk-Oh) last week. I’ve already posted a video of Mariachis there.
Basically, you get on a large, flat, covered boat with your group. There’s a table in the middle where you can eat. You pay to go down the canal, and while you’re on the canal, there are lots of things you can do.
You can stop and go to a restaurant. You can order food from the floating vendors. Or you can pay mariachis to play or listen to marimba music. You can also stop on the side and shop for plants and flowers.
It’s a lot of fun. Check out the video. If you can’t see it in this post, check it out by clicking here.
I’ve been stunned lately by the deaths of some family and friends. My grandmother died late last year. My Uncle died last week. One of my best friends from high school was found dead this morning.
Thinking about death makes me think about what I do on a daily basis. It makes me think about the way I treat people and respond to situations. It makes me think about the plans I make and how I spend my time. It makes me want to dedicate myself to live better.
When I think about life and death, I am drawn to James 4:14.
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
We have a short time here on earth. We have little time to influence people. I want my short vapor of a life to count for something. I want, when the mist is gone, for Christ to have been magnified by my life.
Nothing else matters. I will miss the people who we have lost in the last few days. They influenced me. They are in my memories. Their lives counted. I want my life to count for something.
What would happen if we lived life in light of James 4:14? What would happen if we realized how short life really is? I’m sure my daily decisions would be different. I’m sure I would live to make a greater impact both in my family and in the lives of those around me.
We went to Xochimilco, Mexico, today with Randy and Lynn. Here are a few pictures:
We had a lot of fun. Nathan and Ben were good on the boat and shopping at the markets.
The adventure wasn’t over, though, when we left Xochimilco. The traffic was HORRIBLE on the way home. It took a long time to get back, and that was multiplied when the gas light came on less than half way home. We did finally find a gas station, and the traffic let up when we got closer to home.
It was a fun day!!!
I made this video back in June of 2006 and posted to our vlog. It’s a mix of Google Earth and video I’ve shot all over Mexico City. Hopefully, it will give you an idea of what Mexico City and our life here is like.
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