My father taught his children what he knew. It’s what he learned growing up as a young boy back in the 1930s. It’s what those who raised him knew; his parents, his schools and his neighborhood. His perceptions and beliefs and the person he became were influenced by the people and times of his upbringing. The same goes for all of us and for our children.

In his passage On Children, Kahlil Gibran says, “You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.”  This is a call for parents, teachers and communities to effectively and consciously educate and empower children to become the leaders and change agents of tomorrow. I am heartened by the many instances of conscious parenting that I see and by so many young people who are already taking inspiring action in the world.

This month’s theme of Empowering Youth explores the ways we can help empower children with confidence, emotional intelligence, character, leadership, self-esteem, fitness and social skills, while allowing them to grow into their unique identities. Our collective role as parents, teachers and community members is to guard, protect, teach and encourage children to make their own positive contributions in the world. Perhaps we can make the adage, “It takes a village to raise a child,” to heart by working right here in our local villages.

Kate Morgan’s article “Harvesting the Power of Youth,” introduces you to a local youth empowerment program called LEAF, (Leadership Education And Farming), based in Carlisle, challenging young people to grow and flourish while supporting a real need within the community. It is a magnificently fertile training ground for future leaders.

Part of what my parents learned and passed along was a core belief system—some of it based on fear, lack, guilt and shame—which perhaps are the cornerstones of many an upbringing. I’m grateful for the sum total of my life experience and the joy, happiness and love my parents shared and taught. They did the best they could with what they had. As I get wiser, I continue to make concerted efforts in self-discovery and personal growth to uncover and transform negative beliefs that linger and limit me.

As I transform my unconscious belief system and my conscious thinking, I’m in a better position to enjoy life, experience real happiness and share uplifting and positive messages with young and old alike. I’m hopeful that you find many such messages on these pages each month, and as you search for your own happiness, remember to feel good, live simply and laugh more.