Father's Day! TRUTH SPEAK SERIES

So in essence of the holiday or shall I say day of recognition, I decided to just give you all some truth.  MY TRUTH.  So here goes...

I haven't talked to my father in over four years.  Not only that, in the years prior, to the last four of course, I tried my hardest to break all communication barriers and be the bridge between our divided family.  By divided I mean the separation between his relationship with all four (possibly five) of my father's children.  He has two from my mother and two from his current wife.  The fifth, well would actually be the first but I just recently found out about him and I can't really be too sure of his whereabouts, but I will say I have always wanted an older brother.  Turns out I have one that I don't know.  Well as far as I am aware anyway.

My Father wasn't always absent.  He used to be a very active parent, when I was a child.  It wasn't until we turned 18 that he dropped us and said "Good luck with the rest of your lives, I'm done!"  Of course that is my interpretation but it felt just like that actually.  I can still remember all the shopping sprees and video games, quality time, etc. with my Dad as a child.   It was lovely.  However now, I can only imagine what he is doing and how he has been.  Bothers me not actually but this is a time of year that I always seem to by pass without much thought.  Since I am doing the Truth Speak Series on my blog I figured I would just jot down my thoughts.

I am 27 going on 28 years old this year.  That means that it has literally been about 10 years since my father took the backseat in my life.  And I really shouldn't even say backseat because that is still pretty close.  I mean there is no communication what so ever.  It is crazy because I am sure he Googles me  and keeps up with my work and my websites, etc.  At this point in my life I find that his support, especially for such a very creative individual, is important.  Or should I say would be very important.

I am reflecting today on the years as a child I spent time with my father that were good.  I want to say Happy Father's Day to all of the men that have made an impact on my life, including my father.  Where ever he is at this point.  For what it's worth I don't hold grudges with any man on this earth.  I will never shy away from the truth.  My life is not perfect and it doesn't mean that it would be any better if he was present.  But I will say that his absence has made me a lot stronger than I could have ever imagined.  So for what it's worth, I will thank you for that.

INTERNET: FOR GOOD OR EVIL? TRUTH SPEAK SERIES

So this post is to provoke thought on the pros and cons of the world wide web.

Sure at this point we find ourselves very dependent on the internet and all of the information we are able to access.  I understand the right to free speech and all other civil liberties, but I often wonder how much better the world would be if it were void of technological advances.  Particularly the internet/world wide web.

We see it everyday many loosing there lives at the hands of those who wish to experiment with minds.  With those who wish to pass on evil thoughts and deeds.  Those who upload suicidal how-tos for ready access to children.  And those who take pleasure in manipulation.  Utilizing the world wide web to feast on the vulnerable and naive.  It really sickens me just thinking of this.  I don't want to focus too much on the negative impacts alone, because there are some very great things available.  The internet is more so of a convenience.  It provides us with the ability to access information quickly.  There is a wealth of information.   There is so much you can access.  So much in fact that most should not be available or accessible to children/youth under the age of 21.  So how do we censor?  My thought is that we must get parents that understand that the internet, although very useful, can in turn be very dangerous in the wrong hands.

Everyone has a certain peek of maturity.  Our parents would know that best.  Parents know what their children can or can not handle.  Parents know what information their children should or should not be exposed to a certain period in their lives.  Yet even with this knowledge we find that most parents are totally oblivious to the boundlessness of the internet.  Because most parents are clueless and fail to educate themselves on the extremities of the internet, we fail at establishing boundaries and monitoring access.   Instead we allow the internet to raise our children.  We allow the internet to be the go to person  for clarification on all aspects and for education of moral and social norms.

I will say for me, I developed a sense of moral from church.  I understood right and wrong and everything I learned in vacation bible study, the youth church camp, praise dance rehearsal and choir rehearsals framed my ability to make wise decisions.  Not to mention I had a mother who honestly cared.  I never felt that I could get anything by her.  She was always aware and even though it was annoying when I was a child it is much appreciated now.  And even though the internet was not as prominent during my adolescent, it was very prominent my teenage years and it was not nearly as advanced as it is now.  I will say that computers were primarily for the use of education, home work and research tools.  Though the internet serves as a vast research tool it also supports and caters to individual needs.  Everything is about customization.  What do you want?  What do you feel?  How do you want this to look? What would it be if I represented you?  And we tailor our websites, social networking pages and blogs to do just that.  While there is nothing wrong with individualism, it does lend to allowing our children to see/be exposed to many different practices that may not be like our own.  This, in my opinion fuels rebellion.  Now that your child knows what it is like in Johnny's home, he/she wants it to be the same way in his or her home.  And that initiates a cycle of rebellious acts.  Children then began to learn and be exposed to things you either did not want them to see at that age or things you did not believe they were mature enough to handle.  Because your child has deemed you as incapable of understanding how, when,  what, where and why your child developed these notions, there is a communication barrier established.  What child wants to talk to someone they feel "doesn't understand" them?  This of course, this feeling of being "misunderstood" contributes to shutting down. Your children/youth, I can very well use the two interchangeably, feels that he/she is now the only one that understands.  So they seek other individuals that share the same thoughts and feelings.  Then you allow your child to be vulnerable to others ideals.

What we should think about is how to keep this from occurring?  Once this has occurred is there a way to get the child's/youth's mind back?

I could obviously continue to talk on this topic forever but I really want to know what you all think.  Please do share you thoughts.  Do you agree?  What is your take on the internet?  Is it for Good or Evil?

I want to hear from you! 

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