When I Grow Up…

Every child has a dream. And as innocent as they are, all they know are who his/her parents are in society. Ask children what they want to become in future and you will hear answers like “I want to be a doctor, a lawyer, a banker” and all the other careers that command respect in society.

No child no matter which neighborhood he or she is born into, aspires to be a drug addict, a sex worker, an armed robber or even a terrorist. But what do we see? They abound everywhere.

The cute, sweet toddlers in our homes and suburbs grow up and turn out to be the ‘abominables’ in our society. They did not intend to turn out that way, something happened to them.

So it is our responsibility as parents, siblings, friends and neighbors to bring them back from where they have strayed. Everyone who has lost his way has a particular point in life where they slipped. We don’t do anyone good by condemning them and forcing them into isolation which in the end, backfires against us.

Let’s protect each other’s dreams. Let’s be each other’s keeper. It is not too late for us to reach out to the ones we once knew as people with great potential; but in one way or the other have found themselves on the wrong path.

No one’s fate is sealed forever. No case is utterly hopeless. With a heart of compassion and love, we can win them back. Most people rebel because they think no one cares enough of them. All they need is to know is that we haven’t given up on them yet. Let’s help each other become who they were born to be.