Undoubtedly, Facebook is now a necessity and not just a want. It’s been a part of our daily lives and we just can’t live without it (agree with me?). This giant social network has captivated the entire face of the planet with active users from young and old, men and women, solos or groups, poor and rich, experts or non-experts. All of us are hooked with liking, uploading, sharing and commenting in this popular internet site. But wait, there’s something “messy” I found within this social outlet. And it truly disappoints me. Know why?
It’s good to discover inspiring and funny quotes every time you open your FB account. I would love to see videos and pictures tagged on me. Except for annoying images and videos displayed on my profile wall. I hate it! It was just recently that the invasion of pornographic posts ruled the news feeds making every avid user irritated. Hacking and spamming activities on the web was known before but I could not really imagine those opportunists can penetrate Facebook. On that night I saw those lewd and blasphemous shots, I posted a message of displeasure directed to Mr. Zuckerberg. He must have read it, I hope so. Until the week came I found none of them anymore. Thank God, I managed to block those user accounts and change my privacy settings. It really pays to customize your privacy.
Another drawback of FB is not about the network itself, but concerning its active users. Though many FB folks are responsible when it comes to posts, there are still those who don’t even have discretion in their wall updates and comments. I wonder why these individuals don’t even bother to think of what they are saying online. Moreover, it doesn’t even make sense for them if they are reprimanded, such an immature response. Well, engaging in social networking sites is both a trend and a trap especially for the youth. Many incidents have occurred where FB has become the meeting place of both the criminal and the victim. This serves to be a warning for everyone. I am not against Facebook or any other social networking sites. I even spend a lot of time scrolling up and down. The main point here is to make it useful in any means. And in order to attain it, THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK.
THE “DIRTY” FACE OF FACEBOOK
SINGING-AND ITS BENEFITS
The youth are musically-inclined. They love to sing and listen to songs. It doesn’t matter if one is a born singer or not. As long as he or she prefers the right kind of music, they all enjoy singing their hearts out. Every single day is incomplete without MP3s and DVDs on their side. They tend to be updated with the latest hits and tunes on TV and internet. This generation is certainly hooked with sensational artists and movie soundtracks. And whatever genre it may be, the unfading impact of music in the lives of young people is obviously in sight. For most young men and women who love to sing, you should go on doing it as a hobby or as an outlet of emotional flow. Music and the art of singing have various benefits that carry a therapeutic healing package.
Physical benefits of singing
It’s more than the melodies or tunes that retains in our head. According to theory, singing practically increases the amount of oxygen you take into the body as you take deep breaths. This produces a feeling of alertness as more oxygen gets to the brain. As you sing, you articulate and use facial expressions, so you improve muscle tone in the face, throat, neck and jaw, thereby promoting a youthful appearance.
Mental benefits of singing
The art of singing is a good motivational tool for the youth team. The course of learning a song is an interesting task, with a distinct start and an end product. It’s not just an artistic activity, but also an organized and structured one, especially when we sing with others. We are therefore exercising our structural potentials without essentially recognizing this is happening – which is very helpful for people who might normally avoid or dislike a lot of discipline and method.
Spiritual benefits of singing
Youth ministries in the church know this advantage. Singing is a very spiritual activity. It is a wonderful instrument for relationships and connecting people spiritually and naturally: It brings people together. People ‘feel the love’ that singing creates. Singing unites factions, religions and races. Singing creates positive energy and a happy mood and that’s infectious and transparently good for everyone.
GENERATION OF DESTINY
In this age of globalization, it is imperative to contemplate on the situation of youth in the affairs of the world. The accent of today’s challenge lies on the young generation because they are the sector who has the strength and ability to achieve the goals of human development. It is undeniable that attached to the progress and upgrade of youth today is a moral decline that should be stressed out by authorities. We all have the responsibilities to care and nurture the young generation and it’s a serious job.
The call for transformation is knocking on our doors and it can’t be solved by technology or machines alone. Sometimes we forgot to give time for the most important values and principles that should prevail amidst the conflicts and battles. Young men and women might have overlooked the real essence of life and have diverted their sights to the lures of modern day living. I mean, it’s not bad to experience comfort and delight from of these things but the values must not be sacrificed. The youth should have the consciousness to respond to their roles and calling, notwithstanding the obstacles and barriers there maybe. I believe that the power of the young generation can still make a difference and it’s not too late to move, to engage and to take part.
Restoring the image of the youth is a joint endeavor that should be given attention and dedication. The problems of morality among them are here to stay unless the key agents of society work hand in hand. I beg the world won’t be selfish anymore to deal with these issues and controversies. We all got a share in the moral overhaul of our nation- both the blame and the solution. However, the solution only takes place in the moment we become true to ourselves. Reality bites and we must take for ourselves the consequences. The four corners of the planet have its own wounds and scars that affect the youth and children. Over the years, we have constantly seen teenagers and adolescents involved in various crimes and misdemeanors. The internet is now a dark jungle of prostitution and pornography. And we all witness those young boys and girls crawling into the traps of perdition. Wait! Stop! Is this really what we dream for our youth? It’s time to wake up and unmask ourselves. Let’s go back to the original truth- the youth deserves a glorious destiny.
TEENTALK: 3 WAYS TO RESIST PEER PRESSURE
The world of teenagers is full of slippery roads and unexpected challenges. Nowadays, we usually see young boys and girls suffer from different exploitations only because they give in to something they are innocent of. Or sometimes, they are just driven to commit regretful things in their juvenile stage of life. The culprit- peer pressure.
Peer pressure primarily begins in a simple “yes” to any activity or habit induced by the peer groups. Peers are young individuals who have almost the same lifestyle, age, or likes. Influence takes in to this kind of relationship and the “force” is certainly inevitable- if you don’t have the prudence and self-control. There’s nothing wrong with peers who give positive influence to the youngsters, the wrong only comes when they are motivated to do illicit acts and misbehavior. Parents are sometimes unwarned by such predicament and they really don’t have the clues what happens to their children outside, except for those who monitored their teens. The responsibility moves around the key agents of society- family, school, church and peer groups. But, as a young person, how can you protect yourself from the danger of peer pressure? Here are some tips to strengthen your “Yes” and “No” responses to negative invitations from around.
Stick to your conviction. Whenever your friend asks you to drink or smoke, be strong with your answer. Let your yes be “YES” and your no be “NO”. Don’t demonstrate any inkling of interest or curiosity for invitations that you think are harmful to you. Amidst a dilemma, set your mind on things that are your priority. Never give in to the call just because you are afraid to lose your friends. Be serious. If you show your sincerity, your friends will get your authenticity. After all, if they are really your friends, they should respect your decision.
Think mature. The teenage years are the gateway to adolescence. Though it’s normal to feel like “childish” as you leave the puberty stage, you are not a baby anymore. Think and act mature. It is your personal choice, a decision that will shape up your life. Maturity doesn’t mean to deprive yourself from enjoyment and add up serious stuff to your head. Managing your emotions is a responsibility for both the young and adults.
Be diplomatic. Saying no doesn’t mean you have to evade or judge your friends for what they do. Respond in a way that will not hurt their feelings. Respect is the still the word that should mediate between you and your peers. Welcome or offer suggestions that are wholesome and healthy for both parties. The pressure-packed arrows of peers can’t affect you if you stand firm with your beliefs and principles. Young people, we need a new breed of generation that goes against the flow. Be RADICAL!
SCREAMERS GAME
Who could imagine that screaming can be a literal ice breaker? Yes, it’s a perfect stress reliever for people of all ages and mind you, it’s really a funny experience. The objective is of this game is primarily stress management. It is also a smart way to match up participants, rather than telling them to “just pick a partner” randomly. The activity could last for about 10 minutes and all you need to have is a spacious room that can accommodate 40 – 45 students. Prior to the game, the overall number students are already split into 8 groups. It is a good starter of the day before the class discussion about this topic begins. The main problem to focus is stress and this icebreaker will be the ultimate solution.
Instructions for the Activity:
1. Preparation: Ensure that the other rooms on either side of you (or the principal, if you want to do this in school) know that they will be hearing some loud screams in a minute, that it will only last for about two-three minutes, and that everything is okay.
2. Have the whole group “line up in a circle”. I bet you know what I mean. It is Important that the every individual members is able to see the eyes of everyone else.
3. Clarify that you will be saying two sets of instructions repeatedly, “heads down” and “heads up.” When you say “heads down,” everyone looks down. When you say “heads up,” everyone looks up, STRAIGHT INTO THE EYES of anyone else in the room. Two possible consequences:
a. If they are looking at someone who is looking at someone else, nothing happens;
b. If they are looking at someone who is looking right back at them, they are both to point in a much exaggerated manner at the other person and let out a SCREAM OR YELL. They are then “out” and take their places together outside of the circle to observe.
4. Once the “screamers” have left the circle, the circle closes in and you reiterate step two, followed by step three, until you are down to two people. Yes, they have to do it one more time, even though the result is a predetermined conclusion.
5. Dealing out questions: What made this “fun?” [By the way: I've never seen this be anything but an absolute hoot for all.] The brief response to the first question is the stress involved. You can then ask them to reflect about what the actual stress factors in the exercise are (will my scream sound ridiculous? Will I embarrass myself?) And when did the stress seem to decrease or build up?
GAMES OF TRUST
Youth development is an essential role in every youth teams or group. This is achieved by a united vision and goal to nurture the skills and abilities of the whole team. Every individual member is a great contribution for the success of the team and it cannot be attained if they don’t have the trust and confidence with each other.
Trust is imaginary glue that bonds the entire team. It is what makes every group intact and strong to accomplish a task or a mission. Without it, an organization is prone to suspicions and conflicts. That is why it is important to develop trust within your team, may it be in the campus or outside the school premises. How do we do this? It can’t be easily taught and learned, especially when you apply interest and fun in training the whole team. Sort of a natural way of gaining trust through activities or icebreakers that foster faith within each team member. Being a leader, you have the greatest role to instill trust within the youth, so you need strategies to meet them.
Here are some games that you can actually execute in your youth sessions.
Nature Blind Touch
First, the players make pairs. One person is blind-folded. Then he is led by the other player through a small forest to a particular tree where he touches and rubs it. Next, he is led back to the initial point and the blind-fold is taken off. The player then goes back to try to find his tree. The goal of this game is for the blind to trust his partner as he leads him blind-folded.
Cat and Mouse
One person is a mouse, the other a cat. Both are blind-folded and have a trainer who directs them by clapping hands or snapping fingers. (The directions can be agreed on before start of play. Go, Stop, Right, Left – 1x, 2x snaps or claps.) The field is marked and a mouse hole is also marked. The mouse must find the mouse hole before the cat catches it. Goal: Blind faith in dangerous situations.
Blindfolded obstacle course
The group is divided into two teams. One member of the team is blindfolded is guided through an obstacle course by the others who can only tap on the shoulders. See to it that there should be no talking among the team. The goal of this game is to learn to trust themselves and others; also in situations where you can hardly see anything or nothing at all.
ZIP-LINE: A BREATHTAKING EXPERIENCE
It was Saturday morning and we’re all packed up for an all-expense trip. The perfect destination- an adventure park on the highlands with lots of amusement and natural attractions. We’re all excited to reach that place and see the beauty of the renowned tourist spot in the region. It took 3 hours of travel before we reach that magnificent place on top of the mountains. But the real object of our travel is to experience flying. Yes, we’re just there to feel the thrill and excitement of flying on a zip-line. And we got more of what we’re thinking for.
Hoyohoy Highland Stone Chapel and Adventure Park is one of the newest tourist charms of Tangub City, Misamis Occidental, Philippines. It is located at the foot of the verdant mountains fronting the whole province with an elevation of 2, 788 feet above sea level. The place is surrounded by pine trees and floral gardens with a smell of fresh air. It has a sophisticated hotel and function halls, great food and drinks and it is a Wi-Fi hotspot. But the most attractive and attention-grabbing among these amenities and services is their famous aerial ropeslide which is the longest and the highest in Asia. You heard it right! The newest aerial attraction is now conquering the sky with its height of 500 meters and distance of 1,500 meters. Skyline Zip, as it is commonly called, extends from both ends of two highlands and valley in between.
We can’t get more of screaming and yelling, shouting and laughing as the wind currents strike our hanging bodies. It was even more enthralling because we went “zip-lining” on a foggy afternoon- we can’t see anything on both sides as we fly all through the extending ropes. The challenge is, as we fly through the steep slope, the whole ride is breathtaking! It seems like our internal organs are all gone out. Shaking hands. Goosebumps. Mixed emotions. Gravity becomes our ultimate propeller that time and it’s totally irresistible. There’s a sort of fear in all of us whether the zip-wire is safe or not. But eventually, we are made convinced by the site’s security and support. That once-in-a-lifetime adventure was incredibly a moment I can’t forget. We went back home with smiles in our faces and stories to share. Amazing experience!
SMARTIE HUNT GAME
“Hunt” games are one of my favorite activities way back my high school days and even right now. When I joined the Basic Training Course in college, this was the actual activity that made everyone smile and cry simultaneously. The feeling is overwhelming, especially when it is done on a starry night (quite frightful, too). Here is another version of this hunting game which is great for people of all ages.
Smartie hunt game is aimed to develop the potentials and skills of the whole team in the art of leadership and delegation. This funny game involves lots of animal noises, and possibly actions too, for a team-building ice-breaker or training warm-up, for leadership and team motivation, and a great party game for kids or adults. This activity is also a great leveler and funny to play and observe. Depending on the room or area size, this game can be done for groups of 10 to 30 or more people. Divide the group into two or more teams – preferably 5-7 per team – and have each group assign a leader. If possible, you can appoint the least confident, most junior member of each team (in this game, leadership is fun, and should be directed to building the self-confidence of each team member).
When this game is conducted in a party, the most obvious way to split the group is boys-versus-girls competition.
Prior to the game/session hide the items of a tube of smarties sweets (or a box, depending on team numbers and game duration) around the room. Jot down on separate pieces of paper the names of animals as many as there are group members (or children if it’s a kid’s party). Animals should be those related with familiar noises, e.g., dog, chicken, pig, horse, cow, snake, duck, monkey, frog, etc., although for an adults party, for extra fun, you can include one or two animals for which no recognizable sound is commonly known, e.g., kangaroo, crocodile, rabbit, etc. (For very large groups you can double the number of available animals by prefacing each one ‘little’/'large’, or ‘mommy’/'daddy’, and specify that the noises should vary accordingly – high and low of course…)
First have each team member take a piece of paper which illustrates the animal they are to play in the game. The objective of the game is for team members to find the concealed smarties, and guide their leader to them by uttering their own animal noise (actions are entirely optional in this game, also great fun and virtually predictable). The team leader who collects the most smarties wins the game for their team. Team leaders are not allowed to look for smarties. Team leaders are not allowed to follow the sounds of animals belonging to other teams, but opposing team members are allowed to follow sounds of animals of other teams, and then to make their own noises on seeing the smarties. This fantastic game involves leaders to remember which animals are in their teams, so a minute can be allotted for this before the game begins. A couple of minutes can also be permitted for teams to prepare tricks, although this is not necessary. Grant 5-10 minutes time limit – as smartie hunts are difficult to predict.
OFF-ROAD ADVENTURE TO THE HIGHLANDS
Nature trip is an ideal stress-reliever and a great way for relaxation. It’s an exciting experience that you can’t exchange with any other excursion to the busy cities and malls. And I’m sure you’ll have that perfect time to breathe fresh air and see the beautiful world around you.
This is the unforgettable adventure trip that I and my co-youth members experienced on a sunny Sunday morning. We woke up early, took our breakfast and hop over to the off-road vehicle to trek the rocky roads of a mountain resort. The elevation was superb; the overlooking view was totally captivating. As we travel towards the summit, we can’t help but scream because of the winding directions we passed by. Other than that, the rocks are scattered everywhere so it really blocks the muddy roads. The thrill gets even higher while we are heading the top of the mountains. The wind caressed our senses and flowers seemed to greet us along the way. Tall grasses and bushes caught our attention and the pine trees are so adorable. Slowly, we began to open our eyes with amazement and saw the whole province of Misamis Occidental from a height of about 2000 meters. That’s incredibly sky-scraping!
The time we were on the peak, the scenes were astounding. We got to see the cities and villages from afar. We uttered in a funny line “we only need one more penny to reach heaven”. It’s actually the highest point where you can gaze the connecting range of mountains and valleys. We sat on an old hut and took some pictures of the panoramic view. We engrossed ourselves with the cool atmosphere and everything about the location. There’s a smile in our faces and it’s just an obvious manifestation of our earnest delight. Trekking the top is worth rewarding- naturally rewarding.
The day closed in with a little drizzle from the heavens. We went down the steep road with lots of giggles and yells. Having experienced off-road adventure is a lifetime recollection. The best thing about outdoor trips is to commune with the environment and obtain a refreshing feel of nature.
EGG BALANCE GAME
Your team will surely enjoy this fun and interesting game. It can be applied to any organization, campus clubs, and societies or even in your circle of friends. The objective of this game is to develop the focus and concentration of the whole team. It is also designed to promote positive thinking and discovery. As the whole team is engaged in this game, barriers are broken down and everyone experience wonderment and fascination.
In this balancing game, a group of any size can be involved. Each team member must have an egg and a table-top surface. According to myth, it is possible to stand an egg on its end during the spring equinox (on or close to March 21), when night and day are equal. This is due to planetary gravitational effects or similar beliefs. But in reality, it is possible to balance an egg on its end on a flat surface, anytime. How? It only takes a little patience. You can do it easier if you use the big end of the egg.
This amusing act of manual adroitness and myth-breaking provides the source for an enjoyable and fascinating team exercise. The enticement to pun is almost irresistible.
Actually, a raw egg is perhaps easier to balance than a hard-boiled egg due to the fact that its weight sinks to the bottom and creates a kind of ‘googly-man’ effect. Somehow, we didn’t hear much about this science but if there are any egg balancing experts out there I would appreciate your input.
You can use this activity in different ways, to give emphasis to the value of patience, discovery, and mental alertness. It also develops the group’s questioning skills and is also a great way to avoid stress and break monotony. This contest will absolutely foster the essence of teamwork.
By the way you can tell the distinction between a hard-boiled egg and a raw egg by spinning them. An uncooked egg spins slowly and speeds up, and keeps on spinning after you stop it; a hard egg spins faster and remains stopped. These differences are due to the independent movement of the liquid in the raw egg, whereas a hard egg behaves as a single mass.
An additional point of interest is that a few grains of salt enable a very quick balancing ‘trick’, which is of course a form of cheating.
Facilitators are suggested to practice the task before asking others to try it. The balancing is easier on slightly textured surfaces and a lot more difficult on very smooth surfaces. Eggs with slightly spotty shells are much easier to balance than eggs with very smooth shells. Some eggs are easier to balance than others so have a few spare for any that simply will not balance.
Take note: A mop and bucket is recommended if using this exercise with children.