Some helpful infortainment and information for teenagers who are at the crossroads of life, and don't know what to do when it comes to sex

For Teenagers who are in doubt
By Johnny Bodley

 "You are my world; you are my only love, when we make
love we are love, if you should ever die I could not live, will
you please stay wit' me forever?" Whitney sung her words so
passionately. And though shes only fifteen have made a huge
impression on teenagers all over the world. Giving more
reason to the belief that music is the most preferred choice of
language in the universe now, and can make a difference. It is
a very motivational and powerful force that could very well be used as the mighty vessel to bring mankind closer. As well as
bring the youth of today closer to those who are up in age.
Simply put, it moves and motivates people of all races,
gender, age and ethnic background; some of the most
wonderful times in people lives are when they discover
“The sound of music.” But I must confess the most fun and glorious times are when some serious chilling is going
down during the teenage years. While tripping to some sounds with the bass thumping "Off the hinges."
     Think about it, when you're just simply hanging out at the mall, music is there, or if you're just illing (acting crazy) at school or at the crib (home) it's there too.  Most children no matter what type of personality or background they have discover the joy of music sooner or later, and are "Getting down to some sounds" at some time or another and by the time they become teenagers, music seems to have just taken over their lives. 
     A high percentage of teenagers believe that it is as important as food. It seems to nourish their bodies with a variety of culturally musical flavors, tastes and styles such as hip-hop, country, rap, reggae, blues, R&B, bluegrass, gospel, and Christian to name a few. Teens all over the world include this form of art practically in everything they do and sometime say. There is a “Message in the music” no doubt; whether the song is bad or "Off the chain" so to speak. 
  Sometimes the funkier the beat or the more negative the words, the greater the possibility it has to influence young minds, mostly in a very negative way. Sadly, as wonderful as music is, it is being used as a weapon of destruction by some to destroy an entire generation, the so-called x-generation. 
    It has been proven time and again that the wrong type of song being played in the midst of some teenagers make them very violent and very harmful.  Especially when mixed with agents such as alcohol, drugs, and sex, and then topped off with an attitude seasoned and flavored with a trace of invincibility, and a huge desert of irresponsibility, can cause a whole lot of drama, self-destruction, and sometimes-even death.

     But not only for a teenager is this weapon dangerous, it's just as lethal for many adults as well. Music has been a fascination to me personally, and has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. When my Mother carried me inside of her belly for nine beautiful months she was traveling around the "Dirty south" ('Bama) as a singer in a vaudeville band. She abandoned that precious God given talent after I was born.

     I truly believe I inherited the gift of music from her. It has always been with me, there for me, and a part of me, as well as comforted me through bad and sad situations. Music was there whenever I worshipped God as well as when the devil influenced me to worship him when I was a teenager. For many youth today it is the first thing they hear on the radio in the morning when they get out of bed, and the last thing they hear before they fall asleep at night.

     All the good that's in it as well as the bad. Starting at a very young age they see through the peepholes of their precious innocent eyes so much vulgar on television that is being brought to them by way of music as small children, that by the time they become teens there's nothing they can't tell you about things such as “Doing it,” (sex) drugs, or what have you.

     There are quite a number of people of various ethnic background and gender who don't care at all about them or their safety who are pushing it down their throat, as well as invading their ear loaves with it everyday, day in and day out, and just as I did when I was a teenager many of today's youth try to emulate those people.  It's either some man or child being shot down or mugged on the street by some low life fabulous thug or it's a beautiful precious queen (lady) being degraded and disrespected.

     It's all right there before their eyes and ears in living color continuously. Quite too often the eyes and ears of our youth are much too innocent for the vicious attack. Because after seeing, hearing, and feeling the disrespect and violence, many young people feel that they must try it because it is so glamorized and made to look and sound so good.

     How much sense does it make for music shows on television that caters to teenagers to show commercials stressing to teens to wrap it up? Meaning using a condom, (safe sex) in one breath and in the same breath show very sexual and provocative videos by artist's who teens idolizes that have huge influences on them, but don't have their health and safety in mind.  The safety tip gesture that some of these stations portray are very well appreciated but it is still very harmful and hurtful to the not so well developed mind.

     Young lives should never be put in jeopardy just for the sake of broadcast ratings. In many situations I believe that is the case. They’re doing to make their shows bigger and fatter. When I was younger I was an extremely foolish po' thug child from the age of eight to twenty-one, who was expected by my peers to do it all and try it all. Alcohol, drugs, sex and crime were always in my midst. But even so, I discovered that I had the ability to say no.

     I also learned that a tattoo would be a brand on me for life and that it would be with me just as long. Even if I had it removed there would always be a scar as a reminder that it was there. Therefore, I always said “No tattoo for me.” Plus, I couldn't see myself allowing someone to put holes in God's precious temple (my body). As bad as I was I knew that any pierce, hole or puncture would be destroying God's property. If I weren't very strong mentally during many of the lowest times in my life especially as a teenager the streets would've taken me over and out.

     Being painfully shy 'caused hurt for me many times but my belief that God would save me no matter what, brought me through.  There were times when I tried things like sex maybe two or three times as a child because I was far from being a perfect teenager.

     But because of a major miracle that I didn't recognize at that time in my life taught me how to say no pretty convincingly to peers when asked to participate in things that were much more riskier and dangerous such as alcohol, drugs, tattoos, car thieving, armed robbery and gambling, things that I have not participated in to this day. 

     Peer pressure was always there, but so was He who had watched over me since the beginning of my life, God! He always allowed me to go only so far, and He always gave me the ability to know just how far I could go. However, the small amount of faith I had in Him even then was not enough. Because even then I thought that I was invincible, but He made me realize that if I took Him out of my life completely I would perish.

     I believe one of the main reasons I grew to respect and love God so much is because of the chances I knew He was allowing me to take. Teenagers, you're taking lots of chances today too Yo. It would be wise for you to know God, and to understand that He is forgiving, and is always standing by to rescue you whenever you're on the verge of becoming lost. In this day and age of destruction, madness, and so many different types of diseases including STDs, (Sexually Transmitted Disease) one of the hardest things for you to do is be a teenager.

     For some of you it's even harder being a bad teen if there is such a thing, because you are all born good in God's sight. And for those of you who don’t make the grade, believe me someone have failed you somewhere along the way.  I say that because many of you encounters so many judgmental people during the course of a day who will make you feel that you are too bad to be a part of society.

     Sometime you just don't know what to think, should you do it, or shouldn't you, should you try it, or shouldn't you. So many of you are rebelling against the system because of that, and also because you are expected to do wrong.

     A lot of you are engaging in risky activities including sex because too many people are telling you not to instead of telling you as well as teaching you the consequences and dangers of sex before marriage. Sex is incredible, beautiful, and meant to be shared with married people!

     But once you get AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome) all the beauty that's in it is wiped away. It is also very sacred, and was created during the very early part of man's existence on earth by the Almighty. It is very special and should always be shared with very special people.

     In the bible, scripture says, "What would it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?"  I ask, "What would it profit you, to finish high school, go to college and get a degree, and in the heat of one moment of passion get careless and have unsafe sex, or share a needle for tattoos or body piercing with someone who's infected with HIV? (Human Immunodeficiency virus) and while in the act becoming infected yourself?"

     It would profit you nothing. Teachers, I believe that when teaching teenagers the facts including the facts of life, that whole sex scene need to be broken down in a very simple and sometime humorous way in order for them to "Feel you." I've discovered that when it's done this way they listen, comprehend, and understand a lot more easily.

     Some teenagers have actually stated that this way is best for them. Whenever a child gets pregnant at age ten, and so many do, there but by the grace of God is a child that could have contracted, HIV as well as other STI's (Sexually Transmitted Infections) with a very high chance of giving birth to a baby infected as well.

     Whenever a teenager or a very young child is diagnosed with HIV, somewhere a parent, guardian, or teacher has failed tremendously because the true facts should have already been given to them non-sugar coated at an early age. I talk to many youngsters, including teenage boys who truly believe that all they need to do to be safe or protected when having sex is put on three (3) condoms. 

     When I say to them that is foolish thinking and very untrue , and that most condoms don't work because of improper use they think it's funny. Many teenagers believe that HIV can be urinated out of their system right after orgasm, another myth that too many young people believe. If there is any doubt it is always best to wait. In a world where everything seems to be so sex oriented, waiting may seem hard to do but it can be done. Nothing is too hard when God is in the plan.

     From my experiences of being around teens as well as children, teaching as well as learning from them so much more about them than I know already, I've become very smart on the ways of today's youth.

     I believe that it may be a lot more helpful to begin to teach them about things such as safer sex, because like it or not many of them are doing it, and some at a very young age. But either or, much effort must be put forth to make sure they know that abstinence (waiting) is and will always be the only true 100% way for them to be safe, and the only way they should go. In America a teenager contracts an STD every 10 seconds, while 1/4 of all grown people living with HIV became infected as teens.

     Also in the United States two (2) teenagers are infected with HIV every hour. If you're not a smart teen, one of the two could be you. AIDS has been the sixth leading cause of death for people 15 to 24 years of age in the U.S., for quite a few years, according to the Centers for Disease Control. (CDC) More than 55 teens give birth each hour, a true sign that a whole lot of unprotected sex is going down. 

     If you are a young person whose ultimate goal in life is to become a playa, my word of wisdom to you is to play safe, but remember when you play you pay. Sometimes with your precious life! STD's do not discriminate, and it's not who you are but what you do that puts you at risk of getting one or several. You should always remember that!

     "A Yo! Abstinence and education are the keys to yo' future and yo' life. Put God first, learn the facts and be safe, and if you are ever in doubt always respect yo'self, protect yo'self and wait!"

 johnnybodley.yahoo.com

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