How To Experience

I

t’s cliché but it’s true—we hear a lot of bad news being reported today. Everywhere we turn, a story about a problem or a crisis pops up. Terrorism. Job losses. Mental health issues. Mass shootings. Economic downturns that force people to lose jobs.

It can get a little discouraging. This book is full of stories that fall into the category of good news. They’re about young people under 25 years old who did something unusual. These kids didn’t wait until they were older to start changing their world.

You might say their mantra was: “I can’t wait!” Most of these young people would not consider themselves to be extraordinary. I am sure most of them felt very ordinary. But they did something different, something uncommon; they were a cut above other kids their age.

Some of them got started at age 6, while others got their start a little later, as a young adult. Here is what’s interesting about their stories:

• Some were very smart, but certainly not all of them.
• Some were very talented, but certainly not all of them.
• Some were good looking, but certainly not all of them.
• Some were strong-willed, but certainly not all of them.
• Some were great speakers, but certainly not all of them.
• Some were physically strong, but certainly not all of them.

In this book, you will read stories of young people from various races and backgrounds and languages who decided to start changing their world now, instead of assuming they must wait until later, when they felt more ready.

The stories are about young people who lived during different periods in history. Some lived back in the 1400s, while others are living today. I believe what they all have in common is that they were uncommon. Much like you.

Today’s generation of kids, teens and young adults live in amazing time. Since ours is a day of smart technology and many of us own a portable device, kids feel empowered.

They know more information at a younger age than past generations of youth. They have a better chance at getting a good education than past generations of kids.

They have more access to tools, knowledge, videos and books than former generations did, and millions of today’s youth are taking advantage of that advantage. Since our world is on-demand, instant-access, and search friendly this makes it possible to solve problems and serve people better than ever before.

My goal isn’t to make you feel guilty for not doing more, but to make you feel inspired. I hope these stories start conversations between you and your family and friends. Each one is short, so you can read it in the morning, at dinner time or before you go to bed. Each has some questions to spark your interaction.

If you’d like to go deeper on any story, I provide a link at the end of the page to allow you to watch a video. May these stories inspire your own story.