Just like adults, young people “pack,” or carry, guns or other weapons for four primary reasons: PROTECTION, REVENGE, NOTORIETY, or CRIMINALITY. It can be very scary when a bully threatens to harm you. Getting even may seem to be the only way to save face. Carrying a gun to make others respect you might seem sensible to a youth who isn’t popular. Using a gun to commit a crime and obtain what you do not have might seem to be the only solution. But, are these really good reasons to carry a gun or other weapon? Is this what your parents really want you to do? Here are ten alternative things to carry instead of a gun or other weapon.

TEN THINGS TO CARRY INSTEAD OF A GUN OR OTHER WEAPON

1. A SMILE. Doesn’t weigh anything but exerts a whole lot of positive influence, and disarms even the crankiest, crabbiest and snobbiest of people. A smile is a frown or scowl turned upside down. It tells everyone, “I am peaceful.”

2. A LAUGH. It’s been correctly said that laughter is the best medicine for the things that trouble you. One thing is certain: if you can laugh at your troubles, you’ll always have something to laugh at.

3. A HEALTHY ATTITUDE. A wise philosopher once remarked that the difference between an optimist and a pessimist is: the optimist invents the airplane, while the pessimist invents the parachute. Both are needed to insure safety and a healthy and well-balanced attitude about life. The rule of thumb is: be brave, but be cautious.

4. A PAT ON THE BACK. Friends, and even strangers, need to be encouraged, too. Always be ready to comfort, listen to, inspire, strengthen, reassure and motivate your friends to live life to the fullest, and to not give up on life. Don’t forget that parents sometimes need a pat on the back and encouraging word as well.

5. A HELPING HAND. When you encourage a friend to continue onward in life, you might have to walk a few steps with him or her. A little of your time, talent or even treasury notes might be needed. But that’s okay. Your friend, and even an acquaintance or stranger, is worth helping. So are your dad and mom and other family members.

6. A GET OUT OF JAIL FREE CARD. Occasionally, a friend will let you down. Even a parent might disappoint you every now and then. Fortunately for them (and for you) you can always carry an “I forgive you” card in your wallet, purse or backpack. The back of that card should read “I also forget.” Don’t leave home ( or your room) without it.

7. A STANCE. Someone once said, “Stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything.” Be sure you are doing right, then go ahead. Listen to your heart, but don’t forget to use your brain-brakes, heart-light and moral compass as well. Check things out with mom, too.

8. A LEGACY. A legacy is something you’ve inherited from an ancestor (relative), which includes who and what you are. Carry your family heritage with both pride and respect, because people are watching. And don’t forget: you’re creating a legacy for your future sons and daughters as well.

9. A FUTURE. Your entire life is before you. Every now and then look in the mirror of your past and see if you’re happy with where it has taken you up to today. If not, make some lifestyle and attitude adjustments. Use your booster rockets to make proper life-course directions. Your booster rockets are faith, hope and love.

10. A FAITH. Space is not the final frontier; faith is. Faith simply means to believe it can happen. Have faith in yourself, your family, your friends, and your Creator. Carry faith in your pocket of hope. That way you’ll never fear the future. Faith in God and in yourself will give you a future so bright you’ll have to wear sunglasses. And don’t forget to put on sunscreen. Surf’s up, and so is life!

FOUR TIPS TO HELP YOU LIVE A VIOLENCE-FREE LIFE

1.  SAY NO TO DRUGS. Drug use is life abuse. Using drugs is just like keeping your foot on the brakes while driving a car. Eventually your “brain-brakes” will burn out and malfunction, and your life will be completely out of control. Before the “ride” is over, people will get run over, get hurt, get damaged, or even get killed.

2. SAY NO TO GANGS. The gang life is like a dead-end street: you can only go so far down that road before you have to turn around and find the right way to get where you want to go. Gangbangers don’t have a future to look forward to because almost everything they are taught is against the law. When a gang member is hurt or shot, his or her family also suffers. When a gang member does “time,” so does his or her parents and siblings. When a gangbanger is killed by a rival gang, his or her parents  and relatives “die” as well.

3. SAY NO TO GUNS. Guns don’t kill people; people with guns kill people. That’s the problem. That is, if you carry a gun, it will be way too easy for you to use it on someone you don’t like, are afraid of, or even accidentally. Bullets cannot be called back once they are fired. Someone’s life may depend  on the fact that you are not “packing a gat.”

4. SAY YES TO LIFE. Life is fragile; handle it with care. Don’t abuse it, don’t confuse it, and don’t refuse it. Live life to the fullest, but don’t bankrupt it before you’re eighteen. Remember that everyone feels they are invincible, until a stray bullet finds its mark, an enticing drug shows its true colors, a “cool” gang reveals its hidden agenda, or a violent act takes its toll. Don’t do death on the installment plan either by occasionally dabbling with drugs, flirting with gangs, playing with guns, etc. Choose life, and live. Don’t shortchange yourself, or your family.