On Deaf Ears

 An 18-year-old who is about to graduate has done a great job of transforming himself from an angry, dishonest drug user to a young man of integrity, ambition, and heart.  He is eager now to help others, particularly those who remind him of an earlier version of himself, and recently shared his story---his experience, strength and hope---with a newcomer who ultimately rejected everything he had to say.

The 18-year old is learning, and in a very powerful way, just how little control he has over others.  "He just doesn't get it,"  he said of the newcomer.  "But I didn't either back then.  I would have laughed at anyone who tried to tell me what I'm trying to tell him.  I know exactly how he's thinking.  I want to give him some of the clarity and inspiration that was given to me, but I guess it doesn't work that way."  For a young man about to go out into the world, that's a good thing to remember.