Overcoming Obstacles

Overcoming Obstacles

by | Mar 23, 2018 | BLOG, Giving Back, Homeless

Overcoming Obstacles, a book  by Alicia Garcia

To achieve your dream, “you simply must overcome the obstacles that get in your way and be willing to triumph over your fear and take the leap of faith.”

I learned about Alicia Garcia’s book Overcoming Obstacles when I met Alicia to discuss partnering with Project We Hope, a homeless shelter in East Palo Alto, for UncoverU my life skill training company’s Summer Workshops. I was looking to partner with a homeless shelter or a group home to have the young people in my course genuinely connect with people at a human level. Alicia is the Associate Director of Project We hope. As we discussed the partnership Alicia generously shared all the resources she had available to help make UncoverU successful.

In the recent past, in my corporate life, it has been somewhat rare to meet people who are committed to others success and share generously all that they have to ensure that success. That is what I found in Alicia.

In our meeting, I learned that Alicia had written a book about the conception of Project We Hope and the challenges that had to be overcome to get to where Project We Hope. Having met Alicia, I was curious what I would learn from the book.

The book weaves in history, culture, Church life, business and at the core of it is grit and commitment to do the work that is needed to make our communities, societies and the world a better place. It was very inspiring. There were moments as I read when I wished I could relate to religion more deeply. Even with that a miss for me, I learned so much, and it reinforced some of my deeply held beliefs. I am delighted I not only had a chance to read this book but also get to work this amazing person that is Alicia Garcia.

Here are a few things I learned from reading Overcoming Obstacles:

  • To achieve your dream, “you simply must overcome the obstacles that get in your way and be willing to triumph over your fear and take the leap of faith.”
  • In a world where doing your best is equated to greatness, Alicia calls for a world where doing your very best should be a general expectation.
  • How family and faith are instrumental in what one wants to create and build things that will serve the greater good, but also the resolve to see it through. How family, faith, and resolve were at the very core of creating Project We Hope, a homeless shelter with 55 beds in East Palo Alto. Serving the community for nearly two decades.
  • All that becomes possible when one has faith and is undeterred by obstacles and a genuine need to help people – it is the butterfly effect.
  • In the book is raw honesty about the need to affect the community, the obstacles that we put in front of ourselves as governments, companies, and people. It is open about the challenges Project We Hope faced with, agencies, management, volunteers, and teams, yet keeping the goal of helping people in the forefront and making strides.

I for one have gained a view into the lives of people who created Project We Hope and the people who are served by Project WeHOPE, and I am in awe of both.

Alicia Garcia, Thank you!
www.aliciagarciama.com
Amazon Product page: http://amzn.to/2G6EinJ

Parenting a Teenager

Parenting a Teenager

by | Mar 22, 2018 | Adolescence, BLOG, Parenting, Parenting Teens, Teens

Helping a teenager turned into a caring, independent and capable adult isn’t a small task. Know the parenting techniques you need to help guide your teen. Adolescence can be a tricky period of change for parents and adolescents alike. While these years can be hard, there’s a lot you might do to nurture your adolescent and promote responsible behavior. Utilize these parenting abilities to deal with the difficulties of raising a teen.

  • Showing your love and favorable attention is essential for your teen.
  • Spend some time with your teenager to show her or him that you care.
  • Listen to your teenager when she or he talks and respect your teen’s feelings.
  • Do not assume that your teenager knows how much you love her or him.

In case your teenager doesn’t seem intrigued to bond, keep trying. Eating meals together could be an excellent way to connect. Better yet, invite your teenager to prepare the meal with you. On days when you are having trouble talking to your teenager, consider each doing your very own thing in the same space. Being near each other can begin a conversation. Remember that unconditional love does not mean unconditional approval. You can subject your adolescent while showing you won’t withdraw your love according to their behavior.

Try this on for size: Instead of focusing on achievements, like getting straight A’s, expect your teenager to be kind, considerate, respectful, sincere and generous. Regard day to day achievements, remember that teenagers gain confidence through success, which will prepare them for another challenge. As your adolescent takes on more strenuous tasks, rather than setting yourself as the gatekeeper, support them to ascertain what she or he can deal with. Promote your teenager to behave well, discuss what behavior is unacceptable and acceptable at home, at school and everywhere. Create fair and appropriate implications for how your teenager acts. When setting implications, avoid ultimatums. Your adolescent might interpret an ultimatum as a loss of power or control, and a reason to rebel.

Be clear and concise. Rather than telling your teenager not to stay out late, set a particular curfew. Keep your rules short and also to the point. Make implications immediate and linked to your teen’s selections or actions. Explain your decisions. Your teenager could be more prone to adhere to a rule when she or he understands its purpose. There might be less to rebel against if your teenager knows the limitation is being imposed for their safety. Be reasonable. Avoid setting rules your teenager cannot follow. A messy teenager could have trouble instantly maintaining a clean bedroom. Be flexible. As your teenager shows more reliability, grant her or him more freedom. Avoid lecturing your teenager about her or his shortcomings and the abstract, far off implications, which can motivate your teenager to prove you wrong.

All in all, show your teenager the same compassion, understanding, and generosity you would like to see from him or her.