This week I read a report about students at Mundelein High School outside of Chicago who are experimenting with simplifying their lives. It’s part of an empathy exercise for teens to see and feel what it’s like to go without certain conveniences….in ABTeen terms it’s called “trading places”. These teens made a commitment to go without one modern convenience every month. Last November they gave up sugar. In December they stopped watching TV. In January everything they wrote, jotted down or drew was on used paper. One month they only purchased items that could be recycled. Currently they have gone cold turkey with their cell phones. Imagine, no cell phones! ( How did anyone over 30 survive without cell phones when they were teens?) It’s a great lesson in self reliance, empathy and getting back in touch with the basics in life that really matter. One teen summed it up this way.

“There’s a pride to saying no to things.”

By saying “no”, these teens were actually saying “yes” to being more connected to their personal, relational and situational assets. I wonder how many of us adults could do the same. Might be worth a try.

Hank Wasiak