INTRODUCTION:

All of us are capable of finding that special thing, or assembling many small things, that will lead to our success.  This happens through acquiring self-knowledge and the understanding that almost anything is possible.  Life is short, however, and the way is treacherous.  Therefore, we should proceed in a planned manner, with eyes open, rather than rely on luck or fantasy.

Hope grows with the acquisition of skill and strength.  i is a process for encouraging change and fostering hope.  We want kids to learn to be self regulating and responsible.  But how do they learn to do so?  Working with i is a way.  Using i  is an inward-looking process to which young people can be introduced when they begin to develop their introspection skills.  Using i is also an outward-looking process in which the young person compares him or herself to those within his/her  population.  It is a lifelong process.

HOW TO USE i :

This is a guided journal.  The reader is encouraged to either follow the prompts in the individual chapters or to explore personal interests.  Each entry adds to a growing portrait of the individual.  Some of life just happens to us.  How we respond depends upon what we know, what we believe and how we behave.  i is a way to think about what we know, what we believe and how we behave. 

Encouraging a young person, or any person for that matter, to sit down and explore self in a journal is a challenge.  Communicating with your teenager is a challenge.  Finding a way to help your teenager navigate is a challenge.  Too often communication breaks down into an argument over management and compliance issues.  Using i as a basis for discussion removes the management and compliance from the discussion. 

Encourage your teenager to use i.  Better yet, use i yourself.  Set up a time once or twice a week when you will come together to discuss one chapter or one entry.  In the time between each of you will have done your own personal exploration, looked out into the world, compared yourself to your peer group, and then made some decisions as to direction.  The discussion following is a pure sharing of thoughts and ideas, of memories and hopes, of dreams and disappointments between two people who love each other and who are, at that moment, navigating a personal journey through life at entirely different developmental points.  It is an opportunity to learn from each other.

If you feel frustrated with your life, your relationships, your future and yourself,

i can help! i is a tool.  Pick it up.  Use it.  DON’T WAIT ANOTHER DAY!!!!!