Smiling in the Rain - A Turning Point in a Teenager's Life

I stood under the front entrance canopy of the H.E.B. grocery as I watched cold rain pouring onto the parking lot. Slowly moving towards me was a young woman pushing a train of about fifteen shopping carts. Her head was down as she leaned into the carts, maneuvering them into position. Then she looked up at me and beamed an exasperated smile.

It seemed like an intelligent smile. I smiled back and wondered what she was thinking. I imagined it was something like this...

After weeks without rain, I get it on my shift! I must look like a mess. This is a hard way to make money!

I was sure she didn't know it, but how she responds to a job like this will have a big impact on her life. I've written about about child brain development and about how the developing teen brain is a turning point in a person's life.

The discipline and structure imposed by employment can give her goals, a sense of purpose and accountability at a time when her brain is disrupted by spurts of growth and self-management is difficult. Also, it's valuable to gain a realistic perspective on what hard work is and what needs to happen in a successful business.

But another plausible reaction might be...

This is crap. I don't have to put up with this. I'm outta here.

I had no idea what she was thinking. But I knew that whatever it was, the consequences would not be trivial.

Post by Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D., Copyright 2010. Building Personal Strength .