Safe rooms or Medication vs Conscience and Conviction of HS
I have a theory, a suspicion really, that I’d like to share with you:
There is an active movement which serves to protect our children but is actually preventing them from growing into free-thinking, healthy and strong people, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
Today in our universities and some communities, there are “safe” locations, where people can escape to, to avoid anything distressing. And universities are preventing some visiting speakers from coming because the challenge of listening to such people, whose views are unpopular, may distress some of the voluntary attendees.
I’d like to suggest that this idea of safe rooms is not only unhealthy, but really is a means to kill any opportunity to learn, to expand thinking, or for inner conviction of conscience or the Holy Spirit.
Today, youth are being encouraged to avoid anything uncomfortable, but that is the way which ultimately prevents learning and growth. Sure, we don’t want people to be abused, but abuse is a far cry from being stretched or being made to feel a little uncomfortable, which are necessary in order to mature.
While society seeks to protect its youth, it is, in fact, preventing youth from challenges that invigorate and lead to personal growth.
If we vaccinate from flu, we prevent our bodies from building up natural antibodies that would strengthen and protect us. Similarly, if we medicate our depression, we are only suppressing our grief, which leads to deeper depression.
And if we avoid discomfort, we can avoid feeling guilty, but guilt is a part of recognising responsibility, failure and growth.
Ask a person who is confident if they’ve every failed. Of course they have. Failure brings about a necessary learning curve to improvement and growth.
Ask a person who is depressed if they sense a purpose or meaning to their lives, or whether they have vitality; undoubtedly most, if not all will say, “No.”
The way we grow, find joy and fulfilment in life, is through meeting challenges. Whether we succeed or fail is not the point but rather whether we try. That is what matters.
If we cocoon our youth, they may avoid emotional and physical bruises, but they will not grow. If a duck does not break open its shell on its own, but it is done for him, he will not become strong but will wither an die. By keeping our youth “feeling safe” we are in fact, preventing them from reaching their full potential. And that is far more criminal than any thing a person might say on a podium or confront with an alternative view.