Have you ever gotten so hurt, mad or frustrated that you didn’t care about what happens to you in the future? Perhaps it was after a difficult breakup with your boyfriend or girlfriend. Or maybe it was after a fight with your parent or parents. Or maybe it was just feeling so powerless to everything that is going on in your life.

If you have ever felt like that, you are not alone. Many teenagers experience times when they are feeling so bad that they just want to make themselves feel better and escape. It doesn’t matter what the consequences will be. They are not concerned about getting in trouble, getting hurt or worried about what bad might come from their actions.

Let me tell you a story about when I became mad at my Mom and ended up getting seriously injured;

I was 15 years old and it was the first day of summer vacation. I was visiting my grandparents in Alabama. I was going to stay there for a week and then go visit my uncle in Michigan. He lived on a lake and we had big plans to go waterskiing and fishing. It was going to be an awesome summer!

As we were getting settled into my grandparents’ house, my Mom and I got into an argument. I don’t remember what the argument was over, but I do remember what happened next.

After arguing with my mom, I stormed out of the house and began riding my skateboard around town. I made it a few blocks away when I came to a big hill. It looked pretty steep and normally I wouldn’t have tried to go down it, but this time was different. I was mad. I remember thinking I didn’t care if I fell. My anger had overcome my common sense. I started to go down the hill and that’s when it happened. I fell.

I ended up smashing my face onto the roadway. I broke my nose, cracked my front tooth in half, and tore my lower lip wide open. I also had a concussion and had to be watched for the next couple of days.

Not only was the rest of my summer ruined, but in that one moment of not caring, I had just changed the way I would look for the rest of my life. My nose is crooked, I have a scar on my lip and I have crowns on my two front teeth.

There were many days I cried that I had done something so stupid. I wished deeply that I could have a chance to go back in time and do things differently. I wished I could have a do-over and never have gone down that hill, but that was not possible. I was stuck with the consequences of my actions.

Now I hope that you never have to live with regret over something impulsive you have done, but chances are there will be times when you are so hurt you won’t care about what happens to you. If you ever find yourself in that situation, I want you to STOP and think for a moment before you do something you might regret for the rest of your life. As mad or upset as you are, remember this mantra…

“Don’t do something today that will hurt you tomorrow.”

Be aware that what might not seem like a big deal at the moment could turn into changing your life forever. It could be getting drunk and killing someone while driving home. It could be trying drugs and overdosing and dying. It could be getting arrested and going to prison for several years. If you think it can’t happen to you, you are wrong.

I have never met you, but I don’t think you hope to be in prison, have an incurable sexually transmitted disease or hurt the people you care most about. But by not being aware of the destructive power of impulsive decisions, you can set yourself up to have the worst things imaginable happen to you.

There is good news though, this story and mantra will stay with you when you find yourself not caring. It can help you hesitate when you are about to act impulsively and make a poor decision. There is something else I want to share with you that might help you see things differently when you are upset.

Better days are coming.

It’s hard being a teenager. There are going to be times that break your heart and make you feel like giving up, but don’t! Better days are coming!

It doesn’t matter where you are in your life or what has happened, things will get better. It might not seem possible right now, but believe me, it will happen.

You need to understand this and what it means. It means don’t do anything now that will limit your options in the future. You don’t know what great things you will miss out on if you make poor decisions today. Don’t risk losing out on something wonderful tomorrow by not caring today.

Give yourself the best shot at having a wonderful and fulfilling life. Don’t get caught up in the quick fixes to escape from the pain you might feel.

You can truly have it all in this life but you need to be able to think ahead and see how your choices today might impact your future.

In my next article, I will talk about what you can do when you get upset that will help you feel better.

About the Author: Michael TARBY, Monthly Mentor, is a life change expert and author of the best-selling book Living Your Big Juicy Life, The Secrets to Having More Love, Joy and Success.​ His​ varied background allows him to resonate with people from all walks of life. He has been everything from a police officer to an actor. In college, he was the class president and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services and is also Board Certified in Radiography.​ ​Michael has dedicated his life to helping others learn from his successes and many failures. He has spoken all across the country and received standing ovations from large and small audiences.​ Read More…​

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