Authenticating Kelly: Have you Heard?

Have you heard of the Harris Family? Have you heard particularly of Alex and Brett Harris? Have you heard of The Rebelution? Have you heard of Do Hard Things?

Well spoken, organized, relatable, disciples of Christ. Just a few words that describe these dynamic young men.

The fee turned out to be per person but it's the last time they'll offer this conference. They're now 22, this set of Rebelutionary twins. Their journey started one summer day around the age of 16. They had summer visions of creating, learning the film industry. But every door slammed in their face. With vast amounts of summer free time looming before them their Dad put together a plan, a summer reading plan. They were hard books, challenging books, fat books.

The reading list inspired a blog. The blog inspired a survey. The survey inspired a book, The book inspired a conference. A generation of teenagers have been changed. Set expectations regarding the youth of today and what they're capable of, is being challenged. To quote a very old Bill Gaither Trio song from my childhood, "I am a promise, I am a Possibility, I am a Promise, With a Capital P! I am a great big bundle of Potentiality". These teens are believing it not for the distant future, but for today.

These young men have spent their teenage years preparing for adulthood by putting into practice their book title, Do Hard Things. They did hard things, as teens they rebelled against low expectations and they asked it of their friends, their peers. They relate story after story of youth accomplishing great things. I read their tales and placed the book in queu for Girlie #1. She read and intrigued by our discussion Girlie #2 moved it to the top of her reading list.

Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations

But, this isn't just a conference, read for teenagers of today. As a mom, a mentor, teacher I see the bigger problem lies in the older generations. The bigger problem lies with the parents, grandparents, bosses, aunts and uncles, teachers, pastors and youth pastors. Read the book you'll know why. Even when a parent requires hard things from their child the rest of the world screams at them to, "enjoy your youth", "don't grow up too fast", "why are you _____? You should be out playing". They propagate this eternal attitude of youth, or as the Harris brothers title it the 'Kidadult'. We need to get on board with this vision. We need to encourage the teenagers of today and demand that they do hard things. Start now. Gather together every teenager/pre-teen you know and go to that conference. I took Girlie #2 and she's only 10. She loved it. Don't know a teenager then just go it alone. Sit in the back and take it all in. You will NOT be disappointed. You WILL be inspired.

Awesome real time audience polling of the 10-22 year olds

Can't get to one of the Rebelution Confereencs then head to the library and get the book. I believe to whom much is given, much is expected. We need to start expecting it from our teenagers. If we do I don't think they will disappoint.