Article May 23, 2005 Issue

STRESSED OUT? TEENS SAY MAKE PRAYER A PRIORITY

MONEY HOMEWORK SPORTS JOBS COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

By Suzanne Smedley

Two months ago, when guidance counselors visited Hilary Wise's sophomore class and dropped a form on her desk with 30 blank spaces, she didn't blink. Within a short time, Hilary had filled out the lengthy questionnaire evaluating her interests and career goals. "I want to major in theater [in college] and be a director," says fifteen-year-old Hilary, with a poise and self-assurance beyond her years. But many of her classmates weren't so sure what to write. "People were really stressed," says Hilary.

The present holds even more pressing challenges for these teens from Massachusetts. "We're mostly stressed about getting everything done: schoolwork, sports, club activities, etc.," she observes, adding that her friends "freak out," and sometimes get sick, or overeat to escape stress, while others turn to alcohol or drugs. For Hilary, who practices the violin 1—2 hours a day and spends Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in music classes and orchestra rehearsals, having a lot to do has taught her valuable lessons.

"One good thing about being busy," says Hilary, "is that I've learned to prioritize and to pray about it. If you trust God—divine Love—to be the source of all you need, then time can't hold you back." What she has discovered is that when she remains peaceful and listens to God for the spiritual intuition that tells her what really needs to be done first each day, everything works out, often in unexpected ways. "I like making lists," she explains. But she says when she prays, even if she doesn't get everything done, "sometimes the teacher doesn't collect the homework due that day in class, or they extend the due date."

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