Some Secrets

Mackenzie Phillips recently sat down with Oprah Winfrey to discuss the incest that went on when she was a young woman; Mackenzie alleges her father had sexual intercourse with her for ten years. The man accused is her deceased father, 60's performer John Phillips.

Phillips has upset relatives and family members since coming out with the accusations.

Though, there are two sides to every story and Mr. Phillips is not here to tell his, the fact that Ms. Phillips was able to come fourth and divulge such a horrific secret, shows how strong she is for being able to stay so.

A Marathon of the Heart

Being an active participant in the community is something I Stay Strong admires. Without volunteers and the like, most communities wouldn't survive.

Today, The Dutchess County Marathon was held at the Wappingers Recreation Center in Wappinger, NY. Under a bright blue sky and a warm sun, eager participants ran the 13.5 mile route complete with sprawling hills, lush trees and spacious terrain. The weather was perfect, cool and crisp. The energy was high and ISS was there to support students in the Hyde Park Central School District.

While running itself is done individually, it is a courageous sport, a sport filled with people with BIG hearts. Residents who support their community and do things for the greater good were found in Wappinger. Students and educators from Our Lady of Lourdes School were spotted running for the memory of their beloved Lizzie Miller.

Optimism is the greatest tool to living a great life. -Lizzie Miller 1990 - 2009

The women, young and old, stood beside each other all sporting dark green shirts with yellow lettering, Miller's quote printed clearly on the back of their shirts. This quote easily tugs at the heart strings. No matter what circumstances we may face, sometimes having an optimistic attitude makes all the difference. Obviously, the great mind behind the words is no longer here with us. How blessed is she to have a group of supporters who have gathered in honor of her precious memory? Is there any gesture with more heart?

With adoring smiles and pleasant attitudes and not a frown seen on their faces, it looks like the optimism Miller talked about has spread.

For more information on this event go to: http://www.dcclassic.com/
For more information on Lizzie Miller go to: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=96092073317

A Teenage Epidemic

Bristol Palin. Jamie-Lynn Spears. Solange Knowles. Brandy. All were teenage mothers. They are the young celebrities that have brought more attention to an already growing epidemic; teenage pregnancy.

Statistics show that the United States has the highest rate of teen pregnancies. While the issue itself is an international concern, the US has yet to tackle this growing problem. Between conservatives strongly promoting abstinence and the longstanding debate of allowing sex education to be a topic in schools, teen pregnancy gets pushed to the back burner.

*Jannie Sweeney remembered when, at age 15, she decided to have unprotected sex; her son, *Jake Morris, was born nine months later.

"I wouldn't want anyone to go through that. I didn't talk to my parents about sex. I went around relying on my friends for information about sex. For them, it was the cool thing to do."

Despite her parents disappointment, Sweeney was able to complete high school.

" I could not have finished school with the help of my family," Sweeney admitted.

The family supported her vigorously, taking turns babysitting Jake and making sure that he was well cared and provided for. Sweeney also credits her parents for using her pregnancy as a learning tool and instilling in her siblings that choosing to have sex meant risking the chance of getting pregnant or contracting an STD. More importantly, Sweeney says her parents also gave her and her siblings information about sex. The topic became normal conversation around the house.

Sweeney, now 35, is proud of Jake Morris, 20, who is attending college. With her families help, Sweeney was able to be a better parent.

"I am proud of my son. But if I could, I would have waited until I was old enough to deal with motherhood."

I Stay Strong asked Sweeney for insight. Her advice to today's teens, "ask questions, but don't ask your friends, connect with your parents, doctors or clergymen. All I can say is you have to get information; have protected sex or abstain."

In a world of celebrity and an "anything goes" attitude, today's youth has to battle with moral judgment more so now than ever. The media glorifies unwed mothers and the traditional route of marriage, making the responsibilities of parenthood less apparent.

Teenage parents don't always have success stories. The life of a teenage parent is a struggle, but with the right information, family support and good judgment, teens can make better decisions about sex and together communities around the country can witness a decline in a scary statistic.

School Daze

For teens and young men and women around the country, school is already in session or is about to start. Whether you just started high school or you're entering your first year of college, the world of education brings about a fresh start.

Its no easy feat to start anew, so here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Set goals for yourself. The more you plan and research what it is you want to accomplish, the better you will feel about yourself and you'd be more willing to help others.
2. Don't dwell on last year. We all make mistakes. Look at this school year as a fresh start. Any regrets you might have, put them aside.
3. Keep positive people around you. The power of positivity runs ramped in this blog. Being positive really keeps life in perspective, no matter what the circumstances.
4. Read, research and ask questions. The more you read, the more you will understand. Internet research provides opportunities to assist you in paperwork and other projects. If you don't know something, ask.
5. Let loose. Don't chain yourself to a desk or spend countless hours at a public library. Make sure you take time out for yourself. Do get exercise, eat a healthy diet and engage in a positive activity that is rewarding to your soul.

Best of luck!