The Rebelution

For years now, teenagers have been looked at as the troublemakers of the world. We have lost all the respect of adults because we see life as one big party. Two guys, Alex and Brett Harris, who are twin brothers both at age 20, are attempting to turn this stereotype upside-down.

They have written two books:
- Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations
- Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are

The first, Do Hard Things, is the most motivational book I have ever read. In it, the Harris brothers talk about "Combating the idea of adolescence as a vacation from responsibility." They encourage young people to make the most of their youthful energy to "do hard things" that help improve the world instead of living a life of partying and having "fun". In their book, Alex and Brett describe how doing hard things gives your life more of a purpose and, in the end, can turn out to be very fun! Whether doing big things, such as starting a fundraiser or sailing around the world, or doing small things, such as washing the dishes for your parents or finishing that assignment that you've been procrastinating on for 3 weeks, it's all the same to Alex and Brett. It all involves stepping out of your comfort zone and, a lot of the time, swaying against the crowd.

Their second book, Start Here, is a more practical book and is a follow-up to their first book. They decided to write it after receiving numerous responses from fellow "rebelutionaries" such as "Where do I start?" and "What now?" It includes stories from other teenagers around the world who followed Alex and Brett's online blog and shared how doing hard things had changed their lives.

These books have really helped me to overcome the stereotype of teenagers that gives them such low expectations. It has motivated me to do my best at everything I do ("Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD, not for men." - Col 3:23).

I would recommend these books to any young people, as they really do encourage you to go that extra mile and make your life more purposeful.

You can read Alex and Brett's blog here.