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Today I’d like to introduce to you the inspiring work of motivational writer Kelly Curtis, M.S. She is the author of Empowering Youth: How to Encourage Young Leaders to Do Great Things. Kelly agreed to share her kind spirit with you, the eWritings readers and if you are not familiar with her writing, after today you will discover a new friend. To read more about Kelly or arrange for an interview, please visit her blog, Pass the Torch.

In most things, we find what we’re looking for. If we’re looking for good humor, we end up laughing. If we’re looking for signs of hope, we discover them. If we’re looking for doom and gloom, we easily find that as well.

And if we’re looking for good news about young people, it abounds.

More and more, communities and organizations are recognizing what’s right about youth. And it seems the evidence is multiplying. We find young people serving their communities, raising money for charity, and even bravely assisting their fellow Scouts when facing the aftermath of a tornado.

Young people are positively impacting social change – through their individual contributions, opportunities with organized groups, and also by speaking out about issues that matter to them. We’re hearing new perspectives because young people are finding their voices and discovering that adults will listen.

But we have a long way to go. While some inspired young people have the desire to change the world for the better, they don’t always have the tools or ability. That’s where we as adults serve a vital role. With our help, youth points of view that couldn’t otherwise be shared – can. And ideas that would otherwise never be put into action – will.

Heather Wilder is an inspiring 14-year-old who I interviewed while writing my book, Empowering Youth: How to Encourage Young Leaders to Do Great Things. She is a finalist in the Energizer Keep Going Hall of Fame (you can vote for your favorite finalist daily through June 25.) A former foster child, she found her voice after her adoptive mother encouraged her to follow her impulse and write booklets to help foster children understand the foster care system. So often, a little encouragement goes a very long way.

So where will you look for good news about youth? Who will you empower today? You know what the gentle flap of a butterfly’s wing can do…

Kelly Curtis, M.S. Author, Empowering Youth: How to Encourage Young Leaders to Do Great Things. Now available from Search Institute Press: http://www.empoweryouthleaders.org/