Catalyst

Informed Families Catalyst

Red Ribbon Week – Protecting The Mind in Our Digital Age

Posted by Peggy B. Sapp, President & CEO on October 9, 2023 at 5:27 PM

President's Message - October 2023

As we come together in this season of Red Ribbon Week, we are reminded of the enduring commitment to a drug-free and healthy lifestyle for our youth and our communities. But just as we pledge to keep our bodies free from harm, we must also extend that commitment to our minds—our most precious assets.

Peggy

The theme for this year’s Red Ribbon Week resonates deeply with our core beliefs: "Be Kind to Your Mind." It is an appeal, a gentle reminder, and a commitment all rolled into one. In an age dominated by screens, notifications, and endless streams of information, it is increasingly easy to get lost, overwhelmed, and even manipulated.

It is indeed easier said than done. Our world is increasingly connected, and while there are numerous advantages to this connectivity, it also brings with it the constant barrage of distractions. Every email notification, every "limited time offer", and every buzz of our phones might seem to demand our immediate attention. But let me share a piece of wisdom with you: just because it shows up in your email doesn’t mean you need to act.

It's important to remember that we live in an unprecedented age of technology where everyone is selling something, be it a product, a lifestyle, or even an ideology. If we’re not careful, our days, our priorities, and ultimately our lives can be hijacked by an endless stream of 
solicitations.

How then can we guard our minds and our time?

By determining our own values. By setting our own agendas each day. By being proactive instead of reactive. And most importantly, by communicating and solidifying our desired outcomes not just for ourselves, but for our families. Saying them out loud, writing them down, and discussing them with our loved ones give these goals weight and tangibility.

When we set clear boundaries and prioritize based on our values, we become less susceptible to the external noises that try to dictate our lives. We can then truly be kind to our minds, giving them the space to breathe, to think, and to flourish.

Red Ribbon Week is not just about saying no to drugs; it's about saying yes to a wholesome, balanced, and purposeful life. Let’s take this week to reflect, reset, and reaffirm our commitment to being kind to our minds and to guiding our families to do the same.

Thank you for being a part of our Informed Families community. Together, we can ensure that our minds and bodies remain sanctuaries of health, peace, and clarity in this digital age.

Warm regards,


Peggy B. Sapp
President, Informed Families

Topics: President's Message, red ribbon, red ribbon week, high school, red ribbon theme, elementary school, Informed Families

About Us

We teach people how to say no to drugs and how to make healthy choices. To reduce the demand for drugs, Informed Families has focused its efforts on educating and mobilizing the community, parents and young people in order to change attitudes. In this way we counteract the pressures in society that condone and promote drug and alcohol use and abuse. The organization educates thousands of families annually about how to stay drug and alcohol free through networking and a variety of programs and services .

Subscribe to Email Updates

Recent Posts