Nothing but disappointment

After training, guiding, teaching and mentoring a group of young people for nearly three years now, all I get in return from most of them are nothing but harsh words, back stabbing, mean actions, and other undesirable things you can think of.

In the past, when I was a cadet, I didn't get the opportunity of handling a squad. I barely had any interaction with my juniors. Now that I'm a Cadet Inspector, I have more time to pass on the knowledge that I have to my juniors. When I just came back, I took on the responsibility of grooming the then secondary 1 squad. Till date, they have assumed the roles of being leaders of the unit. I treasure spending time to teach these young people because I never had the opportunity to in the past. And when people tell me how well the squad performs, I feel really proud of them. I have been strict with them. Very strict. I demand high standards from the squad and thus imposing firm orders to them. But I never, from day one, ever wanted to do them harm. However, these young boys could never understand where I am coming from, and the kind of values that I try to drill them with. And in turn, it back-fired and they come back biting me.

It hurts me and kills my passion just to see how they are behaving and reacting towards me. Imagine a parent trying to show love and care to his children, but they not only not appreciate their parent, they turn around and destroy the parent. Although the methods imposed may seem unpleasant to the child at that point in time, but surely when they grow up, they will see where the parent is coming from. But till date, these cadets who have assumed the role of being leaders of the unit, still do not see where I am coming from.

All I can say is that I'm really disappointed. Probably more to myself because I have failed to teach them servant leadership and being gracious citizens. They can hate me now. Hopefully they will grow up and learn that all I have done was never to do them harm, but to teach them to be better people of tomorrow.