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Summary of Question:	Reasons For Motivation
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Friday, 7/12/2002 9:51 AM MDT

Our religion spreads so many questions, so many thoughts. Inquisitive, sometimes enforcing, minds of the western world lead us stray from the true meaning of taught by Guru Ji.

Now a quick change of pace:
Its funny, I was born in Tennesse and grew up in North Carolina. Im a full-fledged southern boy going to Princeton up north in New Jersey. A major change in location has lead me to realize new things in the meaning of Sikhism. In Carolina, I lived in a small town where everyone knows each other and our community strives strong by keep each other strong in faith. As a consequence of this mini utopia, I developed a false embedment of ideality in my head. I thought thats the way it is everyhwere. Not the case my friends.
I see a lot of Sikh youth (dont get me wrong, im youth too...i go through tons of pressure daily) with heart and faith in Sikhism, but defying the physcial characteristics ( ie. keeping your hair, phag) for aesthetic influences.
Its very hard, i do agree. The bollywood pretty guy/girl with pleasing makeup and the notion of acheiving "attractivenes" by feasing to clean shave along with the internal drive of youth to reach the epitomy of being "beautiful" has lead us astray. I have confidence nontheless, that we will succeed, that we will rise above these bumps that question our integrity. I have gone through similar questions growing up, but have come through mainly from the influence of my brother. I ask you if there is any role i can play and how i can play this role to prehaps guide my peers and my friends to the right way, to become oblivious to pressure or social influence and trust in the way of the Guru.

Reply:
I think you are off to a good start just being strong in your own faith and being a living example for others. When people see you living strong they'll get the picture that it's not such a big deal to just be happy being who you are.
GSKK