Do Hard Things

Book Review by Jamin Goecker, RTF Staff Writer

Are the teen years a time for goofing off before adulthood? Can young people exceed the expectations of our culture? Do you believe teens can impact the world? Read Do Hard Things, by Alex and Brett Harris, if you’re unsure.

Alex and Brett started a blog in 2005, and their simple posts sparked a movement known as the Rebelution. This movement, started by teens for teens, is a rebellion against our culture’s low expectations for young people. Society’s low expectations and personal fears rob teens of the best years of life.

At nineteen, these brothers have served as interns to the Alabama Supreme Court, grass-root directors for a political campaign, and speakers at conferences. Their website (http://TheRebelution.com) has received over fifteen million hits, and they have been featured nationally on MSNBC, CNN, and NPR.

Do Hard Things isn’t a list of don’ts. It’s a challenge to step out of comfort zones and live by faith. This book forces readers to think and act in ways they’ve never done before. The writing is easy to understand but not “dumbed-down.”

In five steps it shows how you can make a difference in the world. Supported with personal stories, testimonies from ordinary teens who have done incredible things, and examples from amazing historical figures, I put the book down realizing nothing is impossible.

What are you doing this summer? Are you going to do what you always do, or are you going to do hard things?

Jamin is an RTF Staff writer. As the son of a military chaplain, he’s lived in Montana, Oregon, Texas, and Alaska. He’s searching for a college as he finishes up high school. Check out his blog at http://scribe-jamin.blogspot.com/.