The Wins of Scientology Kids

What's it like to be a Scientologist teenager? An interview with Markus from Alabamba

 A lot of people land on my blog by searching: "Scientology kids". I guess they are curious to know what Scientology kids are like after hearing all kinds of things in the media. I'm lucky to be able to have many Scientologist teenager friends. My friend Markus is here today to tell us what its like to be a Scientologist from Alabama. 

Sandy: How long have you been involved in Scientology?

Markus: I have been a Scientologist my whole life. I was born into a Scientologist family and in a way, automatically got into it. But I did my first course when I was 9 years old in Los Angeles. Thats when I realized it actually was really helpful. It helped tremendously with my personal ethics and ways of handling every day problems.

Sandy: Alright, so it was actually using it that got you interested in it.

Markus: Yes!

Sandy: All the kids tease you about being from Alabama and I know there are a lot of Alabama jokes, but what is it really like there and how is it different here in Clearwater, Florida?

Markus: In Birmingham, Alabama, it's a really different environment than here in Clearwater. Its a much bigger city and its largely Christian. The city itself is really clean and well taken care of but after 15 years of living there, I didn't really have that much to do except go to school and play sports. I didn't have many friends. 

Sandy: So things really changed for you when you moved here, didn't they? I always see you with a million friends.

Markus: Yes- the landscape here is completely different, the people are different. Its almost a new world I find myself in. Making friends here is so much easier and I fit in a lot better. Life is a little easier here for sure.

Sandy: So what are your future plans after high school?

Markus: I am going to go to college and I want to major in business marketing. My dad owns a successful marketing company and it's constantly growing and producing more and more. I want to work with him and eventually take over his business when he retires. I also have wanted to play college football since I was six. That's something I want to accomplish because being raised in Alabama they consider college football a second religion. The NFL isn't that big there because of Auburn, Alababa and Troy universities.

Sandy: I get it. Scientology and football, that's a good mix. I can see why you fit in so well here...How has Scientology helped you in your life?

Markus: Studying the data and applying Scientology has really changed my viewpoint on many things. The main thing it has helped me do is keep good personal ethics in. Kids and teens these days get into all sorts of trouble and I feel safe being a scientologist because I know what those things can do. It's also much easier to study in high school because of the study methods that Scientology has. Its something I can help people with. I feel its a way out of a crazy world we live in. 

Sandy: You've studied nearly every Scientology basic book. What is your favorite so far?

Markus: Dianetics was incredible, but my favorite book was A History of Man. Everything a person sees in his everyday life is explained in that book. My favorite datum would probably be the fact that a person, no matter how messed up or down he is, can really be cause over anything he runs into in life.

Sandy: Thanks Markus. With that attitude I can see you're going to go far in life!

 

Does Scientology help with sports? (My evening with the guys)

 

Its 8:30PM, a bit late for a school night, but the first of several teens have piled into my house. Its a special night for them, because its the National Championship game between Alabama and Texas. The chips and salsa and soda are ready. Its a special night for me, because I get to host these fantastic kids and some great dads.  Being around them is always a kick. Each one is so unique but what they have in common is a glow of enthusiasm, respect for each other, great manners with my family, and a whole lot of personality. 

I take a break from my kitchen duties to get some help from the kids on a post that I have in mind. I ask, "guys, has Scientology helped you with sports?" BIngo- I've got sudden interest. Each one lights up with a resounding rush of YES! 

Raph: after my *TRs and Objectives course, I'm SO much more in present time. When I do a sport, everything is in slow motion for me. I can concentrate easier and do everything better. I see the whole game at once. Its unbelievable.  I have SO much time!

Pat: (Agreeing) Yes! after that course, I'm so much more in "present time". Everything slows down for me.   I see the holes (on the football field), the opponents, and the opportunities, analyze it, and take that opportunity. The next thing...you're free and leading the team to victory.

Matt: The datum I like the most is what I learned from Ron Hubbard about "The Spirit of Play".  I'm always messing around not getting into the "seriousness" of it. I'm having a good time.  Whenever we are doing anything: basketball, football, every sport we do- we're always just having fun- and we're SO uptone! 

Jesse:(quarterback) Yes! Its awareness. I'm always aware of whats going on. I can "see" behind me. In two years, I've never once been sacked by surprise. I've been sacked, but I'm always  aware when its coming.  NEVER by surprise.  I've already decided that taking the sack is the best thing to do on that play. In this game we're watching, each quarterback got blindsided and sacked four times each. They don't know when someone is behind them. I know it, and I CAN"T be surprised. 

Its like I have a remote control and I stop the action, I have all the time in the world to look and decide, then I flip the remote and start the action when I'm ready to go. 

Sandy:I think you guys are being humble. You just won the Florida State Championship for 6 man tackle football in an undefeated season and are most likely the top team in the Nation.

Back in the kitchen I go. I can hear the roaring screams of my enthusiastic fan friends. Its infectious. I clean up the last crumbs from the Toll House cookies, and slide off to bed in a remote guest-room. Behind several "sound proof" doors, I can still hear shouting. My house is vibrating while I'm laughing in bed. I can't help but think that I'm the one who's winning here. I'm the luckiest mom on the planet. 

*“TRs” (training regimens or routines) are practical drills that put you at cause over communication — the key to success in all human relationships.  “Objective” actions have to do with material objects and the person’s relationship to the environment, as opposed to “subjective” actions which have to do with a person’s mental concepts or ideas. Objective processes bring a person gradually into present time. They increase perception and put you more and more at cause over your body and the environment. This makes you feel “more there” — brighter and more alert. Click here for more data.

"When a man loses his Spirit of Play, he's dead." "... a guy will tell you, 'Well, I had some illusions when I was a kid, but I've lost all those. I'm practical now. We've got to face this thing practically, and what we are doing here is very serious.'"

"You want to know what seriousness is? Seriousness is solidity. You ever hear of a 'solid citizen?'

"There's nothing that succeeds like insouciance*. Plain flippancy** will actually get more done in less time than anything else you can name."

"And the more seriously you take the game, the less chance there is of winning." -- L. Ron Hubbard (*Insouciance: Lack of concern, carefree.) (**Flippancy: casualness, disrespectful joy.)