Hillsborough and Pinellas County school sessions begin on the tenth this month reminding us to watch out for (and nourish) the well-being of the youth of Tampa Bay. This issue of Natural Awakenings Tampa Bay has a special focus on “Empowering Youth & Creativity”. 
    The positive parenting approaches writer Judith Fertig describes in “Growing Up Empowered” (page 26) are particularly encouraging to me. It’s important to reinforce a young person’s awareness of the unique skills she/he can bring to the collective experience: service to community, social connection, self expression, and so much more. 
    Linda Sechrist’s interview with film maker Barnet Bain highlights the positive approach in “How Creativity Can Save the World: Fresh Thinking Challenges Rigid Mindsets” (page 32). Young minds have such great imaginative capacity, but so do we all. It’s nice to know this film maker is producing films and books offering insight on the vital arena of creativity in human consciousness.
    Imagination will be soaring at the Tampa Convention Center this month (5th through 7th) at our very own Tampa Bay Comic Con. Sounds like fun for young and not-so-young alike (kids 12 and under are free!). 
    As always, open your mind and read on.