One summer in my college years, I missed the warning signs and my life was changed forever.

Living in Tulsa, Oklahoma, I used to watch dark skies and hear tornado warnings. But one night, there was a tornado watch in effect for Tulsa. I left for work, thinking it was the same as any other watch—and wouldn’t amount to anything. But later that night, the tornado came barreling down my neighborhood, destroying everything in its path. It took my home, my possessions, my dog, everything I once held dear.

I didn’t prepare because I didn’t heed the warning.

Get my point? When adolescence arrives the storm clouds come with it. Don’t let your home be destroyed. Now’s the time to pay attention to warning signs.

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