Through the cycles of many projects born, stopped, reborn and sustained, we have found that the key to unlocking spiritual energy and determination in young adults is confidence. When we have confidence in ourselves, we gain the determination to achieve our goals, and from determination and effort (and of course with Swami's grace) come results.

The first question we asked ourselves was how we could gain confidence? What makes young adults turn to the spiritual path? What will give a young adult the confidence to be good and stay good? The answer, as simple as it seems, is good company - to have someone just like them walking on the same path.

Good company attracts the interest. Our next task was to sustain that interest and thereby inspire commitment and energy. Each one of us has a strength or talent that can be valuable to others and ourselves. All we need is someone to believe in that strength and provide a way to express it. We have, in the past couple of years, made an effort to get to know our young adults and provide a forum through which we can all use our talents to inspire our fellow brothers and sisters. In this way, each one of us has the opportunity to become a contributing traveler on the same spiritual path. In this unifying space, we become more comfortable facing life's challenges and, most importantly, reaffirming Swami's guiding presence in our lives.

A simple way to provide a framework in which young adults in our region at universities could accomplish this Sai youth support system was to form university and Sai center-based Sai young adult groups. This puts good company in walking distance of our less mobile college-going brothers and sisters. Each group has a contact person who welcomes new young adults to the area and provides regular information on group and individual service projects and YA bhajans. The members of each university group are also invited to become members of a local center and attend on a regular basis.

We are thrilled that many leaders have stepped up from these and other YA groups, leading projects that require their skills and talents within the Sai organization and also in the community. The projects fall under the categories of leadership, devotion, service, education, and center integration. The talents and skills that exist in our region determine the projects that take place during the year. For example, the interest and talent to sing and play instruments has led to the formation of the San Diego Youth Bhajan Group (SandYBhag). The group meets weekly to practice and prepare to sing to Swami. The sustained effort has led to interest from Sai centers in our region who have invited the group to lead bhajans at their centers and also as guests on special Sai Sunday programs. The combined interest and talent of the Los Angeles Young Adults and a need in the community has led to the formation of a computer project, Stepping Stones to Success (SSS): Information to Transformation. The project now has 2 running chapters, one in Los Angeles (teaching adults at a shelter) and the other in Corona (teaching young boys at an orphanage).

The talent of yet another young adult to study Swami's words, prepare materials, and discuss Swami's teachings positioned him to become a ideal facilitator of regular study circle sessions in Orange County. This study circle led to a regular service project and even a group trip to see Swami and receive His blessings. What a wonderful way to combine good company and God-given talents! It all depends on young adults having the confidence to contribute these talents. We foresee that as new young adults join, the projects will evolve accordingly. Although this often results in the "cycle of birth, sustenance, and demise" of projects, transformation and progress result out of this process. Through each success and each failure, the lessons learned bring us closer to becoming shining examples of Swami's love and teachings.

Here are some of the things we have learnt through this effort:
· Good company provides us with channels to benefit others through use of our talents. It increases our confidence and interest and gives us the willpower and energy to continue.
· Confidence (in ourselves and in Swami) creates opportunities for young adults to lead by example.
· The invitation to optimize on our talents and skills also gives us the opportunity to improve and offer ourselves as even better instruments in Swami's divine mission.

Hopefully, in the end, we will go from doing what we love and what we are good at to loving what we do, whatever Swami sends our way. That is, after all Swami's biggest miracle, transformation of the heart. Have confidence and may your every moment be a transformation!