YCMS Counseling through Connections
February Newsletter - 2020
Citizenship: What a Wonderful World
This month we recognize our good fortune to be citizens of the United States and the resulting responsibilities that flow from that privilege. What is citizenship? Citizenship is a call to commit to changing the world around you for the better; to participate in the process of government, and to do your share to help your community improve.
I have always felt inspired whenever I hear Louis Armstrong sing his classic, “What a Wonderful World.” As Mr. Armstrong eloquently puts it:
I see trees of green, red roses too.
I see them bloom for me and you.
And I think to myself,
What a wonderful world.
I see skies of blue and clouds of white.
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night.
And I think to myself,
What a wonderful world.
I have been hearing these beautiful words for years, but it was not until recently that I actually reflected on them. The lyrics emphasize a first-person narrative with the repetitive lyric, “I see.” Like Mr. Armstrong, I have found that we can create our own wonderful world, and it’s incredibly simple. One only needs to expand your perspective in the way we see our life and the events that surround us. While the world around us will continue to change and evolve there are truths that will remain constant. Among these include the need for love, service, compassion and that most uniquely American one - the pursuit of happiness.
Good citizenship is more than just patriotism. You live in the greatest country in the world but that means little if you don’t appreciate what makes it so. Cooperation with others, obeying laws, being a good neighbor, respecting authority, getting involved and doing your part to make your community better gives you a perspective on what citizenship requires. Whether it’s in your home, for your country or for our planet, every one of us is put in this world to contribute and make a difference to the world in our own unique way. It need not be anything out of this world. It just needs to be something you do with the intention of “doing good."
At the core, something is "good" if it leads to more happiness, and something is "bad" if it leads to more suffering. This may seem simplistic at first, but it really does allow us to cut through confusion, providing a straightforward measure by which to judge the consequences of our actions and evaluate our efforts to make the world a better place.
“Looking out for number one” may seem practical, however, if all you’re ever concerned with is “what’s in it for me,” there will never be very much in it for you. Yet when you expand your focus and give the best you have in return you’ll experience the best there is. It’s important to balance giving with receiving. Take a look. Are you asking for too much and not giving enough?
If we want to see a wonderful world around us, we have to make it a wonderful world.
February Students of the Month
Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
What if performing a small act of kindness or compassion could make us feel happy?
What if that kindness made someone else happy too?
And what if that happiness was contagious – so that one small act of kindness could spread happiness not just to two people, but to the friends of friends of both those people? How cool would that be?!
So how does happiness spread? Like a virus, or like fairy dust? I propose that happiness spreads because when we are with happy people who make us feel good, we let go of our habits of unhappiness and our negative beliefs.
We all want to be “happy,” but what does that mean to you? Happiness is so important that even in our Declaration of Independence we are guaranteed “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
At any rate, there is no doubt that the happier we are, the better the influence we have on the world around us.
Do Not Undervalue Your Ability to Do Good in the World
We each have power, power to change our own heart and influence others. And it happens in some of the most unexpected ways.
A good citizen is someone who... York Chester Middle School students share qualities they believe make great citizens in video
'I HAVE A CRUSH ON YOU' VALENTINE GRAM FUNDRAISER
York Chester Student Ambassadors will be selling "Crush Grams" throughout the week during lunch periods. Crush Drinks are $1. Let someone you care about know how much you appreciate them by spreading a little love this Valentine's Day!!! This could be a special friend, teacher, coach or someone else special.
I'm helping Build Better Humans by...
Here’s just a short list of the benefits that come to mind –
- We get to work with the best students in the world.
- We get to work with so many great professionals who care about students.
- We get to be involved in a lively community.
- We get to be involved in planning and improving the school experience for all.
- everyday is an exciting adventure.
The Great Kindness Challenge at York Chester
One Week. One Checklist. Infinite Happiness. Creating a culture of kindness one act at a time.
Upcoming Events
Honor Roll Celebration
Gaston Early College Open House
Highland School of Technology Lottery Open House
Choice Fair
February 22
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Gaston CollegeBlack History Night at York Chester Middle School
Battle of the Books Competition
All School Choice Applications Due
Lottery for School Choice Programs
Tammy A. Hubbard MA NBCT
Website: https://www.sites.google.com/a/gaston.k12.nc.us/ycmscounseling/
Location: 601 S Clay St, Gastonia, NC, United States
Phone: 704-836-9609
Twitter: @YCMScounseling