Chaplain's Spot

Telling Kids ‘You are special’

When I recently re-read ‘Their Name is Today’ by Johann Christoph Arnold, there was a special section in a chapter entitled, ‘In praise of difficult children’. There are many interesting thoughts in this chapter, particularly regarding ‘not medicating the spirit out of children’ [my summary words]. I would like to share a message from this chapter, first presented by Steven McDonald, an NYPD detective, and speaker for ‘Breaking the cycle’. The original text was written by a group of students. You can read his amazing story on Wikipedia. Here is his contribution to all of us.

“You are very special. In all the world, there is nobody like you. Since the beginning of time, nobody has had your smile, your eyes, your hands, your hair. Nobody owns your voice, your handwriting, your way of communicating with others. Nobody paints like you, or has your tastes. Nobody sees things as you do. Nobody has ever laughed or cried exactly like you. 

Nobody else in the world has your particular set of abilities. There will always be someone who is better at one thing or another. Every person is your superior in at least one way. But nobody in this world has your specific combination of talents and feelings. Therefore, no one will ever love, walk, talk, think, or act exactly like you.

Whatever is rare or unique has enormous value, and it’s the same with you. You are no accident – [you were made] for a special purpose. [You have] a task and purpose that nobody else can do as well as you can. Out of billions of applicants, only one is qualified. Only one has the right combination of what it takes – and that one is you.” 

To me, this passage provides a wonderful sense of how unique and special every person is, as well as bringing perspective about the broader picture of how we stand in the world. We can’t all be the best at everything, but we can be the very best at being who we were made to be, and that should be our target in life.

How does impact you as a parent? You may not have been nurtured with this balanced view of life. Whatever our past, uplifting or degrading, we can instil these values into this generation of children. I think I will create a poster for my office for when students visit. … Remember – you too are special!

==================================================

Things I am thankful for:

Here is the next instalment of things in life for which people are most thankful. Firstly, I’m thankful for smiles! Also, here is a poster for you to review with your family.

=============================================

Toast Tuesday: This free program runs each week until December 3rd, from 8.30 until the first bell for the start of school. Remember, we also have our second-hand uniform stock available for gold coin donations. Come and see us on Tuesday mornings, as well as at assembly every second Friday. More ‘as new’ t/shirts have been donated. 

Contact: Feel free to email me, phone me or see me at school on my days listed below.

Alan Silverwood: Chaplain - Pastoral care for our community. [Tuesday, Friday]

[alan.silverwood@education.vic.gov.au] Supporting the School community in emotional, social, spiritual and practical wellbeing. 

Our Chaplaincy program is funded by the Federal Government’s ‘National Student Wellbeing Program’, the GRPS School Council and donations.