Dragon's Breath ~ April

#JustBreatheDragons

HEALTH AND WELLNESS NEWSLETTER FROM THE CARROLL ISD K-6th GRADE COUNSELORS

APRIL'S MONTHLY TOPIC

Humility and Hope

A NOTE FROM CISD COUNSELORS

Hello to all parents and students. We sure do miss seeing your sweet faces on a daily basis. We understand that this can be a stressful and uncertain time, and we want to continue to serve you in every possible way. If you are in need, please email your counselor, (addresses are below) and we will get back to you. We can even set up a virtual meeting or phone call to address any questions or concerns you may have. Please refer to the link below for all Counseling related resources and updates.: https://www.southlakecarroll.edu/Page/3172

Until we see you again, please enjoy your family time and know that we are here for you!

The Importance of Being Humble

Being humble doesn't mean to think less of yourself, it actually simply means to think of yourself less. You can have strong self-esteem but not brag or make a big deal of yourself to others. In fact, it's most often people with low self-esteem that feel the need to do that in order to make themselves feel better.

It is good to be confident in yourself and to always strive to be the best you can be. Yet, truly successful people strive not only to be their best, but to be great in how they treat others.and celebrate their talents.

Humility is about being modest, respectful and putting others before yourself. It is not calling attention to yourself or being rude. It is about gratitude. It is about good sportsmanship.

Humility is something to apply to every aspect of your life. It is about being courteous and saying “please” and “thank you” all the time, not occasionally. It is about being able to apologize to others even if you are just slightly in the wrong. It is also about listening and open to learning from others. Being humble is recognizing that everyone has different strengths and paying compliments to other people.

As a young person, humility is one of the most important things you can develop. Being humble makes you a better person, a better student and a better teammate.

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Take Action: Participate in Activities that Help Others in Need During the Coronavirus Crisis

As COVID-19 continues to spread across the country and world, many of us are feeling some stress and a sense of helplessness about the situation. But remember that there are still ways we can help one another during these uncertain times. As we know by now, the best way to help slow down the spread of the virus or "flatten the curve" is to stay home and practice social distancing as much as possible. While it may not feel like sitting on our sofas, washing our hands, and disinfecting everything in sight is a heroic act, it's the best way to protect ourselves and those who are most vulnerable in our communities right now.

Looking for another way to help out? Check out the ideas below, most of which don't require leaving the house at all.

Donate to local food pantries such as GRACE.

Now's a great time to donate supplies or money to food pantries. Luckily, many large organizations, such as Feeding America, actually prefer money donations, which can be made online or over the phone, so you can contribute to the cause without leaving your house.

If you'd prefer to donate to your local food bank, give them a quick call first (or check their website) to see if it's better to donate money or supplies.

Consider donating to Meals on Wheels, which delivers both hot and frozen meals to seniors across the country. Some areas may also be in need of more volunteers to help deliver meals, so if you're interested, talk to your local program.

Nearly 22 million children in the U.S. rely on free or reduced-price meals provided at schools. Consider making a donation to No Kid Hungry, which has deployed $5 million in emergency grants to help provide meals for children as many schools across the country close.

Reach out to family members or neighbors who may need help getting necessary supplies. If you live far away from an older family member, you may be able to help coordinate a grocery delivery so they won't have to leave the house.

If you're heading out to the store yourself, check with your neighbors to see if you can pick up groceries for them as well. As we all stay closer to home in the coming weeks, it's a great time to connect with our neighbors and support our hyper-local community.

Stay in touch with vulnerable friends and family.

Even though we can't physically be together right now, it's more important than ever to stay connected to family and friends to reduce stress and offer emotional support. Call, FaceTime, email, or even send snail mail, particularly to those who may need it most, such as seniors, children and teens, health care providers, and those with mental health conditions. And especially as nursing homes and jails restrict visitors, consider other ways to keep in touch. Check out the CDC's page for tips on how to help yourself and others deal with the stress and isolation of quarantine.

As everyone is encouraged to stay home, experts say there could be an increase in domestic abuse, which is also known to increase during times of financial hardship. Help spread the word that the National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached 24/7 by phone, online chat, or text message. Visit their site for tips on how to help a loved one.

Help support health care workers.

Frontline health care workers have been reporting a shortage of protective supplies and diagnostic tests at many hospitals. Consider donating to the World Health Organization's (COVID-19) Solidarity Response Fund, which was set up to help supply countries around the world with supplies and tests. Also consider giving to Doctors Without Borders, which respond to medical humanitarian emergencies around the world.

Now is a great time to reach out to all of the nurses, doctors, and other health care providers in your life to let them know you appreciate them.