Children socialized in the ways of empathy, empowerment, and respect

In tandem with ACA’s anti-bullying initiative, school communities will dispense a unified menu of activities to counselors on K-12 campuses, culminating in a citywide signature event. Children of all ages throughout each of the districts will be immersed in a weeklong focus on the value of being yourself, on every person’s role in advocacy and the long-lasting positive impact of respect for diversity.

It is a wonderful thing for children to be socialized in the ways of empathy, empowerment, and respect. These are qualities that bring communities together, help relationships thrive and promote peer resistance to injurious acts. They are also the qualities that make it easier for us to respond to others with good cheer and kindness, as the gentleman at the airport did with me.

As I have traveled throughout the country, it has warmed my heart to see our counseling communities respond to this call and engage in initiatives that support a happier, healthier and more productive culture. And I couldn’t be more pleased to report that ACA’s own response to this call will be to launch a nationwide campaign, the Impact Project, beginning Feb. 1.

The Impact Project brings into focus how our thoughts, words, and deeds impact one another. It provides a forum for us to publicly honor people, both face to face and through social media, whose actions have made a difference in our lives. There are many ways to participate, and counselors in every work setting are invited to join in.

The Take the Challenge campaign and the Impact Project are but two examples of the work counselors are doing to support anti-bullying and interpersonal violence prevention and intervention. Both efforts bring attention to what is truly important: recognizing our impact on others and honoring the positive impact of those who touch us.

Is there a person whose actions have had a considerable impact on your life? Will you answer the call by recognizing someone who shared a random act of kindness with you or substantially affected your life in a positive way? It is wonderful to know that we have the power to make an impact on one another. It is equally wonderful to recognize those whose impact has made a difference to us. I believe that when we do this together — collectively and with gratitude — we are filling the world with something good. So I ask you, as counselors, what could be better?

This article originally appeared on Counseling Today on February 1st, 2016, by Thelma Duffy - titled, "From the President: Honoring positive impact" 

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