To put it as basically and fundamentally as possible, to be a good citizen, one must be a good person. I know, right, pretty vague.
As we've already discussed our personal morals and values, I won't go into too much detail as far as those are concerned, but I believe that in order to be a good citizen (and thus a good person), this requires you to put these values into action within your community.
In this world that we live in, there is always someone in need of help, and there are always means to help them. Not just the poor and hungry people necessarily, but the old man that needs the door held open for him or the old couple across the street that can no longer shovel their driveway by themselves. We're all blessed in one way or another, and in order to be a good citizen, we must constantly look out for those in need. My dad used to always tell me to "look out for the little guy." Not only do I try to look out for the little guy, I also try to make the little guy my friend.
Another, often overlooked way to be a good citizen is to develop a community, whether that be in your dorm, your street, within Fiji or within the classroom. We cannot do everything by ourselves, and once we learn the true strength of a group and all that it can accomplish, we can value the meaning of community and citizenship.
Lastly, and likely more obviously, in order to demonstrate good citizenship, we must volunteer. Everyone likes the idea of volunteering, but I think I speak for many other people when I say that I do not volunteer enough. There are so many ways to volunteer - tutoring young children or peers, cleaning up a local park, and so forth - that we are all capable of implementing our skills and interests into benefiting the greater good of the community. Personally, I love coaching soccer as well as tutoring, so I volunteer at youth soccer camps as an assistant coach/trainer and I also make many efforts to tutor my peers in classes that I have taken or am currently taking. However, I do not volunteer nearly as much as I should or would like to, so this is something I will improve in order to be a better citizen.
Holistically speaking, good citizenship promotes the greater good. It is realizing that there is a world beyond our own day-to-day activities, and that once we recognize this world we can be a part of it by helping others.
I really liked your idea that another way for a person to be a good citizen is to help develop a community. I think our community is always developing, and if people are conscious of that development and how vital their role is in it, they will be more likely to buy in and be better citizens.
ReplyDeleteI think you touched on a key point that I agree with. A lot that goes into having good citizenship is being a good person. Most of all being sincere or CONGRUENT (text book drop Josh :) ) with your actions is a big part of maintaining quality citizenship
ReplyDeleteI agree with the concept of not being able to do things by yourself, especially in a community. The fact that everything is interconnected and relates to people means that you need to have the support of others to help you.
ReplyDelete@ Jon- so glad you're reading the book! :P
ReplyDeleteAlex, I think highlighting the little things we can do for service is great. Just this morning, I went to let Elph outside and my neighbors van was stuck in the ice. I'm quite proud that I went over and offered to help him get it down his driveway. :)
I agree with you and Tim. Developing a community is very important and people being aware of their roles within the community will help to create better citizens. I like this idea of developing your community. I have never looked at it that way.
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