Charity

This time of year it’s very easy to get caught up in yourself, despite the original idea of the Holidays being a time of giving and thanks. The commercialism and general greediness has caused the real message to be lost.

            Everyone wants “things”, but sometimes the most important things aren’t things at all. Sometimes they’re people, memories, or just a feeling. It’s important that we recognize this, and one of the best ways to do so is by being  charitable. Whether it’s helping with a local soup kitchen, babysitting for free, donating old clothes or toys, or actually giving change to the scary looking Santa outside that store.  I guarantee you’ll be left with a much better feeling then if you’d spent that change on something you wanted, or used the time spent volunteering to write a list of all the things you want. 

• Pay it Forward!

Help those in need this Holiday season.

• -Gently used books and toys
• 
  
•  -Clothing/Blankets (esp. children’s winterclothing)
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•  - Canned food (Please check expiration date)
• Donation box in corner of 
• Tonasket High School Commons, 
• please donate by December 12th

•                        Any questions? Please contact:
• Anita Asmussen  -(509)486-2161
• Or Melody Wolen -(509)846-6612

Here Again

There’s something so magical about the first snowfall. Somehow it always transports you back to that awestruck feeling you had when you were young. It makes sense though if you think about it. Snow covers everything, masks all the flaws, makes everything sparkle. If it’s perfect looking on the outside then what’s underneath must be the same, right? Like I said it makes sense, we’re always drawn to flawlessness, or at least flawless-seeming things. It’s most likely a facade, but it’s easy just to pretend it’s real.

     Just because something you say is meaningless to you, doesn’t mean it’s meaningless to who you say it to. You can say what you want about words never hurting you, but the truth is they can. They can and they will. You can never know what someone else may be going through and how the things you do or say to them may effect them. 

We’ve all reached the age now where our actions are our own responsibility, not our parents or our teachers. No one else is to blame for our faults. If we all just thing before we speak, the world would be a lot more positive place. There’s no point at all in unnecessary rudeness or meanness, there’s a lot to be said for just being kind. In the long run, not only will you make others feel better, but you’ll feel a lot better about yourself.  Even if it’s just telling someone they look nice, or helping someone pick up their books, or asking someone if they’re okay when they look upset, instead of just walking right past them. Just take the time to be kind. 

To judge or not to judge...

For most people judging is a reflexive motion, something performed without any conscience regard, as simply and as quickly as breathing. But is it really fair? The easiest path is to just write someone off as a stereotype, but unless you have known that person forever, your snap judgement is usually far from reality. 

You don’t really know what anyone’s life is like except for your own, so labeling someone based on what little facts you may have is not only a misconception, but potentially hurtful as well. Anyone who has ever gone to a public high school could, I’m sure, come up with multiple examples of this occurring, it’s extremely typical. Really, I mean thinking someone is stuck-up is far easier than actually getting to know that person and realizing that they aren’t, that they are actually shy. I mean honestly who has time for an in-depth analyzation of someone’s character? It’s far more simple to write someone off without even considering their circumstances. 

By all means choose that path, but to do so will result in some serious consequences. You will never meet new people, and if you do you’ll instantly disapprove of them. Whether it’s because they don’t take the time to say hello, they aren’t out-going enough, or merely because of the clothes they are wearing. 

You never know what someone’s life is actually like, what they do, or don’t go home to every day. Unless you have walked in that person’s shoes, you have no right to determine anything about their character. 

Back To School

As we grow older the meaning of these three words evolves. No longer is school associated with nap times and recess, instead there are tests, lectures, and homework. 

For some of us August 31^st will be our first time walking through the front doors as high school students. That’s right freshmen, I mean you. And don’t worry half the things you’ve heard aren’t true, and not all the seniors are scary. Then there’s the sophomores, who still have a lot to learn, but will never admit it. And we can’t forget juniors, who will at some point come to the realization that high school does actually have an end. Finally, seniors the official year of lasts has begun. Last first day, last sports seasons, last math class (darn!). 

Truth is despite our different ages, ethnicities, and beliefs; we’re all in this together. These may not be the best days of our lives, but we’ll all be a lot more knowledgeable when we one day throw our caps in the air. That’s right, despite our best efforts, we may actually learn something. Whether it’s how to identify different organisms, how to use Pythagorean’s theorem, how to spike volleyball, or even just how to make friends, none of us will be the same person when we leave, as we were when we started. Change is inevitable.