How can young people contribute to society?

Before answering the question above, you have to ask yourself, ‘What are my strengths? What am I good at?’  

In order to contribute to society, you have to understand your strengths. When you are aware of your strengths, you will develop more self-confidence and self-awareness, as well as a deeper appreciation and value for how each of us is different. The process of identifying and utilising your strengths in everyday life has been linked to an elevated sense of vitality and motivation, increased probability of achieving goals, and a stronger sense of life direction. It has also been linked to higher self-confidence, engagement, and productivity.

According to psychologists, personal strengths are defined as our built-in capacities for particular ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. We all possess distinct character strengths that are associated with the six virtues of positive psychology theory. The six virtues are: wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance and transcendence. Under all six virtues, character strengths are listed and these strengths are evident across human history and world cultures. Each of the 24 strengths exists in all of us to varying degrees. Positive psychology helps us to acknowledge that we may be stronger in some areas and weaker in others, and that is okay. It is what makes us all unique. The point is to identify your pattern of strengths so that you can tap into these to live a more fulfilling life.

1. Wisdom
   1. Creativity
   2. Curiosity
   3. Love of learning
   4. Open-mindedness
   5. Perspective
2. Courage
   1. Authenticity
   2. Bravery
   3. Persistence
   4. Zest
3. Humanity
   1. Kindness
   2. Love
   3. Social intelligence
4. Justice
   1. Fairness
   2. Leadership
   3. Teamwork
5. Temperance
   1. Forgiveness
   2. Modesty/Humility
   3. Prudence
   4. Self-regulation
6. Transcendence
   1. Appreciation of beauty and excellence
   2. Gratitude
   3. Hope
   4. Humor
   5. Religiousness/Spirituality

After discovering your strengths, the next question is: How can you use your strengths for something constructive or benefitting the community?

Read some of the following examples of how young people use their strengths to impact others.  

1. Bridging art and healthcare to facilitate in healing

Art is Aanya’s safe space – an outlet for her emotions during difficult times of her life. In 2020, she started her initiative, Art:Connect, to connect youths with artistic talent to healthcare, providing a creative platform for youths to display their art in healthcare centres. 

Above: Aanya (top left) and fellow volunteers showcase their art. 
The 14-year-old hopes to integrate art in the process of healing while also creating a cheerful environment for patients, residents and staff in healthcare centres and nursing homes. Aanya believes that there is more to be done to make her dream into reality. “I may not be the first one to implement this, but I definitely shouldn’t be the last.”

2. Using creativity to inspire others

Upcycling BTS Meal packaging requires innovation, creativity and perseverance. Singaporean artist Josiah Chua created a pair of BTS meal sneakers with the packaging. Although this sneaker is neither durable nor comfortable enough to be used for walking, Chua has used his creativity to impressively transform what could have been merely regarded as trash.

Screenshots taken from: https://www.instagram.com/josiahchua/

Chua explained his creative process of designing the sneakers; from designing, cleaning the packaging, cutting out the design, to assembling the various parts of the sneaker. This is a remarkable effort and it can also be considered as ‘recycling’ or ‘reusing’! His work has certainly inspired a lot of others to do something creative with items or objects before throwing them away.

3. Being empathetic and kind

When you strive to be kind, you are thinking of what you can do and what resources you have, in order to impact other people positively.

Screenshot taken from: https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/outram-sec-school-student-brings-lost-elderly-man-to-destination-and-even-sends-him

A passer-by was moved to tears upon witnessing how a 15-year-old boy went the extra mile to help a wheelchair-bound elderly man who had gotten lost.The boy, identified as Kean Koe from Outram Secondary School, treated the elderly man so kindly that Stomper Angela thought that Kean was the elderly man’s grandson. The elderly man was supposed to go to the community club to register and book a date for his Covid-19 vaccination but had earlier alighted at the wrong bus stop. Kean waited patiently with the uncle to have his appointment booked and even went the extra mile to send him home.

There are opportunities for you to be kind wherever you are, as long as you are willing to.

Here are some ideas if you need to get started: https://www.bestyoubestme.org/inspiration/100-ways-to-be-kind/

What are your character strengths?

How can you use your strengths to impact others?

Sources:

1. https://positivepsychology.com/what-are-your-strengths/
2. https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/bts-meal-packaging-creations-upcycle-art-painting-shoes-bag-mcdonalds-army-fans-recycle-merch-2021
3. https://www.instagram.com/p/CQf6E3PnAYR/
4. https://cityofgood.sg/articles/singapore-youth-do-good/