WHO IS CREATING THE MESS?

     

When I go for work every day, a particular route that I take, has a traffic bottleneck. A half-an-hour drive takes more than one hour. This is because drivers don’t adhere to lane discipline. They don’t have the patience to wait. They form multiple lanes, and it leads to increased congestion.

 This blocks the vehicles coming on the opposite side. None of us can move forward and remain in the same place for a long time, blaming each other. They keep honking and creating noise pollution.

I keep wondering whether it is so tough to adhere to lane discipline. They just have to form a single lane. We create our own problems and suffer. I am sure many of them reach their destination late.  

Recently the drainage in our street was overflowing and the stench was unbearable. The corporation vehicle that came to clear the blockage found a lot of unwanted stuff that was causing the drainage block.

Will you discard cloth and other household waste into the drainage? Who is suffering the consequences? The ones who created it and the neighbours, for no fault of theirs. Do you create trouble for others through your careless attitude? Such mindless behavior!

Keeping our street clean is our responsibility. Some years back we planted many saplings to beautify our street. One of them uprooted a plant in front of their house, and some were not ready to water the plants. Those of us who took care, have trees in front of our houses.

As a school, we planted 1111 saplings in 2012. Today, they have grown into trees and are lining the streets in our neighbourhood. This is a legacy that we leave behind.

We teach students that “Learning, earning & returning” need not be different phases in life, they can be concurrent. We make social contributions every year by raising funds. Children are told that they can contribute to society in many ways, not just materialistically.

Our students and teachers clean the school campus every Friday, house wise. Each house gets a turn every month. This will teach them to keep their streets clean and thereby the country clean.

Seeing the amount of aggression, perversion, cynicism, apathy, violence, indifference, emotional dysregulation and outbursts, in society, we realize the need for a value-based upbringing. It has become vital to sow the right thoughts and train the minds of the growing children, in the right direction.

Sensitizing them to the needs of others, loving and respecting people, no matter how big or small they are in stature, is so important. Failure to do so will result in a huge mess.

We celebrate the “Bouquet of Thanks” every year when children honour the school support staff.

It is our endeavor to set right what is presently ailing society, through a revolutionary education that we are providing, to get the “being” of the child right, apart from preparing them for the future.

A Movement is slowly and steadily growing and one day the results of such an education will grow in geometric proportion and manifest in a beautiful society, where there is camaraderie, morality, mutual respect, peace and harmony.

Join us in building a world where man does not think against man!

#Thoughtfulthursdays #nsn #nsnschool #mentoring #parenting 

HAPPY DIWALI!!!

I have always looked forward to Diwali, as it is a festival that brings joy to me. The joy of gifting something that brings a smile on my face. One month in advance the search for sarees begins. Even if it is for the support staff, I will not be satisfied easily. The designs and colours have to appeal to me. Then it is instantly selected.

There is so much joy in seeing their happiness while receiving their Diwali clothes.

Sweets are distributed and festival bonus is credited to the staff.

Diwali hampers are curated and sent to relatives and friends.

Diwali is seen as a festival of bringing joy in the lives of people.

I look back at my childhood when my guardian angel, who took care of me, used to buy us our Diwali clothes. My childhood was mostly spent at their place.

There used to be so many relatives and friends on the eve of Diwali. Everybody was given their clothes. Crackers were bought at such a huge cost. They brought light into the lives of so many people.

Everybody was very happy on that one day, forgetting their daily challenges. On their own, probably they would not have been able to afford the luxury of good clothes, delicious food and crackers to burst. The kind-hearted souls made it a memorable day for them. All my Diwali was spent in their house.

Diwali meant, togetherness, good food, delicious sweets, merry-making, sharing, enjoying, and most importantly, there was someone spearheading the celebration, who had the heart to give, and bring joy in the lives of their friends and relatives. Somebody who worked so hard to have more than enough, someone who was willing to share. In my life, it was my Godfather.

Probably, this had a huge impact on my outlook in life, coupled with the approach of my husband, who loves to give.

As a child, bursting crackers gave me thrill. But, as an adult, happiness is derived more from making others happy.

I wonder how life changes our perspective, and our status quo in life. To be able to give, and having the heart to give, both are a blessing from above.

Diwali is symbolic of good winning over evil. I think, Diwali after Diwali, my being was getting purified. My focus started shifting from self to selflessness.

Life comes to a point when your need to have is overtaken by your need to give, from being consumed by the desire for self-gratification, to the joy of enriching others’ lives.

What we experience in our childhood, and the people who are around us, have an impact on who we become. We learn from what we see.

Was Diwali just wishing each other, “Happy Diwali!” and posting pics in your new clothes on social media, or did you light up somebody’s life and make it a memorable day, just as how my guardian angel did when I was a child?

#Thoughtfulthursdays #nsn #nsnschool #mentoring #parenting 

UNSHAKEABLE FAITH

A beautiful quality in life I imbibed,

Just watching my mother,

Who personified unshakeable FAITH.

Her unwavering beliefs and prayers,

Were a positive influence on me.

 

Faith opens possibilities,

And assures us that,

Every cloud has a silver lining.

Faith gives us the strength,

To go through the vicissitudes of life.

 

Faith banishes our fear,

Faith instils confidence.

Faith creates miracles,

It is our only savior,

When all hopes are lost.

 

The acrobats leap in faith,

The baby monkey holds on, in faith.

The hands raise in faith,

The eyes close in faith,

One waits endlessly in faith.

 

There is no negotiation in faith,

There is no supposition in faith,

There is no substitute for faith.

All that I know is,

Life validates faith.

 

I am blessed to have faith in life,

I am truly grateful,

For this one quality,

Instilled in me,

That has shaped my life.

 

Faith on something,

Faith in one thing,

Faith in anything,

Faith in everything.

The question is, “Do you have FAITH?”

#Thoughtfulthursdays #nsn #nsnschool #mentoring #parenting
 

THE METAMORPHOSIS

Goodbye I waved to myself,

Entering the Heaven of Freedom.

Long years of self-imprisonment,

Without growth and improvement.

 

Love and bliss fill my heart

Rejoicing in the metamorphosis.

A fresh breath of life I inhale,

Dancing to the new lease of life.

 

Peace and calm I experience,

Bathed profusely in Thy Munificence.

Swaying in delight and ecstasy,

Acknowledging and cherishing His mercy.

 

Faith and Surrender in every cell,

A blessed life I can tell.

Miracles unfold in every step,

Led forward by Divine will.

 

Thoughts so pure inhabit the mind,

Living life beyond the grind.

Darkness and doubt dispelled,

As a heavenly light is beheld.

-      CHITRA PRASAD

#Thoughtfulthursdays #nsn #nsnschool #mentoring #parenting

 

SIMPLE, YET DIFFICULT

 

As I was watching the non-academic performance review meeting presentation of the school for term I, I felt very proud of where we had reached, how far the entire NABET system had percolated in the school, the pride and conviction with which every process owner presented. The ownership that each one took for their process was overwhelming.

When our school first decided to go for NABET accreditation, it was a desire to have a system driven organization. Though the journey ahead was not familiar, it was not intimidating. We didn’t know that so much work would have to be done.

Everyone was new to the system.  Every staff had to be trained, those of us helming the school affairs had to familiarize ourselves and also be proficient in the standards expected.

Continual improvement was our focus. Collective effort helped us in achieving high standards, that today, we are one of the looked up to schools in the city for the quality we bring into our work. We have been benchmarked by many schools.

From a simple, yet, a difficult process, a new culture came into existence.

A simple shift in adhering to a system made all the difference. Some find it difficult to take it up.

The journey will be enjoyable if we focus on what we can become in the process.

Whether it is about not being punctual, or littering in public places, or defacing heritage sites, or substance abuse, is all a matter of attitude. A simple self-discipline is all that is needed. Yet, it seems so difficult for a few to achieve it.

How difficult it is for some to adhere to health-conscious food and make it a way of life. It is just a simple shift from what is tasty to the tongue to what is good for the body.

Hence, the struggle continues for many, to give up in order to go up.

The right attitude that we develop, is the outcome of a decision that we make, to embrace change without any negotiation.

Learning a new language, or a new sport, developing a new skill or learning to swim, or to drive, all of these are simple for some, but difficult for some others.

Everything that is essential in life, when not adopted on time, becomes difficult in later years.

It did take a while, but I worked on one aspect at a time.

A few things that is the outcome of adopting what is right;

# The happiness I am deriving in embracing what is right.

# The peace and harmony that I am experiencing.

# Growing in my own eyes as a result.

Can you share with me one shift that you made, that appeared to be simple, yet difficult to achieve, that became a part of you eventually? I am sure you will agree with me that the above three are your experiences as well.

#Thoughtfulthursdays #nsn #nsnschool #mentoring #parenting 

WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION?

From a little child to an adult, there is a story running in each one’s head. Our fears, our joys, our relationships, our perspectives, are all born from these stories. The experiences we have had in life and the environment in which we grow, create these stories.

A little child refuses to eat, to mingle with others, to share, to go to school, and there is a reason for it in that little head. Though we may not agree with it, the child is convinced about it.

There are also children who are happy, easy going, friendly, active, who happily go to school, have fun in the company of friends, who are easy to handle. 

As a student, what is your definition of a teacher? How do you see your school? What is your relationship with your classmates? How important are studies to you? How attached are you to your parents?

Is it alright to keep the company of those who make you indulge in vices? How do you see the opposite gender? Do you think it is important to have priorities in life? Do you value integrity? Is it fine with you to violate the school culture?

Everything will depend on the definitions you hold.

Even amongst adults there are people who complain all the time, who find it difficult to adjust, who can seldom be happy, who have mood swings, who bully others, in short, they are people who lack emotional balance and maturity.

On the contrary, there also those who are happy, loving, adaptable, friendly, sincere, dependable, and emotionally balanced and mature.

I see a lot of struggle in the world to get the definitions right.

When you experience peace and harmony in your daily life, when you are not disturbed by the immaturity of the world, when you hold the key to your happiness, when there is a flow in your life, then you know that you have got your definitions right. 

Buddham saranam gachhami

Dhamam saranam gachhami

Sangam saranam gachhami

I am blessed with all the three in my life. A spiritual anchor, the wisdom of the Path and I am surrounded by the right-minded fraternity. I think this is the greatest blessing in my life.

From an insecure, love-starved child with heartaches and complexes, to a confident individual, with a heart filled with love and strong self-image, I have travelled very far in life. With a spiritual anchor, life can transform 360 degrees.

You need His grace to be blessed with a Source of Faith. I am sure the universe took mercy on me as it found a child walking with an unsteady gait, directionless, searching for Love. It brought into my life loving and caring people.

It helped me change my definitions in life. There is no more void or emptiness. Life is so fulfilling as it is filled with love, happiness, peace, harmony, and everything life positive.

This is a manifestation of spiritual evolution, that gives you all these experiences. To be able to tell, “Life is beautiful” or to feel on top of the world, one needs a spiritual anchor.

Life drastically changes when your definitions change. In fact, when you become free from definitions, you gravitate towards a gravity free zone where nothing pulls you down. It is a beautiful space to be in.

Change your definitions, and thus, change your life!

”Do not accept anyone’s definition of life. 

DEFINE IT YOURSELF”…   -mahātria

#Thoughtfulthursdays #nsn #nsnschool #mentoring #parenting 
 

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM…

 

Achieving Mind Over Body

(Education is not about marks and grades alone. It is about making a mark in life)

I usually receive wishes on “Teachers ’Day” from some of the alumni. But this year I received a few detailed messages along with the wishes. All of them had written about the impact of the school on their life and how they had an edge over others, and how grateful they were to the school for bringing about a transformation in their life.

They transcended some of their habits, and the qualities they imbibed, have taken them many notches higher than they could have imagined.

One such quality is, punctuality. An alumna of NSN, who is a lawyer by profession, says, she learnt in school that 9.01 am is not 9.00 am. It sounded simple when she first heard it, but it has left a profound impact on her, and continues to guide her in life.

“The power of the man is in the power of his mind

The power of his mind is in the power of his subconscious mind

The power of his subconscious mind is in the power of his subconscious beliefs

The power of his subconscious beliefs is built by making and honoring commitments.” – mahatria

The mind plays a powerful role in our life. The compounding effect of all small habits either leads to our success or failure in life. Coming to school on time is not about clock management. What comes along with this practice is a whole lot of other benefits. It is about achieving mind over body.

Even waking up early in the morning is an ordeal for many. A waking up time is set in the phone, and when it rings, the snooze button is pressed. If we live life out of pain and pleasure, there will be no discipline in our life. Only when the mind is in control of our actions, will we execute the right choices.

Stressing on punctuality is basically to create a powerful mind. In order to be punctual, we will start prioritizing and organizing our daily routine. In the process, we will become very organized and disciplined.

We also have a “Willpower Drive” practice in the school. Every month students are asked to align themselves to a routine, which, if practiced every day, can become a habit.

What we become in the process of achieving a goal is always far greater than the end goal.

Developing a powerful mind helps in making the right choices in life. Adolescence is a phase when the influence of friends is very high. Children tend to get carried away, especially those whose self-image is dented. They will indulge in everything that their friends do.

When the mind is disciplined, falling a prey to anything that is destructive can be avoided.

In NSN, students are given a certificate every month for punctuality and regularity. This motivation will help them to develop the right habits, by developing a powerful mind. And, it will go a long way in fostering the right attitude in life.

We are what we are because of

What has gone into our mind

What we will become will depend on

What continues to go into our mind.

“Thought” is another name for “fate.” -mahatria

#Thoughtfulthursdays #nsn #nsnschool #mentoring #parenting