Reflections Sunday the 15th September 2024

Action Items:

• GSA Retreat from November 13th to November 16th at Khan Farm near Dehradun.
• Students to submit reflections to Manisha at mk@learningforward.org.in.
• Students to consider creating a school newsletter incorporating Joy of Learning content.
• Interns/ students may come forward and volunteer for The Teacher's Academy and Retreat in November.

The Guru Nanak Docuseries-

1. What is your opinion/experience about the significance of places shown in today's episode?
2. Draft a thank you letter/ message for Mr. Amardeep Singh.
3. What is the purpose of the prayer wheel?
4. Oneness in diversity- Comment.
5. Self-reflection and inner peace are more important than worldly treasures- Comment
6. Write a reflection on your belief in fate, destiny, or karma. Connect it with the people shown in today's episode.

The Hidden Life Of Trees -

1. Did the story connect with you today, and why?
2. Find out about-
    a. Fagus grandifolia
    b. Alps
    c. conquistadors
    d. Achilles' heels
5. Compare and contrast nature's blossoming with humans who try to stop it from spreading for their needs of housing and agriculture.

Students may create a school newsletter incorporating Joy of Learning content.

These are some suggestions. We're looking forward to your excellent and thoughtful reflections, which you can email to mk@learningforward.org.in.

Check out the Retreat 2023 Album

https://photos.retreat.2023

Leader - Arfa Khan

The leader should be chosen by their intellect, not by their looks- The partridge was the smallest in size yet it was chosen as the leader.

Self-realization and Respect- The animals realized that considering themselves superior is not going to work out and decided that there should be an authoritarian figure whom they will be willing to respect. 

Mutual agreement is necessary- The animals made a collective decision to choose the leader based on who the oldest was. Mutual agreement promotes harmony, fairness, and cooperation in various aspects of life.

Importance of leadership- Leadership provides guidance, vision, and direction to individuals and maintains order. Without it, there is a possibility of mishap. A true leader will work with the people to inspire and motivate them to achieve their full potential.

Arfa Khan

Grade 9

Ahlcon Public School

Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Student's Success- Aditya raj

 Emotional Intelligence In Student Success

I am writing to share my reflections on the pivotal role of emotional intelligence (EI) in fostering student success within educational settings. As educators, administrators, and stakeholders invest in the holistic development of young minds, it's imperative that we recognize and prioritize the cultivation of EI alongside academic achievement.

Emotional intelligence encompasses a spectrum of abilities crucial for navigating the complexities of human interaction and self-awareness. From self-regulation to empathy and social skills, these facets of EI are not only integral to personal growth but also profoundly impact academic performance, behaviour, and overall well-being.

Aditya raj

Grade- IX 

Sunbeam School, Lahartara

Tribute to Parents- Shambhavi Nautiyal

How can you give tribute to your parents?

I tell my mother that I love her at least eight times a day and try to act as infantile as I try not to hurt her feelings and, in its truest sense, make her feel happy. Ever since my infancy, the dynamic has been like that, and I can never ignore how her face brightens. That’s maybe the reason I am not able to implement my emotional maturity with her because I still feel like I’m five and, so I’m not able to act my actual age until we have some ‘grown-up talk’ because I don’t feel like a thing has changed between me and her and, I hope that she can constructively share her experiences in the future so that I can view her as a rational adult willing enough to understand me and forgive me in the best way that she can.

To pay tribute to your parents, you can write letters of admiration for them, maybe like a ‘Thank You Letter’.  I'm going to be doing this for this 'Mother’s Day'.  It is on occasions like this when I feel like I can be inherently open about my feelings without the fear of getting roasted or hit by the reality of the nature of my conduct towards my mother. I don't feel shy about speaking sweetly to my parents, and I feel like that as that’s how I have been wired by the media I consume.

I am pretty bad at the respect part, I believe, because my parents keep telling me that and this is probably the first time I am mentioning my ‘darker side’ or mistakes in one of these blogs. What I have focused till now is more on the flaws of my parent’s parenting skills, and I have also recently discovered that I have had the ‘perfectionist syndrome’ in some way because I used to think of things as black and white, so I couldn’t bring myself to love and forgive both mine and others’ mistakes.

So now I just want to say to my parents, “I am so proud to be your daughter, both of you, equally and  I think I realise your true value and role in my life journey and mindset” because I don’t know when or if I would ever be able to say this to their face, because you know it’s easier with friends because they only show their best side to you but with family, it’s different. You know each other inside-out and if you’re able to love each other unconditionally despite that, then you are gold and the luckiest person on earth with one of the best subconscious minds and emotional patterns.

There is conflict in families only when, one of the members isn’t able to accept, forgive and love the other member’s mistakes and starts shaming them for being an irresponsible human, which sometimes may also be unfeasible which is why you should always do the inner work and healing so that you don’t create an unhealthy environment for others.

According to me, if the toxic member happens to be you, then question yourself, if their mistake is something changeable. If yes, immediately call out your toxic behaviour and remind yourself that it’s okay to be human and commit mistakes. Never make someone hate themselves to the degree that they can’t ignore it anymore. Also, if you want to get tribute then you need to make yourself worthy of it first, whether child or parent, don’t make your behaviours nullify all the formal work that you do, especially, to the point, that your child or parent, isn’t able to remember all your good efforts.

First, learn to love yourself and then propagate it to others because it all starts from the self if you ever want to become a parent, keep questioning yourself- Would you want your child to go through something you're going through at the moment? And to the person who observes this kind of ‘behaviour’, first, acknowledge what’s happening to you and then slowly start empathizing with the other member, be the bigger person and forgive them. Kill them with kindness and it shall all come back to you. Just try maintaining that abundance mindset and pay your tribute.

Shambhavi Nautiyal

Ahlcon Public School

Grade- IX

Small Acts of Service - Divyanshu Agarwal

image courtesy -https://www.nusocia.com, used by Divyanshu Agarwal only

Small Acts of Service Help Change Lives

The small act of kindness reforms the lives of others who are not that capable of handling their daily needs. We are very much thankful to God that our parents are capable enough to provide us a happy life. Small acts of service can put a smile on the faces of underprivileged people. 

Acts of kindness make the earth a better place to live. We can donate money to charity. We can have scholarship schemes for children. We can donate our old books to the government schools Which don't have a good schooling facility. donate blood, so that those who don't have money can healthily live their lives. 

We should not discriminate or judge anyone based on their money or education status. Always try to bring a smile to the faces of others. Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness is a way to honour those needy individuals.

 

"There is no higher religion than human service to work for the common good is the greatest creed."      - Woodrow Wilson

 

Divyanshu Agarwal (XD)

Sunbeam Schools And Hostel Laharatra 

Pamela Atkinson - Mridul Maheshwari

image courtesy - https://www.deseret.com, used by Mridul Maheshwari for representation only

Pamela Atkinson

Today we saw a video about Pamela Atkinson related to her social work - serving others or helping the poor. Pamela believes that 'even small acts of service help change lives. Small things make a difference". 

Over the years, working with the poor, Pamela has learned that service doesn't always need to be huge, it can even be small.

Pamela said, "We should look for opportunities to make a difference in other people's lives-which in turn, make a difference in our own."

  -Mridul Maheshwari (IX)

                                                      Sunbeam School Lahartara

The True Success - Tenzin Nyesel

For me, Success means achieving a goal that you have set in your life. Even if it is just getting better marks in any subject.

Success is a feeling when you are well satisfied with what you have or got. Achieving success does not always mean becoming a topper in class or becoming a rich person. 

Sometimes it's just us who feel we have done better work that we couldn't do or attempt before.

Tenzin Nyesel
Class 10th,

Pestalozzi Children's Village Society

The Joy of Giving - Ahad Hashmi

The Joy of Giving is an enriching experience. It is a profound connection to our inherent generosity and empathy. When we give freely, whether it be our time, resources, or simply our presence, we ignite a spark of warmth and fulfilment within ourselves and others. 

The act of giving opens our hearts and purpose as we contribute to the well-being of those around us. In giving, we discover the truth that true abundance lies not in what we possess, but in what we are willing to share with others.

Ahad Hashmi
Sunbeam School, Varuna

Accomplishing the goals is not a success- Vaibhav Jaiswal

"It's amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credits."

Accomplishing the goals is not a success. Success means, you know the hard work you have done and the behaviour you show to the people, the respect which you give to the society. You're never overconfident in yourself. 

I have researched what is success; Success is not when you accomplish your dreams, success is when people respect you and you and your perspective in society. Only then, you become a successful person this is what I think after seeing the world.

Vaibhav Jaiswal 
Grade 9
Sunbeam School, Lahartara

Books are our Best friends - Animesh Kashyap

Books are our best friends, there is a saying. Books give us an enormous amount of knowledge. We go to school and learn a lot of new stuff. We are taught a lot of things and we are told some things. But to completely understand all concepts in the subjects, we need to read and consult the books.

The people who tell, teach or advise us are not always there with us but the books are always with us. We can refer to them and clarify our doubts or remind ourselves of some points we have forgotten or learn a point which we have not looked into so far.

Books may be costly to buy. But good books are worth more than the money. In some cases, friends don't come to help us, but books never cheat us. They always help us whenever we fall into trouble. Books play an important role in our lives because they make us knowledgeable, and intelligent, and help us to become mature and smart people.

Animesh Kashyap
Class-VIII
Sunbeam School & Hostel Lahartara

Being Grateful - Tenzin Nyingsel

If you talk about being grateful, there will be a whole book written about it and still, the list will not be finished. Being grateful for any small things shows our values and importance towards it. It can be felt or expressed by any person to a person or any animal to a person. Sometimes it happens that we are not able to show our gratitude towards one thing that means a lot to us. Still, it always remains in our hearts that we will always try to fulfil it. Whether by our affection towards it or by proving our hard work for it. Let me take an example of a situation that happened a few days back.

It was 8 in the morning when I was dressed in my school uniform, standing in the school assembly hall with the history book in my hand. It was the exam day and just a few minutes were left for the exam to begin. It was cold in the morning due to which the roof above my head was covered with dew. Suddenly a drop fell on the book. To my surprise, it fell exactly on the topic that said, 'JUDICIAL REVIEW'.

For me, I really believe in fate, destiny and luck. At that moment, I felt it might be a sign for me. So I revised it very well. It was not long before the bell rang for the exam. After some minutes, the question papers were laid on my desk. I checked the paper slowly, turning the pages. In the middle of the crowd of questions, I saw a familiar question that asked about the 'judicial review'. For that very moment, I felt really grateful towards that one drop of water that fell. Since that question carried four marks, I wrote the answer in a very happy mood.

That is why, being grateful can be felt at any particular time and for any particular thing because sometimes it is not always a 'person' towards which we feel grateful. 

In the end, I would conclude by saying that ' I am grateful for everything I have. The highs. The lows. The blessings. The lessons. The setbacks. The comebacks. The love. The hate. Everything.' 

Tenzin Nyingsel
Class 10
Pestalozzi Children's Village Society

Creating Opportunity For Yourself - Divyanshu Agrawal

The best way to create opportunities for yourself is to keep learning. Always be in the learning stage. Learning does not require any age or background. You have to create opportunities and set goals for yourself. 

You should pay attention when something is happening or when someone is teaching. You should be disciplined in your work and come out of your comfort zone. 

Always be in the habit of reading and be an ardent reader. Do not be afraid to make mistakes. 

"Failure is only the opportunity more intelligently to begin again". - Henry Ford

Divyansu Agrawal 
Grade- 9
Sunbeam School Lahartara

Do it for yourself - Rishona Chopra

PC. VectorStock

Often, we find ourselves doing things to please someone else. To get appreciation. We all are like that, even I. It makes me feel happy when one appreciates me. But there is one more thing to the appreciation - the pressure. 

When one appreciates you, you feel burdened to always do well, be an achiever and keep striving but when you fall in that cycle, you lose the joy of doing the task in the very first place. You now don't do it for self-pleasure but to please someone else.

When we do that, the task eventually becomes a burden and all happiness is replaced by fear and nervousness. Whatever we do, we should be doing it just for ourselves. Not for seeking prestige and glory. 

Why are we here in this world? What is our purpose? To do our part in the world and be kind. That is our purpose. And the key to fulfilling that purpose is to be happy and content with ourselves. To do all our tasks for mere joy and happiness.

I write because it gives me joy. I read because it takes me to another world. I play the piano because it makes my heart soar with happiness. If I did all these things for someone else then it wouldn't give me the same joy that it gave me before.

There are two meanings that come out when we say “ Do it for yourself”. One is that we do something because it gives us happiness. Because we love that task. The second is to help out someone else yet enjoy the task and not lose the joy in doing it.

Helping out someone is fantastic but everything we must do must be done with passion and happiness. If no joy, the beauty of the work itself disappears.

When you eat the food at a restaurant and when you eat something homemade, there is a humongous difference! The food at home is made with love and you can feel that while eating the food.  The joy and passion in work are shown similarly no matter how it may look or be.

When we say "Joy of learning" the keyword isn't "Learning", it is "Joy". We learn for our own joy and happiness. 

As said, live your life for you, not for anyone else.

Rishona Chopra

Grade VII

Gyanshree School

Learning Forward with Naga

                                              

                                                       Learning Forward with Naga

A very Happy Birthday to My Good School; it is a joyous occasion as My Good School completes 2 years today. It has been a fabulous journey with stories to listen to, tales to tell and lessons to learn. All of us here are different, but My Good School has brought us closer, erasing the differences. To commemorate this day and cherish it forever, here is the first episode of Season 13, Back to Bharat: In Search of a Sustainable Future. As you celebrate today, listen to Learning Forward with Naga.

Learning Forward with Naga Season 13 Episode 1. Nagaraja (Naga) Prakasam is a versatile and passionate leader with around three decades of global experience. He enjoys growing startups nationwide and being a lead angel investor; he has led 16 deals, invested in 25 startups, served 12 boards, and seen six exits and two write-offs. He also authorizes Back To Bharat – In Search of a Sustainable Future. He spearheaded Impact thinking in the Indian Angel Network and co-founded IAN Impact. His mantra is "Startups should focus on India's strength – People, Problems, Tech (PPT)."

Back to Bharat: In Search of a Sustainable Future is a book that addresses the present economic dilemma for Indian entrepreneurs and consumers, looking at the past and current situation of India and the developed world to find a way forward. Back to Bharat is an inspiring reminder that change is possible - and this is a moment to be a part of the change, for it will take all of us with it.

Comment below and let us know if you like our podcast. If you want to be a part of similar podcasts, join us. We hope to meet you again soon!

Enjoy our shows on www.DilJeeto.com.

You will love the stories our students, teachers, and passionate educators share.

Please find out more about My Good School at www.SchoolEducation.com

Listen to the most recent episode of my podcast: Learning Forward with Naga https://anchor.fm/learningforward/episodes/Learning-Forward-with-Naga-e292mev

Today, to celebrate the birthday of My Good School, all of us at this beautiful place could do the least by writing a reflection, which will testify to our joy of learning and a small token of love and appreciation. 

My First 'Venture' to 'My Good School'...- Unnati Dabral

Did I call it a 'venture'?

Indeed yes.

You might be thinking, "Why I wrote venture instead of putting 'visit'?" Of course, to make my readers wonder why? And to make them curious.

I was a creative and rough-tough kid since I first started schooling. But that doesn't mean I was confident back then. When it comes to vivas, although my 'Know it All' attitude used to kick in, I used to get nervous. I still do.

So, the first fellow to join 'My Good School' happened to be my friend, Geetankshi. She told me about this opportunity at 'The English Book Depot'. She told me to write about 'What it takes to spread the joy of learning at schools?', mail it, and then wait for the reply. At first, I procrastinated on the task for a few days. My friend told me to visit the place and meet the founder. I thought it was a good idea. I wrote a mail to the head body before leaving for the visit.

The moment I reached there, I fell in love with the place.

I pondered, "What a wonder it would be to work in such a peaceful and calming environment!"

I went straight ahead towards our founder to greet him. With the intention of an intellectual chit-chat as I go. Alas! I end up giving an interview for the post. I was in bewilderment. Sandeep Sir asked me about learning; how do children learn?; what is the joy of learning; what can we do to spread it in our schools?

Amidst answering a few of them, I went blank for a few minutes. Firstly, I had no clue that I would be at the trigger point for the interview. Geetankshi told me otherwise. Secondly, It was an interview. Jeez, my heart was palpating. I was feeling so nervous. One could have seen my arm-hair twitch. 

The interview was over. I felt the sluggishness under my skin. Sir told me about 'My Good School', its vision, Learning Forward India, etc. And soon after, I found my heartbeats slowing down and healing. It was Sandeep Sir, and what he said at the end, "So, this is what we do. Now you are a Fellow at My Good School. Welcome. अब तो मुझसे डर नहीं लग रहा, ना?"

I called the visit 'A Venture'. 

And what a venture it was!

Have you ever 'Bungee Jumped'?

The nervousness and the feeling of hollowness in your stomach you get before jumping off the cliff is what I felt during the interview. And the power you have felt in your gut after accomplishing the task, that same power I felt after his words. And thus, I felt at home at that moment. The acceptance I got as an individual on my own was so pure. I was so happy, felt so content and thankful to god. The feeling was unforgettable.

I have always thought of being a part of such a generous vision. And getting an opportunity to work for 'Joy Of Learning' at 'My Good School' with such a fabulous team is the most 'beatific feeling' I had in so long.

I feel I am in the right place. 

Thank you so much, Sir. 🙏

~Unnati Dabral 🌻

(Fellow at My Good School)

When I see a glass half full... - Rishona Chopra

When I see a glass half full, at first, I think the glass is half empty. Instead of looking at the positive side, I look at the negative side by saying that the glass is half empty. It's very catchy, isn't it? Always look at the negative side of every situation.  

Little things in life make a difference. When I see a glass half full, I always try to change my thoughts by thinking that the glass is half full, not half empty. Little exercises prepare you for big ones. Slowly by slowing when we learn to control our negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones, we attain mindfulness. Whenever you think of something negative, try to change it to the opposite. Slowly you will get used to it, and the positive side of every situation will be pretty straightforward. 

The most important part of this glass is that it is refillable, whether half full or empty.

Rishona Chopra 
Grade VI
Gyanshree School

A Letter To The President Of India - Yashraj Sharma

Yashraj Sharma

My Good School

www.GoodSchools.in

November 1, 2022

To

Her Excellency Droupadi Murmu
The President Of India
Rashtrapati Bhavan
New Delhi - 110 004

@rashtrapatibhvn via Twitter

Dear Madam President

Subject: To spread the joy of learning throughout Indian classrooms

This is regarding the importance of inculcating the joy of learning in today’s generation. Kids spend nearly seven and a half hours in school every day for almost 10 months a year. In this way, they spend more time in school than at home, and school learning profoundly impacts kids.

It will be beneficial to teach joyfully as it also promotes the release of hormones like serotonin and dopamine that regulate happiness levels in humans. In addition to reducing stress, joy keeps kids motivated to learn and enjoy different activities.

As an intern at ‘My Good School’, I realised that my reading, writing and interactive skills have significantly improved. We learn many new things weekly during The Sunday School, which runs from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.

In my opinion, each child should have access to the joy of learning new things and exploring themselves because learning joyfully and happily is an everlasting process. 

I would like to conclude my letter with a famous quote by Marva Collins, “When someone is taught the joy of learning, it becomes a lifelong process that creates a logical individual. That is the challenge and joy of teaching”.

Yours sincerely,

Yashraj Sharma
Student at Gyanshree School, Noida

Letter to The President of India - Anvesha Rana

Anvesha Rana

My Good School
www.GoodSchools.in

Date: 6.11.22

To

Her Excellency Droupadi Murmu
President of India
Rashtrapati Bhavan
New Delhi - 110 004

@rashtrapatibhvn

Subject: Finding the Joy of Learning and spreading it throughout the nation. 

Dear Madam 

India, once known as 'Sone ki Chidiya', is a unique subcontinent in its prominent stature and dominant presence in Asia. We, citizens of India, proudly claim our nationality worldwide with roots dating back to value systems and life skills. But India then and India now are two poles apart. 

Our forefathers taught us to respect our culture and believe in the power of education; our gurus did not make us puppets memorising information but instead emphasised the practicality of life. Today, we, as inhabitants of modern India, have strayed away from the path of life skills and values to blindly follow Western Civilisation. 

The West has transformed our minds to be just like them, they want India to be a fast-producing machine for jobs that the West needs, but amidst all this, we lose our diversity, culture and essential essence of being Indian. We need to retrieve what we have lost, our education. 

The Indian education system was developed more in ideology than in physiology. Still, the design of the West has inequality and inadequacy and is unsuitable for India, yet we follow the same system daily. Making each individual experience the 'Joy of Learning' should be an educator's motto. 

A classroom is like a garden blooming with flowers. Flowers that are of all different shapes and sizes, colours and fragrances. Each student would be treated like a flower, nurtured with care, watered with love and planted with firmness. The garden oozes with so much learning, education, laughter and love. 

Yours Obediently,

Anvesha Rana,

Student of My Good School and Gyanshree School, Noida

To smile every day - Rishona Chopra

I feel happy today,
An aim to smile every day.
It's a unique ray of hope,
That gives me a new scope.
To do something good,
I misunderstood,
The word happiness.
I thought there was a reason for this smile.
But all this while.
I was wrong to think,
That happiness could shrink.
It was something even more special,
That came from within and was sentimental.
I couldn't possibly want something more,
 But to be happier than before.


Rishona Chopra
Grade VI
Gyanshree School

Happy Teachers’ Day - Arav Agarwal

Dear Teachers thank you for all the things you do,

Overcoming challenges and making our dreams come true!

You give us the support we need, 

And with a smile do whatever we plead!

Because of you we experience the real joy of learning,

 We become a better person under your mentoring!

You are the best teachers,

Who work tirelessly to make our future!

Thank you Dear Teachers!

Name: Arav Agarwal

Grade: 6A

Billabong High International School, Thane