Reflections for the week - Sunday 11th August 2024

The conversation revolved around the interpretation of dreams, the consequences of unjust leadership, and the importance of addressing environmental issues and teen mental health. 

Speakers shared their insights on the meaning of various animals in dreams, the moral decay and lack of unity in society, and the impact of social media on teenagers. They emphasized the need for just and capable leadership, individual and collective responsibility, and building connections and support systems to manage stress and promote mental well-being.

Please feel free to share thoughts on any subject that came to your mind in the Sunday School session or at any other point of time. It may be something that is bothering you or it may be something you have read about or done some research on or something that fascinates you.

• What lessons can we take away from the story from Jataka Tales (The Great Dreams) today? 
• What do our dreams signify?
• Which part of the night do we dream in?
• What signs of Climate Change do I see around me?
• Who has responsibility for controlling Climate Change?
• What can I do to control Climate Change?
• Is morality on the decline today?
• How to deal with school stress?
• How to deal with stress that comes from social media?
• Is it easy to talk to adults? How to talk to adults?
• Zai Whitaker, who was she, share her work, life and books.
• Dr Salim Al i- The Birdman of India

 Send your reflections to Manisha Ma’am at MK@LearningForward.org.in

For support and joining the Blogging Team, send your request to LF@EBD.IN, kindlyn share your preferred email ID, School and Class.

Dreams are the threads that weave our deepest desires with our waking reality - Tamreen

"Dreams are the threads that weave our deepest desires with our waking reality, revealing connections we never knew existed."

Dreams often serve as a bridge between our subconscious mind and our conscious experiences. They weave together fragments of our deepest desires, fears, and unresolved emotions, presenting them in a tapestry that can reveal insights we might not otherwise see. 

When we dream, we tap into a realm where our minds are free to explore connections and possibilities beyond the constraints of our daily lives. These dreams can reflect our inner aspirations and unresolved conflicts and offer guidance or inspiration. 

Examining and reflecting on our dreams can uncover patterns and insights that connect our inner world with our external reality. This helps us better understand ourselves and align our actions with our true desires. In this way, dreams act as a map that shows how our inner thoughts and emotions are intricately connected to the choices and experiences in our waking lives. 

Dreams often serve as a bridge between our subconscious mind and our conscious experiences. They weave together fragments of our deepest desires, fears, and unresolved emotions, presenting them in a tapestry that can reveal insights we might not otherwise see. 

When we dream, we tap into a realm where our minds are free to explore connections and possibilities beyond the constraints of our daily lives. These dreams can reflect our inner aspirations and unresolved conflicts and offer guidance or inspiration. Examining and reflecting on our dreams can uncover patterns and insights that connect our inner world with our external reality, helping us better understand ourselves and align our actions with our true desires. In this way, dreams act as a map that shows how our inner thoughts and emotions are intricately connected to the choices and experiences in our waking lives.

Tamreen

Grade -9

Doon Girls School

The Great Dreams - Doon Girls' School

Do Dreams Show Our Future?

Dreams are the whispers of our future, gently guiding us towards the possibilities yet to unfold.
I have been pondering this quote since the start of my adolescence. The reason I am thinking about it may be late, as my dreams in childhood were just fantasies. An Island with a big castle made of rocks, above the clouds, an orchard full of roses, wearing a ball gown. - Gaurangi 9th

It reflects on the significance of dreams, suggesting that they are more than just experiences during sleep. The text emphasizes that dreams are moments of life that help us understand ourselves better. It also touches on the idea of travelling through time, both technologically and philosophically, indicating that dreams can inspire and shape our reality. - Ibadat 6th

The chapter discusses a theme from the Jataka tales, specifically mentioning King Pasenadi and his dreams. This chapter explains that these dreams symbolize future moral and social decline, but the Buddha reassures the king that these events will not occur in his lifetime. It also includes motivational reflections, emphasizing the importance of believing in the beauty of dreams and the power within oneself to make dreams a reality. - Aadya 6th

It explores the idea that dreams are thoughts held within our subconscious mind, likening them to movies with a twist. The chapter suggests that decoding dreams is like interpreting encrypted messages sent from our brain, posing questions about what our subconscious mind wants us to know and what we can learn from our dreams about our emotions and ourselves. - Sanskriti 6th

A selection of writings from the My Good School cohort at Doon Girls' School (DGS) in Dehradun.

Never Stop Dreaming - Shambhavi Nautiyal

One should never stop dreaming because if you stop dreaming, you lose vision of your future and your life purpose. So, instead of waiting for some fairy to show up and tell us where to find our passion, we should create it ourselves. This means we should take on hobbies, find what resonates best with us, and make it our life purpose. 

We should keep doing it until we become the best at it and then find something new, which would probably be around the corner because the universe renders us the energy we send out. 

If we have a productive mindset and want to keep working to keep ourselves alive; it is the purpose the universe will fulfil because the universe is constantly hearing our thoughts. 

So, if we tell the universe we want to evolve and become a straight-A student, it is the kind of path the universe will weave for us. And, this is the basic manifestation that we do daily, sending out messages to the universe through our mind and receiving replies with the same level of energy in the form of our life events. 

That's why, we should surround ourselves with the best kind of people, content and music to have positive thoughts. I am currently healing from this, I have renounced friends, I used to meet daily, who didn’t match my vibration, but now, I need to stop bonding with the foundation of trauma and sadness. I want to stop relating to people based on sadness and make it the foundation of my relationship with them. 

So, maybe, now I will not make any such friends when I am depressed, and if I do, then, I shall try my best to avoid them, otherwise. If I have friendships like that, then, whenever I hang out with them, I will feel depressed because that may turn out to be their inherent disposition, or we might never be able to interact about the good things in our lives because we would be so occupied with trying to cook up a conversation based on our melancholia. 

This attracts a kind of reality even further in my life, feeds that scarcity mindset, and brings down even my positive vibration. However, I have also had many nice friends made on this basis, those who understand me, empathise with me and don’t judge. But I have also had negative experiences where the negative would just linger and not go away. It boils down to enforcing your boundaries. I can go around, sharing my grief, but then it makes me dependent on external validation. 

Shambhavi Nautiyal

Class 10

Ahlcon Public School

My Takeaway from the session with Amardeep Singh at Sunday School - Arfa Khan

Photo from Lost Heritage Productions website

We had a lovely meet and greet with Mr Amardeep Singh in the session on December 24. It was very informative, and we learned a lot from him. Following are my takeaways:

• Listen to articulate; listening first lets you organise your thoughts and speak fluently.
• If your dreams will be easy, walk away from them. Dreams are meant to have challenges, and we must endeavour to achieve them.
• Prepare yourself before chasing your dream; take the first step, and the energy will automatically shape the next ten.
• Ensure you are so good at your work that you’re too hard to ignore.
• Don’t follow your passion; create it.
• Don’t chase recognition; if you pursue recognition, you exercise self-gratification. If your work is good, recognition will automatically follow.
• There’s no true friendship other than you and yourself; you will accompany yourself through your most challenging times.

It was an extraordinary session with so much to take back. Thank you, Sir, for giving us your time!

Arfa Khan 8-A

Ahlcon Public school

Reflections for today's meeting - Tenzin Chonzom

Sunday School 24th December 2024

We watched a video of an American woman who is 92 years old and an advocator of social justice, an incredible woman who encouraged me and taught me that it's never too late to start something.

•⁠  ⁠Having an extraordinary meeting with Amardeep sir was the most significant opportunity I had; with the help of his advice, a lot of things struct my mind

The following are:

 1.⁠ ⁠Not to follow a passion; create your passion.

 2.⁠ ⁠Never chase recognition (you'll not achieve anything). Create your content.

 3.⁠ ⁠Keep trying many things because we don't know the emergence.

 4.⁠ ⁠Everything in life is a means to an end, and there will be a chance to excel.

 5.⁠ ⁠Religion is a subset of legacy.

 6.⁠ ⁠Dreams are supposed to be filled with challenges and obstacles.

 7.⁠ ⁠Learning is feet for every individual.

Amardeep sir, In his documentary, The Tapestry of Guru Nanak:

I highly appreciate his hard work of 30 years and self-discovery. His interest in going to every risky area shows his passion and bravery.

My takeaway from this meeting is that he motivated me through all situations 🙏.

Tenzin Chonzom (Girl) from 9th grade 
Pestalozzi Children's Village India

School, school, school chale hum...

View this post on Instagram

Watch the promo on Instagram
School, school, school chale hum...
Thank you, Mr Kanishka Kandhari, for your support

A post shared by My Good School (@my_good_school)

माझे स्वप्न - Arav Agarwal

 

माझे स्वप्न

Name: Arav Agarwal

Grade: 6A

Billabong High International School, Thane

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

My Aspirations - Gaurangi Rastogi

Childhood has been miserable,

Because you have to learn something basic,

When we grow up as a teen 

I got pressured to top the boards 

I got pressured to become a doctor 

Will the world still accept if I am something else?

I feel like running away from home, 

I think I am not safe in my home sweet home, 

I want to speak to this world, 

I have my aspirations,

To change the mindset of the people 

Who judges me based on occupation,

Who are you to control me? 

I am a phoenix who takes the rebirth from its ashes

Which is from its failures.

If you control me, 

I will control you every time,

As you made my life miserable

I will make yours, 

At the end of the story 

I have my aspirations! 

Gaurangi Rastogi 

Class VII 

The Doon Girls’ School 

You’re the one for me - Gaurangi Rastogi

Whenever I feel to fly 
There is a feeling of butterflies
Whenever I take a glance at you, 
I feel that's the one 
Whenever you come to me 
I hesitate 
Whenever I said a boring joke 
You laughed for me 
Whenever I win a prize 
I see a different shine in your eyes, 
That's a real prize!
You enter my dreams 
And make me fly 
I cherish the dreams 
But the question comes to my mind 
Do you really see the thing in me
As I see in you?
I seek the answers in my sleep 
But you made me a pretty creep 
Yes, I stalked you 
Yes, I changed myself for you 
Yes, I lost weight for you 
I will never rest 
Until I find that you're the one for me 
You're the one for me 
You're the one for me 
You're the one for me 

Poetry By Gaurangi Rastogi, The Doon Girls' School Note- The poetry is written from the perspective of a teenage girl 

Happy Father's Day - Arav Agarwal

Fathers are fabulous and our real superheroes.

Thanks to our fathers for making our life beautiful and happy.

Fathers are fabulous; 

They guide us and take care of us.

They are our real superheroes; 

Supporting us to achieve what we want to. 

They teach us what is right and wrong; 

And help us to become strong. 

Thank you for all the hard work you do; 

To make our dreams come true!

Name: Arav Agarwal

Grade: 6A

Billabong High International School, Thane

Someone to share - Shaurya Buchade

SOMEONE TO SHARE
I came to this world alone
I will go to my destiny alone
But in the long run of life, sure, I need someone to share.
Someone who may decorate my life

Someone who may console my emotions
Someone whom I can trust upon
Someone who will be just mine.
I wish of having a friend
Whose friendship may sparkle and shine
Who will be in thoughts all-day
And fill the dreams worthwhile.
Whose silent thought may bring great joy 

Whose cheerful smile may give deep pleasure
Whose every moment may make my life fragment and calm like the evening breeze.
I need someone to share

And not to make me despair 

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Name: Shaurya Buchade

Grade: 2A

Billabong High International School, Thane

Goals- Aanya Kumar

All successful people had goals in the past for achieving their dreams. We should have goals for leading a productive and meaningful life. If we write goals along with the plan to achieve the same, we are sure to attain success. Let us take the example of El-Erian. He had the aim of spending more time with his 10-year-old daughter. He served as the CEO of a prominent investment funds organization.

Once El-Erian himself quoted that he had great excuses for not spending quality time with his daughter. Still, he realized that his daughter should be his first priority.

Following this, their father-daughter relationship became better than it could ever have been.

Thus, having goals are vital for growing economically, mentally and physically.

Aanya Kumar

Gyanshree School

Grade 5

Goals - Anvesha Rana

                                                            

"If the plan doesn't work, change the plan, not the goal."

When we are young, we tend to be passionate about everything, but our elders constantly ask us what we want to be as we grow. The honest answer is that most of us don't know because deciding one profession out of so many choices can be exhausting. As we grow, our options also keep on changing. For instance, when I was young, I wanted to be a dancer, but later I decided that being a teacher was better, and after a few years, it struck me that being an architect is even more fun. I am not particular about what I want to be, but I will ensure that whatever I become is my own liking and choice. 

Goals needn't always be about a career at a personal level; they may even aim for a social or national cause. Paul Kagame, Lee Kuan Yew and John F. Kennedy are three different people who had the same patriotism for their nations and the same urge to work hard for their countries. Their efforts did not go in vain, and because of them, their motherlands are now at the status they had once wished for. Big Goals need Big Efforts; they did not achieve their goals alone; millions of people helped them accomplish their target. 

Goals can be long term or short term. If we want a particular job, we will work for it till we get it, that's our goal whereas, if we wish for a good grade we will work harder to attain it. You can start today by planning your goal and setting a deadline for it since a goal without a deadline is only a dream. We all have a purpose in life, and it is our responsibility to discover and fulfil it. A life without a purpose is like a boat without a rudder. Consequently, each of us must have the flame of passion and dreams always ignited, for it is the fire that keeps us going. Always rise up to your goals. 

Anvesha Rana, 

Grade 9-B, 

Gyanshree School. 

Freedom - Khushi Badgeri

Freedom is the power to act according to our own will. Freedom is expressing things. Children need the freedom to explore, imagine, create, grow and develop their inquisitiveness to acquire knowledge.

Freedom for me is dancing and singing. I can dance and sing freely for hours together. I enjoy my freedom in dreaming tomorrow. I aim to be a Doctor, but at the same time, I would like to be a good classical dancer and a good singer.

For me freedom means expressing myself, freedom to chase my dreams, freedom to believe and trust in myself, freedom to be there for my family, my friends, and society. Freedom to make mistakes and to learn from the mistakes done. 

Freedom is responsibility!!

Freedom is motivation!!

Name: Khushi Badgeri
Grade: 2A
Billabong High International School, Thane

Happiness - Arjun Vaishnav

Happiness is an emotion, enjoyment, joyfulness and contentment. Many people have feelings for happiness. Then happiness is enjoyment and entertainment for me. Some people are happy when they receive gifts, while some are happy when their dreams are fulfilled. I also get so glad when I receive a gift on my birthday.

There are many incidents in my life when I was happy. I want to share one of the best incidents of my life when I was happy. I went for an outing with my family members at Tungareshwar. We enjoyed many things there. We enjoyed the natural beauty and the forest area where we saw many types of trees, rivers and animals. I was thrilled when I crossed the river by paddling through it. There is a temple of Lord Shiva there. It is a vast temple. We ate many things there. It was a memorable and happiest day of my life. I was thrilled on that day. My family members and I enjoyed the picnic a lot.

In my eyes, happiness is not only enjoying with our family members, but it could be with others also. I have had many happy moments. Playing with my friends at school or in a colony is also happiness for me. When I go on a school tour, it also makes me happy. Enjoyable moments with friends and attaining the expectations of our parents are also happiness for me. Happiness is anything that makes us happy. So we should be satisfied with any uncertainty.

Arjun Vaishnav

Class IX

The Fabindia School

Image Courtesy: Dreamstime.com