Friday, 28 October 2022

What have I learnt from My Good School - Shambhavi Nautiyal

What have I learnt from my one year at My Good School?

There are a colossal of amazing things that I have learnt from my one year at My Good School. I read three meaningful and impactful books and got to know three very new authors that helped to make my year a little more bedazzling.

Reading is all about simplicity and beauty, which I was able to experience regularly throughout this year. Though I couldn't reflect much in the written form, as far as I can tell, I did have the chance to go through the whole discussion and analysis in the meetings. I enjoyed expanding my knowledge of articulation and vocabulary and viewing the world through different perspectives. I made new friends and got to know their stories and opinions.

The first book that we read, Dr Anupam Sibal's "Is Your Child Ready to face the world?', was a book that made me dive into the observations and life lessons manifested through the life of the author. I believe it gave me a view of the world I will be stepping into soon. That book made me discern what those virtues meant to me and how I would want to when I grow. Even today, if someone ever asks me about some helpful self-help book recommendations, then I would only ask for that person to give this book a read.

The second book 'Totto-chan, the girl by the window' was written by a Japanese author, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, a country I admire. This book gave me a view of how childhood is for a Japanese kid, fascinating and adventurous what I was able to make out. The whole book was heartwarming, and it felt like travelling back in time to a different country like I was there. Especially reading these books with all of the My Good School members was fun. It was simply marvellous knowing so many new things every week. I am proud and content with the idea of me being a part of this home-like friendly open programme which is just free of judgements.

It's indeed been a roller-coaster ride, somehow. Apart from everything, there is one thing I can say for sure that one-hour meeting felt like a safe place for other children like me who were interested in the beauty of literature and admired it and lived the stories just the way I did. Now that I think of it, I can't express how much gratitude I feel for being able to be a part of this; looking back at it as a journey of improvisation and learning,

I don't know if I would even be writing anything if it weren't for My Good School. I would have probably thought for it to be something I couldn't do and just wasn't for me, but because of this practice of reflecting, I have enriched and improved that now I can do it anytime, whenever I think of it. It's been a healing experience, and of course, I want to thank the organisers, Sandeep sir, Monisha ma'am, all the interns who have put so much effort into making this a success and the other members who joined, which always made the meeting come up alive.

Shambhavi Nautiyal 
Ahlcon Public School

Wednesday, 26 October 2022

Ce que l'indépendance signifie pour moi - Rishona Chopra

 

Language: French 

L'indépendance n'est pas le droit de faire ce que l'on veut mais le droit de faire ce qui est juste. L'indépendance est l'essence de la liberté, le sentiment que nous ne sommes gouvernés par personne d'autre mais que nous avons la possibilité, tout comme les autres, d'explorer et d'apprendre. L'indépendance est un droit qui est beru fondamental et notre besoin mais de nos jours ce besoin est devenu un désir. Beaucoup de gens n'ont pas l'indépendance nécessaire pour prendre leurs décisions dans la vie, faire ce qu'ils veulent, étudier et ne pas vivre sous la domination de quelqu'un. Alors ne prenons pas notre indépendance pour acquise car c'est quelque chose de spécial.

Translation:

Independence is not the right to do as we wish but the right to do what is right. Independence is the essence of freedom, the feeling that we are not ruled by anyone but have the opportunity, just like others, to explore and learn. Independence is a fundamental right and our need, but nowadays, this need has become a want. Many people don't have the independence to make their decisions in life, do what they want, study and not live under the rule of somebody. So let's not take our independence for granted because it is unique.

Rishona Chopra 
Grade VI 
Gyanshree School

Tuesday, 25 October 2022

The flame must keep burning - Rishona Chopra


Diwali or Deepavali is a time to brighten our homes and hearts. The messages of beauty, newness and freshness carried by the festival are being observed and celebrated differently in various parts of the country. Mythology shares that it honoured the return of Sri Ram to the kingdom of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile when people expressed their joy by lighting Diyas (lamps) to welcome him. So it is a celebration of victory and a return to self-governance or sovereignty. But like every other festival, rituals followed during Diwali hold deep spiritual significance. It becomes truly festive and more meaningful when we understand their purity and imbibe them.

Preparations begin with cleaning, painting or even renovation in many houses. What does this spiritually signify? It is a message for us to clean our minds. We need to cleanse it to remove thoughts of anger, criticism, rejection, resentment, hatred, hurt and jealousy. The weight of all this negativity we have been holding on to is weakening the soul. Paint the mind with new colours of peace, love and compassion. We also need to clean our words, actions and behaviour. This has to happen every day, not once a year, so we eventually reach a stage where we have a constantly clean and pure mind and body.

Regular practice of meditation and imbibing spiritual knowledge shared by God help us achieve the stage. Gifts and blessings are exchanged during Diwali. Spiritually, it is a message for us to empower and care for each other. A blessing is a high and pure energy vibration we create in our thoughts and express through our words. We have all experienced that the blessings of saints, parents, teachers, family and friends have created miracles in our lives. Irrespective of people’s sanskaras and behaviours, we empower them to change their sanskaras when we create only pure thoughts and words. Our blessings radiate to them to become their reality and change their destiny. Not just on a festival, our every thought and word every day should be a blessing. 

Giving blessings is the easiest way to receive blessings. 

Rishona Chopra
Grade VI
Gyanshree School

Reflections Since 2021