8/9/2019 Values for the Yatra Nov 09

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/values-for-the-yatra-nov-09 1/5

Inside this issue: Nov ‘09

The Grace and

Greatness1

Twelve Ways to

Humble Yourself2

Brain of a Genius 3

Sikhism

4

A Teacher’s Profile 5

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC )  E-Letter November 2009

ValuesValuesValues for the for the for the YatraYatraYatra The Grace and Greatness of True Humility

CNN founder Ted Turner once remarked, "If I only had a little humility, I would be perfect." In astrange and almost perfectly ironic sense, this statement encapsulates the spirit of our age--an atti-tude that gives lip service to humility while celebrating self-promotion. Humility is hardly a hall-mark of our age.From the playing fields of athletics to the trading floors, humility appears to be an accessory fewpersons believe they can afford. The dominant personalities and cultural icons of our day aremost often individuals adept at self-promotion and projection.One of the central problems of our times is the fact that our reflex is to define humility in basicallyhuman terms. Thus, humility can dissolve into an endless and pointless process of comparingourselves with othersThe eclipse of humility can be traced to our celebration of human pride. The knowledge and con-fession of pride is rare in our times. Most modern persons would be hard pressed to identify with

 Jonathan Edwards, who once acknowledged his own sin by confessing, "What a foolish, silly, mis-erable, blind, deceived poor worm am I, when pride works." To the modern prophets of self-promotion and self-esteem, this looks like a sick-souled individual in need of therapy. To the con-trary, Edwards understood the deadly danger of pride and his own inclination to self-deceit.

Perhaps you have heard the story of the parishioner who received recognition for being the hum-

blest man in the church? They gave him a pin to wear. The following Sunday he wore it and they

took it away from him for being proud. One wonders sometimes if humility is like this. As soon

as we think we are humble, we are not.The Great King Yudhishthira once wished to make a great sacrifice. His friends and ministers andofficers came to him and they began to talk about the arrangements. While they were talking, ShriKrishna himself, came there. Yudhishthira received him with great joy and respect and whole citywas made glad by his presence. Yudhishthira asked permission of Shri Krishna to perform the

great sacrifice, and he gave him permission and said it was good it should be done.Messengers were then sent out to invite all the Brahmana of the land, and the Kshattriyas and theVaishyas and the respectable Shudras. Thousands of Brahmana came with joyous hearts from thevarious countries, and Kings and Sages came to Yudhishthira's sacrifice. In all that vast assemblythere was none like unto Shri Krishna. He, the Lord of all creatures, greatest than all men, thereshowed his greatness in humility, and himself washed the feet of the Brahmanas. What a beauti-ful lesson is here given us Krishna, the foremost of all, is the gentle server, and by this we see thatwe must never scorn any service, however humble it may be. Let little children remember thatservice of others is the highest duty, and that we should think humbly of ourselves. The bird thatsoars on highest wing, Builds on the ground her lowly nest, And he that doth most sweetly sing,Sings in the shade when all things rest: In lark and nightingale we see What honor hath humility.A sense of humility is essential to leadership because it authenticates a person's humanity. Wehumans are frail creatures; we have our faults. Recognizing what we do well, as well as what wedo not do so well, is vital to self-awareness and paramount to humility.Few have said it better than legendary Alabama coach, Paul "Bear" Bryant. "If anything goes bad,I did it. If anything goes semi-good, we did it. If anything goes really good, then you did it. That'sall it takes to get people to win football games for you." Practice that attitude always, especiallywhen things are not going well, and your team will rally together because they want you to suc-ceed. In short, humility breeds humility.All of us need not lead others, but those who do seek to influence, to change, to guide, and tolead, need to find ways to get noticed. Again humility comes to the rescue. That is, if you cele-brate team first, self second, people will notice what you and your team have achieved. 

Personal humility carries the notion of lowering or abasing oneself in such a manner as to attain a

place of lowliness. Perhaps the best way to understand humility is attempting to see ourselves

through God’s eyes rather than our own.  Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes

The Horns of a Ram:

Symbol for

Humility and

Strength

The Iris flower

is a symbol of

Humility

8/9/2019 Values for the Yatra Nov 09

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/values-for-the-yatra-nov-09 2/5

8/9/2019 Values for the Yatra Nov 09

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/values-for-the-yatra-nov-09 3/5

  ValuesValuesValues for the for the for the YatraYatraYatra Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC )  E-Letter November 2009

A ‘LOUSY BRAIN’ OR AN ‘UNTRAINED ONE’… 

Your Brain’s Infinite Capacity

You have over 1,000,000,000,000 Neurons !!!!

Each Neuron equals the processing Capacity

of a Personal Computer.

Each Neuron = Our entire Genetic Blue-print

Your Brain is like your Muscle…

You either USE IT or LOSE ITBecause your Intelligence is Limitless.

Possible ‘thought Patterns’ if permutated would be

10.5 million kilometers long!!!

Smart Students get ‘Confused’ too

BUT they channel their confusion to

Better ‘NEURO-CONNECTIONS`

8/9/2019 Values for the Yatra Nov 09

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/values-for-the-yatra-nov-09 4/5

Sikhism

The word "Sikhism" derives from "Sikh," whichmeans a strong and able disciple. There are

about 23 million Sikhs worldwide, making Sikh-

ism the 5th largest religion in the world. Ap-proximately 19 million Sikhs live in India.

Sikhism emerged in 16th-century India in an

environment heavily permeated with conflicts betweenthe Hindu and Muslim religions. It was somewhat influenced by reform movements

in Hinduism (e.g. Bhakti, monism, Vedic metaphysics, guru ideal, and bhajans) aswell as some Sufi Muslim influences. While Sikhism reflects its cultural context, itcertainly developed into a movement unique in India. Sikhs regard their faith as anauthentic new divine revelation.

Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak Dev, who was born in 1469to a Hindu family. After four epic journeys (north to Tibet, south

to Sri Lanka, east to Bengal and west to Mecca and Baghdad),Guru Nanak preached to Hindus, Muslims and others, and in the

process attracted a following of Sikhs (disciples). Religion, hetaught, was a way to unite people, but in practice he found that it

set men against one another. He particularly regretted the an-tagonism between Hindus and Muslims. Guru Nanak's most fa-mous saying is, "There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim, so whosepath shall I follow? I shall follow the path of God."

The most easily observable Sikh practices are thewearing of the turban and the Five Ks namely,  Kesh , Kanga ,Kara , Kaccha , Kirpan Sikhs also pray regu-

larly and meditate by repeating God's name, often

with the aid of rosary beads. A Sikh aims to live a

life that balances work, worship and charity. Com-munity is emphasized, and the Sikh temple

(Gurudwara) is the center of Sikh communal life.

Sikhs DO NOT  Believe In:

Sikhs do not  believe in terrorism or hurting inno-

cent people Sikhs do not believe in hate or racial profiling Sikhs do not believe in war based on religion 

Sikhs do not  believe in proselytism Sikhs do not  believe in fasting 

ValuesValuesValues for the for the for the YatraYatraYatra Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC )  E-Letter November 2009

8/9/2019 Values for the Yatra Nov 09

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/values-for-the-yatra-nov-09 5/5

I am a Teacher. I am a Teacher.

I was born the first moment that a question leaped from the mouth of a child.

I have been many people in many places.

I am Socrates exciting the youth of Athens to discover new ideas through the

 se of questions.

I am Anne Sullivan tapping out the secrets of the universe into the outstretched hand of Hele

Keller.

I am Aesop and Hans Christian Andersen revealing truth through countless stories.

The names of those who have practiced my profession ring like a hall of fame for humanity…Booker T. Washington, Buddha, Confucius, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Leo Buscaglia, Julius Nyerere,

Moses and Jesus.

I am also those whose names and faces have long forgotten but whose lessons and character w

always be remembered in the accomplishments of their students.

I have wept for joy at the weddings of former students, laughed with glee at the birth of their ch

dren and stood with head bowed in grief and confusion by graves dug too soon for bodies f

too young.

Throughout the course of a day I have been called upon to be an actor, friend, nurse and do

tor, coach, finder of lost articles, money lender, taxi driver, psychologist, substitute parent, sale

man, politician and a keeper of the faith.

Despite the maps, charts, formulas, verbs, stories and books, I have really have only themselveslearn, and know it takes the whole world to tell you who you are.

I am a paradox. I speak loudest when I listen the most. My greatest gifts are in what I am willi

to appreciatively receive from my students.

 Material wealth is not one of my goals, but I am a full-time treasure seeker in my quest for new o

portunities for my students to use their talents and in my constant search for those talents th

 sometimes lie buried in self-defeat.

I am the most fortunate of all who labor.

 A doctor is allowed to usher life into the world in one magic moment. I am allowed to see that l

is reborn each day with new questions, ideas and friendships.

 An architect knows that if he builds with care, his structure may stand for centuries. A teachknows that if he builds with love and truth, what he builds will last forever.

I am a warrior, daily doing battle against peer pressure, negativity, fear, conformity, prejudice,

ignorance and apathy. But I have great allies: Intelligence, Curiosity, Parental Support, Individua

ity, Creativity, faith, Love and Laughter all rush to my banner with indomitable support.

 And whom do I have to thank for this wonderful life I am so fortunate to experience, but you th

public, the parents. For you have done me the great honor to entrust to me your greate

contribution to eternity, your children.

 And so I have a past that is rich in memories. I have a present that is challenging, adventuro

and fun because I am allowed to spend my days with the future.

I am a teacher…. and I thank God for it every day. John W. Schlatter.

ValuesValuesValues for the for the for the YatraYatraYatra Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC )  E-Letter November 2009