VALUES FOR THE YATRA February 2014

Values for the Yatra

Embrace Values: Enrich Lives

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC ) E-Letter FEB 2014

Embrace Values Enrich Lives

This month’s ‘Value for the Yatra’ focuses on INTELLECTUAL

VALUES. I’d like to draw your attention to the value in the power of

one’s WORDS. A person is as good as his words!!! Nathaniel Hawthrone

rightly expressed it in this quote: “Words—so innocent and powerless as

they are, as standing in a dictionary, how potent for good and evil they

become in the hands of one who knows how to combine them.”

Brian Hall and Benjamin Tonna, in over a twenty-year study period, came

to identify 125 Values along every singly journey of a person that plays a

significant role in their human development. They clarified that these Values are concepts that are

expressed in ‘words’ that activates a persons’ behaviour and that these values can be learned and

measured too. Interestingly, the Hall-Tonna Value Inventory rated WORD as the highest of all the

125 Values.

I just saw the film ‘The Book Thief’ based on Markus Zusak’s novel. The film revolves around a

young German girl named Liesel who tender life is punctured by the ravages of World War II. In the

midst of all the darkness of loneliness and abandon, she finds solace and peace in WORDS. The mes-

sage of the movie is sandwiched between her discovery of books and her love for reading and the

intolerance of the Fascist philosophy to destroy and burn books! A powerful conversation by Max

Vandenburg to the young Liesel is found in these lines, “Words are life, Liesel. All those pages,

they’re for you to fill”. The movie ends with Death speaking these words, “the human heart is a line,

whereas my own is a circle, and I have the endless ability to be in the right place at the right time.

The consequence of this is that I’m always finding humans at their best and worst. I see their ugly

and their beauty, and I wonder how the same thing can be both”.

As we come closer to the end of another scholastic year, the only concern for many students at this

moment is how to pass the examinations. The purpose of education is not just passing examinations

but to live life on a higher ‘qualitative level’. The best way to start towards that level is to take con-

trol of the words we speak. Let our words be less abusive, untruthful and high toned. When we care

for the words we utter we build a more loving, peaceful, and quiet world to live in.

~Fr. Glenford Lowe sdb





Question for Personal Reflection and Action

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

1. Do I use my words wisely?

2. Do I think about what I want to say before I speak?

3. Do I regret about things I say after I have already said it?

4. Do I hurt others through what I say?

5. Do I find myself getting into trouble because of what I say and how I say it?

6. Is it true that my words have power?

7. Do I spend time reading intellectual books?

8. When I read, do I look out for new words to improve my vocabu-lary?

9. Do I use the magic words often (please, sorry, excuse me, thank you)?

10. Do I inspire others with what I say?





Value of making

‘Valued Choices

• Good Reading helps with MENTAL STIMULATION … Develop the habit of reading Healthy Literature….Great Leaders

spent their time in prisons reading books and that is what stimu‐lated the mind to be free…...

• REDUCES STRESS REDUCTION: Sometimes the best way to relax, is to pick up a magazine, a story book, a digest… and it has been proved that reading reduces once stress level. Get into the habit of reading something before going to bed.

• READING IMPORVES CONCENTRATION: People who have the ability to focus and concentrate longer are those who develop the Value of reading. Have you ever won‐dered why people are still able to read a book in a busy train or bus? They have developed the power of concentration through a good reading habit!

• The CHOICES YOU MAKE: We live in a world of infinite possibilities and alternatives.. It takes a wise person to make the right choices.

• WEIGH YOUR ALTERNATIVES: Wise students are able to weigh their alternatives against each other and through the ‘law of planned neglect’ are able to let go of lesser options.

• ANTICIPATE THE CONSEQUENCES: Life does not offer any ‘consequence free choices’. Every Choice has its consequence. Be responsible for the Choices you make. Wrong choices lead to a life of pain and regret.

• GOOD STUDENTS VALUE the POWER OF DEBATING: Develop your capacity to Debate over any topic. Debating is an art that

has to be acquired. Listen to debates on TV, participates in school debates.

• LEARN TO LISTEN TO OTHER’S OPINIONS and COMMUNICATE YOUR OWN: Running away or simply bowing down to other people’s opinion doesn’t make you look good. Have the courage to articulate your opinion in a convincing manner and speak it out. You will be respected!!!

Power in Debates

The Value of

Healthy Reading





• THE VALUE OF CRITICAL THINKING: Never take decisions in life based on your im‐

pulse. Develop the Power of Critical Thinking rather than making light hearted decisions.

• STEPS IN CRITICAL THINKING:: Start by being Objective! Understand the real prob‐lem at hand. Evaluate the various causes and root problem. Use reason in all that you do. Never work on your feelings. Then start Analyzing the pros and cons, the conse‐quences and only then, boldly take a Decision that is right.

• DEVELOP THE POWER OF VISION: Vision is the INSPIRATION that

draws you to something bigger and higher and beyond you.

• DEVELOP THE POWER OF GOAL SETTING: The Vision that is beyond us can only be achieved through the art of GOAL SETTING. Set smaller goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time Bound and the impossible becomes possible.

The Value of

Critical Thinking

• BE FOCUSED ON YOUR VOCA‐TION IN LIFE: A Vocation answers this important question: “What is the Divine ask‐ing of me in relation to Humanity?” • SEEK HELP FROM A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR: A Vocation is always a life lived for others! It gives meaning and purpose to our lives and we leave a legacy for others to follow.

The Value of

a Vocational

The Value Of a Life—

Career

• BE FOCUSED ON YOUR CAREER IN LIFE: A Career answers this important question: “What do I want to do with my life for myself?”

• SEEK HELP FROM CAREER COUN‐SELLORS It is important that you make the right Career Choice in life. Find out your strengths, likings, moti‐vations, aptitudes and attitudes that are necessary to get into the career you desire.





With board exams round the corner parents feel the heat more than students do, what we must consider is how are we help our kids to do the best they can, take every step with them and not pressurize them. ‘EXAMS’- a dreadful term that sends shivers to quite a few students not because they won’t excel but because they are terrified of failure. Our society has broadcasted failure as a sin that is not to be spoken of. We do not understand that winners are often born from the ashes of failure. During exams the only way to escape all the unnec-essary fuss is by preparing yourself with a fool proof plan to help you relax for the battle!

Prepare a time-table: A well-planned systematic day makes for better performance. Dividing the hours of your day and allotting them to specific activities, makes you more confident. Allotting specific time slots to subjects can make you study easier. Meditate: Meditation is one of the best techniques to improve confidence and boost mental health. Regular meditation improves concentration; you'll be less distracted and more focused. You can set out 10-15 minutes daily. Practice with mock tests: Getting yourself familiar to what's coming up is one of the best steps to ace your boards. Practice mock test and previous question papers; it gives you a good knowledge about the kind of ques-tions that may come up.

Take a break: Don’t exert yourself that you are exhausted and mentally drained. Take a 10-15 minute break between your studying so that you can relax and refresh your mind and body. Listen to a little music or just go for a walk. Sleep properly: Adequate sleep is very important, especially during ex-ams. A sleep-deprived body can affect your health and you paper. Always think positive: Positive thinking should be implemented by all during exams. Stay focused on your stronger points, subjects you can score well, and stand up with confidence. The 'I-can-do-it' attitude can

help you kill all the fear. Lastly, do not panic whatever may be the situation. Breathe deeply and move on to your next task and do your best. Always remember that this is not the end, rise like the phoenix from the ashes and you will do well. Angel Abraham





Olympians draw their inspiration from a set of core values that prepare them to do their best as they compete. ‘Cool Runnings’ a movie that released back in the year 1993, is a perfect example of, how no matter what the circumstances or how impossible it may seem to win, you have it all embedded in your-self to decide your fate– to go all the way towards victory and earn respect or give up! Here’s how many of the world’s top athletes gather in Sochi, Russia for the 2014 Olympics in February, 1. Help them develop a strong work ethic. Olympians are known for their hard work – practic-ing their sport over and over again to develop their skills to the highest level possible. Olympians “have to make a lot of sacrifices” in order to focus on working hard, but that in doing so is worth-

while for those who love what they do. “You have to love what you are doing and when you do you put your heart and soul into it and that takes it to the next level.” 2. Encourage them to approach both success and failure grace-fully. Whether they win or lose, Olympians often respond with graceful attitudes that inspire others to consider what matters most not the results of a single event. We can look back and be upset or choose to learn from it, see what we can take out of it and just choose to be stronger and better people.”

3. Teach them excellence. Excellence is one of the core values around which the Olympic move-ment is constructed. Olympians strive to put their best effort into each practice and competition. They aim to do their personal best, no matter what circumstances or other competitors they may be facing at the time.. 4. Teach them friendship. Friendship is another core value. Olympic athletes gather from around the world to compete, and in the process they form friendships with each other. They watch each other work hard, encourage each other, and sometimes make sacrifices to support each other. 5. Teach them respect. The last of the three official core values is respect. Olym-pians respect each other’s value as people, and also as team players who make valuable contributions to others. Choosing players whose specialties comple-mented each other, so they could work together with respect and maximize their chances of winning a gold medal. Watching the 2014 Winter Olympics can be can be an inspirational time that help your children or teens develop stronger character. (Whitney Hopler, Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer)

Edited by– Rochwyn Fernandes




AVEC E-Letter ‘Values for the Yatra’ is an initiative to provide Animation Resources for Teachers in-volved in Value Education in the ABE schools/ Jr. Colleges .Values for the Yatra will be published every month and is for Private Circulation only. Your valuable suggestions are most welcome to assist us in making Values for the Yatra a useful tool of animation and bonding among the teachers and students of the ABE schools in Mumbai. CONTACT: AVEC Team Fr. Glenford Lowe, SDB / Rochwyn Fernandes / Sr. Vera / Ms. Carissa / Ms. Angel Abraham AVEC—Don Bosco Youth Services, Matunga 400019 , MUMBAI Ph: 24154477 e-mail: [email protected] Blog: avecmumabidbys.blogspot.com / facebook: avecmumbai


VALUES FOR THE YATRA February 2014

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