Shine a Light !

As we journey through this pandemic together, let’s shine a light on humanity and kindness.

Kindness starts with being kind to yourself. Random acts of kindness provide us all with a day to really reflect on the importance of being kind, not just to each other but to ourselves as well. It also gives us time to spread the message that a little bit of kindness can go a long way.

With what has already taken place in 2020 and still continuing into 2021, it seems appropriate that we take every opportunity possible to make another person smile. A simple act of kindness can have such an effect and can make us feel good too.

Being kind is for everyone and seeing the impact of our act on others can lift our whole day and hopefully inspires others to ‘pay it forward and do the same for another human in return’ and remember, as Aesop said, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted “.

In fact, everything is going to be amazing if we bring a positive impact, explore the good, and make kindness the norm.

Ms. Anupriya Thakurala // Facilitator // Samsara School

Beat the Stress with Healthy Eating

In this fast pacing world, stress has become a part of our lives just like a near and dear friend. It is very important for all of us to manage it well otherwise this friend can very easily cause destruction in our daily lives.

This message is particularly for all the youngsters out there. Most of us consider food as an escape from our problems, but in reality the food we eat makes or breaks us, the choice is always ours. So it’s very important to eat fibre and protein-rich diet during times of stress as it gives our body the energy to fight negative emotions and gives us that extra energy to calm down our minds and relax our muscles.

So my dear children always remember, you gain nothing from stressing out so calm down, relax and eat healthy.

Ms. Seema Garg // Facilitator // Samsara School

Teacher- Student Relationship

Children spend 6 to 7 hours in a day with their teachers. During this time, the teacher is not only a giver of education and knowledge but also a person who sets moral values that are imbibed by the students. Most of the students consider their teachers as their role model. The teacher is the one who moulds his or her students. The word teacher should keep on evoking a sense of respect instead of disrespect. Efforts from every side should be made to make the current day teacher-students relationship as good as the guru-shishya relationship of ancient India.
In a traditional Indian setting, there was a very pious guru-shishya culture where the guru or teacher used to transmit spiritual, vedic, moral as well as academic teachings to his students. The word ‘guru’ itself means a person who can enlighten the individual stuck in darkness (gu means darkness and ru means light). The objective of the entire education at that time was to transform a blank mind into a knowledgeable mind, balanced personality with high moral values. Students in return used to help gurus in their household work and the one who could afford it used to pay money as guru dakshina. This mutual relationship was based on the intellect of the teacher and obedience of the student. In such a guru-shishya relationship, everything was left on the shoulders of an able guru who, by acting as a creator, used to shape his disciples or students.

Rajbeer Kaur // Facilitator // Samsara School

2020 : A Learning Experience for Life

The year 2020 challenged our physical, emotional, and spiritual capabilities. The year made us realize that our family is the most important part of our life. During lock down, we got the opportunity to spend time with them and learn to spread love, taking care of their health. Spiritually awakening with firm belief that we can be good at planning, but actual it’s the God who forced us to rethink that we cannot control everything. We forgot to live in our present knowing the fact that future is not in our control.My learning and takes from the year 2020 are crystal clear now as below highlights:

•   Life is a blessing. Live it, Love it. Just don’t take it for granted.

•   Self-care must be a priority, not a privilege.

•   Be intentional with everything you do. Your future depends on it.

•   We only have the present moment. The past is just a memory, and the future is simply a wish.

•   The only thing you have is your energy. Think wisely before giving it to any thought, work, or person.

•   Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Save the judgments, establish empathy, and be kind.

•   Spiritual awakening is must as God is controlling us and we need to be good followers.

•   Financial health is important. Financial literacy is vital.

•   Don’t take anything for granted; be grateful for what you have.

•   You are in control of your mind, time, and destiny. Life is really what you make of it.

•   Learn to discover yourself.

Let’s welcome 2021 with being more responsible more realistic with some more patience.

Shelly Bhatia // Facilitator // Samsara School

Ethical Values

Human society cannot exist if its members are not amenable to ethical values. Ethics give direction and firmness to life. Ethics are like the rails that keep the train on the track and help it to move smoothly, quickly and in right direction.
Today, people – especially the younger people, are confused about their values and value system. When we look at the socio-cultural and political dimensions of our country, we are faced with dark realities. The goals of secularism, socialism, democracy and professional ethics are coming under increasing strain. Ethics are the standards that guide our decisions, actions and behaviour. The ethics provide a moral map which guides us through the difficult times of our life and makes it easy and acceptable. Thus ethics and values can give us dignified and peaceful life.

Ramita Sharma // Facilitator // Samsara School

Importance of Art Integration in the Elementary Classroom

The term integration means combining one thing with another to create a new whole. Art integration is an approach to education in which lessons are taught and assessed through naturally-aligned art concepts. Students are given the opportunity to construct and demonstrate understanding through various art forms that readily align themselves to the given objectives.The integration of art does not replace valuable lessons but edifies them by offering an alternate perspective from which to view and grasp key concepts. Not only has art integration been shown to have a positive effect on standardized test scores but has made a dramatic difference in student attendance where it has been implemented.

The creative work gives students an additional connection to the material in their minds, helping them to remember and apply the information to understand complex concepts.

Shalini Agnihotri // Facilitator // Samsara School

Stress Management Techniques

Stress if not handled properly can lead to many health hazards such as headaches, heartburn, rapid breathing, pounding heart, fertility problem, risk of heart attack, weekend immune system, high blood sugar, stomach ache, tense muscles, insomnia to name a few.

Techniques to deal with stress:

1. Change your thinking.
2. Change your behaviour.
3. Add humour to your life.
4. Develop a support network through friends and colleagues to talk to.
5. Take proper rest and ample amount of sleep as it is good stress reducer.
6. Adopt a hobby and engage yourself productively. Praise yourself for little achievements.
7. Acquire healthy diet and include some sort of exercise as part of your daily routine.

The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another- William James

Jyoti Jha // Facilitator // Samsara School

 

 

 

How to stay Happy and Healthy during Lockdown

Lockdown due to COVID-19 has affected our day to day life immensely. At home during the lockdown, we have encountered many new challenges like managing food supplies, children’s education , work from home, etc.
Among all of these, it’s important we look after our mental health as well as our physical health during this time. Let’s look at some of the activities that will help us to keep a balance-

• Keep some structure and routine to your daily life.
• Practice Yoga and Meditation everyday .
• Try and focus on the positive things.
• Learn something new like an instrument or how to paint.
• Read books or watch your favourite movies.
• Eat nutritional and immune-boosting food.

Keeping hydrated during the summer months and eating whole grains, protein packed fibre and green leafy vegetables are the need of the hour.So take each day at a time and don’t worry about the future.

Stay Home Stay Safe!

Seema Singh // Facilitator

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

All over the world people are now infected with a new type of illness called coronavirus disease 19 — COVID-19 for short. The virus spreads easily and has affected millions of lives. Protect yourself and others around you by taking appropriate precautions as only prevention is cure now.
Precautions to be taken:
• Wash your hands at regular intervals with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub.
. Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Maintain a safe distance at public places. Avoid visits if not so urgent.
• Cover your nose and mouth with your bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or     sneeze.
• Stay home if you feel unwell.
• If you have a fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, seek medical attention. Call in advance.
• Avoid unnecessary visits to medical facilities and allow healthcare systems to operate more effectively, therefore protecting you and others.

Sujata Thakur // Facilitator

Exam Fever

Examination is a very common assessment and evaluation tool in schools and educational institutions. Some students have difficulties while preparing effectively for exams. The common problems they face are lack of preparation, lack of concentration and focus on the course material.These issues can be worked out with strategies to enhance their efforts.  Such as:

• Make a schedule and work out how much time is needed for each subject.
• Study a little each day.
• Ask your teachers for help, they will be glad to assist.
• By adopting these little steps students can overcome the fear of exams forever.

Garima Mishra // Facilitator