2023 and all it had to give - Rishona Chopra

2023 has been a fantastic year for me! There were lots of ups and downs and lots of learning to take away!

The start of the year was rather bumpy. It started with annual exams which weren't the best so that was a letdown for me.  But then the fact that I was going to another higher grade made me quite cheerful and excited. I must say, the new semester was a fresh start. It allowed me to improve from my past mistakes and learn from them. 

The first day of school was a new door. It was the day when I met a lot of new people. New students and teachers too. I did have some negative perceptions about a few people but now that I think about it those perceptions have changed drastically. I suppose you can't assume things without knowing someone first!

Then there were exams. I had mathematical formulas, equations and a ton of nervousness rushing through my mind but we did make it through the exams too. 

I can't go on about 2023 without mentioning my journey with My Good School. It was a fantastic year! From Meet and Greets with several authors and entrepreneurs, I not only expanded my collection of books but also expanded my learning by miles. Each Sunday session was valuable and priceless. There was something new to take away each time. 

Another highlight of the year was My Guide Inside. The sessions I did with Ms. Christa Campsall were invaluable and being able to conduct similar sessions with younger grades was the icing on the cake. MGI has been a huge part of 2023 and it's all thanks to the mentors who work hard to give us this meaningful bundle of learning and joy. 

My most trustworthy and silent companion was with me throughout this journey; That companion is a book. Books were a crucial part of 2023. I explored new genres and read some amazing books that are indeed no less than a treasure. I dived into the world of polar bears and dogs and some very touching stories of families. Books just take me to another world and make the year more memorable. 

I wouldn't have made it through the year without my family. They are the ones I do have disagreements with but also the ones most dear to me. I believe sometimes we take the gift of family for granted but it's important to realize that having parents to hold on to is a blessing. It's perhaps the greatest gift in the world and they are what made my year better than ever. 

There were a lot of highlights of 2023 and these are just a few of them. There were a lot of times in the year when my behaviour was rather negative and I will try to improve upon it. Of course, you can't permanently remove negative feelings from your life but it is vital to work towards positivity. 

Rishona Chopra
Grade VII
Gyanshree School

Understanding - Shambhavi Nautiyal

Understanding is one of the traits of the most beautiful human beings on this planet. It revolves around several other values and virtues as well. To be understanding, one needs to have the will to do so, to be empathetic, considerate, caring and compassionate. Understanding one another’s feelings is the foundation of relationships, which creates wonders. Making someone feel understood makes them feel loved and gives them the feeling that they aren’t alone. Other people like them are there to stay by their side.

Understanding someone inculcates one of the prettiest feelings in our hearts, feelings of concern, love and kindness, which make humans human. Understanding strengthens unity. We should all try to understand each other’s feelings at the very least instead of poking fun at each other for that or making judgements about them.

When we allow ourselves to do so with an open heart and mind, we can talk things out properly and strengthen our bonds even further. Thus, we should all try to understand each other’s feelings and decisions instead of hating each other impetuously.

Shambhavi Nautiyal

Ahlcon Public School

Understanding between animals and humans

As we know, an understanding person can understand how others are feeling and forgive them if they do something wrong. The four steps of understanding are " know, use, expand and surpass". We should also understand the feeling of animals as they can't speak for themselves in our language. As we studied in our Sunday School, many animals want to share their emotions with us.

The relation between animals and humans in which man understands the feeling of an elephant. The emotional state of many animals is easily recognizable by their faces, eyes and how their muscle-tone changes, eye size and gaze. Many animals need help and are in danger because people are trying to kill them. That is why they became man-eaters; we still don't understand them. Instead of making them comfortable and able, we are killing them. So we should respect wild animals by keeping a safe distance away, not approaching and removing their environment. If you are scared of wild animals or found while travelling, just don't chase them, stay quiet and calm, and don't touch or get close. So we should also understand the emotions of animals.

Aayushma Gaha

Understanding has a unique value that other epistemic states, such as knowledge, do not. This fact threatens the justification for the focus on knowledge that the history of epistemology displays. Elsewhere it has been argued knowledge does not possess this exceptional value. There are a couple of lines of argument, however, that threaten to extend and denial of this unique value for understanding. Underlying all such challenges is the apparent fact that the language of knowing and understanding are closely related. This discussion argues that the kind of understanding we prize most is immune from the concerns plaguing the theory of knowledge. Animals don't understand the language in a language,  but they understand what you want to mention by your gestures, body language, and tone. These are animals like parrots, monkeys, dogs etc.
Sunita Bk

Understanding is that without which you cannot be a good human being. To be a better human being, one should have understanding. Understanding can improve explanatorily when one has more true beliefs of fundamental epistemic value. Stepwise, we should have an understanding of animals. In understanding animals, Lars Sevendsen teaches us how humans can attempt to understand the lives of other animals. We should understand the feelings of animals then. Only animals and human beings can have a good relationship between them. Let's take the example of a dog and how a dog understands us. Dogs read more into our tone and body language than actual words. They focus on us and observe our physical clues to determine what we want them to do. Understanding why some animals help others at the potential cost of their own survival and reproduction, for example, not only gives us insight into their behaviour but could also help us understand our species' ideas of altruism and sacrifice.

Samarika Karki 

Since humans are more advanced and social, we should have empathy. We should be understanding, caring and loving not only between us and the other person, but we should be understanding, caring and loving to animals also, as they have feelings too. If would be trust between the animal and humans, the world would live in peace. We should betray animals that rely on us; only then will there be a bond between that animals and humans.

Ngawang Lhamo

Humans have various ways of survival. Animals are only dependent upon nature. So, they do not have any other means of survival. Humans have become much more advanced and know several ways to survive and sustain themselves. Animals do not have such survival techniques; therefore, they only depend on nature for food. We can speak a complex language. We use our logic. But animals only do their actions based on instincts. Apart from the differences, humans and animals are similar in certain aspects and have an outstanding bond. Their bond mutually benefits people and animals and is influenced by behaviour essential to health and well-being. This includes, among other things, emotional, psychological and physical interactions between people, animals and the environment. 

Akshra Singh

As we know that the human and animal bond is a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between humans and animals that is influenced by behaviour to the health and well-being of both. This includes, among other things, emotional, psychological and physical interaction of people, animals and the environment. 

Animals have been protectors, companions, co-workers and even best friends. Humans need animals in their lives to stay healthy, mentally and even physically. Animals are used in standard therapy to increase movement in the handicapped. We should also understand animals' feelings. They can't speak or show their emotions as we can; it doesn't mean we will not respect or treat them however they want. Because they are also like us, they also have feelings. 

Shraddhanshi Rawat

My Reflection on Self-control - Nishan Karki

"Ultimately, the only power to which man should aspire is that he exercises over himself." -Elie Wiesel.

Self-control means controlling our feelings, emotions and actions when we are angry, irritated, upset, enraged, etc. Self-control helps us in several ways. It leads a path for us to be a good person, it leads to a good life, it leads to happiness and receives us from certain emotions such as sadness, anger, depression and evil actions such as fight, gambling, ganging, etc. There are many ways to develop self-control. I have mentioned some of them below:

1. We need to correct our way of thinking.
2. We need to have a goal in life and follow that goal to achieve success.
3. We should have the confidence and willpower to do things correctly.
4. We should focus on our work daily.
5. We should be self-motivated and inspired and also take motivation from good people.

6. We should learn to control our feelings, thoughts, emotions and actions.

- Nishan Karki
Pestalozzi Children's Village India 

We are reading.

Mind Over Matter - Rishona Chopra

Controlling over feelings is quite essential. We often get irritated over the most minor things. Like on the dog barking a lot or on the printer that wasn't working. We all get annoyed at the smallest of things and shout, scream and even start to do physical fighting! But, when you look back and think about that problem, you realise it wasn't worth it.  

Scientifically we say - the mind controls us, but spiritually, we say - We control the mind. Controlling the mind is listening to what is correct. Our mind knows what is wrong and right but even knowing that we listen to what our mind says, even if it is wrong. 

Mind over matter is simply about controlling your feelings and not letting them get the better of you.

Rishona Chopra 
Grade VI 
Gyanshree School

Journaling: My Little Book Of Feelings - Rishona Chopra

Journaling is keeping a diary. You don't have to write long letters. A few drawings, page tearing, or even a few sentences can say it all. I like to call my journal - My Little Book Of Feelings because, in a day, I have so many feelings. In the morning, I am all happy and bright, and by the end of the day, all gloomy and sad. You never know! I am very unpredictable if you talk about my feelings.

You don't need to have a proper diary, just take a piece of paper and vent all your feelings. But then, when you have an excellent journal, and at the end of the week, you look at what you have written, you can reflect on your situations in a better way. I think expressing yourself by writing is much better because when you tell them with a person not necessary, they would actually understand your feelings, but that's just my way of doing it!

On the cover of my diary I have written - Open if you dare, don't you dare try to do that and of course have used lots of stickers and decorations to make it look beautiful. If you open my diary, you'll see torn pages that I pulled out of anger (and sometimes happiness). Even though you know I didn't mean it when I said, "Don't you dare open my diary", I am requesting you not to open it!

Every day is a new day with new feelings,
By writing, you feel you are healing.

Keep a small diary,
Tell all your thoughts about society.

You can boast,
And teel how you burnt a toast!

You can talk about all your friends and the things they did,
And how you want a best friend who is a friendly kid.

Share everything you want,
With no worry about the handwriting or font!

Rishona Chopra
Grade VI
Gyanshree School

Empathy - Rishona Chopra

Empathy is understanding others' feelings and reacting accordingly. It is to feel what they are feeling, to be in their shoes.

We often misunderstand Empathy and Sympathy. Sympathy is when we feel pity for someone, while Empathy is feeling what the other person thinks and helping them out. If your friend won a basketball match, you can understand his feelings and be happy for him and celebrate his happiness. Even if you hate basketball, after being happy for him and by making him happy, you feel good too. This is where Empathy connects with Making Others Happy. 

The above picture shows how two people can connect and understand each other as one. This is all because of Empathy.

Here is a poem I wrote on Empathy:

Empathy is something so strong, 
It senses when something is wrong.

It connects us together,
And we become as calm as the weather!

I know how you feel,
And we can together heal.

I feel your pleasure and pain,
But empathy is a feeling, and it's hard to explain.

Understanding each other's feelings,

makes you look appealing,

it helps you make friends,

and makes fights end!!

It might be a bit difficult,
but it's nothing different.

Everyone should understand it,
at least a little bit!!

Rishona Chopra
Grade VI
Gyanshree School

Forgiveness - Rishona Chopra

 

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attitude of the strong.
- Mahatma Gandhi

Forgiveness is to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge. When we forgive, we are happy. While forgiving, we get this sense of happiness because we are free from all negative emotions.

This quote by Lewis B. Smedes says that To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you. This means that when we have a conflict with someone, they are also bound with negative feelings, and so are we. We both are sad and want to solve the fight, but our ego does not allow us to do that. So if we once set the prisoner as in the person we fought with, not only will he be free from the negative feelings, but so will we.

Sometimes we too are hard on ourselves on the most minor mistakes, so we should forgive ourselves.

We should forgive when it is correct. If someone does something terrible, then we should not forgive and forget. Realizing the situation, we should act accordingly.

Rishona Chopra Grade V Gyanshree School

Expressing Yourself - Rishona Chopra

Every day is a new day with new thoughts and feelings. Most of us feel that we should share them with someone. But with who? Some of us like writing or painting. The best way to express our day is with a journal. You can express your day and opinion through pictures or writing. If you are angry, you can even scribble on your diary to express your feelings, just don't tear the pages!

The perfect time to write a journal is at the end of the day, just before bed. I write a journal, at it is good to express your feelings. Although, I forget to write it sometimes! Sometimes, when I'm tired, I draw. 

You don't need to have a proper diary, just take a piece of paper and vent out all your feelings. But then, when you have an excellent journal, and at the end of the week, you look at what you have written, you could reflect on your situations in a better way. I think expressing yourself by writing is much better because when you tell them with a person not necessary, they would actually understand your feelings, but that's just my way of doing it!

Rishona Chopra
Grade V
Gyanshree School

Empathy - Rishona Chopra

Empathy is to understand one's feelings. Having empathy is a unique quality as understanding one, especially when you are having a fight with someone, is difficult. Empathy is essential; it helps you understand your feelings, know them better, and help make friends. It also enables you to get out of small fights.

Here is a short poem I wrote on empathy-

Understanding each other's feelings,

makes you look appealing,

it helps you make friends,

and makes fights end!!

It might be a bit difficult,
but it's nothing different.
Everyone should understand it,
at least a little bit!!

Rishona Chopra
Grade V
Gyanshree School

Empathy - Anusha Jain

Anusha Jain, IX-D, Ahlcon Public School
I am very fond of reading, and Harry Potter is my favourite series.

My Empathy Collage

The highest form of knowledge is Empathy. It is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, feeling with the heart of another. Empathy is an action we take to benefit someone after keeping ourselves in someone else's shoes. It will help to shape a more civil society and a humane world. 

The concept of Empathy is not limited to other humans. Empathy towards nature, our surroundings, our animals, and, most importantly, towards ourselves is essential. My collage below is all about my feelings and emotions related to Empathy.

Freedom - Aayan Biswas

Aayan Biswas, VI-B, Ahlcon Public School
I have a hobby of reading books on fiction and mystical lands. I write stories and poems as I find writing the best way to express my feelings and tell people what I think. I really enjoy writing and reading as it is delightful.

 

Freedom

He committed a crime and had paid a fine,

I went to jail and waited for bail.

He drove cars and ate a chocolate bar,

I trotted all day; even my birthday passed away.

He ate burgers and French fries,

I had eaten some bread and plain rice.

He had friends and family,

While I had no one beside me.

Framed me for a crime that he had done,

They didn’t let me say a word, not even one!

As I rotted in a black box,

He went hiking and climbed rocks.

I had soon lost all hope and might,

My life was all black and not a spot of white.

Suddenly, I saw a beautiful sight.

Justice was served, right and well,

I was freed, and he was confined.

Everything had changed after such a long time,

It felt as it was the first time the sun had shone!

Making others Happy - Shirin Kaw

Shirin Kaw, 8E, Ahlcon Public School

I am very passionate about writing stories and poems of what I imagine. Writing various stories and poems helps me express my thoughts on a piece of paper. It gives me a sense of calmness to my body and allows me to spend my free time productively. I also read many stories; I mainly enjoy fictional stories as I love imagination and creativity.

Making Others Happy -
Feeling good after doing a good deed,
Making one smile, the beatitude I perceive
Sunshine thrives over all the obstacles I face 

A second doesn't go by without thinking that face. 

It must have been a rough day, dealing with the strain 
A soul comes and hugs you, 
Makes your day an enchanting bouquet. 

Take a minute of your life,
There is something to redo, 
Make someone blush, and don't forget yourself too.

Respect - Jaydeep Sompura

Giving importance and respecting people and their feelings, valuing them and their thoughts is the strongest and the most important value to live by.  Respect is a value which builds feelings of trust, safety and wellbeing. Being polite is one of the easiest ways to show respect. So lets have a look at this adorable art work by Jaydeep Sompura of Class III at The Fabindia School. He has beautifully described what 'Respect' means to him. 

Give Respect, Get Respect