At what point do we choose higher values? Why don’t we respond when values are imposed on us? What values can I employ at work in general and to my role as a value educator in VIVA specifically? These and many related questions are attempted to be answered in our articles this month on the theme of ‘Values’. Hope our readers question, self-enquire, discern and gain clarity. Let’s all add value to our lives by practicing Values.
My Authentic Self and the Value it adds to my Life
by Ajanta Sircar from Pune
should bring one everlasting joy, peace and contentment. When we brazenly and unabashedly express ourselves in the name of being authentic, do we always end up feeling peace and joy in the core of our being or are we left to languish in guilt and poor self- esteem? In our present Avatar, we are a bundle of inherited positive and negative flux of aspirations and tendencies that is on a path to gain joy and contentment, deploying our strengths and weaknesses as a means to achieve it. Only if our aspirations can be directed steadily towards achieving the only veritable goal; by aligning our choices, values and personality- constituting our thoughts and actions, to the goal; then what we may exhibit and naturally express will resemble our ‘Authentic self’. A feeling of unshakable inner peace and joy even in the face of challenges is a sure way to know that we are on our way to unravel our ‘Authentic Self’.
बच्चों में मूल्यों का विकास: आत्म-खोज का महत्व
by Anand Panwar from Jabalpur
हालांकि, जब बच्चे मूल्यों को खुद से खोजते हैं, तो वे उनके बारे में सोचते हैं, उनका विश्लेषण करते हैं और यह तय करते हैं कि वे उनके लिए सही हैं या नहीं इसलिए जब वह स्वयं खोजते है तो उन्हें मूल्यों को वास्तविक जीवन में लागू करने का अवसर मिलता है और वे उन्हें विभिन्न स्थितियों में लागू करने का प्रयास करते हैं। यह उन्हें मूल्यों को समझने और उन्हें अपने व्यवहार में शामिल करने में मदद करता है, इससे उन्हे दूसरों के साथ बातचीत करने और मूल्यों के बारे में चर्चा करने का अवसर मिल सकता है, जब बच्चे मूल्यों को खुद से खोजते हैं, तो वे अपने विचारों और अनुभवों को दूसरों के साथ साझा करते हैं। यह उन्हें दूसरों के दृष्टिकोण को समझने और मूल्यों के बारे में अपनी समझ को गहरा करने में मदद कर सकता है।
इसलिए हम बच्चों पर मूल्य थोपने के बजाय, हम उन्हें स्वयं खोजने के अवसर प्रदान कर सकते है। इससे वे अधिक प्रभावी ढंग से सीख सकते है और अपने जीवन में इन मूल्यों को लागू कर सकते है।
My top tips for Resource Persons on how to add value as Value Educators in VIVA
by Indrani Roy from Delhi
Attitude towards the work
If you are a resource person of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Institute of Values (VIVA) and take it up merely as an employment opportunity, you may not be able to fulfil the purpose of joining such an organization. This is a unique opportunity to develop your personality on the ideals set by our value education program. This requires constant engagement and getting aligned to the program in degrees. You have to see yourself as not just a content provider but a person who inspires. Your job is to facilitate and help the students unfold the infinite potential lying dormant in each of them. You are a great contributor towards nation-building. To achieve this, a service-oriented mindset is of utmost importance.
Patience, sincerity, and dedication
In implementing this program, you will be primarily dealing with teachers on whom you have no control or authority. Principals of the school may be of very limited help. You will have to win them over by love and understanding. There is no other way. Keep following up with teachers with utmost patience.
Relationship
Your success and the success of our program is directly proportional to your relationship with the teachers. Try to develop a bond with your teachers. This requires regular contact with your teachers. Reaching out to the teachers on call will be challenging in the initial stage but persist. WhatsApp messages can be used for communication but relationships can be built only by meeting in person and through telephone calls.
Communication
While communicating with the teachers keep in mind that each one is great in their place. They may be great contributors in their area of work, even if due to some constraints they are not running our program. Be a good listener. Listen with empathy to what they are saying without interrupting.
Lastly please bear in mind that students learn much more from who you are than what you say. Each of the resource persons should strive to become live ambassadors of the program, live the values and inspire with your wonderful personality.
Swami Vivekananda said, “purity, patience, and perseverance are the three essentials to success and, above all, love”. Let’s nurture these attributes in ourselves and strive to become shining examples of value educators.