TEACH

To Educate And Coach Humanity is the focus of all those who TEACH

One of the noblest professions, teaching is both an art and a science. The nobility of teaching stems from the fact that we are sharing our learning, our expertise and our experience with others with a view to making them educated, confident and independent. The science of teaching outlines the rules and theory which will help one to effectively impart the learning in a structured manner, provide guidelines for evaluating the learning and provides stimulus for upgrading ones own knowledge. The art of teaching focuses on stimulating the students to be attentive, encourage learners to experiment and personalize the style of imparting the teaching.

As the saying goes’ Feed a man and you will make him dependent on you but teach him to fish and he will become independent’ The nobility of the teaching profession lies in the fact that you are giving back to society at large, much more than what you have personally got from the world. Real teaching is all about guiding pupils through the basics, encouraging them to explore the more advanced and facilitating and encouraging them to move beyond he frontiers of academics and books and unlock their potential, be more creative and change the world. Understanding and empathy are two qualities essential for any teacher. There are times when the students feel restless, defeated and frustrated more so when they cannot cope up with the pressures of learning by rote, the weight of parental expectations and unfairness of being compared with peers on pure academic results alone.

Teaching is not limited to merely the classrooms. Our first teachers in fact are out parents, elder siblings, grandparents, uncles and aunties, neighbors and friends and religious instructors, all of whom instill in us the values, the virtues and the social graces so essential to make us gentlemen and ladies. Our good qualities, our bad habits, our thought process, our body language are all greatly influenced by the early teaching we received in our growing up years in the non formal world of family life, social life and religious process. Very often, many of what we imbibe is based observation of the examples set before us by family, society and community around us.

Real teaching therefore is the responsibility of each one of us because by our thoughts, words and deeds we are setting examples for the young to follow. Our lack of patience, our intemperate language, our penchant for gossiping and bad mouthing are all silently observed and incorporated by those around particularly the children and the youngsters. It would be best if we can be polite, courteous, well mannered, use the three magic words of please, thank you and sorry in our day to day living, for then if the youngsters follow and imitate us, they will be well tutored in life and we can be proud and feel flattered; as they say ‘imitation is the best form of flattery’

Action Points:

Have you attempted the challenge posed in the previous post of 7th Feb.2010, where you had to make as many words as possible of 4 letters or more with the alphabets  E T F S N S A and ensure that the alphabet F appears in all the words. Please attempt this challenge now!!

1. Check out your own academic performance when in school and college. It would be unfair and unreasonable to expect your children to do disproportionately better than yourself in their academic performance.
2. Check out your bad habits and the most common criticism about yourself given by your spouse, friends, colleagues etc. Ask yourself if you are setting the right example for others to follow. Outline steps you will take to curb your bad habits.

Many of you are anxiously waiting for the answers to last week’s problem. Here are the words that you can make with the given alphabets and with the F appearing in all the words.
Fate, Fast, Fest, Fans, Feast, Feasts, Feat, Feats, Fastens, Safe,

How many CLAPS did you give yourself?

 Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

 Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

 You are also invited to visit our daily inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/

CLAP

The most universal form of appreciation world over is clapping. It a Clear Loud Appreciative Praise for the person /event/ moment. A CLAP is simple to perform, is often spontaneous, energizes the people clapping and the those receiving it and heightens the moment to a new level. The wonder of clapping is that it cn be engaged in by anyone who can feel the surge of positive emotion be it a child, a teenager, an adult or the old and the infirm.  

A clap is loud, it can be rhythmic, it galvanizes everyone, it conveys a common feeling that cannot be expressed in words and yet is understood by everyone in the same sense. It needs no clue, but can occasionally be ill timed , partial as is the case when you are supporting a team and can be conveniently used even to convey displeasure or disinterest as is done when people indulge in slow rhythmic clapping to shut up a long winded speaker or an unpopular point of view.

On the other end of the spectrum is the standing ovation, where the audience not only claps with gusto but stands up to honor the personality and / or the moment. The longer the thunderous applause, you can be sure that it comes straight from the heart and also indicates that the ecstasy ended too soon. A clap followed by calls for an encore are the ultimate tribute to anyone who is holding centre stage and that is the defining moment for both a new comer or a veteran.

 Action Points:

1. Do we restrain our natural impulse to clap when we feel moved by the performance or the moment (as in the welcoming of the New Year). Learn to be more spontaneous and be the cheerleader and begin the clapping when you know that something is worthy of applause and praise.
2. Are we game enough to acknowledge an extraordinary performance by a competitor? Do we have it in us to appreciate the skill, the talent and the effort? Sometimes we will be forced to recognize that while we have won the battle, the opponent has won the war; do we have the magnanimity to acknowledge this and appreciate it in Public. 

• [Here is a little challenge for you. How many English words found in a standard dictionary, of four letters or more can you make from the letters given below and which must include the alphabet in RED.F E T S N S A. (Special clue you can even make one word using all the alphabets). First write down the number of words you think you can make. Only then start attempting it. Did you exceed your expectations or were your expectations far too short of your performance? Did doubt play an important part in your estimation?  

Give yourself a clap if you get 4 words, a thunderous clap for getting 6 words and a standing ovation if you get 8 words or more.

 (Answers to the above will be posted in the next blog post of 15th February 2010)

 Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our daily inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/ 

START

The tough part for any new initiative is the start. Beginning a task, be it writing a blog or studying for exams or exercising regularly or giving up a vice like smoking / watching TV/ drinking always gets caught in the rut of excuses. Part of the reason is the lack of real incentive and the psychological pain of losing out on a pleasurable alternative. However if we look at it from a different perspective and expand it to read as Simply Trigger Actionable Results Today, START provides both incentive and motivation to set you on the path to success.

Well begun is half done – is an old quote with infinite wisdom. A good start must be well planned, the road map chalked out, the results measurable and the goal kept in focus at all times. Despite this, the real problem is to begin; we dither for it involves commitment; we hesitate because the road ahead seems long and arduous; we oscillate between ignoring our nagging conscience and rationalizing our diffidence in starting. 

We can have a good start if we see the big picture – the end result – visualize the feeling of elation when we have conquered our personal success peaks. Then break that big picture into smaller ones like pieces of a jig saw puzzle and start with the first piece in hand. Take it one piece at a time or in real life one day at a time. Remember the story of the clock – who one day had a nervous breakdown when it suddenly had a rush of blood and could not fathom how it would keep ticking for eternity. Fortunately the clock repair man diagnosed the problem and whispered in its ears – just take one tick and one tock at a time. The much relieved clock then went about its tasks smiling and keeping perfect time. 

Action Points:

• Outline your New Year Resolutions. Now ask yourself why each of it is an important resolution for you; this will give you the big picture. Now list out how you propose to go about achieving the resolution starting today.
• What is /are your passions. Choose just two of them. Now outline your action plan to scale that passion to a new level. E.g. you love to sing and you are a decent singer. Now if you want to sing on a bigger platform what are the actions you need to take? Put time frames for each action and begin at the earliest.

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our daily inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/

LIFE

The cry of a new born is LIFE calling out aloud! At that moment, everyone without exception, experiences the power of  that new born - Love Inside Finding Expression. It may sound ironic, that there is JOY in that CRY, for it is the sweet sound of LIFE that heralds one more miracle performed by the creator.

When we reflect on our own living, we might be rudely awakened by the realization that most of are merely Existing and not relishing the true fruits of LIFE. If our day is merely millions of breaths devoid of pleasure, thousands of chores without any appreciation and tight rope walking between seemingly endless deadlines, it is sustenance that drives us and not Love that motivates. When Love is absent inside us, how can we hope to share it with others. The silent cry that is echoed in our vacant eyes, our robotic movements and our near indifferent attitude, is in reality LIFE throttled within us,  seeking a way to express itself in a smile, a touch, infectious enthusiasm and eternal optimism.

We need to ask ourselves if we are creatures of habit or enlightened individuals; fatalist by thinking or daredevils mastering our destiny and can we with hope, faith and confidence let go our inhibitions and LIVE our Love Inside Finding Expression!

Action Points:

• Ask yourself how often you find yourself not in a mood, dejected, bored and depressed? If these or similar feelings plague you often it is time for you to share your concerns with elders / confidants/ friends and / or seek professional help. Very often speaking your problems aloud to someone helps you vent and clears your heart and mind to think and behave more proactively.

• We often tend to magnify our problems and rarely acknowledge the gifts of talents, ability, intelligence and relationships we are blessed with. List out your most worrying thoughts and the most wonderful gifts you have. See if you can find a gift that can alleviate or minimize your worries. You will be amazed how many of your worries actually disappear and you can actually enjoy LIFE.

Power Act - from www.actspot.com is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our daily inspirational and motivational blog www.actspot.wordpress.com

SMILE

See My Instant Life Energizer and I immediately realize that my SMILE not only transforms me but impacts every one around me too. A smile can set anything right! Beginning with my mood, it brightens the environment around, charges the people interacting with me with positive energy and paradoxically makes life in general a lot lighter too.

A SMILE comes free, can be given free and you receive it manifold absolutely free. A smile is the antidote for worry, the visible sign of happiness and the hidden reservoir of warmth and cheer. Nothing breaks the ice faster between strangers, than a warm smile. It not only improves the face value but it even touches the heart. A smile can melt hardened hearts, give hope to the despondent, cement friendships, be the instant peacemaker and the omnipresent lingering image of a Loved one!

Action Points:

• Are you smiling in all your photographs- go check a few and ask yourself how come you were so happy at that moment. Many memories will come flooding back and you can again feel the smile on your face.
• Can you visualize the moments that felt heavenly when you got some smiles - it could have been  the smile from grand parents, parents or the smile from your favorite teacher in school or is it the smile from your spouse to be, when you both first met or the smile from your new born?
• Take up the challenge to smile daily at the most non descript people you meet – the cab driver, the lift man, the waiters in restaurants, ticket vendor behind the counter, the beggars on the street corner etc.

This post is courtesy www.actspot.com  

You are also invited to visit our daily inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com /

FAITH

FAITH is the axis on which a human beings life revolves. Without faith, wo/man would find it hard to face the challenges thrown up daily, by life. Ill health, unemployment, inadequate finances, lack of basic needs like food, shelter and clothing etc could easily terrify the average human being if he did not look within himself and is rewarded by Finding Answers In The Heart.

FAITH also has a unique quality in that it is self fulfilling and tranquilizing. Faith is not just about belief in Gods powers to come to your aide. In fact real faith is ones ability to believe in oneself, his own potential, his own inner resource to meet challenges squarely and reach out for the stars and grabbing it from the galaxy called opportunity. However faith is demanding; it is not as simple as rolling a dice and winning the jackpot but is more in the nature of planting a seed and nurturing it with care and attention knowing that the tree will grow and bear fruit. Faith flourishes best when it is liberally sprinkled with hard work, clear vision and rock solid commitment.

Go live your dream knowing that - Fear ends where FAITH begins.

 Action Points

• Reflect on some of your worse fears and the worst consequences if those fears come true. Do you really believe that any of your fears will really come true?
• Make a list of some unfulfilled dreams that you have and chart out a course of action to achieve them.
• Every week attempt to do something you have never tried before - and enjoy the feel of achievement It could be simple things like going to a place of worship of a different religion, or attending a rock or jazz concert if you never have done it or it could be taking on a responsibility you have never taken on like organizing a party or picnic.

Power Act - from www.actspot.com is focused on -  

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our daily blog www.actspot.wordpress.com

ACT

ACT does not refer to the ability to emote and perform on stage or before the camera, but is an acronym for an even more powerful expression - Action Conquers Terror. There is very paradoxical English phrase' Paralyzed by Fear' which is the exact opposite of ACT. One of the most common fears is Public Speaking and the only way to overcome it is to get in front of an audience and speak. All the rules of public speaking will not help you, just as the theoretical knowledge of the laws of physics wont teach you swimming unless you are in the water. Similarly, if we need to conquer our fears, we need to make an effort to sharpen our abilities to overcome that fear and then plunge into it with confidence and enthusiasm. Confidence will ensure that your heart is in it and enthusiasm will give you the positive energy to succeed.
Never forget that there is a first time for anything we do in life . Success is not guaranteed all the time; yet we tentatively step into the swimming pool for the first time and boldly walk the isle at our wedding - the key in both cases is our urge to experience the pleasures that come with the ACT.

There is only one word of caution - don't confuse movement with action - a rocking chair is moving alright, but it isn't taking you anywhere !!!

Action Points

• List out your fears or some of those passionate things you always wanted to do. e.g. going on a giant wheel, taking an elephant ride, eating with chopsticks etc.
• Make an action plan to ensure that you will create an opportunity to actually attempt to enjoy these pursuits.

              Power Act - from www.actspot.com is focused on -
                        Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.