Values for the Yatra

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC ) E-Letter January 2013

ValueValue Gurus for Todays Young in New Beginnings Called to be

Happy New Year 2013

Tworoadsdivergedinawood,andI Itooktheonelesstravelledby, AndthatmadeallthedifferenceRobertFrost M. Scott Peck, authored a best seller entitled, The Road Less Travelled A New PsychologyofLove,TraditionalValuesandSpiritualGrowth.Allgreatreligionsspeakoflifeas ajourney:TheWay,TheStraightPath,TheNarrowWay. The recent Ang Lees 3D Life of Pi (2012), besides its almost overwhelming cinematography and artistic design that transcend the ordinary, is a story of a journey with new beginnings centered around themes about life and death, about faith and miracles, about doubt and belief,andthemythicherosjourney.Bytheendofthefilm,theaudienceislefttoaskmean ingful questions. Questions about what it takes to believe, what is the value of our human experience and if we can trust the information that comes to us through our senses and ultimately where does it lead us. We often like to live a life of caution, calculation and compromise.Inriskingthepathlesstravelled,onehastobeopentotheirrationalwhereintuitionandintelligence mergeinmysteriousways.HisverynamePiisametaphorofanirrationalnumberwithnoend! Anotheryearhasgoneby.Pastresolutionswereforgottenalongtheway.With hindsight, we find ourselves lost, fatigued, broken, disillusioned, desolate and burnt out.Ourenergieswerewasted,ourvisionblurred,ourjourneywithoutadestination. Our goals, visions and dreams perhaps faded away by boredom, mediocrity and rou tine.Withmorebackslidingthanprogress,wethrowupourhandsintheairandask, Whatistheuseofanotheryear?Whystartalloveragain?WhatsreallynewinaNew Year?Thereisplentyinfact,ifyouarereadytoseebeyondtheordinarymeaning!!! AVECwishesyouaHAPPYNEWYEARandourValuesfortheYatraareinfactlikeValueMapsthatgivesyour lifeanaddedmeaning,directionandpurposetostartafresh.But,youhavetomakethatjourneyyourself!Noone elsecanmakethejourneyforyou.Youcannotgothroughlifejourneyingonsomeoneelsespathorroad...Everyone iscalledtobeaTrailblazer,aPathfinder.Valuesareindicators,signpoststhatguideyoualongtheway.Beingblind to them will makes your journey unbearable and directionless. Let Embrace Values, Enthuse Life be your new mantrafortheyearaheadofyou. AtthestartofthisNewYear2013,AVECwillalsointroducethe30dayPeacePledge,aninitiativebyMrs. Kia Scherr, 26/11 survivorvictim, as she embraces the path of peace and forgiveness and promotes Oneness and SacrednessofLifehereinourcityofMumbaiandacrosstheglobe. LettheNewYear2013findyoumakinganewresolve,settinganewpointofarrivaladestination withapurpose.ThereisValueineveryNewBeginning.Theoldmustgivewaytoanewmeaning. Fr. Glenford Lowe sdb

Values for the Yatra

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC ) E-Letter January 2013

Value of SEEING TIME?

ItisreallyimportanttohaveapersonalperspectiveofTIME?YesorNo?

The Person I intend to Become?

WhenitcomestoTIME,thereisonecommonagelessproblemfacingevery one.Timeistheonlyresourcegivenequallytoeveryone.thequestionisabout howdoIinvestmyTimewell?365daysgonebyenevertoreturn.Takealook athowyouValueTimeitdetermineseverythingyoudo,sayandrelateto. The TimeParadox:TheNewPsychologyofTimeThatWillChangeYourLifeby StanfordUniversitypsychologistPhilipZimbardoandJohnBoydisabookthat invitesustounderstandourPerspectiveonTime.WhatisyourPerspectiveon Time?WearealldefinedbyourPast,guidedbyourPresentanddirectedtowards ourFuture.Timeisnotbrokenupintofragmentsofpast,presentorfuture. Health,Wealth,Relationshipsarebuiltwhenonehasarightperspectiveon Time.CheckouttheseSIXMAJORPERSPECTIVESonTimeWheredoyoustand?

ViewofTIME

TYPEofPersonality
andlikethegoodolddays

Strengths
ordepressed

Weaknesses
Mayresistchangetonew peopleandnewideas

HIGHPASTPOSITIVES: Theyoftenrecallhappytimes Theyareseldomanxious HIGHPRESENT HEDONISTS:

Theyaresensualand Lifeisfulloffunand Spottyjobrecord,riskysex, spontaneous.Theirlivesre friendsandarehappy toomuchalcohol.Emotion volvearoundshorttermfun. externally allybackslideeasily whencalledtosomething important Theyliveinthepresentand Little,theybecomeself believefatedetermines reliantbecausetheydont everything. trustothers. Painfulpast,regretskeep replayingintheirminds. Plannerswhofocusongoals, delaygratificationandkeep commitments. Little,buttheyarenot easilyconnedorfalsely optimistic. Goalaholics,Readyto makesacrificesfornow andHighlymotivated Hottemper.Depression andlessconscientious Tendtobeanxious,shy andunhappy. Forgoimmediatepleasures theymayregretlater.At extremes,theyviewtheir pastasdevoidofanyfun. Lessfocusedonthepre sent;atthemostextreme, willingtokillselvesor othersforfuturerewards.

HIGHPRESENT FATALISTS: HIGHPASTNEGATIVES:

HIGHFUTURES:

Theybelieveintime Theyarepatientand HIGHTRANSCENDENTAL extension,thatis,lifeafter happy. FUTURES: death.

Values for the Yatra

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC E-Letter January 2013 Reflective Value Moments ) for Teachers

Value of NATIONAL INTEGRATION

Anationasasocietyformsamoralperson,andeverymemberofitis personallyresponsibleforhissociety(ThomasJefferson) National Integration is the consciousness of a society that reduces social, economic and gender inequalitiestouniteallinonebondofweandusfeelingirrespectiveoflanguage,religion,ethnic, history,region,stateetc.Nationalintegrationfindsitsexpressionthroughpatriotismandloyaltyina feelingofbrotherhoodandgoodwillforalltoworkincooperationandcollaborationforthewelfareofthecountry.

India is the seventhlargest country by area, with a population of over 1.2 billion. India in spite of being a land of various races, religions and languages won freedom as one nation by the influence of common territory, common historyandcommonfightforfreedomagainsttheforeignrule.Allthemajorreligionsoftheworldarepracticedhere likeHinduism,Islam,Christianity,Buddhism,Sikhism,ZoroastrianismandJainism.Geographically,ourlandisdiverse withextremedifferencesinclimate,varietiesincostume,foodhabitsandsocialcustoms.Despiteallthesedifferences, IndiaisapoliticalentitygovernedunderthesameConstitution. We are constitutionally committed to Secularism, Democracy and Social Equality that guarantee basic human rights and promotes national integration. The Constitution of India recognizes the various religions prevalent in India as Secularism declares that every citizen irrespective of the caste will enjoy equal rights to follow the religion of his choice.AsaDemocracy,allIndiansareequalineverywayunderthelawofthecountryandcannotbediscriminated againstonthebasisofdifferencesofcaste,creed,culture,gender,language

PoliticalIntegrationhasalreadytakenplacebutwhatIamafterissomethingmuchdeeperthanthat;anemotional integrationofIndianpeoplesothattwomaybeweldedintoonestrongnationalunity,maintainingatthesametime allourwonderfuldiversity",saidPanditNehru.ThehistoryofIndiapresentsadismalrecordonoursecularcredentials marked by 1984 antiSikh riots, 1992 postAyodhya carnage, 2002 Post Godhra riots, 2008 Orissa Kandhamal riots, 2012 Assam riots each with targetspecific community. Recently the mass exodus of northeasterners instigated via socialmedia,ongoingkhappanchayatshonourkillingoverintercastemarriages,castediscriminationandinjectionof caste in Indian politics pose a major threat to national integration. Even in our digital age, the unrelenting violence perpetrated against the female gender right from womb to the tomb is unabated. The brutality of rapists who traumatizeanddegradewomenisanationalshameforWhatbeginswiththefailuretoupholdthedignityofonelife alltoooftenendswithacalamityforentirenations(KofiAnnan) Indiahastestedbombsandmissilesthatcouldbeusedinanyexternalthreat.Butwehavenotresolvedthethreatof disintegrationwithinthecountry.National Integrationcannotbebuiltbybricks&mortar,chisel&hammer,butit silentlygrowsinthemindsofpeoplethrougheducation(Dr.R.Krishnan).Theschoolhasaroletoremindusofour common nationality through celebration of national festivals / conducting morning assemblies where students take thepledgetotreatallIndiansasbrothersandsisters,peaceralliesandhumanchainstopromoteunityforaworthy cause,fieldtripstosignificantplacesinthelocality,patrioticplays/lectureson livesofnationalleadersforanationrevealsitselfnotonlybythemenitpro ducesbutalsobythemenithonors,themenitremembers(J.F.Kennedy).Our NationalSymbolsliketheNationalFlag,NationalAnthem,andtheNationalEm blemactasstrongunifyingforcesbothintimesofcelebration&adversity.All formsofpublicmediashouldmakeaconsciousefforttoavoidanyinflamma tory news, views and programs. National integration coupled with national pride can ensure a prosperous and stable nation with a bright future for all generationstocome.AsIndiacelebratesitsRepublicday,weallcherishthe ValueofNationalIntegration.Sr.VeraAlmeida

Values for the Yatra

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC E-Letter Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC ))E-Letter January 2013 December 2009

Sacredness of Life Life Alliance Promoting Values throughOne

LifeasIknewitchangedonNovember26,2008whenmyhusband,Alanand13yearold daughter, Naomi, were among those who were shot and killed by terrorists at the Oberoi HotelinMumbai,India. One of the things that has emerged from my experience was my determination to create a positive outcome by makingatotalcommitmenttohonourtheSacrednessofLife.OneoftheformsthishastakeniswhatMasterCharles andIcalltheOneLifeAlliancePledge.Thebook,ismypersonalinvitationtoyoutotaketheOneLifeAlliancePledge. Iminvitingyou,righthereandrightnow,tojoinwithmeandsomanyothersintransformingthisheartwrenching tragedybytakingastandandmakingapersonalcommitmenttohonourthelifeweallshare.Thetimehascometo jointogetherasone.We,areonehumanfamily.Letushonourthesacrednessoflifeinourselvesandineachother. Togetherwecanshiftthescalesofbalancetoalifeaffirmativefocus.Itbeginswitheachoneofuswiththechoices wemakemomenttomoment. Forgivenessisthenaturaloutcomeofloveandcompassion,Compassiondoesnotmeanthatthepainoflosssome howgoesaway.ButIfindwhenIchooselove,understanding,acceptance,compassionandforgivenessasthebasis forallofmyinteractions,IfeelupliftedandInoticethepeaceinme. IhopethatyouwilljoinmeintakingtheOneLifeAlliancePledge.Ivegathered30simplewaystoassistyouoverthe next30daysbygivingyouafocusforeachdaythatwillenrichthisexperienceanddrawoutthebestofwhoyouare. We strengthen anything to which we bring our attention. When we take the time to keep the Sacredness of Life Pledgebyremindingourselves,notingourchallengesandacknowledgingourinsights,wecantrulytransformour lifeexperience. Asyouaccessthesacredlifewithintheshrineofyourownheart,mayyoubeenvelopedinthelovethatisyourvery essence. KiaScherr May2011

Values for the Yatra

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC ) E-Letter January 2013

One Life Alliance30 Day Pledge

DAY1 SlowingDown
Slowdownandtake thetimetopayCompassionand Appreciatethebreath attentiontomyself enjoythesmilesall oflifeinmyselfand andothers aroundme others

DAY3 Breathe Smilewith Deeply

DAY2 Smile

DAY4 Acceptance

DAY5 Listening

Acceptingmyself Bylisteningtomyself, asIamandIcanlisten othersastheyare. morefullytothe other

DAY6 DAY7 DAY8 DAY9 DAY10 Speakingthe Understanding Forgiveness Patience Simplify Beopento ForgivinghealsBePatientwith Remember,lessis Truth
TruthissacredandI willexpressitinmy words

understandingmyself myselfandhelpsme myselfandothers.Be more.WhenLifeis andothersinthe moveaheadwithlove gratefulwhenothers simple,Iambalanced world. arepatientwithme andpeaceful

DAY11 HaveFun

DAY12

Honouring Agreements Takelifeless

DAY13 Sharing

DAY14 Receiving

DAY15 Gratitude

seriously!Havefunit makesyoumorealive

Sharefromtheheart, Beopentoreceive Begratefulforthelife notjustwhatIhave, fromothersandwhat Iexperienceand Keepmy butalsowhoIam lifehastoofferme sharewiththosein commitmentswith withothers. frommomentto myworld integrity,honestyand moment authenticity

DAY16 Celebration

DAY17 Inclusion

DAY18 Flow

DAY19 Kindness

DAY20 Collaboration

Celebrateevery Openthedoorsto Letgoofall Putattentiontobeing Collaboratewith momentthatcome includeeveryone.Be resistanceinmeand kindwithmyselfand othersforconnection mywaytoday connected! flowwithlife others andsharing

DAY21 Inspiration

DAY22 Completion

DAY23 Connections

Beopentoinspiration Completeeverytask Beawareofbeing inmyselfandinspire andagreement connectedwithself otherstoo responsibly andwithothers

DAY24 DAY25 CreatingSilence Giftmyselfwith Balance

Balancebodymind heartsoulpositively silencebetweenmy thoughtsandwords

believewithallmy Selflesslygiveof heart myselfforothers

DAY26 DAY27 Selfless Trust Trustlifeitselfand Service

DAY28 Peace

DAY29 Compassion

DAY30 Love
Beloveandlivelove everymoment.Itis mytruenature

Beatpeacewith Becompassionate,it myselfandsharethis isalovingchoiceI peacewithothers make

A Daily Commitment to Honour the Sacredness of Life - Kia Scherr

Values for the Yatra

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC ) E-Letter January 2013

! her Earth Mot ve back to Gi

NOTE:Allschoolsinterestedinbeingapartofthisprojectthataimstosave thousandsoftreesfrombeingcut,willconfirmtheirparticipationbycalling Mr.SandeepSoniat9029909426/9172885022orbysendinganemailto info@ilmme.orgDetailshavealreadybeensenttoyourschool.Thankyou

Values for the Yatra

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC ) E-Letter January 2013

Diamond Values: Education to Becoming

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC) Mumbai

AVEC COMPETITION
SKIT COMPETITION
Media: Cause of Decline in Values

Skit for a Minimum 20 minutes

To be performed in the school itself.

The Script must be typed and sent to us.

Please send the best Three Entries in

each category (Juniors/Inters/ Seniors) to AVEC by the January 26, 2013. To qualify, all entries must be signed by the Value Coordinator and sealed with a school stamp. Thank you!

Values for the Yatra

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC ) E-Letter January 2013

Results: Eco-friendly DiWali

s ongratulation C
ORDEROFMERIT
1. DonBoscoSeniorSecondaryNerul 2. St.MarysHighSchool,Mazagaon 3. St.AnnesHighSchool,Orlem 4. St.Joseph'sHighSchool,Umerkhadi 5.DivineChildHighSchool,Andheri 6.St.LouisHighSchool,Dahisar 7. SacredHeartHighSchool,Worli AVECDiamondTrophieswillbeawarded!

DonBoscoYouthServices(DBYS)Matunga

TogetherwithAVECinvitesallSTUDENTSof STDX&XII,togetherwiththeirparents, toaEucharisticCelebrationat12.00noon onSunday,February10,2013 attheShrineofDonBoscosMadonna. Fr.GeorgeCarlos,SDBPrincipalofDonBoscoHigh School,BoriviliwillofficiateandprayforGods blessingsonallthoseappearingfortheirExams

AVEC E-Letter Values for the Yatra is an initiative to provide Animation Resources for Teachers involved in Value Education in the ABE schools/ Jr. Colleges .Values for the Yatra will be published every month and is for Private Circulation. 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: Fr. Glenford Lowe, SDB / Rochwyn Fernandes / Sr. Vera / Veronica Dlima AVECDon Bosco Youth Services, Matunga 400019 , MUMBAI Ph: 24154477 e-mail: avecmatunga@gmail.com Blog: avecmumbaidbys.blogspot.com Facebook: avec mumbai