Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Book Review: The One Thing

The most challenging yet the most exciting and enduring activity in our journey through 11th standard was the Book Review assignment. The very first Book Review Session was conducted on 10th March 2015. It was on the New York Times bestseller book - ‘The One Thing’ by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. Dharmitbhai, Neelbhai and Mohitbhai nicely presented the book. The Book Review was conducted during the sports hour in the school auditorium. There was a charming audience, which included the students of class 10th, 11th and 12th and all the teachers from junior and senior section.

 
 
During the session, we witnessed what is our “One Thing”. Dharmitbhai introduced the book and then Neelbhai took the explanation ahead. Neelbhai nicely introduced some of the concepts of the book such as “The Domino Effect” and why and how we should organise our schedule. Then the book review continued with unknown facts about the how the one thing dominates all the other things that we do in our life with the domino effect.

Then came Dharmitbhai who introduced the first part of the book, which was “The Lies” that steal us of our productivity. He explained Six Lies which were, Everything Matters Equally; Multitasking; A Discipline Life; Willpower is always on Will-call; A Balanced Life; and the last Big is Bad. He then also explained to us why we should not make a to-do list instead make a Success list. He explained it with the help of a juggler’s video that, why focusing on the One Thing is important. And he also explained that we don’t need any more discipline, we need habits to become successful. Neelbhai again explained the part 2, which was the truth - The simple path to productivity. He asked us a focusing question, which was ‘what's the one thing I should do such that by doing that everything else will be easier or unnecessary?’ Then they conducted an activity in which all the students were given a sticky note to write their present and future ‘one thing’ which they had to stick at the end of the presentation on the whiteboard in the big and specific pie.

Mohitbhai explained the third part that was “extraordinary results - unlocking possibilities within you”. He shared three possibilities of achieving extraordinary results, which are live with purpose, priority and productivity. Mohitbhai also explained their concept draw in which they drew an iceberg which depicted that 80% of the iceberg is underwater, which signifies our purpose in life and the priorities we set based on our purpose. Our productivity is the 20% of iceberg, which we see and feel. So our success is based on our purpose and priorities. Mohitbhai also explained the four thieves that steal our productivity. Thereafter, Neelbhai gave a very brief conclusion of the book and Dharmitbhai explained the cover page.

In the end, Keyurbhai asked a question to them which the whole group answered very appropriately and concluded the book review.

In the end after the book we all have decided as a class that we will follow our One Thing as students, which is to follow the Recipe of Success formula as given by Param Pujya Swamishree which is:
  1. Sincere Hard work
  2. Earnest Prayers
  3. Company of Good Friends
By students of 12th Commerce

Friday, March 6, 2015

फाल्गुनिका (Holi Celebration 2015)

ह्लाद’ संस्कृत भाषा का शब्द है । ह्लाद शब्द में आ तथा प्र उपसर्ग का प्रयोग करने पर शब्द बनते है: आह्लाद एवं प्रह्लाद जिनका अर्थ होता है आनंद, उल्लास, प्रेम आदि।

होला अर्थात् मुरझा कर सुखी हुई ज्वलनशील लकड़ी जो जलन , इर्ष्या द्वेश का प्रतीक है।

सदियों से प्रह्लाद को भस्म करने में असफल होलीका का इस वर्ष भी दहन कर के आत्मीय विद्यामंदिर में शागिर्दों के लिए “धूर्तमेव पराजयते” का पाठ दोहराया गया।


यशोमति मैया से बोले नंदलाला , राधा क्यों गोरी, मैं क्यों काला ???

माना जाता है कि उपरोक्त प्रश्न को बार-बार पूछे जाने पर यशोदा मैया ने कान्हा से कह दिया कि ‘जा जो रंग तू चाहता है, वो राधा के चेहरे पर लगा दे। कान्हा ने वैसा ही किया और उस दिन से धूलंडी का पर्व प्रचलन में आया।

किंतु गौरतलब है कि इस बार इम्तिहान को मद्देनज़र रखते हुए तमाम तालीमार्थी अलिफ़(अक्षर) के रंग में ही रंगे नज़र आए।

********।।रंगों भरी शुभकामानएं।।********
लेखक:  पुष्पक सर