Learning, relearning and unlearning has been the daily task.

Apart from reading articles and a

few pages of books related to content, I had read first two chapters of Yeonmi Park’s book, “In
Order to Live”. The book is the memoir of author’s odyssey of hope for democratic life than
living in a hermit kingdom of North Korea.

Mentoring was professional social gathering. The two months Gomdri session was good time to
connect together. Having got to learn about new and even old was a great move.

Volunteered to lay the foundation for Ap Rai’s house construction below Choeten Ningpo which
was on the threshold to be affected by landslide which helped to fulfill the attributes of school
excellence. To be collaborative, communicative, supportive and decisive were some of the take
away values. Additionally, volleyball and Khuru matches were good ways to live together
harmoniously. Playing friendly Khuru matches against Six Sense staff and volleyball matches
with Goenshari community, Uma staff, Gewog staff, and local communities and within the staff
aided to be more sociable.

Nonetheless, daily learning experience in the class with students and other school programs had
made me more sociable and had learned social skills. Above all, my social competence has
increased twofold, it was possible through the above events and I look for more events so that I
can constantly increase by social networking.

For physical wellbeing and fitness, dieting, exercising in morning and evening besides engaging
in friendly volleyball matches among the faculties and with other community members. Apart
from that, daily walk from staffroom to class and vice versa did justice to physical fitness. Off
all, the drill session in scouting was a plus point. Demonstrating step by step all alone with full
energy and then doing along with scouts was doubly blessed for my physical fitness as it helped
in burning the calories. The Physical Coordinator applauded the move in the remark.

Spirituality isn’t far from being human, starting from being consciousness of oneself through
introspection without forgetting the interconnectedness. For personal well-being Milarapa’s
spiritual song accompanies the best not to be egoistic and arrogant. For instance, Melerapa
advised Rechungpa to be happy, setting aside ego and arrogance. Spiritual songs of Milarepa had
helped me to realize the impermanence of an illusionary life full of arrogance and ego. I submit
before Milerapa, my speech, mind and body to aid in pursuing a spiritual life with more spiritual
values and positive thoughts. Milerapa’s spiritual songs aren’t only meant for personal
wellbeing. It is equally applicable in classroom settings where one of the stanzas shared below
describes the best.  

"Oh! My gracious Guru, Marpa Lho Draug Wa,

From the depth of my heart I think of you.

In deepest earnestness I meditate on you.

That I will never be separated from you, is my prayer."

Though Milarepa didn't meet with his Master Marpa, he had profound faith for his master. The
dharmic master-disciple chemistry may not be relevant in a scientific educational setting, but it is
possible to knit the relation if the values and importance are felt. When Aristotle could admit
Socrates' role in former life, then the trend about student teachers should not be any new in the
modern educational setting. If students and teachers can have a high degree of love, respect,
faith, and trust among each other when Milarepa has such faith in his master even before seeing,
possibility is not a question. Such were the songs that I sang in my class before the lesson.
Nonetheless, through such words not all but few students will believe and that sets the tone of
class

From listening religious discourse to autobiography of His Holiness the 68 th Je Khenpo and the
70th Je Khenpo, pilgriming and rendering voluntary service in whitewashing Thudrup Lhakhang
were transcendence in nature with compassionate attentiveness. In doing so, selfless mind and
act had enabled me to understand oneself and the surrounding thus leading to harmonious living
internally and externally.

Creating an enabling environment through the stories of inspirational figures was one of my
goals in the emotional area to encourage and motivate students to be zealous to fulfill their
aspirations. The anecdote from Zhidar’s life did justice. Zhidar's songs of sorrow was an
energizer to the students not because all of them share similar facets of life but the determination,
handwork and stamina Zhidar possessed will eventually help them not to lose hope no matter
how worse they feel for themselves. The story of Zhidar sets the classroom setting to renew their
hope, determination and handwork to fulfill their dreams and aspirations. Zhidhar, an orphan
abject poverty had risen to the highest civilian post in the 18th century starting from menial
servant to the post of Desi by even spending night leaning against ox in winter to overcome
winter harshness. So, Zhidar's songs of sorrow is an energizer to the students not because all of
them share similar facets of life but the determination, handwork, stamina in achieving his dream
will help them not to lose hope no matter how worse they feel for themselves. If an orphan
childlike Zhidhar can do, the students will feel their potential with the latest gadgets at their
disposal. Though I didn’t not review, their faces had shown the message about the importance of
their determination along with odds.

Lately, I realized my diffidence through introspection. To boost my self-esteem I tried to speak

out in assembly and staff gatherings not because I love speaking but I tried to gain confidence
and boost self-esteem. Initially I really got goose bumps but as I kept on speaking, I felt better.
So, one method which I realized was through my own games - speaking in public but with some
substance through preparation. I was listening to Dr. Ivon Joseph on TEDxRyersonU about self-
confidence very recently. He highlights repetition and practice by removing the negative
thoughts which really matter especially for my low self-esteem.