Focus Group Discussion or FGD.
I first encountered this humorous but very substantial
piece of article through Fr. James Kroeger.
As I made research on this theme I came to realize that
we can really learn a lot from this article about
life in general.
non-tenured and newly tenured teachers in my unit.
My message to them is just simple and this theme
captured the essence of what I want to say.
I want the non-tenured and newly tenured teachers
to know that I am with them in their journey
in Colegio San Agustin-Makati.
It is a difficult journey but one that is
worth the travel just like a pilgrim in
search of his/her purpose in life
as he/she walks in the road called life.
The insights & reflections shared in this entry
are the same input I gave to my non-tenured
and newly tenured teachers in CSA... so pardon the
constant reference to this bunch of wonderful people.
LESSON NO. 1 - Don't miss the boat!
How many times have we missed an opportunity because we didn't pay attention to The Call?
It is such a shame that when an opportunity knocks at our door and we just dismiss it not knowing that it may bring us abundance & grace. Sayang!
At pwede na rin ito sa mga madalas ma-late sa school, sa classroom, sa meeting, sa date, etc... Remember, tardiness is next to - memo or suspension letter! hahaha! Lagot!
LESSON NO. 2 - Remember, we are all in
the same boat!
the cutest rodent and insects but I guess what Noah wanted
that time was to make sure that everybody is
well taken cared of inside the ark/boat.
We are all in the same boat means we are "all in THIS together."
We are together in solving problems, we are together in delivering a project or assignment given to us.
We work as a group, as a unit, as a family - together.
Walang iwanan, walang laglagan, walang sisihan,
walang turuan ng pagkakamali...
United we stand, divided we fall... alam nyo na 'to!
We are all in the same boat, we row together!
LESSON NO. 3 - Plan ahead!
It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.
As teachers, there will be situations when you will be given tasks that will require not just professional skills but also common sense and time management. Remember, one who looks ahead and proactively responds to the situation will be more likely to succeed in his/her work, task or life.
LESSON NO. 4 - Stay fit!
When you're 600 years old, someone may
ask you to do something really big!
But the real deal is one has to be NOT JUST physically fit, mentally alert and emotionally stable BUT ALSO
spiritually aware to God's grace to respond to life's challenges.
gossip mongers!
Just get on with the needs to be done.
In our workplace we cannot avoid small talks, tittle-tattles and gossips! But for once let us not listen nor participate in such time-wasting activity. It will not help any one once you engage in gossips. Just do your job! Let us follow the example of Noah. He didn't permit such negativity in his life.
high ground
In short, it's called FORESIGHT!
How many times have we failed in the classroom or school activity because we didn't "see" things coming? Sometimes, we get caught up with making things spectacular that we tend to forget what is really essential - to make things work even if it is only simple. Maybe it's about time to think of the "essentials" in life.
travel in pairs!
"Two heads are better than one."
"Sometimes miracles come in pairs."
"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much."
"Friendship is essentially a partnership."
I think you got my point.
Never be a lone ranger in your cause for something good.
As new teachers (non-tenured) you are given mentors
to help you get through with the academic year.
Collaborate with them. Build a relationship with them.
Your mentors are more than just your guide,
they are your "piece of a family" here in the department.
with the cheetahs.
There are instances when we are to work speedily just to comply with the demands of our job but compromising the quality of our work. Let us not forget that the quality of our work somehow reflects our character as an individual.
Life will always give us a choice: "reach our destination in high speed but not seeing the essentials" OR we "enjoy the journey together with some pit stops and reach our destination blissfully.
float for a while.
The teaching profession (and I guess with the other professions too) can be a stressful job if one dismisses the idea of REST.
God gave us the gift of rest. (Check out Genesis 2)
It is to our advantage that we rest especially when we feel we are no longer productive or fatigue creeps in. When we rest, we rest not just our physical body but also our spirit.
The key word is "acceptance." Accept each other's strengths and weaknesses; accept each others capabilities and capacities; accept each other - the boss and the apprentice, the leader and the follower, the mentor and the mentee.
Lesson No. 10 may be best remembered by what Mahatma Gandhi said - "It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken, and the wisest might err."
Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life.
The story of Noah will always be a reminder for all of us that there is salvation, there is eternal life for us. The rainbow is more than just a symbol or sign. It is a promise to mankind. A promise of eternal life for all of us.
Lord, what a menagerie!
Between Your downpour and these animal cries
one cannot hear oneself think!
The days are long, Lord.
All this water makes my heart sink.
When will the ground cease to rock under my feet?
The days are long, Lord.
Master Raven has not come back.
Here is Your dove.
Will she find us a twig of hope?
The days are long, Lord.
Guide Your Ark to safety,
some zenith of rest,
where we can escape at last
from this brute slavery.
The days are long, Lord.
Lead me until I reach the shore of Your covenant.
Amen.
Carmen Bernos de Gasztold
Prayers from the Ark
translated from the French by Rumer Godden
of sunshine after rain,
of calm after storms,
of joy after sadness,
of peace after pain,
of order after chaos,
of contentment after misery,
of happiness after pain,
of hope after despair,
of love after loss.
At 'yan ang sabi ni Manang!
October 2014