Hi,
The following poem was emailed to me recently and I wanted to share it here :-
*********************************************************
Can't : By Edgar A. Guest
Can't is the worst word that's written or spoken;
Doing more harm here than slander and lies;
On it is many a strong spirit broken,
And with it a good purpose dies.
It springs from the lips of the thoughtless each morning
And robs us of courage we need through the day:
It rings in our ears like a timely set warning
And laughs when we falter and fall by the way.
Can't is the father of feeble endeavour,
The parent of terror and half hearted work;
It weakens the efforts of artisans clever,
And makes of the toiler an indolent shirk.
It poisons the soul of the man with a vision,
It stifles in infancy many a plan;
It greets honesty toiling with open derision
And mocks at the hopes and dreams of a man.
Can't is a word none should speak without blushing;
To utter it should be a symbol of shame;
Ambition and courage it daily is crushing;
It blights a man's purpose and shortens his aim.
Despise it with all of hatred of error;
Refuse it the lodgement it seeks in your brain;
Arm against it as a creature of terror,
And all that you dream of you someday shall gain.
Can't is the word that is foe to ambition,
An enemy ambushed to shatter your will;
Its prey is forever the man with a mission
And bows to courage and patience and skill.
Hate it, with hatred that's deep and undying,
For once it is welcomed 'twill break any man;
Whatever the goal you are seeking, keep trying
ans answer this demon by saying: 'I Can.'
********************************************************
Best regards,
Kumaran RN
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
A Thought Provoking Email
Hi,
A couple of days ago, I received a thought provoking email from some contacts of mine. It was written by a muslim friend. I feel many of the points are agreeable and the gist of the email applies not only to the followers of islam but also the other religions in which terrorists exists. We should understand that all religions int he world are not advocates of terrorism but they preach peace, understanding and tolerance. Terrorism is the result of the abuse of politics by an individual or a groups of people for his/her or their personal gains that maybe power and/or wealth.
Let us all re-look at our belief systems, our religions and condemn all acts of terrorism and preach peace, tolerance and understanding among fellow human beings regardless or who they maybe. Hope the relevant religious and government authorities in the world start to put this into action right away. When there is a will, there is a way.
God is Love, Love is God :)
Just my thoughts and views.
Here is the email for your thought :-
=============================================
Date : 18 March 2009
From the heart of a Muslim --- Tawfik Hamid
I was born a Muslim and lived all my life as a follower of Islam. After
the barbaric terrorist attacks done by the hands of my fellow Muslims
everywhere on this globe, and after the too many violent acts by
Islamists in many parts of the world, I feel responsible as a Muslim
and as a human being, to speak out and tell the truth to protect the
world and Muslims as well from a coming catastrophe and war of
civilizations.
I have to admit that our current Islamic teaching creates violence
and hatred toward Non-Muslims. We Muslims are the ones who need to
change. Until now we have accepted polygamy, the beating of women by
men, and killing those who convert from Islam to other religions. We
have never had a clear and strong stand against the concept of slavery
or wars, to spread our religion and to subjugate others to Islam and
force them to pay a umiliating tax called Jizia. We ask others to
respect our religion while all the time we curse non-Muslims loudly (in
Arabic) in our Friday prayers in the Mosques.
What message do we convey to our children when we call the Jews
"Descendants of the pigs and monkeys". Is this a message of love and
peace, or a message of hate?
I have been into churches and synagogues where they were praying for
Muslims. While all the time we curse them, and teach our generations to
call them infidels, and to hate them.
We immediately jump in a 'knee jerk reflex' to defend Prophet Mohammed
when someone accuses him of being a pedophile while, at the same time,
we are proud with the story in our Islamic books, that he married a
young girl seven years old (Aisha) when he was above 50 years old.
I am sad to say that many, if not most of us, rejoiced in happiness
after September 11th and after many other terror attacks. Muslims
denounce these attacks to look good in front of the media, but we
condone the Islamic terrorists and sympathise with their cause. Till now
our 'reputable' top religious authorities have never issued a Fatwa or
religious statement to proclaim Bin Laden as an apostate, while an
author, like Rushdie, was declared an apostate who should be killed
according to Islamic Shariia law just for writing a book criticizing
Islam.
Muslims demonstrated to get more religious rights as we did in
France to stop the ban on the Hejab (Head Scarf), while we did not
demonstrate with such passion and in such numbers against the terrorist
murders.... WHY???
It is our absolute silence against the terrorists that gives the energy
to these terrorists to continue doing their evil acts. We Muslims need
to stop blaming our problems on others or on the
Israeli/Palestinian conflict. As a matter of honesty, Israel is the only
light of democracy, civilization, and human rights in the whole Middle
East .
We kicked out the Jews with no compensation or mercy from
most of the Arab countries to make them "Jews-Free countries"
while Israel accepted more than a million Arabs to live there, have
its nationality, and enjoy their rights as human beings. In Israel ,
women can not be beaten legally by men, and any person can change
his/her belief system with no fear of being killed by the Islamic law of
'Apostasy', while in our Islamic world people do not enjoy any of these
rights. I agree that the 'Palestinians' suffer, but they suffer because
of their corrupt leaders and not because of Israel .
It is not common to see Arabs who live in Israel leaving to live
in the Arab world. On the other hand, we used to see thousands of
Palestinians going to work with happiness in Israel, its 'enemy'. If
Israel treats Arabs badly as some people claim, surely we would
have seen the opposite happening... Right?
We Muslims need to admit our problems and face them. Only then we can
treat them and start a new era to live in harmony with human mankind.
Our religious leaders have to show a clear and very strong stand against
polygamy, pedophilia, slavery, killing those who convert from Islam to
other religions, beating of women by men and declaring wars on
non-Muslims to spread Islam.
Then, and only then, do we have the right to ask others to respect
our religion. The time has come to stop our hypocrisy and say
it openly: 'We Muslims have to Change'.
- Tawfik Hamid -
==================================
A couple of days ago, I received a thought provoking email from some contacts of mine. It was written by a muslim friend. I feel many of the points are agreeable and the gist of the email applies not only to the followers of islam but also the other religions in which terrorists exists. We should understand that all religions int he world are not advocates of terrorism but they preach peace, understanding and tolerance. Terrorism is the result of the abuse of politics by an individual or a groups of people for his/her or their personal gains that maybe power and/or wealth.
Let us all re-look at our belief systems, our religions and condemn all acts of terrorism and preach peace, tolerance and understanding among fellow human beings regardless or who they maybe. Hope the relevant religious and government authorities in the world start to put this into action right away. When there is a will, there is a way.
God is Love, Love is God :)
Just my thoughts and views.
Here is the email for your thought :-
=============================================
Date : 18 March 2009
From the heart of a Muslim --- Tawfik Hamid
I was born a Muslim and lived all my life as a follower of Islam. After
the barbaric terrorist attacks done by the hands of my fellow Muslims
everywhere on this globe, and after the too many violent acts by
Islamists in many parts of the world, I feel responsible as a Muslim
and as a human being, to speak out and tell the truth to protect the
world and Muslims as well from a coming catastrophe and war of
civilizations.
I have to admit that our current Islamic teaching creates violence
and hatred toward Non-Muslims. We Muslims are the ones who need to
change. Until now we have accepted polygamy, the beating of women by
men, and killing those who convert from Islam to other religions. We
have never had a clear and strong stand against the concept of slavery
or wars, to spread our religion and to subjugate others to Islam and
force them to pay a umiliating tax called Jizia. We ask others to
respect our religion while all the time we curse non-Muslims loudly (in
Arabic) in our Friday prayers in the Mosques.
What message do we convey to our children when we call the Jews
"Descendants of the pigs and monkeys". Is this a message of love and
peace, or a message of hate?
I have been into churches and synagogues where they were praying for
Muslims. While all the time we curse them, and teach our generations to
call them infidels, and to hate them.
We immediately jump in a 'knee jerk reflex' to defend Prophet Mohammed
when someone accuses him of being a pedophile while, at the same time,
we are proud with the story in our Islamic books, that he married a
young girl seven years old (Aisha) when he was above 50 years old.
I am sad to say that many, if not most of us, rejoiced in happiness
after September 11th and after many other terror attacks. Muslims
denounce these attacks to look good in front of the media, but we
condone the Islamic terrorists and sympathise with their cause. Till now
our 'reputable' top religious authorities have never issued a Fatwa or
religious statement to proclaim Bin Laden as an apostate, while an
author, like Rushdie, was declared an apostate who should be killed
according to Islamic Shariia law just for writing a book criticizing
Islam.
Muslims demonstrated to get more religious rights as we did in
France to stop the ban on the Hejab (Head Scarf), while we did not
demonstrate with such passion and in such numbers against the terrorist
murders.... WHY???
It is our absolute silence against the terrorists that gives the energy
to these terrorists to continue doing their evil acts. We Muslims need
to stop blaming our problems on others or on the
Israeli/Palestinian conflict. As a matter of honesty, Israel is the only
light of democracy, civilization, and human rights in the whole Middle
East .
We kicked out the Jews with no compensation or mercy from
most of the Arab countries to make them "Jews-Free countries"
while Israel accepted more than a million Arabs to live there, have
its nationality, and enjoy their rights as human beings. In Israel ,
women can not be beaten legally by men, and any person can change
his/her belief system with no fear of being killed by the Islamic law of
'Apostasy', while in our Islamic world people do not enjoy any of these
rights. I agree that the 'Palestinians' suffer, but they suffer because
of their corrupt leaders and not because of Israel .
It is not common to see Arabs who live in Israel leaving to live
in the Arab world. On the other hand, we used to see thousands of
Palestinians going to work with happiness in Israel, its 'enemy'. If
Israel treats Arabs badly as some people claim, surely we would
have seen the opposite happening... Right?
We Muslims need to admit our problems and face them. Only then we can
treat them and start a new era to live in harmony with human mankind.
Our religious leaders have to show a clear and very strong stand against
polygamy, pedophilia, slavery, killing those who convert from Islam to
other religions, beating of women by men and declaring wars on
non-Muslims to spread Islam.
Then, and only then, do we have the right to ask others to respect
our religion. The time has come to stop our hypocrisy and say
it openly: 'We Muslims have to Change'.
- Tawfik Hamid -
==================================
Friday, February 13, 2009
New Year (2009) New Hope
Hi,
I am writing my thoughts more than a month after the year began is not on purpose. It was just that I was busy with work and the reading of the various news about the happenings on the current economic crisis around the world.
Still, I decided to go on a honeymoon trip to Bangkok that my wife Mageswari and I wanted to go since our wedding three years ago but was not able to due to various personal, financial and work-related reasons.
It was good timing - economic downturn, the drastic drop in the crude oil price, tourism being down in Thailand due to the long political protest that crippled the Suvarnabumi airport. These lead to competitive prices and bargains.
It was a 4 days and 3 nights trip. We stayed in Arnoma Hotel which is located at the heart of the Bangkok city and surrounded by many shopping complexes and of course the famous Pratinam Market which is a haven for the bargain hunters.
Although my wife have travels yearly with her teacher collegues (organised by her childcare centre principal), it was her first time to Bangkok. It was my first overseas trip via flight (after a 12-year gap) and also to Bangkok.
The city, overall left a good impression in my mind. It was clean, the people were friendly, the city was vibrant. We did go for some sightseeing : floating market, Chaophrya River and the temple along it, cobra show, elephant ride, and woodcarving centre. The jam during the peak hours, especially mornings, noons and evenings were bad, but the drivers were many times more skillful than Singapore drivers. For the four days I stayed, I did not encounter a single vehicle accident in the roads. In Singapore, every three or four hours there will be one vehicle accident.
There were many shrines placed all over the city especially infront of the houses, and buildings and they were well-maintained. The city was clean too.
ANother thing that impressed me was the Thai people's patriotism and national pride. On the second day at about 6.30pm (Bangkok time), the Thai national anthem was played out of nowhere and suddenly the whole city froze and people stood up with respect. We too stood still. I observed the people's faces and the pride and joy that appeared on their faced while listening to their national song increased my respect for the Thai people. I was just wondering if Mahjula Singapora was played in Singapore on an evening (during peak hours) will the people of Singapore stand up and freeze like the Thais ? I doubt even the national servicemen will stand up and freeze with pride and joy. Will the MPs and Ministers stand up and freeze ? May or may not, but that will be interesting to see. Unless the Singaporeans were offered goodybags, lucky draws or a law or campaign is imposed, they will not bother about giving respect to the national anthem. Of course not all people are like that. There will be Singaporean who will stand up for the national anthem with pride and joy.but how many will that be ?
Will I be one of those few ? Yes, of course. It is my nation and I have to lead my example for the younger generation before I comment, and I was raised such. Thanks to my parents, teachers and guides.
Moving away from that, I think, even though our country is in the first world status, our people (especially many in the majority race) got more to learn from the Thais. I am not being racist here but just being frank and factual. The business-like competitive environment that has created the image of a concrete jungle with the people forced to compete for money (the survival of the fittest syndrome) for a living have created such bad attitudes in many people. I think we need to loosen up abit and adjust our mindset to be abit more cultured. We need to be a more caring society. The heartware need to be built and nurtured without the need for campaigns and laws to abide by. The adults need to be set the right examples, especially those in the important positions in the society. We need to get rid of the handing out of the goody bags and luckydraws.
That was how much the trip opened my eyes.
Good trip with of course good shopping too :)
Just wanted to share my thoughts and views.
Best regards.
Kumaran RN
I am writing my thoughts more than a month after the year began is not on purpose. It was just that I was busy with work and the reading of the various news about the happenings on the current economic crisis around the world.
Still, I decided to go on a honeymoon trip to Bangkok that my wife Mageswari and I wanted to go since our wedding three years ago but was not able to due to various personal, financial and work-related reasons.
It was good timing - economic downturn, the drastic drop in the crude oil price, tourism being down in Thailand due to the long political protest that crippled the Suvarnabumi airport. These lead to competitive prices and bargains.
It was a 4 days and 3 nights trip. We stayed in Arnoma Hotel which is located at the heart of the Bangkok city and surrounded by many shopping complexes and of course the famous Pratinam Market which is a haven for the bargain hunters.
Although my wife have travels yearly with her teacher collegues (organised by her childcare centre principal), it was her first time to Bangkok. It was my first overseas trip via flight (after a 12-year gap) and also to Bangkok.
The city, overall left a good impression in my mind. It was clean, the people were friendly, the city was vibrant. We did go for some sightseeing : floating market, Chaophrya River and the temple along it, cobra show, elephant ride, and woodcarving centre. The jam during the peak hours, especially mornings, noons and evenings were bad, but the drivers were many times more skillful than Singapore drivers. For the four days I stayed, I did not encounter a single vehicle accident in the roads. In Singapore, every three or four hours there will be one vehicle accident.
There were many shrines placed all over the city especially infront of the houses, and buildings and they were well-maintained. The city was clean too.
ANother thing that impressed me was the Thai people's patriotism and national pride. On the second day at about 6.30pm (Bangkok time), the Thai national anthem was played out of nowhere and suddenly the whole city froze and people stood up with respect. We too stood still. I observed the people's faces and the pride and joy that appeared on their faced while listening to their national song increased my respect for the Thai people. I was just wondering if Mahjula Singapora was played in Singapore on an evening (during peak hours) will the people of Singapore stand up and freeze like the Thais ? I doubt even the national servicemen will stand up and freeze with pride and joy. Will the MPs and Ministers stand up and freeze ? May or may not, but that will be interesting to see. Unless the Singaporeans were offered goodybags, lucky draws or a law or campaign is imposed, they will not bother about giving respect to the national anthem. Of course not all people are like that. There will be Singaporean who will stand up for the national anthem with pride and joy.but how many will that be ?
Will I be one of those few ? Yes, of course. It is my nation and I have to lead my example for the younger generation before I comment, and I was raised such. Thanks to my parents, teachers and guides.
Moving away from that, I think, even though our country is in the first world status, our people (especially many in the majority race) got more to learn from the Thais. I am not being racist here but just being frank and factual. The business-like competitive environment that has created the image of a concrete jungle with the people forced to compete for money (the survival of the fittest syndrome) for a living have created such bad attitudes in many people. I think we need to loosen up abit and adjust our mindset to be abit more cultured. We need to be a more caring society. The heartware need to be built and nurtured without the need for campaigns and laws to abide by. The adults need to be set the right examples, especially those in the important positions in the society. We need to get rid of the handing out of the goody bags and luckydraws.
That was how much the trip opened my eyes.
Good trip with of course good shopping too :)
Just wanted to share my thoughts and views.
Best regards.
Kumaran RN
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Colour to Wear to Welcome New Year
Hi,
Like the past couple of years, the New Year countdown parties are held in many parts of Singapore, especially in constituency levels.
Even though I am one of the grassroots leaders in my constituency (Punggol South division of Pasir-Punggol GRC), I am selective in participating int he constituency and GRC events due to my work and other important family and personal commitments. As I am a only a volunteer, I need to give important priorities to my rice-bowl and family first other matters and I strongly believe in that. I do attend meetings regularly and see how I render my assistance to the society especially the needy.
This year, too, there is a countdown party arranged in my constituency and the volunteers and grassroots leaders are encouraged to wear the constituency T-Shirt when attending the event. Although I never attend countdown parties (never attended since young)- because I welcome the new year with my family with prayers at home - I feel that the T-shirt will not be auspicious/appropriate to wear to welcome the new year.
Why ?
Well, the t-shirt is black in colour, such a negative colour to wear to invite the new year. Some may even call it the funeral colour. Even if I suddenly get the urge to attend the countdown, I will never wear that colour. I do not understand why many people especially those in the leadership positions do not see this, even the MP. I wonder whether he will be wearing the black t-shirt or other coloured t-shirt/shirt.
With bad economic times looming ahead, shouldn't we be wearing a more positive colour to welcome the new year ? Talking about feng shui....
Anyway, I will be wearing a more positive colour shirt at home with my wife and family to welcome the New Year 2009 with prayers and auspicious and soothing music to create a more positive and peaceful environment to welcome the new year.. importtantly with a good smile from my heart to face :)
Happy New Year 2009, again.
Kumaran RN
Like the past couple of years, the New Year countdown parties are held in many parts of Singapore, especially in constituency levels.
Even though I am one of the grassroots leaders in my constituency (Punggol South division of Pasir-Punggol GRC), I am selective in participating int he constituency and GRC events due to my work and other important family and personal commitments. As I am a only a volunteer, I need to give important priorities to my rice-bowl and family first other matters and I strongly believe in that. I do attend meetings regularly and see how I render my assistance to the society especially the needy.
This year, too, there is a countdown party arranged in my constituency and the volunteers and grassroots leaders are encouraged to wear the constituency T-Shirt when attending the event. Although I never attend countdown parties (never attended since young)- because I welcome the new year with my family with prayers at home - I feel that the T-shirt will not be auspicious/appropriate to wear to welcome the new year.
Why ?
Well, the t-shirt is black in colour, such a negative colour to wear to invite the new year. Some may even call it the funeral colour. Even if I suddenly get the urge to attend the countdown, I will never wear that colour. I do not understand why many people especially those in the leadership positions do not see this, even the MP. I wonder whether he will be wearing the black t-shirt or other coloured t-shirt/shirt.
With bad economic times looming ahead, shouldn't we be wearing a more positive colour to welcome the new year ? Talking about feng shui....
Anyway, I will be wearing a more positive colour shirt at home with my wife and family to welcome the New Year 2009 with prayers and auspicious and soothing music to create a more positive and peaceful environment to welcome the new year.. importtantly with a good smile from my heart to face :)
Happy New Year 2009, again.
Kumaran RN
An Email : Tamil Hero's Next Film Titles
Hi,
I received an email entitled, "Tamil Hero's Next Film Titles".
I found it funny and it did make me laugh.
No offence to the film heroes mentioned in the joke if they happen to read this emial in this blog.
Anyway, here is the email :-
==============
RAJINIKANTH: ROBO, REMOTE CAR, PLANE, BATTERY TRAIN.
VIJAYAKANTH: DHARMAPURI, SALEM, ERODE, NAMAKKAL.
VIJAY: VILLU, AMBU, KATHI, KABADA, KAMBU.
AJITH: ASAL, NAGAL, ORIGINAL, XEROX.
SURYA: VARANAM AYIRAM, THORANAM RENDAYIRAM, MOOVAYIRAM.
SIMBU: SILAMBATTAM, PULIYATTAM, KARAKATTAM, KUYILATTAM, MAYILATTAM.
JEEVA: E, KOSU, ERUMBU, KARAPPAN POOCHI.
VISHAL: SATHYAM, SANTHAM, ABIRAMI, DEVIPARADISE.
BHARATH: SEVAL, PURA, VAATHU, MAINA.
CHERAN: RAMAN THEDIYA SEETHAI, ANUMAN THEDIYA SEETHAI, RAVANAN KADATHIYA SEETHAI.
NAGUL: KADHALIL VIZHUNTHEAN, BIKELA VIZHUN THEAN, RODULAE VIZHUNTHEAN, KEELA
VIZHUNTHEAN.
JEEVAN: THOTTA, BULLET, REVOLVER, RIFFLE.
========
Kumaran RN
I received an email entitled, "Tamil Hero's Next Film Titles".
I found it funny and it did make me laugh.
No offence to the film heroes mentioned in the joke if they happen to read this emial in this blog.
Anyway, here is the email :-
==============
RAJINIKANTH: ROBO, REMOTE CAR, PLANE, BATTERY TRAIN.
VIJAYAKANTH: DHARMAPURI, SALEM, ERODE, NAMAKKAL.
VIJAY: VILLU, AMBU, KATHI, KABADA, KAMBU.
AJITH: ASAL, NAGAL, ORIGINAL, XEROX.
SURYA: VARANAM AYIRAM, THORANAM RENDAYIRAM, MOOVAYIRAM.
SIMBU: SILAMBATTAM, PULIYATTAM, KARAKATTAM, KUYILATTAM, MAYILATTAM.
JEEVA: E, KOSU, ERUMBU, KARAPPAN POOCHI.
VISHAL: SATHYAM, SANTHAM, ABIRAMI, DEVIPARADISE.
BHARATH: SEVAL, PURA, VAATHU, MAINA.
CHERAN: RAMAN THEDIYA SEETHAI, ANUMAN THEDIYA SEETHAI, RAVANAN KADATHIYA SEETHAI.
NAGUL: KADHALIL VIZHUNTHEAN, BIKELA VIZHUN THEAN, RODULAE VIZHUNTHEAN, KEELA
VIZHUNTHEAN.
JEEVAN: THOTTA, BULLET, REVOLVER, RIFFLE.
========
Kumaran RN
Friday, December 26, 2008
New Year Again : 2009
Hi,
New Year beginning again. How different will it be ?
For one thing, it is beginning in the midst of a global economic crisis which is expected to be as bad or even worst than the 1930s depression.
We can see it in a positive or negative light.
I prefer to see it in a positive way.
It is spring-cleaning time. If you observe the happening around the world, that is what is going on - from political to economical. It is a usual cycle and a person who understands this principle and has prepared his/her mindset for such turmoil will be the ultimate survivor.
Am I such a survivor ?
I am still learning and am taking steps to apply what I have learnt so far through my experience and knowledge gained (and still gaining) through resources (friends, field experts, articles, books, etc).
First half of my life so far (34 years) has been a learning one - mainly experiential learning - where I went through the good and worst times. THat taught me about survival. Many times I was demotivated during bad times and overly confident during good times, but as years went on, I learnt from mistakes. All these have definitely made me a better man.
My mum used to tell me that what we learn through experience after the formal education years is the real life-long learning. It is a journey that continues with us through out. Learning is only one part of the equation. To enjoy success, we need to apply what we learnt and the effort and attitude that we take will complete the equation to bring us towards success.
So, I foresee better years ahead of me leading me to my personal goals and vision.
Every step/obstacle is stepping stone towards success. I will maintain and better my mindset and attitude. At the same time, I also need to pause for reflection moments and also to smell the roses. Also, not to forget to help the unfortunate souls in the society, especially the children.
I am thinking of sponsoring (the education) a student in a secondary school. As years go on, I would want to sponsor the education of selected kids in childcare, primary and secondary (kids from the needy family, kids who are interested in education and want to be achievers in their own rights).
I would also want to continue my creating of positive differences in people. If I can do one per day, that will be great - like the scouts' principle of a good deed a day.
I need to do my exercises more regularly and be more vegetarian (95% vegetarian diets and 5% non-vegetarian diet that involves only light meats).
I need to be more financially prudent and look for avenues to make my money work hard for me.. it is about time money start to work for me.. that is real need if I have to survive in Singapore.
Based on my experience, in Singapore, if you have no money , then it is as good as you being dead.
Well, a city life.
Anyway, let me enjoy my life with my family and loved ones too.
Happy New Year and wonderful days ahead.
Kumaran RN
New Year beginning again. How different will it be ?
For one thing, it is beginning in the midst of a global economic crisis which is expected to be as bad or even worst than the 1930s depression.
We can see it in a positive or negative light.
I prefer to see it in a positive way.
It is spring-cleaning time. If you observe the happening around the world, that is what is going on - from political to economical. It is a usual cycle and a person who understands this principle and has prepared his/her mindset for such turmoil will be the ultimate survivor.
Am I such a survivor ?
I am still learning and am taking steps to apply what I have learnt so far through my experience and knowledge gained (and still gaining) through resources (friends, field experts, articles, books, etc).
First half of my life so far (34 years) has been a learning one - mainly experiential learning - where I went through the good and worst times. THat taught me about survival. Many times I was demotivated during bad times and overly confident during good times, but as years went on, I learnt from mistakes. All these have definitely made me a better man.
My mum used to tell me that what we learn through experience after the formal education years is the real life-long learning. It is a journey that continues with us through out. Learning is only one part of the equation. To enjoy success, we need to apply what we learnt and the effort and attitude that we take will complete the equation to bring us towards success.
So, I foresee better years ahead of me leading me to my personal goals and vision.
Every step/obstacle is stepping stone towards success. I will maintain and better my mindset and attitude. At the same time, I also need to pause for reflection moments and also to smell the roses. Also, not to forget to help the unfortunate souls in the society, especially the children.
I am thinking of sponsoring (the education) a student in a secondary school. As years go on, I would want to sponsor the education of selected kids in childcare, primary and secondary (kids from the needy family, kids who are interested in education and want to be achievers in their own rights).
I would also want to continue my creating of positive differences in people. If I can do one per day, that will be great - like the scouts' principle of a good deed a day.
I need to do my exercises more regularly and be more vegetarian (95% vegetarian diets and 5% non-vegetarian diet that involves only light meats).
I need to be more financially prudent and look for avenues to make my money work hard for me.. it is about time money start to work for me.. that is real need if I have to survive in Singapore.
Based on my experience, in Singapore, if you have no money , then it is as good as you being dead.
Well, a city life.
Anyway, let me enjoy my life with my family and loved ones too.
Happy New Year and wonderful days ahead.
Kumaran RN
Friday, December 12, 2008
Teachers MUST BE Role Models and Lead by Example
Hi again...
I can strongly say say with conviction that I had some great teachers during my school days (Primary, Secondary, Post-Secondary) from 1980-1991 whom I still look up too.
I learnt about good behaviour, political awareness, discipline, and of course how to handle problems and many others. Of course I dislike some of the teachers for various reasons and I had infatuations on some lady teachers.
What I liked most, respect many of them and look up to some of them, is their attitude and setting good example as a teacher to their students when in school and outside school.
I have noticed my teachers singing the national anthem and saying the national pledge. I have seen them leading by example. I have seen them following the school rules and not tell the students that the rules are only meant for the students and not the teachers.
Nowadays I hear from my nephews and nieces, and my tuition centre students - I have personally seen too - about many teachers not being good role model to the students.
A year ago, I read in the Straits Times forum page about the issue on students dying their hair blond. A couple of students asked why rule was not applicable to their teachers as they had to lead by example. One ex-teacher replied back that the school rules were only meant for students and the teachers were not obliged to follow.
What an irresponsible answer by an ex-teacher to give in the Straits Times forum page ?
Nowadays, there are many teachers like that. They work for the money and treating the profession as just a task. They also think that they are above the rules meant for students. I have seen teachers gathering in pubs and nightclubs on week ends. I have also seen a couple of teachers drinking in a coffeeshop and also smoking. I have seen teachers wearing fancy fashionable and very revealing clothes. I have seen teachers with dyed hair (blond and many other colours). A couple of my tuition centre students also told me that a male teacher wore tapered pants when the students were not allowed to wear tapered pants. They had also told me that some teachers use vulgarities to scold their students during co-curricular activities.
When I hear and see all these, I feel disgusted and frustrated.
What has happened to teachers being role models and leading by example ?
Why these teachers are preaching but not doing ?
Why these bad apples creating a bad name to the other teachers who are doing their best to be role models and leading by example ?
During teachers' training, in addition to the teachers learning to handle and manage students and class not taught and strongly emphasised on the teachers need to be good role models and lead by example ?
Majority of the teachers are fresh from the oven (graduating from the National Institute of Education) and they lack outside working experience. So, it is very important to emphasise to them the need to lead by example and be a good role model in and out of school.
How will a student listen to teacher who ask them not to smoke or drink when he/she himself/herself is a smoker and drinker ?
If the teacher dyed his/her hair, then he/she has no right to ask the students not to dye hair and follow the school rules.
I strongly believe in teachers setting the standard for themselves and being a good role model in and out of school and I believe that this is an important moral obligation for which they are paid too.
If I am a teacher, I will be a good role model and lead by example. I do that when I teach the students in the tuition centre especially the upper secondary students who are not that well-behaving and not that good in their studies.
These students look up to me because I respect them and importantly I ensure that at all times I be a good role model to them and lead by example in and out out the tuition centre.
If only many of the school teachers nowadays have a better mindset to be good role models to the students and lead by example in and out of school, then they will get the necessary respect for their students especially the challenging ones and that unspoken influence will also create positive impacts on many students.
The students now are our future leaders. When moulding them as teachers, they need to have the positive attitude and be good role models and lead by example.
Just my thoughts and views for you.
Best regards.
Kumaran RN
I can strongly say say with conviction that I had some great teachers during my school days (Primary, Secondary, Post-Secondary) from 1980-1991 whom I still look up too.
I learnt about good behaviour, political awareness, discipline, and of course how to handle problems and many others. Of course I dislike some of the teachers for various reasons and I had infatuations on some lady teachers.
What I liked most, respect many of them and look up to some of them, is their attitude and setting good example as a teacher to their students when in school and outside school.
I have noticed my teachers singing the national anthem and saying the national pledge. I have seen them leading by example. I have seen them following the school rules and not tell the students that the rules are only meant for the students and not the teachers.
Nowadays I hear from my nephews and nieces, and my tuition centre students - I have personally seen too - about many teachers not being good role model to the students.
A year ago, I read in the Straits Times forum page about the issue on students dying their hair blond. A couple of students asked why rule was not applicable to their teachers as they had to lead by example. One ex-teacher replied back that the school rules were only meant for students and the teachers were not obliged to follow.
What an irresponsible answer by an ex-teacher to give in the Straits Times forum page ?
Nowadays, there are many teachers like that. They work for the money and treating the profession as just a task. They also think that they are above the rules meant for students. I have seen teachers gathering in pubs and nightclubs on week ends. I have also seen a couple of teachers drinking in a coffeeshop and also smoking. I have seen teachers wearing fancy fashionable and very revealing clothes. I have seen teachers with dyed hair (blond and many other colours). A couple of my tuition centre students also told me that a male teacher wore tapered pants when the students were not allowed to wear tapered pants. They had also told me that some teachers use vulgarities to scold their students during co-curricular activities.
When I hear and see all these, I feel disgusted and frustrated.
What has happened to teachers being role models and leading by example ?
Why these teachers are preaching but not doing ?
Why these bad apples creating a bad name to the other teachers who are doing their best to be role models and leading by example ?
During teachers' training, in addition to the teachers learning to handle and manage students and class not taught and strongly emphasised on the teachers need to be good role models and lead by example ?
Majority of the teachers are fresh from the oven (graduating from the National Institute of Education) and they lack outside working experience. So, it is very important to emphasise to them the need to lead by example and be a good role model in and out of school.
How will a student listen to teacher who ask them not to smoke or drink when he/she himself/herself is a smoker and drinker ?
If the teacher dyed his/her hair, then he/she has no right to ask the students not to dye hair and follow the school rules.
I strongly believe in teachers setting the standard for themselves and being a good role model in and out of school and I believe that this is an important moral obligation for which they are paid too.
If I am a teacher, I will be a good role model and lead by example. I do that when I teach the students in the tuition centre especially the upper secondary students who are not that well-behaving and not that good in their studies.
These students look up to me because I respect them and importantly I ensure that at all times I be a good role model to them and lead by example in and out out the tuition centre.
If only many of the school teachers nowadays have a better mindset to be good role models to the students and lead by example in and out of school, then they will get the necessary respect for their students especially the challenging ones and that unspoken influence will also create positive impacts on many students.
The students now are our future leaders. When moulding them as teachers, they need to have the positive attitude and be good role models and lead by example.
Just my thoughts and views for you.
Best regards.
Kumaran RN
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