Respect vs Fear

When we show our respect for other living things, they respond with respect for us. 

- Arapaho Proverb

 

The concept of respect/obedience/fear is something that never fail to fascinate me since it's a very cultural-bound element in our life. For most people, respect is something that is earned. 

It means different things for different people though. It's a concept that embodied ideas, thought, needs, wishes or even preferences. It can be felt. Our behaviors could also give signs whether we respect someone or otherwise. 

Most times, we might feel respected when our troops  (be it our students or kids) are obedient to our words. Or behave in a certain way that we approved of.

When I was a kid, obedience meant respect.  When we showed fear, that's respect as well.

However, within adult and professional circle, respect is redefined to suit the needs, be it among the colleagues or  between the bosses and their subordinates.

Still, there's visible line between respect and fear.

• Fear is toxic. Respect is nurturing.
• Fear destroys self-confidence. Respect builds it.
• Fear is life-threatening. Respect is life-enhancing.
• Fear is forced. Respect is mutual.
• Fear is learned. Respect is earned.

Now, being  respectful and obedience doesn't mean we have to be a door mat, because if that happened, we have no respect to the very important being, ourselves...

It's just something that cross my mind..

     

Life's A Gift: Caring or plain nosy??

Life's A Gift: Caring or plain nosy??

Caring or plain nosy??

It irritates right down to the deepest core of my nerve when people are just plain nosy or snoopy! And I guess most people do so. 

As I am now studying in other state, I have to rent a house with my friend. For the neighbourhood, we are different. At first, I thought they were just feeding their curiousity when they keep on observing our house (and the occupants!). The couple (and their kids too!) would try to go out as much as possible, pretending to do little cleaning outside their house or just simply, taking their 'rest' under a 'grand' stand outside, while their eyes keeps on looking to the direction of our house (I know coz I peep whenever they're outside!).But they NEVER EVER say a word to our face. Not even a greeting.

I thought they would get tired. But, recently, they gave a call to our landlord  (their long time friend) complaining that the surrounding of our house is untidy, unkempt and whatnot!! The complaint was so detail that the landlord called us  (from the neighbouring state, mind u) and asked us to get rid of the empty mineral water bottles near the entrance!! OMG!!

The landlord would also know if we have visitors in our house.... Psychic abilities???

 

Now, I am not really sure how to categorize this neighbour of us...are they just being nosy (& all bit of a gossiper!) or are they trying to care?? 

Anyhow, I would like to share some tips on how to dampen the spirit of your nosy, snoopy neighbour!

1.Be the stronger person. Don't fall for being nosy like them. Just get on with your business, nonchalantly and happily. If they have nothing better to do than watch you all day, then that is their waste of time, not yours.

2. Act as if you're doing nothing. That gives them less reason to watch.

3. Move your activities to your backyard. Or choose another spot where they can't see you.

4. Be elusive and disarming. If they go outside, go back in and come out in 5 minutes. Wave at them vigorously and say "hi, how are you?" Ask them if you can borrow a cup of sugar or their lawnmower, or WHATEVER. If you keep asking for things, they will probably start hiding from you. I am sure this will work!!

Just a thought!

Life's A Gift: Mag's Thought on Posting

Life's A Gift: Mag's Thought on Posting

Mag's Thought on Posting

Placement. Posting.

I believe it's the very music that plays in everyone's minds (in my batch) at the moment. It's a good thing because it means each of us in the batch are now capable of accepting the fact that we are a 'servant'. Almost all of my batch members are much much younger than me, and I thought they would take the challenge with open arms and open mind. But somehow, some are not really ready to be posted anywhere, except their own place. 

Yes, all of us would like to stay in our comfort zone, but my friends, believe me, even me as Sarawakian haven't got a chance to be in a boat for a 2 to 3 hours ride. Or to be in a 4WD for a longggg travel on a logging track. So, let us all keep an open mind and take it as a challenge.

Read this... 

Some of my friends from previous batches were posted to ulu area (P3), but are still able to communicate through FB! That's convincing enough and they become a living proof that life over there is not as bad as you might imagine.

Sarawak is a big state. It makes up 37.5%  of the land of Malaysia! The biggest hurdle is transportation due to rugged and mountainous terrain with three main natural regions - coastal, hill and mountain. So, for those of you who haven't got the chance to go there before, just dig some info from friends, relatives, media... Coz as people say, tak kenal maka tak cinta...:))

Well, I understand that some of my friends are reluctant to be placed in Sarawak upon completion of the training because they have some natural obligations towards their families, like caring for the old / sick members in the family. Or, it's hard for their husbands / wives to be transferred to the same place. Being apart from their loved ones for one year (for the training) is hard enough. I emphatized with them.  

Anyway, isn't it ironic that we talk about globalization but somehow we ourselves living in denial and refuse to be a global agent in our own land??

 

Borneo is not an enigma. It's a place to be explored. Sarawak is indeed a place like no others!  

Reflection...Reflection...

Congratsssz to my batch of June 2009 intake!!

After 3 months of "field work", now my batch is back to school.....yooohooo.....the first two days are filled with all sorts of catching up with frenz....sooo many things to be shared with and asked from all of them....their experience, their marks, their schools.... and of course commenting on their appearance....some get darker, some get slimmer, some ballooning (a sign of either extreme happiness or been living in stress...:)) 

In class, the lects been asking about the same thing....reflection on the "field training".... and I was wondering where to start. Trying to organize the reflection with the famous SWOT analysis....but ended up with the 'W' weighting too much....and nothing to write on the 'O'..LOLs....

Anyway, everyone seemed to be happy sharing with everyone in the batch....so, we can actually steal a few tricks, ideas from those who shared their experience, and bring them with us when we are posted later....thanks guys!

And speaking of posting, the practicum unit has not confirmed that our batch will be "placed" in rural areas....so, we all just pray for the best....:)) If rural area is the best, then let just make the best out of it!

Cheers!

Mixed Feeling

The practicum period has passed. A mixed feeling upon completing the course. Relieved as the stress level has gone down now. Emotional burden (or should I say distress??) is now absent. Curious because the supervisor did not disclose the final marks. Sad coz I had to say good bye to those pupils in the school.... 

But surely I left the school loaded with experience, both professionally and personally enhancing. I would like to see the whole experience in a positive angle. Nevertheless, the negative dots are still flickering in my mind. Some nauseating enough it makes me wanna puke!

Was trying to sink deeper into my heart and soul....and look for the real sign, that I was indeed born to be a teacher.....haven't found the exact spot though,  coz the walls are thick and the surrounding is dark.....

Anyway, I now have to concentrate on doing revision for the final exam... Sounds odd enough just by typing it..FINAL EXAM... it has been centuries since I last sit for exam dats to be marked and graded! Will try with all my might though..:) And yes, there would be moreeee exams to come.... what a life!