How to remove your label given by others?(Overcoming blindspots)

Worth reading......

I sat in my chair quietly next to my Mom & Dad as my grade 4 teacher gave them an update on my progress at school.

“Your child is a slow learner”, said the school teacher quietly.

I held my breath & sank a little lower into my chair.

 I looked up at my dad to see if he was in trouble. 

My father glanced down, smiled & gave me a quick wink 😉 .

On the way home from the Parent-Teacher meeting, I thought about what Mrs. Shastri had called me – ‘Slow Learner’. 

Deep down I knew that what she really meant was that I was dumb.

Later that evening, my Mom & Dad came into my room carrying a piece of paper & a pen.

They sat down on the side of the bed & said, “Want to talk to you about what Mrs. Shastri said today ?”

“A Slow Learner”, I replied.

I had already taken the words to heart.

“That’s right”, said my dad as my mother wrote the words ‘Slow Learner’ on the piece of paper.

My parents then held up the piece of paper in front of me & purposefully tore it into two.

My eyes 😳 widened in surprise.

“Mrs. Shastri was wrong”, said my parents as they continued to tear the paper into smaller & smaller pieces.

“You’re not a slow learner.”

“I’m not ?”

“No & starting tomorrow, you & we are going to show that Mrs. Shastri was wrong, OK ?”

“OK”, I hugged my mom, snuggled down into my pillow & fell asleep with a smile 😊 on my face & a warm glow in my 💖 heart.

From that day on, my parents spent one hour per day helping me with my reading & writing. 

By the end of the year, I was doing much better at school & interestingly no one ever labeled me as a ‘Slow Learner’ again.

My parents knew that when a child receives a label from a person in authority such as a teacher or parent, they often take that label to heart & it becomes a part of their self-identity for the rest of their lives.

To avoid this from happening to their child, my parents created a tangible representation of the ‘Slow Learner’ label & tore it up it in front of me so that the label would not become a part of a child’s self-concept.

Today I would like to thank my Mom & Dad.

Think about the labels that people have given to you, your kids in the past & at present.

Perhaps you were given a label by one of your parents, your best friend, your teacher, your spouse or your boss. 

What is the label that resonates in your mind ??? 

Is there a label that has become part of your self-identity because a person in a position of authority gave it to you ??? 

If so, write this label down on a blank sheet of paper & hold it up to see it for what it really is – A Label.

It is a label – nothing more. 

It is not a part of you & you do not have to accept it as a part of your identity any longer.

As you begin to see the label for what it really is – Rip it in half & enjoy the feeling of destroying the label once & for all.

When you do this exercise, you will feel a surge of motivation to take action to ensure that no one attempts to give you this label again in the future.

Just as my parents took action & helped me with my school work, make sure you follow through & do whatever you need to do to eliminate the remnants of the label from your life forever.

REMEMBER....

SOMEBODY'S OPINION ABOUT YOU DOESN'T HAVE TO BECOME YOUR REALITY !!

A teacher's / a Parent's purpose is not to create children in his own image, but to develop children who can create their own image.. 🙏 good day .

By,

Shaina...

A little boy wanted to meet God. 

He packed his suitcase with two sets of his dress and some packets of Cakes and he stared his journey. 

He walked a long and felt tired.

So,he sat in a park on the way and opened a packet to take a cake to eat. 

Then he noticed an old woman sitting sad with hunger nearby, so he offered her a piece of cake.

She gratefully accepted it with a wide look and smiled at him. 

Her smile was so pretty that the boy longed to see it again. 

After some time he offered her another piece of cake.

 Again, she accepted it and smiled at him.

The boy was delighted! 

They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.

While it grew dark, the boy was frightened and he up got to leave but before he had gone more than a few steps, he ran back and gave her a hug and she kissed him with her prettiest smile.

When the boy opened the door, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. 

She asked him, “What did you do today that made you look so happy?”

He replied,” I had lunch with God.”

Before, his mother could respond, he added, “You know what? She’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen in my life!”

Meanwhile,the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. 

Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and asked, “Mom, what did you do today that made you so happy?

“She replied, “I ate cakes in the park with God.” 

Before his son responded, she added,”You know, he’s much younger than I expected.”

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile,a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

Remember, nobody knows how God will look like.

 People come into our lives for a reason, for a season, or for a lifetime. 

Accept all of them equally! 

AND LET THEM SEE GOD IN YOU!!!!!

By,

Shaina...

One day, a Donkey and a Tiger got into an argument over the color of the grass.

​

“The grass is blue,” said the Donkey.

​

“That’s ridiculous,” replied the Tiger. “The grass is clearly green.”

​

When the argument grew more and more intense, they decided to find the Lion, King of the Jungle, to settle the debate.

​

When they approached the Lion, the Donkey exclaimed, “Your Highness, isn’t it true that the grass is blue?”

​

“Yes,” the Lion calmly answered, “The grass is blue.”

​

Not yet satisfied, the Donkey continued, “The Tiger disagrees and argues with me. You must punish him.”

​

The Lion nodded, “I will. The Tiger will be punished with a year of silence.”

​

The Donkey walked off into the jungle, celebrating his victory.

​

Before the Tiger turned to leave, he looked up at the Lion. “Your Highness, why have you punished me? After all, you must see the grass is clearly green.”

​

The Lion nodded, “Yes, of course the grass is green.”

​

“Then why am I being punished?” asked the Tiger.

​

“Because someone as wise as you should never waste time proving anything to a fool.”

Bye,

Shaina...

In a small, forgotten corner of the world, lived a young girl named Anya.

 Anya wasn't like the other children. 

While they dreamt of becoming princesses or astronauts, Anya dreamt of music. 

But Anya didn't have a musical instrument.

 She had no teacher,

 no formal training, and 

no family support.

 Her family struggled to put food on the table;

 music lessons were a luxury they couldn't afford.

Yet, Anya's heart beat to a different rhythm. 

She found solace in the sounds of nature – the chirping of crickets, the rustling of leaves, the gentle patter of rain. 

She'd hum along, creating melodies in her head, melodies that echoed her dreams and her determination.

 She started collecting unusual objects – pebbles, seashells, bits of wood – transforming them into makeshift instruments.

 A hollowed-out coconut became her drum, twigs became her flutes, and pebbles her castanets.

Anya practiced relentlessly, often in secret, her makeshift orchestra accompanying her in the quiet hours of dawn. 

She faced mockery and discouragement,

 but her passion was a flame that couldn't be extinguished. 

She practiced with fierce determination,

 her small hands growing calloused, 

her voice growing stronger. 

Her makeshift instruments were crude, 

but her music was filled with a raw,

 unbridled passion that touched the souls of those who heard it.

One day, a renowned musician, traveling through Anya's village, stumbled upon her playing. 

He was captivated by the purity of her music, its resilience, its unyielding spirit. 

He was moved by the passion of a young girl who had overcome adversity to create something beautiful from nothing. 

He recognized the extraordinary talent hidden within Anya's simple melodies.

The musician offered Anya a scholarship to a prestigious music academy. 

It was a life-changing opportunity,

 a chance to hone her talent,

 to learn from masters, 

and to share her unique gift with the world.

 Anya's journey wasn't easy, 

but her determination, 

fueled by her love for music and 

her unwavering belief in herself,

 carried her through every challenge.

Anya’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance. 

It reminds us that our dreams are worth fighting for, 

that obstacles are merely stepping stones to success, and

 that even with limited resources, 

we can create our own symphony, 

our own unique masterpiece, 

if we dare to dream and have the courage to pursue our passions. 

Anya's unlikely symphony, 

born from adversity,

 resonated not only with the renowed musician but with everyone who had the privilege to hear her music,

 a reminder that even the smallest voice can create the most beautiful music,

 given the time and the perseverance.

By,

Shaina...

 I romanticize flowers.

Their trembling petals,

their stubborn, 

clumsy kind of serenity,

their accidental serendipity,

the way I once romanticized love,

when I still believed love could outgrow the damage.

I don’t write much these days.

I feel everything, all at once,

like waves kissing the shore soft, 

then devastating.

It’s the same with words

they rise up in me when I'm awake till morning

and sometimes when I'm walking with my headphones on,

press against my throat gentle yet brutal and then vanish as if it never rained.

Last evening, I wandered into this little crumbling shop

the kind that smells like old wood, dust, and older regrets.

I bought myself some vases.

though, not really vases

Just empty wine bottles,

bruised and beautiful,

the way lost things sometimes are.

Each one could maybe hold three, four flowers, not more than that, if given all in one they could suffocate,

if you pour enough warmth into them,

if you pretend they were made to carry something delicate,

something reckless enough to bloom.

They’re sitting on my bookshelf now, 

Where my favorite poetry books used to be,

I traded my little happiness last night,

they are a little crooked, 

a little tired yet glow gently.

Maybe that’s what we were.

A collection of cracked vessels,

barely enough to bloom,

barely enough to break,

barely enough to stay.

Still, somehow enough to survive.

I don’t know why I’m writing all this.

Maybe because it’s raining tonight,

and everything softens in the rain,

 so will my pain!?

Maybe because some part of me still thinks I’d understand love is not expectations.

Maybe because some flowers still bloom in broken bottles,

Maybe because some hands still remember how to hold.

Maybe because

I miss how love feels in hand,

quietly,

Always,

quietly.

By,

Shaina...

 Hurrah!! It's my 100th post on our blog.

Ivy, a firefly unlike any other, 

possessed a light so faint it was almost invisible.

While her siblings' lights danced joyfully in the twilight meadows,

Ivy hid amongst moonflower petals, 

her luminescence a mere flicker. 

She believed her spark too small, insignificant, unworthy of attention. 

She felt like a tiny, flickering candle in a stadium of blazing spotlights.

 She felt like a meme that didn't quite catch on... 😔

The dazzling displays of the other fireflies seemed to mock her quiet glow.

One night, a wise old owl, perched high on an oak branch, noticed Ivy's hidden sorrow. 

His amber eyes pierced the petals, seeing the trembling light within.

 He hooted softly, his voice a gentle rustle in the night air.

"Little one," he called, 

his voice carried on the breeze, 

"Why do you hide your light?"

Ivy, startled, confessed her fears.

 "My light is dim," she whispered, 

"not bright enough to be seen. I'm not worthy of celebration."

The owl chuckled, a low rumble in his chest.

 "My dear," he said, 

"your light is unique.

 It's not about intensity, 

but the warmth it holds.

 Each firefly's glow is a precious jewel,

 reflecting the night's beauty. 

Some shine brilliantly, 

others softly; 

both illuminate the darkness equally."

He shared a secret: 

"The most beautiful nights aren't those with the brightest displays, 

but those where every light,

 however small, 

shines bravely. 

Your gentle glow is a beacon of peace, a quiet comfort in the vastness of night. 

Embrace your uniqueness; 

it's your special gift."

Touched by the owl's words, Ivy emerged.

 She took a deep breath and let her light shine.

 It wasn't dazzling,

 but a soft, 

Steady beacon, 

a comforting presence amidst the vibrant chaos of the other fireflies. 

Joining their dance, 

she discovered her gentle glow was cherished,

bringing a unique harmony, 

a quiet beauty the brighter lights had overlooked. 

From that night on, Ivy never hid her light again.

She learned true brilliance isn't about being brightest, 

but about shining authentically, 

embracing her unique spark.

Ivy started showing her trueself to the world!

The moral of the story is: 

Embrace your uniqueness, even if it feels different or "less than." True beauty and value lie in being authentic and celebrating your own individual spark, rather than trying to conform to others' expectations.

Sometimes,we never find such wise souls to push us and enlighten us.

Be your own motivation

Embrace yourself and enjoy every moment of this precious life!

By,

Shaina...

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel impatient when our dreams and goals don’t materialize as quickly as we hope.

 We often find ourselves comparing our progress to others’, wondering if we’re falling behind.

 But sometimes, the greatest successes are those that take time—because true greatness can’t be rushed. 

This beautiful tale of an elephant and a dog reminds us that patience and faith in our unique journey are the keys to lasting fulfillment.

The Story:  

Once upon a time, in a quiet corner of the forest, an elephant and a dog discovered they were both expecting babies—at exactly the same time.

Three months later, the dog gave birth to six energetic puppies. 

Six months after that, she was pregnant again, and nine months later, she welcomed a dozen more puppies into the world. 

This rhythm continued, litter after litter, until the puppies grew into full-grown dogs, running and playing around the forest without a care.

Meanwhile, the elephant remained calm and serene.

 Months passed, but she was still expecting—her belly growing slowly, steadily.

Eighteen months into their pregnancies, 

the curious dog approached the elephant and asked,

 “Are you sure you’re really pregnant? We started at the same time. I’ve given birth three times, and my puppies are already grown. But you—you’re still expecting. What’s going on?”

The elephant looked down kindly and replied, “My dear friend, I want you to understand something important. I am an elephant, not a puppy. When I give birth, it is not just one little creature—I bring into the world a mighty being, one that will leave a mark on this earth. My babies grow slowly because they are destined for greatness. When my calf steps on the ground, the earth will tremble under its weight. When it crosses a path, people will stop and watch in awe. My journey is different, but no less wonderful.”

---------

Moral:  

This story teaches us a powerful lesson:

 greatness often requires time, patience, and unwavering faith. 

Not everyone’s path unfolds at the same speed, and comparing yourself to others can only steal your joy and focus.

 Trust that your efforts and waiting are shaping something remarkable. 

Remember, it’s not about how fast you arrive—it’s about the impact you make when you do.

So, when you feel discouraged by delays or setbacks, remind yourself: “My time is coming, and when it does, it will be worth the wait.”

By,

Shaina...

A wise old man was teaching his grandson about life. 

He said, “A fight is going on inside me. It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One wolf is evil—he is fear, anger, envy, sorrow, greed and lies. The other is good—he is joy, peace, love, sharing, kindness and truth. This same fight is going on inside you.” 

The grandson thought for a minute, and then asked, “Which wolf will win, grandfather?” 

The grandfather replied, “The one you feed.”

Which wolf do we feed daily?

 If we surround ourselves with negative minded people and talk negative things then we are feeding the evil wolf. 

On the other hand, if we spend our time with positive people, read good books, and help people in solving their problems then we are helping the good wolf to win over the evil one.

Let us feed the good wolf. We will become more positive and happy!

By,Shaina...

 On a mango tree in a jungle, there lived many birds.

 They were happy in their small nests. 

Before the onset of the rainy season, all the animal of the jungle repaired their homes. 

The birds also made their homes more secure. 

Many birds brought twigs and leaves and others wove their nests.

 “We should also store some food for our children," chirped one of the birds. 

And they collected food, until they had enough to see them through the rainy season.

 They kept themselves busy preparing for the tough times. 

Soon the rains came. 

It was followed by thunder and lighting. 

All the animals and birds stayed in their homes. 

It continued raining for many days. 

One day, a monkey wet in the rain came into the forest.

 He sat on a branch, shivering with cold, water dripping from its body. 

The poor monkey tried his best to get shelter, but in vain. 

The leaves were not enough to save him from the rains.

 “Brrr! It is so cold!" said the monkey. 

The birds were watching all this. 

They felt sorry for the monkey but there was little they could do for him.

 One of them said, “Brother! Our small nests are not enough to give you shelter." 

Another bird said, “All of us prepared for the rainy season. If you had, you would not be in this piteous situation." 

“How dare you tell me what to do?" said the monkey, growling at the bird.

 The monkey angrily pounced on the bird’s nest, tore it and threw it on the ground.

 The bird and her chicks were helpless. 

The poor bird thought "Fools never value good advice. It is better not to advise them."

By,Shaina...

 Prison help!

An old man lived alone in a small village. He wanted to spade his potato garden, but it was very hard work. His only son, who would have helped him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and mentioned his situation: