End of another mentoring year

It has been many years in mentoring.
From being a mentor to being a teacher-in-charge of the programme, there is many to learn.
As a mentor, it is really just quite simple. To turn up every Saturday and to think of some games once in a while, and then to learn how to engage with the mentees.
As a teacher-in-charge, there are preparatory work, there need to be interactions with the mentors as well as the mentees. Most importantly, on top of all the work that need to be done, there must be much much more metta (loving-kindness, or goodwill), much much more karuna (compassion). It is no more about affecting and inspiring only the mentees, it is about the mentors as well. Trying to develop their global outlook of life towards others, setting a good example for them to emulate so that the programme truly develops everyone!

And this year, I believe I have been quite successful in doing these.

Each Saturday, I would go for the sessions with goodwill, with compassion, with sympathetic joy. And with these thoughts, I guess my actions and speech follow, and the mentors and mentees can feel it. As such, everybody is at ease with each other, caring for each other, striving for each other. In the end, everybody is happy. This outcome is the most important for all voluntary work. This way, everybody will continue to look forward towards making the future of the programme.

By these meritorious thoughts and deeds,
May all be well, happy and peaceful.

Opening the mind

A trip and an intense November-December makes me realise again why and how I came about with wanting to do more for people and environment. It's the nature. When you see the plains and fields, the heart opens. When your horizon is not blocked by the wall, your heart opens, when the wind blows on your hair and the dust settles on your face, it opens your heart. So the world is not just about you, them, and I. It's about us and all of us. A circle that everyone is drawing and must draw. And so we help each other to be more clear-minded, to be more mindful of ourselves and beyond. With that, we reflect on our daily activities and re-think their purpose.
So we do our bit for others, not so that we may gain; but so that they may also gain. Then it makes our existence more meaningful and truthful.