BECOMING THE RIGHT PERSON
Ps 46:1 “The Lord is my refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.”
Gister was Moedersdag en mense reg oor die wêreld het dit op verskillende manière gevier. Ek wil nie nou in die detail van Moedersdag ingaan nie, maar eerder oor wat dit ons aan herinner. Dit gaan oor ‘n bewusmaking of bewus wees van al die oulike, positiewe en goeie dinge wat ons Ma’s daagliks vir ons in ons lewens doen. Niemand se Ma is perfek nie en hulle maak ook foute, maar ons kies om op al die goeie en ongelooflike opofferings wat hulle gemaak het, te fokus.
We are not blind to our Mothers’ imperfections, but choose to celebrate all her wonderful characteristics. In a similar way we need to remind ourselves to look at other people in our lives and see their positives, their strengths…how and where they can add value…but it has to be an intentional decision. The natural human default is to pick up the imperfections and to highlight them and to have huge arguments about how others can be better. How about a refreshing different approach? How about celebrating and acknowledging people’s positive contributions to your life and society. Imagine a society that is positive and uplifting where we DON’T ignore the “work-on’s” but really hone in on the strengths and positive attributes and characteristics of people in our lives.
Voel mense veilig in jou geselskap en teenwoordigheid? Is daar ‘n vrees dat die mense om jou, jou gaan verkleineer, onvanpaste grappe maak, jou minderwaardig laat voel…sometimes you just don’t feel good enough!?…of voel mense veilig in jou teenwoordigheid? Indien hulle NIE veilig voel waneer jy in hulle geselskap is nie, het jy iets om aan te werk! Ek sê nie jy moet oneerlik wees met jou opinies en komentaar nie, maar ek stel wel voor jy neem die mense se gevoelens in ag voordat jy sommer ‘n opmerking maak, waar jy eerder bietjie dink oor die gedagte in jou kop en dan eerder NIKS sê nie, of dalk iets mooier sê as wat jy oorspronklik wou uitblaker.
Do you have those friends that you just feel good being in their presence? They are friendly towards you, will never belittle you, you have confidence sharing your secrets and fears with them…That is who and what we as HERMIES should become. Strive to become the person who provides a safe-space without being dishonest in your opinions about how you feel.
I read a quote the other day that said: “No matter how educated, rich or cool you believe you are…how you treat people ultimately tells all. Integrity is everything.”
Without breaking people down or criticizing others, you can still be honest in your opinion, give smart advice when necessary, without people feeling like a failure. Another quote says: “Don’t give up! The hardest battles are given to the strongest soldiers.”
Now that is for those of us who are struggling to move on after mistakes we have made…
I want to finish off with this last story that I’ve read…If milk gets bad, it becomes yoghurt. Yogurt is more valuable than milk. If it gets even worse, it turns into cheese. Cheese is more valuable than both yoghurt and milk.
If grape juice turns sour, it transforms into wine, which is more expensive than grape juice. You are not bad because you made mistakes. Mistakes are the experiences that make you more valuable as a person.
Christopher Columbus made a navigational error that made him discover America. Alexander Fleming’s mistake led him to invent Penicillin.
Don’t let your mistakes get you down. It is not practice that makes perfect. It is mistakes we learn from that makes perfect!
May we all learn from our mistakes, get better, become more valuable and when we struggle to deal with our mistakes, remember Ps 46…as well as your friends and parents, who love you unconditionally.
PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for this journey we are on…called life! Help us to navigate through all its challenges. Help us to hold onto all your many promises in the Bible. Thank you for declaring your love for us which is never-ending and available in abundance. We want to thank you for such great people in the school who are caring, supportive and have such a positive influence on our lives.
Please help us with the upcoming exams and give us the discipline and wisdom to prepare well for these assessments during the next month. We love you and thank you for all your many blessings.
AMEN
Mr MJ Smuts
PRINCIPAL