May 17, 2023

Notes by Naami Deo

Review

Don’t  always keep exploring what you are going to do, instead pick something and do it. What one thinks one becomes. 

Stories and activities: 

• A person was looking for keys at the wrong place and everyone helped look for the keys in the wrong place too (not where the keys were left last). We need to have the clarity with knowledge to act on our goals. We get so much information on plastics and environment that it is hard to have clarity to act to support the planet. 
• In a video we learned how plastics are bad for animals, human beings and the environment. Also that the big petroleum companies make a lot of profits by making plastics. Only 2% of plastic is effectively recycled, rest is incinerated or dumped in the environment. Smaller and less resourced nations have no systems to deal with so much plastic. Plastic never goes away. Story of plastics – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO3SA4YyEYU
• In another video, kids from the U.K. started a movement – Kids Against Plastics – they asked all to stop using four big single use plastics, which are: plastic bottles, plastic cups, plastic straws, and plastic lids. They are talking to cafes, schools, neighbors, towns, etc. to become plastic clever by using minimal plastics. Kids against plastics – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWxtlqHjxvo&t=10s
• We drew what action with confidence we will take to avoid environmental issues of plastic. Some students said that they will pick up litter; be an eco club representative; use compostable bags; show videos plastic issues at school and friends; bring reusable utensils.

Lesson

With clarity comes conviction and confidence – Vivekji. When we have the knowledge, we can be clear and convinced with confidence to take individual and community action. Issue of plastics cannot be solved by one person, we all have to encourage others to be plastic clever. 

Suman ji shared this quote: With clarity we can. With conviction we must and with confidence we will! – Gurudev. There is hope if we all work together. 

Sumanji reminded us that Happy Hour is a comfy blanket where we had fun, played games, learned, and made friends. We can help pay it forward by offering guru dakshina as an opportunity. 

Reflection Adventure

Slow down and reflect on the “Happiness is….” tips that we learnt throughout the year. Personal growth never stops. Keep practicing power squats!