8th May XI Catechism

Good morning ! 

As I start this class, I'm really feeling appreciated      😀   - I received one of the most beautiful letters I have received from a student (unfortunately - not class 11     😪)      expressing his gratitude - not for my catechism classes - but for something else - what I'm so happy     😇      about is not that he thanked me (though I really feel good about that !) but that his letter showed a level of emotional maturity that was amazing !!! That to me told me that possibly my classes are having some success - however, I have to acknowledge - and I did to him - that there were surely a lot more people and circumstances which were responsible for it ! I was wondering - are the students even looking at the blog post / reading it / doing what is requested - at least one is ! Our catechism classes are not just to increase our spiritual knowledge - but developing our spiritual natures develops and increases our emotional ability (EQ = Emotional Quotient) - much needed in life, gauged at interviews and vital for our relationships and happiness. 

Reminder - if you haven't done so already - please enter your name in the "Comment" space - kindly do this each time you log into the blog post for the class - Thank you 🙏.
Once again, a reminder that when you are on social media (and this interaction is the use of social media for education), we are reminded that this is a public space and that we are called on to be our best selves - so kindly communicate appropriately at all times - in doing so you are respecting yourself and all of us. Thank you!

REVIEW  OF THE LAST DAY

Let's begin by reminding ourselves of what we have learned the last day.

• we practiced Heartfulness - self-awareness - naming our feelings - being aware of unnamed feelings held in our bodies - becoming aware of the feelings of others
• Reflecting on our past - we focused on the happy / positive memories and tried to discover how these have been the pillars of our lives
• read the stories of the Ascension of Jesus and thought about the questions :
• What is the difference between the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus ?
• did they happen at the same time ?
• was there a gap of time ? If so, how much ? Why ?
• Was the after ascension experience the disciples have of Jesus the same or different ?
• If the after Ascension disciple's experience of Jesus was different - what differences were there ?

PLAN FOR TODAY

Today, we shall be continuing to do this and we shall 

• in order to set up and learn certain processes to help us be more interactive we need to look at behaviour on social media
• we shall briefly be re-looking at our past few years in the light of our use of internet and social media
• be looking at the question regarding the resurrection/ascension not just academically but also what these realities mean for us on a deeper level. 

ON THE WAY

We're going to talk about our use of social media!

• What's the feeling rising in you as I mention this? What are you thinking ?
• The development in technology and social media is a great advancement to our way of living and it's going to become more important !
• Thank God !!!
• why am I thanking God ?
• I'm thanking God for leading the human race in the development of this part of science to the level we have reached today !
• I thank God - because thanks to these advancements, I could, when confined by this lockdown
• see and communicate with members of my family and others whom I wanted or need to catch up with !
• I thank God, because many new jobs are going to be created in this field and many of you could find yourselves earning your living through working in this sector !
• I hope that some of you will shine and develop this sector further !
• I use social media - widely (yet selectively) and the internet, computer and mobile phone (with many of the apps) have become essential for me to carry on with life as I come to live it !
• can you say the same ?
• I had said that I was selective in using social media and the channel social media uses - the internet. Why ?
• because I also value
• human physical interaction and relationships
• the need for me keep my body fit - I want to exercise daily - I like the energized feeling I have after doing an hour of exercise !
• and I like enjoying the exercise for the sake of the exercise
• I like to be with my thoughts - make it my personal time - this destresses me
• feeling refreshed in the morning and in a good mood to take my day's activities by having a good night's rest
• thus, I need to stop interacting on social media at a particular time I have set for myself 
•  the hours of sleep I need - the time I need to wake up.
• The need to spend time each day nurturing significant relationships 
• for me in my committed lifestyle 
• to being with the Divine (prayerfulness - not so much saying prayers)
• to building relationship with the Brothers in the community - daily spending common prayer and dinner with them
• my mental well-being 
• and I choose what and how I interact as I know that matter on the internet can be both positive as well as disturbing and morally corrosive
• since social media uses so much visual - the matter remains in mind more - so I choose what will be positive and set aside what is disturbing and corrosive.
• because I have, like everyone else, 24 hours only in the day and I want to 
• live life as fully as I can
• fulfill my responsibilities
• I've shared my use of social media - what about you?
• please click onto this link (below) - listen to the music and think to yourself about your use of the internet and social media
• you are an older teenager
• you must make the decisions (about your use of the internet and social media) which are in your best interest
• please step away from hiding or trying to run away or being silently frustrated by other people's decisions - loving as they may be
• request on discussing matters with adults who have authority over you (and you will always have authority - even if you're the US President - you are accountable - finally to the people at election !)
• however, are you / have you been making decisions (about your use of the internet and social media) which will be beneficial for you?
• now and again you probably will visit sites which you know may not be helpful to you
• are you aware of what this is doing to you?
• do you want to change this behaviour?
• What are you doing to try and change this behaviour?
• It's okay to ask for help - asking your friends may be causing issues for them - you're advised to discuss this with someone who can help you (the senior school counsellor - or a teacher - or your father/mother - Your parents are not so outdated as you may feel !!!)
• how does your use of the internet and social media affect your life ?
• are you mainly relating to people in person (against relationship through social media)?
• are you sleeping well - well enough to be alert for what you need to be alert for ?
• are you living an holistic life - getting exercise, socialising, spiritual life, entertainment beyond the internet and social media
• are you able to study - this is your main work at this time in your life - you are required to do it as best you can !
• please note that your responsible use of the internet and social media will impact your performance in class XI, your involvement in the activities, your result, your future career preparation, most importantly - your personality; your relationships, etc., etc.....
• Invite Jesus into your reflection.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBUQ5CdKbNA
• In the stories on Jesus'Ascenscion Jesus tells us Ï am with you always, yes, to the end of time !"
• The Ascenscion means that even though I do not see or feel Jesus (as he was in life or after the restriction), I know for sure that he is with me - with you - here and now - invite I'm into your reflection on your use of the internet and social media 
• discuss it with him !

That's all for today ! God bless you ! 🖐