It's Good To Be Back - 16 April 2007

16 April 2007

The Giant's Back - The Importance of Spirituality

Mr Simen spoke about his trip to Kluang. He spoke about his visit to the church where he grew up in, the visit to his Father's grave, the visit to his old home which is now overgrown like a jungle, his visit to Brother Mango and Mr Coconut on the Happy Hunting Grounds of his soccer field, his visit to his school which is now a hostel, as well as his trip to Montfort Boy's Town in Shah Alam.

Most importantly, Mr Simen spoke about the importance of spirituality. It is the dialogue with yourself and your inner self which is most important. This internal dialogue should be guided and directed by Gospel and Religious values. If you do not have a religion, it should be guided by the values of the school.

a. Be Humble
b. Have Faith and Compassion
c. Have Integrity
d. Respect Others and value teamwork/ teamspirit
e. Have passion and perseverance.

If you are MERELY a scholar, you are useless

Mr Simen spoke about how being merely a scholar was useless. It does not transcend data, informaton and knowledge or (DIK). In order to transcend DIK and thereby attain wisdom and true learning, you have to become a Man for Others. The scholar, the gentleman, the sportsman, the leader can only be transcended and meaningful if you are a Man for Others.

Pointing to the cross and the statue of St Louis Grignion de Montfort, Mr Simen added, "I am but a follower but I am also their embodienment". You have to role-model your values.

He also used learning organization language to drive hom the point that systems and structures are necessary for these values to be learnt and mastered.

A dire warning was given to everyone:

"If you focus on yourself and only think about yourself, it will swallow you whole".
Think of others, help others and love your fellow man, and you would be deal with all kinds
of troubles which come your way"

The Way We Want It To Be, Not Others

Mr Simen then mentioned that wholistic education was the focus and referred to the survey which the boys completed last Friday . He told the teachers and students to speak to him if they did not see eye-to-eye on the survey. Mr Simen he promised that he would not fault them. He would explain it to them and if necessary help place them in a more suitable and happier environment.