#LIVE @KendriyaVidyalaya 1, Katari Bagh - Thanks to Bhargavi Ajit's passion that translates into action too! She has taken the lead in creating buddy groups that will take forward the message of #LIVE to the rest of the school and form the ripple effect. Understanding and feeling our own worth, love, and respect is a journey. It's one thing to "know" that we are worthy of love and respect, but it's another to "feel" worthy, loved, and respected by others. #L - LOOK for signs in yourself and others and check what the thoughts and feelings are telling. LISTEN to understand, and if things do not get better, LINK with a professional. [KERALA helpline 1056 and PAN INDIA toll-free number 1800-599-0019] #I - Consider what you are looking and listening to in your thoughts and feelings. Pay attention to the "I." 'I' usually starts with "I don't know" (anxiety), escalates to "I can't" (sadness), and further escalates to "I won't" (anger). For example, "I don't know if I am loved and respected as my parents/teachers are angry or sad at me now because of what I said or did, I can't continue to feel so unloved and disrespected all the time, I won't be able to take this anymore." Thoughts and feelings can lead us to believe that "we are the problem," dissociating from external circumstances to something internal. #V - VALUE these thoughts and feelings and do not be in a hurry to dismiss them with positive thinking. A healthy nervous system can sit with anxiety, sadness, and anger and VERIFY the context and VALIDATE that the feelings are real, not made up. When someone shares their difficulties, do not rush to "fix" it. Good listeners allow the person to VENT and then gently ask more questions to understand the context. Consolation and advice are fine as long as it's clear the other person is seeking that. #E - EMOTIONS are ENERGY, and this energy needs to be released from our bodies, just like we need food and water for life. After expressing our thoughts and feelings in a safe, non-judgmental space (with a trusted person), we can figure out what is urgent and important. Prioritize and decide what to ENGAGE in (urgent and important), what to ESTIMATE (important but not urgent), what can be ENTRUSTED (urgent but not important), and what needs ELIMINATION (neither urgent nor important). Every day, there will be something to remind us that we are worthy, loved, and respected. Simple gestures, like a flower and a thank you, or even a moment for a selfie, can be glimmers that remind us that what we do is worthy, loved, and respected, and so are we all.
