- How to make a difference
We should consider each individual as precious gift from God. We need to respect and uphold the dignity of the other without looking at a person’s caste, colour, religion or intellectual quotient. We are called to instil the values of Christ and see in them the image of God. We need to become leaven in the dough even though our number is less. Our simple style of life and the way we go about and relate to people should be free of self-interest.
Our vowed life obliges us to be balanced, live in the spirit of poverty, putting on the attitude of Christ in our service. Our prayer life is also a boost for us to evaluate our own action and have a change in our attitude. Our service should be self-less and only for the good of people. Like Jesus, our master and model, we need to understand the unexpressed feelings of the people. The smile which we give to the people with whom we live and work is a sign of our God experience which brightens the life of the unwanted and the neglected, children in our boarding houses, the elderly, the mentally challenged, the people in prison , the sick, the lonely. Each individual is unique and special, and we need to give a listening ear to them. We religious need to give more importance to the spiritual wellbeing of people, specially through the sacraments, taking part in the liturgy meaningfully. Above all, we are called to be more human in our dealings.
- The difference I tried to make
As a religious for twenty-five years, I feel happy about the way I worked with the mentally challenged people for one year—that, too, as a junior sister. That was the best part of my life I can say. Though I am not a professional nurse, I could take care of them with love and affection. Though I have faced insults and abuses from them, I had sincere love towards them. Once, when a lady disappeared from the house, I was terribly upset, felt helpless and worried. I went in search of her for many days. Finally, when I found her, my joy was really boundless. When I look back on this incident, it gives me immense joy and satisfaction.
Another case: I taught in a school as my first real job. I did my best to teach the students entrusted to my care—not just the lessons, but values for life. Now when they visit me, they tell me: “You taught us to stand on our own feet. We can never forget you. You are the best teacher we have come across and our favourite one.” I feel happy about it when I hear this from them. As the famous quote says “The mediocre teacher tells, the good teacher explains, the superior teacher demonstrates and the great teacher inspires.” This is what I am called to. Thus I can make difference in the lives of my students by moulding them to be good human beings, and promoting their all-round development.
When I noticed that one of them needed to improve his/her behaviour, I would them for a personal chat, and meet with their parents to solve their problems. This was the case of one student who was irregular in coming to school. I visited his house, spoke with him about his future. He came back to school, and passed high school with a good grade. So, I have seen that we can make a difference if we take a real interest in our students.
Sr Latha Crasta SCCG
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