Determination

To know the power of determination

(Teacher reads the exercise slowly, pausing at the dots… If you wish, you can play soft music in the background).

Step 1 : “Firstly, sit in a comfortable position on your chairs, or cross legged on the floor. Make sure your back is straight and head is upright. Take a deep breath and relax as you breathe out. Take another deep breath… and another…”

Step 2 : Now relax any tensions in the body. Stretch your toes, then relax them. Tighten and tense the calf muscles, then relax them. Tense the muscles in your upper legs and thighs, and relax them. Pull in your stomach muscles, then relax them. Pull the shoulders back, then relax them. Shrug the shoulders up and down. Look left, look forward, look right, look forward. Now screw up the face muscles and relax them. Feel your whole body relaxed – all tensions have gone.

Step 3 : Think of a time when you did something even though it was difficult.. And another… How did it feel?
Think of a time when you failed to do something you wanted to do…
How did it feel?
Imagine yourself trying to do it again… and failing… And trying again… trying again every time you fail.. Imagine yourself succeeding..
Imagine the kudos in your achievement…
How does it feel?
Pat yourself on the back for being determined and for keeping on trying… Know that if you keep trying you will succeed eventually.

Step 4 : Now bring your attention back to the classroom, open your eyes and stretch, as the exercise has finished. Smile at the person next to you.

Adapted from ‘Sathya Sai Education in Human Values’, Published by BISSE Limited