To India with Love
- Dion Ooi
- May 6, 2018
- 4 min read
No matter how far we have traveled, it is always good to be home. Home is where the heart is... at least for me. Praise God for the blessings and journey mercy.
Recently, I was given the opportunity to travel and study in India. To be precise, through the Malaysian Government's MOU signing with the Indian Government, 20 of us trainers / mentors from different states in Malaysia were chosen to represent our beloved country to be certified National Specialist Entrepreneur Mentors. According to PSMB (or now branded as HRDF) there are more than 8,000 registered trainers in Malaysia. We are definitely privileged to be selected and certified by Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.
Many of my trainer friends (in this journey) have posted their stories, updates and status in the social media, hence I would like to make this blog as short as possible. My intention for this blog is to share my top 3 learning from this experiential learning trip.
This is taken on the first few days in EDII, thanks to my accountability partner and mentor... Ravinther for taking this awesome shot.
Why am I in my exercise clothes?
That is one of my key learning and realisation during my study trip in India.
Please allow me to share my top 3 learning as below:
#1 Being Healthy and Endurance is Key
"The winners in life treat their body as if it were a magnificent spacecraft that gives them the finest transportation and endurance for their lives." ~ Denis Waitley
Whether we like it or not, without health, there is not much we can do. I realised that being healthy and having the endurance to run our own race is the priority in life. What legacy to leave behind when you are not healthy nor being able to achieve much from being sickly.
During my 21-day study trip, my accountability partner / mentor and I have decided to achieve something more than being certified and going through all the learning in classes, group work and assignments... we completed our stretched goal of running 100KM before we return back to our homeland... we created our own memory by running our own race.
Our proud moment when we clocked the 100KM that morning of our final day in EDII.
Thanks to Dr. Kavita for the printout (in color) and Nazman who was there to support us to take the photo as well.
Definitely felt like a big accomplishment for running 21 days back-to-back and not taking a break for one day in between. This really proved that accountability partnering works and we are able to achieve more when worked as a team. Together Everyone Achieves Miracles (TEAM acronym).
#2 Self-Confidence and Assertiveness is important
“Because one believes in oneself, one doesn't try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn't need others' approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.” ~ Lao Tzu
What I have learnt is the difference between humility and confidence. At times I will need to be humble and certain times, being able to exert power and confidence to rise to the event. There were several times which I had proven to myself that I have the potential and capability to be more than I can be. Again, thanks to my accountability partner / mentor who has awaken the giant in me to be practising self-confidence leading to assertiveness in communication and presentation.
The two occasions that I have proved to myself... the interview with the Asian News International (ANI) TV Station and the valedictory speech at our certificate awarding ceremony...
Thank you for the awesome opportunity... Thank you God for giving me the chance to perfect practise self-confidence (with humility).
Thank you all for believing in me.
#3 Thou Shalt Not Judge
"When you judge others, you do not define them, you define yourself." ~ Earl Nightingale
The phrase is right, the moment I start to judge others, I am defining myself.
In fact, my accountability partner / mentor and I had a lot of conversation about this topic... we concluded that we, humans have our own struggles and challenges in life. Who are we to judge and label people?
During the study trip journey in India, I believe, there were challenges and I got to witness different perspectives of people's behavior and issues. However, at the end of the day, the positives triumph over the negatives... and it is a matter of choice on what we want to focus on.
Do you want to focus on darkness or the light?
What I have learnt the meaning of the word, "GURU" is to dispel darkness.
After going through the study trip and certification, I do believe that all of us who had attended, will have a choice to make... to be "GURU" or NOT to be "GURU"...
For me, I have chosen to be the one who makes a difference in other people's lives.
It is my life purpose to do so... "To inspire and develop leaders to reach their highest potential for God..."
And last but not least...
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
Are you ready to make a difference?
"Change Your Habits, Change Your World!"
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