What is Peace?

Here I explore the fundamental understanding what peace is.

Kay and Jah Simulation.

What I Learnt from the Simulation.

 

Volleyball has so much mental complexity, it is so much more than physical activity, Playing volleyball teaches you a number of lessons that are applicable to life both on and off the court.Over the course of the two years I have been playing it has taught me the most valuable lesson.  The lesson on stopping negative self talk, even when you keep messing up.

Things I’ve learnt:

1. Communicating in a Helpful Way – Negative energy can manifest and spread insanely fast in volleyball as it’s often easy to pick up the feelings of your other teammates. Spiralling into frustration is an issue that is easy to give into, and is why keeping positive and encouraging your teammates is so crucial.

Things I improved on:

1. Playing When You’re Down Volleyball teaches determination and tenacity, and has embedded in me the idea of never losing face, and never accepting defeat even if the chances of winning seem almost impossible. There has been multiple occasions in a game when it had felt like winning would be a miraculous event. As points are won very quickly in volleyball, a score gap is can common to occur. In some instances the team may be 15 points down, with the opponents reaching close to winning the set. But how we remain optimistic, energetic and determined to fight back is what demonstrates the importance of tenacity, and in some circumstances our boisterous cheer, energy and skill allowed us to close the gap. The difference between giving up and fighting through adversity is very noticeable in volleyball. Spirit is such an important aspect in volleyball, and closely relates to the GRIT a team possesses. Grit is defined as the sustained and continued effort over long period of time and is the skill that I believe makes an individual or a team ‘successful’. It is a skill that transcends outside of the court and into every aspect of my life; academic, social and personal.

1. Accepting and Owning Your Mistakes: Volleyball has enhanced my collaborative an empathic skills. Playing in a team often comes with a lot of pressure to perform, as you’re not only letting yourself down but others down as well. This season I believe Ive strengthened my ability to learn and move on from my mistakes, as well as being more understanding when others make on. Not allowing oneself to dwell on past mistakes makes one strike to perform better and to reach their potential. It is another mentality that transcends many other areas of my academic, social and personal life. (LO2) Many of the challenges I faced this season were mental roadblocks that often led me quickly to frustration. During practice I would find myself hitting especially well, but come time to apply those skills in the game, I would time and time again mess up, or avert to the same mistakes I used to make. My inability to hit powerfully and remain calm on court when under pressure was incredibly frustrating to me as I wanted to prove to myself, teammates and coaches that I was a good player. I understand now I often seek for immediate results and success, and forget the journey before I reach my goal.

(LO7)There were moments through out the whole trip – on bus rides, waiting between games or just before bed – where I would feel a tug of uncertainty and unease. Knowing by flying into Myanmar, by staying in it’s hotels, I was contributing towards the countries economy. A country which was currently committing ethnic cleansing and mass genocide of over 727000 Rohingya Muslims. Although I agree it is unfair to punish and exclude a school which has no connection or ties to the crisis apart from their location, another part of me believed that hosting SEASAC in another location would have been a more viable option, and should have been discussed earlier on. I am uncomfortable with how quickly the commotion and the urgency for change has diminished. I am uncomfortable with the fact that during the whole trip, not one word was mentioned to acknowledge the crisis or what the school was doing to raise attention and support change for the crisis. I am uncomfortable with the fact that the whole trip I knew I should’ve said something, but was too afraid of the consequences and implications it would bring upon me, the staff and the school I represent. For most of my childhood, and life as a teen, I have been constantly told if I seek to change something in the world, I must take the initiate to ignite that change. By chance I was born into such a privileged position, by chance nearly 3000 km away another girl is fleeing her home and fleeing death. I am still confused as to where the line between sensibility and bravery should stand. A part of me feels ashamed, as a muslim girl, I felt a sense of responsibility. Although I believe silence is nothing but acceptance for the issue, I understand that the flights, hotels and accommodations had been booked, and as I was sitting in my bed in Yangon I understood that more could be accomplished through aid, donation and service when I reached back home then causing commotion during the trip.