SELF-REFLECTION

 

Self-reflection may feel like the latest new thing but the concept is nearly as old as time itself. Way back in Ancient Greece, Socrates told his executioners that “the unexamined life is not worth living.” While that statement may be a bit extreme – life is life, after all, and always worth living – examining your beliefs, your attitudes and your actions, is a vital part of personal change and growth. What exactly is self-reflection and how does it help you achieve your goals for personal growth?

Remembering the past – and more importantly, analyzing it for patterns – is the way that we learn. When a football coach sits down with his players to watch last week’s game, he is not doing it for entertainment. He uses it as an opportunity to point out how each player’s actions and patterns contributed to a win or a loss and to recommend changes to strategy so that the players improve their performance in the next game.

The post-mortem is not confined to sports, of course. In a poetry slam, for example, performers often watch videos of their own performances to see places where their delivery could be better or to take note of where the audience reacted in an unexpected way to their words or gestures. There is even an actual tool to help athletes and other performers make the most of their self-reflection. Reflecting on your actions and attitudes is one of the most effective ways to identify areas where you need to change, recognize places where you have grown and keep you moving forward to achieve your personal growth goals.

Let us start with this understanding: the purpose of self-reflection is not to beat yourself up for being a bad person. The point is to examine how well you are meeting your goals, recognize where you are in comparison to where you were, and mark your progress toward where you want to be.

Here is the first exercise in self-reflection to get you started on your way to a more examined life. These questions will help you set a baseline, recognizing where you are and what you need to be happy, successful and fulfilled.

Before you start answering them through, think about the ways you learn best. Write out things in long hand in your journal which helps you really focus and think about the answers before you write them down. Your mileage may vary – maybe you do your best thinking out loud. In that case, use a voice recorder app on your phone. Whatever works best for you is right for you.

1. What are your strengths? Make note of the things you do well, the things that make you proud of yourself.
2. What are your weaknesses? Note your personality traits or personal habits that you think make you less effective.
3. What makes you happy? Write down the things in your life, big or small, that bring you joy.
4. What are the things that dim your joy? Write down the things that bring you stress, anxiety or otherwise make you less happy.
5. What changes would you like to make in your life?

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Convenient scapegoat: DAP faulted over ‘bottoms up’ old boys gathering at Anthony Loke’s alma mater

 

REMEMBER loathing of the Old Michaelian’s Association’s (OMA) 90th Annual Reunion Banquet 2025 led by PAS last October over free flow of beer (and other alcoholic beverages) within confines of the St Michael’s Institution in Ipoh?

Well, a similar tongue lashing has recurred with Negeri Sembilan WAWASAN pro-tem chairman Badrul Hisham Shaharin a.k.a. Chegu Bard bemoaning “pupils ordered to serve ALCOHOL in an old pupils’ event attended by many DAP leaders” at the recent Old Paulians’ Association (OPA) 100th anniversary reunion dinner.

The said event was held at the St Paul’s Institution Seremban’s school hall on Sept 5 to commemorate the so-called missionary school’s founding in 1899 with a fundraising initiative rolled out for restoration and refurbishment works on the school’s existing infrastructure and facilities.

More specifically, Chegu Bard claimed that “a total of 25 school prefects were instructed by the school’s principal to attend and serve alcohol” to guests.

“The ceremony was attended by the headmaster and senior assistant for pupils’ affairs who sat on the VIP table,” the WAWASAN election director penned on his Facebook page.

Protests were made during rehearsals and briefings not only by Muslim teachers but the majority of teachers (including non-Muslims) by means of directing their complaints to SISPA (public feedback, complaint, inquiry, suggestion and appreciation platform) but to no avail.

It was not a secret event given photographs from the gathering, including the serving of alcohol by pupils, were proudly posted on the organiser’s social media page.

Attacking DAP

More pertinently, Chegu Bard lambasted the presence of DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook who is an old pupil of St Paul’s Institution by virtue of having completed his primary and secondary education there before graduating as part of the Class of 1994.

“Apart from Loke, many DAP strongmen were present at the event such as the party’s state assemblywoman YB Nicole Tan (Kepayang) and former DAP state assemblywoman for Rahang Datuk Mary Josephine Pritam Singh,” asserted the former Bersatu political activist.

Must the school engagement event also involve alcohol? Not only the school engagement but pupils themselves have to serve alcohol?

Is it true that the school principal is so bold because of her relationship with the Deputy Education Minister from DAP (Wong Kah Who)?

As it is, Chegu Bard’s FB post has gained much traction as gauged from a spike in in netizens’ reaction which at the time of writing has garnered 10.1K likes, 3K comments and 3.9K shares, predominantly from the so-called rightist fraternity.

Interestingly, the most popular comment which garnered 1.1K likes was penned by a non-Muslim (or possibly a cybertrooper in disguise) who called for Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek to swiftly act on the matter.

“Is this how you want to inculcate good values ​​to pupils? If the principal herself can order pupils to serve alcohol, little wonder cases of bad discipline, murder, bullying and beating of teachers are becoming more and more common,” berated the commenter.

“Have some shame as an Education Minister please.”

Another recounted how Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim “was very strict the other day with the issue of alcohol in schools” but suddenly “made an U-turn after the DAP GODFATHER (referring to DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng) spoke up”.

One commenter concurred with Chegu Bard by alluding to the fact that “it’s like a tradition for them every year, getting drunk” which explains why “not many Muslim old boys joining the event which can be likened to a drinking party”.

Thankfully, an alumnus who attended the old boys’ gathering came forward to set the record straight although his inputs only invited rebuttals of sorts:

“1. This annual event is usually attended by about 90% non-Malay alumni. Only about 10% or less are Muslim attendees.

2. Beers are sold in a special section only and not sold or forced on Malay Muslim attendees. Only non-Muslim attendees who can afford to buy them drink. Liquor or whiskey are brought by non-Muslim attendees for themselves only and not for serving to Malay Muslims.
3. The pupils who are seen at this event are only “usherers” to show the attendees where to sit. They are not encouraged to drink or pour liquor to the attendees as alleged. They are only at this event to witness the success and to applaud the alumni of this excellent school.

However, I will raise the issue of students serving liquor to VIPs as in the picture above. Thank you.” 

 - Focus Malaysia

Ismail Lasim denies reports he will resign as Negri Sembilan MB

 

Ismail, who is also the Juasseh assemblyman, described the claim circulating on social media as merely “political games” by certain quarters. - BERNAMA pic

SEREMBAN: Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim has denied reports that he will resign soon to make way for someone else amid the ongoing constitutional crisis in the state.

Ismail, who is also the Juasseh assemblyman, described the claim circulating on social media as merely " political games" by certain quarters.

"Just political games... It is not true. I am not resigning," he said briefly when contacted this morning.

Earlier, a Chinese-language portal reported that Ismail would sign a letter of resignation.

The report, headlined "Ismail Lasim has signed his resignation letter", also highlighted the ongoing administrative crisis involving the palace, which has yet to show signs of being resolved.

Ismail's press secretary, Mohd Fasha Musthafa, also denied the report, describing it as untrue.

"The menteri besar is carrying out his duties as usual. The report (claim) is untrue," he said.

Yesterday, Negri Sembilan Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias called on all parties to give the state leadership room to resolve the matter.

The former senior executive councillor under the Pakatan Harapan administration said there was no need for concern as the crisis was expected to be resolved soon.

On Sept 20, Istana Seri Menanti announced that the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, had revoked the appointments of 10 executive councillors appointed by Ismail.

The development came after Ismail was reported to have signed a proclamation seeking to remove Tuanku Muhriz from the throne on Aug 3, a day after he was sworn in as Menteri Besar.

Ismail also came under the spotlight after Tuanku Muhriz openly reprimanded him following Friday prayers at Masjid Kampung Beting, Juasseh, Kuala Pilah, last week. - NST