Week 3 Growth mindset: Coming out of my comfort zone

As I keep trying to learn more about growth mindset, I have realized that that I have bit of both mixed and growth mindset. There have been times when I have tried to avoid failure and challenges. When I was a freshman, trying to adopt to a new environment was a priority. I was very shy and an introvert. I used to hate talking in front of class or ask questions to my professor even though I needed help. Giving presentations was a nightmare. I then learned that it is a part of not only student life but also going to be a part of my professional life.  I slowly learned to get out of my comfort zone and I am a lot of comfortable than I was before. I always used to find an excuse to get out of situations like this where I had to present or talk in front of class.  I have to say my public speaking class helped me a lot during this learning process.

Growth Mindset
Source:
stacflickr

Week 3 Storytelling:The Brothers

** This story begins with four brothers, sitting on each side of a square dining table. **

Bhim: I don’t like how you guys spend your free time. Why do you guys not do some productive work?

Sen: Wow! Are you serious? Who do you think you are?

Nath: I know, right. You don’t have any right to decide what we do, Bhim.

Bhim : Are you guys out of your mind? I am the eldest of all of you, and I have been taking care of each one of you since you were young.

Nath: So what! You cannot rule us. You did it just because Mom asked you to take care of us when she left Dad fifteen years ago.

Pant: Stop it, Nath. He is our elder brother. He took care of us.

Sen: You are just a small kid, Pant. You will know Bhim’s real character when you grow a little older like us, in few years. He doesn’t love us at all.

Nath: Very true, Sen. He just cares about his money and his friends.

Pant: Why do you guys say that to him? He cares about us.

Bhim: It is okay, Pant. Just leave it. These are two rotten eggs of our family.

Sen: Right! Do you remember that one time when Nath was so sick that he was not able to get out of his bed?

Pant: Yes, I do. so?

Sen: So, where was your brother Bhim then?

Pant: He left with his friends early morning and came back after two days!!! Wow! You really don’t care about us. Do you, Bhim?

Bhim: You are my brothers, and I love you all.

Sen: You sure do love your brothers, but just when Nath needed you the most you left him to suffer, didn’t you?

Nath: Actually, guys, I will have to defend Bhim on that part.

Pant: What are you saying, Nath? Did he not leave you to suffer?

Sen: What???

Nath: Yes, my brothers. Bhim was there for me. I woke up that night and saw Bhim on my side. He bought me the medicine. Do you remember, Sen, the medicine that was on the table?

Sen: Yes.

Nath: It was Bhim who bought the medicine.

Pant: So, why did we not see you for two days?

Bhim: Leave it, guys.

Sen: Tell us, Bhim. Where were you?

Bhim: It is not that important. Just leave it. I am sorry that I asked you guys to spend your spare time being productive. I am sorry, because I thought if you guys would study or do some work it would help you.

Nath: Just tell us, Bhim.

Vali and Sugriva
Source: Vali and Sugriva in a fight

Bhim: Okay. My dear brothers, when Nath got sick that day I knew he would not get better without medicine. We were in very bad shape financially. I had a job, but it wasn’t paying that well and I was in no situation to buy him the medicine that he needed right away. So, I left that early morning with my friend to go to the bus station in our town. He played the guitar and I sang in the station all day. We collected some money and with that money, I bought some medicine for Nath. I came home that night but, Sen and Pant were already asleep.  I left really early the next morning, because I had promised my friend that I would help him move his apartment.

Pant: I told you guys, our brother loves us. I am sorry, Bhim, I doubted you.

Bhim: No worries, my precious. I love you.

Sen: I am sorry, Bhim.

** Bhim stands up **

Bhim: So, brothers, hug!

** Nath, Sen and Pant get up **

Nath/Sen/Pant: **in one voice** Bring it in, brother.

** after few seconds**

Bhim: So, I don’t like how you guys spend your free time. Why do you guys not do some productive work?

** They all laugh and go back in their room**

Two Brothers
Source:Two brothers on a way to their school

Author’s Note:

The story of the Ramayana in PDE version part C was focused on the brothers Sugriva and Vali, who fought with each other, and also shared some love. Also, the story extends to Ravana and his brotherVibhishana who was living in Lanka, but then Vibhishana leaves him for his bad decision regarding the abduction of Sita. The story of the brothers, in Ramayana PDE version shares the love and hate. Sugriva loves his brother vali, but hates him at the same time. Vibhishana loves his brother and also hate him at the same time. So, this week I am telling the story of four brothers, who loved each other and also fought time and again. They are actually having conversations, and I have tried to make it as interesting as possible. I have chosen to use the script storytelling style for this week’s Storytelling.I have selected the image of Vali and Sugriva in a fight as one of my images which reflects the anger and madness that the two brothers shared. I have chosen a cartoon character for my second picture which reflects the care and the love that brothers share. I came up with this story for every household has some arguments and fights that take place but that doesn't mean there is no love between them. The arguments that happen are just a part of a life. 

Bibliography:

"Public Domain Editions" of the Ramayana.

Week 3 Reading Diary, Continued PDE Ramayana

The first section of the reading for part D makes the story alive and realistic and proves that it was real and is real. It is so overwhelming to read that the bridge Rama and his army build to get to Lanka is still there and called “Rama’s Bridge”. The story of Kumbhakarna is fascinating. He sleeps for six months and awake for just a day. Ravana uses his brother’s powers to fight Rama and his army. But on the other hand the might gods are favoring Rama and aiding him in the battle. 

Monkeys build a bridge to Lanka
Source: The Monkeys and Bears_

Rama wins the battle as planned by the gods. I find it very sad how Sita was treated by Rama and the whole kingdom. Rama asks her to prove her purity and then she sits on the pit of fire to prove it that she is innocent. Even after that she is sent to exile from Ayodhya because of the people not trusting her. I really feel like they should have treated Sita well and given respect for who she is.  Sita while In her exile gave birth to two sons. The story ends with Rama departing the world and becoming Vishnu again.

Title of the book: Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)

Link: Ramayana

Week 3 Reading Diary: PDE Ramayana Part C

Hanuman disguises as beggar to spy on Rama and Lakshmana as the monkey King Sugriva was scared they were there to fight him. After knowing who they were Hanuman puts both of them on his back and sped away to the hill. I find this amazing and fun, riding a real living being aircraft. Rama was a friend to king Sugriva, he fights with King Sugriva’s brother Vali who took King Sugriva’s kingdom and family. 

Vali and Sugriya fight
Source: image vali and sugriva

What amazes me in this reading is when all Sugriva weeps after the death of Vali. It shows love and affection that was once shared by the two brother’s. It also reflects how good hearted Sugriva is, even if he took help from Rama to destroy Vali. On the other side of the story Rama is still in search for Sita. After Hanuman reached Lanka he burns Lanka. For me this was the slight taste of what is going to happen next in Lanka. In this reading part I also find that it shows us the conflict between the brother’s. Even in Lanka, Ravana’s brother Vibhishana argues that Ravana should return Sita to Rama and when there was a disagreement Vibhishana left Lanka to be on Rama’s Side.

Reading from Part C of the book Ramayana

Title of the book: Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)