WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LEADERSHIP?

by Sr. Cecil Marie, SOL

In the midst of the trend society who are hungry for ambition, power, popularity and wants to appear always good, we are invited to contemplate "what the meaning of leadership is". It is interesting that the common goals of training on leadership is to develop everyone becomes a mature and integrated person who has strong vision as religious woman of Sisters of Our Lady. Therefore, leaders are not primarily in religious role, function, or a particular position in a congregation, but a person who has a religious quality of life as religious woman of Sisters of Our Lady. Based on the my experiences and reflections for three weeks attending in the ITL process, an author inspires me because he found two important points that are needed to be internalized in developing the quality of personal life and mission.

First, simplicity and humility are necessary to release the  sense of superiority as the oldest participant and be equal with others, be led by young sisters which has the first time in leading, accept our self-limitations and dare to ask her who is younger than me. This is the meaning of being simple and humble, like the life of Jesus himself. As God, he became human, and found in human form He died on the cross. Even though He was cheered as the king entered Jerusalem, He does not ride a horse, but a donkey. It signs that the quality of someone’s life appears from his simple words, attitudes, and actions but meaningful, neither at the good word beauty, wealth nor position.

Second, reducing and changing habits that weaken religious life as well as managing barriers to become a mature and integrated person as religious woman of Sister of Our Lady.

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD LEADERSHIP

by Sr. Priscilla, SOL

In leadership we encounter different characteristics. Below are some of them.

Listening and availability

Leaders should be present to their sisters/people not only physically but with their whole being. They have motivation to listen actively to their people; they also pay attention to what remains unspoken.

Empathy

A leader should understand and share the feelings with others. Community members are entitled to respect and appreciate for their personal development. Actually a leader should not make herself the measure of judging others but should take them as they are.

Awareness

Leaders need general awareness more especially self awareness so as to understand their people.

Foresight

This characteristic enables a leader to learn about the past and achieve a better understanding about the current reality. 

In conclusion religious leaders should contribute to an even widening web of compassionate relationship towards a space circle of love and compassionate.

HISTORY OF LIFE

By.Sr. Elis Marie

Twenty-seven of August 2014

It’s a meaningful day for us

when we were together

entering a new community.

Indonesia and Malawi
merge into one
the differences we lunge
our unity is our purpose
how these days we've been through
we count the seconds up missed days

Sometimes we over ride our darkness
face some difficulties
get scourge because of language
evocative our deepening
Patience is really needed
the loyalty challenges us
our commitment is on the togetherness
faith is our hope

Internationality is the common goal
the spirituality is the strength
togetherness is the supporter
awaiting each other is the rhythm

RECOLLECTION DAY

10^th September was our first ITL community recollection day.  It was led by Fr. Henk Bloem.  The theme was based on Matthew 25:14-30 concerning self trust, self awareness and belief in yourself.  It was opened with a short prayer from Psalm 42 – 43.  There after, we had a moment of personal reflection which led us to tea and coffee time.  Soon after break, we had interactive activities as a way of deepening trust and teamwork such as; balloon (two sisters walking together while holding a balloon together tightly using foreheads), giving through (5 sisters standing in one line following one another and pouring a cup of water to each other at the back without looking behind with trust that the other will receive it also in a cup) and carrying together (two sisters carrying together a cup full of water on a piece of cloth, with trust that in togetherness will manage). 

Indeed trust and teamwork are essential elements of leadership. Afternoon hours were full of total silence till we closed the recollection with the Holy Mass started with the penitential service.  First reading was taken from a Text of Marrianne Williamson and gospel reading from Mark 4: 35 – 41.

What a wonderful day!

DON'T BE AFRAID

by  Sr. Linda, SOL

God, I'm so precious in your eyes

You believe in giving talent

That conviction made ​​me bold and confident

Not to change the world

But as gratitude,

as trusted.

Don’t be afraid,

Because deepest fear is when I made ​​a size

and to be decisive

for all decisions

In fact, God only asked

that my life shine

shine for the people around me.

Such as children at play,

be free like them.

They create joy for others

because there is joy

Away from fear,

If I am free,

I will make the people around me to be free,

because there was

the glory of God shines.

ITL AND ME

By : Sr. Rita 

At the first time I heard about ITL (International Training Leadership), it spontaneously made me getting stomachache and headache. I imagined that there will so many challenges along that time. Suddenly, it made me closing my eyes and being silent.

No. I believe in God. He himself takes me to be here. He holds my hands to new place where I will be educated by many kind of experiences. Everyday I will always be faced by many problems and I have to try believing in Him and being silence with Jesus Christ and observing all with “a new glasses”.

Lord has called me. He has prepared everything I need especially great faith. Surely I believe in  Him who will always help me for ever and ever. First of all, The Lord teaches me in being a good listener, respecting the differences and also having mutual respect, being here not for “pride competition” but gradually for building myself to be loyal. I will try and try again.

ITL is not a monster that scares me but I’ll experience that ITL is a place where I am able to improve myself. It is like a dessert where saves life and prosperous. The only one word can say is thanksgiving. Thank You Lord, thank You Jesus Christ and thank you my beloved sisters who belief and support me so that I may join on this occasion.

WHO AM I...

By Sr. Divina P. SPM

It’s kind a question that requires a lot of time to answer. Why? Since each person does not really know him/herself well. The consequences are possibly people would feel as inferior people, has no confidence, jealousy, low self-esteem, pride and so on.

We may think and ask ourselves: Who am I? There must be something more we  can gain inside within us.

Every human is unique.

We need to see ourselves in advance with what we are real, others do not see in ourselves and we must be honest  with ourselves about the values, weaknesses, and strengths that we have. After seeing all of us from small portraits to date, the memories, life stories, the success or the sorrow of rejection of family or friends even the most painful failures in life, then we are able to  understand ourselves more better. After seeing our self-portrait we must restore our true identity and keep making positive self-image.

Develop your own potential

 Notes on human-centered events in the past and present and will move to the future. Are we sure of our identity? Who we are sure to be? This question is one of the basic emotional attitude about yourself. If we are never sure of our identity, even deny our own existence, there will variety of negative feelings will arise, such as: feelings of worthlessness, loneliness, and fear that continues to bother. However, if we understand who we are and accept the identity, then the positive feelings and safe stopping in our hearts. Accomplishment that we achieved by developing the abilities themselves are part of indetifying ourselves. Unfortunately wedge emotion, conflict, anxiety often prevent us to develop ourselves and our identity. Feelings of inadequacy are the biggest obstacles in developing themselves.  So thought of failure is due to inability. When they are not. Change the way we view ourselves to be positive. Maybe there are a lot of bitterness that we experience, but let's take a self-portrait when we feel happy and appreciated. Is not it better to make our people feel calm and safe?