Tuesday 27 September 2016

Happiness
By:Sahil Arora


During the song “IT’S A GOOD LIFE IF YOU DON’T WEAKEN” the way “Tragically Hip” wrote the lyrics only conveyed one message to me. Wanting to be happy. The following is a poem inspired by Gordon Downie and The Tragically Hip.
Indeed the greatest feeling to happen to anyone
A simple emotion that can be taken for granted
But if this emotion changes it may decide to run
But don’t worry this feeling is rather enchanted
And does not require any thinking to feel this way


Happiness will surely never be implanted
But if you are positive today will be the day
You hit something called a home run
Or land a big role in a play on Broadway
But be careful not to take it for granted


Always remember to forget the things that make you sad
But never forget the things that make you glad
Never remember the troubles that have passed away
But never forget the blessings that continue to come each day


Happiness an emotion oh so great
Which can be triggered by doing something fun
There is no need for any hate
Try going down a ski run


Don’t be so negative
Keep staying positive
Maybe you will be an executive
So always stay happy!

                                           
                      

Friday 23 September 2016

Why I'm a Leader

Why is Sahil a leader?


Ken Kesey once said, “You don’t lead by pointing and telling people some place to go. You lead by going to that place and making a case” What makes a great leader? Well, a great leader has many different qualities, including; focus, confidence, integrity, inspiration, passion, decisiveness, and accountability. Leadership does not come walking through your front door every day, and must be earned.What is leadership? Would you consider yourself to be a leader? These are both questions I personally receive more often than not. When these questions come into play, I usually think about many activities, both in and out of school. These activities must include a situation, in which I have taken on a leadership role.


For instance, I have had to execute the lead role in many tough situations. Once these situations come upon, you must have the faith, and self-confidence inside telling you, you are capable of completing the task assigned. During my life, I have been assigned  tasks which I have had to take over the lead role, ranging from hockey, volunteering, school projects, and just my regular daily life.


During hockey, many of my peers, and superiors have recognized my ability to lead. For this reason, is why I have been able to lead numerous hockey teams. Whether I’m leading a pre-game warm up, making sure everyone is focussed on the task at hand, or taking many risks, by leading a new play during the game. These are all huge leadership roles, where numerous personnel, including your superiors, are counting on you to perform and succeed under pressure.  Even on teams, I have participated on, in the past, which didn’t have a designated leader. On occasion, I still had to step in and take over the leadership role, to make sure everyone was on the same page. For example, if a member of the team was not understanding what to do in a particular situation during a game, or even during a practice, I would jump in and direct them through their troubled period of times.

While volunteering, a lot of trust is being instilled into you. For instance, your superiors are counting on you as a volunteer, not to act immature, but to be on top of the tasks at-hand. In my case, while I was volunteering with my local hockey organization, I had to organize, and lead a group of six and seven-year- olds, through a series of drills on the ice, lasting four hours, for four days. My responsibilities as a leader also included making sure these six, and seven-year- old kids, didn’t get lost or mixed into a different group.


If you have ever been assigned a group project, chances are you've taken on a leadership role in completing this task. In my case, I have had to do many group projects. During group projects, your partner, or partners could all be busy, or have a personal issue pop up at the last second. Unfortunate, or fortunately for me, I have been in a situation where I have had to take on the leadership role  and complete the project on time for everyone in the group. I have also been in many situations where I have become the leader of a group project. Having been able to do so, I have developed a lot of self-confidence, and great leadership skills to continue to do so in the future.

After re-discovering all the different ways I have been able to be a leader; including hockey, group projects, and volunteering I realized something very valuable. I am not a leader because of how high my voice can project, I am a leader because of my actions, and the way people around me visualize, and process my unique skills. During all of these different leadership activities, I have been able to come out a better leader, in fact, I have been able to come out as a leader with my own strategies. We are all different people, and we are all going to lead in our own ways. I can truly say, I am a leader.







Thursday 22 September 2016

What I would like to teach the world?

    Climate Change
I would like to teach the world about how they can help us fight our battles with climate change, by attacking, and eliminating the main causes of climate change, and staying on track with our positive ways of dealing with it already. If we do the simple things such as: turning off electronics once charged, conserving water, recycling, and just changing your lightbulbs, they can all be major factors in lowering the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, being released in the atmosphere. Although these are just minor ways we can contribute, if we do all of them, the reward is huge.


Now is this enough on its own? No, it’s not enough because what's hurting us the most are fossil fuels. Transportation and electricity, are two of the main consumers of fossil fuels. Lucky for us, most of Canada, including Ontario, uses hydroelectricity. In other parts of the world, methods such as: coal, gases, and other non renewable energy sources, are used to create electricity. Now how can we fix this issue? Well, here is where renewable energy sources come into play. Right now countries are working hard to put as many solar farms, wind turbines, hydroelectric power, and many other methods of renewable energy.


These sources will all contribute in a very substantial way, but you might be asking yourself, how can I help on my own? Well you certainly can help by asking your parents to install a small solar electric, or wind, system to generate power for not only your house, but if your parents own a business, or an office space, this is also another great option. If these options are too costly, but you are looking for a new water heater, consider buying an eco-friendly one, as even this is a great way of helping. If you and your parents are looking for a cleaner way of transporting, you could always purchase an electric vehicle, or even a hybrid would be a good start.


If you are already contributing to the most of your ability, continue to do so, but if you aren’t well what are you waiting for, you can always start by helping today!


When I am older, the goal is to run my own business. Although, on the side I would be very content with aiding in some shape or form, with regards to the issue of climate change.