A Time for Soul Searching

 

By Zoey Ong

Spring, succeeding the winter and preceding the summer, is a season when life blooms with everything unleashing wonders. It has a touch of gentle spirit that warms up the heart and soul of all living things. When spring proceeds, the plants will sprout, the flowers will blossom, and the tree leaves will unfurl themselves. Likewise, spring break for Dalat is the time for replenishment, making connections and soul searching.

In Dalat's recent newsletter, Mr. Steinkamp shows inspiration as he writes that his "hope for the students, staff, and parents of the Dalat community is that over the next week we will be able to get the rest we need to let our souls catch up with us."

During regular school days, everybody who sets foot in Dalat carries a purpose that awaits fulfillment. The students work hard for challenges in their way of achieving academics and relationship goals. The parents make time for pick-ups and are selfless in their support for students' preparation for further studies. And the staff and teachers work and toil for the well-being of the student body. Amidst all the efforts each part of Dalat is making, people must recognize that there must exist times when each sector experiences exhaustion. In this regard, a break is well needed for the Dalat community to refocus, improve productivity, reduce stress and evoke new creativity. And so, spring break comes at the perfect time.

A reminder: The strong working of every mind and body requires rest as a replenishment source to fuel up again. Like a reset button that works wonders when experiencing faulty equipment or devices, a time to rest can replenish the souls to bounce back again. So what can we do to nourish our soul and allow us to renew and set for future encounters? Soul searching is the key.

Soul searching is the idea of stepping back from life to look within ourselves to replenish our souls. Often people soul search when they are amid a rusty experience or encounter emotions that are difficult to process. As humans are not invincible, it is encouraging to have times designated for the mind and body to wind down and reboot. The seasons in life will never fail to arrive, carrying much joy, fear, and contempt, but the most important is to learn how to strategize and gather in preparation for what's to come.

From the sweet time of spring break, I hope all have encountered an opportunity to improve self-understanding and relationships by carving time out for others. Whether it was a vacay to a resort in the tropical gardens on Batu Ferringhi beach or a round trip to Georgetown for a short branch or two, hopefully, each body had gathered enough rest and time for the "souls to catch up with their bodies."