ഇനി എത്ര ദൂരം

 

 Beyond the Blackboard: A Joyful Journey with the Al Shifa Family!

August 14, 2025

From the outside, a teacher’s life may look simple – after all, what could be more straightforward than teaching classes and going home? But those who live it know the truth. Our days are filled with preparing lesson plans, teaching, checking assignments, attending meetings, organising events, and taking on countless other responsibilities. It’s a profession that demands both the mind and the heart, and in the process, it leaves very little time for ourselves. Amid this continuous cycle, it becomes easy to forget what it feels like to slow down, breathe deeply, and simply enjoy a day without deadlines. That is why moments of recreation are not just enjoyable for teachers – they are essential.

Recently, the management of Al Shifa College gifted its teachers something precious – a day away from timetables, attendance registers, and academic discussions. They organised a staff trip, and from the very beginning, it was clear that this was going to be a day to remember. Everyone who returned had the same glowing reaction: “We should have more trips like this!”

When daily life follows the same routine – the same ringing of the college bell, the same classrooms, the same set of duties – the mind can get tired without even realising it. Breaking away from that cycle and stepping into a different environment feels like opening a window to let in fresh air. The journey to a new place, the freedom from fixed schedules, and the chance to see beautiful sights worked like a reset button. It was as if someone had quietly replaced the everyday weariness with a renewed sense of enthusiasm. The very next day, even preparing for classes felt lighter, as if the mind had been quietly recharged.

One of the most beautiful parts of the trip was how it brought everyone closer. In college, even though we work side by side, conversations often revolve around work – lesson plans, student issues, or departmental tasks. We rarely get to see the lighter, more personal sides of each other. But on the trip, those walls came down. Sharing snacks during the bus ride, singing along to old songs, teasing each other over small things, and laughing till our cheeks hurt created a kind of warmth that no staff meeting could ever match.

There were moments of pure discovery too – finding out that a colleague who always seems quiet in class is actually an excellent dancer, or that another has a wonderful talent for storytelling. These are the little surprises that make us appreciate each other beyond our professional roles. By the end of the day, it didn’t feel like a group of co-workers – it felt like a family that had grown closer.

And travel, of course, is never just about relaxation. Every journey teaches us something. The places we visit, the people we meet, the way they live, and the small details we notice along the way – all these become stories, lessons, and experiences we can bring back to our classrooms. Teachers are lifelong learners, and trips like this open up fresh perspectives that often find their way into our teaching, making lessons more colourful and relatable for our students.

There was also the physical joy of the trip – walking, climbing, and exploring. In college, our work often keeps us seated for long hours, which can leave us feeling sluggish. But this day was full of movement, and without even realising it, we all got a good dose of natural exercise. As one teacher joked, “I think I walked more today than I did in the past two weeks combined – and I loved every bit of it!” That combination of fresh air, physical activity, and laughter was the perfect recipe for a healthier body and a happier mind.

More than anything, the trip was a thoughtful gesture from the management – a way of saying, “We value you, and we want you to be happy.” In today’s fast-paced world, such gestures mean a lot. They remind us that work is not just about productivity, but also about people. The entire programme was beautifully planned, full of cheerful moments that we will remember for a long time. Every game, every shared meal, every spontaneous joke became a little thread in a tapestry of wonderful memories.

Trips like these are not luxuries – they are investments in the well-being of teachers. When educators are happy, motivated, and connected with one another, the energy naturally flows into their teaching. Students benefit from teachers who are refreshed and inspired, and the whole college gains a more vibrant, positive atmosphere.

At the heart of it all, teachers are like candles – we give light to others. But to keep shining, we need to take care of our own flame. This trip reminded us of that truth. It wasn’t just about visiting a new place; it was about coming together, laughing freely, and remembering that life exists beyond lesson plans and grading sheets.

The Al Shifa College staff trip was more than just a day out – it was a celebration of togetherness, an opportunity to rediscover joy, and a reminder that even the busiest of lives can and should make space for moments of pure happiness. It was proof that beyond the blackboard, there’s a world where teachers too can simply be themselves – travelers, friends, and joyful companions.

Here’s hoping that this is just the beginning of many more journeys together – because if there’s one thing this trip taught us, it’s that when we travel together, we don’t just return with photos, we return with stronger bonds, fresher minds, and hearts full of stories waiting to be shared.

Mekha. C. M

Assistant Professor of Commerce and Management Studies

Al Shifa College of Arts and Science, Keezhattur, Perinthalmanna