Self Reflection Essay - 735 Words

When I address groups, I know how to motivate them. I am a strong speaker who is both realistic and motivational. I understand what to say and when to say it and recognize that humor can be a powerful tool. Through my day to day life I strive to set a good example and to demonstrate how a person can be strong and influential though actions alone. I seek to make a difference in the world, to help others. I view a life without the chance to serve other and to make a positive difference in the world as a wasted life. Learning Application The Reflected Best Self-Exercise has certainly transformed how I view my own strengths, but also has transformed how I view strengths in general. For majority of my life, I have believed the actions I take†¦show more content†¦Along with these numerous enablers, I have also become aware of some potential blockers. For example, my high standards and perfectionism can potentially slow progress and cause me to spend less time on things I deem unimportant, but may be equally as important. While I prefer to stay busy, I have also become aware that I can potentially become quite lazy or unproductive in situations that seemingly award it. I have also noticed that I have a desire to stand out from others around me, which can cause tension. When others are not working or slacking off, I also often feel pressured to do the same and feel guilty when I continue working. More often enough, it seems that I chose to pick up others’ slack, and with that pile on top of my tendency to go above and beyond as it is, I can become at risk of biting off more than I can chew. Environments that limit my best self usually feature specific tasks that have limited freedom and a low sense of achievement. In new situations a can feel anxious at firs and can be averse to change. It is important to recognize these enablers and blockers in tandem with one’s strengths to put oneself on the best potion to change. As a leader, employee, or team member I is important to be aware of the situations that help you succeed, but also be aware of potential habits that could be harmful. Because of this exercise, I feel much more aware of myShow MoreRelatedSelf Reflection Essay984 Words   |  4 PagesNever Over The end of the semester is approaching quickly and you can see â€Å"light at the end of the tunnel.† The final assignment is a self-reflection essay on what you learned during the semester in ENG 111. There were three other essay assignments. The first one was called a literacy narrative, the second one, a single source essay, and the third one, a multi-source essay. But how can I write about things I do not understand? I had never taken an online class before, much less, a class that requiredRead MoreSelf Reflection Essays817 Words   |  4 Pages  on   Self- ­Ã¢â‚¬ Observations   and   Self- ­Ã¢â‚¬    Reflections    Maximum   1000   words   each   term    The   purpose   of   these   three   reports   is   to   demonstrate   how   you   have   used   the   learning   journal   to    develop   your   self- ­Ã¢â‚¬ awareness   from   term   to   term.   (See   Section   11   about   the   Learning   Journal)    Each   report   is   due   at   the   first   class   meeting   after   each   reading   week.    Guidelines:    The   Reports   should   include   your   reflections   about:Read MoreSelf Reflection Essay1722 Words   |  7 PagesSelf Reflection Section I: Introduction My name is Theresa Laquita Williams. I was born in Palatka Florida but I now reside in Zion Illinois with my husband. I am in my second year at the College of Lake County. Upon completion of my Associate of Arts degree I am planning to transfer to a university to get my bachelorette degree in social work. When describing myself I would say that I have a strong love for people of all color. I am very friendly, outgoing, free hearted, creative, and a bigRead MoreEssay On Self Reflection958 Words   |  4 PagesPractitioners Statement 2 Unrelated Pieces First piece: Blissful soul Once this course had commenced, I came up with the idea of painting a person’s reflection to represent the theme of self-image. Throughout the process of experimenting with different types of paint, I decided to work closely with watercolour as it was a media that I found enjoyable. I aimed for an experience where I developed the knowledge of working with watercolour, which became more realistic through researching the artistsRead MoreEssay On Self Reflection1568 Words   |  7 PagesSelf-Reflection Paper What personal and professional strengths do you have that you can use and build on to create helping relationships with your clients? When I think about what strengths I have that I can bring to the profession here is what comes to mind. I am very compassionate about providing a way for others to positively turn their life around. I truly believe that everyone deserves a chance at a good life and equal opportunities. I have a very big heart so my ability to empathize with myRead MoreSelf Reflection Essay818 Words   |  4 PagesHalf of living is reflecting on what is being lived. I highly agree with this sentence, self-reflecting is difficult. I am working on self-reflecting and how understanding myself will help me understand others. Self-reflecting can affect people in a positive or in a negative way. I have to learn to pull and highlight all the positive aspects of what a self-reflection emerge, with out fixating on the fear or the negative. Most of us are thirsty individuals that want immediate ratification andRead MoreSelf Reflection Essay1399 Words   |  6 PagesAs I just came out of our prayer centered worship night my heart cried out. These feelings will soon fade by the time this article actually post, but I feel like I need to reflect on it. I cried for the first time not about my lacking of faith, school, boys, or friendships, but the darkest parts of me that I try so hard to hide. Those demons that I have fought long to fight off, but sometimes they come creeping back. I reflect on the past week and the news of suicide that destroyed my smal l townRead MoreSelf Reflection Essay1594 Words   |  7 PagesFinding a Reason to Care: A Self Reflection I think it should be the goal of the teacher to improve the student in at least one way before they finish their class with them. I can say that I have seen improvements in myself while taking this writing course. It is interesting to analyze yourself because sometimes changes can be so gradual that you scarcely notice them happening; it is only when reflecting upon them that you notice a change has even been made. Throughout this class I have seen changesRead MoreSelf Reflection Essay1250 Words   |  5 Pagesthesis is. My writing skills were shown in the essays we wrote in the class, but it was also shown when I was told to sit down and write. When writing without being able to draft, you understand what kind of format, and the more important things that need to be shown. The adventure stories helped with my writing skills by learning how to tell the story, but explaining the point of my story, and what I got out of it. I learned about myself, and my self-direction through the adventure papers. SeeingRead MoreSelf Reflection Essay1126 Words   |  5 Pageswill shed light into a few of my findings. The Wharton Personality Profile identified several traits about myself that helped provide context for my behavior. Between the learnings in class, the report and case study explanation, and a bit of self-reflection, I began to identify myself as a social introvert. This observation in connection with my low emotional reactivity and high agreeableness and conscientiousness helps to explain my drive to facilitate and manage the small group meetings, my inquisitive

How The Organizational Behavior And Other Factors Have...

CHAPTER 1 Abstract Organizations all over the world have recorded profits, losses or offered quality services in cases for nonprofit making organizations. The reason behind these results is the practices and policies within the organization or the external factors such as political environment and competitors. The internal factors play a fundamental role in determining whether the company will be successful or not. The management style, culture, technology incorporation are some of the issues which will define the fate of the company. This business report attempts to analyses the impact of some of these issues to the structure of the organization. The human resource department issues are easily handled if an organization structure chart†¦show more content†¦It also describes how an organization decides on tasks to be undertaken, its goals, and who in the organization makes the decisions (Shim et al., 2012). The organizational structure is important for any company that intends to develop beca use it provides clarity and guidance on human resource issues. The structure, therefore, makes it good for the employees to identify who they are supposed to report to in case they have got an issue. Conflicts are also reduced in a department because the departments within an organization will concentrate only on their work because the structure defines clearly all the levels, their participants, and their roles (Staw et al., 1981). The use of organization structure also makes it easy for the management to add a new role to the existing structure since the structure helps to analyze the company roles and how they are interrelated. Toyota organization structure has been lauded as one of the structures which are most effective and efficient and hence its excellence in the market. The Toyota team has, however, undergone through some challenges just like any other organization. Some issues within the company can be attributed to its success, and their influence is well discussed in this business report. The report will mainly concentrate on some of the Toyota company aspects which include; culture, technology, size, marketing demand and the management style and which most of them are concerned with the organizational behavior

Cheetahs Essay Example For Students

Cheetahs Essay Cheetahs have been evolving and adapting themselves to the deserts of the Serengeti for many years. However, cheetahs have never been common in the wild, but theyre now in grave danger of becoming extinct, due to loss of habitat, high infant mortality, and hunting by humans for hides. Cheetahs can and should be saved because they have a difficult time surviving on there own due to poor parenting skills, cub mortality, and energy demands. The cheetah is also a very important part of the ecosystem and will be disrupted if the cheetah becomes extinct. Saving the cheetah is very important for their niche as well the niche of others. This amazing creature needs to be saved. There are many factors that surround the life and survival of the cheetah and its young.When a mother has a litter of cubs it puts a lot of stress on her to be able to provide them with food. A mother might leave her young for up to forty-eight hours while she is looking for food to help maintain her milk supply. If th e mother is not able to find enough food for lactation she will abandon her cubs. This poor parenting behavior results in an increase in infant mortality rate because the young are left unprotected while she is searching for food. Poor parenting behavior is a large part of cub mortality during the first year, which leads to the decline in the cheetah population. During the first four months of a cheetahs life they are very immobile and when left alone they are very susceptible to predators, and due to this only nine percent will survive. Cub mortality increases after the first four months because the cubs become more visible. They are leaving the home and are very uncoordinated, have poor vision and are unable to distinguish between friends and predators. If an effort was put forth to save the cheetahs from extinction a great deal of the energy and money would have to go toward the protection of these young cubs. If more than one out of every twenty cubs would survive the population of the cheetah would increase (as long as the birth rate is higher than the death rate) and save it from extinction. Another huge part of the decline of the cheetah is due to the high energy demands that are needed when a mother has a liter. A female cheetah will live alone until she has her cubs. Living in solitary can be hard because they will spend more energy and time being observant against predators. When a female is lactating she needs twice the amount of food as a non-lactating female, however it is harder for her to acquire this food. If she is not able to obtain this much food then milk production will be reduced and she will begin to use fat tissue and muscle. When saving the cheetah a lot can be done to help a mother get enough food for her young so that the cub mortality rate decreases. If mothers had a way to get food for their young with out leaving them exposed in the wild then they would be less open to predators. The cheetah is also a very important part of its ecosystem in the Serengeti and if they were to become extinct it would have an enormous effect on that ecosystem.If the cheetah was to become extinct many problems could arise in the Serengeti. With the extinction of the cheetah there would be an over population of the Thompson gazelle, which is the main food source for the cheetah. The extinction of the cheetah would also disrupt the food chain, the cheetah is the a food source for animals such as lions and tigers. Research can be done to discover how the extinction might hurt the ecosystem. From that information ways in which the species can be saved might be obtained. A niche encompasses every thing that allows a population to live, grow and reproduce, for an entire lifetime. The niche concept can change with the needs of the animal as they grow and change. For a cheetah this includes such things as where they live, other cheetahs, and predators and prey. If the cheetah were to beco me extinct it would not only ruin their niche it would ruin the niche of other animals that rely on the cheetah as well. Animals like lions and hyenas, which rely on the cheetah for food. The Thompson gazelle, which also relies of the cheetah, needs the cheetah to keep them from overcrowding.Over fifty percent of the cheetah population lives in solitary, while the rest of the population lives in groups of two to three. Since they mostly live by themselves it makes it more difficult to catch prey, especially when a mother as cubs. Cheetahs living alone only kill prey once every two to three days, which shows that they are not great hunters. Living along give cheetahs a disadvantage at life, they cannot rely on others for help. Research could be done to see if cheetahs live in larger groups are they more successful when they hunt. Cheetahs that live in solitary should be help so they have a higher survival rate and therefore, increase the population of cheetahs. Cheetahs are amazing a nimals, that are known for their amazing speed and their gorgeous fur, and who have adapted themselves to life in the dry plains of the Serengeti. Despite all of the adaptation s that they have made the population of the cheetah is declining. With the extinction of the cheetah comes damage to all the other animals that the cheetah interacts with. The ecosystem of the Serengeti along with the niche of many different plants and animals would be in danger with the extinction of the cheetah. Cheetahs are animals that need our help in being saved because they have not evolved enough to keep themselves alive with out outside help. Even though it would be costly to save them, it would be more costly to lose them.Without the cheetah we would be depriving the world of a magnificent animal, therefore it can and should be saved.Bibliography:

Maya/Shamanic Connection Essay Example Essay Example

Maya/Shamanic Connection Essay Example Paper Maya/Shamanic Connection Essay Introduction Refer to next paragraph. On the 11th of March, 2002, fire struck a girls school in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Firemen and concerned citizens were quickly on the scene. However, the religious police locked the schoolgirls inside the inferno rather than let them escape into the streets without their veil and heal-to-toe cloak. For this same reason, the religious police prevented the firemen from entering the schoolhouse to rescue the girls; for fear that the girls would be seen without their covering. Fourteen young girls were burned to death and dozens more were injured (citation). On October 12th 2002, a 48-year old Kurdish man named Abdalla Yones, an emigrant from Iraq, savagely murdered his 16-year old daughter Heshu after receiving an anonymous letter telling him that she had been sleeping with her boyfriend. (Asthana Mistry).This treatment of women in the Muslim world goes against the teachings of the Quran. This isn’t the real assignment. Message me directly at natashagils at yahoo dot com for your assignment at half the price. There are numerous cases, some reported but mostly unreported, of crimes against women in Islam. Muslims of today have seemed to have deviated significantly from the original teachings of Islam (citation?). Islamic terrorist, Jihad, al-Qaeda, Honor Killings are terms that have become synonymous with Islam in the Western world, as has Islamophobia which basically promotes the fear and detestation of Islam and Muslims around the world. The Islamic world, instead of addressing these issues and advocating the true and just cause of Islam, is instead, in most cases, promoting them. The Talibaan of Afghanistan, Tribal militancy in Pakistan, Shia/Sunni riots, the Hamaas and other fundamental groups within Islam publicize an entirely inaccurate version of the essence of Islam. Maya/Shamanic Connection Essay Body Paragraphs As the Muslim society deviates from the central philosophy of Islam, it doesn’t come as a surprise that they have deviated too from the societal guidance offered by Islam regarding the treatment of women. The Quran, the Holy Book of the Muslims, and the Sunnah (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad) have laid down clearly defined rights of women, most of which aren’t adhered today. Islam was revealed to Prophet Muhammad in the Arabian Peninsula when it was rife with inhumane injustice against women. Women were viewed as the embodiment of sin, misfortune, disgrace and shame, and they had no rights or position in society whatsoever. Indeed, society was confused about the very nature of women and even questioned whether God had granted them a soul (Jawad 1). Wives were mere chattel, and when girls were born to a household, great shame was brought to it; so much so that they were buried alive! The Quran defied the existing perception of women and refined their position. It outlaw ed female infanticide and restored their birth rights . Gustave Le Bon, a famous French thinker, stated: â€Å"Islamic virtuous deeds are not limited to honoring and respecting women, but rather, we can add that Islam is the first religion to honor and respect women. We can easily prove this by illustrating that all religions and nations, prior to the advent of Islam, caused much harm and insult to women.† (Bon 488). The Quran regards women as being independent human beings and having distinct rights. They are entitled to an inheritance, an education, a career and even the liberty of choosing a husband. Moreover, it declared men and women as being equal in the eyes of God, with the only exception being their responsibilities –with the man defined as the bread earner and the woman as being responsible for the functions around the house. According to the Quran, â€Å"O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will, and should not treat them with harshness.† (Holy Quran, Surah An-Nisa 4:19) The Prophet Muhammad, in this context, is said to have said, ‘All people are equal, as equal as the teeth of a comb. There is no claim of merit of an Arab over a non-Arab, or of a white over a black person, or of a male over a female. Only God fearing people merit a preference with God’. Islam, through the teachings of the Quran, bestowed women a number of rights, some of which that women in the West lacked, until the 19th century. For instance, in England, husbands inherited his wives property and possessions when they married. This unfair tradition continued till as late as 1882 (citation?). Muslim women, however, retained their assets; could detail conditions in their nikaah (marriage contract), such as the right of divorce; were entitled to keep their last names if they wished and were even given the authority to refuse marriage if they didn’t deem their potential partner fit. The Quran laid down these injun ctions in 610 A.D. (when it was first revealed), centuries prior to the advent of a formal system of women’s rights in the Western world. Some of the fundamental rights the Quran gives women are: 1. Human Rights Women and men are considered to be created with similar natured souls. They are considered equal to men in all spheres of life. And for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women. (Holy Quran, 2:226) And â€Å"O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife (Eve), and from them both He created many men and women and fear Allah through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allah is Ever and All-Watcher over you.† (Holy Quran, Surah Al-Nisa 4:1). 2. Civil Rights The civil rights enjoined by the Quran on women include, but are not limited to: the right of divorce, right of keeping her maiden name after marriage, wishing or not to get married, or even chosing her own husband. The Quran also states that there is no compulsion upon women regarding religion; â€Å"There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghut [anything worshipped other then the Real God (Allah)] and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.† (Holy Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah 2:256). 3. Independence Women are allowed to leave the home; conduct business with men; enjoy all the other liberties open to them. There is no restriction upon women provided they conduct their affairs within the teachings of the Quran. Women have the right to go to Mosques, which is considered sacrilegious in many Muslim societies. Not only that, but women have also the right to be Muslim pastors. Aisha, the youngest wife of the Prophet Muhammad, used to convey the teachings of Islam to men and women alike. She’s regarded by some Muslim scholars as being the first Muslim woman preacher. The Quran is very clear in its laws regarding women. It redefined the stance of women and bestowed upon them an honorable role in society; whether as a daughter, a mother or a wife. Men are instructed in their fair and kind dealing towards women. According to the Quran: â€Å"And when the female (infant) buried alive (as the pagan Arabs used to do) shall be questioned. For what sin she was killed?† (Holy Quran, Surah At-Takwir 81:8-9). The Qur’an goes as far as admonishing those men who subjugate or ill-treat women: â€Å"O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should you treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the dowry you have given them – except when they have become guilty of open lewdness. On the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If you take a dislike to them, it may be that you dislike something and God will bring about through it a great deal of good†. (Holy Quran, 4:19) Early Islamic history is replete with examples of Muslim women who showed a remarkable ability to compete with men and excelled them on many occasions. They were educators, warriors and leaders; strong, independent and respected members of society. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case in most of the Muslim world today. Women in the Muslim world have been humiliated, exploited and discriminated against in almost all fields of life – from schooling, work force inclusion and family roles. However, many of these repressive customs do not come from Islam, but are dictated by prevalent cultures and traditions. Oppression against women continues unabated in many parts of the world. Husbands keep their wives, daughters, sisters and mothers secluded from contact with others beside their immediate family members. Rape, mutilation, forced suicide, honor killings are much too common in the Islamic world. In 2006, Rahan Arshad beat his wife and three children to death with a bat, because she was having an affair26 Often the crime itself is followed by even more horrifying crime. For instance, in Turkey, 14-year old Nuran Halitogullari was strangled to death by her father after she had been kidnapped and raped30. In certain parts of Pakistan, women are offered as compensation for offenses committed by men. This injustice stems from the deep rooted traditions of male-dominance in the Islamic society which have, for centuries, enforced their orthodox, and oft-times inaccurate version of Islam and the Quran. Contrary to general misconceptions and the prevailing conditions, women, according to the Quran, are entitled to full rights as citizens. Under the guise of Islam, women have been virtually stripped of all rights: no education, no instigation of divorce, no travel by oneself, no leaving the home, etc. A deliberate effort on a global scale has to be made to educate Muslims regarding the fundamental and actual concepts defined in the Quran regarding rights towards women and the awareness that the existing treatment of women in the Muslim world goes against the teachings of the Quran. Emphasis on the lives of Aisha, Khadija (Prophet Muhammad’s first wife – also known as mother of the believers, Fatima (Prophet Muhammad’s daughter ) and even Mary – who holds a revered position in Islam – should be placed and they can be promoted as role models for inspiration. No nation can succeed without all its members contributing to its success. Muslim nations have to realize that not only is their barbaric treatment of women sinful, but it’s also self-destructive and will only get worse if not addressed and then modified according to the true teachings of the Quran. â€Å"Treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers.†(Ismail 83). We will write a custom essay sample on Maya/Shamanic Connection Essay Example specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Maya/Shamanic Connection Essay Example specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Maya/Shamanic Connection Essay Example specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer

Why is part one of And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou called Touch Me, Life, Not Softly Essays

Why is part one of And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou called Touch Me, Life, Not Softly Essays Why is part one of And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou called Touch Me, Life, Not Softly Essay Why is part one of And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou called Touch Me, Life, Not Softly Essay Essay Topic: Maya Angelou Poems There are four parts to And Still I Rise, by Maya Angelou, the first of which is named Touch Me, Life, Not Softly, and contains eight different poems. Here, I will use these poems to explore the possibilities as to the origins of the title of the first section of the anthology.The touch me part of the phrase can be very ambiguous, as it could signify the way in which there has been physical touching, or being touched in an emotional or mental way, for example, being moved to tears. The latter could then be incorporated into saying the author feels life should affect her deeply, as also illustrated with not softly, which is a theme heavily referred to in this first section.The very first poem of the anthology is A Kind of Love, Some Say, which explores physical abuse within a relationship, and the way the abused partner feels there is still love between the couple, as shown with, Sorry eyes, spoke not/ Of lost romance, but hurt. The idea of life touching people is seen here, as the ph ysical abuse in the poem will surely affect the person in question deeply, not only in life in general, but through all of their future and present relationships. Our relationships with other people are a very large part of our lives, therefore the abused partners life could be said to change forever, as they may find it very hard to trust people ever again, or find it hard to relate to people.In A Kind of Love, Some Say there is also the phrase Love by nature, exacts a pain, showing how Angelou feels life itself makes love hard, in a way that cannot be matched by anything else Unequalled on the rack. This also relates back to the way life touches people, in a way nothing else can.The next poem is Country Lover, looks at the way men can often be seen to be very careless and lack value for women throughout life, as seen with the capital letters used throughout the poem, and the very specific parts of the mans night (Funky blues, High water pants), and then the final line of and anyb odys daughter, which lacks the capital letters or the specific woman in question, instead implying the man does not care who he goes home with, as long as there is someone. As this subject can be linked to all generations of men throughout the world, it strongly reflects how life can touch people, as there are many, many women who will have been affected by a similar situation, and not in a positive way, as they may feel they are lacking importance in life, as the word anybodys implies there is really no significance as to who the woman is. This could deeply affect women, as they may go through life feeling inferior to men and therefore possibly not making as much of themselves as they could.The third poem, Remembrance, focuses on the subject of sex, but rather than the actual act, the more intimate parts of making love, such as the foreplay and the aftermath. However, the title of the poem, Remembrance, also shows how Angelou feels her favourite part of the sexual intercourse is af terwards, when her partner has left, and it is then, only/ then, can I greedily consume/ your presence. This illustrates how she does not feel emotionally stable until this point, and it is at this point she can fully take in the magic of the experience. Sex is another part of life that often deeply affects people in very different ways, for instance, in the way they view the experience, or the way particular sexual encounters have affected them in the past. It is definitely not something that would touch someone softly.Where We Belong, A Duet is the fourth poem, and looks at the way people in the world appear to always be searching for a soulmate, throughout life Then I went to schoolrooms/ And poolrooms/ And half-lighted cocktail bars. Love, of course, plays a major part in everyones life, whether it is the platonic, unconditional or romantic kind, and therefore obviously can affect people very deeply, like with the sex in the above poem, due to past encounters, or the way they v iew love. Again, like sex, love is not a subject to be viewed lightly, as it can be said to affect everything in life.Next we have Phenomenal Woman, which explores the way Angelou and other people view her, and how she feels you do not have to be cute or built to suit a fashion models size in order to be a successful woman in life. Instead, the poet feels it is not what youve got, but what you do with it, for example the fire in my eyes, or the ride of my breasts. Our lives are often much affected by the way we are viewed and also view ourselves, as it can affect everything, from the way we act around certain people, to the way we treat certain situations. Life itself can also affect the above factors, as we are often shaped by the events we experience. This is therefore a strong example of how life can touch someone, not softly.Men looks at the experience of a young girl, through a sexual encounter, possibly viewed as rape or the loss of virginity Shattered./ It is your juice/ Tha t runs down their legs. and how she feels about it; in this case, not very positive, as shown with the aforementioned quote, and also, Your mind pops, exploding fiercely, and Your body has slammed shut. Forever. As mentioned with Remembrance, it is most often experience that shapes who we are and how we feel and react to certain situations. Both the loss of virginity and rape are very serious matters, especially the latter, and so are very likely to affect people in strong ways. Touch me, life, not softly therefore relates to this strongly, as no one who ever as been raped could say it was a light experience or that they have not been touched by it in some way, as it is highly likely to have been a very negative experience.The penultimate poem is Refusal, focusing on the plight of a woman on her death bed, who will not deign to die unless she knows the partner she adores will be with her in her future lives, as she feels he has been in her other lives and lands. I defy my bodys has te is a key phrase of the poem, as the word defy is very strong and shows just how much the woman in question does not want to let go without knowing she will see her greatest love again. Refusal implies that it is not just life that touches us, not softly, but also the people we meet throughout life, as she is so enamoured by her love that she never wants to leave him, even after death, so he has clearly had a very large impact upon her life. The fact that she appears to believe in reincarnation That we will meet again,/ On other worlds some/ Future time undated. shows how she believes her love will prevail all, if she can meet her soulmate again and again in many different lives. Therefore, life can also touch us deeply through the people we are deigned to meet throughout our course upon earth, and the ways in which they affect us.The final poem is Just for a Time, looking at past relationships and how despite not liking reminiscing about past events, the narrator still does thi s and looks at the ways he loved his girl. While the first two stanzas reminisce about the past love, the final stanza explores how the narrator feels now, I dont spill tears/ On yesterdays years/ But honesty makes me say,/ You were a precious pearl. Again, it is often our relationships throughout life that very strongly affect the way we react to and feel about things as we are touched by, not softly.Overall, I believe that the first section of Maya Angelous poetry anthology is called Touch Me, Life, Not Softly as all of the poems mentioned above focus on events and experiences in life that shape us strongly, and imply that life does not let us get away with things easily. However, as Angelou appears to be telling life to do this to her, she is saying, that without life demanding so much from us and affecting us so wholly, we would not be the people we are, and would possibly be not as strong as we are.

20 Facts About Principals Every Teacher Should Know

20 Facts About Principals Every Teacher Should Know Principals and teachers must have an effective working relationship for a school to be successful. Teachers must understand the role of the principal. Every principal is different, but most genuinely want to work with teachers to maximize the overall learning taking place within each classroom. Teachers must have a clear understanding of their principal’s expectations. This understanding has to be both general and specific. Specific facts about principals are individualized and are limited to the unique qualities of a single principal. As a teacher, you have to get to know your own principal to get a decent idea of what they are looking for. General facts about principals encompass the profession as a whole. They are true characteristics about virtually every principal because the job description is generally the same with subtle changes. Teachers should embrace these general and specific facts about their principal. Having this understanding will lead to greater respect and appreciation for your principal. It will foster a cooperative relationship that will benefit everyone in the school including the students whom we are charged to teach. 20. Principals Were Teachers Themselves Once Principals were teachers and/or coaches themselves. We always have that experience on which we can fall back. We relate to teachers because we have been there. We understand how hard your job is, and we respect what you do. 19. It's Not Personal Principals have to prioritize. We are not ignoring you if we cannot immediately help you. We are responsible for every teacher and student in the building. We must evaluate each situation and decide whether it can wait a bit or whether it requires immediate attention. 18. Stress Affects Us, Too Principals get stressed out. Almost everything we deal with is negative in nature. It can wear on us at times. We are usually adept at hiding the stress, but there are times when things build up to the point where you can tell. 17. We Do What Seems Best, Based on the Information Available Principals must make difficult decisions. Decision making is a crucial component of our job. We have to do what we believe is best for our students.  We agonize over the toughest decisions making sure they are well thought out before being finalized. 16. The Words Thank You Mean a Lot Principals appreciate it when you tell us thank you. We like to know when you think we are doing a decent job. Knowing that you genuinely appreciate what we do makes it easier for us to do our jobs. 15. We Want to Hear Your Opinion Principals welcome your feedback. We are continuously looking for ways to improve. We value your perspective. Your feedback can spur us to make significant improvements. We want you to be comfortable enough with us that you can offer suggestions with a take it or leave it approach. 14. We Appreciate Individuality Principals understand individual dynamics. We are the only ones in the building that have a true idea of what goes on in each classroom through observations and evaluations. We embrace different teaching styles and respect individual differences which have proven to be effective. 13. We Want to See Passion Principals loathe those who appear to be slackers and refuse to put in the time necessary to be effective. We want all of our teachers to be hard workers who spend extra time in their classrooms. We want teachers who realize that prep time is just as valuable as the time we actually spend teaching. 12. We Want You to Be Your Best Self Principals want to help you improve as a teacher. We will offer constant constructive criticism. We will challenge you to improve in areas in which you are weak. We will offer you suggestions. We will play devil’s advocate at times. We will encourage you to search continuously for improved ways to teach your content. 11. Our Time is Limited Principals do not have a planning period. We do more than what you realize. We have our hands in just about every facet of the school. There are a lot of reports and paperwork that we must complete. We deal with students, parents, teachers, and pretty much anyone who walks through the doors. Our job is demanding, but we find a way to get it done. 10. We Are Your Boss Principals expect follow through. If we ask you to do something, we expect it to be done. In fact, we expect you to go above and beyond what we have asked. We want you to take ownership in the process, so putting your own spin on a task will impress us as long as you have met our basic requirements. 9. We Are Human Principals make mistakes. We are not perfect. We deal with so much that we will occasionally slip. It is okay to correct us when we are wrong. We want to be held accountable. Accountability is a two way street and we welcome constructive criticism so long as it is done professionally. 8. We Are a Mirror of Your Performance Principals love it when you make us look good. Great teachers are a reflection of us, and likewise bad teachers are a reflection of us. We revel in delight when we hear parents and students offering praise about you.  It provides us reassurance that you are a capable teacher doing an effective job. 7. We Trust the Data Principals use data to make critical decisions. Data driven decision making is a critical component of being a principal. We evaluate data on an almost daily basis. Standardized test scores, district level assessments, report cards, and discipline referrals provide us with valuable insight that we use to make many key decisions. 6. We Expect Professionalism Principals expect you to be professional at all times. We expect you to adhere to reporting times, keep up with grades, dress appropriately, use appropriate language and submit paperwork in a timely manner. These are just a few of the basic generalized requirements that we expect every teacher to follow without any incidents. 5. No One Enjoys Disciplining Students Principals want teachers who handle the bulk of their own discipline problems. It makes our job more difficult and puts us on alert when you continuously refer students to the office. It tells us that you have a classroom management issue and that your students do not respect you. 4. The Job is Our Life Principals attend most extra-curricular activities and do not get the entire summer vacation. We spend an inordinate amount of time away from our family. We are often one of the first to arrive and the last to leave. We spend the entire summer making improvements and transitioning to the next school year. A lot of our most prominent work occurs when no one else is in the building. 3. We Want to Trust You Principals have a hard time delegating because we like to be in total control. We are often control freaks by nature. We appreciate teachers who think similarly to us. We also appreciate teachers willing to take on difficult projects and who prove that we can trust them by doing an outstanding job. 2. Variety is the Spice of Life Principals never want things to get stale. We try to create new programs and test new policies each year. We continuously try to find new ways to motivate students, parents, and teachers. We do not want school to be boring for anyone. We understand that there is always something better, and we strive to make substantial improvements on a yearly basis. 1. We Want the Best for Everyone Principals want every teacher and student to be successful. We want to provide our students with the best teachers who will make the biggest difference. At the same time, we understand that being a great teacher is a process. We want to cultivate that process allowing our teachers the necessary time to become great while trying to provide our students with a quality education throughout the entire process.

Sociological Imagination Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Sociological Imagination - Essay Example According to Robert Weiss, there are two types of loneliness. In social isolation, a person feels deprived of a network of friends or relatives; in emotional isolation, a person feels deprived of a single, intense relationship. These two kinds of loneliness share a common emotional core, and there is some debate about how clearly they can be distinguished (Russell et al., 1984). Either one can be momentary or a long-lasting characteristic of the individual. Emotional Isolation often strikes the war veterans at the same time as social anxiety and depression. Like social anxiety, emotional isolation and depression are characterized by the deliberating pattern of social interaction. Social anxiety comes in two varieties. The state of social anxiety is a momentary experience that flares up at a certain time or in a certain place, and then passes. The trait of social anxiety is more enduring: a characteristic of certain individuals that persists over time and across situations. For those chronically afflicted, their anxiety locks them into increasingly unpleasant social interactions. Such individuals tend to reject other people, perhaps because they fear being rejected themselves. They are withdrawn and ineffective in social interactions, perhaps because they perceive negative reactions even where there are none. In fact, however, other people often do react negatively to interactions with socially anxious individuals. Feelings of social discomfort can arise from a number of sources. They can be a learned reaction of to unpleasant encounters, as social problems in the past contribute to social anxiety about the future. That is why, it has often been seen that war veterans usually suffer anxiety. Depression: Depression is a psychological disorder characterized by negative moods, low esteem, pessimism, lack of initiative, and slowed thought process. Although there are numerous influences on depression, social psychologists have paid particular attention to the role of cognitive factors. Researchers believed that depression is caused due to the exposure to uncontrollable, aversive stimulation. They proposed that organisms exposed to an uncontrollable event learn something- namely that control is not possible. Faced with this knowledge, they stop trying to exert control even in a different situation. That is the case of war veterans. They have seen too much cruelty, huge toll of human lives, immense loss of property and resources, heinous and inhuman war crimes; and above-all the aftermath-miseries, diseases and moral decay, over which they have no control whatsoever. This feeling of

New York Times Newspaper Paywall Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 33

New York Times Newspaper Paywall - Case Study Example New York Times used a device-specific and metered system that allowed the readers to access up to 20 articles a month for free, but readers would be charged to access more articles except for the front page that was free all the times for all the users. The number of free articles was made to ensure active readers remain engaged and promote the social buzz generated by the articles. The strategy entailed differentiated pricing strategy that entailed three tiers depending on the device used by the reader to access the content and introductory offers and discounts for the customers. The digital pricing was cheaper than print home delivery, but the price was higher than that charged by other newspaper companies’ digital content. The distinctive pricing is essential in order to cater for the unique needs and amount of content accessed by the user (Kumar, Anand, Gupta and Oberholzer-Gee 7). The ‘leaky wall’ design accommodated users from social networks and search engi nes. Readers from Google search were restricted to five-articles per day limit over and above the 20 monthly free articles (Kumar, Anand, Gupta and Oberholzer-Gee 6). In addition, readers who came in from social media sites like Twitter and Facebook faced no links if the articles were linked directly from those social media sites. The paywall is a complement of the print newspaper since it provides the additional revenue stream and enhances the audience. Some readers will prefer the print newspapers especially advertisement companies. The newspaper industry is in trouble due to decline in the overall circulation and decline I the traditional sources of revenues such as subscription, classified advertising, and retail. Accordingly, the nature of the industry makes it difficult to reduce editorial staff, production and distribution costs since they are fixed.

There Is Still Time To Save Revolution Essay Example for Free

There Is Still Time To Save Revolution Essay It has been the scientists’ consensus: the world is undoubtedly warming (Pew Center). Thorough researches have proven that this warming is primarily the result of emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC), in its February 02, 2007 report has found a strong link of these emissions on human activities which include industrial processes, fossil fuel combustion, and changes in land use.   The report further said that the world shall experience an increase in temperature for about 2. 5 ºF to 10.4 ºF by 2100 if the current emission trends continue. The good news however is, the scientists believe that there is still time to slow global warming and to lessen many of its most severe consequences if we act quickly. Since it is primarily the human beings who are held responsible for global warming, the future of the world’s temperature is in our hands.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Greenhouse gases like Carbon Dioxide, methane, halocarbons and tropospheric O3 come from burning of fossil fuels, landfills and CFCs (D. Carpenter). From here, we can clearly see what we can do. Carbon dioxide makes up 60% of the total amount greenhouse gases and it primarily comes from the combustion of fossil fuels. If this is the case, an individual can contribute to the world’s effort of reducing carbon dioxide emission by reducing the usage of cars. Transportation has been the major source of this emission so by reducing car usage, we can reduce carbon dioxide emission. Walking to reach short distance destinations is one good step. The use of bikes, as that of Vietnam is also a good thing. Anyway, it is a good form of exercise. As ordinary citizens, we all the power to elect able lawmakers who would be concerned enough with the environment and the human health. As with nitrous oxide emission, we can do something with the reduction of use of trash incineration as its major source. Simple means of waste segregation and composting are of good contribution. Proper waste disposal can reduce the use of garbage incinerations. Recycling and reuse are also good steps. Let us reduce the use of disposable plastic containers because burning of plastics contributes to the emission of greenhouse gases. If we can reuse these plastic containers, then we can consequently reduce the amount of plastics to be burned. We can use paper bags instead of plastic containers in our daily routine. If we can reduce the use of fertilizers as enhancers to our mini orchidarium and gardens, then it will be of great help.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   We can also contribute with the reduction of Chloroflourocarbons (CFCs) and other Halocarbons. At home, we can reduce the use of artificial products that uses refrigerant and propellants as that of aerosol cans. There are already products available in the markets which are water-based. Of course, air conditioners and refrigerators have been our buddies at home and in the office. They are almost in everyone’s house. If we can get rid of using them, we can probably choose the products or brands that make use of lesser amount of CFCs. We almost all have our television sets, the access to internet and the daily papers. We can learn from these media on how to choose products that are environment-friendly. Primarily, we should be one who are to be environment-friendly because it is us who have the ability to think and feel and to distinguish friendly ones from that of the harmful stuffs.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There is also a direct correlation between global warming and deforestation (T. Socha). Research also shows that decline in forest cover adds up to 20% of greenhouse gases buildup. It means the lack of shaded areas has allowed higher surface temperatures. Because trees are natural consumers of carbon dioxide and in turn a natural source of oxygen, their presence in the environment is vital.   With lesser trees, there will be lesser consumers of carbon dioxide and consequently will lead to more emissions. Though it is a fact that it takes years before a tree is full grown, it does not necessarily mean that our hope of reducing the effects of global warming is gone forever. We still have the chance of planting more trees. Of course, it will be impossible to reconvert deforested areas that have already been converted to industrial areas. But we still have acres and acres of land that we can utilize as vegetation areas. There is no better time to start planting than now. Now is the right time to help in tree-planting projects that are sponsored by the government and even non-government organizations. Let us find time to participate in these activities. If time is what we lack, we have the opportunity to share our financial resources to support such projects. Moreover, we have current policies as with the routine harvest of trees. What we can best do is to adhere with government policies concerning the environment. If we find violations, we all have the media to coordinate with authorities. If we are financially capable enough to play golf or to operate golf courses, then it is our responsibility to re-consider its unhealthy effects in the environment. The operation of golf courses requires deforestation, then the use of vast amount of fertilizers in the maintenance of the grass areas. Voluminous water used to water the grass areas run through areas with the pollutants that is contained in the fertilizers. In general, a golf course is environmentally unhealthy. For all these facts, we can see that even ordinary citizens have the power to reduce the impact of global warming by the reduction of the usage of products that are the main sources of greenhouse emissions. We don’t need to be lawmakers and scientists or even be in the government seats in order to help. Even in our daily routine, we all have the chance to make this world a better place to live in. WORKS CITED Carpenter, David. â€Å"Health Effects of Global Warming† Institute of Health and the Environment University. Albany Socha, Thomas. â€Å"The Potential Effects of Global Warming† Retrieved on April 13, 2007 from http://www.cato.org/pubs/books/climate/069-88.pdf â€Å"Global Warming Basics† Retrieved on April 13, 2007 from http://www.pewclimate.org/global-warming-basics    Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (1990). Working Group II. â€Å"Potential Impacts of Climate Change†. 6-3,6-4,6-9. BIBLIOGRAPHY Carpenter, David. â€Å"Health Effects of Global Warming† Institute of Health and the Environment University. Albany Cross, Eleanor and Kenneth Hyams. â€Å"The Potential Effect of Global Warming on the Geographic and Seasonal Distribution of Phlebotomus Papatasi in Southwest Asia.† â€Å"The Environmental Health Perspectives. Vol. 104. July 1996. pp. 724-727 Gorman, Christine. â€Å"How It Affects Your Health† Time Magazine. March 26, 2006. Retrieved on April 13, 2007 from http://www.time/magazine/article/0,9171,1177002,00.html Lashof, D. (1989). â€Å"The Dynamic Greenhouse: Feedback Processes that may Influence Future Contractions of Atmospheric Trace Gases an Climatic Change.† pp. 213 Moore, Curtis (1997) â€Å"Warming up to Hot New Evidence† International Wildlife. Vol. 27. pp24-27 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (1990) Working Group II. â€Å"Potential Impacts of Climate Change† pp. 6-9 Patz, Jonathan. â€Å"Alarming Health Effects of Global Warming† Medical News Today. November 19, 2005. Retrieved on April 13, 2007 from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=33768 Rauber, Paul (1997). â€Å"Heat Wave: If WE Continue to Ignore the Danger Signs, the World of the Future will be Hotter, Poorer, Deadlier Place; Here’s What It Might Look Like.† Vol. 82. pg. 34-38 Socha, Thomas. â€Å"The Potential Effects of Global Warming† Retrieved on April 13, 2007 from http://www.cato.org/pubs/books/climate/069-88.pdf Thompson, Dick (1997). â€Å"Climate: Melt Away Future the Ice Caps are shrinking†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Time International. Vol. 11. p. 38 West, Larry. â€Å"Global Warming is Unstoppable and Humans are to Blame, says UN Report† Retrieved on April 17, 2007 from http://environment.about.com/od/globalwarming/a/ipcc_report.htm    Cooler Heads Coalition. â€Å"Potential Health Effects of Global Warming; Urban Heat in Atlanta; CBS Climate Hype† April 20, 2000. Retrieved on April 13, 2007 from http://www.globalwarming.org/article.php?=225    National Resources Defense Council. â€Å"Consequences of Global Warming† Retrieved on April 13, 2007 from http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/fcons.asp U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. â€Å"Global Warming-Impacts† Retrieved on April 13, 2007 from http://yoshemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/ImpactsHealth.html      Ã¢â‚¬Å"Strongest Evidence Yet of Human Link to Global Warming, Expert Says† The Science Daily. February 5, 2007. Retrieved on April 17, 2007 from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/2070204111643.htm

Plato Essays -- essays research papers

Plato was a philosopher and educator in ancient Greece. He was one of the most important thinkers and writers in the history of Western culture. Plato was born in Athens into a family that was one of the oldest and most distinguished in the city. His father Ariston died when Plato was only a child. The name Plato was a nickname meaning broad shoulders. Plato's real name was Aristocles. Plato had aspirations of becoming a politician, however these hopes were destroyed when his friend Socrates was sentenced to death in 299 B.C. Extremely hurt Plato left Athens and traveled for several years. In 387 B.C., Plato returned to Athens and founded a school of philosophy and science that became known as the Academy. Topics such as astronomy, biological sciences, mathematics, and political science w...

Religion and Ethnic Diversity Essay

Religion and Ethnic Diversity Buddhism was first found in India about 2,500 years ago. Buddhism is an increasing popular religion that continues to be the leading religion in the Far East. Buddhism has advanced over to a large amount of countries that have embraced a vast variety of customs, rituals, beliefs, and practices. Buddhist’s do not believe that a God created Earth. Buddha is the only Master, Buddhist’s believe in. Buddhist’s acknowledge that the ultimate purpose of life is to establish consideration for all living beings without inequity and to perform for their piece, good, and happiness. Buddhist’s have incorporated the Four Noble Truths in their lives, which are Dukkha, SamudÄ ya, Nirodha, and Magga. According to â€Å"The Four Noble Truths† (2013), † 1.The truth of suffering (Dukkha). 2. The truth of the origin of suffering (SamudÄ ya). 3. The truth of the cessation of suffering (Nirodha). 4.The truth of the path to the cessation of suffering (Magga),â₠¬  (The Four Noble Truths). Buddhism does not share common characteristics with other religion groups. Buddhism is, however, receptive to other religions and beliefs. This religious group acknowledges the way other religions teach those involved. These individuals do not believe in a God. It is a belief system like all other religious groups. There are individuals who do not accept Buddhist and believe that those who do are not going to heaven. Others who refuse to understand Buddhism and how it works dismiss it completely because it is not what they believe in. Even though Buddhism is not America’s most practiced religion, its beliefs and ideas have been passed into American culture. It has helped blend American culture. Today there is a large amount of Buddhist’s who contribute to promoting peace amongst one another, reaching out to those who are in prison and who are homeless, and some even do advocacy for the environment. Buddhist’s experience hate just like other people in other religions. In 2003, Chung Tai Buddhist Group applied to construct a meditation and worship center in the city of Walnut, California, but the application was later denied. Not only did the City Planning Commission deny the application, but also residents were against building the center. Residents disputed against the plan because they believed there would be an increase in traffic and noise. A few years later the City Planning Commission approved an application to build on some of the area Chung Tai had prepared to use. In 2010, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit stating the city of Walnut; California treated the group unreasonably while dealing with the permit to build the worship and meditation center for Chung Tai Buddhist Group. The Department of Justice came to the conclusion that it was religious discrimination. After learning what Buddhism is and where it originated from allows me to understand it more. I now know that it is not only about humming and repeating a few words in another language, but also learning how to live a happier, more pure life even with the struggles and unfortunate events that can occur. Not only that, but respecting every living thing as it is. The Chinese are quite different from other racial/ethnic groups. The two most common languages used in China are Mandarin or Cantonese. Mandarin is t he government, education, and media’s main language that is used in China. Known as the ‘common language,’ mandarin is the first language that is spoken. The Chinese are a combined society with the urge to associate themselves in groups, whether it is to their work group, family, country, or associates. The Chinese depend on non-verbal communication like tone of voice and facial expression, to reveal what other maybe thinking or feeling. The Chinese believe in an ethical system known as Confucianism. Confucianism is a set up of ethics and behaviors that signify responsibilities of people towards one another based on their relationship. The Chinese have and continue to contribute to American culture in many ways. Many Americans embrace Chinese religions. Converting to Buddhism and so many other Asian religions. In the 1800’s Chinese immigrants helped working with the gold miners. These men helped construct the intercontinental railway. The Chinese have brought their recipes to American cultures that have been passed down from generation to generation. The Chinese brought their customs, language, and social organization into Amer ican culture. On May 6, 1882 the Chinese Exclusion Act was signed into law. It was brought about in reply to economic concerns in the West Coast, where Americans imputed unemployment and withheld wages to Chinese workers. Americans at the time viewed the Chinese as racially indifferent. Even though the act was repealed during World War II it only allowed 105 Chinese immigrants per year into the United States,  which still showed prejudice against the Chinese. I believe the source of prejudice against the Chinese was economic benefit. A large amount of Chinese immigrants came to the states to seek employment opportunities, but were denied at times because of the direct need for employment. I do believe what I have learned about the Chinese helped me understand this group. I learned what a big contribution to our culture they provided. I also learned that because of their great impact on American culture some individuals take those same customs and values and incorporate them into their own lives. The Chinese and Buddhist experienced similar situations dealing with discrimination because they were both persecuted for being who they are as individuals. Neither one of these groups tried to be something they were not, so they were prejudged and treated unfairly. These groups experienced different situations dealing with discrimination because the Chinese were discriminated against based on real and observed racial dissimilarities. Buddhistâ₠¬â„¢s were discriminated against based on who or what they believed in. Buddhist’s were also discriminated against because of their feeling towards their religion and those belonging to other religious groups. Discrimination towards these two groups and the many others is wrong. It has restricted these groups from opportunities that should have always been available to not only one group, but also all groups of individuals regardless of their appearance or their beliefs. 1. The Four Noble Truths. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/beliefs/fournobletruths_1.shtml 2.

Altruism among humans Essay

This paper presents an examination of the phenomenon of ‘altruism’ among humans. Altruism is defined as a behaviour that may be to one’s advantage but is also to the advantage of others. The questions of why we behave this way or what motivates us to behave in this manner and the relevance to society today are the focus of this paper. Various research and theories has explained why altruistic behaviour is undertaken intentionally in the human world. Introduction We often read or hear about acts of generosity and courage, such as, fund raisers or concerts to  help homeless people, the fostering of a child and sponsoring his or her education, or of volunteers risking their lives to help victims in incidents like September 11 terrorist attack in the United States. We could have donated some money to orphanages or cared for a wounded dog. Such humane acts are defined by Psychologists as ‘altruism’ (Moghaddam, 1998). Altruistic acts could be unselfish or done for personal gain or egoistic reasons. Indeed in a psychological paradigm, psychologists believe that true altruistic behaviour does not exist (Moghaddam, 1998). But how do we account for the behaviour of Mother Theresa or Mahatma Gandhi and many other unselfish acts of human endeavours? In order to explore this we have to understand the ‘person variable’ and ‘situational variable’ motivating the altruistic act (Simons, Kalichman & Santrock, 1994). As we are aware behaviour is determined by personal and situational variables. A person’s ability to empathise with the needy or to feel responsible for another’s welfare has great impact on altruistic behaviour. Situations influence the strength of the altruistic motivation. Reciprocity and exchange are important aspects of altruism (Simons, Kalichman & Santrock, 1994). Humans give and receive from others everywhere. Reciprocity is the basic principle of every religion in the world for example, Judaism, Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism and Islam (Brosnahan, 2003). To act altruistically, requires consciousness and caring, and similarly, pet owners can often cite altruistic behaviour or at least conscious acts of kindness on the part of cats and dogs (Simons, Kalichman & Santrock, 1994). Another good example would be the nursing,  profession founded on the notion of helping people, sometimes even at a cost to nurses themselves. There are many ways people show altruism. To explain why we do altruistic acts like volunteering, donating or raising funds, we need to distinguish between four different forms of altruism which are observed in humans – that shown towards kin, a partner, a friend, and individual who does not fit into these categories (http://www. theunityofknowledge. org/the_evolution_of_altruism/introduction. htm, 2003) Of the several types of altruism a main focus has been on ‘heroic altruism’ (Moghaddam, 1998). It is a short term intervention requiring physical action and tends to fit more the masculine gender. On the other hand ‘Nurturant altruism’ requires more patience, listening and a caring attitude with long term involvement. This more closely fits the image of the traditional feminine gender (Moghaddam, 1998). The ‘Bystander’ effect greatly influences helping behaviour, because of common ignorance of bystanders and assumptions about other bystanders’ actions. Each person’s scope of responsibilities can decrease in the presence of others ( Moghaddam, 1998). In  order for Bystander to help he or she has to posses social skills to interpret the situation and take appropriate actions (Moghaddam, 1998). Initially from a theoretical perspective if a person knows how to overcome obstacles to he or she giving help, subsequently other people start questioning whether the helping behaviour was true altruism (Moghaddam, 1998). A later there was a theory of Daniel Batson – ’empathy-altruism’, believes that people help out of a genuine desire(Moghaddam, 1998). Other theories propose that altruistic behaviour is egoistic and put the hypothesis that helping behaviour is a way to  repair a helper’s image (Moghaddam, 1998). Methodology An interview was conducted with a woman who volunteers her services with meals on wheels and has done nearly sixteen years. She is a retired school teacher living alone. I assumed that her altruistic behaviour had a self fulfilling motive. Therefore I chose her and I wanted to clarify or confirm my assumption. In order to facilitate my focus interviewee was given ten questions asking about her volunteering profile, and her motivating factors. This interview created awareness of other influencing factors motivating her altruistic behaviour.

Eero Saarinen essays

Eero Saarinen essays Eero Saarinen. What did you think when you heard that? You probably thought, Who is that? I have never heard of him. That is not surprising, because he accomplished many things he is not well known for, unless you do crossword puzzles which are filled with unusual information. If you do know who he is, however, it is probably because of his architecture or his curious furniture. After a very brief overview of Eeros life the focus will be on his work involving Dulles International Airport. Eero Saarinen was born on August 20, 1910, in Kirkkonummi, Finland, to Eliel and Loja Gesellius Saarinen. He and his family moved to the United States and became naturalized citizens in 1923. His father, who was an architect as well, settled near Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, because there was a lot of architectural work needed in that area. Eero Saarinen married Lillian Swann in 1939 and had two children, Eric (1942) and Susan (1945). Eero and Lillian were divorced however, and he eventually married Aline Louchheim and they had a boy named Eames (1954). Saarinen worked on many great architectural designs and won many awards, among these buildings were Dulles International Airport, the Master Plan for the University of Michigan, Drake University, General Motors Technical Center, and Vassar College to name a few. Eero died September 1, 1961, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, after having brain surgery on a tumor The airport was originally in Chantilly, Virginia, and was originally called Washington International Airport but was later named after John Foster Dulles. The building is 600 feet long and has huge columns that stretch up 65 feet to reach the large awning that canopies the large terminal. This was the first airport to be built in which the travelers convenience was considered in every line drawn on the blueprint (Temko Dulles International Airport was construc ...

How To Redesign Your Website Like CoSchedule In 10+ Easy Steps

How To Redesign Your Website Like In 10+ Easy Steps Alright. So you’re about to start a huge REDESIGN of your company’s website. That’s no small task, and quite franklyit’s intimidating. 301 redirects, copy, coding, A/B tests, wireframes, sitemaps, planning! And that’s just the obvious ones. This summer, ’s product marketing team made the bold move to update our entire website. And while researching and learning from others was a huge help, the resources out there were pretty minimal (especially for small teams) like us. So, we decided to recap our experiences and share some life lessons. Here it goes: This is how two people (in-house) built a website from scratch in 4 months. The Process: 1. The Five Day Brainstorm Sprint There’s an awesome book called Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days. If you haven’t read it, here’s a great starting point: And it’s basically what we did. In a week’s time, we created three very different storylines with accompanying Photoshop designs. We forced ourselves to create a story, design it, and present it to leadership every other day. It was scrappy and tad intense, but it got us where we needed to go†¦ We started with anything and everything. Pushing outrageous ideas quickly- to help  us flesh out ideas, build off of them, and create the official story. From a  comic book feel with super heroes to little robots guiding marketers along their journey, each idea brought us a little closer to the final story. 2. Plot Out Your Sitemap. Put a name to every page on your new website. It doesn’t have to be overly complex, Megan (product marketing’s awesome UX/UI designer) built one in less than an hour. And with a high level view of your new site, you’ll be able to  build a strong path for conversions and a strong storyline to guide them along the way. 3. Write Your Copy Before  Design. Before a single wireframe was created, every line of copy was written for EVERY page. We spent a good three weeks creating skimmable  content and placing a major emphasis on good headlines for each talking point. Recommendation: Write a minimum of 25 headlines per talking point and (if you can), test and iterate on them with a team member. ’s Headline Analyzer is a great tool for writing headlines . Use the â€Å"but why† process to find your users WIIFM (What’s In It For Me). Before a single word is written,  ask yourself this question to get to the real benefits or the real reason why anyone would care to read x blog, page, email, etc. If you haven’t already, watch Simon Sinek’s TED talk on Why ↠ it’s a great starting point to building a story your users will care about. 4. Build Wireframes For Your Designers Sanity Wireframes are the skeleton to design AND if you want your designer to still love you at the end of a project, DON’T skip this. Wireframes are a lot like sitemaps and are a simplistic view of a page layout. They help ensure that when designing really starts, you aren’t caught off guard by layouts and can move forward quickly. 5. Start With Photoshop, Then Code. Create high fidelity designs  of each page. Similar to writing copy for every page BEFORE design, high fidelity design should be done BEFORE code. Again, it’s a necessary step because it eliminates the need to â€Å"imagine† what your page or elements of the page will look like and makes changes easier (because you catch them earlier). 6. A/B Test (Tn The Midst Of Process). Start testing your assumptions early. After creating your copy and initial PS designs, start testing out a few of your ideas on your existing website (think elements: headlines, logos, images, etc). Quick How-To for Creating An A/B test: Create a hypothesis: Based on your current sites performance and the particular element youd like to test create a hypothesis to build your test around: For example: Replacing the static image on the homepage with a autoplay video will increase conversions Test it: Create a variation of your hypothesis (new homepage with video), and then A/B test it against the original page. Calculate the test duration with respect to your monthly visitors, current conversion rate, and expected change in conversion rate. (VWO will help calculate all of this for you HOWEVER if you dont have this,  heres a calculator). Analyze it: Dig into your results and see which variation performed the best. If theres an obvious  winner, go ahead an implement that variation to the real website. If results were a tad muddy, revise your hypothesis and keep testing. We tested a few headlines and added a video to the homepage during our website redesign, and saw a 6% increase in conversions → pretty awesome validation! It pays to test early. Never rest on your assumptions: prove and disapprove them with data! Recommended Tool: VWO for A/B testing. It’s great for non-designers and quick A/B experiments. Use â€Å"quick learnings† to get faster results when you can’t run a test for an extended period. 7. Coding: Once Designs Are Approved, Code It. Once youre at the coding stage stick to the plan. Focus on pushing out code, getting it out into the world, and iterate on it AFTER you launch your new site. Aside from minor bug fixes, avoid major overhauls at this point. 8. Push Code to your Staging  Site (For Review, Edits, etc.) This is where all your hard work comes to life (behind the curtain). Here you can test and revise the functionality of your designs. We use Meistertask for our QA  (quality assurance) phase. Similar to many Kanban views, its helps us to track the progress on edits as well as test, retest, and sign-off on edits. You can create  custom phases (open bugs, in progress, review, and done) and utilize Skitch to create visuals (your designer will love you for this). 9. Plan Time in the Project for Bug Fixes†¦ You will have bugs, so plan for it. Recruit folks from the team to purposely test and break your website (so real users don’t have to). In addition, test user experience during this phase. Observe a friend or team member, someone who hasn’t been involved in the project, click around the new site. Take notes and be ready to make changes. Getting a new set of eyes will help to validate if the user flow is second nature or clunky. Remember: Good design just works. If your user has to think youre doing it wrong. 10. Go Live!  Hold Your Breath and Release Your Hard Work Into the Real World. The 10+ step: Keep A/B Testing. Launching your new site is NOT  the end all be all. Its just the beginning. Throughout your redesign process build a list  of various items to test: color, images, copy, video, etc. And then build out a schedule for testing those ideas a few weeks after your launch. Remember, your website has one goal: to convert visitors into paying customers. And if you want to increase conversions, A/B testing will help you  to determine whats is and isnt working with your new design. Lessons Learned: Write Your Copy in the Customer’s Words The best way to sell to your ideal customer, is to use the phrases and words of your current customers. They’re your best advocate and they speak the buyer’s language. So how do you do this? When creating copy for ’s new site, we went through pages and pages of customer surveys. Polldaddy has this awesome feature that creates word clouds of the most populars words and phrases AS WELL AS a filtering option to rank popular answers (I relied on both of these heavily). In addition, customer interviews were part of the process. Over the project, I scheduled and recorded Skype calls with some of our current customers to find their stories. It was a great way to get natural, candid  responses to how and why they use . Daily syncs (more meetings can be good, if done with a purpose) Before this project, I was definitely on team â€Å"less meetings, more doing† But after this project I realized the problem isn’t the meetings, it’s the FOCUS in those meetings. For our entire redesign, the product marketing team met for 30 minutes (or less) each afternoon for a hyper focused  status update and feedback on our individual projects. These daily syncs helped us produce faster and push past blockers sooner. It was a highly focused meeting with an enforced timeline. And because of these guidelines typical meeting bullshit was rare. People left those syncs with clear action items and good feedback on their work. Recommendation: Pick two action items for each sync. Skip the small talk. And go right into the area you need feedback on copy, wireframe, design whatever it is. Remember, you’re on a time constraint, so honor it. Also, if you’re doing your syncs over the web, it can be awkward knowing how and when to end a meeting. Embrace the awkward, and just call it when it needs to end  (time is precious, and you’re doing everyone a favor).

The concept of semiotics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

The concept of semiotics - Essay Example Semiotics, also regarded as semiotic study is the study of signs and processes related to signs, indications, symbolism, communication and other aspects of understanding human language and their behaviour. The study closely resembles with the aspects of linguistics that largely deals with the study and understanding of language in a more precise manner. The study is often categories in three diverse branches which comprise semantics, pragmatics and syntactic among others. The branch of semantics deals with depicting the relationship between signs and the things they might refer to. Subsequently, pragmatics includes the relationship amid the signs and sign-using agents. Correspondingly, the branch of syntactic deals with the study of the relationship amid signs in formal structure. It is believed that the study of semiotics is quite vital in the aspects of understanding human culture and behaviour on the basis of their communication (Eco, 1979). Semiotics has become an important part of contemporary business. It is implemented in various domains of business today with the intention to enhance the operations of the business. Semiotics in business examines the nature, characteristics as well as information with the aim to organise various crucial activities. It has been observed that semiotics in organisations treats the business unit as an information system where information of various types are created, processed and stored so that it could be used in future context. Among the various use of semiotics in business, its role in branding and advertising department is quite vital. Unlike conventional forms of research which deals with the buying habits of the customers, semiotics in the domain of business advertising seek