I still feel most engaged when responding to other's blog posts and when creating my own. I did not have a chance to feel disengaged because I was not in class on Thursday and we did not have class on Tuesday. I'm a bit worried about responding to others' blogs. I don't see some of my committee members posts about the social conflicts and their resolutions. Would they have posted them elsewhere?
I was surprised to read a post that was something I also felt strongly about. I notice how most of the time during class, everyone has such different and strong opinions. This was like a breath of fresh air.
One of the learning outcomes that I feel I grasped well was to gain a deeper understanding through writing. Writing is such a great way to express oneself and to read others writing allows us to more fully understand them. When we write our own thoughts, we tend to dig deeper than we would if we were just speaking. When we speak, out thoughts tend to scatter everywhere and it's hard for us to make a complete sentence or idea. Writing is a way for us to do that, it helps one to get a point across, and it allows us to express something that wouldn't otherwise be told in such a way, or even at all.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Social Practice Revision Response to Committee Member
Charlie: I definitely agree that the use of ADD/ADHD medications can effect a child in a negative way. I stated before in another post, my personal experiences with knowing someone on them. I like how you came up with the idea of the 18 or older 'adults' can use it. However, I do think that some children really do need it in order to function. Even though the body may be done growing, the mind never stops growing. Any life altering event in someone's life effects their mind and the way they act. This is why some people need long term couseling for certain traumas they have experienced. Anyways, I'm not sure how waiting to be an adult in order to take them would really change the effects and outcomes. If only there was another form of medication for these young individuals...
Social Practice (Revision)
It's impossible to convince everyone you know to agree with you. Well, they may agree with you, but not all of them are willing to do what it will take to fix the problem. With blood diamonds, I think people aren't really aware of it. I honestly had never heard of it until I was asking around for suggestions of an issue. There are ways to solve this issue. If people were more aware, I believe they would participate in changing this problem.
It's the responsibility of those of us aware of the issue to make others known of the struggles they go through. I think the best way to spread information is by word of mouth. If we all told someone and challenged them to tell someone, so forth and so on, word would spread like wild fire. Another solution to this cause could be to not purchase diamonds. I understand that that is a stretch for some people. Luckily, not all diamonds are conflict/blood diamons. As I mentioned before, we should take the extra time to ask the store for the certificate of the diamond(s) you purchase. If the diamond is from one of the countries such as Sierra Leone that sells the blood diamonds, choose to not buy them. One last way to help control this issue it to buy cubic zirconia in place of diamonds. I am aware the significance may not be the same, but who really notices anyways. Normal people aren't trying to look at your neck or hand to see what the bling is, they just want to see if you have it.
Any little change can make a difference in the lives of others. Be proactive, be the change.
It's the responsibility of those of us aware of the issue to make others known of the struggles they go through. I think the best way to spread information is by word of mouth. If we all told someone and challenged them to tell someone, so forth and so on, word would spread like wild fire. Another solution to this cause could be to not purchase diamonds. I understand that that is a stretch for some people. Luckily, not all diamonds are conflict/blood diamons. As I mentioned before, we should take the extra time to ask the store for the certificate of the diamond(s) you purchase. If the diamond is from one of the countries such as Sierra Leone that sells the blood diamonds, choose to not buy them. One last way to help control this issue it to buy cubic zirconia in place of diamonds. I am aware the significance may not be the same, but who really notices anyways. Normal people aren't trying to look at your neck or hand to see what the bling is, they just want to see if you have it.
Any little change can make a difference in the lives of others. Be proactive, be the change.
Monday, February 21, 2011
~Reflections Week 6~
A. I felt most engaged with the class when I was reading what others said about the different social issues and the discussion board on slavery. It was cool to find people who thought the same things I did.
B. I don't really feel distant from the class. The only thing that bothers me is how some people interrupt others when they are sharing their thoughts or opinions.
C. The other students were very active in the discussion forum, which really helped in furthering my understanding of slavery.
D. I was not confused at any point during the class or discussion.
E. The readings and writing assignments have allowed me to gain more knowledge of slavery back then and now in modern day. I learned about a new form of slavery/torture while writing my social issues essay.
B. I don't really feel distant from the class. The only thing that bothers me is how some people interrupt others when they are sharing their thoughts or opinions.
C. The other students were very active in the discussion forum, which really helped in furthering my understanding of slavery.
D. I was not confused at any point during the class or discussion.
E. The readings and writing assignments have allowed me to gain more knowledge of slavery back then and now in modern day. I learned about a new form of slavery/torture while writing my social issues essay.
Comment to Committee Member's Blog
Charlie:
It's funny you wrote about this because I was having this discussion with a few people this weekend! We were saying how we feel as doctors give children medicine to "try", instead of really figuring out what their problem is. Children sometimes end up "trying" several different medications, when wouldn't it just be better to take the time and test the child to see what is really going on with them??
Last February we lost a friend to suicide. To make a long story short, from talking to his mom, I learned how he was ADD since around second grade. The doctors had him on medicine for it. The fact of the matter is, the majority of the time when someone has ADD/ADHD they really have an anxiety disorder. When anxiety disorders aren't treated the person is lead into depression. I know there are different thoughts on suicide, but I believe the fact is that those victims suffer from other mental disorders. Our friend was the last person we would think to do such a thing. He was such a strong Christian as well, which is harder to believe that someone like that could make that decision. He was the 5th person of 3 generations in their family to commit suicide. It does NOT mean that he or that family is "crazy". It simply means that this is proof that doctors should spend more time studying and getting to know their patient than just giving them something to "try". It could've saved a life.
Charlie, your post allowed me to know that there is another person who thinks the way I do. I'm not sure what your take on suicide is but with reading your blog, it reminded me of SO many things I have talked about with his mom. I'm glad to know that you realize these things and have hopefully taken care of with yourself. It's important to me that people know that there is hope to get themselves fixed.
It's funny you wrote about this because I was having this discussion with a few people this weekend! We were saying how we feel as doctors give children medicine to "try", instead of really figuring out what their problem is. Children sometimes end up "trying" several different medications, when wouldn't it just be better to take the time and test the child to see what is really going on with them??
Last February we lost a friend to suicide. To make a long story short, from talking to his mom, I learned how he was ADD since around second grade. The doctors had him on medicine for it. The fact of the matter is, the majority of the time when someone has ADD/ADHD they really have an anxiety disorder. When anxiety disorders aren't treated the person is lead into depression. I know there are different thoughts on suicide, but I believe the fact is that those victims suffer from other mental disorders. Our friend was the last person we would think to do such a thing. He was such a strong Christian as well, which is harder to believe that someone like that could make that decision. He was the 5th person of 3 generations in their family to commit suicide. It does NOT mean that he or that family is "crazy". It simply means that this is proof that doctors should spend more time studying and getting to know their patient than just giving them something to "try". It could've saved a life.
Charlie, your post allowed me to know that there is another person who thinks the way I do. I'm not sure what your take on suicide is but with reading your blog, it reminded me of SO many things I have talked about with his mom. I'm glad to know that you realize these things and have hopefully taken care of with yourself. It's important to me that people know that there is hope to get themselves fixed.
Social Practice~ Blood Diamonds
To our culture, diamonds usually tend to resemble love and/or money. In African countries, such as Angola, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, they are signs of torture and struggles. As diamonds came to be known, it began the bloodshed in Africa.
In 1991, Sierra Leone was part of an 11 year Civil War. It began as them fighting against their government but it ended in them fighting over who would be in control of their best resource, diamonds. The war was being paid for in diamonds. Millions of innocent victims were pulled into the middle of this. This is how they got the name, "blood diamonds".
Children, teens, and adults were taken from their homes and forced to work in search of the diamonds. The work consisted of sifting and digging through sand, mud, and clay to find these diamonds. They had to use the bathroom right where they stood working. If they refused to work, tried to escape or even look for food they were either shot or had their limbs amputated. One man watched his uncle be shot. When the family picked up the corpse, the trucks of soldiers came back and threatened that if they burried the body they would shoot and burn their whole town. They ran as fast as they could and the trucks continued the chase them. The man said that only God could save them from this terror.
Sierra Leone should be one of the wealthiest countries; instead it is one of the most poverty stricken. If one of the slaves finds a diamond they were given 50 cents a day. If they didn't find any, they didn't have enough money to get themselves food. Though the war was over, still in 2008, they exported about 150 million dollars worth of diamonds.
As I watched videos of this practice, one story remains in my mind. A mother is taken from her home and she is pleading to God that she needs to be with her family. Her husband lost his job and she was the only one capable of providing for them. As her and her children are crying, the soldiers cut off her hands. This woman's children beg her to go to the hospital. They literally have to push her out of their home and to the hospital. The whole time she is telling her children to just leave her, she would be better off dead...
Fortunately, in Sierra Leone many refugees have been allowed to go back to their villages and child labor is banned from the mines. This doesn't mean that this is over. In other countries it is still common.
We as Americans purchase diamonds frequently for things such as engagement rings, jewelry, belts, mirrors, cars, etc. Before purchasing these fine gems, we can ask the place we're buying them from, where they were exported from. Some places have fake certificates of the diamonds, so you must be careful when purchasing your diamonds. Refusing to buy from these places selling conflict/blood diamonds is one powerful way to put an end to this violence.
In 1991, Sierra Leone was part of an 11 year Civil War. It began as them fighting against their government but it ended in them fighting over who would be in control of their best resource, diamonds. The war was being paid for in diamonds. Millions of innocent victims were pulled into the middle of this. This is how they got the name, "blood diamonds".
Children, teens, and adults were taken from their homes and forced to work in search of the diamonds. The work consisted of sifting and digging through sand, mud, and clay to find these diamonds. They had to use the bathroom right where they stood working. If they refused to work, tried to escape or even look for food they were either shot or had their limbs amputated. One man watched his uncle be shot. When the family picked up the corpse, the trucks of soldiers came back and threatened that if they burried the body they would shoot and burn their whole town. They ran as fast as they could and the trucks continued the chase them. The man said that only God could save them from this terror.
Sierra Leone should be one of the wealthiest countries; instead it is one of the most poverty stricken. If one of the slaves finds a diamond they were given 50 cents a day. If they didn't find any, they didn't have enough money to get themselves food. Though the war was over, still in 2008, they exported about 150 million dollars worth of diamonds.
As I watched videos of this practice, one story remains in my mind. A mother is taken from her home and she is pleading to God that she needs to be with her family. Her husband lost his job and she was the only one capable of providing for them. As her and her children are crying, the soldiers cut off her hands. This woman's children beg her to go to the hospital. They literally have to push her out of their home and to the hospital. The whole time she is telling her children to just leave her, she would be better off dead...
Fortunately, in Sierra Leone many refugees have been allowed to go back to their villages and child labor is banned from the mines. This doesn't mean that this is over. In other countries it is still common.
We as Americans purchase diamonds frequently for things such as engagement rings, jewelry, belts, mirrors, cars, etc. Before purchasing these fine gems, we can ask the place we're buying them from, where they were exported from. Some places have fake certificates of the diamonds, so you must be careful when purchasing your diamonds. Refusing to buy from these places selling conflict/blood diamonds is one powerful way to put an end to this violence.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Reflections~ Week 5
I feel like I learn the most when I am creating "my own" piece of work, based on another writer's literature. I enjoyed writing about "The Full Life". As I was writing, it helped remind me of my purpose. I felt good when I had finished writing.
From the learning outcome list, I noticed that I am able to recognize each one and remember reading and writing what it says we will know. One thing I learned that wasn't on the list was that people don't really take the time to "walk" in nature. The busy life makes it difficult for people to relax and enjoy the little things.
Thoreau's essay, "Walking", really makes one want to go out and enjoy nature. Though they don't always have the time, they atleast think about it, and many will hope to have the kind of relationship with nature as Thoreau did.
From the learning outcome list, I noticed that I am able to recognize each one and remember reading and writing what it says we will know. One thing I learned that wasn't on the list was that people don't really take the time to "walk" in nature. The busy life makes it difficult for people to relax and enjoy the little things.
Thoreau's essay, "Walking", really makes one want to go out and enjoy nature. Though they don't always have the time, they atleast think about it, and many will hope to have the kind of relationship with nature as Thoreau did.
Choosing to Run
One of our assignments this week asked us to take a walk in nature, away from the busy life. I actually went for a run instead. We're scheduled to run every Saturday morning and I knew that after that run I would not be willing to go for a walk or hike of any sort. For part of the run, I didn't listen to any music and I didn't get near anyone to talk to them as a distraction. During that time it was difficult because I am used to running with someone and having that support beside me. At the same time, it was quiet and I could listen to all the natural sounds coming from around me. I heard the usual birds and wind that everyone is going to mention. There were also car sounds and people on bikes. But what I noticed was that the people I passed were all doing something. No one was just sitting, enjoying life. People were driving, running, biking, walking dogs, etc. The point is they were all "going"...somewhere. Then I thought about how I was running. That's "going" too. I enjoyed the breeze and the natural sounds, but it wasn't relaxing, it wasn't getting close to nature. Everyone's lives are so filled with things to do, and places to go. I don't think anyone really stops to think or feel what is really going on around them, or what is going on with themselves. All the things I saw people doing could be stress relievers, but they were still going. I thought about how it seems as everyone runs through life and doesn't take time to appreciate things. There are people who would love the opportunity to be able to walk or run, but they are physically incapable. Yet, they probably enjoy and appreciate life more than we do. It's a challenge in today's world to be able to take time and just enjoy life, but I think it's important for us to take that time in order to grasp that full meaning of life. :)
The Full Life
Living a full and happy life doesn't have to mean that you have the best things in the world. You don't need the newest iPhone, the newest 2012 car, the biggest house, or even the designer jeans in the smallest size. You just need to feel happy with yourself.
When you look back on your life, are you satisfied? Think back to when you were the happiest. What was making you happy? Most people would say that it was something that couldn't be bought. Yeah, that iPhone may have added a little more excitement to your days, but was it truly fulfilling?
Some of the happiest people I know have the least amount of materialistic things. They are so filled with "life" that none of that matters. Now, what is "life"? I think "life" is whatever makes you tick, whatever gives you a reason to wake up in the morning, whatever makes you smile. To some people it could be an activity they enjoy, for example, mine is running. It's my stress reliever, my get away, and it keeps me healthy mentally, physically, and emotionally. Other people may say it's their kids. Why not? They're yours, you love them, you raise them, you teach them, and you comfort them. In ways, they do all these things for you, as well. To some people "life" may be their job. They work hard at it, they feel accomplished, they probably needed a higher education to be there, and that's their reason for rolling out of bed. Then for some, like myself, it's something that can never end, something that I can always work for, something that is higher than me; the will of God and the passion to help others.
I grew up being my mom's little sidekick. I went everywhere with her. I was always around adults and children that were older than me. I grew up in a church that didn't, and still doesn't, have many people my age. It is difficult at times, but it has allowed me to be open and able to get along with people of all ages. Most of my closest friends are several years older than me. They help me grow and they trust me. I realized some time ago that I loved being trusted by older friends. I grew to love talking to people about each other's faith in Christ and the difficulties in our lives.
A few months ago I read in church about the struggles of women and children in the Congo. I had this strong feeling and desire to want to help them. I'm still not sure how this is going to be possible, but I am focusing my studies and plans in a way that I pray will get me there. And if not there, somewhere, just to be able to help and counsel people.
Not everything comes easy. If it did, how would we learn and appreciate? For me, my struggles have been finding out where I am supposed to be. Typically, where I think I should be, isn't always where I end up. And usually the first idea, or several ideas, tend to not be right either. But that's what makes life beautiful, right? The path it takes us to reach a dream is the reason we're here. The people we meet along the way mold us into who we are meant to be. They push us to our full potential, whether they mean to or not. The people that erk you, don't let them control you. This is YOUR life, your dream.
I understand people will argue the God thing, I'll still love them. It's in me. A full life is not what others see of you, it's what you see in yourself. Are you satisfied? If today was your last day, would you be proud of how you've lived your life? If you aren't sure how you would answer these questions, challenge yourself to find something that makes you tick, something to wake you up and get moving. You can keep your coffee and iPhones, but find something bigger than yourself. I'm not saying you have to go across the world to find this, but don't set a limit either. Who cares how long it takes you to get there, or what people think in the process. Just continue to work for it, live it and embrace the journey along the way.
When you look back on your life, are you satisfied? Think back to when you were the happiest. What was making you happy? Most people would say that it was something that couldn't be bought. Yeah, that iPhone may have added a little more excitement to your days, but was it truly fulfilling?
Some of the happiest people I know have the least amount of materialistic things. They are so filled with "life" that none of that matters. Now, what is "life"? I think "life" is whatever makes you tick, whatever gives you a reason to wake up in the morning, whatever makes you smile. To some people it could be an activity they enjoy, for example, mine is running. It's my stress reliever, my get away, and it keeps me healthy mentally, physically, and emotionally. Other people may say it's their kids. Why not? They're yours, you love them, you raise them, you teach them, and you comfort them. In ways, they do all these things for you, as well. To some people "life" may be their job. They work hard at it, they feel accomplished, they probably needed a higher education to be there, and that's their reason for rolling out of bed. Then for some, like myself, it's something that can never end, something that I can always work for, something that is higher than me; the will of God and the passion to help others.
I grew up being my mom's little sidekick. I went everywhere with her. I was always around adults and children that were older than me. I grew up in a church that didn't, and still doesn't, have many people my age. It is difficult at times, but it has allowed me to be open and able to get along with people of all ages. Most of my closest friends are several years older than me. They help me grow and they trust me. I realized some time ago that I loved being trusted by older friends. I grew to love talking to people about each other's faith in Christ and the difficulties in our lives.
A few months ago I read in church about the struggles of women and children in the Congo. I had this strong feeling and desire to want to help them. I'm still not sure how this is going to be possible, but I am focusing my studies and plans in a way that I pray will get me there. And if not there, somewhere, just to be able to help and counsel people.
Not everything comes easy. If it did, how would we learn and appreciate? For me, my struggles have been finding out where I am supposed to be. Typically, where I think I should be, isn't always where I end up. And usually the first idea, or several ideas, tend to not be right either. But that's what makes life beautiful, right? The path it takes us to reach a dream is the reason we're here. The people we meet along the way mold us into who we are meant to be. They push us to our full potential, whether they mean to or not. The people that erk you, don't let them control you. This is YOUR life, your dream.
I understand people will argue the God thing, I'll still love them. It's in me. A full life is not what others see of you, it's what you see in yourself. Are you satisfied? If today was your last day, would you be proud of how you've lived your life? If you aren't sure how you would answer these questions, challenge yourself to find something that makes you tick, something to wake you up and get moving. You can keep your coffee and iPhones, but find something bigger than yourself. I'm not saying you have to go across the world to find this, but don't set a limit either. Who cares how long it takes you to get there, or what people think in the process. Just continue to work for it, live it and embrace the journey along the way.
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