Little thing Essay

Of the five poems I have selected beforehand, I happen to choose the poem â€Å"The Pebble†. It took me awhile to choose which poem to talk about but somehow, I keep coming back in reading this poem. I favour this poem compared to the other four because of the simplicity it implies. It starts off with the title which gives out a plain imagery of the thing that will be talked about. The poem struck me in the way that it talked about a very little thing. A thing that is often taken for granted. Nobody would actually pay much attention to a pebble. Usually, the pebble is just an add-on to an aquarium or a little thing to beautify a garden. Even so, be it in an aquarium or a garden, the object of concentration is not the pebble. But in this poem, the pebble holds the main attraction. My attention was taken away by the description given to a pebble. And as to how the poem unfolds, the comparison and contrast of a pebble and that to a person was stated plainly, but not directly though. Often times we think of a use for a certain thing and eventually we talk about it or write about it. In any case, we share that what is important. So, in the case of this poem, a pebble never seemed to be something important. Most of the time, people don’t seem to bother about anything regarding a pebble. A poem expresses the emotions of a writer and usually in the state of turmoil. What is captivating about this poem is that there isn’t much of a turmoil expressed in words for this. It describes what a pebble is, how a pebble could be and compared it as to how a person could feel. I feel a certain depth in this poem, though I doubt if I could eventually express that depth. I somehow could feel that this poem has something more than what it is giving. The problem is just that I’m still trying to measure up the feeling conveyed by this poem. Somehow, I have a strange idea of being able to fathom what the poem holds, but because of its vividness, I’m having a hard time grasping the concept it implies. Such ironic feelings are extracted from my mind but I’m trying though to put it into words. The poem has an intrinsic impact on me. I don’t have much of an idea of the author but as I read the poem over and over again, and internalize it somehow, I gain knowledge to the truth it may imply. With how I describe it, the poem may seem to be a prayer, but actually, it’s not. It’s not everyday that we read a poem which is presented so simply. I just have a feeling that the writer wrote this according to how he perceives the truth of the pebble. A pebble which is a little stone that eventually could last longer than any other thing. Part four The Pebble is a very interesting poem. From the title itself, it projects a literary piece about simplicity. As we have seen pebbles and grasp a meaning of this thing, it is an object that is pretty much of little value. But this thing has been often times used as an instrument for symbolism. It doesn’t actually become the symbol, but yet, it is used as a contributor for the statement of the symbol. Like the ripples on the water, to make the ripples, the pebble is used as the object that is thrown to create the ripples. But in this situation, the impact was made by the pebble but the symbol was the ripple. Interpretation of the Poem At the start of the poem, the pebble is described as a perfect creature. It is here that we can see that the object has been given the traits as that of a person. Attributing the perfection that the writer is talking about for the pebble would be on its physical aspect. The physical description of pebbles which are often perfectly oval in shape with a smooth surface, having no cracks or lumps, would suit the description of excellence or perfection. In comparison to a person, a perfect creature would then be one without cracks or perhaps loopholes and one who doesn’t have any lumps. Perfection in our own view would be that of someone who doesn’t possess any frailties, errors and does all things without mistakes and stands as clean as ever. But as the writer proceeds with the poem, it mentioned that it could only be equalled to itself and is aware of its limits. A perfect thing that cannot be compared by anything except itself and has limits, were the descriptions emphasized by the poet. Still, this has been compared to that of a person. Perfection does not imply that the person has no limits. With this description then, we could imply that in perfection, it is being and doing something flawlessly but in the range of one’s limits. Often, when we talk about perfection, it is in comparison already to supreme beings or gods. But the poet has stated that what could be compared to one creature would not be anyone else, but only with it. Indeed, the concept of uniqueness has been unfolded. As the poem proceeds, it has been defined by the author that the meaning this object holds, is the meaning it holds from the time it has been made. â€Å"A pebbly meaning† would mean the identity that this object holds and whatever that is, that is the true meaning of the thing. Same goes if related again to a person, that the definition or meaning of who we are is the self. It is not somebody else that hold the meaning of our life, but it is our self, the one with us from the beginning, that defines what we are. Another idea of the â€Å"pebbly meaning† would be the concept of a pebble which is not of great significance but just possesses the simplicity that it is as an object. It is not a big rock that could smash something smaller or a stone which may be small but definitely holds weight. It is not a mountain that shows greatness just by looking at it. It is emphasizing a pebble, small, perhaps insignificant, and does not hold much weight. But as we ponder on the purpose as to why it exists, it holds more than what it is actually letting us see. The poem describes further that the pebble is one thing that doesn’t have a specific characteristic that would be intimidating and though it is unique and different, it stands with its uniqueness without any other factor that might entice anybody. As all other things or people would need more than what they have, like they would go for enhancing the appearance or develop any form of attractive facilities for others to see or witness, the pebble sticks with what it has. Despite the simplicity or plainness it holds, it still has its dignity and pride. It is contradicting to the idea that without pride is simplicity. Being simple does not mean that one does not hold any value of himself. It doesn’t also mean that there is no regard for the self. Instead, inside that simplicity, an aura of pride and dignity emanates. It’s just that people don’t get to see it because they are more aware of the obvious things. As the poem proceeds, the writer was somehow humbled down to the value of the pebble that in the changing world, struggling all the time for attention and importance, the pebble or anyone that could be related to a pebble, simply sits quietly and wait. In the end, all the others vanish, and it’s just the pebble that remains. Those who do not live such complicated lives could eventually see all that is happening and live longer than most of the people. Conclusion The poem is written as a realization in life. Often times people would prefer to have the symbol of a mountain, or something powerful and bigger. This is so because of how we see our life, we prefer to have the control especially when we are not in control in reality. We want to be in power when in reality we are weak and helpless. Our symbols tell what we really are and it’s has always been the opposite of what we are. In this poem, the concept of simplicity and the awakening of humility are emphasized. Simplicity is held in the object of the pebble. The object of no complications and the writer is in the point of using this imagery to a person’s life. The awakening of the humility is expressed in the last two stanzas of the poem where the writer has gone to see the impact of a pebble and how it absorbs everything there is without complaining. This is a contradiction to people where complaining has been made a hobby and dissatisfaction always a companion. Before going to the point of appreciating, people tend to complain, grumble and then when the worse has come, perhaps, mellow down and bear with the idea of appreciating something. The poet has created a very good concept of life. The poem written is also expressed the same way as that of the idea it intends to convey. Simplicity indeed is beauty and only few have seen it.

Introduction to counselling

Counseling Skills Day one was one of nerves mixed with anticipation. I already told myself not to have an expectation Just to turn up openly and approach the course as I progress. The Introduction was as expected, Mrs../Miss Rachel Ellis, our tutor introduces herself then explain her she will like us to get to know each other for 10 minutes then talk about the person who Just told you about them self. We were sat in a semi-circle awards the front of the class.It was a matter of Just the person next to you In an anta-clock wise manner. Sitting to my right was fellow student Citrine (CIA) happily married, two kids, employed and was on the course as a matter of exploring. As Citrine and I were the two last persons to Introduce each other, we had the opportunity to listen and establish what background the other students/landfalls and possible the â€Å"driving force† behind the course. As expected It was a diverse, In seasons and profession, and this for me was a really good thing within.Although the reasoning was diverse due to the diversity of employment, not until the end I realize the goals were common. Everyone just wanted to reach out to others in some way. This was made clear through communicating and relating to other members of the group conducting various exercises. Mainly, the points of reflection study/discussion sessions. With all this said a few of the fundamental things I were reminded of/ earn of today was the important aspects confidentiality issues, especially in the training group.In addition I'm able to recognize the importance of building a relationship with others within our group. With these two, other members will be more expressive (openness) and therefore there will be more rewarding for all concerns. Finally, I can apply the study skills to reflect on my learning.

Judaism †Meaning of life Essay

The meaning of life is a philosophical question concerning the significance of life or existence in general. It can also be expressed in different forms, such as â€Å"Why are we here? â€Å", â€Å"What is life all about? â€Å", and â€Å"What is the purpose of existence? † It has been the subject of much philosophical, scientific, and theological speculation throughout history. There have been a large number of proposed answers to these questions from many different cultural and ideological backgrounds. The meaning of life is in the philosophical and religious conceptions of existence, social ties, consciousness, and happiness, and borders on many other issues, such as symbolic meaning, ontology, value, purpose, ethics, good and evil, free will, the existence of one or multiple Gods, conceptions of God, the soul, and the afterlife. Scientific contributions focus primarily on describing related empirical facts about the universe, exploring the context and parameters concerning the ‘how’ of life. Science also studies and can provide recommendations for the pursuit of well-being and a related conception of morality. An alternative, humanistic approach poses the question â€Å"What is the meaning of my life? † The value of the question pertaining to the purpose of life may coincide with the achievement of ultimate reality, or a feeling of oneness, or even a feeling of sacredness. governs the universe. Closeness with the God of Israel is through study of His Torah, and adherence to its mitzvot (divine laws). In traditional Judaism, God established a special covenant with a people, the people of Israel, at Mount Sinai, giving the Jewish commandments. Torah comprises the written Pentateuch and the transcribed oral tradition, further developed through the generations. The Jewish people are intended as â€Å"a kingdom of priests and a holy nation†[69] and a â€Å"light to the Nations†, influencing the other peoples to keep their own religio-ethical Seven Laws of Noah. The messianic era is seen as the perfection of this dual path to God. Jewish observances involve ethical and ritual, affirmative and prohibative injunctions. Modern Jewish denominations differ over the nature, relevance and emphases of mitzvot. Jewish philosophy emphasises that God is not affected or benefited, but the individual and society benefit by drawing close to God. The rationalist Maimonides sees the ethical and ritual divine commandments as a necessary, but insufficient preparation for philosophical understanding of God, with its love and awe. [70] Among fundamental values in the Torah are pursuit of justice, compassion, peace, kindness, hard work, prosperity, humility, and education. [71][72] The world to come,[73] prepared in the present, elevates man to an everlasting connection with God. [74] Simeon the Righteous says, â€Å"the world stands on three things: on Torah, on worship, and on acts of loving kindness. † The prayer book relates, â€Å"blessed is our God who created us for his honor†¦ and planted within us everlasting life. † Of this context, the Talmud states, â€Å"everything that God does is for the good,† including suffering. The Jewish mystical Kabbalah gives complimentary esoteric meanings of life. As well as Judaism providing an immanent relationship with God (personal theism), in Kabbalah the spiritual and physical creation is a paradoxical manifestation of the immanent aspects of God’s Being (panentheism), related to the Shekhinah (Divine feminine). Jewish observance unites the sephirot (Divine attributes) on high, restoring harmony to creation. In Lurianic Kabbalah, the meaning of life is the messianic rectification of the shattered sparks of God’s persona, exiled in physical existence (the Kelipot shells), through the actions of Jewish observance. [75] Through this, in Hasidic Judaism the ultimate essential â€Å"desire† of God is the revelation of the Omnipresent Divine essence through materiality, achieved by man from within his limited physical realm, when the body will give life to the soul. Zoroastrianism Zoroastrianism is the religion and philosophy named after its prophet Zoroaster, which is believed to have influenced the beliefs of Judaism and its descendant religions. [77] Zoroastrians believe in a universe created by a transcendental God, Ahura Mazda, to whom all worship is ultimately directed. Ahura Mazda’s creation is asha, truth and order, and it is in conflict with its antithesis, druj, falsehood and disorder. (See also Zoroastrian eschatology). Since humanity possesses free will, people must be responsible for their moral choices. By using free will, people must take an active role in the universal conflict, with good thoughts, good words and good deeds to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay.

Role of Social Media on Activism and Revolution

Janessa Suarez Prof. Mooney ENC 1102 1 February 2013 Role of Social Media in Activism and Revolution According to Jeffrey Strain, â€Å"Can a click make a difference in the world? By itself, probably not, but when combined with tens and even hundreds of thousands of other clicks, it may just have an impact†. Social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube have changed the way people interact all across the globe. We depend on these social networks to seek information and communicate with one another.With these social networks, people from all across the world are able to find out about any ongoing events or incidents by just a click of a button. Individuals can use these social networks to increase awareness of events and get their information across to friends, family and even strangers. Even though people believe we depend too much on the Internet, social media should be used because it benefits us and those around us. For starters, social media, such as YouTube, chan ges public awareness. It gives people a chance to view tragedies and help make a difference to those who have been affected by them.For example, there is a video called â€Å"Bully†, which is a documentary about kids all over the world who are bullied today. It’s a form of activism because through this video, which can be found on YouTube, people from all over the world can become aware of this problem and help change their and others’ behavior. As Monika Hathaway says, â€Å"The fundamental problem and benefit is that the Internet gives everyone a voice, regardless of whether or not we think it should be heard†. Watching videos can be more effective than words because as humans we grasp visual imagery better than we do words.For an audience, it’s more powerful and influential to view a shameful situation, such as bullying, rather than just hearing or reading about it. Another way social media has played an immense role in activism today is by expa nding word of mouth communication. Ben Rattray, the founder of Change. org said, â€Å"If the Internet didn’t exist, Barack Obama would not be president of the United States†. Why does he say this? Because without the Internet, Obama would not have been able to gather thousands of people to work together for change.Through Twitter and Facebook Obama was able to expose his campaign to millions of people and attract a greater number of voters. Using social media, news reporters, writers, and even your family and friends are able to write their opinions or fill you in on what may you have missed or didn’t notice about events such as the presidential debates. Social media also increases word of mouth communication because it gives others who may not know about a business or even a restaurant a chance to review information and feedback. For example, Facebook is key in communicating with clients.It gives them the opportunity to â€Å"Like† a page, â€Å"Shareà ¢â‚¬  a page, or even recommend a page to other people. Twitter can be used to sponsor deals and events and give advice to other business owners or people who share common interest. It brings great minds together and gives daily opportunities to learn from someone else’s perspective. (English, How Do You Increase Word of Mouth) Lastly, as mentioned in Rutledge’s, Four Ways Social Media is Redefining Activism, social media networks cross technologies (which means with the help of other types of technology people can exchange information) and have immediate impact that gives information urgency.Because of this, social media benefits different organizations such as Breast Cancer Awareness, Hand in Hand for Haiti, and Support our Troops. With the crossing of technologies it encourages people to take immediate action for things like fundraising, helping groups raise donations. Utilizing social media can spread the word and drive people to help. Overall, not only can indivi duals with the same interest and passion share and connect, but they can also partake in causes that can support and help one another.We are closely brought together through this electric technology, encountering people who we’d never really thought about having any interaction with. As Allison Fine, the co-author of The Networked Nonprofit says, â€Å"In every effective social change effort that you want to look at there is an inner-core of tightly bound people†. Social media not only gives us a voice but it gives us the opportunity to show others what we are capable of accomplishing and what we can do to make a difference in the world. Works Cited Hathaway, Monika. â€Å"The Role of Social Media in Activism. † Sterling Communications.Sterlingpr. com, 25 Oct. 2011. Web. 17 Feb. 2013. â€Å"How Do You Increase Word of Mouth? † 5 Star Radio Group Clarksville TN Marketing and Advertising RSS. N. p. , n. d. Web. 01 Feb. 2013. Kessler, Sarah. â€Å"Mashable. † Mashable. Mashable, 9 Oct. 2010. Web. 17 Feb. 2013. â€Å"Mashable. † Mashable. N. p. , n. d. Web. 01 Feb. 2013. Rutledge, Pamela B. â€Å"Four Ways Social Media Is Redefining Activism. † Psychology Today. Positively Media, 6 Oct. 2010. Web. 1 Feb. 2013. Strain, Jeffrey. â€Å"A Different Type of Activism. † Technorati Social Media. Technorati. com, 2 May 2012. Web. 17 Feb. 2013.

It has been argued that Mills theory as advanced in On Liberty is Essay

It has been argued that Mills theory as advanced in On Liberty is flawed because of its failure to consider poverty and other social constraints. To what extent do you agree with this view - Essay Example It enlightens people on how the weaker people are preyed upon by those stronger I the society leading to some people having their right of liberty being violated. Mill in this theory describes the various factors that affect the liberty of people. Although Mill states several issues that arise when liberty is talked about, his theory can be termed as imperfect since he fails to consider poverty and social constraints. He does not show how social constrains and poverty influences the liberty of an individual or a society (Weir, 2007:34). The argument on the theory being imperfect is a solid one since poverty is one of the things that can lead to one being deprived on their liberty. From the essay, the people started to see that it was better if some of the magistrates and the governors of the states were tenants to them. This was better because they would not abuse the offices since the tenant hood was revocable anytime (Mill, 2002:47). But then, this would only be possible for those that were wealthy enough to be landlords and landladies, meaning that the poor in this society would not benefit from this kind of setting. These people are forced to submit to the governors and magistrates even when they are not harming anybody since this people that are in power see that they have nothing to lose because they are not tenants to the poor. Mill did not look at what would happen to the poor and therefore he did not include poverty in this theory, and thus rendering it flawed. Those living under high poverty conditions fa il to see that the government’s opinion is also their opinion and therefore their liberty is at risk. According to John Stuart Mill, the liberty does not just apply to adults only, but also apply to children and all those that are in a state in which they require to be protected against harming themselves. At times, the poor are ignorant and therefore they rarely take care of such people and the children and therefore

A Critical Analysis of Womens Social Realities in Ancient Greece Essay

A Critical Analysis of Womens Social Realities in Ancient Greece - Essay Example In a number of cases in Greek medical science, law, social status, etc, women were considered as inferior and subservient to their male counterparts. Greek society was accustomed to view women as addendum to the males. A close analysis of the Greek medical treatises by some anonymous Greek scholars including Hippocrates1 shows that though Greek medical science has made a significant effort to look deep into the scientific rationales to explain women’s physical realities, the tendency to view women as addendum to their male counterparts has always prevailed over these medical interpretations. But in other sectors such as economy, politics, religion, law, etc there were strictly demarcated dichotomies between men’s and women’s role. But the Spartan women would enjoy more civil, social and economic rights than the Greek women did. Scholars argue that as a military polis, Sparta had been able to forsake the gender bias in its attitudes to women and allow its women to enjoy more freedom according to their military career and services to the state. As revealed in Hippocrates’ corpus, ancient Greek medical science was highly infused with male ideology and tendency to view women’s reality as â€Å"special cases†2. ... gard, Sue Blundell says, â€Å"In the discussions of women’s reproductive system in particular, ideas about women’s physiology can be seen to reflect and reinforce ideas about their social and moral identity†.4 Greek views on female puberty, menstruation, sex, reproduction, conception, menopause, etc necessarily reflects women’s subjectivity to their male counterparts. Marriage as well as sexual intercourse was supposed to be a solution to a number of female problems of female physiology. Menstruation is one of these problems that were thought to be cured with sexual intercourse. In cases of menstrual hallucination and suicidal tendency of young girls, one of Hippocratic authors’ advice is as following: â€Å"My prescription is that when virgins have this trouble, they should marry as soon as possible. If they become pregnant, they will be cured†.5 Young girls who had reached puberty were thought to be uncontrollable and, therefore, to be mis creant in the society. In the case of sex and reproduction, a woman’s value had been assessed in terms of her ability to give a child. In a male-centered society, a woman without fertility was nothing but a barren land which gives nothing to its owner. Like most other male dominated societies of human civilization, classical Greek society used to view women as a property of the males. Therefore, Greek women could not inherit property and run business. According to Sue Blundell, â€Å"Athenian Women could not by law enter into any contact ‘beyond the value of one medimnos of barley’: a mdimnons was a measure of grain, [which is] sufficient to keep a family fed for five or six days†.6 Classical Greek women could acquire property in three ways: inheritance, dowry and gifts. Indeed, inheritance was a legal means which

Interpretation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Interpretation - Essay Example I, in this paper, explore the extent of society’s impact on people’s individual thought. Individuals are the elementary units that form a society and the people’s unique behaviors and practices define cultures and traditions that play direct roles on people and the way they think. This is because culture defines norms and thoughts that are in some cases sacred. The story, ‘A very old man with enormous wings,’ identifies the active role of the society on people’s thoughts as the author demonstrates actions and opinions that are illustrated at individual level, but with great influence from the society. Such a position of the society’s influence is attributable to the author’s style of portraying thoughts and behaviors as norms that. Pelayo, one of the main characters, demonstrates this through his response to his child’s temperature during a night. Though he is not an expert in health matters, he and his wife holds an abstr act opinion that crabs are the cause of the child’s temperature, an abstraction that can only emanate from generally held constructs, either implicitly or explicitly. The position that Pelayo and his wife hold after a scrutiny of an old stranger in their compound also identifies effects of the society on an individual’s thoughts. ... The high level of faith in the woman from members of the society is also demonstrated by other people’s reliance on her opinion to regard the old man as an angel. If the society had not dictated faith in her then some people could have come up with different views about the man’s possible origin (Marqueze, 1-2). Significance of the society is also demonstrated through Father Gonzaga’s approach to understanding the man. The Father’s society, defined by religious beliefs, dictates his understanding of the possible identity of the old man and he casts doubts on the man’s identity of an angel. The social construct of his religion further bars him from making a pronouncement on the man and extensive communication and bureaucracy have to be followed in determining who, or what the old man is. Such identification is further based on social practices among some communities such as the Aramaic. Another aspect that communicates the society’s effect on individual’s thoughts is the people’s generally held opinions that angels have extraordinary powers and can perform miracles. People from different places exhibit this general perception, come to the old man for cleansing and healing and their faith manifest through changes in their various conditions. Similarly, the society’s influence on individual’s thoughts is evident from the fact that a perception that is generally held by many people can change, abruptly, because of developed knowledge from social issues. People do not need persuasion on social mattes and quickly understands them without any consultation. When a girl who disobeyed her parent and as a punishment turned to a different creature comes to the society, no one seeks the counsel of either