My Place by Sally Morgan, The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost, The Trans

The Journey as Depicted in My Place by Sally Morgan, The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost, The Transall Saga and Pay it Forward The inner journey is a concept that has always been debated, and so has its meaning. The word ‘inner’ has the alternative meaning of personal. Moreover, the word journey has an alternative meaning of movement. So, the concept of the inner journey, customarily, has the meaning of a personal movement. Inner journeys have often been described as the metaphor behind a physical journey. The statement ‘Journey is the reward’ and the idea of a personal movement are depicted in the texts, My Place by Sally Morgan, The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost, The Transall Saga and Pay it Forward. ‘My Place’ is the autobiographical story, in which Sally Morgan’s family refuses to accept their aboriginality. It was the persistent attitudes of the family which prompted Sally to commence on her journey of self discovery. The poem ‘The Road Not Taken’ by Robert Frost also revolves around the theme of the inner journey. The poem is based of a manâ⠂¬â„¢s recollection of decision that he once made and its ramifications. The novel ‘The Transall Saga’ by Gary Paulson, is the fictional survival story about ‘Mark’ and his adventure after he was transported to a foreign world by a mysterious blue light. Finally, the film, ‘Pay It Forward’, is about a boy named Trevor McKinney and new found thoughts about the world after having been given a social studies assessment. This essay will highlight how all four texts portray the truth in the statement ‘The Journey is the reward.’ My Place is an autobiographical story by Sally Morgan. Sally was raised in an Aboriginal family which always denied their Aboriginality. Sally is the one who goes on a physical journey in order to discover her true family heritage and identity, which leads to a much more intricate inner journey. The road to enlightenment was not easy. She came across many obstacles and most of those came from her own family. Throughout the story the respondent is left wondering the reason behind the family’s silence towards each other. This statement only reinforces the idea that the core text, My Place, clearly depicts how the journey is the reward. Sally Morgan uses a wide range of different techniques to convey her physical and internal movement to disclose her family heritage and her own identity. The book it... ...which brought his family back together. In conclusion, My Place, The Road Not Taken, The Transall Saga and Pay It Forward, are all texts which connote the message that there is truth in the statement, ‘The journey is the reward’. My Place shows how Sally was able to discover her heritage, and more importantly, her identity. For Sally her journey payed of by meeting a whole new set of relatives and past family friends. The Road Not Taken, is a poem which vividly and subtly shows the respondent that all of lifes choices are important. The poem also tells us that he ‘should never come back’ to change his decision. Sally is under similar circumstances, for she cannot go back on some of her decisions. The Transall Saga told us how Mark changed his personal perspective on life and his physical appearance. The reward that Mark received while on his journey was meeting people, and then receiving respect from these ‘savages’. Pay it Forward, was the movie which enlightened the respondent into basic human nature, and to some extent what is wrong with the world. Trevor’s inner journey enabled him to discover that people can change and that the world may not be such a lost cause after all.

Essay --

"I feel at home wherever I go" . This is what a person who's not place-bound would say . This is what a person whose love is not confined to family and friends, but is spread everywhere and to everyone would say. This is what a global citizen would say. It is surprising how someone can be away from home but still feel like at home. A global citizen has cultivated his/her abilities to achieve this in a couple of ways. Let me tell you how . A global citizen has realized that we are all interconnected no matter where we come from or what religion we follow. No matter what our race or nationality is we are all part of a larger process which is human life. A global citizen has become aware that everyone on this planet is a brother or sister. The global citizen has read a lot about different countries , has learned different languages,has been interested in what's going on across the oceans , has found a connection between his daily life and the lives of others who live far away. I take my hat off to a such person . One of the global citizen's characteristics that I admire most ,i... Essay -- "I feel at home wherever I go" . This is what a person who's not place-bound would say . This is what a person whose love is not confined to family and friends, but is spread everywhere and to everyone would say. This is what a global citizen would say. It is surprising how someone can be away from home but still feel like at home. A global citizen has cultivated his/her abilities to achieve this in a couple of ways. Let me tell you how . A global citizen has realized that we are all interconnected no matter where we come from or what religion we follow. No matter what our race or nationality is we are all part of a larger process which is human life. A global citizen has become aware that everyone on this planet is a brother or sister. The global citizen has read a lot about different countries , has learned different languages,has been interested in what's going on across the oceans , has found a connection between his daily life and the lives of others who live far away. I take my hat off to a such person . One of the global citizen's characteristics that I admire most ,i...

Behavior Modification Project

I don’t remember exactly when I took to smoking or how the habit had developed in me. However I remember well that my pattern of smoking has been fairly consistent, at least for the last couple of years, smoking about six cigarettes a day. There are of course days when I have smoked a couple of cigarettes more or less too. Most of my friends don’t smoke and they don’t like smoking in their presence, although they wouldn’t object it on the face. I am aware of the risks of smoking, its association with cancer and strokes, and had long decided to abandon it.I had convinced myself that I need to give up smoking. However I didn’t have a plan or deadline for it; not that I was ignorant of this fact. I knew that to get rid of any habit, one should have a concrete plan and an anticipated schedule. In my mind, I believed I would soon be implementing one for myself. Unfortunately I did nothing in an effort to quit smoking, only compensating it with a feeling that I have a strong untested will power and can easily quit whenever I wanted. It never struck me that the quitting should start now.It so happened, that I had an opportunity last month to attend a seminar on ‘Modern lifestyle trends and its impact on health’. Here the speaker emphasized that habits like smoking, alcoholism, drugs, sexual attitudes can only be reversed when it is within a reversible range. He said it was his personal opinion that chronic addicts cannot come out of it, no matter what the de-addiction programs he or she goes through. He then went on to give scary facts that awaited the pursuers of these habits. This was when I got really scared, and decided to call it a day.I knew I was not a chronic smoker although I thanked God; he didn’t define a chronic smoker. I realized and accepted the fact that I had not made even the slightest attempt, to give up smoking. I took a resolution that quitting efforts would start right here and right now. I wa s careful enough not to fall back on Behavior Modification Project 3 my will power and put it through an acid test, by deciding to quit immediately. I began to plan a way of achieving a no smoking state in a gradual way. I was happy that although my efforts to quit smoking had been late, it was being done cautiously.Had I taken an unplanned and arbitrary decision, like stopping instantly; and if it had rebounded, there were chances that I would probably never get out of it. For the first week, I had decided that I would smoke no more than six cigarettes a day, so as to average about six or lesser number per day. For the second week, I had planned a reduction of two cigarettes a day, so as to average about four or less per day. Then the most important third week, where I further reduced the number of cigarettes to just two per day. Then the hopefully successful fourth week, where I would be a non-smoker.Although I was confident, I was apprehensive of the possibility of achieving thes e goals. I recollected the times when I didn’t have a cigarette and desperately needed one, and to the extent I went, to get one. As my goal to quit smoking is to be achieved only in stages, I thought it necessary to reward myself whenever I reach the goal, for the week. This would not only be an encouragement for me, but also an acknowledgement of meeting target for that week. I decided to treat myself to a half hour, either in a flight simulator or with friends.This was my roadmap to quit smoking, planned in detail. The first week wasn’t difficult as it was almost like any before; the only difference being that it should not exceed six any day. However, I considered this week as a crucial one because this was the first week I was ever under smoking conditions. I smoked only about five for most days of this week. The second week was more difficult, as I could smoke only four or less. Here too I tried to restrict to the least possible and I smoked less than the target. I smoked only about three per day for most days, touching four only twice that week.I allowed and enjoyed the treat I promised myself, after each week. Then came the ultimate third week Behavior Modification Project 4 where I had to be more resistive to temptations; just two cigarettes a day. It was indeed difficult but I was determined, and knew it was worth it. On the third day of the third week, I had a feeling that things might become extremely difficult, and even impossible in the fourth week. Third week looked achievable, but I feared the fourth ultimate week, where I had to be without cigarettes.I realized, I needed any possible help to keep me off cigarettes. I joined a meditation class by the mid of the third week. By the time fourth week started, I felt I could comfortably keep off cigarettes for the week. I didn’t feel the urge to smoke one that entire week. In fact, I would say, the fourth week was the most comfortable and a confident one as I felt that smoking w as no longer a problem with me. When I went for my treat that weekend, I sensed the feel of being a non-smoker, for the first time. Behavior Modification Project Working out is something I really enjoy doing, but I almost always find some excuse as to why I cannot exercise more than going to Zumba twice a week. It’s not that I don’t care about losing weight or staying in shape; it’s just that the outcome of working out is too small to control my behavior. The contingency for working out is ineffective. Ineffective contingencies fail to control our behavior because the outcomes are either too small (though of cumulative significance) or too improbable.I have a given level of health, I work out twice a week for 60 minutes, and then I have an infinitesimally greater level of health. Although my level of health increasing is small and cumulative, I know neither my body image nor my weight will change by working out one time. I know getting my butt to the gym several times per week will reduce my body fat, but there are several competing contingencies that prevent me from doing so. For example, E. R. is one of my favorite T. V . shows that I love to watch if I have some spare time in my day, I would much rather watch Dr.Carter put in a chest tube to save a little girl’s life than sweat through two tank tops at the gym. If I go to the gym I will lose the opportunity to watch E. R. My performance objective is to workout at least five days a week for at least 40 minutes. The type of exercise does not matter; it can include cardio, aerobics classes, toning exercises, or any combination. I did not specify exact days I had to work out, just that I have to work out five of seven days a week. For my intervention I implemented an avoidance of loss contingency.An avoidance of loss contingency is the response contingent prevention of the removal of a reinforcer resulting in an increased frequency of the response. Each time that I missed any of the five days or working out for 40 minutes I have to pay my classmate and workout buddy Michelle $3. By working out for 40 minutes I would avoid the loss of a reinforc er (money). By setting up a performance contract I know exactly what is expected of me. I am completely aware of the behavioral contingency: the occasion for the response, the response, and the outcome for that response.Since Michelle and I go to the same gym, she holds me accountable and checks with me daily if she does not see me at the gym. I report to Michelle each day before boot camp at 3:00pm. My weeks run Monday-Sunday, and I pay out for each instance of a missed workout Monday before class. Having to give Michelle money that I would have otherwise spent at the vending machine during the class break is very aversive. I keep track of my performance of working out on a week at a glance graph, which I present to my boot camp classmates every Friday.The graph has different shapers of data points indicating the type of exercise I did. For example, I use circles for cardio, stars for weight training, and hearts if I did both cardio and toning. My benefits measure is my body fat pe rcentage. I did not choose to use weight loss as a benefit measure because as I do more toning exercises, muscle is gained so my weight may not fluctuate a whole lot. Body fat is what I really want to focus on because I could care less how much I weigh if my body looks tight and toned!So far the performance management intervention has been overall pretty successful. I am making time to workout many more times per week than I have in a long time. My performance manager Michelle really motivates me to stay on top of my game, and since we go the same gym, our workout buddy system works really well. I began the intervention on June 11, 2008 and I am currently still implementing. My body fat percentage decrease quite a bit at first, then increased slightly (due to poor eating habits).So far I have only paid out $6, which is much less than I ever thought I would have paid out at this point. I made a goal with my performance manager to hit my goal for the rest of boot camp. If I hit my goa l for the remaining 3 weeks at 100% Michelle and I are treating ourselves to pedicures! I have hit my goal of five days a week several times, and only had a few weeks when I did not reach five workouts per week. The first week of the intervention I started on Wednesday, so I missed a couple days to workout. Also, in week 5 I had a migraine so I excused myself from working out.I am currently in the middle of week 9 and so far have worked out three times. The only thing I would revise about this intervention is the diet aspect. I did increase my exercising; however, my results were not phenomenal. I think I need to put some performance management contingencies on healthy eating as well as exercise. I feel great working out more, but I am still eating Twinkies and Taco Bell! This really prevents me form losing optimum body fat! Through behavior analysis (the study of the principles of behavior)

Kant vs Descartes

Thing in ItselfRene Descartes’ method of doubt provides the argument for the existence of the mind, which is, perhaps, the cornerstone of his philosophy. Immanuel Kant, on the other hand, treats ‘reason’ or rationality as a crucial factor in his philosophical accounts. With regard to Descartes, the concept of the ‘thing in itself’ can be analyzed in terms of his method of hyperbolic doubt, such that he cannot doubt that he exists. As for Kant, the concept of the ‘thing in itself’ can best be understood in terms of his treatment on the distinction between the noumenal or rational world and the spatiotemporal world.Descartes method of doubt tells us that the only thing that an individual can be sure of is his existence, such that the fact that one can begin to doubt one’s existence is proof that there must be that something which ‘doubts’. Given that there is a looming ‘doubt’, it cannot be questioned that t here is indeed something that doubts, and that ‘doubting’ thing is a thinking thing. At the least, the attribute of being able to doubt makes Descartes to believe that he exists for if he did not then he would not have doubted his existence in the first place (Garber, p. 226).As a result, Descartes gives primary emphasis to the mind such that our sensory perceptions cannot wholly provide us with real knowledge. For instance, Descartes provides his classic example of the wax. A wax has a certain size, shape, texture and odor among many others. After the wax is melted, Descartes tells us that many of the physical properties of the wax as observed by our sensory perceptions have changed. Thus, our senses cannot give us the assurance of the essence of the wax, or of things in general. It is at that point that Descartes believes that the deductive mind should be the basis for our inquiries on the essence of objects.Hence, it can be said that the concept of the ‘thing i n itself’ in terms of Descartes’ philosophy stands as something which claims that there is a material, external world outside of the mind. Things by themselves, then, would be as they are whether or not the mind is able to grasp these external entities. Descartes is also known for his belief in the mind and body dualism, such that the mind is a separate entity from the corporeal or physical body. In its entirety, it can be said that Descartes is espousing the idea that the thing in itself is one which is in the external world, although it can also be the thinking thing, or the mind. As for the objects external from the mind, these objects are things in themselves for the reason that the mind is able to acquire knowledge through them, specifically through a deductive inquiry into their nature and essence.Immanuel Kant, on the other hand, espouses the idea of noumenon as synonymous with the ‘thing in itself’, which is that the noumenal realm is the realm whi ch is not accessible precisely because of the limits of the rationality. From here, it can be said that Kant acknowledges that there are indeed ‘things in themselves’ only that human reason is unable to completely grasp these ‘things in themselves’ in the noumenal realm. Kant’s noumenon is to be distinguished with his concept of the phenomenon. On one hand, the phenomenon is that which is grasped by our sensory perceptions or that which is perceived. On the other hand, the noumenon is the actual object which gives the perceived phenomenon (Clarke, p. 55).In order to make the distinction clearer, one can resort to the example of, say, the object ‘pencil’. In terms of Kant’s philosophy, the actual ‘pencil’ is the actual object and the essence of the actual ‘pencil’ cannot be grasped even through our reason and sensory perceptions. On the contrary, what we can only be able to grasp is the phenomenon that ema nates from the actual pencil. That is, our senses are only able to acquire the various attributes of the actual pencil such as size, color, shape and texture among many others. We are never able to grasp the essence of the actual pencil, only the ‘properties’ or the phenomenon that come from it.The contrast between Kant and Descartes’ treatment of the thing in itself resides on their basis for which upon the ‘thing in itself’ can be accessed. Apparently, both Kant and Descartes give a substantial consideration for the mind or reason in trying to understand the material world and the rest of the objects as ‘things in themselves’. Thus, once the mind or reason is deprived of its role in discerning the objects around it, or if the mind or reason is removed from the task of contemplating the ‘thing in itself’, there is strong reason to believe, as far as Kant and Descartes are concerned, that any effort to philosophize about the se things would be futile.More importantly, the distinction between Kant and Descartes resides on the fact that Kant is inclined to believe that we cannot entirely comprehend the essence of any ‘thing in itself’ and that only the phenomenon can be accessed by reason and our sensory perceptions. On the other hand, Descartes does not explicitly make a claim denying the reason of the ability to comprehend the essence of objects. On the contrary, Descartes tells us that we should rely on the deductive process through the minds in our quest for understanding the world of objects and less on the sensory perceptions for they may simply give us a limited account of the world.In conclusion, it can be said that the distinction between Kant and Descartes in terms of their take on the concept of the ‘thing in itself’ differs solely on whether or not the noumenon or the actual objects are accessible. Both Kant and Descartes agree on the substantial function and purpose of reason in discerning the world or at least the ‘thinking thing’ in the words of Descartes. Without the mind, one can hardly arrive at a substantial thought on the world, or that there can be no ‘hyperbolic doubting’ to begin with. The use of the mind is significant in both the philosophies of Kant and Descartes, especially in their analysis of the concept of the ‘thing in itself’.Works CitedGarber, Daniel. â€Å"Descartes and Method in 1637.† PSA: Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association 2 (1988): 226.Clarke, Michael. â€Å"Kant's Rhetoric of Enlightenmentkant's Rhetoric of Enlightenment.† The Review of Politics 59.1 (1997): 55.

Expensive Medical Technology Case Essay

Most developed countries spend a large proportion of their health budgets on expensive medical technology and procedures. This money should be spent instead on health education to keep people well. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words. Answer The idea of diverting the money assigned for expensive medical technology and procedures towards health education will not ensure the health of the people. Firstly, health education has only a limited role in dealing with a large number health related problems. For example, in order to treat patients who meet with serious accidents huge expenses are required to diagnose and perform medical procedures. Many diseases like cancers and strokes cannot be avoided just by educating people about preventive measures. Furthermore, there are many diseases that are hereditary, like heart ailments and psychiatric problem which require expensive treatment. Secondly, in spite of continuous awareness programmes through the media or education, many people do not have the discipline to keep away from unhealthy practices. An ideal example would be the increasing popularity of fast foods, which can cause many life style diseases like blood pressure, cardiac problems and diabetes, especially among the young. Educating people about taking precautions against diseases is definitely an important aspect of ensuring the health of the people, but greater importance should be given to treatment of people who are affected by diseases. On the other hand, health awareness programmes have made great contributions in reducing spread of many epidemics like small pox, bird flu and other viral infections. People have realised the importance of living in a hygienic environments in order to keep away from many common ailments. The prevention of AIDS has been made possible through the world wide awareness programme undertaken by WHO and similar organisations. Greater allocation of funds is required in this area of healthcare but it should not be at the expense of reducing the expenses involved in expensive medical technology and procedures. In conclusion, the present system of giving greater budgetary allocation to expensive medical care is reasonable.

Nursing Managment Essay

Article Review of â€Å"A Handoff Report Card for General Nursing Orientation This article examines the strengths and weakness of the orientation process of new grads or new nurses to a unit or hospital. By the use of a 100 point score report card containing a summary of the nurses skills, knowledge, and also use of the Benner which measure clinical performance and critical thinking. The article addresses the use of a report card to better communicate the strengths and weakness of the orientees’. This report card is handed off to the next person in whom the new nurses will orient. The handoff is designed to create continuity and accuracy. An example of the type of data that would be measured by the handoff report includes items such as the nurses’ experiences and documentation of strengths and areas that need to be developed or improved. The report card is based on 3 assessments 1. The orientees own self-assessment 2. The instructor’s assessment 3. Competition of competencies From the first day on the unit, the nurse identifies his/her learning type using Benner’s Theory. This provides the nurse with a baseline of where their own individual level of development has reached, as well as, the preceptor, manager, or instructor. Secondly, the instructor assessment measures the orientees’ knowledge and performance. This report card is divided into 4 areas of measurement. The types of areas of measurement are areas such as: nursing interventions, documentation, critical thinking, nursing behaviors, clinical judgment, and several other areas. The last area of measurement is the nurses’ skill level. Several types of competencies were set up to determine if the nurse was competent to function on the unit. In conclusion, the report card was discussed with the leadership team, so that the orientation is more focused on the needs of the oreintee, based on the unit in which the orientee is being trained to work. As I was reading this article, it re minded me of an article that we had read at work. In the American Journal of Critical Care 2009, there was a research study completed to determine the best way to evaluate the new grads, new nurses, and it also evaluated the current nursing staff. In the study, most of the data that was returned was from the new grads. The suspected reasoning was the enthusiasm of the new grads. But the overall outcome, was positive, but mostly helped the management team to better evaluate the competency of their nurses. Currently, in the unit I work in we are challenged with determining the strengths and weakness of our newly hired nurses. Some of the nurses stated that they came to our unit with experience from different venues; however, their level of care has left us with many voids. I personally, enjoyed both articles and the effort of increasing critical thinking and professional behaviors on the clinical floor. Remember we all one day may be patients. Hargraves, L., Nichols, A., Shanks, S., & Halamak, L. (2010). A Handoff Report Card for General Nursing Orientation. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 40(10), 424-431. Kleinpell, R. (2009). Evidenced Based Review Discussion Points. American Journal of Critical care, 18(3), 261-262.

Managing involvement participation PowerPoint Presentation

Managing involvement participation - PowerPoint Presentation Example Although human resources cannot yield perfect predictions, it does give the organization the ability to think through what kinds of personnel will be needed in the future. Further, such planning gives the organization an opportunity to prepare to meet that future in a more proactive manner. In both case studies, training and development programs are the main tools which ensure participation and involvement of staff. Following Armstrong and Baron, training is much more than a technical exercise to impart knowledge and skill to the worker. It is first and foremost a point of contact among a workers need to grow, to feel capable, to be respected for what he or she can do, and managements need for productivity. If the task bank is present at that point of contact, it can provide a shared interpretation and understanding of what training is required as well as how and when that training can be best delivered (Bateman and Snell 32). The organization then makes the investment in training required for worker competency. In return, the worker brings the flexibility and willingness to apply these newly acquired competencies to the inevitable problems and challenges on the job. A partnership develops that, if nurtured through the words and deeds of management, further reinforces the trust that is required for a quality product or service. The case of Capgemini UK plc shows that continuous training is a core of effective performance and cooperation. All officers receive training throughout their term; also the company proposes special training programs for new starters. The Scottish Prison service arranges regular training for SPS managers and TUS representatives in order to develop positive and effective relations (Armstrong and Baron 82). In both cases, counseling and coaching are a part of involvement and participation process. in both organizations, counselors and managers are used for dealing with more personal issues, such as helping managers to resolve problems of