Silver linings playbook

Pat comes home after being at a mental facility into the care of his mother Dolores and his father Pat Sr. after eight months of treatment for bipolar disorder. He returns home with a hard set goal in mind. He will do whatever it takes in order to win his wife Nikki back, who currently has a restraining order against him. While visiting at a friends house Pat meets Tiffany, a recent widow and fellow neurosis sufferer. Tiffany is the key to Pat learning to move forward and away from his past, but Tiffany herself as many issues to work through.When we first meet Tittany it is clear that while sne is still troubled and broken, sne is determined to move forward in life and forgive her own mistakes. She has learned to accept herself at this point, flaws and all, even if she doesn't necessarily have a great opinion of herself. Tiffany is an extremely strong woman though. She has accepted herself and therefore refuses to apologize or make excuses for her sadness and what actions manifest fr om it. Tiffany has sunken into a deep depression following the death of her husband.The movie gave a detailed look into Tiffanys illness, and yet never outright names what can be deduced as depression. The movie alludes that there is something besides depression that plagues her. It tells of the side effect, which with Tiffany suffers the most from. The disorder instigates her sex drive to turn on and off. Just before her husbands passing this was negatively affecting her marriage. Following his death, Tiffany misguides her guilt into a self-absorbed lifestyle of promiscuity. Preceding the movie, Tiffany is fired from her Job for having ex with everyone she works with.It is shown in the movie how men still show up at her parent's front door in attempts to â€Å"get-together† with her. Her family suffers from the shame as the town garners glaring repugnance towards Tiffanys actions. We are shown the pained and humiliated looks on her parent's faces as her â€Å"suitors† come knocking at their door looking for her. Tiffany still goes about her business in a completely unabashed way which emphasizes the chronic emptiness that has been consuming her. It is when Pat witnesses what these men are there for that something s done about it.This scene depicts Pats reaction, in which he sends them away and is outraged that these men could seek to use this nice girl for their own gratification. As Tiffany eavesdrops she observes Pats high opinion of her, which is something she hasn't had for awhile and his regard for her advances her own for herself. As mentioned earlier Tiffany shows apparent symptoms of depression. Even before the death of her husband she was suffering from the DSM-IV TR symptoms of depressed mood and a decreased interest and pleasure, which had greatly affected her marriage.But it is her subsequent actions that make us seek another diagnosis. As Tiffany opens up to Pat we learn that she has a history of extreme emotional reactions, unstabl e interpersonal relationships, difficulty controlling anger, and impulsive sexual activity. These are DSM-IV criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder. Depression and Borderline Personality Disorder do work hand and hand, so the comorbidity of these disorders is not surprising. There is a scene between Pat and Tiffany where Tiffany plainly demonstrates the act of â€Å"splitting†.Splitting is also alled black and white thinking, which is when a person with Borderline Personality Disorder can only see things as an ideal or the epitome of wrong with no leeway in- between. Identity Disturbance is one of the nine criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder in the DSM-IV and is apparent in Tiffany. The way that she reacts after hearing Pats opinion of her, allows a look in to the distorted and bleak self-view that she has of herself. She becomes close to Pat and the movie depicts how she avoids any possibility that Pat could get back with his ex wife.She doesn't want to risk h im bandoning her. This frantic effort to avoid abandonment is yet another criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder. She is open with Pat about how she has been on medication and how she is in therapy, but right up to the end of the movie we are still lett witn a sense that Tittany still needs a lot ot work to get to a healthy place. Long-term Psychotherapy is generally the clearest route to take when it comes to Borderline Personality Disorder.Medications also help with these disorders by tackling comorbid depression with antidepressants, the paranoia with antianxiety edications and the use of mood stabilizers to help with impulsions and anger. It is said that the medications should be directed at the comorbid symptoms rather than at the borderline personality disorder and its own symptoms, as it is unnecessary to treat the disorder with medication on its own. So in the case of Tiffany I believe it is prudent to medicate her but have the medication be directed at her depression in hopes to stabilize her moods.I agree with the fact that she has been on medication, but I do believe that intense psychotherapy for her Borderline Personality Disorder is eeded. The movie may have ended happy but she still needs a lot of work in terms of how she processes and regulates her emotions. Dialectal Behavioral Therapy is a form of Psychotherapy that focuses in on regulation of emotions through Cognitive Behavioral techniques. The therapy combines the Cognitive Behavior Techniques which help emotions regulation and Reality Testing which focuses on distress tolerance, acceptance and mindful awareness. It is a therapy derived from Buddhist meditation.I believe that the two components of this therapy, individual and group, ill benefit Tiffany in the way of her becoming mindful of others and accepting of herself. It is the most effective form of treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder today and therefore is what I would suggest in regards to long-term therapy for Tiffa ny. The movie leaves us with open eyes toward the idiosyncrasies in people. It highlights how common mental illness is in the eccentrics of its entire cast. The movie brings awareness to mental health issues and portrays Just how frequent and wide-ranging disorders are.

Inference Practice

Making an Inference Directions: Some of the questions following the passages ask you to make inferences from the passages. To infer means to arrive at a conclusion by reasoning from evidence. Synonyms for infer are deduce, judge, or conclude. If you are told to infer something from a passage, you are basically being asked what conclusions can be drawn from the content of the story. Tip: If you replace the word infer with conclude in a question, it may make more sense to you. In cities throughout the country, there is a new direction in local campaign coverage.Frequently in local elections, journalists are not giving voters enough information to understand the issues and evaluate the candidates. The local news media devotes too much time to scandal and not enough time to policy. 1. This paragraph best supports the statement that the local news media a. is not doing an adequate job when it comes to covering local campaigns. b. does not understand either campaign issues or politics. c. should learn how to cover politics by watching the national news media. d. has no interest in covering stories about local political events.The use of desktop computer equipment and software to create high-quality documents such as newsletters, business cards, letterhead, and brochures is called Desktop Publishing, or DTP. The most important part of any DTP project is planning. Before you begin, you should know your intended audience, the message you want to communicate, and what form your message will take. 2. The paragraph best supports the statement that e. Desktop Publishing is one way to become acquainted with a new business audience. f. computer software is continually being refined to produce high-quality printing. . the first stage of any proposed DTP project should be organization and design. h. the planning stage of any DTP project should include talking with the intended audience. The entire low-carbohydrate versus low-fat diet argument is so prevalent that one would thin k that these are the only two options available for losing weight and staying healthy. Some experts even feel that the low-carb/low-fat debate distracts us from an even more important issue—our culture's reliance on processed and manufactured foods. 3. The paragraph best supports the statement that i. xperts state that not all fats are equal, so we need not reduce our intake of all fats; just those that contain partially hydrogenated oils. j. important health concerns get overlooked when we focus exclusively on the low-fat versus low-carb question. k. low-carbohydrate diets lead to significant and sustained weight loss. l. processed foods can lead to many adverse health problems including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity. Every year, Americans use over one billion sharp objects to administer healthcare in their homes. These sharp objects include lancets, needles, and syringes.If not disposed of in puncture-resistant containers, they can injure sanitation workers. Sharp objects should be disposed of in hard plastic or metal containers with secure lids. The containers should be clearly marked and be puncture resistant. 4. The paragraph best supports the idea that sanitation workers can be injured if they m. do not place sharp objects in puncture-resistant containers. n. come in contact with sharp objects that have not been placed in secure containers. o. are careless with sharp objects such as lancets, needles, and syringes in their homes. p. o not mark the containers they pick up with a warning that those containers contain sharp objects. Litigation is not always the only or best way to resolve conflicts. Mediation offers an alternative approach and it is one that can be quite efficient and successful. Mediation can be faster, less expensive, and can lead to creative solutions not always possible in a court of law. Additionally, mediation focuses on mutually acceptable solutions, rather than on winning or losing. 5. This paragraph best suppor ts the idea that q. there is too much reliance on litigation in our society. r. itigation is expensive, slow, and limited by its reliance on following the letter of the law. s. mediation is the best way to resolve a crisis. t. mediation can be an effective way to resolve conflicts. One of the missions of the Peace Corps is to help the people of interested countries meet their need for trained men and women. People who work for the Peace Corps do so because they want to, but to keep the agency dynamic with fresh ideas, no staff member can work for the agency for more than five years. 6. The paragraph best supports the statement that Peace Corps employees u. are highly intelligent people. . must train for about five years. w. are hired for a limited term of employment. x. have both academic and work experience. More and more office workers telecommute from offices in their own homes. The upside of telecommuting is both greater productivity and greater flexibility. Telecommuters produc e, on average, 20% more than if they were to work in an office, and their flexible schedule allows them to balance both their family and work responsibilities. 7. The paragraph best supports the statement that telecommuters y. get more work done in a given time period than workers who travel to the office. . produce a better quality work product than workers who travel to the office. {. are more flexible in their ideas than workers who travel to the office. |. would do 20% more work if they were to work in an office. Sushi, the thousand-year-old Japanese delicacy, started small in the United States, in a handful of restaurants in big cities. Today, sushi consumption in America is 50% greater than it was ten years ago and not just in restaurants. Sushi is also sold at concession stands in sports stadiums, university dining halls, and in supermarkets throughout the country. . This paragraph best supports the statement that }. sushi is now a fast food as popular as hot dogs, burgers, a nd fries. ~. more sushi is sold in restaurants than in supermarkets. . Americans are more adventurous eaters than they were in the past. . sushi wasn't always widely available in the United States. Today's shopping mall has as its antecedents historical marketplaces, such as Greek agoras, European piazzas, and Asian bazaars. The purpose of these sites, as with the shopping mall, is both economic and social.People not only go to buy and sell wares, but also to be seen, catch up on news, and be part of the human drama. 9. The paragraph best supports the statement that . modern Americans spend an average of 15 hours a month in shopping malls. . shopping malls serve an important purpose in our culture. . shopping malls have a social as well as commercial function. . there are historical antecedents for almost everything in contemporary society. Many animals hibernate during parts of the year, entering a state that is similar to a very deep sleep. But hibernation is more than simply a d eep sleep.The animal's body temperature drops well below its normal range, the animal does not wake up for a long period of time, and its metabolism slows to the point that the animal does not need to eat or relieve itself during that period. In order to prepare for hibernation, the animal must build up its body weight and increase its body fat. This is important, since the animal will be living off its own body fat during the months of hibernation. Of course, once the period of hibernation is over, the animal â€Å"wakes up† to find itself slim and trim once again! 10. How does an animal prepare for hibernation? . It exercises for two months. It gradually increases its sleeping habits. . It grows extra fur. . It eats more food than usual. 11. This passage best supports the statement that . all animals hibernate to some degree. . food is scarce in the winter. . hibernation is very different from normal sleep. . bears hibernate every year. Patrick Henry is considered one of th e great patriots of America's early history. He was a leader in every protest against British tyranny and in every movement for colonial rights, openly speaking against the unfair taxation and overly burdensome regulations imposed upon the American colonists by the British Parliament.In March 1775, Patrick Henry urged his fellow Virginians to arm themselves in self-defense. He spoke boldly in Richmond, Virginia, during the meeting of the state legislature. He closed that famous speech with the immortal words, â€Å"I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death. † 12. This passage best supports the statement that . Patrick Henry later became a governor of West Virginia. . the Virginia legislature was not listening to Henry's speech. . Patrick Henry was willing to lay down his life for his country. People in Colonial times faced harsh living conditions. 13. Which of the following would be the most appropriate title for this passage? . T he Speeches of Patrick Henry . Patrick Henry, American Patriot . Early American Patriots . History of the Virginia Legislature Ratatouille is a dish that has grown in popularity over the last few years. It features eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, and garlic chopped, mixed, sauteed, and finally, cooked slowly over low heat. As the vegetables cook slowly, they make their own broth, which may be extended with a little tomato paste.The name ratatouille comes from the French word touiller, meaning to stir or mix together. 14. Which of the following is the correct order of steps for making ratatouille? . chop vegetables, add tomato paste, stir or mix together . mix the vegetables together, saute them, and add tomato paste . cook the vegetables slowly, mix them together, add tomato paste . add tomato paste to extend the broth and cook slowly overlow heat 15. Ratatouille can best be described as a . French pastry. . sauce to put over vegetables. . pasta dish extended with tomato past e. vegetable stew. The competitive civil-service system is designed to give candidates fair and equal treatment and to ensure that federal applicants are hired based on objective criteria. Hiring has to be based solely on a candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities (which you'll sometimes see abbreviated as ksa), and not on external factors such as race, religion, sex, and so on. Whereas employers in the private sector can hire employees for subjective reasons, federal employers must be able to justify their decision with objective evidence that the candidate is qualified. 6. The paragraph best supports the statement that . hiring in the private sector is inherently unfair. . ksa is not as important as test scores to federal employers. . federal hiring practices are simpler than those employed by the private sector. . the civil service strives to hire on the basis of a candidate's abilities. 17. The federal government's practice of hiring on the basis of ksa frequently results in the hiring of employees . based on race, religion, sex, and so forth. . who are unqualified for the job. . who are qualified for the job. on the basis of subjective judgment. It is well known that the world urgently needs adequate distribution of food, so that everyone gets enough. Adequate distribution of medicine is just as urgent. Medical expertise and medical supplies need to be redistributed throughout the world so that people in emerging nations will have proper medical care. 18. This paragraph best supports the statement that . the majority of the people in the world have no medical care. . medical resources in emerging nations have diminished in the past few years. not enough doctors give time and money to those in need of medical care. . many people who live in emerging nations are not receiving proper medical care. Knitting has made a major comeback. People are knitting on college campuses, in coffee shops, and in small knitting groups throughout the United States. New kn itting stores, many with cafes, are popping up all over, and there are more knitting books and magazines being published than ever before. And not all of these knitters are women: As knitting continues to surge in popularity, men are picking up knitting needles in record numbers. 9. The paragraph best supports the statement that . joining a knitting group is a great way to make new friends. . some people knit because it helps them relax and release stress. . today's knitter is not the stereotypical grandmother in a rocking chair. . as is the case with all fads, this new obsession with knitting will fade quickly. Everyone is sensitive to extreme weather conditions. But with age, the body may become less able to respond to long exposure to very hot or very cold temperatures. Some older people might develop hypothermia when exposed to cold weather.Hypothermia is a drop in internal body temperature, which can be fatal if not detected and treated. 20. The paragraph best supports the stat ement that . cold weather is more dangerous for older people than warm weather. . hypothermia is a condition that only affects older people. . older people who live in warm climates are healthier than older people who live in cold climates. . an older person is more susceptible to hypothermia than a younger person. Whether you can accomplish a specific goal or meet a specific deadline depends first on how much time you need to get the job done.What should you do when the demands of the job exceed the time you have available? The best approach is to divide the project into smaller pieces. Different goals will have to be divided in different ways, but one seemingly unrealistic goal can often be accomplished by working on several smaller, more reasonable goals. 21. The main idea of the passage is that . jobs often remain only partially completed because of lack of time. . the best way to complete projects is to make sure your goals are achievable. . the best way to tackle a large proje ct is to separate it into smaller parts. the best approach to a demanding job is to delegate responsibility. Health clubs have undergone a major transformation that can be described in three words: mind, body, and spirit. Loud, fast, heartt-humping aerobics has been replaced by the hushed tones of yoga and the controlled movements of Pilates. The clubs are responding to the needs of their customers who are increasingly looking for a retreat from their hectic lifestyles and a way to find a healthy balance in their lives by nurturing their whole selves. 22. The main idea of the paragraph is that exercise is less important now than it once was. . health clubs are much less popular now than they were ten years ago. . many health clubs will go out of business because of the decline in traditional exercise. . people's desire to nurture all aspects of themselves has contributed to big changes for health clubs. For most judges, sentencing a person who has been convicted of a crime is a diff icult decision. In the majority of jurisdictions throughout the country, judges have few sentencing options from which to choose. Generally, their options are confined to a fine, probation, or incarceration.Crimes, however, cover a wide spectrum of criminal behavior and motivation, and a wide variety of sanctions should be available. 23. The main idea of the paragraph is that . there should be laws that dictate which sentence a judge should hand down. . someone other than a judge should be allowed to sentence a criminal. . judges should be given more sentencing options from which to choose. . more money should be spent on the criminal justice system. Before you begin to compose a business letter, sit down and think about your purpose in writing the letter.Do you want to request information, order a product, register a complaint, or apply for something? Do some brainstorming and gather information before you begin writing. Always keep your objective in mind. 24. The main idea of the passage is that . planning is an important part of writing a business letter. . business letters are frequently complaint letters. . brainstorming and writing take approximately equal amounts of time. . many people fail to plan ahead when they are writing a business letter. Keeping busy at important tasks is much more motivating than having too little to do.Today's employees are not afraid of responsibility. Most people are willing to take on extra responsibility in order to have more variety in their positions. In addition, along with that responsibility should come more authority to independently carry out some important tasks. 25. The main idea of the paragraph is that . variety and independence on the job increase employee motivation. . to avoid boredom, many people do more work than their jobs require of them. . today's employees are demanding more independence than ever before. . office jobs in the past have carried less responsibility.Managing job and family is not simple. Bo th commitments make strong demands on people and are sometimes in direct opposition to each other. Saying yes to one means saying no to the other, and stress can often result. Being realistic and creating a balance in life can help set priorities. 26. The main idea of the paragraph is that . most family responsibilities cause stress at home and at work. . because it pays the bills, a job must take priority over other commitments. . it is important to have a balance between job and family responsibilities. because they are so important, family duties must take priority over the job. Women business owners are critically important to the American economy, yet women still face unique obstacles in the business world. The U. S. Small Business Administration offers a variety of programs and services to help women-owned businesses succeed and to advocate for women entrepreneurs. 27. This paragraph best supports the statement that women business owners . have more success in the United State s than in other countries. . cannot succeed without outside help. . may find the Small Business Administration a useful resource. should not make any major decisions without seeking the advice of the Small Business Administration. Passages in this section can have one to six questions following. You must respond accordingly. Use of electronic mail (e-mail) has been widespread for more than a decade. E-mail simplifies the flow of ideas, connects people from distant offices, eliminates the need for meetings, and often boosts productivity. However, e-mail should be carefully managed to avoid unclear and inappropriate communication. E-mail messages should be concise and limited to one topic.When complex issues need to be addressed, phone calls are still best. 28. The main idea of the paragraph is that e-mail . is not always the easiest way to connect people from distant offices. . has changed considerably since it first began a decade ago. . causes people to be unproductive when it is u sed incorrectly. . is effective for certain kinds of messages but only if managed wisely. 29. Which of the following would be the most appropriate title for the passage? . Appropriate Use of E-Mail . E-Mail's Popularity . E-Mail: The Ideal Form of Communication . Why Phone Calls Are Better Than E-MailNative American art often incorporates a language of abstract visual symbols. The artist gives a poetic message to the viewer, communicating the beauty of an idea, either by using religious symbols or a design from nature such as rain on leaves or sunshine on water. The idea communicated may even be purely whimsical, in which case the artist might start out with symbols developed from a bird's tracks or a child's toy. 30. The main idea of the passage is that Native American art . is purely poetic and dreamlike. . is usually abstract, although it can also be poetic and beautiful. communicates the beauty of ideas through the use of symbols. . is sometimes purely whimsical. Answers 1. a. C hoice d may seem attractive at first, but the passage simply says that the local media does not adequately cover local politics—it doesn't discuss the reason for their neglect. 2. c. Sentence 3 indicates the importance of organization and design. The other choices, even if true, are not in the passage. 3. b. Both sentences in this passage support the idea that the emphasis on the low-carb/low-fat debate is misleading and might distract us from other important ideas.The other choices are not supported by or developed in this passage. 4. b. The other choices are wrong because the passage is not concerned with how sanitation workers should deal with sharp objects but with how everyone should dispose of sharp objects in order to avoid hurting sanitation workers. 5. d. See the second sentence of the passage. Choices a and b are not in the passage. Choice c might seem attractive, but the passage does not say that mediation is the best way to resolve a conflict, simply that it is an alternative way that might prove effective. 6. c. See the final sentence of the passage.The other choices might be true but are not in the passage. 7. a. The second sentence speaks of the greater productivity of telecommuters. The other choices may seem attractive on the surface because they contain words and phrases from the passage, but a closer look will show them to be incorrect or absent from the passage. 8. d. The first sentence indicates that sushi was once available only in a handful of eating establishments. 9. c. Choice b may seem attractive at first, but the passage doesn't offer the opinion that the purpose of the shopping mall is important, it simply tells us what the purposes are. 0. d. The second paragraph states that an animal prepares for hibernation by increasing its body weight and fat. The reader can infer from this that the animal eats more food than usual. 11. c. The passage states that hibernation is â€Å"more than simply a deep sleep,† then lists sev eral ways that hibernation differs from sleep. The other choices are not addressed in the passage. 12. c. Patrick Henry's famous words, â€Å"Give me liberty or give me death,† indicate that he was willing to fight for his nation's freedom—even if it cost him his life. The other choices are not addressed in the passage. 3. b. The passage is about Patrick Henry, and focuses on his patriotic activities. No other patriot is mentioned, nor is information given about his other speeches or about the Virginia legislature. 14. b. See the second and third sentences for the steps in making ratatouille. Only choice b reflects the correct order. 15. d. The main part of the passage describes how to cook vegetables. Only choice d indicates that vegetables are included in the dish. The other choices are not reflected in the passage. 16. d. See the final sentence of the passage. 17. c.See the second sentence, which defines ksa. The other choices are refuted in the passage. 18. d. This answer is implied by the statement that redistribution is needed so that people in emerging nations can have proper medical care. Choices a, b, and c are not mentioned in the passage. 19. c. This choice is the best answer because the paragraph indicates that the new knitters are of varying ages and are not just women. Choices a and b may be true, but they are not supported by the paragraph. Choice d is a prediction that is not made in the paragraph. 20. d.The paragraph specifically states that age makes a person less able to respond to long exposure to very hot or very cold temperatures. This would mean that older people are more susceptible to hypothermia. Choices a, b, and c are not supported by the information given in the paragraph. 21. c. The third sentence is the main idea. It is a general idea that answers the only question posed in the passage. The other choices are not in the passage. 22. d. The passage states that health clubs have undergone a major transformation due to people's interest in taking care of their minds, bodies, and spirits.Choice a is incorrect because the paragraph doesn't say exercise is less important. It simply says the focus and type of exercise have changed. Choices b and c are not supported by the paragraph. 23. c. This choice is closely related to all three sentences of the passage. Choice a is contradicted in the passage. Choices b and d are not in the passage. 24. a. The entire passage relates to this idea. The other ideas are not reflected in the passage. 25. a. This is the main idea of the passage because all the sentences relate to it.The other choices may be true but are not reflected in the passage. 26. c. This idea is expressed in the final sentence and wraps up the passage, speaking of the importance of creating a balance. The other choices are not in the passage. 27. c. The support for choice c is given in the second sentence. No support is given for choices a and d. Choice b is incorrect because the paragraph state s that women business owners face unique obstacles, but it does not say that they absolutely require outside help to succeed, just that it is available. 8. d. This choice encompasses the main information in the passage. Choices a, b, and c are not mentioned. 29. a. The title should express the main idea of the passage. The passage, as a whole, focuses on appropriate and inappropriate uses of e-mail. The other choices address more specific ideas expressed in the passage but are not its main idea. 30. c. The first and second sentences reflect this idea. The passage does not say that Native American art is dreamlike (choice a). Choices b and d are too limited to be main ideas.

Characteristics of myself

Characteristics of Myself Kerri Larson Organizational Behavior Southern Institute of Technology Personality can be defined by the characteristic patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviors that â€Å"determine how an individual reacts to and interacts with others† (Nancy, Robbins, & Judge, 2014, p. 42). It is very important as it helps define what type of person you are. An individual's characteristics play a large role when it comes to understanding one another. These patterns make every individual unique and distinct from each other.When I think of personality, I think of it as someone's entire being including perception, learning and titivation. Inner awareness of self and person-situation interaction make up an individual's personality. When I think of my personality, I like to assume I can describe myself as sociable, motivated and ambitious. These characteristics I believe really were ingrained as core values in my life after working hard from such a young age. Having u nderstood the importance of personality, attitudes, values relating to motivation in the workplace, I reflected on my own personality and how it has affected me and the individuals work with.Growing up, my family wasn't wealthy. My parents aired extremely young and my sister and were born not too long after. I don't remember things in a negative way as a child, but after my parents divorced, things were different. We never had money to buy the toys wanted or go on the trips like my friends. I remember growing up thinking that my friends had what they wanted so why couldn't we. My parents both remarried a few years later and my step-parents were now permanently in the picture. Since my father moved away, my step-father ensured that we had discipline in our life.There were never enough chores to do and work to be done round the house. My step-father was teaching me work ethic at that age and had no idea how chores would shape the way I work today. It was my fourteenth birthday and as would have said at the time, I was â€Å"made† to look for a job before I could play with my friends. I did as I was told, and got a part time job working at a fast food restaurant. This was obviously not my dream job and after a couple of job changes, I worked full time throughout high school earning money to pay for things wanted.Of course I did not always make the best decisions, but I learned that nothing comes for free and that o have to work hard to get a head in life. When I look back at this, I don't see punishment but a form of discipline which has made me who I am today. Worked endless hours, two jobs at a time and even though wasn't making exponential amounts of money, I was supporting myself and doing the things that wanted. I remember thinking to myself that never wanted to live on the bare minimum. I didn't need the finest things in life, but comfortable living was something I couldn't live without.Although gained the value of a hard work ethic and discipline, I was yet to receive another life challenge that loud shape my attitudes and values. I was born in Slave Lake, Alberta on May 11, 1984. I was raised and continued to live in Slave Lake throughout my life. Remember the phone call clear as day from my mother. I was coming home from a beach holiday with my boyfriend at the time and I had heard the news that my aunt and uncle had lost their home to a wildfire near town. We had a long drive from Calgary the next day, so we decided to come home early.We arrived, unpacked and headed to the store to get food. There was threat that town could be under alert, but nothing had happened. We decided o go for lunch at Subway and then go home to pack a bag, just in case. I remember the truck radio on before we went inside stating â€Å"I repeat, we are not under evacuation notice†. We ordered our lunch and got back in the truck. There was no radio when we started the drive home. As we drove closer to our home, which was only a five minute dri ve away, the smoke got thicker and we noticed more and more cars evacuating the area.The wind had pickup for so much that the shingles were ripping off our roof like Evolve. The police arrived to our door at the same time as we arrived and stated we had eve minutes to evacuate and leave. The fire was going to hit town. On May 14th, 2011, evacuated my home and sat across the highway in a nearby parking lot watching my home being engulfed in flames. I arrived home at 1 :pm and was evacuated by 4:pm. I was 27 years old and my life at that moment changed forever. Three hundred and seventy eight homes burnt down including my parents. There was nothing left to salvage.I lost my job and broke up with my boyfriend of three years. Although my life was tested, I picked up my life, moved to Calgary and took a job with TACO Structures & Logistics. Darted in as a temporary entry-level position with a chance to stay on permanent. I worked hard for long hours, stayed motivated and showed the organ ization that I deserved to be there permanently. Within six months, I was asked to stay on and have been with them ever since. I learned not only that hard work pays off, but staying motivated and ambitious were also key factors to my new success.After almost four years and three promotions, am managing a small team in our Calgary office. I can honestly say, that even though the fire destroyed many lives, my life has done nothing but grow in a costive way. I see life differently and try not to take the little things for granted. I am more motivated to live a more positive life and ensure that I help others and my community as much as can. When I think how this has shaped my life, I am more motivated to succeed not only at work, but in life as well.Since I started working in Calgary, can admit that it hasn't been perfect. I have had much change in managers and team members and when you look for stability in your work environment, these constant changes make a huge impact. I was recen tly in a situation where I faced a situation where I isn't sure could work for my organization anymore. There are certain things need and look for when working and as time went on, these values Were being tested more and more. When I think Of what I need as an employee or even an individual, trust is probably the more important characteristic.My manager is the person should be able to trust with my work, comments, feedback and criticism. Was assigned to a large task by my manager which would be completed in a few weeks. At the end of the task, I was required to summarize any issues and work with departments on corrective actions. When it came down to summarizing with my manager, he hose to consult another employee who was not involved. I felt betrayed that my manager did not trust my judgment and decisions. Wasn't aware of how much trust and support meant to me and what the value of that meant as an individual. Also felt since I am a young professional, there was distrust based on t he fact that there was a generational difference between my manager and I. Research suggests that generational differences exist in the workplace among the Baby Boomers (born between the mid-sass and the mid-sass), the Generation Seers (born between the mid-sass and the late sass), and he Generation Yes (born between 1979 and 1994). (Nancy, Robbins, & Judge, 2014, p. 80) My manager was a baby boomer while am a Generation Y and was one of the only Gene. Y on our team. Let that since I was younger, was not trusted due to the lack of knowledge and understanding which made me feel weak and not respected. My negative emotions ultimately sabotaged how felt about myself and my work ethic. Negative emotions can led to a number of deviant workplace behaviors. Anyone who has spent much time in an organization realizes that people often engage in voluntary actions that elate established norms and threaten the organization, its members, or both. (Nancy, Robbins, & Judge, 2014, p. 58) Trust is i mportant.If you don't have trust, then how can anything else follow? The foundations of demodulating and leadership are built on trust. A few weeks went by and the disappointment turned to anger. I could no longer have displayed emotions, â€Å"those that the organization requires employees to show and considers appropriate in a given job† (Nancy, Robbins, & Judge, 2014, p. 55). My felt emotions, â€Å"an individual's actual emotions† (Nancy, Robbins, & Judge, 2014, p. 5), were surfacing and the office was becoming an unbearable place to be.I was so disappointed I had to talk to someone, which led me to a small room with human resources. The disappointment built from such a small Issue, that felt I could almost leave the organization which wasn't the most rational decision. We must have the ability to experience emotions to be rational. (Nancy, Robbins, & Judge, 2014, p. 56). The value of trust was so important to me, that felt could no longer work there or it would le ad from negative emotions to something worse. The key to good decision making is to employ tooth thinking and feeling in our decisions. Nancy, Robbins, & Judge, 2014, p. 56). After discussing my options and realizing that the choice of resigning was not the option for me, I decided to think positive and overcome the negative aspects of the scenario. What I also realized that this made me more motivated as an individual to prove that I was capable at completing and excelling in my career. I knew that was competent and hardworking and that one small issue was not going to deter me from proving to my manager and myself that was qualified to be there. I was taking a more proactive approach to my personality.People with a proactive personality identify opportunities, show initiatives, take action and persevere until meaningful change occurs. (Nancy, Robbins, & Judge, 2014, p. 52). In the end I was given the different opportunity to work for another leader. I used this opportunity and too k that motivation and was honest with my new manager. I spoke up about the values and motivation I was looking for in a leader and that if this was provided to me, I would provide the same. I took my negative emotions and transformed them into something positive.Because of this, I was also remoter to manage the team I worked in. Even though he was also another Baby Boomer, we both held the same opinion on trust and taking pride in your work. I used the opportunity to motivate my team when they felt discouraged and ensured that instead of mistrusting them, that they had the opportunity to show me as a leader, what they were capable of. I am not the perfect manager, but ensure that my team sees the importance of bringing themselves and values into their work and that each person brings something different to the table.Motivating them to see that everyone's opinion is important and how this makes a bigger impact in the workplace. It not only betters them, but betters our organization. When I think of the meaning of the values I've gained over the years, they have ultimately defined what person I am today. I maintain my integrity because I apply these values to my life in whatever situation I am in. Since an individual's effectiveness in the workplace often depends on his/her personality, attitudes and values, along with his/her motivation to succeed, it is important to understanding these characteristics of individuals.Considering these characteristics can be crucial or an organization to operate successfully. At the same time, it is essential that individuals understand the values associated with the organization in order to avoid any conflicting feelings toward the work they are employed to do. By recognizing and appreciating each others characteristics, values and behaviors, employees and the organizations they are part of, form a highly- beneficial symbolic relationship. Thus, it becomes imperative for employees to remain motivated and for organizations to ke ep them motivated.Recognizing the importance of personality, attitudes, values and motivations s something that everyone needs to do in life. I personally believe that people are tested and that this importance isn't realized at the same time in life. People face different external forces and life is never the same for everyone. Personalities are important to recognize as it strongly influences one's expectations, self-perceptions, values and attitudes. (Wisped). Understanding your own personality as well as others gives you the ability to communicate effectively and understand others better.When you have the ability to understand others personality as well as your own, you gain the ability to recognize what motivates them, what is and is not important to them and where attitudes exist. It is also important to understand the difference between personality and attitudes. Attitudes can change more frequently where personality is more deeply ingrained. In organizations, attitudes are i mportant because they affect job behavior. Employees may believe, for example, that supervisors, auditors, managers, and time-and- motion engineers are all conspiring to make them work harder for the same or less money.This may then lead to a negative attitude toward management hen an employee is asked to stay late and help on a special project. (Nancy, Robbins, & Judge, 2014, p. 88). Attitudes are our feelings towards certain ideas or issues. They become almost contagious and can be greatly influential among peers and co-workers. Our attitudes are the manifestation of our values and they are expressed through what we say or do and reflect a person's sense of right and wrong or what â€Å"ought† to be. Values tend to influence attitudes and behavior and are an integral part of every culture.With worldview and personality, they generate behavior. Being part of a ultra that shares a common core set of values creates expectations and predictability without which a culture would disintegrate and its members would lose their personal identity and sense of worth. Values tell people what is good, beneficial, important, useful, beautiful, desirable and constructive. They answer the question of why people do what they do. Integrity alongside values is equally important to the workplace.It gives individuals the ability to bring themselves and their personalities to the organization but stay to true the organizations values as well. Integrity, strong ethics and values are crucial o an organization's success not only because the individuals understand what is right and wrong is, but they practice this in all they do. Work ethics can be described as not only how someone feel about their job or career, but also how someone does his/her job or responsibilities. This involves attitude, behavior, respect and communication.When you reflect on the importance of personality, values and attitudes and how they contribute to motivation in the workplace, it is equally importan t to remember that they all have different influences on different motivational processes. Motivation is different for very individual as each person's preferences are different. Moreover, there are also external drivers of motivation. Those external drivers contribute to the level of the motivation of employees in terms of better performance within organizations. The core thing of motivation is to give people what they really want most from the work.The more the managers provide what they want, the more they can expect what they are looking for like productivity, quality, and services. A positive motivation philosophy and practice should improve productivity, quality, and service. Motivation helps people to achieve locals, to gain a positive perspective, to create the power to change, to build self-esteem and capability, to explore potentiality with creativity, to manage their own developments and their own abilities. When I consider my workplace and co-workers, I attempt to ensure that I bring my values and my personality to work every day.Of course I was not always like this and there were days when I am not so motivated and ambitious. As well when I consider all the external forces one experiences on a day to day basis, personality is always changing. Ironically my workplace offers a similar course o this course and I learned a little about organizational behavior prior to registering. One of the most interesting parts of the course was that I participated in a personality report and the results were not necessarily new or surprising, but realized how much my personality affects others.We took part in the DiSC Workplace model and had flying colors in dominance. I'm highly motivated, direct, result-orientated and focus on success and growth. Upon returning to work, I was adamant that one of my key co-workers take the same profile report. We used this opportunity to understand what each there's personality type was and what influenced and motivated each othe r. Even though we work so well together and have a great working relationship, it was still beneficial to understand what her priorities and influences were.I could better understand her as a person and become a more effective leader. The other interesting factor I learned was that I am very task/job driven. I am extremely motivated by personal success and job-related functions. I learned that need to ensure that I consider others and contribute more to how they are feeling and what personally motivates them. When focused on completely ark or a project, need to also consider that factors such as personality, work ethic, values, skillet and knowledge all contribute to the quality of work rather than deadlines, budget and resources.I feel now that even though this was such a small opportunity to participate and understand how complex personalities are, learned so much about howl really affect and influence others. Understand why it is important to recognize what my values are and how my personality is affects others. In conclusion, the key point is that personalities, attitudes and values all contribute to motivation in individuals n different ways. It is what is unique about us that define how these characteristics contribute and shape who we are as individuals.

Fast Spread of Vulgarity through the Internet into the Innocent Minds Assignment

Fast Spread of Vulgarity through the Internet into the Innocent Minds of the Adolescents - Assignment Example The people obtain a study guide, health and fitness tips, devise, share and revise business plans, and minutely observe the changes taking place within their social and natural environment. Hence, from getting information related to personal, domestic, corporate and amusement activities to chatting with the distant friends, and from reading articles of one’s own choice and interest to watching the latest models of automobiles, cell-phones, clothes and furniture are sought out from the internet. Moreover, the scholars, researchers, writers, poets, scientists, architects, lawyers, and intellectuals also have obtained the opportunity of getting and sending material related to their profession and interest by using the same platform. Thus, the internet has got the status of an inevitable product that fascinates and satisfies the individuals belonging to every age group, socioeconomic status, gender, ethnic-racial group and profession. Somehow, instead of taking positive and constr uctive benefit out of this great invention, the nefarious people have included and inserted pornography and filthy material challenging the very moral values, ethics and decency have been followed and observed by humanity for centuries; almost the same is the case with a mobile phone. Though the cell phone was simply invented to send and receive important information of very urgent matter, yet the people have started misusing it by spreading startling news and appalling issues, which should have no concern with the mobile phone. It is the need of the hour to take immediate steps to combat with the very threat in order to eradicate the fast spread of pornography. The authorities should apply blockages to all the sites that contain the words and addresses related to sex and nudity. There must be a ban on the development of the sites that are damaging the moral and ethical values of our society. Though pornography through the internet certainly affects all strata of society, yet it is the most fatal thing particularly for the adolescents, which are the future builders of our society and nation. The authorities should impose banishments on the recording and developing of nude movies so that the young generation could be protected from the mental and physical bankruptcy. The internet and communications regulatory authorities should take urgent steps to prohibit the selling of pornographic material, including video films, CDs, cassettes, books and periodicals, watching of which is swiftly and constantly making the youth the addict of sexual activities, deviant behavior and perversion. The age of puberty and majority for purchasing tobacco, wine, liquor, sex enhancing pills and condoms as well as for joining and attending the clubs should be declared to be 21 years, instead of 18 years, so that sexual excesses and perversions could be mitigated to a great extent. The reports reveal that the grandfathers, uncles, neighbors and stepfathers are involved into forced sex and rape with the minor girls and even boys, which not only are destroying the very fabrics of family and blood relations but are also inviting the complete ruination of the young generation. The law enforcing agencies must announce severe punishments and sentences to the culprits too to save the innocent children from going astray as well as from becoming the victim of rape and incest.

How Christianity Contributes to Patriarchy-Research Paper Essay

How Christianity Contributes to Patriarchy-Research Paper - Essay Example Once they’ve entered into that ‘happily ever after’ world following the wedding at the end of the story, the patriarchal concept of women has them managing the household, caring for the children and entirely confined within the boundaries of the husband’s property. While the fairy tale suggests this life will be full of fancy dresses, grand parties, leisure and pleasure in domestic felicity within the grand castle of the prince – the songbird in the golden cage – the reality is all too often a life dominated by the dragon. When the story takes this turn, women find themselves as the beaten-down house slave forced to bend all of her effort to someone else’s thoughtless whims and desires regardless of the harm this might bring upon herself. It is only with the assistance of other women that they are finally able to break the vision of the fairy tale to understand their realities and find a new means of approaching life. An understanding o f how this patriarchy has affected the female psyche, whether it is the actual fairy tale presented or merely stories couched on a similar theme, provides a great deal of insight into the feminist issues illuminated through Sandra Cisneros’ stories â€Å"Woman Hollering Creek† and â€Å"One Holy Night.† In â€Å"Woman Hollering Creek,† Sandra Cisneros’ main character, Cleofilas, grows up watching telenovelas on TV, which are like soap operas, in which the classic Cinderella themes are played out over and over, reinforcing Cleofilas’ fantasies regarding what her future life will be and the patriarchal vision of women’s approved roles in society. In the telenovelas, life was seen to be full of â€Å"all kinds of hardship of the heart, separation and betrayal† (220), but a loving woman, always patient and always kind, could expect happiness in the end. â€Å"Cleofilas

A movie that deals in some way with human development or psychological Essay

A movie that deals in some way with human development or psychological issues - Essay Example She is not sure what is going to happen to her, or why, and she is subjected to a process of institutionalization. It turns out that her treatment involves talking therapy with a psychologist called Dr Wick. The film shows how Susanna responds to various female characters in different ways, starting with her suspicion of all staff and patients, and gradually leading to more acceptance and understanding of them. Dr Wicks is patient and kind, drawing out what Susanna has experienced in the past and helping her to find better ways of dealing with things. The African American nurse on the ward thinks that Susanna is just another stupid teenage girl who is not really ill, but just exaggerating. The film shows how Susanna begins to identify with the other patients, seeing herself as one of them, and thus being mentally ill starts to appear to be â€Å"normal† to her. While she is in hospital Susanna meets a number of other patients, many of whom are considerably more ill than she is . One of the most seriously ill patients is Lisa (played by Angelina Jolie) and a friendship forms between Susanna and Lisa which results in the two young women getting into trouble and resisting the authoritarian orderlies and hospital authorities. They run away and are brought back by the police. In the end Susanna is released from the hospital, but Lisa and the others remain. There are many developmental and psychological issues in this film but two of them are particularly important: peer influence in adolescence, and definitions of mental illness. The first is important because the main character in the film appears to be very impressed by Lisa, who is a sociopath, and bonds very quickly with most of the other patients. In standard psychology text books this shift from attachment to parents to close friendships with peers is a normal part of adolescence and an important stage in the development of a separate identity outside the immediate family circle. (Baron and Kalsher, 2004 ) Dramatic gestures like Susanna’s aspirin overdose, and Daisy’s self-harming by cutting herself need not necessarily be a sign of serious mental illness, since there is an element of mimicry and attention-seeking in all adolescent behaviour. The film illustrates what behavioral theory would call modelling and reinforcement as the teenagers drift into patterns of behaviour that are common in their peer group, regardless of societal norms or parental example. (Heilbron and Prinstein, 2008) Susanna feels good when she resists the establishment, and she accords Lisa high status, which she wishes to share. By taking the sociopath Lisa as a role model, Susanna risks sinking deeper into maladaptive patterns and worsening her own mental health. Working with the therapist, Susanna learns to unpackage these assumptions and begin thinking things out for herself. One of the interesting plot lines in the film is the fact that the viewer is never quite sure whether Susanna is ill o r not, and this causes the viewer to reflect on the nature of mental illness and how it is defined. A simple application of the standard diagnosis aids such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (1994) should in theory resolve this question, but in the case of Susanna’s diagnosis, namely borderline personality disorder, the definition appears to be so vague as to apply to almost anyone. DSM IV criteria define borderline personality disorder in terms as â€Å"unstable self-image,†

Problems Of The Beginning Writer Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Problems Of The Beginning Writer - Essay Example Writing about my anger did not offer enough time for my learning because I would not have enough time to express ideas. There was no one who would come by to support my desire to develop. This environment meant that my literacy skills failed to develop because the family condition denied me the opportunity I needed to develop them through experience with books and through correction. I discovered the importance of these skills in my life but it was unfortunate that I had no place or tools to facilitate the development competence in the language. In my young adulthood, I started to develop my language literacy skills but many times, I faced numerous challenges from my foster parents. At that age, it was very unfortunate that I lacked the vocabulary to construct sentences. I discovered that I had a hard time to make meaningful sentences regardless of the effort I put to write about my anger and the experiences I underwent at home. This issue exposed my limited skills in language litera cy because it was evident enough that I struggled to combine vocabularies to make sentences and combining them to form a good paragraph. This situation was discouraging to me but I had to do it regularly so that I could establish my competence in language and grow to be a good reader and writer later in my life. Later on, I would try to advance my writing skills through writing about the things in my family that angered me and in that way, I was able to relieve myself of the disappointment I experienced.... I discovered the importance of these skills in my life but it was unfortunate that I had no place or tools to facilitate the development competence in language. In my young adulthood, I started to develop my language literacy skills but many times, I faced numerous challenges from my foster parents. At that age, it was very unfortunate that I lacked vocabulary to construct sentences. I discovered that I had a hard time to make meaningful sentences regardless of the effort I put to write about my anger and the experiences I underwent at home. This issue exposed my limited skills in language literacy because it was evident enough that I struggled to combine vocabularies to make sentences and combining them to form a good paragraph. This situation was discouraging to me but I had to do it regularly so that I could establish my competence in language and grow to be a good reader and writer later in my life. As a student in college, I have discovered the importance of reading because I ha ve many volumes that I need to go through to achieve what I need to attain a degree. Through this experience, I discover how much I need to have the skills to avoid the negative impact of their lack on my performance while in college. I also discovered that my writing skills are below the average for a college student but, instead of getting discouraged by this, I feel motivated to develop them so that I can achieve my dream of authoring a book about my life dedicated to all women. Although I have put substantial effort, I have determined that my writing skills are not up to standard and therefore, I continue to develop my skills in reading and writing, to grow in vocabulary. My encounters as a child undermined my attempt to learn and

Reserach Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Reserach - Essay Example This occurs when the given researchers become more curious in establishing or increasing one’s knowledge and understanding the given topic. Exploration also assists an academic research to unveil new or related but undisclosed facts about the given field of study. Research also helps in description of phenomenon not known or well understood by particular individuals. Descriptive research tell clarifies the orientation of facts about particular field and their significance in the given field of study additionally, research helps in explanation of concepts by answering questions such as how, when, what and where. Effectiveness of nay research relies on its validity and the underlying purpose of the given research. Effective research should answer or present viable solution to certain definitive and real problems faced in particular field of study. Researches have common characteristics underscored from the terms used during collection to presentation of data. Data in a research work refers to the investigated and unprocessed information. Data collection refers to the process of exploring, investigating and recording of information during research. Data collection may involve various activities like sampling, experimentation, questioning, interviewing and case studying. Data analysis involves synthesis of the gathered information to produce viable and reliable conclusion about the study. Sampling in research involves selection or taking part of the research sample to move and accomplish the investigation. Experimentation in a research work entails organization and carrying of experiments using the collected samples. Experimentation is a common procedure in accomplishing scientific researches and usually carried in science laboratories. Case study is a common research technique employed when investigating business organizations and processes. Case study focuses on the business’ organization, leadership, marketing

MBA Application Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

MBA Application - Essay Example Surprisingly I have managed to come through with flying colours and that is what has motivated me to enrol for your management consultancy programme. Without sounding too flattering I feel I have strong analytical and problem solving skills and enjoy finding solutions to problems. It is my personal motivation that is driving me to work harder and to achieve my goals. Although several motivation theories have highlighted different motivation forces namely fear, self-interest, security, safety, ego etc, I agree that it is also supported by self-interest which plays an important role in achievement and it is one of the essential prerequisites for motivation. We notice that people around the world make goals and then work hard to achieve them but have we ever really focused on their reasons for achievement If we delve deeper into the reason or forces that motivate them to succeed, we notice that self-interest dominates all other factors. Even those who appear to be involved in some absolutely selfless goals are in some way serving their own interests.

Operations Management Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Operations Management - Coursework Example The client is an organization engaged in providing hotel services and accommodations in each of their twelve holiday centres spread over the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Each holiday centres also provide water sports facilities including restaurants, bars, entertainments and retail establishments. The engagement is to automate the production of quarterly reports for submission to Headquarter and to provide real time daily reports to local management and weekly reports to senior management stationed at the Headquarter. The proceeding pages will indicate the integration definition of the organization (Podeswa, 2008). Part of the engagement is to overcome the following challenges that need to be resolved quickly. Improve if not overhaul the image of the organization to negate the impact of disgruntled customers that obliterates their ability to have repeat customers. The primary focus is to determine what part of the business is having difficulties if not the part of the business where customer experience is at its worst. Gathering data related to customer satisfaction is an essential foundation for the solution that will be recommended since its success or efficacy can only be determined if a baseline performance has been measured. A primary solution that can be implemented to resolve the reporting requirement is to automate the frontline portion of the process to get an accurate data capture process that can provide reliable data. The same mechanism or process can also be employed to measure key performance indicators (Bissessur, 2010) that are primarily designed to measure customer satisfaction. Customer complaints and feedback methodology will also be used to determine if not validate the data reflected by the metrics that measures the key performance indicators for customer satisfaction. Customer Satisfaction rate = Customer Complaints received/Total

Introduction to Sociology Essay Example for Free

Introduction to Sociology Essay 1. The Philippines is one of the third world countries in the world. This means that the country belongs to some of the poorest countries compared to the United States and the United Kingdom. People who live in third world countries are not necessarily all poor. Some of them are also rich and have their own businesses. These people can eat more than three times a day, send their children to private schools, and enjoy the luxuries that their money can buy. However, majority of the people in third world countries are poor. Some are homeless. Many have no source of income and therefore cannot provide for their families. It is not surprising that many people choose to go to first world countries like the United States to work for better opportunities. For Vicky, there is no doubt that the decision to find work in a foreign country was hard. She has her own family with a husband and two children to take care of. She left her family to earn money for the family. Although she did have a job in the Philippines, this was not enough to take care of the familys financial needs. She did not want to be separated from her family but she needed to travel because she knew that if she stayed in the Philippines, her family will suffer. Vicky is not alone in this kind of situation. The Philippines is one of the most known countries who have the greatest number of overseas workers because of the situation in their country. They try to find work not only in the United States but also in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East. Financial need is the number one reason for them to work outside the country. 2. Because Vicky is not a native of the United States, it is most likely that she will experience some difficulties while working here. First, she might encounter discrimination due to her color and race. Although the United States is a very diverse country, discrimination still exists in its society at some point. Vicky might be looked down upon because of her color and her nationality. She might be discriminated because she is not able to communicate in English as fluently as the natives can. The United States government tries hard to make sure that discrimination does not exist in its society today. However, there are still a few who think that they are better just because of their color and race. Vicky might feel discouraged when she experiences discrimination from the natives of this country. She might also have an impression that Americans are not hospitable and welcoming and that working here is not worth it after all. Secondly, Vicky might encounter problems with her immigran t status. There are many employers who do not like to hire people who are not natives of the country because they do not trust them and believe of what they can do as workers. She might also have problems when her visa expires. The United States embassy is quite strict in allowing people in their country because they want to avoid terrorist attacks and other unwanted situations that foreigners can bring in the country. Another difficulty that Vicky might experience is the competition for the employment opportunities. Aside from the competition with the locals, Vicky might also have to compete with the opposite sex for the job that she wants. Some employers prefer to hire males because they believe that males are stronger and much more capable of the work needed to get done. This lessens Vickys chances of choosing a job that suits her the most and the job that she thinks would reward her the most in terms of salary and income. These are only some of the setbacks that Vicky might encounter while working in the United States. When one looks at the situation, it can be seen that Vicky and all other overseas workers are the ones who suffer the most. They enter a foreign country without any familiar face. They have to adapt to certain rules and norms of the countrys society. They have to learn how to get along with strangers just to keep their jobs. They have to endure problems like discrimination and competition. Aside from these things, they suffer from being away from their home and families. They get homesick but do not mind this just to be able to send money to their homeland. They take care of other peoples families and children but are not able to take care of their own children. All these they have to endure just for their families have a better life back in their homeland. 3. People from third world countries will not be able to think of leaving their families to go to another country if there are no available jobs in these foreign countries. Â  In economic terms, there would be no supply of workers if there is no demand for them. Vicky would not have thought of going here if there were no couples who need her services. Americans are very success-driven people, which is why they work hard day and night even if this means having less time for their families. Work is very important for them. At times, one job is not even enough and they search for second jobs to earn for the family. This requires them to look for people who can take care of their children while they are at work. While they certainly can avail the services of day care centers, many parents do not want to leave their children in these centers because of overcrowding and fear of their children contracting diseases from other children. It is also better to hire a private nanny who can focus on their children on a constant basis. Day care centers have limited staff and there are times when the staff cannot attend to the needs of each child because there are just too much of them. Vicky, as a private nanny, can stay at home with them and do other household chores when the child does not need taking care of. Having one private nanny can also mean that the nanny can focus on the childs growth and development at all times. The nanny can act as a second parent to the child when the parents are not at home. Her educational background and previous work experience might also contribute to her employment. Parents would want to hire people who know how to handle their kids and the household when they are gone. They want someone who can be trusted. Vickys experience as a school teacher can help her get employed because this means that she knows how to handle children. In addition, the fact that she is a mother of two children herself means that she has enough experience in taking care of children and recognizing their n eeds and wants. If these dual-career Beverly Hills couples choose to hire Vicky, they would certainly be lucky and benefit from it because of her qualifications. It is not everyday that school teachers from other countries apply for a housekeeper or a nanny. This would also be beneficial for the parents because hiring Vicky would cost less than enrolling their children in a day care center. 4. Transnational migrants are those people who belong to two or more societies at the same time. Although Vicky does not really own any property while in the United States, she can be considered as a transnational migrant because she belongs to two different societies at the same time. She is still a Filipino citizen and will most likely take vacations in the Philippines if her employers allowed it. She still practices the different cultures and traditions of the Filipino culture while in and outside of her home country. This may not be obvious but she nevertheless still does it. At the same time, living and working in the United States requires her to adapt to the customs of the country to fit in. She would learn the language, the government, and the people of the United States. She is employed here and is receiving monetary income, which makes her a part of the society. Even if she does not really want to, she still has to do it because this will make it easier for her to live in a foreign country.

Text & Cases Problem Essay Example for Free

Text Cases Problem Essay 16 to 30 150,000.00 0.94 9,000.00 31 to 45 75,000.00 0.80 15,000.00 46 to 60 45,000.00 0.65 15,750.00 61 to 75 15,000.00 0.50 7,500.00 Over 75 15,000.00 15,000.00 Total 51,750.00 15,000.00 a. Appropriate balance for AFDA is $ 51,750.00 (equals to Allowance Amount in the Aging Schedule) b. Presentation of Accounts Receivable in Balance Sheet: Accounts Receivable 735,000.00 Less: Allowance for Doubtful Accounts 51,750.00 Net, Accounts Receivable 683,250.00 c. Dollar Effect of Bad Debt Expense: AFDA, Beginning Balance 37,500.00 AFDA, Write-Off (15,000.00) AFDA, Movement 29,250.00 AFDA, Ending Balance 51,750.00 Dollar Effect of Bad Debt Expense is $ 29.250.00 (equals to movement amount of AFDA) Case 5-1: Question 1 Stern Corporation General Journal (in USD) Date Account Dr. Cr. 2010 Dec 31 Accounts Receivable 9,965,575.00 Sales 9,965,575.00 31 Cash 9,685,420.00 Accounts Receivable 9,685,420.00 31 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts 26,854.00 Accounts Receivable 26,854.00 31 Accounts Receivable 4,594.00 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts 4,594.00 31 Cash 2,108.00 Accounts Receivable 2,108.00 31 Cash 1,566.00 Accounts Receivable 1,566.00 31 Bad Debt Expense 29,886.00 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts 29,886.00 Case 5-1: Question 2 (in USD) Account Beginning Balance, 2010 Movement, 2010 Ending Balance, 2010 Cash 671,344.00 9,689,094.00 10,360,438.00 Accounts Receivable 988,257.00 254,221.00 1,242,478.00 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts 29,648.00 7,626.00 37,274.00 Sales 9,965,575.00 9,965,575.00 Bad Debt Expenses 29,886.00 29,886.00 a. Accounts Receivable balance as of Dec 31, 2010 is $ 1,242,478.00 b. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts balance as of Dec 31, 2010 is $ 37,274.00 Case 5-1: Question 3 1 Current Ratio Current Asset = 13,574,107.00 = 9.4915 Current Liabilities 1,430,132.00 Current Asset: Cash 10,360,438.00 Accounts Receivable 1,242,478.00 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (37,274.00) U.S Treasury Securities 274,060.00 Inventories 1,734,405.00 Total Current Asset 13,574,107.00 2 Acid Test Ratio Current Monetary Asset = 11,839,702.00 = 8.2787 Current Liabilities 1,430,132.00 Current Monetary Asset: Cash 10,360,438.00 Accounts Receivable 1,242,478.00 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (37,274.00) U.S Treasury Securities 274,060.00 Total Current Monetary Asset 11,839,702.00 3 Days Receivable Accounts Receivable = 1,242,478.00 = 45.5071 Days Sales / 365 27,302.95

The Fmcg Sector Is Currently Economics Essay

The Fmcg Sector Is Currently Economics Essay India has a huge untapped market in the rural areas as well which accounts for more than 700 Million consumers i.e. 40 of the total FMCG market. This market provides a huge opportunity for the FMCG sector because of its large market space and low levels of organized player penetration. 7) The FMCG sector has a strong future and will continue to see growth because it depends heavily on an ever-increasing internal market for consumption, and demand for these goods is more or less inelastic irrespective of recession or inflation. Thus, this sector will grow, though it may not be a smooth growth path, due to the present world-wide economic slowdown, rising inflation and fall of the rupee. However, this sector will see strong growth in the long run. 8) Unlike the developed countries where the FMCG sector is dominated by only a few players Indias FMCG sector is highly fragmented with both Organized and unorganized players playing an important role. The governments proposal of allowing 51% FDI in multi brand retail may impact the future of the retail sector to some extent though the impact is expected to be highly positive. Threat of new entrants: Moderate -Low regulatory barriers -Intense competition requires heavy investments in brand building which discourages small players Threat of substitutes: High -Multiple brands positioned with narrow product differentiation -Companies trying to gain market share compete on pricing which increases product substitution Rivalry among competitors: High -Entry of MNCs into the country -Use of extremely aggressive marketing strategies Bargaining power of consumers: Low -High brand loyalty for some products, discourages product shifting -Low switching costs -Aggressive marketing induce customers to switch between products MICHAEL PORTERS 5 FORCE MODEL Bargaining power of supplier: Moderate -Prices are governed by International commodity markets, making FMCG cos price takers -Due to the long term relationships with suppliers etc., FMCG companies negotiate better rates during times of high input cost inflation The above graph is based on the analysis of the sales and profitability of approximately 100 listed FMCG companies across foreign MNCs and large and small Indian players. As can be seen from the graph the average CAGR of the FMCG sector rose from 8% (2001-05) to 17% (2006-10). There has been a drastic increase in the CAGR in the case of foreign MNCs which shows the variety of choices available to the consumers Economy Impact: Favorable economic factors like GDP growth coupled with a rise in incomes, increased participation of women in the workforce and the tapping of rural markets have led to a spurt in the growth rate of the FMCG sector in the past decade. The Indian economy is expected to overtake UK in the coming decade, with GDP growth ranging between 8-10 per cent. India is expected to reach Chinas current population figure of 1.4 billion by 2020. Per capita incomes supported by various government schemes and policies are expected to rise in both rural and urban areas (The UPA govt cash transfer scheme for the poor people, expectations of economic recovery bring with it the hope of increased salaries and more employment opportunities all of which will lead to increase in the per capita income of the country that will have a direct impact on the FMCG sector) Participation of women in the Indian workforce is also likely to rise. Estimates suggest that if it increases to approximately 70 percent (as in the developed nations), it will further boost GDP growth by 2-3 per cent. Favorable government policies such as the introduction of GST can be expected to substantially decrease supply chain costs. FDI in multi-brand retail up to 51% will open up a large channel for sales. Other policy measures such as lower income taxes, the Food Security Act, Right to Education, infrastructure schemes etc have also acted as enablers of higher consumption. Evolving Consumer Profile: India has a comparatively younger population compared to most other countries of the world, who have greater willingness to spend on better quality products which is expected to boost the consumption-driven economy. Young population (below age of 30 years) comprise 59 per cent population currently, and the composition is likely to remain similar over the next decade. Rural markets, given the current low penetration and high untapped potential are expected to bring about super-normal growth for FMCG companies. All these factors will combine to catapult consumer demand for FMCGs to newer heights. Interest rates and inflation and its impact on the FMCG sector: Given the current economic scenario and the average inflation rates at 9.09% in India (2012) it has a taken a toll on the FMCG sector. High prices have led to reduced consumption of FMCG goods leading to fall in demand which has led to lower sales for the companies and affected their profit margins. Also, as a result of inflation prices of raw materials have shot up leading to a spurt in the cost of production for companies which has again had a negative impact on the profit margins. The central banks decision of cut in interest rates has made it easier for the companies to borrow money in the capital markets to further their plans of expansion and diversification but it has not led to any major increase in consumer spending. Major players in the FMCG industry: 1) Foreign Players: Hindustan Unilever Ltd., ITC, Nestle, Reckitt Benckiser, Cadbury, Procter Gamble, Godfrey, Phillips, Henkel, Spic, Johnson Johnson, Revlon, PepsiCo 2) Indian Players: Marico, Dabur, Godrej, Wipro, Amul, Nirma, Britannia 3) Regional or small domestic players: Ajanta, Anchor, CavinKare etc SWOT Analysis of the FMCG sector: STRENGHTS: 1) Favourable government policies in terms of reduced level of taxes, fewer import restrictions on raw materials and technology and reduced barriers of entry of foreign players 2) Low operational costs as labour costs in India are very less 3) Existing and well established brands in the FMCG sector 4)Good supply chain and distribution networks in both urban and rural markets 5) FDI of 51% in multi brand retail will redefine the entire retail sector with new entrants, improvements in supply chain and distribution networks 6) Demand for FMCG products is mostly inelastic WEAKNESS: 1) Counterfeit products: This is a major problem that is hampering the growth of the FMCG industry. Counterfeit products account for an estimated 10-15% of the total size of the FMCG industry which resulted in a loss of INR 45 billion to the exchequer. 2) The scope of investing in technology is less and it is difficult for companies to achieve economies of scale particularly the small sector ones. OPPORTUNITY: 1) The rural Indian market presents a huge opportunity for the FMCG sector as still most of it is untapped and yet to be explored 2) Slow and steady rise in per capita income of the Indian population would lead to increase in demand for FMCG products 3) Burgeoning middle class with a lot of potential to spend large amounts of their income on FMCG products 4) India has a huge domestic market with close to 1 billion population 5) Tremendous export potential THREAT: 1) Increasing rate of inflation which is likely to raise the cost of raw materials thereby increasing cost of production and putting stress on overall industry profits 2) Rise in fuel prices may further lead to increase in distribution costs 3) Declining value of the rupee against other currencies of the world may further reduce margins as cost of importing raw materials will rise 4) Dipping industrial growth and slowing global economy may lead to fall in demand for FMCG products Future of the FMCG sector in India (2020) As per recent estimates the FMCG industry may grow at a base rate of at least 12 per cent annually to become INR 4000 billion industry in 2020. However, if the economic conditions turn out to be favourable and everything goes as expected the sector may even record a 17 per cent growth over the next decade, leading to an overall industry size of INR 6200 billion by 2020. This however depends solely on the future economic scenario. Modern trade is expected to grow very rapidly in the future with its share in total retail projected to reach 11 per cent by 2014 and 30 per cent by 2020 This growth will be supported by: -High economic growth: GDP is expected to grow at 8-10 per cent in the future, boosting growth in all sectors. Increasing incomes: Incomes are expected to continue to rise which should further drive spending. Increasing urbanization: Organized retail will continue to increase presence in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities, which are growing faster than metros. -Improving infrastructure: The government is also focusing a lot on infrastructure development which is expected to improve the supply chain and distribution networks. Key to EDUCORPORATEBRIDGE investment rankings: BUY = Expected to outperform the local market by >10%; O-PF = Expected to outperform the local market by 0-10%; U-PF = Expected to underperform the local market by 0-10%; SELL = Expected to underperform the local market by >10%. Performance is defined as 12-month total return (including dividends). Â ©2011 EDUCORPORATEBRIDGE, India. Note: In the interests of timeliness, this document has not been edited. Other disclosures will come xXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Marie Antoinette Essay example -- Biography Biographies Bio

Archduchess of Austria and Queen of France The future Queen of France was born on All Souls' Day, 2nd November, 1755, in Vienna as the youngest daughter of Maria Theresa and the Emperor Franz Stephan. She was baptized under the names Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna. A glorious future seemed to await the little Archduchess. Not only would she grow up in the bosom of a large and affectionate family, but from the very beginning her mother intended to marry her youngest daughter to the glittering Crown of France. The traditional marriage politics of the Habsburgs would secure her beloved daughter a brilliant position and help guarantee the peace and stability of Europe at the same time. In view of these intentions, it is surprising that not greater attention was paid to the young Archduchess's education, especially since Maria Antonia exhibited little ability or inclination to concentrate, nor any great desire to apply herself to her studies. Music alone was capable of arousing moderate interest in the young princess. She showed some talent here and even played duets with the young Mozart in the Palace of Schà ¶nbrunn. In 1769 the much longed for news arrived from Versailles. After tedious and lengthy negotiations, King Louis XV had requested the hand of the Archduchess Maria Antonia for his grandson and heir, the Dauphin Louis-Auguste. The 14 year old girl, who had hardly been prepared for her new exalted rank, bade farewell to her mother and family in Vienna on 21st April, 1770, and with an impressive bridal train began her fateful journey to the Kingdom of France. She travelled up the River Danube and via Munich and Augsburg, stopping at Gà ¼nzburg, Ulm and Freiburg in what was then still Austrian territory. On 7th May, near ... ...XVI) again............I seek forgiveness from all whom I know for every harm I may have unwittingly caused them.............Adieu, good, gentle sister......I embrace you with all my heart as well as the poor, dear children...." Madame Elisabeth never received the letter. In 1794 she would follow Louis and Marie Antoinette to the guillotine. At 10 a.m. on 16th October, 1793, the "widow Capet" was taken from the Conciergerie prison where she had been held during her trial, and with hands bound behind her, was placed in the tumbrel for her last journey in this world. Marie Antoinette, Archduchess of Austria and Queen of France, went quietly and bravely to her death. A tragic end to a fateful journey begun so promisingly almost a quarter of a century before -- with her bridal train from Vienna to Versailles in 1770. Marie Antoinette was not yet 38 years old.

How much sympathy do you have for the woman in Tony Kytes arch :: English Literature

How much sympathy do you have for the woman in Tony Kytes arch deceiver’ and Tickets please ? In this essay I am going to argue about how much sympathy I have for woman in the 2 stories that I have studied. The two stories I have studied are ‘Tony Kytes arch-deceiver’ and ‘Tickets please’. "Tony Kytes: arch deceiver" was set at the end of the nineteenth century in a rural community which seems unaffected by the Industrial Revolution, remaining traditional in both the way of life and the attitudes of the people. The members of the community are very relaxed in the way that they live, riding around in the carts, being very leisurely, especially the women who did hardly any work other than in the house. "Tickets Please", set 25 years later, has a much more urban setting with a tougher, faster lifestyle, with all the danger and excitement of the tramlines shown in the assertive and self-assured behaviour of the women who work on them. The men were away at war and the women were doing jobs which had previously been thought suitable only for men. They had been given freedom and were empowered and able to take liberties giving them confidence and making them examine their own lives and ambitions. They were beginning to believe that they were equal in status to men, and therefore were no longer acting in such a traditional, gentle, delicate and soft manner. Both stories tell us, that men at this time like to be able to have the prettiest girl, and enjoy being able to choose from several. In "Tony Kytes" it appears very important for the women to be good looking, as they are all mentioned in terms of their looks, being described as "dashing" or "handsome". The women are aware that looks are important and even think that this alone will enable them to find a husband. Tony Kytes the Arch Deceiver" is a funny story of an afternoon when Tony was driving home from the market in his wagon. A pretty girl called Unity to who he was quite close before he met his present fiancà © stopped him and asked him to give her a lift home. They were riding along, having a flirtatious conversation, when Tony saw Milly, his fiancà ©. Fearing her displeasure on seeing Unity riding with him on the wagon, he manages to persuade Unity to hide at the back of the wagon. ‘avoid all unpleasantness, which I know ye can't bear any more than I, will ye lie down in the back part of the wagon, and let me

Mystifying the Senses: Bimodal Speech Perception :: Biology Essays Research Papers

Mystifying the Senses: Bimodal Speech Perception My grandmother, like many elderly people, suffers from hearing loss. Recently however, she has begun to lose her sight as well. Curiously enough, though her level of auditory impairment remains the same since macular degeneration has claimed her ability to see, her hearing seems to have deteriorated further. Could this be simply the result of alienation because of the loss of a further sense? This situation led me to wonder about my own hearing ability. I have often experienced hearing difficulty in settings where I cannot see the person who is talking to me-in a movie theater, or over the telephone. The questions raised here call into question the conventional notion of sensory processing. Distinctive inputs are received by their respective processing organ and the end result is relayed to the brain. How then can we explain a seeming reliance of two different sensory percepts on each other? Is there more to hearing than our ears? Historically, scientific evidence for the existence of sensory integration has long existed, but the first formal theory developed to this effect was stumbled upon by Harry McGurk and John MacDonald of the University of Surrey (1). The scientists were involved in a study of how infants perceive speech by playing a video of a mother talking in one place and playing the sound of her voice in another place. They randomly began to play with the consequences of dubbing an particular audio sound onto the video of the mother saying a different sound (2). They found that when the auditory syllable, "ba-ba" was imposed on the visual syllable "ga-ga", "da-da" was heard. The same occurred when the audio and visual syllables were reversed. Also, "pa-pa" dubbed on "ka-ka" was heard as "ta-ta". When one of the sensory inputs was eliminated by closing the eyes, or plugging the ears, the correct syllable was identified (2). McGurk and McDonald found "Contemporary, auditory-based theories of speech p erception...inadequate to accommodate these new observations" and concluded that there must be some allowance made for the influence of the visual on hearing (2). The conventional theory of the senses is challenged. So, speech perception is bimodal. Of course, as science repeatedly shows, nothing is simple as that. The question remains, how does this integration occur? When does it occur? What neurological systems are involved? It has become generally accepted that audio and visual inputs are received by independent organs (the ears and eyes) and that integration occurs sometime after these two systems have "processed" the input.

Miracles Essay

Examine key concepts of miracles and philosophical reasons to believe in them. Miracle is an event that goes against usual of nature or appearing to break the law of science. Hume defined miracles as a â€Å"violation of the laws of nature† and consequently rejected their occurrence as both improbable and impractical. Many philosophers back this view up to a certain extent, such as Wiles. However Aquinas rejects Hume’s arguments due to the lack of belief of people’s testimonies to be true. Hume (1771-1776) was initially known as an intellectual for his literary works.He was an empiricist, which means that he believed that gaining knowledge from the world from observation and experience is more reliable. Hume’s first argument is the most important point in arguing reasons for believing in miracles. If you interpret the laws of nature to be strict and rigid, then it makes sense that if anything breaks these boundaries, then they should be classed as a miracl e. Hume links the breaking of a law of nature to the ‘Deity', so a miracle has religious meaning. For example it stated in the Bible in the case of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.But this was more of an eyewitness mistake, than an act that violated fixe laws of nature for Hume. Therefore a violation of the laws of nature was an improbable occurrence and is unbelievable. Wiles agrees with Hume’s point that it is more likely the eyewitness was wrong than a miracle occurred. This would make God arbitrary as this would show clear favouritism by creating miracles while others were suffering. Wiles claims that miracles present an obstacle to religious faith: people are being asked to believe in omnibenevolent and omnipotent God who fed 5000 people but does nothing about world starvation today.A God who intervenes selectively would not be worthy of worship because of his failure to act on a wider scale. However Aquinas disagrees with Hume. Around five hundred years earlie r, Thomas Aquinas (1225-1275 CE) married the two ways of knowing: Theology (faith), philosophy (reason) and concluded that both come from God (contained Revelation). He had offered a similar definition of a miracle to that of Hume, defining it as, ‘those things†¦ which are done by Divine power apart from the order generally followed in things'.However, he actually differed from the latter Hume’s definition as he said miracles were also: ‘Those events in which something is done by God which nature could never do. ‘, ‘Events in which God does something which nature can do, but not in that order. ‘ And ‘When God does what is usually done by the working of nature, but without the operation of the principles of nature. ‘ he allowed for the possibility of miracles to occur within the ‘system' of ‘natural activity’. Aquinas also allowed for the possibility that God's activity with the natural realm, may be part of the normal order of things.Similarly, Swinburne also disagrees with Hume’s idea of what an improbable event is. Whilst for Hume this means an event which it would be foolish to suggest occurs at all, such as walking on water, Swinburne argues that miracles are more â€Å"probabilistic† such as picking out a red grain of sand, highly unlikely but not totally impossible. Therefore we are able to claim that it is possible to believe in miracles. Agreements on what constitutes a ‘law of nature’ are that people do not come back to life several days after having died, gravity, orbit of the planets, amputees do not grow limbs.However an argument based on logic and reasoning is John Hick's. He defines natural laws as ‘generalisations formulated respectively to cover whatever has, in fact happened'. In other words natural laws must be widened as and when new discoveries are made. For example the first time when humans were able to walk on the moon (1960) and tra vel in space would been defined as a miracle in the past as it goes against the law of gravity. Thus it is possible to believe in miracles.Hume's second reason for rejecting miracles is presented in his practical argument. He considered levels of education to be a significant factor as miracles were only reported to have occurred by those who were not educated enough to understand the scientific explanation of an event. He also highlighted how the early history of countries is full of miracles and visions due to the ignorant and barbarous populations, such as the very long life of Adam. However as the country becomes more developed and the populations better educated such stories disappear.Therefore for Hume Adam living to 930 was simply a story made up by the uneducated, as living so long would suggest the laws of nature to be false. In conclusion Hume believes that miracles are â€Å"violations of the laws of nature† and that they are only experienced by uneducated people w ho do not understand science. Aquinas and Swinburne rejected this view, believing the laws of nature to be â€Å"corrigible†.Overall it is possible to believe in miracles as we can't argue that they don't exist and we can also reject miracles and say they do not exist as this  would conclude that God is arbitrary and it would violate the laws of nature. To what extent do criticisms undermine belief in miracles? One issue that immediately comes to mind is how one begins to distinguish between a miracle and a coincidence? One could say that the distinction is that the former is always the work of God but then does this rule out the possibility of any coincidences being in some way ‘God's work' as well? Not necessarily. However, in order for a miracle to be validated as such we are usually looking for that which is not of the ‘ordinary’.Thus it seems that in order for one to validate and ‘observe' miracles as supra-natural phenomena they may need to be considered along the lines of the Humean definition as a ‘transgression of a law of nature'. Hume believed that the occurrence of a miraculous event was always a violation of the laws of nature. However, his argument does not preclude the possibility of a miracle occurring and this allows for an interesting development in our understanding of miracles. There can be no satisfactory ‘proof' that a miracle has occurred.No atheist would claim that God has performed a miracle and the testimony of any religious person who claims a miracle has occurred is declared insufficient grounds for belief as they have an a priori interest in proving this to be the case. On the other hand if an atheist were to claim that they had witnessed a miracle then, according to the Humean definition, this may be sufficient grounds to believe a miracle had occurred. People are assessing the same phenomena yet using the word ‘miracle' ro mean different things.The religious person uses it to me an a ‘work of God which transgresses the laws of nature' whilst the rationalist is using it to mean ‘an unusual event which can be explained by rational means'. Disagreements between religious people and rationalists are not about whether a ‘miracle' has occurred, but between their use and understanding of the word ‘miracle' itself. In conclusion criticisms undermine belief in miracles to a minimum extent as we can not fully disprove the existence of miracles and therefore it is possible to believe in them.