Any patient requires care from medical staff at a hospital. However, patients also need support from their relatives because it positively influences the recovery process. Because of this, family members must know what has occurred to their beloved to be able to help in some cases after the discharge. Therefore, a healthcare professional should be able to explain the peculiarities of a patient’s condition and treatment in simple words so that a patient and their relatives can completely understand the information conveyed.
Main body
Communication between medical staff and a patient’s relatives must be professional and maximally intelligible. The current situation shows that the relatives of patients complain about the quality of communication with the healthcare personnel (Anderson et al., 2019). Although a high focus on this type of communication concerns end-of-life care, finding a common language is still vital beyond terminal cases. While medical terminology allows medical professionals to communicate clearly and quickly, a healthcare worker should have the proper skills and capabilities to build an honest conversation, which will facilitate family-making regarding post-treatment care at home (Jones & Cavanagh, 2018; Anderson et al., 2019). Moreover, it is crucial to remember that the information and communication needs of relatives differ from those of patients (Anderson et al., 2019). Thus, family members need more information on the patient’s condition and treatment because they should know how to assist their beloved in extreme cases before professional help comes.
The explanation regarding Mrs. Williams’ condition and her hospital stay should be as follows: “Your mother was hospitalized because she had difficulty swallowing and partial loss of language. In addition, Mrs. Williams suffered from weakness in one side of her body, which occurred after the ischemic stroke, a condition occurring when a brain does not receive sufficient blood. Moreover, the patient has a history of constant high blood pressure.
After the hospitalization, your mother underwent a range of specific procedures to improve her condition. She was administered the Alteplase infusion, a medication for treating ischemic stroke. The patient also received Mannitol, a drug that helps remove excess fluid from the body. Mrs. Williams was also transferred to the intensive care unit on the first day of the hospitalization. On the second day, she experienced significantly decreased blood pressure along with nausea and vomiting. Given this, the healthcare staff opted for Reglan infusion, a medication that could help relieve the symptoms. After five hours, Mrs. Williams received Aggrenox within the framework of transient ischemic stroke prophylaxis.
No changes occurred on the third day, and it was possible to begin physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Your mother positively responded to the complex therapy, and a discharge plan was developed. She could move with a walker and assistance. Although there were no neurological difficulties, Mrs. Williams still needs rehabilitation, including the complex therapy mentioned. She should also have a follow-up visit to the neurologist one week after discharge.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, medical professionals should always be ready and able to explain the patient’s condition and treatment course to family members. It is essential to convey the information in the most intelligible manner because relatives will base their decision-making on further post-treatment care of their beloved. The present example of Mrs. Williams’ hospitalization history shows that it is possible to change medical terminology into simple words understandable to her son. When communicating with the patient’s relatives, a healthcare professional must inform them about the patient’s condition, the treatment performed, and post-treatment care.
References
Anderson, R. J., Bloch, S., Armstrong, M., Stone, P. C., Low, J. T. S. (2019). Communication between healthcare professionals and relatives of patients approaching the end-of-life: A systematic review of qualitative evidence. Palliative Medicine, 33(8), 926-941. Web.
Jones, S. L., & Cavanagh, A. (2018). Acquiring medical language. McGraw-Hill Education.
This research focuses on answering the fundamental aspects of a friendship. It explores the significance of different factors in friendship quality and their real-world implications. Based on recorded interviews collected from Liverpool John Moores University in 2008, a qualitative research design and thematic analysis were employed to examine the data. In the literature review, attachment theory, social support, honest communication, culture and gender differences, and impact on friendship quality were analyzed. Individuals can cultivate and maintain strong and fulfilling friendships by understanding these factors. The thematic issues found during the research were hanging out with friends, sacrifices and connecting with them, qualities of friendship, and efforts to maintain it. The findings have practical applications for those seeking to improve the quality of their relationships with friends.
What is Perceived as Being Important in Friendships?
Friendship is vital to human existence, and its value cannot be ignored. Despite the importance of friendships, there is limited consensus on what qualities make a strong company. Friends are precious to people, so individuals should incorporate efforts to cultivate and sustain them (Amati et al., 2018). It is impossible to generalize what makes a relationship meaningful for different people. Knowing what makes a relationship more robust with other individuals is so crucial. This study employs a qualitative research design and utilizes thematic analysis to analyze interview data collected from Liverpool John Moores University in 2008. This study’s results may have real-world applications for those who want to make and keep solid friendships. The quality of one’s company may be significantly improved by learning to appreciate the same things that one’s friends value most. Friendship is crucial in human life; thus, good qualities must be incorporated to sustain healthy ones.
Literature Review
The Psychological Viewpoint of Friendship
The psychological viewpoint gives an insight into what makes for a good relationship and why. According to attachment theory, an individual’s attachment type significantly influences the quality of their friendships (Roach, 2019). Friendships between secure attachment types tend to be more rewarding and long-lasting than friendships between people with insecure attachment styles (Lu et al., 2021). The quality of one’s friendships may be influenced by events early in life, such as parental bonding (Sheikh, 2018). Strong companies in adulthood are more common among those with satisfying interpersonal partnerships as children. Better friendships may be formed when people know the impact of their attachment types and formative experiences.
Communication Viewpoint of Friendship
From a communicational standpoint, it is clear that being open and honest with friends is crucial to their development and fulfillment. Researchers have discovered a correlation between sharing personal information and enjoying friendships (Leibowitz, 2018). Generally speaking, the closer two people feel to one another, the more personal information they share with their friends (Leibowitz, 2018). Cultural context, gender, and individual differences affect how much people share information in friendships. An awareness of these variables may significantly enhance one’s ability to manage friendships and communicate successfully with friends.
Social Support in Friendship
The quality of a friendship may be significantly impacted by the social support its members get from one another. According to research, those with solid social support tend to have lower stress levels and better mental health (Mak et al., 2018). Offering friends emotional support means being there for them and sharing their feelings through difficult times. According to Narr et al. (2017), strong friendship positively correlates with good psychological status. Friendships are strengthened via informational assistance when people are provided direction and help in need. People may improve the quality of their companies by learning about the many forms of social support and the roles they play.
Cultural Viewpoint of Friendship
The way people relate and interact varies with culture globally. Cultural viewpoint maintains that friendships are crucial to maintaining social order and cohesion in collectivistic societies (Bell & Coleman, 2020). In these societies, upholding social obligations and showing group loyalty are very important. Friendship quality is determined not by individuals’ wants but by the group. Gender theory explains how men and women interact socially differently. Compared to males, women are more likely to converse regularly with their friends (Çakmak & Yavuz, (2020). Women are more open with their friends about their lives than males are, who are more prone to keep their troubles to themselves. A deeper and more fulfilling connection may result from an individual’s ability to navigate and communicate across the gender gap.
The literature review relates to the topic of study as it gives some of the essential elements to be encompassed in friendships. It reveals that friendship quality is influenced by individuals’ psychological, communicative, cultural, and gender viewpoints. Successful friendships need an understanding of attachment theory, positive formative experiences, and honest, open dialogue. Women tend to concentrate on one-on-one interactions and emotional support, while males prioritize group activities. Friendships may be strengthened and enjoyed more when both parties take the time to learn and appreciate these points of view.
Research Question
What is perceived as being important in friendships?
Method
Participants and Recruitment
Tanya Corker and Alasdair Gordon-Finlayson conducted the interviews at Liverpool John Moores University in the Spring of 2008. The interviews aimed to enable participants to talk at length about their experiences of friendships. Three participants, Alexander, Trevor, and Deborah, were selected for the study. To maintain anonymity, these were not the actual names of the participants. Handouts were distributed across the institution, inviting students who had experienced friendship to participate in the study. The handouts included information about the study’s goal, inclusion criteria, and contact information for the researchers. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit participants for this study
Data Collection
Recorded interviews were the data collection instrument that was used for the study. The interviews lasted between 46 and 63 minutes, with a mean of 54 minutes. Alasdair, Tanya, and Tanya interviewed Alexander, Trever, and Deborah for 50, 57, and 54 minutes, respectively. The interview schedule could be downloaded separately from the website. The files available for download consisted of the video and audio recordings of the interviews, separated into segments of approximately 15 minutes in length each.
Table 1: Interview details
Data Analysis
The thematic analysis uses qualitative analytic methods to identify, analyze, and report patterns (themes) within data. In this study, Microsoft Word was used for data analysis. It followed a step-by-step approach, beginning with generating initial codes, searching for themes, defining and naming them, and producing an extensive report. The research question focused on what is perceived as necessary for friendship. The analysis identified several themes related to this question, including the importance of spending time with friends, establishing connections via various means, the need for sacrifices to maintain friendships, and the essential qualities of friendship.
Ethics
Before any interviews were conducted, all participants gave their informed permission for inclusion in the research. All participants received comprehensive information about the study’s design, goals, and methods and were made aware of their ability to discontinue participation at any time (Iphofen & Tolich, 2018). During the interviews, participants were kept anonymous, and their identities were kept secret. By giving each participant a random identifier, the researcher could ensure their privacy and anonymity and that only the research team had access to the data we obtained. This research was conducted per the Ethical Standards of Psychologists and the Code of Conduct of the American Psychological Association. Risks to participants were assessed and mitigated to an acceptable level, and no deceit or coercion was used during the research.
Discussion
Having supportive friends and companions is crucial to maintaining a healthy mental state and emotions. Making and maintaining friendships is rewarding and essential for psychological health (Ng‐Knight et al., 2018). Some examples of social activities that unite people include eating, hobbies, playing sports, and taking trips. While it takes time and energy, the benefits of a close connection are well worth the investment. To thrive socially, keeping contact with friends and family is essential (Slepian & Kirby, 2018). Social media and other digital networks facilitate constant communication between geographically separated people (Pouwels et al., 2021). Users can feel more connected by exchanging digital media such as photos, messages, and status updates and engaging in digital interactions like video calls and virtual hangouts. Physical contact is irreplaceable, but technology has opened new channels for keeping in touch.
A solid and enduring relationship requires dedication and the willingness to make sacrifices from both parties. Creating time for one another, adjusting positions on controversial matters, and sticking by each other through tough times are all the sacrifices that healthy relationships need (Coetzee et al., 2019). Sometimes, friends must compromise their desires or interests for their companion’s development and contentment. The willingness to give up something meaningful for a friend is a sign of true friendship and may enhance their tie.
Strong friendships are characterized by trust, loyalty, support, understanding, respect, and tight interactions. Mutual trust requires constant dependability and open communication between friends (Afshordi & Liberman, 2020). Loyalty encourages friends to accommodate the issues affecting them through the good and bad times. For two people to reach an understanding, they must listen to one another without passing judgment and consider the issue from the other’s point of view (Dunbar, 2018). A fundamental aspect of respect is recognizing and honoring one another’s right to their ideas, emotions, and space. On the other hand, a deep friendship is built on a foundation of shared interests and experiences and the formation of lasting memories (Roach, 2018). Friendships characterized by these traits are long-lasting, supportive, and mutually beneficial.
Thematic analysis is a popular approach to qualitative research due to its many benefits. It permits in-depth dataset analysis, and incorporating interviews allows for gathering insightful and personable information (Castleberry & Nolen, 2018). The weakness of this study was that the sample size was small, with only three participants, yet friendship is a global issue. Politicians should support funding initiatives to encourage people to form and maintain meaningful relationships with others since it impacts people’s emotional and mental health (Samara et al., 2019). Lastly, future research should expand on the results of this study by investigating the elements that contribute to establishing and maintaining solid friendships across age groups, cultures, and situations.
Conclusion
This qualitative theme analysis results have crucial implications for establishing healthy and lasting friendships. These insights might help people understand the traits and sacrifices essential for forming and sustaining great friendships. In communities, the results may guide the creation of initiatives or programs targeted at treating social isolation or loneliness, especially among vulnerable populations such as the elderly or those with disability. Future studies should investigate the characteristics that contribute to establishing and maintaining various friendships and the influence of social media and digital platforms on friendship patterns.
Narr, R. K., Allen, J. P., Tan, J. S., & Loeb, E. L. (2017). Close friendship strength and broader peer group desirability as differential predictors of adult mental health. Child Development, 90(1), 298–313. Web.
The ability to enjoy intimacy and connection through sexual activity is a crucial component of human existence. Nonetheless, a person’s capacity to have a satisfying and enjoyable sexual experience might be hampered by sexual dysfunctions and performance anxiety. These topics are covered in detail in Chapter 6 of “Modern Sexuality: The Truth about Sex and Relationships,” which offers helpful details on available therapies and methods for enhancing sexual gratification and intimacy (Aaron, 2016).
Discussion
The reasons for sexual dysfunction, the role of performance anxiety in sexual dysfunction, and the application of sensate focus as a technique to enhance sexual communication and intimacy are all discussed in this chapter. Individuals and couples can try to improve their sexual health and enjoy more pleasure and intimacy in their relationships by recognizing these challenges and techniques.
An unfavorable stereotype or label, frequently based on traits like ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or state of mental health, is referred to as a stigma. Stigma describes the unfavorable attitudes, assumptions, and prejudices that people have about particular persons or groups based on their traits or identities. Many qualities, such as mental health, color, gender, sexual orientation, and others, might be the target of stigma. Discrimination, social marginalization, and other unpleasant effects can result from stigma for those who experience it.
At the same time, homophobia is the term for people’s unfavorable views, preconceptions, and prejudices. Both overt and covert homophobia can exist, and it can be supported by people, groups, and institutions. An individual’s consistent pattern of romantic and/or sexual attraction to people of the same gender, the opposite gender, or both genders is referred to as sexual orientation. Sexual orientation is a biological trait that cannot be changed through willpower or therapy.
Moreover, “Coming out” refers to the process by which an individual discloses their sexual orientation or gender identity to others. This process can involve sharing this information with family members, friends, and/or colleagues and can be a difficult and emotional experience for many individuals. Coming out can be an important step in an individual’s journey toward self-acceptance and can also serve as a way of raising awareness and promoting acceptance of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities in society (Aaron, 2016). Adolescence is the term used to describe the period of human development that takes place between childhood and maturity.
At the same time the term “sexual double standard” refers to the cultural belief that different sexual norms apply to men and women. Specifically, this concept suggests that it is more socially acceptable for men to engage in sexual activity outside of committed relationships, while women who do the same are often judged or stigmatized (Aaron, 2016). The sexual double standard has been linked to gender inequality and can contribute to negative attitudes towards women’s sexuality.
Sexual orientation refers to an individual’s emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to others based on their gender identity. Sexual orientation is often categorized as heterosexual, which is an attraction to the opposite gender, homosexual or attraction to the same gender, or bisexual, meaning attraction to both genders. However, sexual orientation can also be more fluid and complex than these categories suggest.
Conclusion
Chapter 6 of “Modern Sexuality: The Truth about Sex and Relationships” concludes by providing important knowledge and insights concerning sexual dysfunctions, performance anxiety, and methods for enhancing sexual happiness and closeness. It emphasizes how crucial it is to comprehend the root causes of sexual dysfunctions and how performance anxiety interferes with sexual happiness. It also highlights the use of sensitive attention as a method for enhancing sexual intimacy and communication between lovers. Individuals and couples can try to improve their sexual health and enjoy more pleasure and intimacy in their partnerships by learning about these types of concerns. For those who want to improve their overall happiness and sexual satisfaction, this chapter is a valuable resource with a significant amount of material.
Reference
Aaron, M. (2016). Modern sexuality: The truth about sex and relationships. Rowman & Littlefield.
Understanding that people have different personal values is the best way to handle value conflicts. Everyone believes their value is the right value, and a dispute arises when they are put into a difficult situation that tests their values. Our values are shaped differently based on the influences we are subjected. To handle internal values and value conflicts, you must prioritize your core values and make difficult choices to build and manage relationships with yourself and others.
Internal conflicts exist when one chooses between two firmly held values. B. Reece and M. Reece (2) said, “how you resolve internal value conflicts depends on your willingness to rank your core value in the order of their importance.” For example, I have terminated a friendship built on material benefits. I benefited from that relationship because I had no money to party every weekend. Religious influences shaped my value, and I value integrity. The question that kept ringing in my mind while in the company of friends on those party nights was whether what I was doing was right or wrong per the religious teachings. I realized I had to take responsibility and end the friendship that eroded religious values that I strongly believe in or ignore the values and compromise my integrity. The right way to handle internal values conflicts is to make a moral call and the right ethical choice.
When you put fruits together in one basket, they will have to collide; the same happens when people meet and interact with others. To effectively handle value conflicts with others, you need to understand one another. “Taking responsibility for relationships is an absolute necessity” to resolve value conflicts with others (B. Reece and M. Reece 1). When dealing with people with different experiences and expectations, it prompts you to take steps and act accordingly to avoid compromising your integrity in what you value. It is your call to air your grievances when people subject you to what contradicts your values. Striking an agreement on respecting each other’s values and establishing trust is the first step toward a long-term relationship.
Having a good relationship with others does not mean your values would not conflict with theirs. When your values conflict with others, you can become indignant or do nothing (B. Reece and M. Reece 3). Becoming indignant is the best option because “confronting others’ lapses in character, we are strengthing our integrity,” and “when we ignore unethical and immoral behavior,” we are compromising our integrity (B. Reece and M. Reece 3). You need to hold your values firmly and fight for what is right even when the odds are against you.
Handling internal value conflicts and value conflicts with others, you need to take responsibility to make hard choices between your core values and make the right ethical choices. Internal value conflicts concern dealing with values that you hold. Prioritizing them and making a hard choice determines your willingness to find peace with what you value most. Handling value conflict with others involves magnifying your values to uphold your integrity. Dealing with people is complicated because they are not machines you can control. Setting up a code of conduct as a control measure is essential to avoid value conflict with others. Making the right ethical choices is the core root of managing value conflicts.
Work Cited
Reece, Barry, and Monique Reece. “Personal Values Influence Ethical Choices: 5-3 Values Conflicts.” Effective human relations: Interpersonal and organizational applications. Cengage Learning, 2017, pp. 1-3.
Depending on an individual’s perspective, the worth of human life can be grasped on many levels and has many different connotations. People should enjoy every moment of their lives and not waste worrying about what might have been. It is critical to have a reason to live; that reason should be love and happiness. Sometimes I pause to consider how fortunate I am to have my loved ones and the necessities of life. My appreciation for these things has directed me to value them highly because they have positively impacted my life. The demise of my cousin Jamel has taught my family and me to appreciate the finer things in life, and I want you to see that. In theory, two people can develop deep feelings for one another because everyone has a unique history, perspective, and web of relationships. Human beings share an inexplicable bond, whether physical, psychological, or metaphysical.
Discussion
The truth is that anyone can identify with the emotions evoked by these connections. Since it is a personality expressed by humans, everyone has limitless potential and value. Empathizing with others is human nature engrained into the brain. Empathy allows a person to compare their situations with other people’s and understand what they are feeling and thinking. When we empathize with others, we can feel their pain as if it were our own (Elvik 35). When attempting to cope with excruciating pain, it can be helpful to imagine and evaluate a hypothetical scenario based on the actual situation. Even a few years later, the death of my cousin Jamel is the only event that has significantly impacted how I view life and the things most important to me. That was the one event in my life that broke my heart more than anything else. He was traveling through the Dominican Republic when he was involved in a tragic car accident and died there.
Dominicans did not know Jamel, but he was someone’s son, brother, confidant, and even fiancé, and he was no longer there when we needed him. When horrible things happen, it is human nature to think about how easy it would have been for us or someone we care about to be in that circumstance. When we feel compassion for those suffering, it is difficult to tell what a stranger would have meant to someone else (Elvik 47). It is critical to remember that empathy is the foundation of all human emotions and should never be favored before financial benefit.
The worth of human life is measured not by how long people live but by the significance they bring to the lives of others around them in society. Jamel was fantastic and did his best to make everyone around him laugh and be happy. He was not prejudiced but kind and friendly to everyone, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. Jamel traveled much and experimented with people’s lifestyles as Jamel appreciated the thrill of new experiences. Despite his admirable characteristics, he, like everyone else, had a dark side. He was a risky driver who thrived in pushing the limits of what was physically possible. Society considered him an unruly and pampered youngster; everyone concerned about him and his driving habits tried vainly to warn him. The extended family was uninterested in him or what was going on in his life, and they did everything they could to avoid him. Unfortunately, when traveling through the Dominican Republic and driving down the highway, he lost control of the vehicle, killing him and shattering his ambitions and hopes.
The worth of a single human life cannot be accurately estimated since it is impossible to put a price on a person’s life. No money could ever replace the priceless experiences, insights, and affection shared by the people whose lives have been cut tragically short (Elvik 39). When dealing with large populations, the government can only make educated guesses about economic loss or potential contribution. However, the question of who would pay in a typical catastrophe remains unanswered. Following catastrophic events like 9/11, the only time economic value is appropriately assessed and compensated for is at the end of the disaster’s life cycle. Exactly these situations are the only ones in which such things can happen. Due to the regular occurrence of death and the unpredictability of compensation, it is challenging for society to place the value of human life solely on economic grounds.
Everyone has experienced, can relate to, or can imagine going through a loss of some kind. Whether the death was a sudden accident or an ongoing natural cause, everyone grieves in their own unique way. Some people compete with others for being devastated, while others demand an apology even when no one is listening. Some take medicines, while others are confined to their homes. Grief can manifest in various ways, but at its core, it always takes a significant emotional toll on the sufferer (Elvik 41). There is no way to evaluate how much a single person is worth to someone, given the wide range of possibilities presented by the spectrum.
Following Jamel’s death, we went through his belongings and discovered the medical documents he had hidden within. After an extensive examination of the documents, we determined that Jamel had been suffering from depression for quite some time, and no one, not even his immediate family, was aware of this. Something was bothering him, and the shift in his mood, his enthusiasm for adventures, his peculiar driving style, and his rebellious behavior were just a few of the hints. We were sad and wished we had known sooner so that we might have saved his life. As a result of what happened, we solemnly pledge to ensure that this never happens to another family member. We devised a strategy and decided to organize a family get-together monthly so that people discuss the challenges they experience in their lives and make more informed judgments and solutions. We made it a point to dine together to enjoy each other’s company while we were still living.
Conclusion
To summarize, life is a beautiful platform of experiences, perspectives, positives, negatives, and everything. Due to the wide range of opinions and experiences, it is difficult to assign a monetary value to the worth of human life. The idea of putting a monetary value on human life is absurd. Since such thinking is futile, society should only be concerned with the inherent moral value of the people in their immediate surroundings. Since life cannot be counted, we must recognize and value those components of it that cannot be quantified while striving to experience as much as possible in this life.
Work Cited
Elvik, Rune. The Value of Life: The Rise and Fall of a Scientific Research Programme. Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2018.
Parenting is a complex and sophisticated process aimed at protecting children and cultivating specific values and qualities in them. Love and care are the fundamental aspects of relations between children and their mothers and fathers. However, it is also vital to realize that parental discipline is necessary for positive child development (Dadds & Tully, 2019). It helps to exclude unnecessary behaviors and ensure a successful transition of a child into adulthood.
Disciplining a child implies offering them responsible and accepted behaviors necessary for interacting with people. Specific restrictive measures are necessary for a young individual to learn about the consequences of specific actions and how to take responsibility for them (“Discipline and children,” n.d.). Successful discipline also requires clear and consistent rules and autonomy support (Grusec et al.,2017). At the same time, it might help to cultivate appropriate values, such as honesty, respect, and the ability to listen to other, more experienced individuals (“Discipline and children,” n.d.). It is critical to avoid too severe measures; however, parents should realize that they should also be disciplined in their approaches to raising a child.
At the same time, there is an opposite perspective on the topic. It implies that children should not be limited in their actions as “kids will be kids” (Morin, 2021, para. 7). The given idea might be partially relevant when speaking about too strict parents. However, the lack of discipline will lead to the emergence of defiant, disrespectful, and rude behaviors, manipulations, and lies as the way to attain the desired results. For this reason, the establishment of specific rules and their observation is critical for parenting.
Altogether, discipline is an essential aspect of raising a child. Both parents and their children should recognize the fact that there are specific rules that should be followed. For a young individual, it would help to acquire the necessary behavioral patterns and values. For adults, the creation of a framework for interacting with children will help to control him/her and ensure he/she will become good people.
The life path of any person causes ambivalence in the context of happiness. Circumstances and events in life change dramatically, but people are often deprived of the ability to influence and prevent them directly. Such powerlessness and unwillingness to put up with the existing state of affairs make sadness and unhappiness an integral element of the spectrum of human emotions. I share an idea stated in ” Why Science Says you Deserve to be Happy” that human beings are not inherently required to be delighted every time. No one should be judged for their inner experiences or failure to handle stress by others because there is nothing wrong with or alien about humans as an intelligent species. A person is not defined by their emotionless perception of everything that does not please or hurt them but by building a daily path to happiness, no matter what. This idea is supported by Fraser in “Taking Pills for Unhappiness Reinforces the idea that being sad is not Human.”
However, if an individual can develop and uphold the proper attitude toward circumstances and challenges, a person’s life route can be filled with happiness. People cannot directly change many things, but they can change their mindset. To get through tough times, anyone can also concentrate on activities associated with happiness and inner calmness, like reading a book, hanging out with friends, or watching the fire or water flow. “The Happiness Myth: A review” also prompts reflection on the origin of happiness in human life since the path to it is based on the awareness of its presence in everything surrounding a person. Shupak’s “ Does Technology Make People Happier” indicates that despite the constant presence of happiness somewhere near a person, everyone understands it in their way and prefers to look for it differently from others.
The impact of social networks on people today is debatable, according to Konnokova and Strom’s arguments. While some people use them to gain happiness through communication and to preserve the memories they receive, others constantly compare their lives with bloggers, and this negative comparison becomes a source of unhappiness. However, this circumstance demonstrates that every person is responsible for determining their happiness threshold. Thus, even the same mechanism used by various people will impact each person’s condition differently.
Every person has one experience that is memorable and has an important place in their life. For some people, it is a trip, and for others, it might be their work. For me, the most significant experience has been adopting a kitten. I have always been a person who adored animals, and every time I saw a dog or a cat, I was eager to touch them and pet them with their owner’s consent. However, I could never gather enough strength to adopt one since I thought this would entail much responsibility, and I would feel guilty if any negative event happened. However, this summer, I found a box on the side of the road with a small kitten that was around two weeks old. I consider this experience the most significant in my life for several reasons.
First, this experience made me more responsible and more motivated to work. This could sound weird, but now my life is not just about me but about my cat, too. I must feed and bathe her, clean her space, and surely, spoil her, which involves immense financial responsibility as well. I manage to not only work harder for my cat to buy her toys and food but also save up for later. Second, my pet is additionally my antidepressant that cures my sadness and anxiety. Every day I wake up to her snuggling, and petting her makes me feel happier. Even many research materials support the claim that cats make people more satisfied with their lives (Luhmann & Kalitzki, 2018). In the face of current events in the world, I feel blessed to have a cat who makes me laugh.
Hence, the most significant experience in my life is getting a cat. While different people have experiences of various scopes, I consider becoming the owner of a pet to be a serious step. This experience taught me not only basic financial literacy but also deepened my sense of responsibility. Now, I have to take responsibility for not only my own life but the well-being of my cat. However, this is not a burden to me, considering that my pet makes me happier.
When it comes to the meaning of life, there are two different ways we can look at it. Both of these have their advantages and disadvantages, and ultimately it is up to the individual to decide which sense of the term they use when discussing the meaning of life. In my opinion, life has meaning which comes from the choices, relationships, and experiences that an individual has, so I find personal meaning within myself.
The external meaning of life is something that is imposed upon us from an outside source. This could be anything from a religious belief system to a set of societal norms and expectations. For example, some people may believe that the meaning of life is to serve God, while others may think that the meaning of life is to be successful in their career. The advantage of this type of meaning is that it provides a clear goal and a sense of purpose, which can help people stay focused and motivated (Novosel, 2020). The disadvantage, however, is that it can be limiting and can make it difficult to explore and find meaning in other areas of life.
The internal meaning of life is something that we find within ourselves. I believe that life is a journey and the meaning of life comes from the choices we make and the relationships we form. Expressing creativity and helping others by making a positive impact on the world are just a few ways to find purpose in life (Novosel, 2020). Nevertheless, it can be challenging to discover the meaning of life, as it requires self-reflection and exploration. The reward of this effort is the sense of freedom it brings, allowing us to define our own sense of purpose.
In conclusion, life is a journey and the meaning of life is a combination of both the internal and external meaning. It is often said that there is no definite answer to the question of the meaning of life. Everyone has their own distinct point of view and it is ultimately the individual’s choice to select which interpretation they would like to embrace. It could be an external interpretation or an internal one; the essential thing is to uncover something that brings pleasure and satisfaction to your life.
Reference
Novosel, N. (2020). The meaning of life: A guide to finding your life’s purpose. Nathanael Garrett Novosel.
A SOAR Personal Diversity Analysis is an assessment of the strengths, opportunities, and results of a person or an organization. This process is intended to maximize retention of my diversity awareness in relation to my self-awareness of aspects of diversity in general and in my workplace. Through this presentation, I will demonstrate an individual awareness of my beliefs, biases, and attitudes and how they influence the culture in my workplace.
Strengths
Apart from the mentioned strengths, I am emotionally intelligent, and I have an abundance of creativity as a result of my unique approach to problem-solving. Furthermore, embracing my diverse traits allows me to relate to others and provide them with unique perspectives (Zarestky & Cole, 2017). These traits include the fact that I am proud of my ethnicity, culture, and language background, and I do not hold them against my colleagues because of their differences.
My determination is an element of my identity that I highly value. Dedication to whatever I do is vital because it allows me to enjoy my work. Diversity is a strength because it allows me to be grateful for what I have while accepting what I lack. This is because we are all unique; for example, I am strong at communication but not technical skills such as handiwork. Finally, inclusion is beneficial since being in a group allows me to learn. As a group member, I can improve others through what I provide while they improve me.
Opportunities
Taking a cultural studies class will help me further understand the importance of diversity and how different cultures have shaped humanity. Joining clubs with people who share my background will help me promote diversity. To overcome my personal biases, I can identify them in the workplace and avoid situations where they might trigger me. Some aspects of my family background that I could learn more about are my heritage and the culture, values, and history of my family.
I am introverted, which is not always an advantage in the workplace, but I can use it to my advantage by listening carefully to others and gaining insight into how they feel. I can use my competitive side to motivate others as well. I could leverage these traits in an environment where people work together. In this environment, I would also be able to assist others in becoming successful by being a leader and fulfilling their needs while gaining their trust.
Aspirations
Learning more about my cultural identity can help me become a better person and make me feel confident in my decisions. In this way, my cultural communication skills will improve, and other people will be able to understand my point of view, which is based on my culture. Understanding my cultural prejudices and stereotypes will help me become more sensitive. This will benefit the organization by increasing diversity and inclusion. By understanding the stereotypes, I can help change them in the organization. As a result, this can help improve the organizational culture.
Results
By improving my self-awareness, I could understand myself and others better. In doing so, I would improve my knowledge of interpersonal relationships, which can help me make more effective decisions for the work environment and the organization. Self-awareness is key to understanding how one person differs from another and how these differences can shape one’s behavior (Cosby, 2018). By focusing on the task at hand, I will see things more clearly and therefore make better decisions based on facts instead of assumptions.
Conclusion
Through the SOAR analysis, I have learned that diversity is beneficial when it promotes unity, understanding, and growth. In addition, it has enabled me to analyze my personal and family background. Through these analyses, I have learned that my family background is an aspect of my ethnic identity. As a result, I can improve my cultural communication skills by understanding the stereotypes and prejudices of my family background. In addition, I can use my decision-making skills to identify those stereotypes and prejudices in the workplace. This will result in more effective communication and more opportunities for diversity and inclusion.
