Category: Life & Experiences

Introduction

Love is a basic instinct seen in all creations alike. It is passionate, supportive, attentive and understanding in nature. It could be quite misleading if two people, who believe to be in love, would want only sexual pleasure, and are termed as lovers. In fact, it could be infatuation, sick addiction, self- interest or a momentary pleasure. Then what exactly is true love? According to The Bible,

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self seeking; it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

• I Corinthians 13:4  8a. (What is True Love and How do you Know When you have Found it?).

The above paragraph suggests the nature of true love. When two people feel alike, seem to know each other for ages talk endlessly and understand each other without words and are never uncomfortable in the others absence, they are in true love. The partners are complete in one another, their life is peaceful and while the world is in woe, nothing happens to them. The basis for true love is sacrifice and selflessness. The one and the other are in unison, cemented by trust, faith, hope and perseverance

Main Text

In true love, there is an understanding in which one trusts another more than him or herself and feels ready to satisfy every little need of a partner. This understanding doesnt require words or expressions. It arises out of mutual understanding of the souls as their love is devoid of selfish interest.

It is always the partners interest above ones own One would do anything to see that the other is happy and may even do things that may go against ones belief. This is called sacrifice and true love is nothing without it. Jesus Christ, lover of mankind sacrificed his life for the sake of redemption of mankind. He is the ultimate healer who saved many a life in peril and in abject poverty. How could one not mention the way he cured pestilence- stricken multitudes from their plight.

It was not for the quest of power, or to establish ones supremacy over the others that Christ led his followers. His principle was based on forgiveness and acceptance of people as they were. Christ neither hurt nor punished the wrong doers. Instead, he prayed to God Almighty to save them. This is the finest illustration of the perfect lover. This love cannot be compared to any other form ever. It is to be borne in mind that on earth, human beings, full of foul and wrong, wreck vengeance on the others to establish their rights and satisfy their ego. What a pity!

Love, where there is no jealousy or hatred for the other, is perfect. There is no punishment for the mistakes committed and the partners trust each other. No force can ever destroy the bond that is built on mutual commitment and self acceptance. By mutual commitment, I mean the whole- hearted acceptance of the partner and the readiness to accept the imperfections that he or she may find in the other. It is rather difficult to accept the others mistake and very easy to point to it. Grounded in the feeling of superiority or in establishing ones opinion, nobody gains anything out of their living together except growing frustration.

To be more exact, the opinions of true love is always the same  one opinion, uni-directional. Everything is mutually shared  friends, enemies, interests, problems etc. The partners retain their own identities and at the same time see themselves as part of the other. They are ready to let go of the self. There is complete surrender of the self to the other.

One is reminded of Meera Bai, the Indian saint of Mewar, whose surrender to her Lord Krishna was complete and she gained immortality. In spite of opposition, blame and cruelty in the hands of her in-laws, her steadfast love for her God never once failed to reveal itself. She was ultimately accepted by God, never to return back to sing kirtans of the Lords glory. Such is the power of true love which is based on bhakti (devotion) and Prema (high love) Meera was not attracted to her Lords physical features. She wanted to attain eternal peace through her devotion. When one loves another for the sake of carnal pleasures, it is the manifestation of Sneha(low love), based on bodily desires which breed disease, decay and death.

Of relevance is the story of Gautam Buddha whose quest for truth led him to nirvana and his love for his fellow- beings to cure them from the pleasures of the earth. The state of his soul was in complete rest as he traveled across the length and breadth of the country spreading values to be inherent in the life of man. His miraculous powers to cure not only physical but also mental ailments and his power to enlighten the lives of aggrieved souls was indeed the revelation of true love. Where there is true love, there can never be pretence. The mind, body and soul are one, never giving room for divided aims and opinions.

It is particularly interesting to note the Love Economics Definitions of Soul mate,

Soul mate Ratio = Total Love Benefit / Total Love Cost.

Soul mate is the person who will maximize your soul mate ratio and vice-versa.

No one in this world, including being yourself could make you happier than being

in love with your soul mate. True love is the love you share with your soul mate.

The higher you are in love with your soul mate, the higher the soul mate ratio

becomes. (Definitions of Soulmates, 2006).

An in -depth study of ancient scriptures of all the religions reveals that true love is the basis of the life force in human beings. Endowed with the faculty of reasoning, the ability to emotionally react, the faculty of discrimination, man finds himself the sole key to unlocking the human heart. Endless conquests for power, lust and avarice have reduced man into a savage feeding on his own fellow beings.

Conclusion

Where there is hatred, man has to be able to sow the seeds of kindness, love and passion. Where there is true love, there is the control of the five sense organs which are the Pandoras box to ultimate sufferings. True love can be recognized among people where there is the spirit of oneness, single minded- aim and selflessness.

The world has seen incarnations, divine glories and human deeds which spread true love. It is sad that only an insignificant number of people seem to realize the power of true love. If one can readily accept the other, be able to forgive and forget the others mistakes and be a part of the others life without expecting anything in return, he, has definitely made his maiden step to the foot of the mountain of true love. In this case, and always, true love can be compared to a mountain, high, mighty and strong, standing firm, braving all odds and yet maintaining its strong hold on the ground.

Works cited

True Love. Search Your Love. 2004-2006. Web.

What is True Love and How do you Know When you have Found it? ChristianAnswers.com. 2008. Web.

Definitions of Soulmates. Solve dating. 2006. Web.

As a Chinese proverb goes, there is no easy luggage in a long way. Life is considered to be away, and the luggage in this way is or knowledge and experience. But to gain it, people need to improve steadily. Asian philosophy suggests that only by following ones own way can a man improve.

It happened so that accounting has always played a crucial role in my life. I have liked to count since my childhood and had been winning all the games which required mathematical skills and rapid oral counting. That is why, as soon as circumstances allowed, I started working as a Restaurant Manager in Arang-Korean restaurant. My task was to investigate and create a statistic program that has information on daily income, distribution of tips, attendance of employees, the flexibility of customer numbers based on hours and days to optimize the business management system. I collected income and disbursal data and compared them to maximizing profit. After I had gained some working experience, I started participating in training employees in customer service and explaining procedures, and further mediate problems between customers and staff. It became one of the steps of my spiritual improvement, as, except accounting, I learned how to communicate with people and settle conflicts. Most probably, I would never cope with it if I had not been working in Hui Lin Dysgnosia Service Center, where I had to Guide an autism patient, and Beijing North Catholic Church, where I collected and donated clothing and daily supplies for Josephs Handicapped Children Hospital. Luckily, these places were a kind of preparatory school of communication where I realized that the world consists not only of pragmatic calculation. These jobs taught me to support people who really need it.

Such life affairs only help but never harm. I attained some leadership skills, which I successfully used in the Institute of Industrial Engineering. As a group leader, I had to Record financial flows and journals and also provide and analyze financial statements.

As for my education, I have been studying at Mesa Community College and now applying to the Accounting professional program at Arizona State University for Spring 08. If everything I great, Ill graduate in 2009 with a Bachelors major in Accounting. I presume that my life (my way) taught me to be not simply a calculating machine (in spite I am still a passionate fan of accounting) but also have a heart. And I do my best to improve my skills. While studying at Mesa Community College, I participated in the Colleges annual math contest. Unfortunately, I got only second place. It shames me to confess, but it happened because of my excessive self-assurance.

The GPA level which I have earned (GPA (4.0), Cumulative GPA (3.97), and Transfer GPA (3.97)) while studying in High school, as for me, fully reflects my abilities and diligence in my studies. I always get the highest grades on the subjects which I like most. I try to do my best on all the subjects, but it often happens so that I devote more time to studying my favorites, and less time stays lefts for the others. I am easy to be carried away person, and sometimes it may be merit, and sometimes it harms my study.

The fact is, I never stop at the achieved level. Even if I consider that I know enough in any sphere, I always try to find additional information; that is why it is sometimes difficult to find me at home, as I usually disappear in libraries and internet cafes.

Now I feel proud of being able to ASU, as this would promote my further improvement as a specialist and as a human. As a Russian writer, Anton Chekhov said: Everything should be fine in a man  that is why I hope to continue my studies, get acquainted with new people (it could sound a little bit childish, but I can affirm that it is sincere).

Introduction

Modern children live in an extremely digitalized environment characterized by the availability of information and specific ways to spend free time. Today, most young people prefer to spend time in front of the computer, either doing their homework or socializing by using social networks. Another trend of contemporary society is the high popularity of video games that become more complex, similar to reality, and demanding much time. The constantly updating content along with the ability to play with friends online attract children. In such a way, videogames replace other activities such as running, walking, or socializing in the street. The given change of priorities triggers vigorous debates about the possible effects of games on children, their physical and mental development, and long-term consequences. For this reason, the given research is devoted to the issue of videogames and how they influence children. To investigate the problem, the following thesis is offered:

The adverse effects of videogames on children might include the development of anxiety, depression, changes in brain functioning, problems with weight, socialization, and trigger the evolution of chronic diseases; however, they can also positively influence children increasing visuospatial cognition, attention, creativity, and reducing aggression levels.

Background

The development of the videogames industry resulted in the emergence of complex games that create attractive images and exciting tasks to engage players and hold their attention. Statistics show that 66% of children aged 8 to 12 years play video games about 2 hours per day, while teens aged 13 to 17 play about 2,5 hours per day (Halbrook et al. 1097). However, in real life, the numbers can be even higher because of the inability to trace the amount of time spent on such activities. It means, for children, videogames become the main type of activity practiced every day.

Addiction and Accessibility

Another problem linked to videogames is their ability to precondition addiction. They affect the brain similarly to drugs as they stimulate the pleasure center and trigger the release of dopamine responsible for the emergence of specific behaviors (Paturel). In such a way, playing videogames, children feel the need to spend more time. The problem is complicated by the fact that today, games are spread globally, and there is hardly an area, excluding the poorest ones with no Internet or computers, where children are deprived of a chance to play (Paturel). The combination of addiction and accessibility contributes to the spread of videogames and the growing topicality of the question of how they impact the physical and mental health of a child.

Mental Development of a Child

One of the main problems linked to videogames is their influence on the mental development of a child. Childhood is the period fundamental for the mental development of a child, and numerous factors might have either a positive or negative effects on their brain and behaviors (Lobel et al. 885). In such a way, the fact that videogames become the central way to spend free time, replacing the previous activities, attracts the attention of researchers as it has a direct impact on the psyche and health of an individual. However, there is still no consensus on whether videogames have only negative or positive effects.

Brain Functioning

One of the popular fears is that videogames can affect brain functioning. Some researchers assume that excessive gaming in childhood can physically rewire the brain and introduce irreversible changes into its work (Paturel). The recent Chinese research presupposing two control groups showed that gamers (individuals spending about 10 hours a day online) have less gray matter if to compare with people who spend less than two hours online (Paturel). In such a way, gaming can be dangerous as it affects various brain areas, depending on the type of game and reaction it cultivates.

Depression and Anxiety

There is also a belief that games might precondition the development of depression and anxiety in children. The given states are mainly associated with failures in online games, the inability to get some achievement, or bullying, one of the common practices on the Internet. The research shows that excessive gaming might precondition dopamine exhaustion, emotional suppression, and the lack of motivation to achieve various real-life goals (Paturel). Moreover, people with depression might suffer from the deterioration of their states caused by addictive playing (Video Games and Children: Playing with Violence). Analyzing the impact of videogames on anxiety, researchers also offer various assumptions. First of all, gaming can be a normal and healthy way to relieve stress and decrease anxiety levels by engaging in online activities (Pellissier). However, for children with gaming disorder, using gaming as the anxiety coping mechanism can be dangerous and contribute to the accumulation of negative effects and increased risks (Pellissier). In such a way, video games have diverse effects on depression and anxiety, including the positive and negative ones.

Lack of Socialization

The lack of socialization and contact with peers in real life is one of the most popular fears among parents. Today, most games demand much time; moreover, they are focused on cooperation online by using the Internet, which means that children do not have to leave their houses to communicate with other people. It preconditions the increased time they spend at home. The recent research states that there is a direct correlation between the time spent online and social skills, or the higher the gaming addiction, the less the social skills (Lobel et al. 885). Children might demonstrate the inability to communicate in real life because of the absence of the demanded experience.

Weight Management and Chronic Diseases

Excessive gaming can also result in poor weight management. Gamers usually have snacks consisting of unhealthy food such as sweets, chips, or soda (Halbrook et al. 1100). The given dietary patterns create the basis for the emergence of several problems. First, they might acquire extra weight and suffer from obesity. At the same time, spending much time in front of the computer with decreased physical activity and wrong posture might result in the development of scoliosis and other problems with the locomotor system (Lobel et al. 885). Moreover, there is an increased risk of acquiring chronic diseases such as gastritis. From this perspective, videogames can be dangerous for children.

Nature-Deficit Disorder

Spending much time at home and playing videogames, children devote less attention to real life and the world surrounding them. Thus, Louv states that the threatening tendency towards the decreased exposure of children to nature can be observed in Western countries today (23). The given nature-deficit disorder has a negative impact on children and society as for health development, they need to interact with the environment and acquire all benefits from this cooperation (Louv 45). The inability to remain in contact with the world affects all systems of the child body and prevents them from healthy evolution. For this reason, videogames should be viewed as the factor limiting childrens access to nature and triggering the growth of the nature-deficit disorder.

Enhancement of Brain Capabilities

However, it is critical to mention the fact that there are also positive effects linked to videogames. For instance, studies show that by playing action games, players improve their visual capabilities, including tracking multiple objects, reaction, storing, and manipulating them in specific memory centers in the brain (Paturel). Because of the need to consider several factors at the same time, players have to perform multiple tasks simultaneously and make immediate decisions, which affects their brains and makes them more flexible (Paturel). These positive effects differentiate gamers from other children and help them to cope with diverse tasks while visiting their educational establishments.

Playing action games is also directly correlated with reaction speed. Investigations show that gamers who spend much time in this sort of activities have a lower speed of reaction (Paturel). It is explained by the fact that their gaming sessions can be viewed as training, which results in the formation of bonds in the brain and the development of skills (Pellissier). Because multiple repetitions of the same actions are an effective form of learning, gamers acquire new capabilities linked to similar situations (Paturel).

Imagination

There are also different opinions on how videogames affect the imagination. Thus, most studies conclude that modern role-playing games (RPG) contribute to the development of creative and imaginary qualities of the child brain (Halbrook et al. 1100). They offer a person a unique world, and a player should use his/her imagination to dive into it and associate his/her hero with himself/herself. Additionally, quests and strategies might precondition the rise of strategic thinking and the ability to resolve problematic puzzles or questions (Halbrook et al. 1100). For this reason, videogames can be viewed as a factor stimulating the development of this aspect of the brains functioning.

Recommendation

In such a way, there is no unified opinion about whether videogames should be viewed as a positive or negative factor impacting the mental development of a child. This complexity comes from the fact that there are both positive and negative effects associated with gaming. However, all sources emphasize the dangerous nature of excessive gaming and addiction. It means that parents are recommended to control their children playing patterns to avoid spending too much time in the virtual world and guarantee that they interact with the world and their peers in real life.

Conclusion

Altogether, videogames have both positive and negative effects on children. They might precondition the development of chronic diseases and extra weight, high anxiety, and depression levels, along with the changes in brain functioning. The highly-addictive nature increases the risks of spending too much time in games. However, there are also positive effects, such as better reaction, motor skills, visuospatial cognition, and creativity, which are trained during gaming sessions. For this reason, it is vital to continue the further investigation of the problem to outline more effects and conclude whether childrens brains suffer critical damage from games or they can be a tool to stimulate its development and optimal functioning.

Works Cited

Halbrook, Yemaya J., et al. When and How Video Games Can Be Good: A Review of the Positive Effects of Video Games on Well-Being. Perspectives on Psychological Science, vol. 14, no. 6, Nov. 2019, pp. 10961104.

Lobel, Adam, et al. Video Gaming and Childrens Psychosocial Wellbeing: A Longitudinal Study. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, vol. 46, no. 4, 2017, pp. 884-897. doi:10.1007/s10964-017-0646-z.

Louv, Richard. Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Algonquin Books, 2008.

Paturel, Amy. Game Theory: The Effects of Video Games on the Brain. Brain & Life, Web.

Pellissier, Hank. Your childs Brain on Technology: Video Games. Great Schools, 2014, Web.

Video Games and Children: Playing with Violence. American Academy of Child & Adolescents Psychiatry, 2015, Web.

Planning ten years of my life seems like a kind of challenge now. We cant predict what will happen to us after several months. However, I believe that great success is impossible without personal motivation and clearly defined goals. Thus, my life plan essay should start with a clear objective.

In ten years, I want to own an event company that can be the best in its field. I have always been fascinated with this idea. The following 10-year life plan essay will consist of three parts that can help me structure my future and achieve all my goals.

I would like to organize great performances at different events every day. Can you imagine a holiday that never ends? And this will be my work. I will make people happier. Now I need to plan all the steps to help me achieve my dream.

Educational Plan

The first step of the way of my goals achievement is education. My education will be done at the University of Nevada, where I am planning to study hospitality management as a major and event management as a minor. I am sure of the importance of hard study for my future work. I need to get at least a 3.5 GPA. The multiple locations can help me gain a diversified background and extend my knowledge.

Therefore, I want to do some internship while studying. Perhaps, I will visit different countries to explore the modern tendencies of business start and its future development. Swope says: I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure, which is: Try to please everybody (Swope).

Therefore, I am planning to get experience in different fields because I am sure of their future importance for my business. The examples of some international companies can help me understand how to make my business prosper. To extend my experience, I will start my practice during the study.

I think that education is very important. The lack of knowledge can lead to the businesss incapacity and collapse. Today, the diploma plays a significant role. It gives an appropriate status and respect. A man with a diploma looks more confident and, of course, qualified.

Accreditation provides much more opportunities in life. Therefore, I am planning to study hard and get as much knowledge as possible. I am sure that the university I chose can help me achieve my goals. My education will give me the base for my future business.

Work Plan

It is the most important part of the life plan, which should clarify the goal and approaches to its achievement. Nowadays, the leaders of all companies know the value of settings achievable and understandable goals. Such issues are called smart goals, which need to get better results. These smart ideas help me share my vision of the business with the possible assistants (Life Planning).

My attention is turned to the use of certain tools that may help my project. For instance, I need to identify and list all the barriers that may be between me and my goal. I shouldnt be scared of possible problems because it is an integral part of my future success. Being realistic, I realize all the difficulties I should overcome.

In the beginning, I have to clarify who will be involved in my business. This can be a family company, or I can cooperate with a wide circle of partners. What results do I want to achieve? I want to own a successful company that will be famous around the country.

Choosing the place location, I prefer my native city because it will be easier to find clients and partners. Thinking about these questions, I can clearly understand all the important keys to my goals achievement. I will get so many opportunities, so I shouldnt be lazy in its use (Ashton 8). This is why I think it is the most important period of my life.

Lifestyle Plan

My lifestyle should accomplish my educational and professional background and skills. I am planning to do a huge social work and to promote equality among people. I want to help everyone that I can. But I have to learn more from the closest one.

My business will be closely related to people from different communities. Therefore, matching my wants, I should be ready to keep my mind open to different cultural issues and views. I plan to visit many countries to learn about cultural features. This will help in my work with clients.

According to Bukofsky, even my religious and spiritual conditions are very important for my business (34). Family relations also play a huge role in the business success achievement. Life planning is a process that may lead a person to take a more active role and to think about the future. Thinking about my future, I imagine a family that will support me and give me more motivation.

I totally agree with Carlson that self-actualization is the key to self-help (9). Although no one can control all lifes events, it is better to try being over random chance and fate.

There is a difference between the person who goes to ones goal and the man who can easily be influenced by random events. I will structure my life according to the daily plan. This will allow me to follow the main idea, which will lead to success. The life plan is a perfect method to figure out what is really important in life.

I have so many ideas and interests in different fields. I am fascinated by people who can concentrate on the most important idea and follow the plan. However, I should follow my own life plan for the future result. I agree with the statement of Barnett that people should discipline themselves. Following the main idea of life, it is possible to get better results and to make it fast (Barnett).

I have always been a goal-setter. Thereby, my Ten Year Plan is focused on achieving my high ideals and realistic goals. From time to time, it seems that goals are something that we strive to achieve but fail due to personal reasons or social barriers.

However, I am completely sure that a good life plan and motivation can lead to success in spite of all problems that may occur. My Ten Year Life Plan helps me to specify my goals and to see the key moments and the most important steps which can lead me to success.

Works Cited

Ashton, Robert. The Life Plan: 700 Simple Ways to Change Your Life for the Better. 1st ed. UK: Prentice Hall, 2006. Print.

Barnett, John S. Discipline Yourself for Godliness. Tulsa, OK: Mullerhouse Publishing, 2007. Web.

Bykofsky, Sheree, and Richard Carlson. Me: Five Years from Now: The Life-Planning Book You Write Yourself! 1st ed. New York: Hyperion, 1999. Print.

Life Planning. myGoals, n.d. Web.

Swope, Herbert. Failure Quotes. Wisdom Quotes. Wisdom Quotes. Web.

A relationship between a grandchild and a grandparent is nothing short of special: by the time that people have grandchildren, they tend to be more knowledgeable and accepting. While grandparenting has always made an essential part of old age, lately, the world has seen new trends in raising or helping to raise grandchildren. These tendencies are tied to the changing economic landscape that influences the ways people work and build their families. This essay will discuss how grandparenting has changed due to the new economy and provide two profiles of grandparents from different periods.

Nowadays, grandparents seem to be more actively participating in their childrens lives. Even though in 2017, a typical adult retires much later from work, he or she has as much time to spend as a retiree as their counterparts from the 1950s due to the increased life expectancy (Buchanan & Rotkirch, 2018). Moreover, as recent statistics have shown, senior citizens refuse to live in retirement homes and prefer to be independent and self-managed. Sometimes, they even become the heads of their households: if in 2000, 6% of families were led by a grandparent, by 2015, the share had amounted to 8% (Buchanan & Rotkirch, 2018). Thus, by staying active and having enough time on their hands, the new grandparents can build a stronger bond with their grandchildren.

The increased grandparental involvement in the 21st century is also explained by the growing number of single-parent households. Family breakups and divorces have become nothing unusual, which is a positive trend in some sense. In the developed countries, deciding to leave your life partner is no longer stigmatized and seen as an expression of ones free will. However, the heightened divorce rate means that one parent often becomes the primary caregiver and struggles with juggling work, romantic life, and childrearing (Buchanan & Rotkirch, 2018). Therefore, grandparents are asked to give a helping hand, or they volunteer to babysit themselves.

A typical adult from the 1950s was likely to become a grandparent much earlier than an adult from 2017. This difference is explained by the new challenges that todays adults are facing. They need more time for education and job search before becoming financially stable enough to have a child and, therefore, give their parents a grandchild. However, becoming a grandparent in ones forties, or fifties did not mean more engagement in grandchildrens lives. In the 1950s, even in the developed countries, society dictated to men and women how they had to be acting to fulfill the assigned gender roles (Sugar, Riekse, Holstege & Faber, 2013). Thus, women were more likely to be housewives and mothers and not need as much help from their parents.

The gender roles of the past also made grandmothers more likely to partake in the rearing of grandchildren. Both fathers and grandfathers were often dismissive and more focused on other aspects of life, such as work and personal hobbies. Today, the situation is changing, and both grandmothers and grandfathers are making an effort to be closer to their grandchildren. Men defy the traditional gender role by being more caring and affectionate and taking up grandparenting responsibilities they did not have in the past.

In summation, it appears that the 21st century brought positive tendencies and changed grandparenting for the best. Increased life expectancy and an active lifestyle after retirement make grandparents more likely to engage in their grandchildrens lives. Men are trying to be responsible grandparents on par with their wives and take their relationships with grandchildren seriously. However, active and engaged grandparenting often cooccur with single parenthood. Seventy years ago, adults tended to become grandparents earlier but are less involved due to the female gender role prescribing mothers to stay at home and take care of children single-handedly.

References

Buchanan, A., & Rotkirch, A. (2018). Twenty-first century grandparents: Global perspectives on changing roles and consequences. Journal of the Academy of Social Sciences, 13(2), 131-144.

Sugar, J., Riekse, R. J., Holstege, H. &, Faber, M. A. (2013). Introduction to aging: A positive, interdisciplinary approach. Berlin, Germany: Springer Publishing Company.

Big cities and small cities both have advantages based on lifestyle, and their location. This means that when an individual chooses to live in either a big city or a small city, he/she foregoes certain advantages, while at the same time attaining others. Small cities are characterized by a scarce population and a relatively simple life. On the contrary, life in big cities is typified by commotions and impersonal relationships. All over the globe, there are big cities and small cities. According to Fischer those who prefer big cities do so because of the facilities that are found in these cities (179). The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast big cities and small cities.

One of the obvious similarities between big cities and small cities is that both have amenities like electricity, good roads, and running water. These amenities make individuals have similar experiences regardless of whether they live in a big or a small city. In addition, these amenities are the main factor that differentiates small and big cities from rural areas. Another key similarity between small and big cities according to Fischer is that both of them have streets, which residents use to locate their homes (80). Cities, whether big or small, normally have a population occupying them; a factor that enables residents to have a normal life.

Another major similarity between big cities and small cities is that both of them have a relatively large concentration of facilities such as hospitals and schools. This provides city residents with a wide variety of choices when it comes to treatment and education. Both big cities and small cities have recreational facilities like entertainment venues, parks, and art centers like museums (Fischer 82-90). Lastly, the public transport system is a common feature in both big and small cities.

One of the main differences between big cities and small cities can be seen in terms of the cost of living. Most commodities, ranging from food staffs to houses are expensive in big cities as compared to small cities (Fischer 233). For example, the cost of acquiring a house in a big city, and furnishing it, is more expensive compared to a small city. When it comes to modern necessities of life, big cities provide more options to the residents. This is because in big cities there are more convenient stores, electronic shops, and supermarkets than in small cities.

A more visible difference between small and big cities can be seen in terms of buildings. Big cities are characterized by huge spectacular buildings that are not found in small towns. The huge buildings in big cities are normally meant to accommodate the large population in these cities. Another difference between big and small cities mentioned by Fischer is that big cities offer a wide range of cultural exposure and entertainment options as opposed to small cities (234). One more visible difference can be seen in public transport. Big cities have more traffic compared to small cities, and the transport systems are usually efficient. However, residents of big cities often have to put up with cumbersome traffic.

The differences between small and big cities can also be seen in terms of nature and warmth. In small cities, it is possible to enjoy nature and friendly relationships as opposed to big cities where story-buildings, technology, and industries have interfered with nature. In small cities, people are relatively friendly and may smile at strangers, which is very rare in big cities. This is because people living in big cities are normally consumed by their work. Fischer also maintains that large populations in big cities make cooperation between people difficult (235). Tranquility is also a factor that shows the difference between big cities and small cities (Fischer 236). Many young people normally believe in the notion that big cities are exciting and full of fun, while small cities are boring. On the contrary, older people hold the view that big cities are noisy and annoying, while small cities are comfortable and calm.

Another difference between big and small cities can be seen in terms of crime. Big cities normally have a higher crime rate compared to small cities (Fischer 236). This can be attributed to the presence of many young people who migrate to big cities in search of opportunities but end up idle. Small towns, on the other hand, are not a preferred choice of destination by young immigrants; hence, high crime rates and criminal gangs are not common in small cities. Most large cities are multicultural and offer a variety when it comes to dining. Residents of big cities can have different meals from various cultures. On the other hand, small cities may have few restaurants offering limited types of foods.

In terms of prices and quality of food, small cities have been known to offer fresh produce, and at a lower price as compared to large cities. But the prices of other commodities are normally higher in small cities due to the absence of megastores that offer significant discounts. Fischer has argued that those big cities are driven by a sense of order, while the feeling of belonging to the same community predominate small cities (238). For example, traffic rules are strictly enforced in big cities, while residents of small cities never care that much about these rules; and trying to enforce these rules may be met with resentment.

Big cities and small cities also have environmental differences. The environment in a big city is more polluted as compared to that of a small city. This is brought about by the presence of several large industries and the enormous waste generated by the residents of big cities. In addition, a small city is quieter than a big city a factor that enables residents of a small city to have a piece of mind. Another difference between a big city and a small one is that residents of s small city can have enough time to rest because they are relatively free compared to their counterparts in big cities (Fischer 230-241). When it comes to specialized services like receiving treatment from great doctors and surgeons, people in big cities have more access to these services than residents of a small city.

The differences and similarities between big cities and small cities can be viewed as points on a continuum. This is because these similarities and differences keep on changing, which makes it difficult to draw a clear boundary between them. Big cities possess elements of small cities and small cities also have some features of big cities. Cities, whether big or small, are normally characterized by modern structures and urban lifestyles. The difference is that these urban features are more pronounced in big cities.

Works cited

Fischer, Claude S. To Dwell Among Friends: Personal Networks in Town and City. E-book ed., University of Chicago Press, 2024.

Introduction

Love is probably one of the most frequently used words in modern world media. In almost every song of a popular singer and many romantic movies, the topic of love and romantic relationships is paramount. It is relevant and understandable for people from different parts of the world, with diverse backgrounds, genders, or ages. Despite such ubiquity of love in contemporary societies, the notion of this feeling seems to be misperceived and even idealized without any regard to reality. As Sam Keen (1997) states in his book To Love and Be Loved, I can offer no final explanations for why we idealize love so much and practice it so little (p. 7). In this essay, the opposition between love as an idealized concept and its real manifestations is examined with attention to the reasons why people fail to practice sincere love.

Main body

Trying to explain the different forms of love in peoples lives, the author of To Love and Be Loved elaborates on how they should be experienced and how meaningful each of them is. Keen (1997) perceives love, not as a miracle that is portrayed as perfection in movies but as hard work that requires patience, skills, and time. However diverse the forms of love are, from simple signs of attention to a friend to sexual appeal and desire to a spouse, the author emphasizes that modern society idealizes love (Keen, 1997). Probably, such idealization leads to the situation when the majority of media-dependent people cannot live up to the imposed standard of love and fail to experience the true feeling in reality. The most disturbing fact about it all is that even the person who shows a great level of expertise in this field finds it inexplicable why people prefer imaginary feelings to a real one.

Throughout the history of humanity, there have been millions of love stories created and written down in poems, novels, screenplays, theatrical scenarios, cartoons, and other works of art. People in the twenty-first century have an opportunity to use the rich experience the societies have collected to understand what love is and how to live a life full of love. However, it seems that such a great scope of exemplary cases related to love portrayal in old and new media caused an opposite effect. Indeed, the words of Keen (1997) find their proofs in the fact that people have too much to follow and imitate instead of simply freely experiencing the feeling. The imposition of artificially created traditional images of partners in love is accepted as an example to follow. And if ones relationship does not comply with the ideal, a person engages in insincere behavior to imitate the imposed image.

Conclusion

As a conclusion of the discussion, people in the modern world are overloaded with perfect images and media portrayals of ideal love and immaculate relationships. However, they only idealize this feeling not actually practicing it in their everyday lives. People know so much about love, and that is why they try to experience it rationally rather than spiritually. However, it is impossible to live someone elses life, as well as it is impossible to experience someone elses love story because every relationship is unique and has to be treated accordingly. When people not only know that but also understand and accept, they will be able to love and be loved.

Reference

Keen, S. (1997). To love and be loved. New York, NY: Bantam Books.

Relaxation is an extremely important method for every person and helps to unwind after a hard day. The speaker mentions one of the ways to exercise, showing meditation with examples with balls (TED, 2013). With full concentration on the balls, a person cannot relax and let go of bad thoughts. However, with absolute peace and tranquility, someone can drop these balls. Thus, the main idea is that all people need to find a balance in which they can be relaxed and focused to the extent necessary for a comfortable existence.

I have never used any of the relaxation techniques discussed in the video. However, after watching, I realized how important it is to have a peaceful state and be able to relax. I will definitely try these methods, as they can improve the quality of life. Such practices can become a resource for physical and emotional recovery. This happens due to deep relaxation of the muscles and the achievement of peace of mind and feelings. In addition, meditation can improve mindfulness and concentration.

Releasing tension is an important stage in life and can be achieved in many ways. In my professional career, breathing exercises can help me. In stressful situations, this is the best way to recover, as at such moments breathing often quickens. Moreover, it contributes to the rapid calming and organization of thoughts. Additionally, a good way to calm down is to conduct muscle relaxation. Physiological fact is a basis of this technique: automatic relation begins after the tension of any muscle. Therefore, at first, a person sharply strains the muscles for a while and quickly relaxes them. Complete muscle relaxation is an effective way to get rest and relieve tension.

Reference

TED. (2013). Andy Paddick: Just 10 minutes of focused attention [Video]. YouTube. Web.

Introduction

Leisure time refers to the time in ones life when one is free from the demands of his/her duties or studies. During this time, one is free to spend his/her time as he wills or as he deems right. Many people opt to spend this time having fun in different ways as a way of relieving the physical and mental stress accumulated during working hours. To some, this is an opportunity to visit friends and family. Whatever activity one chooses depends on ones interest and the idea of having fun (Bull, et al., 2003).

Leisure time may however be confused for freedom to do anything during ones free time. There are limits to which one can exercise during his free time. For instance, when ones way of spending leisure interferes with someone elses freedom, then there is definitely a limit.

The freedom that people have during their leisure time may be controlled in some cases depending on the level of engagement. Although leisure time refers to free time that one can spend in whatever way he/she wills, some form of control usually exists. For instance, teenagers leisure time has some form of control that comes in different ways. There are reasons why some people tend to have an inclination towards extreme sports. This paper covers these issues in detail and gives examples in relevant sections.

Leisure Time Freedom

Freedom during leisure time refers to the ability to undertake any event for whatever length of time without any form of restrictions. This form of leisure time does not usually exist since there is always some form of control during leisure time. Though leisure time looks like a time when one can do what he/she wills for whatever length of time, this does not in practice exist. Some form of control usually exists for different individuals depending on age, cultural inclination, and length of time available (Harris, 2005).

Teenagers leisure times are always controlled lest they engage in destructive activities. Rules are set by parents in the type of activities they may engage and those that they may not engage in lest they get grounded. Teenagers are controlled from engaging in activities such as some very extreme sports, joining peer groups that are destructive and engaging in drugs and alcoholism. Parents on the other hand are limited by other activities which curtail the length of time they engage in leisure activities. For example, it is not possible for a couple to go fishing the whole day leaving their young children unattended.

There is always a compulsion to get back home and take care of the kids among other chores. Leisure time may be ones free time but it is always controlled by other activities in terms of extent and time that it may continue (Bull, et al., 2003).

Discipline during Leisure Time

It is very important to have some form of control during leisure time. This applies to both the young and the old since discipline makes leisure time more enjoyable in the long run. Discipline ensures consistency during leisure activities while helping an individual maintain a healthy physique. Lack of discipline or some form of control can only lead to destructive engagement which may not be productive in the long run. Parents use some form of restrictive discipline on their children by setting limits that the children may extend as they enjoy their leisure time. On the other hand, parents exercise discipline and control during their free time to ensure that they set a good example for their children.

Discipline helps in controlling freedom as earlier discussed. Without discipline, people would tend to misuse the freedom they have during their free time. For example, lack of discipline when engaging in some extreme sports such as skateboarding may be very lethal and it is important for one to learn the rules of engaging in such sports (Harris, 2005).

Extreme Leisure Activities

Extreme sports are considered to be more lethal compared to other forms of spending leisure. There are many extreme sports today and it is advisable for one to be very careful when engaging in any of them. Enough practice is very necessary before engaging in any extreme sport. Usually, extreme sports that some people engage in, involve the public exhibitions of dangerous stunts as a way of spending leisure. For instance, skateboarding and mountain biking are two extreme sports that people engage in to get thrilled and for excitement.

People engage in extreme sports for different reasons during leisure time. The biggest contributor towards engaging in this type of extreme sports especially among teenagers is the influence of television and video games. Teenagers would always wish to practice what they watch. Others engage in this type of sport simply because they believe that it is the best way of relieving stress. When a person engages in extreme sports, more adrenaline is released which presents one of the best ways of getting rid of stress (Tamara, 2010). People, therefore, tend to engage in some extreme sports which they believe are more relaxing than ordinary leisure activities such as reading or watching.

Conclusion

Leisure time is very important to any individual. This is a time when a person is able to relieve him/herself of day stress accumulated during work or studies. People are always allowed to spend their leisure time in whatever way they want so long as they do not break the set ground rules which in a way curtail the freedom that some people may want to enjoy. It is important to have some form of control or discipline during leisure time. This applies especially when engaging in extreme sports which some people engage in for excitement and thrill.

References

Bull, C. Hoose, J. & Weed, M., 2003. An Introduction to Leisure Studies. London: Prentice Hall.

Harris, D., 2005. Key Concepts in Leisure Studies. London: Sage.

Tamara, K., 2010. The discipline of leisure. Social Identities, 4(1), pp. 45-64.

Introduction

Child welfare is an important concern in modern society, both among politicians and future parents. Many people believe that children make peoples life more fulfilling, and starting a family is an essential goal for them. Despite these views, there are over 428,000 children in foster care in the United States (Adoption Network, 2019). Many of these children are taken away from their birth parents by Child Protective Services due to poor living conditions, domestic violence, and other issues (Barth & Berry, 2017). Still, some parents give up their children for adoption willingly, and it usually happens shortly after birth. Parents who decide to give up their child for adoption often face pressure from their family and close ones to keep the child. Although giving up a child for adoption may have negative consequences, it is crucial to understand that, from the viewpoint of child welfare, adoption is a positive choice in certain circumstances.

Main body

There are several negative consequences of giving up children for adoption, and economic concerns are among them since the foster care system in the United States is financed by the government. With almost half a million children in foster care, the share of the 2016 budget devoted to foster care and associated programs was $8 billion (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2015). If more and more parents decide in favor of giving their child up for abortion, this figure will increase further. This could lead to increased taxes or reduced spending on other areas of social welfare, including healthcare, education, and housing.

People who oppose placing children in foster care also stress the adverse effect of the experience on childrens wellbeing. This is particularly true for children who spend a long time in foster care or never get adopted. Deutsch et al. (2015) report that living conditions and social environment in foster care often fail to meet childrens needs, leading to developmental and behavioral issues in future life. Moreover, even children who have been adopted face mental health risks. These children may find it more difficult to form attachments and connect with adults and peers (Carnes-Holt & Bratton, 2014). This could impact childrens relationships with adoptive parents, siblings, and peers, leading to poor mental health outcomes.

Although both of these arguments are valid, there are a number of situations where giving up a child for adoption is beneficial for both parents and children. For instance, Barth and Berry (2017) note that the main reason for birth parents to place children in foster care is poverty. Significant class distinction in the United States means that there are many families who earn far less than required to provide adequate living conditions for children. In these situations, living with birth parents can have an adverse influence on childrens life, health, and future because low-income families often cannot afford high-quality healthcare and education (Barth & Berry, 2017). Conditions in foster care, on the other hand, are strictly monitored to ensure that childrens needs for healthcare and education are fully met.

There are also cases where foster care placement is the best option for mothers mental health. This is because unintended pregnancies may result from rape, and abortion may not be allowed due to legislative or health reasons (Barth & Berry, 2017). Raising a child who had been conceived as a result of rape is extremely stressful for the mother and may intervene with her mental health, resulting in posttraumatic stress, depression, and anxiety. Moreover, negative emotions experienced by the mother often impact her emotional attachment to the child (Barth & Berry, 2017). This can be psychologically damaging for both parties, making foster care placement a preferred option.

Additionally, having the option of giving up a child for adoption is beneficial to underage mothers and those living with abusive partners. In the first case, raising a child would have an impact on the mothers educational attainment and her ability to provide for the child. In the second case, having a child with an abusive partner could prevent the mother from leaving due to financial insecurity. As a result, domestic abuse would affect the child mentally and physically, leading to negative consequences.

Conclusion

Personally, I believe that giving up a child for abortion is a positive thing because it ensures that childrens needs will be met. Both in foster care and adoptive families, living conditions are better than in families that experience poverty, domestic violence, and social inequality. Additionally, the option of placing the child in foster care means that mothers have the autonomy to choose what is best for them and the child. This is particularly important in cases when the unintended pregnancy is a result of rape or when women currently live with an abusive partner. Even if birth parents could afford to raise a child, they might not be ready for parenthood and should have an option to place the child in foster care. This would give the child a chance to find a loving family that will provide for their needs while also allowing birth parents to start a family when they feel ready. All in all, raising a child is a great responsibility, and I think that people should have the opportunity to give a child up for adoption if they do not want to or cannot accept this responsibility at the time.

References

Adoption Network. (2019). Adoption statistics. Web.

Barth, R. P., & Berry, M. (2017). Adoption and disruption: Rates, risks, and responses. New York, NY: Routledge.

CarnesHolt, K., & Bratton, S. C. (2014). The efficacy of child parent relationship therapy for adopted children with attachment disruptions. Journal of Counseling & Development, 92(3), 328-337.

Deutsch, S. A., Lynch, A., Zlotnik, S., Matone, M., Kreider, A., & Noonan, K. (2015). Mental health, behavioral and developmental issues for youth in foster care. Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care, 45(10), 292-297.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2015).HHS FY2016 budget in brief. Web.