Category: Personal Beliefs

Personal Values

My personal values lean in a more politically liberal, based significantly on the ideal that government should be taking care of its citizens. A successful, or good, the government has systems in place to help each individual member of the community succeed. Our current government is set up in such a way where many of the citizens are unable to gain success simply based on life circumstances. A government that is designed to only allow certain individuals to move forward limits the number of diverse opinions and ideas that are presented. If minority voices are systematically unable to be seen at the same level as the majority, ideals will never change, and things will remain stagnant and broken. I fully believe that our current government is broken in a very substantial way. Not simply in the sense that systems are tailored to benefit a certain type of citizen, but also that systems within the government as a whole are not functioning and communicating amongst themselves. For example, when individuals congress is currently so divided politically that nothing can be changed or passed because of stubbornness and unwillingness to work across party lines. I also firmly believe that the government should be taking care of and providing for vulnerable individuals. There is no sense in having a larger government or society at all if we are only interested in seeking individual success and gain. As a society we are all connected and a part of something larger than ourselves, therefore we should be contributing in the best way that we know how and also supporting those who cannot support themselves.

Some people stress the importance of individual success and freedom but without social structures and opportunities, there is no individual success. Success does not exist in a vacuum, everything is affected by the social programs and societal, and familial circumstances. Some individuals have historically a greater chance of becoming successful simply by being born into a certain; race, socioeconomic status, country, gender, and other circumstances out of an individual’s control. A good society will have the mentality that it is better to take care of one another than fight and leave certain members disadvantaged. This society will also work to create opportunities for all individuals and attempt to give assistance to those members of society who are in need. A good society will also stress the importance of care taking, on macro, mezzo, and micro scales. Taking care on individual small-scale levels, and also larger systems put in place to provide assistance and aid to those who are in need, as well as programs to teach job training, budgeting, and other skills necessary to succeed in their society.

One of the biggest issues that we face as a society is the tendency to focus on differences between individuals and groups rather than look at the similarities that exist. Based on the way that we have been socialized there is a fear that goes with the unknown or different. This fear creates stigmas and prejudices and leads to systems that grant privileges to certain groups and oppress other groups. If we only see differences in a group or an individual, we are much less likely to be able to empathize, but if we see the similarities, than some of those differences do not seem as significant.

Values that Have Guided US Social Welfare

The United States’ past and current value system is a direct reflection of the European influence through the colonies. These European values were deeply ingrained in the members of the colonies and have permeated through to the United States’ culture and ideals. (Day, 2003) Two specific values that are present are a strict idea that men are fundamentally different than women, and women are weaker and in need of a man to guide them. The Catholic Church was the major player in Europe in the 1200s and 1300s. Their opinions greatly influenced the views and beliefs of the citizens. During this period and many other historical periods, women were viewed as inferior to men and were often viewed as vulnerable and therefore susceptible to sin. (Day, 2003) If women attempted to rise outside of their inferior status through education or other historically male centered arenas this was viewed as threatening so the patriarchal society found ways to discredit and push down those women. This society values a truly patriarchal hierarchy that only values women based on their relation to men, either their father, husband, or lack thereof. This perception of women places them as less than and leads to the deeply rooted societal belief that women are inferior.

One way that women were fundamentally put down by their society was the accusations of witchcraft. Women who threatened the traditional social status were brought down by these accusations. Day explores how the first women to be targets of witchcraft trials and punishment were poor and old, (Day, 2003) women who didn’t subscribe to traditional female gender roles based on their status. But as the hysteria surrounding witches grew all classes and statuses of women were accused of the crime (Day, 2003). This descent into the “witch-craze” (Day, 2003, p. 96) further illuminated how much the traditional patriarchal structure was so clearly present as a backbone of the society’s values. When the colonies were formed the “witch-craze” made a resurgence during the Salem Witch Trials. Very similar to the European “witch-craze”, women were targeted in particular with the belief that they are more susceptible to sin than men.

A value that was rampant during both the European and US witch craze was the belief that women, particularly women without a strong guiding male presence, were completely vulnerable to sins and unchristian behavior. A woman was viewed as fundamentally different and ultimately weaker than a man, so women were much more susceptible to evil acts. If a woman did not have a man beside her, she was seen as weak and impure. Day explains that women who were unmarried were “unqualified for salvation, were potential temptresses to sin, and often were consorts of Satan” (Day, 2003, p. 97). This perception that permeated this religious culture gave women little to no agency and believed that a woman could only have worth and virtue in relation to a man. These conservative ideals are reflected in the Puritan values of the US colonies. Puritans had a very similar belief to the Catholic Church at this time. Women were meant to stay at home and take care of housewife tasks and deviation from this was believed to be a sin.

During the Protestant Reformation, there was a change in the social understanding of women and their values. Martin Luther, who brought about the Protestant Reformation believed in the value of hard work, including work for women. Though this work was only in housewife-related tasks (Day, 2003), this did provide women with more of a sense of agency than during the Catholic witch craze. During the witch craze, women were merely objects and exterior actions changed how the public perceived them. Luther’s belief that a woman’s value was very revolutionary, despite that he was rather oppressive towards women. The ideology that women could have value apart from the men in their life did allow women to have a form of agency.

Despite the problematic nature of Martin Luther’s belief about women’s proper place, and how divergent that is from my own personal beliefs they mark an important moment for establishing women as individuals with agency. Martin Luther did establish a role for women in the Protestant Church, though that role was oppressive, it was still a role. Whereas previously women had only been passive, now in the Protestant Church women are active. These Protestant ideals alongside the tenets of Puritanism placed women in a very similar role. Both of these religions played a major role in the development of the US value system. During the colonies, “the ideals of Protestantism and Puritanism as civil or state religion… became a basic tenet of the United States”. (Day, 2003, p. 114) These ideals that women and men are inherently different and that women must be guided by the men in their life has a direct influence on social welfare and policy in the US. Women who were unmarried, especially those with children, were viewed as morally deviant and therefore were unworthy of social welfare. Historically US charities were particularly selective and did not offer aid if individuals did not fit the moral standards that trickled down from Protestant and Puritanical ideologies.

My Personal Values in Social Work

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) laid out specific ethical values when Social Work became a profession and not just a charitable deed. This Code of Ethics guides the principles in which Social Workers operate, as a professional Social Worker you are upholding these values through your work. This Code of Ethics put forth 6 values that are deemed essential to Social Work, these values include Social Justice, the Importance of Human Relationships, Integrity, Competence, Dignity and Worth of a Person, and finally Service. These values provide the foundation for Social Work Practice and therefore must intersect and guide a Social Workers personal values. Social Work professionals must use these 6 values as the foundation of their practice rather than their own personal values, this is why it is essential to know how personal beliefs intersect with these 6 values.

My values that I described earlier placed a heavy emphasis on society providing for its people and the importance that everyone receives proper care regardless of their different identities. These ideas and personal values most closely align with the social work value of service. The tenet of service operates on the basic ideals that humans should take care of each other and help provide for society at large. This value directly links to my own ideology that society should take care of its members and that a functional society needs to do this to continue. Service has played a very direct role in the history of social welfare, but this service is not available to all of the members of society historically and currently. Only very specific individuals could receive service throughout our history. There have been and are currently significant barriers to care for different groups of people, individuals are not all on a level playing field in terms of being able to gain services.

My personal values are also linked to the social work value of social justice. I have discussed how the society should care for the individual and specifically that not everyone comes into the world on an even playing field, and as humans we should try to work to get everyone closer to an equal footing. This movement towards equity is an essential part of social justice. The social justice value states that social workers should actively work to fight injustice and advocate for social change, particularly for individuals who cannot able to fight for themselves (NASW, 2017). This ideology directly relates to my own beliefs about fighting to change inequalities and providing opportunities for individuals who would normally not receive them. Social justice has gained popularity fairly recently in historical terms, social services were not available to individuals who did not meet the very specific criteria. So, there were some elements of social justice at play, but it was laced with discriminatory ideologies, such as sexism, and racism.

References

1. Day, P. J., & Schiele, J. H. (2013). A New History of Social Welfare. Boston, MA: Pearson.
2. National Association of Social Workers. (2017). Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Washington, D. C.

Brotherhood for me means always being there for each other. Ever since I was born, I have known one thing to be true – my brothers will always be there for me in every situation, and so too I will be there for them in every situation. One who is born with brothers or sisters is born with the mentality of always thinking of their siblings in everything they do. When you are a brother, you simply cannot do everyday tasks without consulting the other, whether it be who gets to use the bathroom first in the morning or who gets to sit in the front seat on the way to school. Brotherhood has taught me many important values in life such as empathy, loyalty, trust, and honesty. Without these four factors, one cannot ensure having a bond that will last them until the end of their days.

Being a triplet can be very frustrating but only once one begins to progress in life will one understand that being a triplet is one of the greatest gifts in the world. One of these frustrating moments is when someone meets you for the first time. Their first reaction when I tell them that we are indeed triplets is one of shock and disbelief, they then go on to say that they cannot tell the difference between us, because of this I have provided visual evidence that we definitely do not look alike. My eldest brother is tall and thin with brown hair, my elder brother is average height and muscular with blonde hair, and finally, I am the shortest with a small build and brown hair. We can be seen wearing a kippah at Friday night Shabbat, which is very close to our hearts, it indicates that our Jewish Israeli heritage is something that will unite us forever.

Being united by a bond that is so strong does not mean that one cannot express their individuality. The most important feature of brotherhood for me is that while brothers can be as close as heat is to fire in their bond, they can be so far apart from each other in their individuality. No brother could get along with the other if he was too similar or too different, one needs the right balance of differences and similarities, and only then will the relationship work. What brotherhood meant for me when I was younger was always having someone to play with, always having someone to go on adventures with, always having someone to be competitive with, and always having someone that will be there for you when no one else is. One of the most important lessons I have learned from being a brother is to never compare yourself to others. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses and must embody and concentrate on what they think shapes their character. However, when one compares their achievements, it results in sadness, hate, and betrayal. My mom explained to me that this would be a key factor in determining how well my relationship with my brothers would be, and this is why we are so close today.

How I view brotherhood today is very different from how I viewed it in the past. When I was younger, I used to hate the fact that people couldn’t tell my brothers and me apart – it used to make me feel like I cannot be independent. Now I have learned that instead of similarities being something that I should be upset about, it is something that unites me to a bond that no one can ever destroy. Even though my brothers and I may look similar at first glance, each of us embraces our differences and focus on them. Our differences allow us to be independent, and without them, our relationship would not be the same.

In the past, my brothers and I shared a room until we were twelve years old, this was something that brought us closer together. But now we have our own rooms, our own bathrooms, our own phones, and our own interests. As time moves on, we are slowly being disconnected by our different interests and different lives, which shows that we are all progressing as people.

Brotherhood does not only have to be two males who are connected by blood, but rather a brother is someone who cares for you, is loyal to you, and is willing to do anything to save your relationship if need be. Being a triplet has really made me understand how to form a bond that is unbreakable with people. I am very lucky to say that my blood brothers are not the only brothers I have – I have many friends whom I can go to for advice, and who are reliable, loyal, and trustworthy. I know that I can count on them for anything just like I can with my blood brothers.

Trust is so hard to gain, yet so easy to lose. It requires time and effort, two steps that many people neglect to take in building relationships. However, brotherhood is different, brotherhood relies on trust. Brothers trust one another with their innermost secrets, they trust in each other’s judgment on a range of issues, and they trust each other to ‘have one another’s back’ through thick and thin. Brotherhood stems from unconditional love. Unconditional love means loving someone enough to tell them when they are wrong, loving someone enough to want that person to excel in all of his endeavors, and loving someone enough to sacrifice your own comfort for theirs.

For some reason (probably thanks to television and especially zealous ‘gurus’ of self-development), the refined image of a successful person is in the air. Such a person always gets up at 6 a.m., immediately begins to smile to lighten the mood, jumps out of bed, and does exercises. Then he squeezes a juicy orange into his glass and cooks oatmeal. Of course, he always has a glider on hand in order to make a to-do list for today and the next ten years, and the earpiece from which the affirmations are buried in his ear. That’s right, yes? No, not really. There is nothing wrong with such an image, charging and planning have not hurt anyone yet. The problem is different. Many people perceive everything higher as unsolved attributes or even components of success. That is, in the opinion of many, a successful person observes the regime or tries to manage his time, not because he reasoned that such a way of life would help him become more efficient, but because a successful man should do it! Or: all successful people do it, so I need to! It is hardly necessary to prove that such a way of thinking is vicious and can lead to great disappointment. Let me remind a mockingly simple truth: a successful person is one who succeeds. Not the one who eats dietary oatmeal. Not the one who plans. Not someone who thinks positively or invests 10% of his income. Just the one who succeeded. So, what really makes a successful person?

First of all, balance and prudence. The ability to control oneself, to keep control over one’s own emotions, not to lose one’s own mind, without wasting energy on stupid quarrels, conflicts, and worries – all this makes a successful person.

Secondly, objectivity. Understanding of real possibilities, honest assessment of one’s shortcomings, merits. The correct attitude to defeat and victory. Obtaining a certain result. It is necessary to soberly evaluate all the factors that had an influence on them: successful people will not ‘hang their laurels’ on themselves for an achievement that does not depend on their efforts. Just as they would not reproach themselves for failure for reasons beyond their control. However, even a well-deserved victory (defeat) will not cause excessive emotions: this will be regarded as nothing more than the result of certain actions that had certain consequences. Successful people will not demand the impossible from themselves, at the same time knowing their abilities, they will not underestimate them, justifying inaction.

High performance also makes a successful person. Supported by the already obtained results, belief in oneself, and enthusiasm for the idea can multiply the effectiveness of the efforts made by man to achieve the goal.

Persistence in achieving the goal (not to be confused with stubbornness) and the ability to act steadfastly on the intended course, despite all difficult circumstances, doubts, and fears, are also very important.

Moral sustainability does not stand aside either. Even the thought of dishonest ways of earning income (bribes, theft, scams of various kinds) is repugnant to a successful person.

Flexibility in communication, that is, the ability to bypass the ‘sharp corners’ diplomacy, also makes a successful person.

And, of course, successful people are distinguished by a harmonious inner ‘I’. They know what they deserve, and they are able to create warm friendships, love, and trust.

This is what I believe really makes a successful person.

Introduction

People from all over the world are raised in certain cultures and participate in specific customs and traditions. They follow the same thoughts and the same traditions. They don’t always have the same idea, but at least they have natural humanity and simple social skills. American values and assumptions include all cultures. They engage and help each other. Americans value individualism, competition, privacy, equality, informality, the future, time, achievement, directness, and assertiveness.

Individualism in American Culture

The most significant aspect of American culture is individualism. Americans are inclined to individualism. They learn from childhood to be independent and they train themselves to live individualized lives. For instance, American parents teach their children to make decisions and take responsibility for counting their own money. They make personal choices. Americans have common phrases that reflect their individualism: “If you do not look at yourself no one else will.”

Competition as American Value

The next aspect is competition. People watch American culture follow it. American people enjoy grabbing people’s attention. Also, they like to compare who is smarter, richer, and faster. They always want to be in good shape.

Privacy as American Value

The next aspect of American values is privacy. Americans like privacy and consider it part of individualism. They say: “We need some time alone to organize our thoughts or spent time with ourselves.” There is a boundary that other people cannot cross. Americans are surprised by people who always want to be with each other. The Americans consider people who dislike privacy as weak and dependent.

Equality and Informality

The next feature of American values is equality and informality. For instance, Americans believe every person is equal and should be given the same respect and esteem. Sometimes this is misunderstood by foreigners who do not understand that Americans did not respect the equality of nationality. Related to equality is informality. Americans like to be informed if they are invited to a party, they go in casual dress. Americans, in general, are informal in with people. They introduce themselves with a friendly attitude.

Future and Progress

The next aspect is the future, change, and progress. Americans consider that history cannot be changed, but it can change the future. They believe people can create futures. They can build their own futures with punctuality, and discipline. Moreover, they focus on the future instead not the past because they think if you do something with dedication, you will achieve something.

Importance of Times

The next aspect of American values is the importance of time. Americans always appreciate people who respect their time. They never waste time because they believe the time is money. With money, you can control and afford everything. Americans do not know desperate words; they work like a machine moving everywhere.

Achievements

Finally, the last aspects are achievement, action, work, and materialism as well as directness and assertiveness. Americans work hard, and they believe in their efforts to achieve their goals. Americans have a devotion to their jobs and responsibility. Besides, they are enjoying doing something such travel or moving to another place. They are always in an active mood. Americans are sometimes materialistic. They think that it is natural and appropriate. Related it to achievement, action, work, and materialism. They are direct and assertive. Americans consider themselves open-minded and straightforward. They can communicate and deal directly and clearly.

Conclusion

To conclude, the article discusses that America is composed of different cultures. To avoid intercultural misunderstandings people who visit the United States must know about American cultural values and assumptions. These are individualism, competition, privacy, equality, informality, the future, change, progress, time, achievement, action, work, materialism, directness, and assertiveness. I recommend that a foreigner in the USA study American values and assumptions.

There is no limit to learning, there are many things to be learnt during travels. And in this essay, I will explain some of the essential things I learnt from my last trip. The only way I was able to learn during my trip was by opening up my mind to the freedom and lessons of life.

Patience is one of the important lessons I learnt during my last trip. Life will not always go the way I planned and expect, and I had to learn to be calm and cool when responding to these unplanned situations. I learnt that exploding and fuming in anger and rage will not solve any problem. But in patience, there is a solution. I also had to learn to be patient as a result of communication barrier, not everyone speaks English and I had to be patient when communicating with the locals. This lesson has changed my approach to life generally.

There is a big difference in learning about other culture and experiencing the culture. I had to appreciate the differences between my culture and other cultures. The diversity of culture is what makes the world a fun place to live. I learnt not to discriminate other culture. The uniqueness of every culture allows for everyone to have unique experiences. I learnt that there is no superiority in cultures, accepting and appreciating other culture opens up the eyes to the beauty and importance of the culture.

I had to learn to be creative in thinking, everywhere is not like home where I know what to expect and I know how to deal with issues. On my last trip, I had to learn to think smart and creative when faced with challenges. Creative thinking is a must when in new environment, all my previous approaches and solutions were not relevant in some places, and I needed to think smart and creatively to find solutions to unforeseen circumstances.

I saw on my last trip that not everyone has the opportunities I have, and I have to be grateful every day of my life. I saw people struggling to make ends meet, and I realized how much I have taken things for granted. These sights made me realize that I had to be humble, and treat everyone I meet with respect. Looking down on people will bring me nothing, but giving adequate respect to everyone brings fulfilment and joy. Gratitude is very important, and that made me stop wasting resources and taking things for granted.

And finally, one of the greatest things I learnt from my last trip is that I don’t need to have the most expensive clothes, gadgets or vehicles to be happy. One of the best causes for happiness is having new experiences, making new friends, trying out new things. This has changed my view towards life, I do not judge the happiness of people based on their possessions. It has also changed what I put effort and energy into, acquisition of lots of possessions doesn’t bring joy.

I am infinitely grateful to the last trip for the experience I received and how it changed me.

Academic responsibility is a big word that gives writing structure. Without balance and responsibilities, everything would come crashing down. Meaning that you must take your actions into consideration. All actions have consequences, whether good or bad. By following directions, you will not end up ruining your future or academic success. There are multiple things you can learn from your teachers, classmates, and community. All around you are people who are willing to help you if you just reach out and ask them. Following instructions will lead to success in whatever you wish to do.

As a teacher in training, directions are important. If one student does not follow the directions, they can end up getting hurt or things can go wrong. In music, if one student does not follow the directions, the whole ensemble may have to stop and restart (which wastes valuable time). If we were at a contest, the entire group would lose points and could possibly fail or get disqualified if one person were to not follow the directions. We learn from our first day of being teachers in training that when you want something done correctly, you must give clear, short instructions, meaning that the instructions must be said within five-ten seconds or students will stop listening. If students stop listening, then they will continue to make the same mistakes and waste time.

Instructions and directions should always be followed because I want what is best for myself and my future students. I need to follow directions to do what is needed to succeed. The saying is that “You cannot go through life willy-nilly without some sort of direction”. If you follow the directions, you will end up being happy and successful. On the other hand, if you completely disregard the directions, you will end up being miserable and unhappy as well as unsuccessful. If you follow the directions, you will be less likely to make mistakes the first time and will be able to fix your mistakes better in review. The worst that can happen is that you may be misguided, but can easily be led back on track. If you follow the directions completely, you will not end up cutting corners or rushing to get it done.

For instance, when people get in a rush, they tend to measure once and cut, instead of measuring twice and then cutting; this can lead to multiple things. These careless and easily avoidable mistakes can ruin a reputation, that may have taken a lifetime to build, of an individual in just seconds. In life, you cannot cut corners because you can hurt not only yourself but also the people around you. There is a reason why people start things sooner rather than later, it is because people want to do the best job that they can, and they know that they cannot do their best overnight.

Another reason why people cut corners is procrastination. Procrastination can make work not as efficient as it can be because people put things off until the last minute and hurry to get it done. When someone hurries through their work, they fail to double-check their work, which can lead to plagiarism, wrong answers, or incomplete work. Plagiarism is a scary word, and it should be. Plagiarism can be an accident or done on purpose, but it will still give you a horrible feeling along with ruining your accreditation. When someone plagiarizes, it can hurt not only the person who plagiarized but also the person they took the source from. The original writer put an incredible amount of work into something, and when someone just takes it and makes it their own, it is stealing something that the original writer worked hard on.

In life, you cannot, and morally should not, take the easy way out of things or push responsibilities onto others. Taking the easy way out means you did not actually learn anything or that you are taking credit for something you did not do. This includes even saying that you read a chapter when you did not. That is just morally wrong, plus people will easily know if you read this chapter if they ask you anything about it.

What I have learned from my experiences at the University of Evansville is that there are thousands of opportunities here. The classes are small to the point where you do not feel overwhelmed with the amount of people in them. This benefits students because they can get more one-on-one time with a professor, and he can assess what each student needs to work on individually. With more one-on-one time with a professor, students can accomplish more and grow at a much faster rate. The University of Evansville is known for its small classes and their different ways of helping students flourish. But when a student is careless and does not use their resources, they will no longer flourish and will begin to struggle. When students begin to struggle, they start cutting corners and everything begins going downhill.

This university has helped me in more ways than just more one-on-one time with a professor. There is an excellent writing center that will help every student who walks through the door and requests it. The staff in the writing center will bend over backward to help a student succeed. I’ve recently learned this when I started going to them for help this semester. They have helped me make every essay that I have written sound academic, well thought out, and organized. I also learned a trick or two that helped me study for my exams, including my CASA exam.

While taking my time and working at the library, I learned from the front desk that there is a website and app that can shut down everything you need to have little to zero distractions to stay on task. This app is called Flipd. Flipd can lock everything and only allow calls from your emergency contacts in case they need to get ahold of you. The website on the computer is called Stay-Focused. This website blocks us from using other websites until the time that we put in is completed. These two apps have helped me immensely to keep me focused and on track to get all my homework done. While using these apps, I have managed to get more of my homework done in a much shorter amount of time than before. These really help with my procrastination problem because I finish my work much sooner, and it is a simple solution that only costs $1.99, compared to a lifetime of stress and hurry.

Another thing someone taught me at the library is to get an hour-by-hour planner, sit down with all my syllabi, and write down when every paper, test, and homework assignment is due in advance. This helps me to not forget or push off the assignments until the due date. When each week approaches, I will know what is due ahead of time. With the hour-by-hour planner, I can figure out the best time to study and do homework. I have sectioned off when my classes are in the planner and have even written in when to do homework when to study for tests, and when to work on my academic papers for classes.

After realizing that I can take my time on things and make them sound academic, I have felt relaxed and less stressed. This has been to the point where I do not feel as if I have a two-ton rock on my back anymore, but just a backpack full of books. I have also started to use my planner for other things such as when to practice my instrument, which helped immensely for my recital. Practicing my instrument helped me become less stressed by having my music ready ahead of time and not having to stay at school late trying to learn as much as I could in a night. This also helped me become a better musician. Before the planner, I would procrastinate and could never practice as much as I should because I was always stressed and panicked about getting everything done.

The things I have learned from the library will help me in the future with teaching because I will have to make lesson plans, have projects to do, and other major things in my career. And with everything that I have learned so far, I will be able to keep on top of things. I will also use these tools in my personal life so I can have a balance between my friends, colleagues, and family, as well as my career. In my EDUC 150 class, we’ve learned that we must balance our whole lives to stay on track, to benefit our students and our own happiness. We’ve learned that if we take our career too seriously, our social life will drastically decline, and vice versa if we take our social life more seriously than our career. There must be a balance between the two.

When I look towards my future, I do not want to think about the mistakes I have made, but only grow from them; they shaped me into the person I am today. If I ran from every mistake I ever made, I would have never been able to accomplish the things that I have today. I know now that if I were to cut corners I would first, most likely never get a job. And secondly, if I did get a job as a teacher, I would not have been able to keep the job or do well if I cut corners. I realize now that to succeed I must follow directions. If I want to be the teacher that I dream of being, I must set a good example for my students.

Talking about religion can stir up a discussion for hours. When one thinks of religion, it mostly reverts to Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Catholicism, and so on. I never knew how in-depth the topic of religion could be. When it comes to religion, everyone has their own opinions and definitions of what it might be and how it is. Religion plays a major role in diverse cultures and nations. The way one interprets religion can be influenced by their culture, traditions, and household. For example, as a kid, you grasp more of whatever religion your parents have and the things they do considering that you live with them. In each religion, they have different morals, beliefs, practices, and views which can be differentiated based on cultures and traditions.

Religion, in my opinion, is the act of social-cultural practices of faith and worship. Personally, for me, religion is not something that I would consider as important because you do not have to take religion seriously to believe in God and do the right thing. You can worship your God or Gods, have faith, and praise them without having religion attached to it. Religion can give guidance in dealing with supernatural, transcendental, and spiritual elements. In particular, Christians are supposed to follow the rules of the Bible, but some don’t, and some may not even accept Christianity as a religion, but that does not take away the love one may have for their God. You have some people claim to not be Christians, but they have the same beliefs as them and praise God just the same. To illustrate, I have some family members who would not quite be considered Christians, but when it comes to God, they do what most Christians may do.

Growing up I believed in God, but I did not really go to church unless I was with my aunt. I prayed, worshiped, and praised him still without really being involved. Although I was not as involved in what most Christians do, I still had a relationship with God himself, which is why I feel as if religion is used more for guidance. There are multiple religions, you have some that have multiple Gods and others just one, and some that have different practices and texts. As I get older, I am more able to indulge in more Christian-like things, learn not just about Christianity but other religions, and get a deeper understanding of what religion means.

To answer the question of what religion is, I chose to use Augustine’s definition of religion, because out of all the definitions provided, I felt that it related more to me. In Augustine’s definition of religion, he states that “man is one of your creatures, Lord, and his instinct is to praise you”. What I get from that is God created man as well as other creatures here on the Earth, and our instinct as man is to praise him. For instance, when one goes to church, one claps, dances, sings, and shouts, which is a form of praising; churches are known as the house of the Lord, so when you go to his ‘house’, you praise him. Everyone has their own forms of ways that they choose to praise God, but overall they praise him. This part of the definition supports what I was taught in my Christian household.

In Christianity, we are taught that God created the Earth, as well as us, humans and animals. In the book of Genesis, it talks about how God created us, in return we are supposed to love him and praise him. Also, in Augustine’s definition of religion, he includes that “[God] made us for [himself] and our hearts find no peace until they rest in [him]”, which is quite similar to what is said in the book of Genesis. The definition overall fits what I was taught growing up and from the church. I believe that there is more to religion than what the definition states; however, the definition best fits what I know and understand about religion compared to the others given.

Sustain Trust

When you start trusting you are basically exposing yourself to vulnerability of betrayal with expectations of not being betrayed. If you once asked yourself why do you have to sustain trust its primarily because takes huge amount of courage to trust and which you give up control to what is valuable to you be it your heart, sharing your secrets or sharing your work. You can sustain trust through honesty by giving constructive feedback and criticism when your co-worker asked for your perspective on certain issue or an idea. This will help you to have openness to one’s view. Share your competency with team members and employees especially in topics that your have adequate knowledge also combined to your abilities which this promotes productivity, collaboration, and creativity.

Benefits of Trust

The benefits of having culture of trust in the workplace is that first off it increases productivity of the organisation and this helps the organization in meeting the deadlines on time or earlier. First, if the employees trust the people they work for and with, they feel comfortable and which they produce loyalty response comb9ined with organizational commitment. The morale and integrity increase amongst the staff members. The company can be able to weather storms thrown up by external threat (Reina, et al., 2017). Trust allows team members to connect deeper on human level and having relations that produce growth, self-development which both parties benefit. The ability to work effectively as team other than individuals that also brings creativity. Creativity gives the organization a competitive advantage as it will bring uniqueness to their product/ service. Again, as stated before, the behaviour and attitude of employees portrayed rubbers off to the external stakeholders, so when there is trust, pride, and engagement, automatically external stakeholders (customers and potential investors) will have loyalty to the organization.

Culture of Trust

It is universally known that trust is core of all relations and it is vital for the success of the relation. If your long-term goal is to see your organization progressing, then you must consider building the culture of trust. Higher level of trust to be in the organization require consistency and few of these strategies, you can be able to achieve it. Respect every employee and employer irrespective their race or skin colour but as humans and your respect for them must no be based their opinions or cultural beliefs even political views. The treatment you dish out must not be based on the status of wealth or the position they hold in the organization and even with personal, treat everyone fairly to avoid animosity and pretence. Effective communication between the management and employees can benefit both parties as that does help with self-development. Give credit where its due like feedback must be constructive and with your critics. Transparency and credit also form part of the mix.

Introduction

Life is an intricate tapestry woven with experiences, lessons, and personal beliefs that shape who we are as individuals. Throughout my journey, I have come to develop a set of beliefs that guide my actions, influence my decisions, and provide meaning to my existence. In this narrative essay, I will delve into the core beliefs that have become the foundation of my life and reflect on the experiences that have shaped them.

The Power of Positivity and Gratitude

One of my fundamental beliefs is that positivity and gratitude have transformative powers. I believe in embracing an optimistic outlook, even in the face of challenges. I have learned that maintaining a positive mindset not only uplifts my own spirit but also has a ripple effect on those around me. Expressing gratitude for the blessings in my life, big or small, enhances my appreciation for the present moment and cultivates a sense of contentment.

Continuous Growth and Learning

I strongly believe in the power of continuous growth and learning. Life is an ever-evolving journey, and I see every experience as an opportunity for personal development. I strive to broaden my knowledge, expand my horizons, and challenge my own limits. Embracing new ideas, perspectives, and experiences allows me to adapt, evolve, and become a better version of myself.

The Importance of Compassion and Empathy

Compassion and empathy are at the core of my beliefs. I firmly believe in treating others with kindness, empathy, and respect. I strive to understand the perspectives and experiences of others, fostering a sense of connection and building meaningful relationships. I believe that acts of compassion have the power to heal, uplift, and create positive change in the world.

Authenticity and Self-Expression

I hold the belief that embracing authenticity and self-expression is crucial for personal growth and fulfillment. Each person has a unique set of talents, passions, and qualities that make them who they are. I believe in embracing my true self, celebrating my strengths, and accepting my flaws. By doing so, I am able to live a life that is true to my values, pursue my passions, and contribute meaningfully to the world.

Resilience and the Power of Overcoming Adversity

Life is not without its challenges, and I firmly believe in the power of resilience. I have faced my fair share of setbacks and obstacles, but I have learned that it is in these moments of adversity that we discover our strength and resilience. I believe that setbacks are not indicative of failure but rather opportunities for growth, learning, and personal transformation. It is through perseverance and determination that we can rise above challenges and create a life of resilience and fulfillment.

Conclusion

In this narrative essay, I have shared my core beliefs in life that have shaped my journey of self-discovery. Positivity, gratitude, continuous growth, compassion, authenticity, resilience, and self-expression are the guiding principles that shape my actions and decisions. These beliefs have been influenced by my experiences, lessons learned, and personal reflections.

As I continue to navigate through life, I embrace these beliefs as a compass to guide me, providing clarity, purpose, and fulfillment. They serve as a constant reminder to approach life with an open heart, a curious mind, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world around me.

Be yourself. How many times have you heard that phrase? It sounds so simple, but it is a lot harder than people make it out to be. Over the past decades, being gay was something no one talked about. Many young LGTBQ people hide their true selves from friends, family, and society before they come out, which can often be an isolating experience. This sense of isolation can take a toll on our mentality and can be hard to shake off. This is something I can speak from experience because the day I found the courage to come out to my family and friends, was the day I finally felt free; The journey out of the closet was not as smooth at first, but it allowed me to realize that I was never alone.

Around my elementary years, I started getting a sense I was different, but I didn’t know the proper term for it. All I knew is that whatever I was feeling was considered to be wrong. It started when my female classmates would gossip about their latest crushes on the cutest boy in the class. I never did quite comprehend why I didn’t feel the same way as the other girls at the time, but maybe it’s because I thought boys were annoying and gross, but the fact that I didn’t have any romantic feelings towards them started to scare me. The truth is the butterfly feeling my friends would experience when talking about a boy is what I experienced when thinking about a girl. I wanted to tell someone what I was experiencing but didn’t know how to put it into the right words. I thought of talking to my family and friends, but I was hesitant. I felt alone, trapped by all these confusing feelings. I struggled to find a sense of community among my peers; I was this young girl wondering what was wrong with me — asking myself why I couldn’t be part of the group. Why I couldn’t, I be just an insider, instead of just pretending to be one? I build a wall around my emotions. Stuffed them into tiny boxes and hide them deep down in my mind. Somehow rewired my mentality on building a new persona as an average person and began pushing away an essential piece of myself all due to the fear of being different.

Fake until you make it was a phrase, I grew up hearing my parents say when they faced an obstacle in their life. It became my mantra for the next few years in middle school and the beginning of high school. I had a sense I was gay for a while now, but whenever the thought crossed my mind, I pushed it aside and trained my brain not to show that different part of myself. The region in which I hated the most was the role that consumed a piece of my identity, I didn’t want my parents to judge me based on the person I fell in love with. ‘There was nothing so humiliating as being unable to express myself’ (Baca, 153). I felt this uncomfortable feeling being judged mostly being judged by myself. I was uncomfortable in my skin; this feeling came from shame. It came from not accepting myself as a gay woman.

As I got older, I learned that coming out was a process of understanding, accepting, and valuing my identity. Coming to terms with my sexuality took some time, I knew I was the only person who could decide when and how it was safe to come out. As the end of high school neared, it became harder to distract myself from the issue. I needed to open up to someone and share the emotions that were overflowing in my head. Before graduation, the jazz band and I traveled to Georgia to perform a show for former President Jimmy Carter. It was our last night before flying back to California, and my classmates and I decided to throw a movie night to celebrate our success. Halfway through the movie, I started to fidget around with my bracelet; it’s a coping mechanism I used whenever I become anxious about something. A few friends noticed and asked if I was okay. It was then in that very moment when I stood up and yelled out ‘I’m gay!’ the whole room became silent the next thing I know two of my friends in the back of the room yelled back ‘Finally! What took so long?’. The room burst out into laughter and shouted out in celebration. The support was incredibly better than I excepted it was hugs and smiles throughout the whole night. I felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I could finally breathe again. But as much as I was relieved, my friends knew I still had to come out to my family. And they were the people I was most anxious about coming out to.

Months passed and I still felt stuck on not knowing the perfect way to tell them. — It wasn’t until one day during math class, my friend Sebastian noticed me spacing out during the lecture and tapped me on my shoulder, asking if everything was okay. I shrugged with frustration and explained my situation to him. He knew how much coming out to my parents meant to me, so he offered to help me out. For the next two weeks, we met in the library devising the perfect plan. We eventually came up with the idea of me writing a letter to my parents and giving it to them on ‘National Coming Out Day,’ but I chickened out when the time came. I ended up creating a group chat with my entire family and sending them a shorter version of what I wrote in my letter. My mother was the first person to call me back and played ‘I’m Coming Out’ by Diana Ross over the phone while yelling out ‘Mija I already knew!’ then a couple of texts and phone calls followed from the rest of the family. Overall my experience was positive and full of love and support. I feel pride in showing my true colors. All the negativity I thought of over the past few years has left my mindset, and I no longer hide behind a mask. It took me a while to find myself, and all the pain I went through was worth it because at the end of it all, I’m finally happy with the person I am today, and I wouldn’t change for the world.