Significance of Loneliness and Isolation in Our Lives Essay Example

Significance of Loneliness and Isolation in Our Lives Essay As we climb up the mountain of life, we realize that at some point in time we all have to go through a stage of loneliness and isolation. It’s not easy but this stage does help us to become better people. A lot of people believe that when they get their dream career and their dream lives they would be happy beyond measures, but unfourtanely life does not work out that way. You see that stage of loneliness and isolation can happened at any stage in your life child hood, adolescence, adult hood. We all as human beings must experience this only because it makes us stronger; it opens our eyes to the world. Cathedral† by Raymond Carver and â€Å"Sonny’s Blues â€Å"by James Baldwin are two exemplary works of literature that shows the importance of going through loneliness and isolation and how it opens up one’s eyes to a whole new life. James Baldwin’s â€Å"Sonny’s Blues† is a perfect example of how one is not open with their self to view others just as others view him. The narrator of the story is a high school algebra teacher, a husband, a father, and last but not least a brother. Throughout the beginning of the story you can tell that the narrator is missing something in his life, you wouldn’t think that because it seems like he had everything. That just goes to show you that nothing is what it seems on the outside, and the narrator noticed that I believe. In the beginning of the story the narrator recently found out that his little brother Sonny had been arrested for dealing drugs. He couldn’t understand how a bright young man such as his brother could get himself into such a situation. â€Å"I told myself that Sonny wasn’t crazy†¦ he’d always been a good boy, he hadn’t turned hard or evil or disrespectful they way kids can†¦ especially in Harlem† (413). Even though he had suspicions he didn’t bother with them he kept putting it out his mind. â€Å" I hadn’t wanted to know. We will write a custom essay sample on Significance of Loneliness and Isolation in Our Lives specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Significance of Loneliness and Isolation in Our Lives specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Significance of Loneliness and Isolation in Our Lives specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer I had had my suspicions, but I didn’t name them, I kept putting them away†(413). The narrator hasn’t seen his brother for over year, even if he wanted to do something, what could he do, his brother chose the life that he is living he couldn’t do anything about it. It took the narrator a while before he wrote his brother, when he finally did it was after his daughter died. When Sonny wrote back to him, the brother felt bad, as if he was a bastard. After that first letter they stayed in constant contact with each other, they even went as far as seeing each other face to face when Sonny got back to New York. It was at that moment that the narrator felt like he needed to worry about his brother, he wondered about what type of life his brother was living. He remembered when their father had died and his mom told him that he must look after his brother,† Im telling you this because you got a brother. And the world ain’t changed† (422). Sonny wanted to become a musician and the narrator didn’t feel like that was going to be much use of Sonny in life, he didn’t really support his brother and that drove a wedge between him and his brother. That became the first sign of isolation, just because they didn’t agree on Sonny’s life choices didn’t have to pull them apart. Family is supposed to support each other through whatever. The isolation became a void of loneliness plagued into his heart. The narrator couldn’t see how being a musician was going to better nor enhance his brother’s life, he couldn’t understand that the blues tell a story, and that was the only way Sonny could get his voice heard by all. You see that was Sonny’s natural high, performing and letting people feel his vibes, his joy, his pain. By discussing the issues between them and them coming to a mutual ground, Sonny invited his brother to see him perform so he could understand better. Sonny showed him that everything that you keep bottled inside needs to be released and one way to do that is by music. Keeping everything inside is like silently suffocating yourself with the truth. Its okay to let things go, it’s ok to embrace your pain that’s how life is. Life is unpredictable you never know when a curve ball might be thrown at you, or better yet when you might be challenged. That is just the kind of thing that happened in Raymond Carver’s story â€Å"Cathedral†. It is a little different from Sonny’s Blues but it still deals with the concept of loneliness and isolation. The narrator of this story has been married to his wife for some time, but for some reason he becomes jealous of his wife’s old friend who so happened to be a blind man. His wife used to work for the blind men 10 years prior to their marriage and he was paving a visit to her house to see her and catch up, since his wife died not too long ago. The narrator was bothered by the thought of a blind man coming into his house. â€Å"My idea of blindness comes from the movies†¦the blind man moved slowly and ever laughed†¦A blind man in my house was not something I was looking forward to†(438). It seemed to me that the narrator was lonely because he didn’t know who he was; he struggled to figure out who he really was. The narrator was very stand offish when the blind man finally came over. He watched how is wife and the man interacted with each oth er. He was very quiet but he also seemed very awkward. The three ate dinner, sat and talked and even watched/listened to some TV. The narrator even asked the blind man if he wanted to smoke herbs with him, and so they did. When the narrators wife dozed off on the couch and it was just the blind man and him left alone he felt uncomfortable, the sounds of what was portrayed on the television was the only thing that broke the silence in the room. A Documentary about cathedrals. Until a thought came to the narrator and he asked the question, â€Å"Something has occurred to me. Do you have any idea what a cathedral is, what they look like, that is? Do you follow me? If somebody says cathedral to you, do you have any notion what they are talking about? Do you know the difference between that and a Baptist Church†? This question struck a very intriguing conversation between the two. The blind man asked the narrator to describe the cathedrals to him. He is making the narrator think outside of his little bubble, it was as if the narrator was afraid of who he was or maybe even ashamed of it, and I believe that the blind man knew that which is why he told the man â€Å"Why don’t you find us some heavy paper? And a pen. Well draw one together†. The narrator went to go find the stuff, came back and they began to draw the Cathedral together. Then the blind man told him to close his eyes and keep drawing. In that moment he realized that he and the blind man had more in common than he thought. He only saw blind men as nuisance and not as a human being who is lonely and isolated just like him but yet he has seen the world he has experienced everything. The blind man showed the narrator that it is okay to be scared but it’s not right to pretend to be something you not, no matter how different you are remember that we are all human and that we are not all the same, we don’t go through the same experiences but we might feel the same pain. Life is not always what we expect it to be, but one thing is for sure that it is an experience that we will never forget. Works Cited Baldwin, James. Sonnys Blues. Responding to Literature. 5th ed. New York: Mc Graw Hill. 412-37. Print. Carver, Raymond. Cathedral. Responding to Literature. 5th ed. New York: McGraw HIll. 437-49. Print. Stanford, Judith A. Responding to Literature. 5th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2006,2003/1999,1992. Print.

Health Care Regulations Essays

Health Care Regulations Essays Health Care Regulations Paper Health Care Regulations Paper Changes and reforms in policy affecting health care facilities are well documented by professional and academic publications (Barr, 2002). These changes and reforms, which aim to improve the provision of health care service, are adopted in order to allow health care facilities to better meet the needs of their patients (Barr, 2002). Thus, there are reforms on the aspect of health care pensions, which are adopted to protect consumers in this field where they know very little (Barr, 2002). Recent changes applied in agency regulation and policy in the United States are those implemented by the Better Home Health Care Agency, Inc., which holds office and provides health care services in Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan and Westchester since 1988 (Barr, 2002). Such recent changes are focused on the provision of more efficient service and the availability of health care professionals, such as a registered nurse, administrator, and medical coordinator, even in the times that the agency is closed, such as on weekends (Barr, 2002). One of the new services provided by the agency is shopping, where the agency charges a minimal fee for assisting their clients in their dietary and shopping needs (Barr, 2002). The client may provide her dietary needs to her caretaker and the goods would be delivered to her. In relation to this, Better Home Health Care Agency, Inc. has a special in-service training, wherein caregivers and health care aids try to meet the nutritional needs of clients while at the same time pleasing their taste buds. This service consists of preparation of specific medically restricted diets, ethnic dishes, and kosher dishes, depending on the needs of the client (Barr, 2002). The changes in policy of the Agency, as manifested by the new services they provide, fall within the category of improvement of quality, which is a main concern of many health care facilities, such as hospitals (Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission, 2004). This thrust is influenced by competitive pressures, which require all participants in the health care industry to improve the quality of services, lower costs, and thereby become a better competitor in the health care industry (Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission, 2004). References Barr, N. (2002). Reforming pensions: Myths, truths, and policy choices. International   Ã‚   Social Security Review 55(2), 3-36. Better Home Health Care Agency, Inc. (2007). Innovative Programs. Retrieved November 17, 2007, from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://betterhomehealthcare.com/content/innovativeprograms.html Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission. (2004). Improving Health Care:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A Dose of Competition.

Introduction to Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 7

Introduction to Business - Essay Example This implies that Potz’s assets are more likely to be converted into cash beforehand to that of the Wannabees. It is therefore believed that Potz possess lesser risk to the banks and thus suits more to their requirements to pay-off the loan. (Brigham, 1985) The calculations of the acid test ratio have only confirmed our opinion. It can be observed from the calculations above that Wannabee has too much cash entrapped in inventories which takes time to liquidate. (Brigham, 1985) On the other hand Potz, whose acid-test ratio is 5.7 times larger than that of the Wannabees, is more likely to attract the bank due to its ability to liquefy itself. Therefore, it is expected that the Potz is more likely to receive the loan due to its capacity to turn its assets into cash, which can be reflected in the calculations of their acid-test ratio. Despite the fact that liquidity plays an important role in the bank’s decision to grant the loan but one cannot ignore the impact of the profitability, efficiency and leverage ratios in the process. However, if the best decision is to be based on the ratios given in the exercise then Potz is likely to succeed in the

Parents Involvement in Childrens Education Essay

Parents Involvement in Childrens Education - Essay Example This essay stresses that a child’s first three years is the basis for his/her cognitive growth and this is why the family part in these years of development is crucial. The family setting in which a child grows influences his/her activities, observations, communication skills, conducts and motives, which are indeed the key elements in shaping the child’s literary experiences. On this perspective, it is evident that families are the main context of learning for the children and a supportive environment will make a positive difference, particularly in their educational success. This paper makes a conclusion that children who are nurtured well in their family environment tend to be better competent in their social and educational spheres even in the later stages of life. However, differences in these settings will contribute to variations in patterns of learning among the children. This is why children brought up at different levels of families tend to act differently, in accord to the way in which they were raised. Thus, family environment is the main context of learning for the children as it will boost up their educational attainment to a greater level, when nurtured in the right way. The relationship between the parental aspirations and the children’s educational outcomes is complex as it is interrelated with various other social, economic and psychological aspects. It is evident from various researches that the expectations of the parents tend to impact the achievement of the children to a considerable level. Parents who have higher expectations on their children tend to involve more in their learning activities, which would

Ethics Essays Essay Example for Free

Ethics Essays Essay In this essay I will be comparing the similarities and differences between virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics. Ethical development is an important tool needed in today’s society. Virtue theory emphasizes the need for people to learn how to break bad habit of character, like greed or anger. These are called vices and stand in the way of becoming a good person. Place emphasis on which rules people should follow and instead of focus on helping people develop good character traits such as kindness and generosity. Will, in turn allow a person to make the correct decision later on in life. Utilitarianism, the ethical doctrine that the greatest good; the ethical doctrine that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the criterion of the virtue of action. According to philosophy, an action is morally right if it consequences lead to happiness (absence of pain and wrong if it ends in unhappiness (pain). Deontological ethics focus entirely upon the actions which a person performs. Those theories focus on the question, â€Å"which action should I choose†? Here are some description of the differences in how each theory addresses ethics and morality. Utilitarianism morality is the result of act. Focus on the consequences. A moral act is what will bring the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people. Virtue ethics morality stem from the identity or character of the person, rather than being a reflection of the actions. There are certain characteristics which a re virtue. People possessing these virtues is what make one moral, one’s actions are reflection of their own inner morality. Boylan (2009). There are two major ethic theories utilitarianism and deontological, that attempt to specify and justify moral rules and principles. Utilitarianism (also called consequencelism) is a moral theory developed and refined in the modern world in the writing of Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) and John Stuart Mill (1806-1873). Deontological ethics is in  keeping with scripture, natural moral law, and intuitions from common sense. Important point about deontological ethics is, first duty should be done. Humans should be treated as objects of intrinsic moral values. A moral principle is a categorical imperative that is univeralizables, that is, it must be applicable for everyone who is in the same moral situation. The difference between these three approaches to morality tends to lie more in the way of how moral dilemmas are approached, rather than in moral conclusions reached. A personal experience to explain the relationship between virtue, values, and moral concepts as they relate to one of the three theories. Utilitarianism is the one I would pick it deal with working in a team setting. As a scholar at University of Phoenix. I have worked in a team with several other classmate where we are assigned team work paper and presentations. A good teammate develop hands on skills that can lead his or her team to a success completed of all assignment. Reference Boylan, M. (2009). Basis ethics: Basic ethics in action (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. www. differencesbetween.net/science/health

Rocky Horror Picture Show :: essays research papers

It was a cool, crisp November evening, while five teenagers were hustling and bustling around my house excitedly getting ready for their very first showing of the live version of their all time favorite movie. They knew it would be the best night of their lives. The night of my 15th birthday party, my friends and I all piled into my parents car around 11:00 PM and headed off down the road to the Heights Theater. The movie we are about to see is an all time classic. The Rocky Horror Picture Show is the best cult film of all time. The movie has all the three basic elements it should have. It has funny audience participation, wonderful acting, and a great story line. Before the beginning of the movie, cast members will wander around the theater, and yell out various lines from the movie. When the movie curtain starts to roll its way up, you see a bright pair of red lips singing. When the lips appear, people will start to yell out their favorite audience participation lines. One of my favorite spots in the movie to shout out lines would have to be in the very beginning when the lips on screen are singing the song "Science Fiction, Double Feature." The song is full of participation lines and props that people can bring to the theater with them. There is one line that I particularly like that comes from this song and it goes a little something like this; "and from a deadly place it came from (where?) outer space! (Thank you!)." Another example of audience participation/prop use would be when one of the characters, Dr. Scott, goes flying through the walls of the laboratory in his wheelchair. As he is rolling down the ramp fro m where he flew through, another character, Brad, yells out "Great SCOTT" and that’s when everyone takes the toilet paper they have brought with them and throws it all over the place. Once all the toilet paper has been collected by the cast leader, they pick out one person from the audience and DOUSE them with toilet paper and it’s the funniest sight one will ever see! Even though there is a great amount of audience participation, one really has to turn your attention to the actors in the movie. It takes a special kind of person to really understand the movie they are in.

Education in South Africa Essay

Education is the foundation, the root, the sprout from which our current and next generation will lead and engender from. Therefore, having the best educational system in the world ensures me, you and our children a fighting change, albeit pugnacious. This statement is disseminated and broadcasted as fact and the average Joe accepts it as the truth. However, this essay will point directly at the historical and political impediment existing in and on the emotion of the number one South African, me. My essay taunts the question:†As a 40 year old white Afrikaans man, where do I stand in the South African educational system?†, and does it conform to the statement to be the best in the world. I ask the question in all honesty and respect. I am reflecting on education I attained as an Afrikaans â€Å"silver spoon in the mouth† little brat right through to my more sensible self Technical College tuition and my current B-COM studies as a self reliant adult. Historically, my peers and I were advantaged by the system in place, much more than our counterparts in the townships and homelands. I believe that the powers ruled then had only the best intentions for the educational portfolio, albeit it was one-sided in the racial arena. The story of our lives. The institutions that were build and the standards academically set was internationally very high. I firmly believe this basis where we as the new generation sprung from, was based on the system already in place. The difference is, now we can engender from the same mark. We have the brick and mortar that separated the black from white now as monuments of growth and unity, known as Universities. We have the seats and blackboards. We have the prospectus. We have the fervent minds of prospective students. This is the formula for an educational system of note. One important ingredient lacks this recipe of success: Emotion. The emotional scars that on all sides of all the political fences erecte d end torn down over and again remains as barriers and brick walls in the minds of us, the students. Being brought up and instructed that white is white and black is black and the two don’t mix, I soon realized and discerned myself with the fact that the black children could not share in the same educational system. It was the year 1983 when I was starting my high school education this realization came to be. It was clear to see the technical equipment installed in the white schools was not equal to that installed for the black children. This point in my life was the pivot of my social and political views. An immense amount of guilt and shame  fell upon me and I had to hide this not to be shunned from my peers. The fact that my emotions were suppressed added to my shame and guild. So the emotional wall I mentioned grew stronger and stronger. Separation from your mother tongue whilst being educated is an enormous social blunder politicians the world over are making. The emotional impact a child in learning has with his or her home language not present during schooling is a l ifelong scar on the psyche. Not only does it scar, it places a lid on the information these young minds needs to harvest. I had it all fed in my mother tongue from day one. My black peers not. How can a child from a Tswana, Zulu or Venda upbringing now be educated in Afrikaans or English? I feel for the individual that now wants to through the language as a hand grenade in the education war on foreign language in the institutions we get taught at. Why was my language removed from the universities and colleges I want to attend to? Or better asked â€Å"why is my language not present in the current prospectus?† I understand the technical terms and application theories much better in my mother tongue. This I’m asking not as an individual, I’m asking this as every single student you teach and educate every single day. This, my dear educator, this is a historical and political impediment existing in and on the emotion of not just your number one South African, me, but on many, if not all student s. Furthermore and albeit it not be the least, who should pay for my education? I am and average income earner. I can pay for myself, but, I will not be able to sustain my current situation and send one of my children to university. I cannot fathom the impact it has on lower income families. The mere thought that it would change financially after the graduation and after employment status was reached because of the education, does not balance the situation throughout the period. The scholarship and sponsorships given to young students are great. And here comes a big but, why only to certain ethnic groups? Don’t we all suffer? Our current students did not take part in the historical events that shaped our New South Africa. The foundation of our New South Africa rest squarely on their shoulders and it is their responsibility to maintain and ensure prosperity for one and all. By advantaging and allowing one group to benefit on majority defies the Rainbow Nation’s idea. The students that cannot afford to be where we are and those who can barely sustain their presence amongst us, with the paying surplus of students, see this and feel  this on the emotion. It cuts deep to be separated. We came a long and hard way to prevent just this. It is not fair to impend this politics on the minds and emotion of any student. The emotional scars on all sides are real and remain as barriers and brick walls in the minds of us, the students, the student that wrote this essay. This is encumbering the South African Educational system to be the best in the world. Nevertheless I have to believe, I do believe and I trust and pray that our educational system has a place for me and my peers. I therefore conclude, I pray and I hope that my fellow students and I can oversee the sins of our fathers. That we can leap forward and expect to be followed in, English education as language of the future educational system. I hope for financial aid that will accommodate all who needs it. I pray to my fellow students, educators and fellow South Africans to see the future of our education and where it can lead us. I pray for them not to let the past influence and dictate the Educational System’s future. This done, I believe we have the best educational system in the world. We can make the difference.