The opening line in the book Paradoxes of Gender, by Judith Lorber states, “Talking about gender for most people is the equivalent of fish talking about water” (13). Gender has become such a part of our everyday life that we do not take the time to notice. We do not notice that gender is structured through our everyday activities and routines. For example, the clothes we wear, jobs, toys, sports, and many others are all based around gender. Lorber writes “…gender, like culture, is a human production that depends on everyone constantly ‘doing gender’” (13). People “do gender” by dressing their babies in blue or pink, or by a women settling for an office job while the men settle for the higher paying construction jobs. Gender starts at being based on the genitals, from that point on individuals are taught how do “do gender” by certain actions and behaviors.
The first chapter in Lorber’s book explains how gender is “done” and gives supporting evidence that people do not take the time to think about. According to Lorber, “For the individual, gender starts with assignment to a sex category on the basis of what the genitalia looks like at birth” (14). When babies are born, their gender is based on their genitals. From that moment on, gender is done by how they are dressed, named, and even how they are treated. Gender is also shown by the way the parent treats the child. Girls are treated differently than boys, so therefore they respond in a different way when they are adults. Girls are treated softer, and receive more sympathy than boys, where as the boys are taught to be “tough” and to just shake things off. From birth to death, gender is part of everyday life. Gender is done in the sports world; there are girls’ sports, like volleyball, and boys’ sports like football. Gender is also done in the clothes, shoes, and perfume/cologne we wear. When you walk into a clothing store, gender is done by having the store split up into Boy/Girl, and Men/Women’s sections. Gender is even done at some schools or universities; Stephens College in Columbia Missouri is an all girl school.
Gender is a social status, meaning it is learned through different processes. Lorber puts it as, “Social statuses are carefully constructed through prescribed processes of teaching, learning, emulation, and enforcement” (17). Cultures are different, so there are different social statuses out there. For example, Western societies have only two genders (man and woman), but other societies have three genders (men, women, and hijras). Hijras are simply males who dress, behave, work, and are treated as social women (17). This leads to gender bending, which is very common in some cultures like Egypt. In Egypt women dress as men and are treated as men. Gender bending is also common in theatre; where men play women’s roles, like Shakespeare. Lorber explains how people are born sexed, but not gendered, and that individuals have to be taught to be masculine of feminine. She says, “Children learn to walk, talk, and gesture the way their social group says girls and boys should”(22).
One of the main things I liked that Lorber talked about was how gender means sameness. It is about how individuals are born sexed but not gendered. The sex is a physical characteristic, and there are many different physical characteristics that vary between humans like body shapes and clothing. The gender part of humans however, is taught, and humans are taught to be either masculine or feminine. Teaching certain traits like walking and talking begins at a young age. Children are taught to act as “boys and girls should”. When children are young, the gender starts developing personality and sexual orientations through their interactions with parents (22).
Friday, December 9, 2011
xanax
Xanax is a drug used that is commonly prescribed to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and anxiety caused by depression. It is classified as a depressant and belongs with the medicines called benzodiazepines which act on the brain and central nervous system to produce a relaxing feeling. It affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety. It is consumed orally by the mouth, and the prescribed amount is based on your medical condition. Xanax is a controlled substance under the Controlled Substance Act by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is a schedule IV drug, meaning there is a low potential for abuse, but it can lead to limited physical or psychological dependence. Prescriptions may be filled up to five times.
Some side effects of Xanax occur more often than others. Less common side effects involve trouble in sleeping, nervousness, and trouble in thinking. More common side effects include abdominal cramps, blurred vision, constipation, increased thirst, and vomiting.
The molecular formula for Xanax is C17H13ClN4, and its molecular weight is 308.76g/mol.
Here is some information about the disorders treated by Xanax. A panic disorder can be characterized by unexpected panic attacks and a period of fear or discomfort. A few major symptoms of a panic disorder include an accelerated heart rate, sweating, trembling or shaking, shortness of breath, chest pain, and feeling dizzy. Treatment for many people with panic disorders has been achieved with doses of Xanax greater that 4 mg daily. The average dosage is about 5 to 6 mg a day.
An anxiety disorder is characterized by extreme anxiety and worry. The worry is usually about life circumstances and if it lasts for a period of six months or longer then it is time to get help. Some of the major symptoms for anxiety include muscle tension, aches, or soreness, dry mouth, dizziness, frequent urination, sweating, and flushes or chills. Treatment for patients with anxiety should be initiated with a dose of 0.25 to 0.5 mg three times a day. The dose may be increased to feel the maximum effect.
Xanax is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States that have great benefits if used right, but the abuse of it is on the rise. Valium is the only other prescription tranquilizer that has a higher abuse rate that Xanax. A patient’s body can develop a tolerance to the amount they are taking and may require larger doses to reach the desired effect if the drug is taken for long periods of time. Between 1995 and 2002, drug abuse-related trips to US emergency rooms involving benzodiazepines increased by 41 percent, which is from 71,000 to 100,000. Xanax is usually abused in oral pill form, but it can also be injected and is often abused when used with alcohol, another central nervous depressant.
According to The Journal of Postgraduate Medicine, up to 25 percent of patients who stop taking their medication of Xanax experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, irritability, insomnia, chills, fatigue, moodiness, crying, and tremors. A good way to avoid withdrawal symptoms is to slowly reduce the dose taken.
The people that risk Xanax addiction the most are those who drink alcohol and women in their mid forties who experience lots of stress and who are going through menopause. Treatment for Xanax addiction is very similar to the treatment of many other drugs. The first stage of Xanax Treatment will sometimes involve detoxification, if it is deemed necessary to help stave off the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms. For some benzodiazepine addicts, including those on Xanax and especially if the dosage or amount is high, detox is not only recommended but may be considered necessary, due to its seizure potential. Consultation with a qualified health professional is the best way to determine whether or not detox is right for each individual person. The next step may involve treatment centers, psychosocial treatments involving individual or group counseling and therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy or 12 step-based meetings. A variety of inpatient residential treatment centers, as well as outpatient programs, are ready to help Xanax addicts overcome their addiction. Detox addresses the body’s addiction and psychosocial treatment addresses the habits, behaviors and other psychological factors that led to addiction. Treatment should also include issues relating to diet and nutrition, since addicts often ignore nutrition during their addiction.
In conclusion, Xanax can be a big benefit to society by helping those who suffer from anxiety and depression. Xanax can also hurt society by individuals abusing the drug and taking more that recommended. Xanax abuse has risen over the years, with some cases resulting in death. It is important to be responsible and not abuse a substance because it can control a person’s life, their decisions and thinking.
Some side effects of Xanax occur more often than others. Less common side effects involve trouble in sleeping, nervousness, and trouble in thinking. More common side effects include abdominal cramps, blurred vision, constipation, increased thirst, and vomiting.
The molecular formula for Xanax is C17H13ClN4, and its molecular weight is 308.76g/mol.
Here is some information about the disorders treated by Xanax. A panic disorder can be characterized by unexpected panic attacks and a period of fear or discomfort. A few major symptoms of a panic disorder include an accelerated heart rate, sweating, trembling or shaking, shortness of breath, chest pain, and feeling dizzy. Treatment for many people with panic disorders has been achieved with doses of Xanax greater that 4 mg daily. The average dosage is about 5 to 6 mg a day.
An anxiety disorder is characterized by extreme anxiety and worry. The worry is usually about life circumstances and if it lasts for a period of six months or longer then it is time to get help. Some of the major symptoms for anxiety include muscle tension, aches, or soreness, dry mouth, dizziness, frequent urination, sweating, and flushes or chills. Treatment for patients with anxiety should be initiated with a dose of 0.25 to 0.5 mg three times a day. The dose may be increased to feel the maximum effect.
Xanax is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States that have great benefits if used right, but the abuse of it is on the rise. Valium is the only other prescription tranquilizer that has a higher abuse rate that Xanax. A patient’s body can develop a tolerance to the amount they are taking and may require larger doses to reach the desired effect if the drug is taken for long periods of time. Between 1995 and 2002, drug abuse-related trips to US emergency rooms involving benzodiazepines increased by 41 percent, which is from 71,000 to 100,000. Xanax is usually abused in oral pill form, but it can also be injected and is often abused when used with alcohol, another central nervous depressant.
According to The Journal of Postgraduate Medicine, up to 25 percent of patients who stop taking their medication of Xanax experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, irritability, insomnia, chills, fatigue, moodiness, crying, and tremors. A good way to avoid withdrawal symptoms is to slowly reduce the dose taken.
The people that risk Xanax addiction the most are those who drink alcohol and women in their mid forties who experience lots of stress and who are going through menopause. Treatment for Xanax addiction is very similar to the treatment of many other drugs. The first stage of Xanax Treatment will sometimes involve detoxification, if it is deemed necessary to help stave off the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms. For some benzodiazepine addicts, including those on Xanax and especially if the dosage or amount is high, detox is not only recommended but may be considered necessary, due to its seizure potential. Consultation with a qualified health professional is the best way to determine whether or not detox is right for each individual person. The next step may involve treatment centers, psychosocial treatments involving individual or group counseling and therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy or 12 step-based meetings. A variety of inpatient residential treatment centers, as well as outpatient programs, are ready to help Xanax addicts overcome their addiction. Detox addresses the body’s addiction and psychosocial treatment addresses the habits, behaviors and other psychological factors that led to addiction. Treatment should also include issues relating to diet and nutrition, since addicts often ignore nutrition during their addiction.
In conclusion, Xanax can be a big benefit to society by helping those who suffer from anxiety and depression. Xanax can also hurt society by individuals abusing the drug and taking more that recommended. Xanax abuse has risen over the years, with some cases resulting in death. It is important to be responsible and not abuse a substance because it can control a person’s life, their decisions and thinking.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving break is always one of my favorite times of the year. It is a time to show what you are thankful for as well as a time to eat a lot of delicious foods. My family usually meets every year on Thanksgiving day at my grandparents’ house. We always have numerous amounts of dishes to choose from some old and some new. The regulars are turkey, ham, egg noodles, and my sister always makes scrumptious pumpkin pies from our dad’s old recipe. Everyone in our family is a wonderful cook so, I always end up eating way too much. Food is something we all can be thankful for. One tradition my family likes to participate in every year is that good old day after Thanksgiving BLACK FRIDAY!!!! Not only do you get good sales but you also get to spend time finding gifts for those loved ones that you are thankful for. As a culture we give gifts to show we appreciate each other. Well, this year all the best sells were at Target. All my husband wanted for Christmas this year was a big screen TV, either a forty six inch or a fifty inch. Well, Target had a sale for a forty six inch for three hundred dollars. Great price. Great TV. And we could do it so, I decided to get that for my husband. I started my night by going to Wal-mart around seven thirty. I waited in line to get my father in law a wii that was on sale for an amazing one hundred dollars. My sister got in line for a bike for my husband’s niece…. Her first bike! Super exciting! Then, the night continued in line at Target. Of course since that TV was such a great buy, there were about sixty people in front of us in line and only thirty of those Tvs. I was so upset because I was for sure we weren’t going to get it for him. They let thirty people in at a time. When we got in the store the majority of the people who were let in before us were following the lady’s instructions and were calm and took their time and got a cart. Heck! I wasn’t gonna waste the time getting a cart if it meant I could get that TV. I would drag that TV around the store if I had to. I rushed to where the Tvs were and snatched one as my sister helped the people in front of us save ones for the kind people who stood in line with us. I got it! I got the TV for my husband. It was worth the hassle of black Friday to be able to get something to truly show my husband appreciation for putting up with me! J We got the rest of our family members nice gifts for their Christmas like clothes, a GPS, an electric blanket, some house decorations, foot spa stuff, and even a candy machine for my little sister! I can’t wait to see their faces on Christmas day! That’s the best part! J
Friday, November 18, 2011
“Swiss vote on radical heroin rules”
The article, “Swiss vote on radical heroin rules” is about Switzerland having one of the highest addiction rates of heroin in Europe, and finding a way to get it off the streets. Open drug scenes were pretty common on the streets in Switzerland with addicts injecting and dealers selling publicly. HIV and the spread of Hepatitis infection rates were on the rise due to addicts sharing needles. To keep the streets free of illegal drug use, the Swiss health department introduced clean injection rooms where the addicts can inject with the supervision of a nurse in a safe environment.
Switzerland introduced a 10-year heroin prescription program which basically prescribed heroin to addicts because many of them did not seem to be able to get off the drugs. Prescribing illegal drugs to addicts sounds like a foolish idea, I believe it is telling everyone that “it is ok” to do these illegal drugs. This is not a good influence to the younger generation. Their reason for prescribing heroin to these addicts was because “everything else has failed”, or “it would be more shocking if we just let them die”. Doctors believe that since heroin was a fashionable thing to do in the 1980’s and 1990’s, it has lost its trend and now heroin users have the image of losers. They are hoping other non addicts view heroin usage as an image of an “ugly illness”, and they are predicting numbers of new addicts falling.
The theory of addiction I believe that is going to help with this program is the social learning theory. In the social learning theory Bandura declared that people learn by observing and imitating others. He said people are likely to model the behavior of others that they see continuously. This theory works well with the article because its purpose is to decline the number of addicts. Heroin addiction became a trend back in the 1980’s and 90’s but is no longer a trend now. It was much publicized with addicts selling and injecting on the streets. People would see addicts doing this and they would think “well that must be the cool thing to do, I want to try it”. That is how the number of addicts rose in the 80’s and 90’s through the social learning theory. Now people see heroin addicts as trash, or losers. People learn to not get addicted by seeing that heroin is now a “sad, banal, old people’s habit.” Heroin now has the image of an “ugly illness”, and that is why the numbers of new addicts is falling. I believe keeping addicts off the streets is a good idea, but I do not believe in prescribing heroin to addicts just so they can live their normal lives.
Switzerland introduced a 10-year heroin prescription program which basically prescribed heroin to addicts because many of them did not seem to be able to get off the drugs. Prescribing illegal drugs to addicts sounds like a foolish idea, I believe it is telling everyone that “it is ok” to do these illegal drugs. This is not a good influence to the younger generation. Their reason for prescribing heroin to these addicts was because “everything else has failed”, or “it would be more shocking if we just let them die”. Doctors believe that since heroin was a fashionable thing to do in the 1980’s and 1990’s, it has lost its trend and now heroin users have the image of losers. They are hoping other non addicts view heroin usage as an image of an “ugly illness”, and they are predicting numbers of new addicts falling.
The theory of addiction I believe that is going to help with this program is the social learning theory. In the social learning theory Bandura declared that people learn by observing and imitating others. He said people are likely to model the behavior of others that they see continuously. This theory works well with the article because its purpose is to decline the number of addicts. Heroin addiction became a trend back in the 1980’s and 90’s but is no longer a trend now. It was much publicized with addicts selling and injecting on the streets. People would see addicts doing this and they would think “well that must be the cool thing to do, I want to try it”. That is how the number of addicts rose in the 80’s and 90’s through the social learning theory. Now people see heroin addicts as trash, or losers. People learn to not get addicted by seeing that heroin is now a “sad, banal, old people’s habit.” Heroin now has the image of an “ugly illness”, and that is why the numbers of new addicts is falling. I believe keeping addicts off the streets is a good idea, but I do not believe in prescribing heroin to addicts just so they can live their normal lives.
Abortion
On the first day of the process, Tiller kills the baby by injecting a drug called Digoxin into its heart. Tiller guides a long needle through the mother's abdomen into the baby's beating heart.
Tiller claims the baby feels no pain, but he doesn't explain how the heart drug Digoxin can accomplish this.
Also on the first day, Tiller inserts laminaria into the woman's cervix.
Laminaria are thin sticks of seaweed material that absorb moisture and expand. The process dilates (opens) the cervix for the abortion. Tiller will replace the laminaria each day using more sticks each time. This process can take several days.
Several women who have told their abortion stories say the laminaria is very painful. Some say they still experience pain years after their abortions. "Jeanne"said, "I have permanent cervical scarring from the laminaria that will cause me pain the rest of my life." "Jessica" said, "I have had nothing but problems with my female parts. I have had cervical dysplasia, which is bad cells in your cervix that require many painful treatments." "LaDonna" described the pain as Tiller and his staff inserted the laminaria, "I had this horrible pain in my cervix that to this day I can't explain (to this day I still experience that pain from time to time)."
After the baby is dead and the cervix is fully dilated, Tiller delivers the dead baby while the mother is under twilight anesthesia. He uses Versed and Nubain for anesthesia. Misoprostol and Oxytocin are used to induce labor. Misoprostol (Cytotec) is an ulcer medication that is not labeled for use in abortions. Tiller uses this medication "off label."
Up to ten women at a time will be in a communal "labor and delivery" area with only a curtain to separate them.
The whole process takes several days... usually starting on a Tuesday and ending on a Thursday or a Friday. During this time, the mother often stays at a motel. In a video he made, Tiller admits that sometimes a dead baby is born at the motel:
"Probably the last frequently asked question is, "Have we ever had a delivery at the hotel or away from the center?" and the answer to that is "Yes, we have." Since our process is not allowed in any hospital, we occasionally have a delivery away from the center or at the hotel. The good news about that is that in over 10,000 deliveries, we have never had an admission to the hospital or a major complication because we had a delivery away from the center. We sort of conceptualize this as nature taking charge of the process and rushing ahead of the schedule of the doctors, nurses, and their patients. We will agree that it's uncomfortable, it's awkward, it's scary, and it's inconvenient. But the good news is, we have never had a major complication because we had a delivery away from the center or at the hotel."
He also mentions this in the consent form that the woman must sign.
After the dead babies are born, the woman is given the option to cuddle her dead baby and have their picture taken together. This is just one of the many "stillborn activities" that Tiller offers to the mother.
The next day, the woman receives a check-up examination and then is sent home.
Tiller claims the baby feels no pain, but he doesn't explain how the heart drug Digoxin can accomplish this.
Also on the first day, Tiller inserts laminaria into the woman's cervix.
Laminaria are thin sticks of seaweed material that absorb moisture and expand. The process dilates (opens) the cervix for the abortion. Tiller will replace the laminaria each day using more sticks each time. This process can take several days.
Several women who have told their abortion stories say the laminaria is very painful. Some say they still experience pain years after their abortions. "Jeanne"said, "I have permanent cervical scarring from the laminaria that will cause me pain the rest of my life." "Jessica" said, "I have had nothing but problems with my female parts. I have had cervical dysplasia, which is bad cells in your cervix that require many painful treatments." "LaDonna" described the pain as Tiller and his staff inserted the laminaria, "I had this horrible pain in my cervix that to this day I can't explain (to this day I still experience that pain from time to time)."
After the baby is dead and the cervix is fully dilated, Tiller delivers the dead baby while the mother is under twilight anesthesia. He uses Versed and Nubain for anesthesia. Misoprostol and Oxytocin are used to induce labor. Misoprostol (Cytotec) is an ulcer medication that is not labeled for use in abortions. Tiller uses this medication "off label."
Up to ten women at a time will be in a communal "labor and delivery" area with only a curtain to separate them.
The whole process takes several days... usually starting on a Tuesday and ending on a Thursday or a Friday. During this time, the mother often stays at a motel. In a video he made, Tiller admits that sometimes a dead baby is born at the motel:
"Probably the last frequently asked question is, "Have we ever had a delivery at the hotel or away from the center?" and the answer to that is "Yes, we have." Since our process is not allowed in any hospital, we occasionally have a delivery away from the center or at the hotel. The good news about that is that in over 10,000 deliveries, we have never had an admission to the hospital or a major complication because we had a delivery away from the center. We sort of conceptualize this as nature taking charge of the process and rushing ahead of the schedule of the doctors, nurses, and their patients. We will agree that it's uncomfortable, it's awkward, it's scary, and it's inconvenient. But the good news is, we have never had a major complication because we had a delivery away from the center or at the hotel."
He also mentions this in the consent form that the woman must sign.
After the dead babies are born, the woman is given the option to cuddle her dead baby and have their picture taken together. This is just one of the many "stillborn activities" that Tiller offers to the mother.
The next day, the woman receives a check-up examination and then is sent home.
Friday, November 11, 2011
My trip to Harvesters
After arriving at Harvesters, I was placed in the food sorting group. We took a tour of the facility then we were taken to a huge room where we were told how to sort food. My group had to go through large cardboard boxes filled with food and separate to food into specific bins such as, dry meals, condiments, glass containers, cleaning products, and protein. While it was fun trying to see how many objects I could find that belonged in the same bin and carry them all at once, the work sometimes crossed over to the gross side. Occasionally, we would come across mold or maggots because something had broken open. Can you say DISGUISTING?! The second half of the day, after eating delicious pizza, was more tedious. Groups were split again, and I went with a group to wash ceilings, walls, and floors in the freezers. One thing I know for sure is the freezers were definitely working that day. Brrrrrr!
My expectations of Harvesters was somewhat met and yet, exceeded at the same time. I was expecting it to be a boring day that seemed to drag on because we were going to be doing loads of work. Pretty much, I thought it was going to be like doing chores back at home. To be honest, there was tons of work to be done. In fact, there was so much work that even after working extremely hard all day it almost felt like we didn’t get anything accomplished. When I left the sorting room, I looked back and still saw rows of boxes that needed to be sorted. Harvesters exceeded my expectations, however, because I never thought I would have as much fun as I did; nor did I think I would meet as many other people as I got to.
I learned so much at Harvesters, and no, I’m not talking about how to sort food and clean walls. I learned that the majority of people who come into Harvesters are actually NOT homeless. Most people who come in actually have a home to live in and a car to drive. I was also surprised by a small fact that was so obvious yet somehow, I seemed to overlook it. Did you know that the students on the reduced or free meal plans at school usually don’t have food for meals on the weekend? Or that in most cases, they are home alone while their parents are at work so they are left to cook for themselves? Well, I did, but for some reason, I had never actually thought about it or realized the problem that created. Fortunately, someone at Harvesters did so; they deliver backpacks with enough food for the weekend in them and the kids pick them up at school. Because the students are better fed and feel like they have something to look forward to, they actually want to go to school.
Harvesters taught me that with a little help from the community, large amounts of people can be helped. I also learned that, even though it didn’t feel like much got accomplished, every little bit really does count. That’s why it’s so important to help when you can. Community service doesn’t always have to seem like work. In fact, once you actually start to help out it doesn’t. I could see myself returning to Harvesters ready to help!
My expectations of Harvesters was somewhat met and yet, exceeded at the same time. I was expecting it to be a boring day that seemed to drag on because we were going to be doing loads of work. Pretty much, I thought it was going to be like doing chores back at home. To be honest, there was tons of work to be done. In fact, there was so much work that even after working extremely hard all day it almost felt like we didn’t get anything accomplished. When I left the sorting room, I looked back and still saw rows of boxes that needed to be sorted. Harvesters exceeded my expectations, however, because I never thought I would have as much fun as I did; nor did I think I would meet as many other people as I got to.
I learned so much at Harvesters, and no, I’m not talking about how to sort food and clean walls. I learned that the majority of people who come into Harvesters are actually NOT homeless. Most people who come in actually have a home to live in and a car to drive. I was also surprised by a small fact that was so obvious yet somehow, I seemed to overlook it. Did you know that the students on the reduced or free meal plans at school usually don’t have food for meals on the weekend? Or that in most cases, they are home alone while their parents are at work so they are left to cook for themselves? Well, I did, but for some reason, I had never actually thought about it or realized the problem that created. Fortunately, someone at Harvesters did so; they deliver backpacks with enough food for the weekend in them and the kids pick them up at school. Because the students are better fed and feel like they have something to look forward to, they actually want to go to school.
Harvesters taught me that with a little help from the community, large amounts of people can be helped. I also learned that, even though it didn’t feel like much got accomplished, every little bit really does count. That’s why it’s so important to help when you can. Community service doesn’t always have to seem like work. In fact, once you actually start to help out it doesn’t. I could see myself returning to Harvesters ready to help!
What I want to change... about ME
Hmmm… what do I want to change about myself? I have always been happy with the way I am. Grant it, I know there are things that I need improvement on, however, it was fine with me that I am not perfect. I mean, I am only human and there is not a single person who is perfect. This thought is not overly exciting to me. Who would be? Who wants to sit there and think about things they need to change about themselves? Not me, that is for sure. It does not bother me that there are things I need to change; I just am happy with how I am and my imperfections are what make me who I am.
I started by making a list of all the things I need improvement on. I am shy when it comes to conversing with new people. I do not always say what I want to say because I am afraid of hurting other’s feelings; so sometimes I end up letting people walk all over me. However, when people do ask my opinion, I am very honest but, without any sugar coating. I like to be frank and to the point. Hey, if they ask then I might as well tell it like it is. I like to be helpful so, when friends, family, teachers, and coaches ask me to do favors for them, I have a problem with saying no. I also have a problem with telling my coach when something is too much because I am hurt. I am a perfectionist when it comes to things I am doing. I also do not really do anything I am not good at. These two factors are partially why I get frustrated with myself so easily. It is also why I am pessimistic towards the things I do. However, I can thank my perfectionism and pessimism for my success.
I had come up with a huge list of things to change and not one that I really wanted to change. Time to think a little harder. When I get stuck on something or do not know what to do, I think about what my dad would do or what he would say. I do this because I admire my dad so much. He taught me how to be a good person, a good friend. He taught me right from wrong. He did everything a good dad does and he did it with all the love in his heart. I never met a single person who knew my dad that did not admire him or love him. Even when he did things that made people mad he always seemed to do it in a way that ended up making them laugh. So, I thought about it and it dawned on me. I knew what I wanted to change about myself. I want to be more like my dad. Specifically, his bravery. He battled cancer and the whole time he was never scared about what would happen to him. He was never afraid of dying, never afraid of the pain that was inevitable. He just accepted what would happen. He was always more worried about how it was affecting his family and friends. Now, I am not saying I want to get cancer, I just know that if he was brave enough to face the scariest thing in his life the way he did, I can be a little braver. I can find the courage to try new things. Whether it is food or a new stunt in cheerleading, I can do it. If it means doing something I’m terrible at out in public. I can do it. I know if I want to, I can let loose with my friends and do something completely embarrassing in front of a crowd of people just because we feel like it. I know it will not be easy but I want to become more daring and let loose, be brave enough to try things I’ve never tried before.
I started by making a list of all the things I need improvement on. I am shy when it comes to conversing with new people. I do not always say what I want to say because I am afraid of hurting other’s feelings; so sometimes I end up letting people walk all over me. However, when people do ask my opinion, I am very honest but, without any sugar coating. I like to be frank and to the point. Hey, if they ask then I might as well tell it like it is. I like to be helpful so, when friends, family, teachers, and coaches ask me to do favors for them, I have a problem with saying no. I also have a problem with telling my coach when something is too much because I am hurt. I am a perfectionist when it comes to things I am doing. I also do not really do anything I am not good at. These two factors are partially why I get frustrated with myself so easily. It is also why I am pessimistic towards the things I do. However, I can thank my perfectionism and pessimism for my success.
I had come up with a huge list of things to change and not one that I really wanted to change. Time to think a little harder. When I get stuck on something or do not know what to do, I think about what my dad would do or what he would say. I do this because I admire my dad so much. He taught me how to be a good person, a good friend. He taught me right from wrong. He did everything a good dad does and he did it with all the love in his heart. I never met a single person who knew my dad that did not admire him or love him. Even when he did things that made people mad he always seemed to do it in a way that ended up making them laugh. So, I thought about it and it dawned on me. I knew what I wanted to change about myself. I want to be more like my dad. Specifically, his bravery. He battled cancer and the whole time he was never scared about what would happen to him. He was never afraid of dying, never afraid of the pain that was inevitable. He just accepted what would happen. He was always more worried about how it was affecting his family and friends. Now, I am not saying I want to get cancer, I just know that if he was brave enough to face the scariest thing in his life the way he did, I can be a little braver. I can find the courage to try new things. Whether it is food or a new stunt in cheerleading, I can do it. If it means doing something I’m terrible at out in public. I can do it. I know if I want to, I can let loose with my friends and do something completely embarrassing in front of a crowd of people just because we feel like it. I know it will not be easy but I want to become more daring and let loose, be brave enough to try things I’ve never tried before.
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