--To that viewer that rarely visits my blog, I’ve be working on a huge research project that has consumed me completely. I will be posting more in the near future. In the meantime, I have abstracted some words from a Philosophy paper I wrote a while back.--
“… It only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in those we know, and it can take many years to heal them (Unknown, 2007).”
One word spoken, one action taken, one misunderstanding can cause everything from unity to borderline anarchy. With our words and our actions, we can almost control our listeners and predict how they respond. Words can lead to death as well as life. However, without the “how” element, words are nothing more than a combination of letters that make particular sounds when combined appropriately. The “how” element creates the mood that deliver the words and/or the actions. In other words, it’s not what you say or do, but how you say or do it. We each have different relationships with the people in our lives. We are mostly professional with our bosses, teachers, and business associates. With our friends and relatives we are humorous, caring, and more intimate. However, misunderstandings do take place and they can have devastating and everlasting effects on all of us. Imagine you are with your significant other and as you look into their eyes you say, “I really do love you.” You know better than I do about the response you would probably receive. Now let’s put emphasis on certain (BOLD) words. What if you had said, “I really do love YOU”? Or how about, “I really DO love you”? All it takes is one word, one action or one misunderstanding that could generate a paradox within your relationship with one another.
I learned that if my words are accompanied with the right delivery and emphasis, then I could say what I need to say. If I need to say to someone that they are not the best at what they do, then I should be able to do so without undesired consequences. Take a moment to examine this sentence. –You are NOT the best at what you do, but you MAY be able to excel. – By putting the emphasis on the bold and CAPITALIZED words, this sentence is not too encouraging. What if this was something your boss had said to you in this manner? What if your spouse had said this? Think about how you would feel. How would you respond? Now let’s take this same sentence and place the emphasis on some other words. –You are not the BEST at what you do, but YOU may be able to excel. – By placing the emphasis on other words, the delivery is completely different. Now the sentence sounds more encouraging and you would more than likely receive the information in a more positive manner.
While saying what needs to be said, putting emphasis on key words can determine how it is received. Emphases on words are so powerful, that it allows you to take one sentence and give that sentence multiple meanings. Examine the next sentence. –I need to make more money. - Now let’s add emphasis on each individual word of this sentence and notice how the delivery is change due to the emphasized word:* I need to make more money. * I NEED to make more money. * I need to MAKE more money.* I need to make MORE money.* I need to make more MONEY. By emphasizing certain words, we have managed to take one short sentence and give it multiple meanings. What must be understood is that if the emphasis is on the wrong word, misunderstanding is inevitable. Therefore, before speaking, we should think about our delivery, because the same phrase that encourages you can also discourage you.
The desired outcome should always be in mind whenever you take any form of action. Examining your own character flaws will yield exceptional results if you are honest with yourself. Know that you are not perfect and you may be misunderstood at times. Overall, it is not what you say; it’s how you say it. It not what you do; it’s why you do it. Know that you can really encourage the outcome, just by putting the emphasis on one word. As you move on, take these words of wisdom with you:
How do you channel your personal strength? In putting forth the daily efforts that life requires, energy plus optimism equal progress, while energy plus anger only results in frustration. Do the math and you too will add the difference between what’s work, and what’s wack. GOD is Love- (Simmons, 2006).
Friday, March 21, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
Drug Addicts = Human Beings?
Do you have a drug addicted family member? Do you love that drug addicted family member? I’ll be honest; it’s hard for me to love someone whom does not appear to love themselves. As an outsider looking in, all I see is someone who is always willing to lie, cheat, beg, steal and/or trick to satisfy themselves. Just like some of you, I feel like it’s not my job to care. If you want to kill yourself via smoking, sniffing or shooting, then that’s your business. (Nod your head once if you agree) Don’t worry; I’m not setting you up to feel bad later. I’m just letting some of you know that you are not alone in feeling this way. It’s quite normal to feel the way that you do. Actually, it’s cautiousness.
It has been said and proven true, that the hardest working individuals in America are… the drug addicts. I’m not speaking about the upper and middle-class drug addicts. I’m talking about the poverty stricken, homeless and desperate drug addicts otherwise known as crack-heads. I know this subject is somewhat of a cliché, but let’s not allow that to stop the discussion. If you followed a drug addict around for a day, then you’d probably have to take the next day off. From sunrise to sundown most drug addicts are on the move. Their primary goals are to get high whenever the opportunity arises. Their Ultimate hope is that the next high is just like that first high. So I must ask, have you ever been HIGH? I hear it’s better than sexual orgasms... Have you ever had an orgasm?
Drug addicts are skillful and dedicated to their many crafts. They can lie like Lawyers, beg like your favorite charity and steal like the government. Respectfully, I have to take my hat off and salute these drug addicts. If ever there was a body of people in touch with Carpe Diem, it would have to be the drug addicts. Think about it… How often do drug addicts procrastinate?
Whenever drug addicts are featured in movies, they are epitomized as if they are another species. They are constantly ignored and mistreated in almost every scene, as if they were objects. I challenge all to take a closer look at the addict that’s being disregarded and ill-treated. Notice that they too are… human. Have you ever been ignored and/or mistreated by a stranger, or family? If so, did you like it? Have you ever wondered what it is like to be an addict?
It is easy for us to pay little or no attention to drug addicts because they are the ones who choose to do drugs. Therefore, we view this as a personal choice. However, if you heard the tale of your typical drug addict, you’d probably think differently. Think about your happiest first time experiences such as falling in love, sex, driving, etc… If you can remember that feeling, multiply it by 10. If you can successfully fathom this thought, then you are probably close to the feeling that a drug addict gets when they get high for the first time. This is a feeling that can’t be ignored instantly and just like any other endorphin producing experience. Every time they get high, they are hoping that it’s just like first time. If this really is the case with drug addicts, we may want to change our view and realize that drug addicts don’t do drugs… it is the drugs that do the drug addicts.
An addiction of any kind can have anyone acting out of character. When a drug addict steals, begs, lies, or hustles you, it’s probably not personal. If they say that it was the drugs that made them do it, they are more than likely being truthful. We must collectively arrive to the realization that drug addiction is really a sickness and not just a habit. We can control the course of our habits… we can only tolerate our sicknesses. I really hope this reaches you in a way that will allow you to realize that these “Drug Addicts” are human beings just like you. If you are anything like me, you have ignored because you don’t see the hope. Just like me, you may have mistreated and/or denied assistance because you did not see a personal benefit. Mother Theresa said, "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." So, with Caution, I’m asking you to speak with an addict about their struggles with addictions. I know most of us lead busy lives, but let’s try to dedicate a moment or two to someone outside of our comfort zone without focusing on the Quid Pro Quo. Instead, let yourself focus on the possible positive alteration that you can inflict upon someone with little or no hope. Take with you these questions: What will I do? What won’t I do? What can’t I do? What can I do? More importantly…What must I do?
It has been said and proven true, that the hardest working individuals in America are… the drug addicts. I’m not speaking about the upper and middle-class drug addicts. I’m talking about the poverty stricken, homeless and desperate drug addicts otherwise known as crack-heads. I know this subject is somewhat of a cliché, but let’s not allow that to stop the discussion. If you followed a drug addict around for a day, then you’d probably have to take the next day off. From sunrise to sundown most drug addicts are on the move. Their primary goals are to get high whenever the opportunity arises. Their Ultimate hope is that the next high is just like that first high. So I must ask, have you ever been HIGH? I hear it’s better than sexual orgasms... Have you ever had an orgasm?
Drug addicts are skillful and dedicated to their many crafts. They can lie like Lawyers, beg like your favorite charity and steal like the government. Respectfully, I have to take my hat off and salute these drug addicts. If ever there was a body of people in touch with Carpe Diem, it would have to be the drug addicts. Think about it… How often do drug addicts procrastinate?
Whenever drug addicts are featured in movies, they are epitomized as if they are another species. They are constantly ignored and mistreated in almost every scene, as if they were objects. I challenge all to take a closer look at the addict that’s being disregarded and ill-treated. Notice that they too are… human. Have you ever been ignored and/or mistreated by a stranger, or family? If so, did you like it? Have you ever wondered what it is like to be an addict?
It is easy for us to pay little or no attention to drug addicts because they are the ones who choose to do drugs. Therefore, we view this as a personal choice. However, if you heard the tale of your typical drug addict, you’d probably think differently. Think about your happiest first time experiences such as falling in love, sex, driving, etc… If you can remember that feeling, multiply it by 10. If you can successfully fathom this thought, then you are probably close to the feeling that a drug addict gets when they get high for the first time. This is a feeling that can’t be ignored instantly and just like any other endorphin producing experience. Every time they get high, they are hoping that it’s just like first time. If this really is the case with drug addicts, we may want to change our view and realize that drug addicts don’t do drugs… it is the drugs that do the drug addicts.
An addiction of any kind can have anyone acting out of character. When a drug addict steals, begs, lies, or hustles you, it’s probably not personal. If they say that it was the drugs that made them do it, they are more than likely being truthful. We must collectively arrive to the realization that drug addiction is really a sickness and not just a habit. We can control the course of our habits… we can only tolerate our sicknesses. I really hope this reaches you in a way that will allow you to realize that these “Drug Addicts” are human beings just like you. If you are anything like me, you have ignored because you don’t see the hope. Just like me, you may have mistreated and/or denied assistance because you did not see a personal benefit. Mother Theresa said, "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." So, with Caution, I’m asking you to speak with an addict about their struggles with addictions. I know most of us lead busy lives, but let’s try to dedicate a moment or two to someone outside of our comfort zone without focusing on the Quid Pro Quo. Instead, let yourself focus on the possible positive alteration that you can inflict upon someone with little or no hope. Take with you these questions: What will I do? What won’t I do? What can’t I do? What can I do? More importantly…What must I do?
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