Danger? Where?

Danger lurks everywhere. Seemingly harmless people and situations can go out of hand and prove to be very dangerous. Oftentimes terrorists are the ones considered as the culprits who cause havoc and terror in the society. But we overlook the fact that there are sometimes even more dangerous people around us. Perpetrators of heinous crimes are often people who don't look like they are capable of committing such horrible things. Investing in certain countries might be considered risky but then again who would ever think that the 9/11 crisis would happen in the US which is considered to be a bastion of freedom and is impenetrable.

Taboo?

What is considered pornographic or indecent is a very sensitive subject for what may be a work of art for others may be considered scandalous by others. Basic decency is a personal value. Just like what personal perception we may have will be dependent on our value system, culture and outlook. In the past it was considered taboo to talk about such matters but reality dictates that it should be tackled and explained to young people to avoid misinformations. Open communication begets a healthy attitude.

Communications

Mass media is a very powerful means of communication. It can reach far and wide. Television, radio, movies, magazines and newspapers reach millions of people. Internet is also equally powerful because all sorts of information and data can be posted or accessed. The different means of communications may have its advantages but it also carry some risks especially if the informations will be used for the wrong purposes.

Challenge Yourself

Constantly challenge and stretch yourself to the limits. Exposing yourself to formal and informal English (written and oral) will be advantageous for you can never be sure of the manner of communications of the people you'll get to meet in your line of business. You do not have to be very literal and memorize every sentence or get to know the definition of all the words. The mere fact that you comprehend what you read is good enough and to be able to explain it and state your opinion about the topic is even much better.

Dilemma

The global economy has been greatly affected by the oil price increase. Millions of people can feel the difficulty brought about by this economic downfall. It is something inevitable in the face of soaring prices, the closure of businesses,and the scarcity of employment opportunities. This will test the strength and the ability to survive of the different countries currently encountering this dilemma.

Of Men & Women

Men and women's traditional roles vary in different societies but a prevailing practice is for the women to take care of the family and kids while men go out and hunt or work to earn enough for the family's provisions. This archaic concept is slowly disintegrating in the present generation. It is very common nowadays to see both men and women working as equals on the job. Women have flourishing careers while men sometimes become househusbands. The roles of both sexes are usually defined by society and culture but also influenced by the economic status of the family or community.

Towns & Cities

It used to be that small towns were very active communities bustling with people young and old. Memories, good and bad, of times spent in this place where it seems like everybody knows everybody will forever be kept in our hearts. Unfortunately, with the advent of time, younger people migrated to the big cities to seek better opportunities. This phenomena left the towns with people who are contented with the languid pace of life in the countryside. Though there is still that hope that the younger generation will be able to discover the serenity of the these small towns.

Learning

I used to equate learning with memorization of formula and other data such as dates, grammar rules and the ability to decipher complex ideas. It meant going through school for more than a decade. I am not undermining formal education but rather stressing the fact that it can be enhanced by the myriad of experiences gleaned from the exposure to life outside the classroom. Mere conversations with other people can result to a lot of realizations while observing how people interact with each other in social gatherings can show the dynamics of society. The process of learning can happen anywhere, anytime but it takes openness to welcome new experiences and the willingness to exert effort to discern the facts of life.

Leisure

Having enough rest is vital to our well-being. Leisure activities such as visits to amusement parks may create a sense of enjoyment which cannot be given any monetary value. Sometimes we work too hard and would keep pushing ourselves to the limits in the quest for wealth, promotions, etc. without realizing that in the end we would never have the chance to enjoy the fruits of our labor for we have become too weary. We might become sick as a result of overworking and too much stress thus depriving ourselves of that opportunity to bask in the material gains which we have accumulated throughout our lives.

Calamities

Disasters, natural and man-made, may have catastrophic effect on the lives of the victims but also to those who have witnessed such tragedies. But behind these events emerge stories of heroism and goodness. There will always be situations which are beyond our control. Let us not dwell too much on these because there's nothing that we can do about it. Instead, let us all have a proactive stand and focus on where we can be of help.

Jobs, et al

The jobs we have entail responsibilities which we are bound to fulfill. Being on top of the situation , whatever it may be, is part and parcel of the management side. At times, it would mean an actual visit to the site itself just to be updated about the situation or even just to make our presence felt is vital. But it is also important to be able to have time for ourselves...a time to relax, a time to be energized and a time to contemplate what we want out of life.There should be a balance between work and leisure to keep things on an even stance.

Cultural Differences

The issue on the US beef import in Korea has underscored the disparity between the two cultures. Though we get to learn from each other, there are also times when we have to refrain from meddling in the affairs of the state. It is fun to note though that the differences may be trivial such as the size of each serving of food and such. We might find some of their traditions strange but that might also be their reactions if exposed to our culture.So in a way, tolerance should also be exercised.

Rest

Weekends are opportunities for us to recharge and regroup. Working on weekdays can place such demands on a person's physical condition and there is that need for each to have a time to just slow down and rest. The stamina is built and and an energized individual emerges.

Labor Woes

Labor problems beset a number of companies in most countries. There might be advantages in having a labor union for it secures the rights of the workers but there are also disadvantages as well. Labor disputes can escalate to an alarming level wherein the future of the company is already at stake. It can also have a widespread effect as seen in your country. I believe that since the backbone of the company or industry is its labor force, then policies should also be formed in such a way that they have fair treatment but at the same time will not imperil the company. A well-tended labor force will go beyond the usual duty hours or work if they are well taken care of.

Directions

Goal setting has always been a vital process done in companies but it can prove to be of benefit if done on the personal level. Setting directions and timeline for one's personal life will give an individual the necessary focus. This means a more efficient and effective use of time and reso

Friends & Travels

Traveling with friends or family members is enjoyable. It provides an opportunity to renew and strengthen the relationship. It's also a good to discover the culture of other people. Learning is also facilitated by travels for it provides a veritable classroom which is even more interesting.