Work-life balance Essay Example for Free

Work-life balance Essay Changes in relationships do not necessarily mean turbulence- even the most stable relationships go through constant changes. These changes are manifest in the smallest of gestures and interactions amongst people. The reactions, pro-actions or interactions may be between couples, parents, siblings, extended family, generations of grandparents, in-laws, cousins, on the family side, and boss, colleagues and subordinates, business partners, other stakeholders on the official or work side. Each action impacts a relationship either negatively or positively- each action process allows us to link our lives to one another. In short, this is the crux of the paragraphs that follow. Broadly, there are five everyday processes that can be instrumental in linking our lives to one another. These include routines for contact, common involvements, and pattern of interactions, everyday talk and reflection. Each of these requires day to day communication which provides the vital link to create and sustain the fragile fabric of personal relationships. Enduring personal relationships are formed when these vital everyday links are positive and in good health- it does not take an extraordinary circumstance or event to change relationships- at best it may be a spark to the build up that has happened as a result of everyday interactions. The essay titled, â€Å"The Everyday Accomplishment of Work and Family: Exploring Practical Actions in Daily Routines† by Caryn E. Medved, Communications Scholar, Ohio University, which is a part of the suggested reading focuses on the challenges of work and family in our daily lives; and studies women in minute detail through a survey which researches the micro practices of navigating and negotiating daily work and family life. The responses to the survey questionnaire help us examine how the women play their taken for granted roles of managing work and family. Responses highlight startling facts in relationship maintenance and repair amongst the dual career couples. Whether they engage in interaction communication patterns involving variables such as gender and emotions, or workplace interaction, which may even include efforts or signals for social change ( â€Å"frame bending†, as the author calls it), brought about by family routine needs, each respondent evidently looks at restructuring actions like negotiating, deliberating, seeking alternatives. This is done in order to prevent interruption in daily family routine, or to handle changes on the home which may hamper the process of keeping up the routine at work. During workplace interaction, the same actions or tactics may be used to balance out the relationship imperatives while at work. It is observed that in families, children feature topmost in the consideration set of some or all of the above actions. Routinizing actions like connecting, alternating, prepping and reciprocating, which are designated and carried out as per need and aptitude of the doer, or improvising actions like requesting assistance, trading off or even evading in order to maintain routine action and interaction at the required level whether at home or at work, all work on common sense assumptions which indicate the way forward. There are times when women decide to use â€Å"strategic ambiguity† (Eisenberg. 1984. Pages 227-242) to get out of tricky situations- ‘I don’t know’ is the safest answer to manage expectations and keep the relationship going, when one is not sure. Between workers on a lateral level, as well as spouses, this is very common- a bit of ambiguity and expression of helplessness helps to tide over a demanding query or situation. In my opinion, ambiguity is the culprit, not the solution- a near definite answer helps people to understand each other better and there are no grey areas, which are the starting point of dissent in relationships. What is surprising to note from the interpreted data is the fact that mundane chores which are seemingly innocuous, are so important to ensure proper navigation of everyday achievements of work and family lives. Prepping, for example, which means preparing for the next morning, can be a spoke in the wheel of smooth communication and relationship if not handled well- women seem to do most of the prepping for reasons including their love for meticulously coordinated activity, organized morning chores, less confusion, more time for spouse and children, among others. Reasons why men are not so fond of prepping include their indifference for neatness and coordination, their habit of relaxing after office and non involvement with the backend chores for children. They are good fathers nonetheless in that they indulge in outdoor activities with their offspring, buy them gifts and drive them to school. An element of emotion runs through the entire response analysis, both positive and negative, therefore each interpretation needs to be evaluated against scientific benchmarks which rely on biological differences, socio-economic conditions, work culture, even religion at times. It is not to be presupposed that all the interactions proposed and described above ensure smooth daily work and family life. An element of conflict exists, for the resolution of which, the study states communication as action embedded in the process of managing work and family responsibilities. Effective two way communication is the key to successfully managing work- family life balance. Balance and conflict are dynamic- and they both co-exist. The study has not been able to bring out this aspect of human relationships succinctly. The study while addressing inputs from women, chooses to completely ignore the male viewpoints. The biological difference certainly has a bearing on each gender’s role in maintaining work life balance; the study appears skewed towards feminine interpretations. There is also a need to study how single parents, gays, lesbians, the working poor manage their work – family relationships. In the study by Medved, family is taken as a nuclear unit- there is no mention of the extended family, which includes grandparents, uncles and aunts, cousins, brothers, sisters, friends. We understand that no one lives in isolation, therefore, the work- family balance is certainly impacted by all the relationships mentioned above at some point in time. A purely feminist interpretation angle would play havoc with the data gathered in the study- it would champion the women by and large, and make men the villains of the piece! In conclusion, the study has certainly highlighted very critical aspects of human relationships- in current times, with professionalism equating men and women and gender parity being the new mantra, the study establishes the basic foundation of a successful work- life balance which helps improve performance, leading to efficiencies and creates opportunities to grow as successful professionals as well as human beings. References Eisenberg, E. M. Ambiguity as Strategy in Organizational Communication. Communication Monographs Published in 1984. Medved, Caryn E. The Everyday Accomplishment of Work and Family: Exploring Practical Actions in Daily Routines Published in 2002.

My Brain Tumor :: Personal Narrative Essays

My Brain Tumor "I am not an animal, I am a human being!" - The Elephant Man I am different, so accept me. Even though I have physical disabilities I am still a human being. When I was four I had a brain tumor. The surgery left me with a paralyzed arm, crossed eye and a deaf ear. To make matters worse, the paralyzed arm was also my writing hand and I had to learn to be right-handed. When I was transferred from North Shore Hospital to Rusk Institute for Rehabilitation in New York City, I learned to use a wheelchair and was fitted for a brace that extended from my hips to my ankles. After a year of that imprisonment, I started school. At school, I saw the other kids walking and I knew that I had to be able to walk also. My therapist, Phil Koch, gave me a walker and cut the bars that connected the brace to my hips to enable me to walk. Over the years, I became a rebel and often disagreed with my elders. If I didn't like something, I fought against it until I won. One example, when I started Stewart School, I had to wear a helmet for protection. I hated it because I knew I could walk without it. From second to fourth grade, I protested wearing the helmet. I kept fighting, but I knew I needed an event that would show others the injustice of having to wear a helmet. That occurred on my fourth grade field day. I was about to run the one hundred yard dash when my aide, Mr. Maddan, insisted we had to go inside to get my helmet. When I came back, the race was over and I was mad. I refused to participate in the rest of the events in protest. When I got home, I called my neighborhood friends and asked them to come over to help me destroy the helmet. For twenty minutes we played baseball with the helmet and my metal crutch. We simply destroyed it. Events like this helped me to show people that I can be normal. I'm now entering my tenth year since the surgery, but its effects still live on. After eleven surgeries, I still look strange and my walk is affected, but I always try to be normal.

Psychological Disorder Analysis Essay

Marla is a 42 year old Hispanic female accountant, that has complaints of trouble sleeping, feeling jumpy all the time, and unable to concentrate. With these symptoms it is causing her issues at work. There are several disorders that Marla could be suffering from but, it seems to be that one stands out from the rest. Post-Traumatic Disorder also known as PTSD, this is caused when a person experiences something traumatic such as a violent crime against them, a car accident, active military combat duty, the loss of a loved one, etc. Marla sat in my office nervous and unsure as if she was even in the right place. I asked her if she was okay and what brought her to see me. Marla told me of her symptoms and said she was unsure if she should even be here. I asked her if she has been to a family doctor to discuss her problems that she was having and she assured me that she had and came out with a clean bill of health. He doctor suggested to come see me and talked about what she was feeling and going through. With this and much reassurance from me telling her she did the right thing. I proceeded to ask her the following questions: Marla, what would you like to accomplish by being here? â€Å"I want to be able to feel normal again and to feel like myself again.† I think that is something that we can do with and I would like to ask you a little bit more about what you are feeling and maybe why you are feeling the way you do. Marla agrees. When did you start to notice the symptoms you are experiencing? â€Å"I started to really notice it about a month ago, my boss and some co-workers started to question me where I was not performing at my normal standards and coming into work late from not getting any sleep.† Is there any family history of depression, anxiety, or any mental illness? â€Å"Not that I am aware of†¦. As far as I know none of my family has ever had any issues mentally or been mentally ill.† She seemed kind of curios as to why I would ask such a thing, I ensured her that I am only asking to better help her and understand more ab out what she may be going through. Have there been any changes in your life recently? Good or bad? â€Å"Not that I can  think of.† Have you been a victim of a crime or served in the military on active duty before? â€Å"I have never been in the military or been the victim of a crime.† Have you had anything happen to you or somebody close to you? No, but I was a witness to a women walking in the parking lot with her husband and got hit by a car about six months ago.† Really, tell me more Marla. Well I was walking into work and an older women and her husband where walking hand in hand when a car driven by an elderly couple seemed to gain speed and struck the women where she rolled over the top of the car and landed several yards away from where she was. The elderly couple that was driving hit a pole which stopped their car. The driver had a heart attack and the passenger was hurt pretty bad but did not seem to be critical. When the ambulance and police showed up they called for a helicopter to take the women to the hospital that was struck, she was none responsive and just laid there twitching. There was blood everywhere and seemed to be pooling from the back of her head. I stayed there with the lady and tried to calm her husband that seemed lost and unsure of what to do. I was able to call his adult children to come to his aid and inform them of what happen. The EMT’s lifted her from the ground and laying there on the ground was a lock of her hair that was attached to part of her skull. They air lifted the women to a trauma center but died before they made it there. The couple in the car also passed away from injuries from the accident as well. I will never forget the look on the husbands face as he stood there helpless crying for his wife and pleading for them to help her. Well Marla I would say that could be pretty traumatic to see, have you talked to anybody about this? Not until now†¦ I did not think I would need to. Have you had any thoughts about this lately or think about it at all? Sometimes I do, I still cannot walk where she was lying on the ground I still see her laying there in my mind and them lifting her up with the piece of skull and hair laying there. I guess I was okay until I saw that. Marla I would have to say that you are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder? Why would I now be having or suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder now 5 months later? PTSD is not always an instant onset of symptoms. It can come out days, months, or ever years later. Let’s talk more about this PTSD so you better understand it. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder can occur in some individuals who have been exposed to a life threatening situation, or a situation which they have been witness in which another person is exposed to danger. The onset of symptoms with PTSD do not always happen immediately following the traumatic event, therefore the association between the symptoms and the initial event is often overlooked. A person with PTSD will be hyper-vigilant, and can react to an unsettling situation with physiological symptoms such as upset stomach, headache, or dizziness. People with PTSD can also suffer from depression or panic disorder, although this is not always the case. Avoiding stimuli which can trigger an anxious reaction is normal for the PTSD sufferer, and many become withdrawn from social interaction with friends and family members. Some may also have problems continuing an intimate relationship, and angry outbursts for no particular reason can cause problems with interpersonal relationships, as well as jeopardizing one’s employment. Treatment for PTSD can be relatively straight forward, although not always easy for the patient to endure. Being taught how to effectively relax is paramount, and once this goal has been achieved, the process of systematic desensitization can gradually take place. The desensitization process involves confronting the stimuli which cause the patient to have an anxious episode. Oftentimes, the stimuli from a particular location and for some it may be a certain situation which serves as an unconscious reminder of the traumatic event. The more a person is subjected to the offending location or situation, the less intense the fear becomes. This is achieved by implementing the relaxation strategies at the same time the stimuli are presented. The association between the relaxed state and the stimuli will eventually be achieved, disarming the stimuli and giving control back to the patient. In this situation Marla needs to see that there was nothing she could do. Being made aware of maladaptive responses to stimuli, patients are better able to identify which anxieties are due to the normal course of life, and which are patterns of irrational thinking related to their disorder.  According to DSM-IV, PTSD can occur at any age, to either gender, and the onset of symptoms can be delayed by months or even years (DSM-IV, 1994, p.426). According to Cognitive-Behavioral theorists, learned behaviors from conditioning can produce unsavory responses; both physically and psychologically. Unfortunately for the patient, these responses can occur whether it is their intent to react in such a way or not. In Marla’s case, the association with the accident she witnessed affected her life and her psychological and physiological having to walk by the certain spot where the accident took place as well as not speaking to or letting out how she felt or was feeling. Learned behaviors can be unlearned, just as new and more effective behaviors can be adopted. Marla, was correct in coming to talk to physiologist as to let out her feelings that she had pent up inside and to release the emotions that she had not expressed before now. Marla’s hyper vigilance and feelings of anxiousness can be alleviated and bought under control with practice, relaxation such as yoga, breathing technics, praying finding a solace in religion, keeping a diary of how she is feeling, and/or frequent exposure to the offending stimuli knowing that things do happen for a reason and there is nothing we can do to stop it, and in conjunction with Cognitive-Behavioral therapy, she may also benefit by taking an antidepressant (SSRI) such as Prozac, Zoloft or Paxil. This situation that I put in place for Marla is one that I actually experienced myself while I was at work and still to this day have flash backs of that day when I witnessed it and was placed in charge of handling the situation. It is not something I would ever want to see again or want to experience over. I did how ever take her death to heart and realized that my life had more meaning to it than what I was doing and decided to come back to school to earn my degree so I can help others and feel I make a difference to people. I will not let her death or the couple that died that was driving the car be in vein. I took this as a sign that I cannot waste my life doing something that does not make me happy, life is too short. Reference American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 1994. Faces of Abnormal Psychology, 2007. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Treatment Strategy. Retrieved July 4, 2009, from http://www.mhhe.com/socscience/psychology/faces

Definitions and Examples of Filler Words

A filler word is an apparently meaningless word, phrase, or sound that marks a pause or hesitation in speech. Also known as a pause filler or hesitation form. Some of the common filler words in English are um, uh, er, ah, like, okay, right, and you know. Although filler words may have fairly minimal lexical content, notes linguist Barbara A. Fox, they can play a strategic syntactic role in an unfolding utterance (in Fillers, Pauses and Placeholders, 2010). Examples and Observations Hey, hey, shh, shh, shh. Come on. Be sensitive to the fact that other people are not comfortable talking about emotional disturbances. Um, you know, I am, Im fine with that, but . . . other people. (Owen Wilson as Dignan in Bottle Rocket, 1996) Shirleys Use of Filler Words in Community Pierce: About those filler words of yours. I mean, nobody wants to buy brownies from somebody who says um and like. I have a method for fixing that. Start from the top.Shirley: Okay. These brownies are, uh—Pierce: Uh!Shirley: They, um—Pierce: Um!Shirley: These brownies are delicious. They taste like—Pierce: Like!Shirley: Thats not a filler word.Pierce: Whatever, valley girl.(Chevy Chase and Yvette Nicole Brown in Environmental Science. Community, Nov. 19, 2009) Safire on Hesitation Forms Modern  linguists  led by Leonard Bloomfield in 1933 call these hesitation forms—the sounds of stammering (uh), stuttering (um, um), throat-clearing (ahem!), stalling (well, um, that is), interjected when the speaker is groping for words or at a loss for the next thought. You know that yknow is among the most common of these hesitation forms. Its meaning is not the imperious you understand or even the old interrogatory do you get it? It is given as, and taken to be, merely a filler phrase, intended to fill a beat in the flow of sound, not unlike like, in its new sense of, like, a filler word . . . [T]hese staples of modern filler communication—I mean, yknow, like—can also be used as tee-up words. In olden times, pointer phrases or tee-up words were get this, would you believe? and are you ready? The function of these rib-nudging phrases was—are you ready?—to make the point, to focus the listeners attention on what was to follow. . .   If the purpose is to tee up a point, we should accept yknow and its friends as a mildly annoying spoken punctuation, the articulated colon that signals focus on this. . . . If the purpose is to grab a moment to think, we should allow ourselves to wonder: Why are filler phrases needed at all? What motivates the speaker to fill the moment of silence with any sound at all? (William Safire, Watching My Language: Adventures in the Word Trade. Random House, 1997) Filler Words Across Disciplines Why do some people fill the air with non-words and sounds? For some, it is a sign of nervousness; they fear silence and experience speaker anxiety. Recent research at Columbia University suggests another reason. Columbia psychologists speculated that speakers fill pauses when searching for the next word. To investigate this idea, they counted the use of filler words used by lecturers in biology, chemistry, and mathematics, where the subject matter uses scientific definitions that limit the variety of word choices available to the speaker. They then compared the number of filler words used by teachers in English, art history, and philosophy, where the subject matter is less well-defined and more open to word choices. . .   Twenty science lecturers used an average of 1.39 uhs a minute, compared with 4.85 uhs a minute by 13 humanities teachers. Their conclusion: subject matter and breadth of vocabulary may determine the use of filler words more than habit or anxiety. . . . Whatever the reason, the cure for filler words is preparation. You reduce nervousness and pre-select the right ways to say ideas through preparation and practice. (Paul R. Timm and Sherron Bienvenu, Straight Talk: Oral Communication for Career Success. Routledge, 2011) Pausing Perhaps no profession has uttered more ums or uhs than the legal profession. Such words are a clear indication that the speakers style is halting and uncertain. Eliminate these filler words. The lack of ums and uhs alone can make you sound more confident. And its not hard to do. Just pause. Every time you feel that youre about to use a filler word, pause instead. (Joey Asher, Selling and Communication Skills for Lawyers. ALM Publishing, 2005) Syntax, Morphology, and Fillers Perhaps because English and other western European languages tend to use fillers lacking morphology and syntax (preferring instead pause vowels), linguists have tended to ignore the significance of these forms for syntax. However, . . . we can see that some fillers, especially those known as placeholders, may carry a range of morphological marking, including prototypical nominal marking (gender, case, number) and prototypical verbal marking (person, number, TAM [tense-aspect-mood]). They may also take the morphology appropriate for adjectives and adverbs. In addition, they may occupy precisely the syntactic slot normally occupied by a regular noun or verb . . .. (Barbara A. Fox, Introduction. Fillers, Pauses and Placeholders, ed. by Nino Amiridze, Boyd H. Davis, and Margaret Maclagan, John Benjamins, 2010