Monday, September 16, 2019

Anger, a Deadly Sin

The seven deadly sins include Pride, Greed, Envy, Anger, Lust, Gluttony, and Sloth. One of the seven deadly sins that I have suffered from is Anger. Anger is termed as being deeply resentful indignation and may include being impatient with the faults of others. Both of these come into play in the events that unraveled that one night in Charlotte, N. C. The following events occurred late on a Thursday night, whilst there was still a LOL autumn breeze blowing the leaves from their initial resting place, in downtown Charlotte.As I approached the epicenter, the main nightlife area in Charlotte, I could taste the crispness in the air and knew that tonight would indeed be memorable. I went to the door of one of the popular local drinking holes and proceeded inside with my friends close behind. Soon after we entered you could tell that the crisp air was left outside and replaced with a rather uncomfortably humid haze. As we headed peer into the building the haze became natural and the influ x of people around us seemed unimportant.We walked up to the bar counter and ordered our drinks. We then continued to walk around and converse with the rest of the people inside. As the night progressed the effects of alcohol were taking its toll on some of the other people in the bar. Just as I was walking outside to get some fresh air someone bumped into me and spilt their drink all over my shirt and pants. This was the point that I couldn't control myself and broke one of the sins. I then pushed the other guy over and he fell down on the floor.I stormed off to the bathroom to dry off the stain that would of other wised been noticeable to everyone in the bar. We continued to catch glimpses of each other as the night progressed. I'd keep catching him looking in my direction and finally proceeded to confront him about the situation. Words were then exchanged and tempers began to flare. I don't know what overcame me but I began to go into a fit of rage. After making a scene we were t hen kicked out of the bar. This outcome was negative because it led to an early end to the night.It also led to further fits of rage on our way back home afterwards. I began to get heated with the same friends that had come with me. The consequences for my actions were few but it did lead to my enlightenment on how to control my temper. Once I realized that I needed to take steps to develop self-control I looked up different ways to relax and relive stress. Some of the steps that I began to use were sticking to a firm workout schedule and having times of the day Just to relax.There were no lingering implications following the event due to the fact that once I got kicked out no one else became involved. I was unfortunately consumed by the deadly sin of Anger. As the term states I was overcome with deep resentful indignation and it all started with the fault by the other man in the bar. After all that occurred suffering from the sin of Anger only led the need for self-control. The mor al of this story is that it is better to handle situations in a peaceful manner rather than being overtaken by anger.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Literature Review Global Financial Crisis Regulation

â€Å"Global Financial Crisis: Regulatory Arbitrage and Paradigm Shifts† In early 2008, the economy ground to an almost complete halt. As the stock indexes were overwhelmed by a virtual tsunami of never relenting red digits, it became clear that the financial markets had been hit by a crisis the scope and scale of which had not been witnessed since the Wall Street Crash of the 1930’s. Over time the causes became more clear, and as the dust settled, the world was left with several important questions to answer. First of all, there was the question of whether or not the global financial crisis was actually caused by flawed regulations and financial institutions or whether it is the fundamental behaviour of the financial market that is flawed, as caused by behavioural issues such as moral hazard and principle agent problems. As an extension of this, the second question involves whether or not financial regulation will be sufficient in realizing a stable and sustainable financial system or if a true paradigmal and behavioural shift is required. Finally and more practically, the third question is how such a change may be brought about in practice, and which exact aspects of the financial paradigm should be altered in order to realize sustainable financial markets. As we look more closely at the following questions and the appropriate literature, one can discern several issues, which may form the basis for further academic inquiry. First of all, it is clear that despite far reaching efforts of scholars, governments and other institutions to develop and introduce financial regulation in response to the financial crisis, recent evidence suggests that these measures fail to recognize fundamental flaws in the paradigms and values Freewriting exercise – Skills 3: Academic Writing S. N. Geesing – 342570 2010-2011 underlying actions of main financial institutions and firms, which need to be addressed in order to realise a sustainable financial process in the long term. From this main statement, we can now look into several direct causes of the crisis that can be related to the incentives that underlie these markets. One of these causes, as it appears, is the fact that Wall Street managed to lure the brightest minds in economics and mathematics with promises of wealth and fame, thus managing to consistently outsmart governmental institutions. By exploiting loop holes in regulatory frameworks, often done by developing complex financial derivates, the bulge bracket firms that set the tone in investment banking gained access to nearly limitless profits, foregoing issues of ethics and risk minimization in favour of short term and often personal gain. After recognizing this pattern, one may conclude that simply increasing bank reserves or bailing out mortgages (as many governments have done so far) will not allow for long term sustainability within financial markets. Other measures, such as increased transparency, caps on bonuses and reinvented incentive reward systems are more effective, but have proven difficult to practically implement. Introducing new regulation is always troublesome and this type of regulations has been met by heavy resistance, especially in the US, the place where new regulation is especially necessary. For this reason and more, a more indirect way of changing values and paradigms must be sought. Scholars have suggested that such measures are most likely to be found in economic theory and, more specifically, in forms of game theoretical applications, in which the government and the financial institutions act as â€Å"players† in a game that can be described as the general economy and financial markets.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

The Art of Choosing Well by Pierre Wolff

Discernment is defined to be the act or process of exhibiting keen insight and good judgment. Interestingly, the bible is rife with accounts and teachings how important discernment is to the people of God. Apostles, for example, were witnesses how Holy Spirit gave them the gift of discernment in the New Testament. The action of the apostles of continuing what Jesus told them to do was discernment in itself; discernment in action, that is. â€Å"Discernment can be defined to be the calling on the Holy Spirit to lead or give direction on a matter,† says Spirithome.com.Moreover, Jesus Christ himself was a discernment personified. In Luke 11:9 he says to His people, â€Å"So I say t you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. † The words alone are an encouragement that people always have the good judgment of everything, and that in their judgment blessings await. Author Pierre Wolff in his book The Art of Choosing Well talks about this very thing – discernment. Wolff presents the ways of choosing and deciding wisely rooted in the different works of St.Ignatius of Loyola. Seeking God, St. Ignatius believed, is not meant to wait for visions, but had to seek Him in an intelligent and humble way and then by His grace and time, everything will be given and answered. Moreover, Wolff never fails to be practical and at the same time simple. He stresses different basic principles applicable to contemporary people, such as taking adequate time to listen to both your heart and mind, and clarify your most innermost held values.Although his teachings rooted in the Catholic-based faith, this, however, can be applicable to people of different faith (or lack thereof). Discernment or decision-making, to begin with, is a universal trait necessary for us as we deal our life. There are so many things to put to consider when discerning about something. In 1 Corinthians 13: 1-3, discernment is characterized to be governed by love, for it is not, it’s worthless. 1 Corinthians 12-3 is bolder in its emphasis of Christ, discernment â€Å"centers us onto Jesus the Christ and Lord, and His good news.†But Ephesians 4:11-12 is more general and more empowering; discernment it says â€Å"builds up the church and its members, giving it power, wisdom, character, boldness, and unity. Other people sometimes mixed up their decisions with their own veiled interests. Wolff summarizes some of St. Ignatius works to know if we are truly discerning the right things thus: We must desire to do God’s will, open to God at the moment of discerning, know what God is like, and we must be a person who prays.Furthermore, there are three ways of making a choice: Revelation (or God is speaking to you), Reasoning (Weighing the pros and cons of our choices and putting yourself on someone’s shoes to be able to know better the right thing), Discernment (or the time where â€Å"much light an d understanding are derived through experience,† says Ignatius. ) True enough, discernment is more than just a skill and process. It is a gift from God, from the Holy Spirit†¦ and this can be acquired and developed through asking God and continuing it through training and experience.Growing in discernment is a challenge for everyone. And the price is a peace of mind. To grow in discernment requires everyone to work on it like prayer; to know deeply what’s inside our thoughts – if it’s God’s or if it’s not. One way of nurturing it is through Daily Consciousness Examen, which is recommended by the Church. This basically can be done through asking the Holy Spirit to guide you always, to look back on your day and recognize the blessings God has given you, asking God to teach you, and asking yourself if you’re acting what the Lord told you to do.

Friday, September 13, 2019

Accounting assigment (Depreciation Memo) Assignment

Accounting assigment (Depreciation Memo) - Assignment Example To get the depreciation amount, subtract the scrap value from the cost of the machine and then divide it by the useful life of the machine (Weil, Schipper, and Francis, 2012). This method is simple to use. Its calculations are easy as the same amount of depreciation applies for each year. There is, therefore, no need for recalculating the value again unless there is a revaluation of the asset. It is also easy to forecast future income since you already know what your depreciation will be (Weil, Schipper, and Francis, 2012). The method tends to ignore the fact that assets lose value faster during the first years of use. Since the method applies uniform depreciation on the asset throughout its life, it may give a higher book value than the actual value. In later years, the asset may seem to offer more value than it gives. That is if depreciation is to form the basis of the assessment. Under this method, depreciation of an asset depends on the level of activity during that period. A period where the output level is high would record higher depreciation values comparative to years with low production. To get the amount of depreciation, divide the depreciable amount by the total expected units the machine would produce in its lifetime and then multiply the answer by the period’s production (Weil, Schipper, and Francis, 2012). The units-of-production method produces the closest estimate of depreciation to actual depreciation. Since it uses activity level as a basis for determination of depreciation, it fairly allocates depreciation to the periods as per the usage of the asset. In so doing, it matches the depreciation expense to revenue generated by the asset. In periods where there is no activity, there would be no depreciation. That is despite the fact that the asset would still lose value. The method may also not be applicable to assets whose relationship to production is not direct and hence will not depend on activity level. Assets such as

Thursday, September 12, 2019

The Idea of Social Networking Literature review

The Idea of Social Networking - Literature review Example What is most important to understand is the fact that electronic commerce is now starting to emerge into an entirely new way. The Google Adsense, Craiglist.com has made the advertising cheaper and readily reachable to the targeted audience. The idea of social networking1 added much to this concept as now marketers are targeting such social networking communities to derive strong word of mouth for the products and services they offer. Therefore social networking coupled with electronic commerce not provided an opportunity to meet and broaden the social network of individuals but marketers also tapped a new avenue for marketing the products and services in much unique and effective way. As discussed above that social network are groups who share common characteristics and are willing to formulate common platforms which help them to discuss and share their interests, attitudes, likings, disliking, professional information etc. However, what is critical is the fact that social networks have now emerged in a much broader sense. Information technology has broadened the scope and depth of such networks by providing a cheap alternative to meeting electronically. As a result, not only ordinary social networks such as Facebook emerged but professional social networks have been developed too where professional belonging to the same profession often discuss their ideas and information. While discussing social networking, it is also important to discuss social software, a new word which is re-defining how people tend to meet. Social software has been defined as a set of social tools which allow its users to create, support, manage as well as discover interpersonal relationships. (Teten & Allen, 2005). In an essence, therefore, social software provides an opportunity to support the conversation between the members or groups, create and support the social feedback received during that conversation and finally help the emergence of social networks. This can be achieved either through the formation of personal websites, online forums, instant messengers such as MSN and Yahoo, creating blogs or finally websites such as facebook, myspace etc. Castells define a network society as a society "whose social structure is made of networks powered by microelectronics-based information and communication technologies" (Manuel. Castells, 2004). This very definition hints towards how the information flows with the help of new technologies and subsequently helps to formulate societies which share particular traits or characteristics. One of the commonest characteristics is the use of information technology to get connected with each other. Viewing in that perspective, social networking may also be described as the potential network or electronic societies which allow people to formulate groups that share common characteristics. Â  

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Motivation of Employees Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Motivation of Employees - Essay Example This paper mainly focuses on the impact of managers and leaders on employee's motivation. Many researchers have found that in spite of any theory of employee motivation, the high motivation among them invariably depends on interesting work, pay, good working conditions, appreciation that they receive from their superiors, and job security. These factors are important factors in helping to motivate employee (BPIR.com, 2002). When we look at the advantages of employee it can be pointed out that motivational and inspirational experiences in their organizational life improve employees' attitudes, confidence and performance. Managers and leaders are expected to have exceptionally good leadership qualities and good people-motivation skills and inspirational techniques that will help to improve total productivity. There are several motivational methods. It may range from inspirational quotes and poems, to team building games and activities, warm-ups and exercises for conferences, workshops, meetings and events, which itself can often be helpful for motivation of most of the employees. According to the McGregor's XY Theory of motivation, motivated people perform better. Douglas McGregor who was an American social psychologist, in his 1960 book 'The Human Side of Enterprise' proposed the famous X-Y theory. Theory x and theory y are even today referred to in the field of management and motivation. McGregor's X-Y Theory remains a valid basic principle from which to develop positive management style and techniques. Hence it is important for all the managers to follow some of the basic principles of this theory because McGregor's XY Theory still remains central to organizational development, and to improving organizational culture. This theory is a simple reminder of the natural rules for managing people, which under the pressure of day-to-day work are easily forgotten. According to McGregor there are two fundamental approaches to managing people. In general it is found that many managers follow theory x, and sometimes get poor results. Other managers use theory y, which produces better performance and results, and allows people to grow and develop. In any organization it is found that people playing games or competing in teams learn about each other, and also in this process communicate better and see each other in a new light. It also results in mutual respect. This is the bases on which Johari Window theory is based. The Johari Window model was formulated by American psychologists Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham in the 1950's, while researching group dynamics. The Johari Window model is a simple and valuable tool for illustrating and improving self-awareness, and mutual understanding between individuals within a group in an organization. Today, the Johari Window model is particularly relevant due to modern emphasis on, and influence of, 'soft' skills, behaviour, empathy, cooperation, inter-group development and interpersonal development. People often enjoy events which include new non-work activities, especially when managers and bosses take part in the same teams as their junior staff, which also helps cohesiveness and 'can-do' culture (businessballs.com, 2006). Role of leaders and managers in motivating employees Motivation is a complex area and it is different for each person. It is important to get the alignment and values right, and motivational methods

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Voc wk 4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Voc wk 4 - Essay Example 141). Students can go into virtual halls where they find a variety of information from assessments they can take to planning their education and work. DISCOVER can be used in conjunction with the SII to find more information on the careers from that assessment. One of the strengths of the SII is that it provides a lot of information that the student can take for further research. Also, it is completed easily, and it is based on the Holland codes which allows the individual to access other assessments that also use the codes. The strengths of the DISCOVER program are that it is computer based, interactive and engaging for the student. The reason it is important to be aware of the issues involved with assessments in special populations is because we cannot make generalizations that match everyone. This is why it is important to know how the tests were normed and the clients demographic profile. Starkey, D.S., and Rasmus, S.C. (2006). Individual and group assessment and appraisal in Capuzzi, D., and Stauffer, M.D. (2006) Career counseling: Foundations, perspectives and applications. Pp. 113-151. At 17 years old, John will have more time to choose a career, but it is a good time for him to explore careers. Although he worries about this now, I would also explain to him that he does not have to choose a solid career at this point because he has his whole life ahead of him. The two ethical considerations that Mrs. Catwick would have to take into consideration would first be to make sure that the test was appropriate for Johns age group. She is giving form R, which she hopefully reviewed or read the booklet to see whether this was appropriate for high school students. Another consideration, according to Engels and Harris (2006) is to make sure to inform John that the SDS is not a test in the way that he is used to taking. The reason for pointing this out is because there is "the high likelihood that clients