The Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln - 1339 Words

Abraham Lincoln can be considered one of our nation’s greatest presidents. A main reason that Lincoln is so honored is because of the tremendous virtues he is said to have held. The number of qualities Lincoln possessed include integrity, strong self morals, confidence, ambition, and honesty, all of which assisted him in eventually become the sixteenth President of the United States. Lincoln had many honorable virtues. There were basic one such as his refusal to drink and smoke. There were other more curious ones as his refusal to be a part of organized religion while at the same time having a superior knowledge of the Christian Bible’s text. However, one of Lincoln’s best virtues is his ability to go after what he believes is right and not being afraid to go against the majority. He showed this integrity in the 1837 vote on appeals from the legislatures of Virginia, Kentucky, Alabama, and Mississippi for â€Å"their northern counterparts to do something†¦ to stamp out the new menace of abolitionism that had arisen in the early 1830s† (Miller, 116). Among a sea of â€Å"Aye†s for agreement of the appeal, Lincoln was one of the nine â€Å"Nay†s. At the age of twenty-eight Lincoln was not afraid to vote against something he knew he wouldn’t win just to stay with what he believed. As Miller states on page 120, there was no pressure to vote this way. Quite the opposite actually. When asked about the vote six weeks later, one reason Lincoln and Daniel Stone stated as an explanation for theirShow MoreRelatedThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln1958 Words   |  8 PagesLeadership and Legacy: Background Research Paper Abraham Lincoln By:Audrey Knight Introduction Great leader and main topic Abraham Lincoln lived in the 1800’s where he accomplished many things in his 54 years of life. He lived in the U.S. through several major events in history and left a legacy that will never be forgotten. As the 16th president of the United States he brought about the emancipation of slavery, preserved the Union during the Civil War, and served the people. His heroic leadershipRead MoreThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln933 Words   |  4 PagesSynopsis Regarded as one of the United States of America greatest heroes, Abraham Lincoln is famous for his unique appeal and incredible impact on the nation. He was the United States 16th president. His story is an astounding one rising from a humble background to become the most powerful man the land. However, at the time when his country needed him most, a tragic and sudden death strikes him. He is assassinated. He left a legacy that endured due to his unique humane personality as a leader of the unionRead MoreThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln Essay2383 Words   |  10 PagesReport Name Abraham Lincoln paved a path of equality and freedom for slaves and people of the 1800s as well as having a major impact on society and government; Abraham Lincoln s engagement with the public people skyrocketed his career as being a president and a suitable leader to the people of the United States of America. Born on February 12th, 1809 in Hardin County, Kentucky, Abraham Lincoln in his later years would be known as one of the most influential leaders of all time. Abraham Lincoln was bornRead MoreThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln1217 Words   |  5 PagesAbraham Lincoln was born in the year 1809 on February 12th in the town of Hardin County, Kentucky to Thomas and Nancy Lincoln. Growing up Lincoln had no proper education, consequently he read books and educated himself. During Lincoln’s young adult years, he worked a various number of jobs as a shopkeeper, surveyor, and a postmaster. In 1832, Lincoln became a captain of the Hawk War against the Native Americans. Shortly after the war was over, he began his political career and was elected to theRead MoreThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln1817 Words   |  8 Pagesmore than any of these other men: Abraham Lincoln, the man who freed the slaves. Abraham Lincoln, born February 12, 1809 in Hodgenville, Kentucky, is widely considered to be one of the greatest presidents to have ever been in office. During the course of his presidency, Lincoln not only lead the Union during the Civil War and tried to unify the nation through a harsh time of crisis, conflict, and bloodshed: through his beliefs, his example and his legacy, Lincoln freed the slaves, gave them the rightRead MoreThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln Essay2382 Words   |  10 PagesAbraham Lincoln paved a path of equality and freedom for slaves and people of the 1800s as well as having a major impact on society and government; Abraham Lincoln s engagement with the public people skyrocketed his career as being a president and a suitable leader to the people of the United States of America. Born on February 12th, 1809 in Hardin County, Kentucky, Abraham Lincoln in his later years would be known as one of the most influential leaders of all time. Abraham Lincoln was born intoRead MoreThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln1826 Words   |  8 Pages Abraham Lincoln’s victory in the 1860 presidential election, was a beacon of hope for many slaves in America. Becoming the 16th president of the United States serving from 1861 to 1865, Abraham Lincoln is one of America’s most celebrated heroes. Holding office during the years of the American Civil War, Lincoln preserved the Union, while creating a new era that consisted of emancipated African American slaves. After winning a victory at the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, he issuedRead MoreLegacy Of Abraham Lincoln s Legacy Essay1582 Words   |  7 PagesLegacy Leader: Abraham Lincoln A legacy leader is someone who has left a positive and lasting impression in society due to his or her leadership qualities and/or traits. Abraham Lincoln is a prime example of a legacy leader due to the leadership traits he displayed throughout his presidency. Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States. He exhibited great leadership qualities such as integrity, duty, and selfless service. Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and hisRead MoreThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln1500 Words   |  6 PagesAbraham Lincoln has been studied more than any other in American history. In fact, over 15,000 different books have been written about our 16th president. Throughout the pages of these books, President Lincoln is affectionately referred to by many different names, such as the Railsplitter, Honest Abe, and the Great Emancipator. A vast majority of these written works honor Lincoln as one of our greatest presidents. Not everyone feels that way, however. Charles Adams, in his book, When in the CourseRead MoreThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln1292 Words   |  6 PagesAbraham Lincoln has been called the greatest president in all of American history. His principles were dedicated to the survival of the United States during one of the most gruesome and bloody wars in the country s history, the American Civil War. During his presidency, he fought for the emancipation of slaves because he believed the institution of slavery was morally unjust. His ideals, which appealed to the founding principles of the country, energized and mobilized the union and kept it alive

Divine Law And Ismene By SophoclesAntigone - 827 Words

Daniel Lavitman Mrs. Sicotte English II 21 November 2017 Antigone Test Sophocles’ Antigone sheds light on some questions some of these include, as question one says, human laws versus divine laws, and loyalty to the family versus loyalty to the state. Sophocles writes about how one should always follow divine laws. He does this through the character of Antigone, one of Oedipus’ children. Antigone says that she must act as per the religious law, the law of higher God. Ismene, her sister and another child of Oedipus declares that she cannot go against the law of the citizens. Antigone, knowing full well the consequences of defying Creon, acts on her principles as she realizes that law of God demands the burial of a dead body, her†¦show more content†¦By corruption few men thrive, and many come to mischief† (Sophocles 12). The sentinel responds to this with the accusation that Creon is too blinded to realize that it was not him, â€Å"Plague on it! ‘Tis hard, a man should be suspicious, And with a false suspicion!† (Sophocles 13). However, in the play he does make some good decisions, he is seen as an effective leader where he believes in order and laws and punishment for breaking those laws. He mostly believes in his laws having more authority than the God’s laws and talks about how anarchy is the true downforce of a nation. In question six it is asked if Antigone or Creon is the tragic hero. In the play of Antigone, Creon is the tragic hero. Sophocles at first portrays Creon as a just leader. He has good, rational reasons for his laws and punishments. By the end of the play Creon’s hubris, has taken over him, which leads to his demise. He does not realize how bad his hubris has interfered with his dealing of problems until Teiresias’s prophecy, â€Å"Therefore the Gods accept not of us now Solemn peace-offering or burnt sacrifice, Nor bird trills out a happy-boding note, Gorged with the fatness of a slain man’s blood† (Sophocles 38). By then it is too late. This is the path of a tragic character. Creon’s pride and hubris got the better of himself when he thought himself higher than the Gods. Creon finally realizes that things will not turn out

Credit Management free essay sample

Controlling the accounts receivables process demands the development of policies that are compatible with an enterprises profits, liquidity and market share. Since the accounts receivables policy has a broad impact, it must be managed carefully and assessed frequently. Accounts receivables policy development is subject to internal and external business constraints and requires careful evaluation of the policies potential impact on sales volume, cash management objectives and procedures, direct and indirect cost of receivables management and customer relations. Once an account receivables policy is implemented, it should be reassessed at least annually, since policy changes could be required to adjust for changing internal and external conditions, such as changing business objectives, varying competitive industry standards, fluctuating interest and foreign exchange rates, inflation, rapidly increasing credit volume, technological advances and globe trade pattern trends. Receivable is a permanent investment and is an ever-rolling account. The finance manager has to determine the level of this account suitable so that there will be an easy flow of working capital. We will write a custom essay sample on Credit Management or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The management should see that debtors turn fast. If the debtors’ turnover velocity is high then the firm can minimize borrowings for working capital. Accounts receivable management is a decision making process, which takes into account the creation of debtors, and minimizing the cost of borrowings of working capital due to locking of funds in account receivables. Impact of receivables management on business Financial Impact: †¢ Improved return on receivables. †¢ Increased cash flow. †¢ Generates investment opportunities. †¢ Increase collection of effectiveness. †¢ Reduce receivable delinquencies. Reduced operation costs. †¢ Reduce administration costs. †¢ Early intervention turns marginal accounts into profitable accounts. †¢ Customized receivables service based on invoice amount. †¢ Productivity gain. Strategic Impact (Long Term) †¢ Focus on core business. †¢ Better use of internal revenue. †¢ Best in class capabili ties utilized. Tactical Impact (Short Term) †¢ Reducing/controlling operating cost. †¢ Reallocation of capital funds. †¢ Tapping into new resources. Receivables management flow chart Order processing Order confirmation Billing and dispatch Consolidation of sales data An enterprises credit policy is a major, controllable element that has a significant influence on sales demand and profits. The many factors that comprise credit policy should be analyzed before the decision is made whether or not to offer credit or to make changes to current policy. Foctors that could constrain or influence credit policy include: ability to finance the credit policy. Costs of financing receivables by means of internal or external credit facilities should be estimated to determine which approach is feasible for the enterprise. The development of the enterprises credit policy requires that specific decisions be made regarding several variables that establish the terms of sale and the acceptable level of credit risk. The variables are: †¢ Credit standards †¢ Credit period †¢ Credit terms †¢ Cash discount and surcharges †¢ Credit limits †¢ Credit instruments †¢ Payment methods When implementing or varying the credit policy by changing any one, or all, of the above variables, management must assess the impact on net income, calculate the probability of achieving the planned results, and determine the additional level of risk assumed. In particular, any relaxation of credit policy should be considered only after very careful evaluation of the impact of the change by top management, because it is extremely difficult to revert to more stringent policies without experiencing adverse effects on customer relations and sales. `Credit Standards A firm has a wide range of choice in choosing the credit standards. A firm has to decide what standard should be applied in accepting or rejecting an account for credit granting. At one end of the spectrum it may decide not to extend credit to any customer, however strong his credit rating may be. At other end it may decide to grant credit to all customers irrespective of their credit rating. Between these two extreme positions lie several possibilities, often the more practical ones. This gives ample scope for the Credit manager/ Finance manager to play a critical role. In general liberal credit standards tend to push sales up by attracting more customers. This is, however accompanied by a higher incidence of bad debt loss, a large investment in receivables and a higher cost of collection. Stiff credit standards have the opposite effect. They tend to depress sales, reduce the incidence of bad debt losses, decrease the investment in receivables and lower the collection cost. Credit Period The credit period is the length of time credit is granted (for example, from invoice date to due date), and is normally established according to an industry standard. The credit period has direct impact on the cost of financing receivables and on collection risk. An enterprise may elect to deviate from the industry standards for one or more reasons: to obtain a competitive advantage, to reflect the enterprises classification of customer quality, or to longer-term economic or business changes. The date when payment is deemed to be received should be defined. It may be based on the envelope postmark date, the remittance processing date, or the date funds are received. Customers should be clearly advised of the payment receipt date. Credit Terms Credit terms are normally specified on the contractual documents, or on the customer invoice or statement. Frequently used payment terms include the following: cash before delivery (CBD) or Cash on delivery (COD) may be required when the buyer has been classified as a poor credit risk. In case of an unknown or one-time buyer, credit cheque may be required when the order is placed, or before the goods or services are delivered. Cash terms permit the buyer a payment period of about 5 to 10 days and maybe used for high turnover or perishable goods. Invoice terms often a net due date and a discount due date that maybe calculated from various starting dates such as the invoice, delivery or client acceptance dates. The term maybe quoted, for example, as 2/10, net 30 meaning a payment discount of 2% is given if the invoice is paid within 10 days. Full payment is required after 10 days but within 30 days. Periodic statements are normally issued monthly. The statement terms may be similar to invoice terms and include discounts and interest charges for late payment. All invoice transactions are listed up to a cut-off date and payment is due by a specified date in the following period. Credit discounts and surcharges Cash discount policies may be established for a number of reasons: to conform to the industry norm, to stimulate sales, or to expedite receipt of cash. To be an effective collection tool, the discount rate must be established at a rate of interest higher than that at which the customer is able to borrow. Consideration should be given to the implications of customers taking a discount to which they are not entitled. A surcharge, or late payment charge, can be used to encourage prompt payment and to equalize treatment for customers who pay on time versus those who delay payment. Credit Limit Credit limit categories should be established to codify the total credit that may be granted to customers in each credit quality classification. To ensure that credit limits remain appropriate, given business or other major changes, they should be regularly reviewed. Periodic credit worthiness reassessment can be simplified by automatically reassigning customers to a higher credit limit level after a specified period of satisfactory payment experience. Credit factors, assigned by the credit grantor and weighted by relative importance, can be used to calculate a single numerical value that could be used to assign distinctive credit limits and payment periods to different customers. The credit score must always be tempered by informed management judgment because the accept-reject decision implicitly includes economic trade-offs: to minimize rejection of an acceptable credit customer (with loss of future business) versus to accept a poor credit risk (and resulting debt losses). Credit Instruments Credit instruments are written payment contracts agreed to by the enterprise and its customers. Instruments range from simple invoices to formal credit arrangements that are selected to reduce credit risk. When selecting an instrument to be used, the enterprise should consider industry standards, market norms and buyer risks. The enterprise may choose different instruments at different times depending on the product or services sold, the customers geographical location, or customer quality classification. The ability to use different instruments provides flexibility when dealing with significant or sensitive customers and orders. Compliance with relevant consumer protection legislation may require detailed disclosure to the buyer of credit instrument terms. The following are the 4 major credit instrument: 1. Open Account 2. Promissory notes 3. Conditional sales contracts 4. ocumentary credits Payment Methods The management of the enterprise selling the goods or services should advice its customers of acceptable payment methods, including advance payments, cash, cheque, credit card or electronic fund transfer. The implications associated with each method should be assessed carefully before determining which payment vehicles to allow. For example, electronic funds transfer (EFT) speeds cash flow and reduces collection risk because funds are immediately withdrawn from the customers account and credited to the seller account. However, there are initial development and on-going operational costs, and some enterprises may not find this process cost effective. Factors to consider when determining possible payment methods are: provisions of the Federal Currency Act concerning legal tender; standard trade practices; cost of processing; cash flow implications and impact on collection risk. Currency hedging may be a major factor for industries involved in foreign transactions, and the policy related to hedging should be in writing. CREDIT ANALYSIS Besides establishing credit standards, a firm should develop procedures for valuating credit applicants. The second aspect of credit policies of the firm is credit analysis and investigation. Two basic steps are involved in the credit investigation process. a) Obtaining credit information. b) Analysis of credit information. It is on the basis of credit analysis that the decisions to grant credit to a customer as well as the quantum of credit would be taken Obtaining credit information The first step in credit analysis is obtaining credit information on which to base the evolution of the customer the sources of information, broadly peaking are: †¢ Internal †¢ External Internal Usually firms require their customer to fill various forms and documents giving the details of the financial operations. They are also required to furnish trade references with which firms can have contacts to judge the suitability of the customer for credit. This type of information is obtained from internal sources of credit information another internal sources of credit information is derived from the records of the firm’s contemplating an extension of credit facility . t is likely that a particular customer or applicant may have enjoyed credit facility in the past in the case that firm would have information on the behavior of the applicants in terms of the historical payment pattern this type of information may not be adequate and may therefore have to be supplemented by information from other sources. External The availability of the information from the external sources to assess the credit worthiness of the customers depends on the development of the institutional facilities and industry practices. n India, the external sources of credit information have not as developed as in the industrially advanced countries of the world. Depending upon the availability of the following external sources may be employed to collect the information. Financial Statements The external sources of credit information is the published financial statement that is the balance sheet and the profit and loss account. The financial statement contains very useful information they throw light on an applicants financial viability, liquidity profitability and debt capacity. Although the financial statement do not directly reveal the past payment period of the applicant they are very helpful in assessing the overall financial position of a firm which is significantly determines its credit standings. Bank References Another useful source of credit information are the banks of the firm, which is contemplating the extension of credit the modus operadi here, is that the firm’s banker collects the necessary information from the applicant’s bank. Alternatively, the applicant may be required to ask his banker to provide necessary information either directly to the firm or to its bank. Trade References These refer to the collection of information from firms with whom the applicant has dealings and who on their experience would vouch for the applicant. Credit Bureau Reports Finally, specialists credit bureau from organizations specializing in supplying credit information can also be utilized. Analysis of Credit Information Once the information has been collected from different sources, it should be analysed to determine the credit worthiness of the applicant. Although there are no established procedures to analyse the information, the firm should device one to suit its needs. The analysis should cover two aspects: a) Quantitative b) Qualitative Quantitative The assessment of the quantitative aspect is based on the factual information available from the financial statements, the past records of the firm, and so on. The first step involved in this type of assessment is to prepare an ageing schedule of the accounts payable of the applicant as well as calculate the average age of the accounts payable. This exercise will give an insight into the past payment pattern of the customer. Another step in analyzing the credit information is through a ratio analysis of the liquidity, profitability and debt capacity of the applicant. These ratios should be compared with the industry average; moreover, rend analysis over a period of time would reveal the financial strength of the customer. Qualitative The qualitative assessment should be supplemented by a qualitative/subjective interpretation of the applicant credit worthiness. The subjective judgment would cover aspects relating to the quality of management. Here, the reference from other suppliers, bank references and specialist bureau reports would form the basis for the conclusions to be drawn. In the ultimate analysis, therefore, the decision whether to extend credit to the applicant and what amount to extend will depend upon the subjective interpretation of this credit standing. COSTS The major categories of costs associated with the extension of credit on accounts receivable are: 1) Collection cost 2) Capital cost 3) Delinquency cost 4) Default cost Collection Cost Collection costs are administrative costs incurred in collecting the receivables from the customers to whom credit sales have been made. Included in the category of costs are (i) additional expenses on the creation and maintenance of a credit department with staff, accounting records, stationary, postage and other related items; (ii) expenses involved in acquiring credit information either through outside specialist agencies or by the staff of the firm itself. These expenses would not be incurred if they do not sell on credit. Capital Cost The increased level of accounts receivable is an investment in assets, they have to be financed thereby involving a cost. There is a time lag between the sale of goods to, and payment by, the customers. Meanwhile, the firm has to pay employees and suppliers of raw materials, thereby implying that the firm should arrange for additional capital to support credit sales, which alternatively could be profitability employed elsewhere, is, therefore, a part of the cost of extending credit or receivables. Delinquency cost This cost arises out of the failure of the customers to meet their obligations when payment on credit sales becomes due after the expiry of the credit period. Such costs are called delinquency cost. The important components of this cast are: 1) Blocking up of funds for an extended period. 2) Cost associated with steps that have to be initiated to collect the over dues, such as, reminders and other collection efforts, legal charges, where necessary, and so on. Default Cost Finally, the firm may not be able to recover the over dues because of the inability of the customers.

Reflective Essay Example

Reflective Essay Description first activity, we were paired In groups of four and asked the following questions In succession: What Is Inclusive practice? What is Integration? Is what the learner does more important than what the teacher does? The next activity was done after viewing DVD learning for living, which is a series of various learners with different learning issues. We were again placed in group of fours and asked to discuss a particular learner. The task involved is to and present to the TLS class. We were given the learner Diane, She has a visual disability. I observed In the died that, the zoom accessibility function Is set on the computer behind her. Our group came up with the following results for their activity What went well? From the various definitions that were given during the first activity. We had a discussion on, what is inclusive practice? We then came to the conclusion that it means:- Trying to meet the needs of all your learners who may be different but still need to learn regardless of their Disability, learning styles, race, religion, age and sexual orientation. The next question that was discussed was what Is Integration? Our function of this is that, it is the process were those with differentiation needs come together in a main stream learning environment. We then went onto the final question for this activity which was, is what the learner does more important than what the teacher does? We all agreed that the learner is more important than the teacher and to facilitate better learning. The teacher has to assume the role of a facilitator. On the DVD activity we arrived at the following conclusions Identify needs. We will write a custom essay sample on Reflective specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Reflective specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Reflective specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Through initial assessments Support needs-sensory team Identify what equipment/measures she needs egg readers Adapt practice Based on ten report Use resources I. E. Gold paper for hand-outs, bigger fonts and special reader to magnify fonts Class layout I. E. No direct sunlight and can sit in front of the class To Support Because of her visual impairment, do the following One to one discussion/talk with learner concerning learner needs Be aware of tone due to heighten senses Monitor how the learner react Get and give feedback Why? Inclusive practice is the way to go for effective learning. Differentiation takes a look at the learning styles and learning barriers and tries to match the learning activity to the learner. The teacher then has to consider this in his session plans and adopt it to fit all learning needs. Integration is a new and improved way that learning wants to take. This form of learning means that all learning needs will be considered by the teacher, who needs to facil itate the various learning needs of each learner to suit the learner. This will only serve to encourage the learners, knowing that the teacher is conscious of their learners needs. The teacher needs to do much less than the learner, rather than have a long boring lecture, the teacher needs to employ earner centered activities that, aide and encourage the learner more. This may also include peer to peer learning activities and group led activities. The DVD showed that it is important to recognize the needs of each learner, so as to be able to identify their needs, then adapt your resources, lesson plans, assessments etc. To meet these needs. In the case of Diane, the group agreed that there is a need to get support staff involved because the expertise needed to adapt practice may be lacking by the teacher. The group also agreed that, getting feedback from Diane was very important s that would make evaluation and implementation of future learning activities easier. Even better if For my lessons to be more inclusive, in my session plans, I have considered some of my learners and I made some adjustments to my Assessments and lesson plans. Reflective Essay Example Reflective Essay No single incident is significant enough to have individually affected the enormous journey I am on. Let me just reflect on my evolution from the impact of each significant theory on me, the integrative application of skills learnt, to the palpable discovery of a new consciousness, a new frontier. It is the first day of the Diploma I sit transfixed to my chair, as much a stranger to myself as I am to the others in the room. How do I introduce myself to the others? I don’t even know who I am! Who am I? I sit rigid, stereotypically male, in emotional shutdown. (Very honest! ) I introduce myself to the group through an activity! SCUBA Diving! Come on, how remote can you be from yourself? I sigh in relief, as other people’s introductions are equally mechanical. Some faces are socially familiar; we exchange glances and smile embarrassingly. I am a 57 year old man yet I am so acutely self conscious that every time I am asked to speak in that room, my heart pounds like an 8 year old on his first day in Prep school. The tutors tower over me like my English headmaster at Public school. We will write a custom essay sample on Reflective specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Reflective specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Reflective specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer I feel overwhelmed by everything, the room, the participants, the tutors, I hide behind my false exterior, the tribal feudal male introject, that familiar front of self restrictedness and male aggression, the old friend who has always seen me through such situations. It works equally effectively now. Or does it? (displaying self-awareness here Tahir) Months pass, my humanistic jargon increases, maybe even some counselling skills, I am affable, articulate, comfortable and closed. Satori – enlightenment through a box of tissues I have never sat next to a box of tissues. I have never needed to. One afternoon that is all I need to hide my self with. A box of tissues. I am caught unawares, a peer narrates his childhood experience of ECT, he weeps, a grown man crying, and as I fight back my tears, I find the years of restrictedness, of not crying, stifling. My comfort has turned to discomfort, I am face to face with years of emotional dishonesty. I hate myself and the years of falseness, what was false? What was real? My fragile maleness flashes in front of me through the haze of tears, the years and years of posturing self sufficiency, of escaping fear through alcohol, as I weep, as I feel the tears, does something shift? Is this the beginning of becoming real? I learn in that sad revelation filled afternoon, how I have lived, just in my mind, with the false illusion of unfeeling fronts, of egotistical posturing, of my sense of centre being only appearance. Yes something has changed. (It must have been an emotional moment for you) As I go to my room that night, I stare at my self in the mirror; the foreground is the â€Å"I â€Å"in the â€Å"now†. The awareness that comes from learning who I really am, is dispossessing. Who am I? Who owns me? The previous strong, financially successful stud, overbearing, cynical and arrogant. Or this new I? Confused, feeling slightly emasculated, embarrassed by the deeper more intense person I see, I look away from the new self. The next morning is a check in, it is my turn to self disclose, I speak as if there is no one there but me, I speak of myself with an unguarded openness I never knew I possessed. I speak of my alcoholism, my trail of broken marriages and wounded children, I feel the room suddenly alive with other injured humans, not a group of students, but people with similar lives, congruence is not a word anymore, it is a feeling. I have dropped my guard and confronted my defenses. There is a new connection with my peers and tutors, the self discovery and in its aftermath, the acceptance and care, creates a new lightness in my being. (I sense some relief here when you were able to do this) My self Everybody’s important plaything Is now unpossessed, owned only by me. It dims As I strip it of veneers That were never mine. Then in the darkness of being nothing My freedom makes its own light. My own poem (Very thought provoking) Carl Rogers my threefold redirection My personal journey was first impacted by the attempt to understand why I did not naturally possess â€Å"the self actualizing tendency† why my consistent self destructive path? Where was my innate drive to develop and grow like the hardy Rogerian potato? I was never in an attic in a bleak winter. I needed to use the three core conditions of congruence, empathy and unconditional positive regard on myself. â€Å"The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction not a destination. † 1 In my effort at redirection, I have attempted to do three things, 1. Rid myself as far as possible, of ego defensiveness, so I can get closer to â€Å"an increasing openness to experience. † 2. Living more and more in the moment, I continue to discard â€Å"preconceived self structure† and revel in the â€Å"experience of my life†. 3. I try and identify who I am, just the way I am, sans cover-ups. I need to experience, to feel my feelings, not think them. 2 (Three good resolutions here) This has actually allowed self healing to occur. I felt a strong sense of self. If I can empower myself, surely other people have within themselves the same ability! I can help empower others. The journey has commenced! __________________________________________________________ 1 and 2 Carl Rogers On becoming a Person THE FITTING GAME† –the trick of holding on tight to a theory, then trying to make my experience fit it. 3 Gestalt Theory so excited me, was so akin to the sensorial tendency in me, that I took to it. In my initial excitement however, I missed the point altogether, by intellectualizing it like a mathematics tutor, over assimilating just theory, denying the evidence of my senses. Naturally I could not apply it to my clients. Consequently I had to shed the theory, find the blockage in my understanding, (that I was trying to mould my practice to imposed theoretical structures. I had to â€Å"Sense, Feel, Imagine, Do, Perceive. Become more aware†4 â€Å"what I do now is the only thing I possibly could do, given my entire experience and state of awareness â€Å"5 That is my Gestalt practice now! Effective self regulation through the healthy formation cycle, is now simply, need fulfillment through uninterrupted functioning in full awareness. - 3. Houston G The Red book of Gestalt p 19 4. Houston G. The Red Book of Gestalt p 1 5. Houston G The Red Book of Gestalt p 86 Creative TA- becoming a winner is a point of view away Unconscious incompetence meant reliance on a theory that I could easily practice. I oscillated towards TA with a majority of my clients, almost teaching it to them. It took over a year and supervision for me to stop being didactic. Recourse to traditional ego state diagnosis, behavioral, social, historical and phenomenological, is now loosely employed. I use TA in the here and now, to allow clients to identify their life positions with their own adult/ leveler intervention. Transactions games discounting is all used experientially, their experience. They are left to decide when to consciously move towards autonomy from script. To be nobody but -yourself in a world which is doing its best night and day, to make you everybody else, means to fight the hardest battle any human being can fight and never stop fighting. † E E Cummings 6 6. Muriel and Jongeward Born to Win p 275 Integrative counselling in action a sampler It is Nov 2007, my first client! Heart pounding, clammy hands, who is more anxious. He presents with severe anxiety, timidity and shame. He is dysfunctional in his job, suspicious and manipulative with both peers and bosses. Socially phobic and self alienated, over adapted and incapacitated. He is caught in a bash trap. My client suffers from toxic shame from a mother and sister who both use criticism and unfavorable comparisons to control him. The sister 11 years older, projects her own life failures onto him, (transfer of blame), he gets tongue lashings from her and is humiliated and emasculated. His shoulders and head droop as he speaks of the bullying sister. We do the chair exercise and he goes on to enact his experience of her verbal violence, his voice high pitched and shrill in the chair as she berates him. The moment is overwhelming as he loses himself in the experience of being helpless, passive, eyes frozen open, mouth down, pale with fear, as she continues to berate him. He is racked with sobs as the chair encounter concludes, I fight to stop my rescuer from physically reaching out to console him. It is 4 months later, we are dealing with his toxic shame and his shame producing environment that has continued into his current life. He earnestly narrates the shame based injunctions, â€Å"don’t be important†, â€Å"don’t be†. He has no relationships, no friends, no lovers. The development of a shame based identity,his toxic shame has completely impeded all intimate relationships. Ironically he teaches me shame as I proceed to expose his shame. I feel homophobic confused and embarrassed as he brings his nascent homosexuality into the open, the sessions stop, as I handle my homophobia in supervision. (Very honest again here Tahid) â€Å"Because shame is central to conscience, indignity, identity and disturbances in self functioning, this affect is the source of low self- esteem, poor self concept or body image, self-doubt and insecurity, and diminished self- confidence. †7 This epitomizes my client. ___________________________________________________________________- 7. Kaufman G The Psychology of Shame p 5 My client creates script from his day to day experience of all authority figures, mother, sister, and bosses, ironically all are female. Despite excessive identification with them and the anxiety so evoked, I avoid Oedipal labeling. His natural sexual urge squelched, everything to do with sex is bad, shame is fostered, his sexual identity confused, his masturbation fantasies are solely homoerotic, he seeks solace in gay porn, forlornly tries arousal through heterosexual porn and fails. Then follow guilt filled anonymous homosexual encounters with strangers. His self loathing grows. I feel free (post supervision), to openly discuss his closet approach to his sexual identity and homosexual relationships. Together we identify the split between his disowned emotions and the quick guilt ridden homosexual encounters. The dichotomous branding of sex as evil and bad, the identification of women with negative controlling authority figures, the possibility of exploring bi sexual urges without conditioned responses is opened threadbare. His orthodox Muslim identity has made homosexuality sinful, punishable by death, this internalized social prejudice and shame has shut his sexuality. He slowly comes to terms with his needs, that they are natural, disrupted by personal history. He starts to own his sexuality, to be proud accepting and nurturing of it. Taking responsibility for his sexual activity without judgment, feeling sexually adequate as a homosexual, working on making the sexual act kosher! It takes months to make sex acceptable, to make the sexual identity of girls acceptable. He now wants to explore sex with any gender, to make sex a meaningful and natural possibility to be undertaken with responsibility, appropriateness and discretion. To integrate his sexual identity in his own time. He moves on. (It sounds very positive work that you have done with him) He starts by hating loving then forgiving his hapless equally emasculated father, his rejecting mother and cruelly controlling sister. His strong inner adult faces, wards off then ignores her attacks, till in frustration they stop. He forgives them all. With growing confidence and esteem, the panic attacks slowly die out. His bosses give him increasing responsibility. Manipulation is slowly replaced with quiet strength. He experiences growing self regard and dignity. With his peers his hitherto combative attitude is replaced with an increasing openness, with his team where he is group leader, his affection is reciprocated by his peers, as he replaces rigid personal barriers with flexible boundaries. He moves from being reaction based with everyone, to an â€Å"inside out† proactive approach taking direct responsibility for himself, owning his feelings and behaviors. I facilitate his discovery of his integrating Adult. From the adult he starts to self parent, he holds an ongoing inner dialogue between his adult and inner child to determine his parenting needs, the adult providing the space to his free child, to grow. I now find him stuck in adult, too much adult. He is asked to consider the possibility of self nurture. He quietly takes a taxi on a 10 day 800 kilometer ride to the Iran border along an unspoilt mountainous coast. From his adult, he most reluctantly looks at his child, summoning the courage to allow himself a holiday. What will his mother and sister say? He is fearful of the prospect of being discovered. It takes all the courage he can muster to get into the taxi to free himself from the past. In that lonely taxi, the mental imagery of miles and miles of mountains sand and sea, lifts then liberates him. It allows him to integrate his disowned parts, to start to accept then love himself. He is finding his free child! At his own pace. In his own way. In his own time. â€Å"Positive regard and affirmation must be provided by the NAMEPage 88/22/2013therapist if there is to be an atmosphere in which the client may safely project, witness, understand and untangle the negative self images he has acquired from childhood xperiences and relationships. A therapist who does not accept his client as gay, will reinforce earlier images that are reflected in the clients self- deprecatory, paranoid, masochistic, or sadistic attitudes which are interfering with his capacity for more positive relationships and experiences. †8 _______________________________________________________ Isay Richard A . Being homosexual p 121 ADDICTION- BAPTISM OF FIRE I manage a detox and rehab with a multidisciplinary team of 2 psychiatrists, a cardiologist and 2 other therapists. months into the opening of the rehab facility I am forced to withdraw our UK consultant from the facility. I am left to cope and I do! The team undertakes assessment, diagnosis, dual diagnosis, psychiatric medical and counselling services through both primary 28 day residential care and 11 months of secondary care as an out client service. Family services are offered to clients’ families covering non coercive intervention, identifying family dysfunction, co dependent behaviors, also enabling families to become aware of enabling co dependant and rescuer moulds. Within 3 months I learn the AA 12 steps, I study the different types of alcoholices, I move to the more open Minnesota Model which is also abstinence based but incorporates more methodologies. I integrate more TA into the rigidity of the AA structure In the 4th step( in answering â€Å"WHO AM I† ),I incorporate both TA and Gestalt, primarily use of the Adult ego state in finding ways to unscript the addictive (adaptive) child ego state. I learn then apply an elaborate Relapse Prevention Programme covering stabilization, self-assessment, warning sign identification, recovery planning et al. I learn about PAWS- Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome and all major post abstinence medical complications and their psychological impact. A client presenting with abuse consisting of 8 grams of coke as the main substance with Vodka and a cocktail of benzo’s used over 48 hours every 15 days, is treated for 30 days in the rehab and 60 days in secondary care. After 10 months he is still abstinent! Another client, who was forcibly picked up and incarcerated in another rehab is treated with a more humanistic approach, CBT based boundaries and a properly monitored time structure, after a year he is still dry ! Presentations are made by our team to Psychiatry departments of two top hospitals in Karachi. Recognition is humbling and fulfilling. CONCLUSION – A NEW SENSE OF SELF- BEINGNESS What an incredible journey! From Humanistic to Attachment based theory, from shame to sexuality. I have evolved. This Essay is written from a new place, a place that recognizes that my unconscious mind was trapped in identity with form. In the soporific effect of material ownership. In the hollow appearance of where I stood in the eyes of others. From the gallows transactions of a key tutor, I discover my own equally image making, self seeking, egoic mind, that is when I try to move away from â€Å"I am right, you are wrong†, from my own defensiveness and aggression. I want to feel my common humanity, the oneness of my outer world with every other living organism’s outer world. And from within me, who I am, is slowly ceasing to matter. â€Å"Once you realize and accept that that all structures (forms),are unstable even the seemingly solid material ones, peace arises within you. This is because the recognition of he impermanence of all forms awakens you to the dimension of the formless within yourself, that which is beyond death. Eternal Life. †9 This course seems like a real awakening for you Tahid. It was a very emotional read and displays real self-awareness and a depth of honesty which is quite rare. Well done! _______________________________________________________________ 9 Tolle E. A New Earth p 81 Marking Sheet - DIPLOMA HUMANISTIC INTEGRATIVE COUNSELLING - Reflective essay - Student: Tahid Zahoor Ahmed Year Content (Evidence of knowledge, concepts, key issues, case material, references) Tahir’s reflective essay is very moving with key issues in his life addressed in a very honest and in depth manner. He has obviously allowed his emotional side to be expressed in a way which has not happened before. His writing is very poetic and expressive, giving the reader a real insight into the way in which this course impacted him deeply. He displays evidence of nowledge concerning TA and person centred techniques. Structure (Argument, evidence, structure, ability to answer the question) The write up displays logical progress through his journey and the issues he has worked on. Although the piece is not structured using headings of any kind, it follows Tahir through his own persona journey step by step. Clarity (Presentation of ideas and arguments, explanation of terms) The piece is carefully worded and articulate, using very emotional lang uage – possibly slightly less question marks could have been used. Tahir could have posed these phrases in slightly different ways to avoid this. Quality of analysis and Reflection (Evidence of understanding, ability to think independently; engagement in process, self-disclosure, self-reflection and personal evaluation, awareness of transference/ countertransference issues) Tahid is deeply reflective, self-disclosing on a very regular basis. He has obviously engaged in the process of writing this essay and has used case material to highlight issues which he needs to continue to work on. He has also personally evaluated this work which sounds very successful, probably due to Tahid’s own level of reflection on issues which arose for him, which he dealt with. A very emotional read, and a realization of the way in which we can originally be so unaware of our own issues but be revolutionized when we allow ourselves to be honest and open. Obviously deep issues have been addressed in Tahir’s life and he has moved towards becoming a more effective - Grade Awarded: DISTINCTIONTutor: Sally Draycott Date: 2/5/09