The Process of Growing Up

â€Å"The process of growing up is when you discover the strength within you survives all the hurt†. It was that last hot summer day of sixth grade, walking home from school as usual being so excited to finally move on and become a seventh grader. While walking home I still remember I had that feeling of joy and happiness to think wow moving up to seventh grade next school year and the enjoyment of growing up a little bit more. Seeing how it was going to be summer break. It was a normal and more than perfect day to actually go home from school without a care in the world. When walking up to my house, I saw the green Ford truck all packed up with our belongings; I thought well, â€Å"when we decided to move†? I was analyzing and questioning all the possibilities of why that truck was loaded up with things that both belonged to my mom and stepdad. As soon as I stepped in the house I knew there was something terribly wrong. I walked throughout my house seeing everything turned upside down, smashed, thrown around everywhere and destroyed all to pieces. As a sixth grade little girl I didn’t know how to react or even know what to think. All I really knew was someone obviously wasn’t happy and that same person was moving out. At this point my mom was basically the â€Å"house wife† that cooked, cleaned and did all the motherly things. While my stepdad worked and made the money. They both had their hands full with four kids and still being able to maintain their marriage and relationship. But as you can see their marriage wasn’t at all perfect, everything down fell from there. My stepdad left us with nothing; took just about everything that was in our house. The only thing we had left was our toys and rooms. Coming home and seeing my house destroyed in every way is when I knew at that point nothing is going to be the same and knowing my stepdad was moving out was not one of the best things for any of my family’s lives. Since my mom didn’t work she had to get a job in order to support four kids including a roof over our heads, food and clothing on our backs. This was the turning point of many emotions, anger, disgust and hatred but at the same time this one thing helped me grow in strength, maturity and even responsibility towards myself, making me who I am today. Devastated as I was, my mom had to work nights as a bartender meaning she was never home with me at night and me being the oldest resulted in me having to watch my brothers and sister. Emotions were running high in my family, but from then on watching my little brothers and sister was my job, didn’t really have a huge social life, I found my world spiraling. All of these effects that took place when my stepdad decided to move out really had this huge impact on my life. While trying to take care of my brother and sister, I found myself having to grow up more and more every day. The responsibilities that were involved were more than I could ever handle at that time. Working hard to help out my mom and getting through the emotions of my stepdad leaving was the most life learned experience I’ve ever had to go through. The hardest time in my life by far. As a result of that time, I can say now it really made me a better person in every way imaginable. As time went on it eventually resolved itself, making me more responsible than ever; my maturity enlarged immensely and just that experience alone makes me a grateful person now. Seeing how people can destruct something they once loved including their family really made me realize how lucky our family was without him. Although this experience was at rock bottom at the beginning it ended up working out for the better. In a way that I got a chance to realize something’s on my own and not to only depend on my parents. Just of the simple fact that I learned to have responsibilities. Which in the end really helps me now and for in my future. Having to grow up too fast was the most challenging thing in my life. My family and I survived all the heartbreak that came from my stepdad leaving but now actually being eighteen, I can say it was really worth him leaving. With that being said; â€Å"The process of growing up is when you discover the strength within you survives all the hurt†.

Leadership Principles for Effective Change

â€Å"Change only happens when each person makes a decision to implement the change.† It is very easy to talk about dreams and talk about plans. But without the commitment to follow through and implement what needs to be done, such talk is merely wishful thinking. Every person involved in the process should implement change because everyone involved should do his part. Otherwise, the change will be incomplete. In order to manage change, the tasks that each person needs to do should be written down for implementation and monitoring. This may seem difficult and out of culture but it can do a lot in making people accountable and willing to implement the changes discussed by the organization. â€Å"A clearly defined vision of the end result enables all the people to define the most efficient path for accomplishing the results.† A vision is a powerful thing. It helps refine and enhance the direction of the organization. When a vision is clearly stated and understood by the members of the organization, they can formulate their strategies and align their activities toward the vision of the organization. Out of the vision, the strategies of the organization can be formulated. Some strategies, however, may appear not to support the end result as stated in the vision. To ensure that the strategies are aligned with the vision, an organization needs to promote its vision and its mission to its employees and to its management team. During the sessions of strategic planning, the vision should be inculcated into the minds and practices of the organization so that the strategies formulated support the fulfillment of the vision. With a clearly defined vision, the people know what they are working for. When they know what they are working for, they can search for the best approach there is. Select the two principles you believe are the most important to follow when managing change and describe why you feel these are essential. Describe some specific techniques that can be used to manage change in an organization. Explain how these techniques are consistent with the principles you selected. 1.Thought processes and relationship dynamics are fundamental if change is to be successful. 2.Change only happens when each person makes a decision to implement the change. 3.People fear change it â€Å"happens† to them. 4.Given the freedom to do so, people will build quality into their work as a matter of personal pride. 5.Traditional organizational systems treat people like children and expect them to act like adults. 6.†Truth† is more important during periods of change and uncertainty than â€Å"good news.† 7.Trust is earned by those who demonstrate consistent behavior and clearly defined values. 8.People who work are capable of doing much more than they are doing. 9.The intrinsic rewards of a project are often more important than the material rewards and recognition. 10. A clearly defined vision of the end result enables all the people to define the most efficient path for accomplishing the results. 11. The more input people have into defining the changes that will affect their work, the more they will take ownership for the results. 12. To change the individual, change the system.   

Understand the Behaviour of Organisations in their Market Environment Essay

Understand the Behaviour of Organisations in their Market Environment - Essay Example Understand the Behaviour of Organisations in their Market Environment This has enhances shopping for consumers making it even more convenient by providing all products under the same roof. Tesco’s has been working towards building of a sustainable business model throughout the years. This has been done through diversification into new geographical areas as well as value added retailing (Datamonitor, 2011, 7). This has enabled Tesco to reduce its business risk as well as work toward increased sales through trade in growth markets. Similarly, value added retailing encourages consumers loyalty and assist to sustain revenue growth even in times of economic difficulties. However, with increased competition in the UK market, retaining customers would be a crucial concern for Tesco. This has a risk of causing loss of the market share (Finne & Sivonen, 2009, 298). Perfect Competition This is the existence of different buyers and sellers, which implies that prices vary in response to supply as well as demand (Wood, 2008, 187). The market is characterized with substitutes where increase in price of one commodity means a change to consumption of the existing substitute. Both the buyer and the seller are seen to have equal chances of influencing the price. There are two extremes in perfect competition, which include monopoly, as well as oligopoly market. Price and output in a perfect market is determined as shown below. The profit in the firm indicates the level of price and output in three different ways. For a firm to make profits, it will produce at a level where P> ATC, while experiencing losses P< ATC and for it to break even P= ATC. Monopoly In a monopolistic market, there is only a single seller with a number of sellers. The firm is the price maker and therefore, determines the level of output as well as price (Finne & Sivonen, 2009, 298). The firms aim is to maximize profit. Oligopoly Classical theory in economics has the assumption that a producer with some market power whose aim is to maximize profit will set Marginal Cost ( MC) equals to Marginal Revenue (MR) (Finne & Sivonen, 2009, 298). This indicates that the larger the quantity sold the lower is the price. Any change in MC or MR will be indicated by the price. This, however, does not occur where a kink exists. As a result, MC in this case would change without a change in price or quantity. The advantage of this to consumers is that companies will not raise their prices in fear of losing customers (Seth & Randall, 2011, 234). However, even a fall in price will only gain a few customers. This indicates that the curve is price elastic in case of price increase and less for price decrease. In the end, competitive firms will enter the industry. Pestle Analysis Political factors Tesco is an international company with carrying out operations in 14 countries. This makes the organization susceptible to the various legislative and political environments in these countries. This necessitates the compliant to comply with these laws to avoid conflicts with the authorities. In most countries, governments encourage foreign companies to consider local candidates for various posts in the organizations, to ensure locals benefit from their investments. This, therefore, means that Tesco employs a wide pool of individuals to satisfy their labor requirements. Tesco will be compelled to follow the legislation on employment adopted in the country where its stores are located. Economic Factors Economic factors are crucial in the operation of an

Europe between Wars 1919-1939 and European Crisis Assignment

Europe between Wars 1919-1939 and European Crisis - Assignment Example The Weimar Republic had to face and go through a severe economic fall in the first years of the decade because of the debt and the reparations caused by the War and the Treaty of Versailles, which culminated in 1923 with the devaluation of the Mark (the currency). Communism attracted many followers after the October Revolution and the Russian Civil War, and so communists (Bolsheviks) adopted a policy of mixed economies in the period between 1921 and 1928. Fascist movement as a response and a solution for the prevention of the communism spread in many countries in Europe, with Germany having the leading role. This period was believed to be the third period of anxiety for Europe (the previous two that could be compared in intensity with this one being the one of the ancient world and the Reformation). Totalitarianism as a concept in political theory arose in the XX century. Although there are slight differences and variations among totalitarian regimes, the chief characteristics of totalitarianism are: a) Totalitarian regime encompasses the whole of the society, and authoritarian government, as a variation focuses only on governance. For a regime to be considered totalitarian, government and society must be closely intertwined and there is only one political party; b) Totalitarianism holds strict government control of the media which is to be used only as a means of propaganda; c) There is no personal liberty in cultural, political and artistic expression among the people; d) People must be utterly devoted to the state and must never criticize the government or any of its segments as they and their whole families may "disappear" or end up in prison as "political" prisoners. e) Nazism and Fascism are considered totalitarian regimes of the right, while Stalinism is the totalitarianism of the left.

EMAIL PRIVACY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

EMAIL PRIVACY - Essay Example Currently, email dominates modern communication. In fact, the survey that was conducted by the Forrester Research Inc. shows that 98 percent of companies with over one thousand employees have internet access. All the companies with internet access use email as the main form of communication at the organization. Email is a very new concept in communication, and it is rapidly gaining popularity. According to Cliffon (2005), it is estimated that in America, up to 1.5 billion emails are exchanged annually. Email Privacy Most people are of the view that since the emails are more personal, they provide a good platform for people to discuss personal issues. This is never the case in most cases; in fact, emails have made communication to be less personal since privacy in communication through emails or telephones is easily compromised. It is always very hard to write personal things on the email because a third party may see them; hence, emails are greatly compromised in terms of privacy. Ac cording to Cliffon (2005), the hackers are able to crack passwords for emails and, therefore, get access to personal information of others. Hacking presents a very precarious situation because hackers may get access to critical information such as credit number of an individual or even password for an individual’s bank account thereby defrauding individuals of their lifetime investments. The internet is highly susceptible to malicious attacks. The process of composing an email to the time that it reaches the final user exposes information to several electronic dangers. Despite this reality, many people are usually oblivious of the many privacy flaws they are exposed to when dealing with email. Crawford (2008) says that most individuals tend to think that the one layer email protection by the use of password is always sufficient to guarantee email privacy yet the one layer password protection is not sufficient to protect the content of personal or business email. Privacy Risks Due to the apparent privacy hitches in email communication, users of email are exposed to a number of risks. The reason for this is that email is highly susceptible to both active and passive attacks. Passive threats vary from traffic analysis and release of message contents. On the other hand, active threats include replay, masquerade, and altering of the contents of the message. Currently, most emails are transmitted unencrypted and this presents the danger that some unscrupulous individuals other than the designated recipient can gain access to content of the email. Such unscrupulous individuals usually have some tools that they use to gain access to the contents of the email (Quigley, 2011). The idea of traffic analysis presents the danger of evading email privacy. Traffic analysis is a routine surveillance by government through monitoring of emails as a measure to counter terrorism as well a thwart any form of political eavesdropping or espionage. In as much as traffic analysi s is justified on security grounds, this approach compromises on the privacy of emails since through the process, access to the private email messages of individuals or corporate is gained. The other potential risk with regard to email privacy is the possibility of altering and modification of the contents of the email. Using spoofing tools, unscrupulous individual can intercept an email message on transit or storage and then modify the contents of such messages. Rao and Upadhyaya (2009) argue that the other potential risk of email privacy is the issue of masquerading; it is possible for an individual to send an email in the name of another person or any corporation. Moreover, it is worth noting that email messages can be resend to individuals more

The Relationship Between Domination and Resistance Essay

The Relationship Between Domination and Resistance - Essay Example The absolute power of the monarch was then displayed to all in the (punishing of the) body of the prisoner. In later centuries, systems changed. Prisons were introduced, and prisoners were subject to strict discipline and control. Discipline meant that almost every bodily movement of prisoners was sought to be controlled - the space they used, the movements (exercises) they did, the food they ate and even their sleep. The panopticon, a circular design for prison houses (designed by Jeremy Bentham in the 18th century) with the warder's room in the center, allowed the warder to view a prisoner at any time; this made the prisoner feel that he was constantly being watched. This drill of prison life led to the transformation of people into obedient zombies, which facilitated the exercise of control by the state. The way the death penalty is administered in many countries of the world, including the US, is evidence that state sanctioned violence still exits. Such violence is orchestrated in a bizarre, ritualistic manner to make it appear as a necessary tool of the state justice system. But when we consider that capital punishment does not deter crime in any way, it becomes evident that it continues as a throwback to a primitive and uncivilized way of treating fellow humans. Dwight Conquergood gives some horrifying facts about the administration of the death penalty in the US. For instance, the US is one among a handful of countries, which allows the death penalty for a minor. Besides, a greater part of those who are on death row are minorities; a large percentage of women charged for serious crime are lesbian; one in seven persons are wrongly executed (!); and all this, though capital punishment is much more costly to administer than a life sentence. (Conquergood 2002)Power is thus used by t he state to reinforce the viewpoint of the majority. An impression of humaneness is sought to be created through the sanitation of the whole process of killing by the state. Prisoners are made to participate in their own annihilation. When a person on death row accepts the fact that he has no way to escape his fate, he is 'persuaded' to go through silly rituals of stating what he wants for a last meal, articulating his 'last wish' before death and so on. (Conquergood 2002)In the face of the exercise of such raw and violent power by the state against those who dare to express opinions contrary to what the state sanctions, political prisoners in Turkey have refined hunger strikes as a way of expressing their dissent. Patrick Anderson chronicles the longest lasting such strike, which started in Oct 2000 in Turkish prisons as a protest against shifting of prisoners to solitary cells. The strike has been carefully managed by the strikers so that they do not die of starvation soon. The st rikers have developed methods to see that their emaciated bodies survive - by drinking more liquids, by using potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride and so on. (Anderson 2004). Moving from the details of the narration, what is horrifying is the fact that in almost all countries of the world, including those which claim to be developed, the legal and justice system exists for the privileged class.Power operates outside prison gates too - through the mechanism of the market economy. An 'upper' class

Women's Emancipation in The Awakening Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Women's Emancipation in The Awakening - Essay Example Edna had a strong and passionate spirit but this died down with her marriage to her husband, Leonce. When she became Mrs. Pontiellier, she took it upon herself to live a life of responsibility, leaving who she was before they got married. Her marriage to Leonce was not perfect. In fact, there were times when she cries at night confused on the reason she was crying (Chap.3, par.10.). But during that night, she felt even more oppressed, even to the point of feeling anguish about her situation. Her emotions during that specific night during their summer vacation indicated that, although she realizes there was something wrong with how she felt, she strived to keep it to herself. Notice that she didn’t mention anything to her husband about how she felt during night the next morning. It was as if nothing was wrong. This was a typical scene for women of the 1800s. Chopin described Edna to be a slave of the social expectations of marriage and motherhood. Edna’s individuality wa s cast aside to become what is to be expected of a woman in marriage, a supportive wife and doting mother. But Edna was not entirely such a person. She acted only as if she was that person because she was expected to do so. Her husband even had to persuade her to check their son during the night he believed the young one had a fever (Chap.3, par. 6). Chopin was not alone in her belief how married women acted and felt. Ibsen shared this idea as seen in â€Å"The Doll House.† In this story, Nora led a difficult life because of the social expectation that her husband is supposed to be the dominant figure in their family. She also had the same strong spirit that Edna exhibited in â€Å"The Awakening.† But the same with Edna, Nora was unable to show how strong she is because of the bounds of marriage. Marriage is not a bad thing. Most, if not all, women envision themselves to become married and have a family. What turns this around are the social expectations linked to marr iage. One of the heaviest things that society has linked to marriage is the expectation that it is the husband that is supposed to lead and to provide for the family. Although social expectations increased the confidence and the responsibility of men, it decreased women’s participation in the family. Yes, it is the wife who becomes the mother and the housekeeper of the family. Yes, her role in the family has a great bearing in maintaining the family’s connection with each other. But with this role, the woman releases her connection with herself, as that with Edna and Nora. She lets go of her individuality, of who she is, when she becomes a wife and a mother. Edna and Nora followed the demands of the society to become perfect partners, even if it meant they hide their true feelings and beliefs on what their husbands were doing. When women become wives, they are expected to keep the family intact. And so, when Edna and Nora acted upon their own desires and wants, the ima ge of their families were jeopardized. The society expects that families should always be whole and when something bad happens, it is blamed on the women although it is not entirely their fault. This is not to justify the actions of both female characters. This is to show that because of the strings tied to them through marriage and social expectations, these female characters were repressed of their own emotions and individual personalities. When Edna and Nora realized that their marriage was actually killing who they were, they decided to let go of their marriage not to become free of the obligations of family life but to become free from the repressing environment that kills their own desires to take care of the family. They did not leave their families just because they want to become single

Role of School Uniforms in Public Schools Research Paper - 4

Role of School Uniforms in Public Schools - Research Paper Example In this respect, unification of school uniform may serve as an appropriate way for mastering of pupils’ management from the perspective of a great many negative aspects caused by schoolchildren’s liberty of expression through clothing. Public schools requiring their students to wear uniforms aids in the elimination of gangs, school violence, bullying, and peer pressure, making it easy to identify intruders, and in the end, the school administration, parents, and student bodies can manage the students effectively. To begin with, it must be said that usage of school uniform as means for getting rid of numerous issues related to personal appearance is a really great way for maintenance of discipline, for there are particular psychologically efficient reasons, which finds their immediate result in a comfortable feeling of both students and teachers. As for schoolchildren, school uniform helps not to feel a difference between pupils of different social classes, since everybody wears clothes of the same quality, price, color, and model. At that very matter, no one stands out from the crowd by other virtue than personal qualities and talents. In fact, there is a beneficial back of such a state when students know that they are all equal and may manifest their individuality only by means of knowledge. Consequently, boys and girls place a bet on receiving of proficient attainments instead of spending plenty of time for preparing for the next school day in the aspect of a time-taking process of clothes choice. Academic progress as a direct result of usage of school uniform may serve as an evident proof of such an advantageous idea. Moreover, in reference to school authority, allowing public schools to mandate uniform wear for their students would aid the administration to enable more time spent on instructional leadership and less time  spent on clothing-related conflicts, in turn making the endless back and forth between child, parents, and school.  

Role of Clothing in Product Branding Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Role of Clothing in Product Branding - Essay Example Marketing communication has been defined as a means utilised by organisations in seeking to inform, and persuade consumers about the presence of their product and brands. Undertaking marketing communication involves identification of effective communication channels, which shall be utilised to facilitate the communication. The communications channels utilised by organisations in delivering marketing communication could either be personal or non-personal. Persona communication involves the utilisation of individuals like the case of direct sales, while non-personal communication is commonly contained in different forms of media utilised in advertisements. The choice of communication channel utilised by organisations is determined by the target market. When communicating to the general public, non-personal communication channels become effective. Upon identification of a target market, personal communication is utilised to make emphasis on the message presented through non-personal com munication.The aspect of marketing communication traditionally consisted of development of printed materials, which formed marketing collateral. This approach to communications marketing has been fundamentally transformed in seeking to capture the attention of the target market. Modern marketing communication, however, seeks to capture the customer through psychological elements, like colour, which create an aspect of appeal among the customers. Marketing communication is effectively utilised in achieving strategic elements like branding.

Fatty acid Essay Example for Free

Fatty acid Essay The First Solid Chocolate became an available in The United States in 18th century. The First Chocolate bar appeared around 1910. In 1998 we consumed 3. 3 billion pounds of chocolate or more than 12 pounds per persons (Leslie Chelsy, 2002). Since chocolate was valued for it stimulating effect, it became standard issue for the U. S. armed farces during word war II. Today, giving fine chocolates as an expression of love is a long standing tradition. What would Valentine ? s Day be without chocolate? Also, some study suggests that some chocolate may be good for the heart. It is true that chocolate is rich in saturated fatty acids, villains when it comes to raising cholesterol and attach our coronary arteries. The main component of cocoa butter is a fatty acid known as stearic acid, which is rapidly converted in the liver to oleic acid, a monounsaturated that neither raises or Lowers Serum cholesterol. For example, one study found that healthy young men on a 26 days diet in which a 37 percent of calories come from cocoa butter had no increase in their serum cholesterol and their cholesterol levels were no higher than if they had been on a diet in which the fat came from olive oil. Recent research suggests that chocolate may even protect arteries from disease cocoa powder has been found to contain flavonoids, a type of phytochemical that is also present in red wine, green tea, peanuts, cranberries, strawberries, apples and many other fruits and vegetables. Flavonoids act as antioxidants, the lower the probability that artery-clogging cells will develop. Nutritionist has discovered that flavonoids are known to function as antioxidants in blood stream. The greater the level of antioxidants, the lower the probability that artery-clogging cells will develop. For example, a 1. 5 0nce piece of chocolate contains approximately the same amount of flavonoids as 5 ounces of red wine, another product whit antioxidants. Chocolate high in flavonoids may improve cardiovascular health. Some research has indicated that chocolate may work similar to aspirin to help keep platelets in blood from sticking together or clothing. This improves blood flow and can reduce the risk of heart attack and strokes. It is not true that chocolate may cause acne or pimples. A lot of people believe that chocolate is the main cause for acne. However, there is not evidence that chocolate cause acne or pimples. On the other hand, some chocolates contain palm oil or coconut oil, two saturated fat that raise cholesterol levels. And do no one should expect to lose weight one a chocolate diet nutritionists are concluding that there is little harm in eating two or three chocolate bars a week. Finally, chocolate is a lover gift in everywhere. I As think a red wine, enjoying chocolate container a flavonoids that can function as antioxidants. Also, dark chocolate can prevent heart attack and strokes.

Mcminns Psychology Theology And Spirituality In Christian Counseling Religion Essay

Mcminns Psychology Theology And Spirituality In Christian Counseling Religion Essay Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling written by Mark R. McMinn teaches Christian counselors the importance of Spirituality in the counseling office. Throughout the book McMinn provides deep insight on the integration of the three concepts; the author provides concrete cases that allow the reader to grasp the information by applying the scenarios to the text. To better equip Christian Counselors he uses cognitive therapy from a Christian perspective as foundation for his work. He stresses the importance of building an effective therapeutic relationship between the counselor and the client in order for therapy to be successful. McMinn uses a variety of religious interventions to establish psychological and spiritual health. Throughout the chapters he elaborates on the use of prayer, scripture, sin, confession, forgiveness, and redemption in the counseling practice. McMinn discusses the positive effects as well as negative side effects of the use of prayer. He states that the counselors level of spiritual maturity will provide an upper limit for the potential impact of prayer in counseling (McMinn, 1996, p.87). McMinn highlights the power of Scripture and outlines the specific effects it may have on the client. McMinn summarizes the chapter by noting Our knowledge of God, self and Scripture are all interrelated, but our capacity to understand any one of these elements will add to our ability to understand the others (McMinn, 1996, p.124). McMinns study of the nature of sin and its role in the counseling practice is also very thorough. As he notes, generally psychologists have been uninterested in sin, preferring to ignore it or to discuss the effects of the concept of sin (McMinn, 1996, p. 161). Such an attitude has negative consequences, as in most cases sin can be a reason of depression, feeling of guilt and other negative feelings. He proposes the Christian counselor to understand sin from a theological and spiritual perspective. As he states, such a change can add necessary depth to the work of a counselor and encourage his clients to grow spiritually. Describing the historical references of confession as a sacrament of penance, McMinn underlines the necessity to understand its role and importance in the work of a Christian Therapist. Confession requires humility, which requires us to look at ourselves honestly and recognize both our strengths and weaknesses. Confession closely deals with forgiveness, which is a very popular topic among counselors. The author attracts readers attention to the fact that Christian understanding of forgiveness may differ from the ways that non-Christian counselors understand forgiveness. Christian forgiveness is not a simple emotional relief; however, McMinn stated that our capacity to forgive one another depends on our capacity to understand both our need for forgiveness and Gods gracious gift of forgiveness (McMinn, 1996, p.235). McMinns final chapter on redemption sums up the pr evious topics prayer, scripture, sin, confession, and forgiveness. Redemption is a process of being freed from sin and being restored back unto God. As McMinn finalizes the book with this chapter he sums up redemption by saying the wonder of redemption is that we are brought back into a relationship with God (McMinn, 1996, p.265). Finally once we experience redemption, our old ways of thinking are brought as one with God. After reading this story I am reminded of a demonstration given by my former pastor. Leading up to this demonstration my uncle Jesse had been beaten unrecognizably by gang members in Charlotte, NC. My uncle, raised in the church, had a calling on his life from a very young age and refused to accept his calling. He had been running for years and through those years he was often referred to Jonah, but one night changed all of that for my uncle. I can still remember visiting him in the ICU at Carolina Hospital in Charlotte and afraid to look at the hideous swellings upon his face. His eyes were swollen to the size of golf balls and stitches had been applied to various parts of his face it was a horrible sight to see. After his release he was given shelter by my pastor and started attending the church. The demonstration given by my pastor showed the church what sin can do to a person. I remember hearing my pastor pray and my uncle confessing all his sins while standing at the altar. The pastor preached a heavy sermon that taught me how important the confessions of sins were in seeking forgiveness from God. I have learned that God is a God of second chances and he will grant us forgiveness if and when we are ready to confess with our mouths. The moral of the story my pastor pointed out was that God was a redeemer and therefore gave second chances to his sons and daughters. Reflection McMinn did an excellent job covering the aspects of integrating psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling. While the book offers insightful ways to look at different situations that may happen in the Christian counseling office there is one thing that bothered me most. If most types of prayer has not been researched how is the counselor supposed to define clear and ethical guidelines for the use of prayer in counseling? I believe that prayer forms an intimate relationship between God and the individual; therefore prayer should not be used in the therapy sessions especially if further research is needed. Prayer I do believe is an effective tool that can be used in therapy but should be used outside the counseling sessions gradually as the client feels comfort and the need for seeking Gods presence on his or her own. This is a good book and should be read by all Christian counselors. It is essential in helping to expand their knowledge on the basis of integrating p sychology, theology, and spirituality. The case studies are helpful in learning both positive and negative ways to approach similar situations met in the counseling sessions. McMinn did a great job elaborating on the different themes prayer, scripture, sin, confession, forgiveness, and redemption. The uses of the themes were successful in teaching the confused counselor how to integrate their spirituality into the therapy session. Overall the book is a positive guide for new and old counselors to use as basis of understanding how each of the themes can have a powerful impact on a clients progress. Actions This was an outstanding book and it taught me valuable instructions on multitasking as a counselor. McMinn stated that the most effective Christian counselors are able to process several ideas simultaneously (McMinn, 1996, p. 269). It is important for a counselor to be able to successfully integrate psychology, theology and spirituality in the counseling sessions to effectively treat the problems of their clients. I personally will take what I learned and continue to read and enhance my understanding of the different concepts so that I may learn to use them wisely. Reading this book enlightened me with so much information that I can easily share with a friend to enhance their knowledge of Christian counselors. I would first make it known to them that as a Christian counselor we are set apart from other psychologists in that we put God at the forefront of our lives and therapy sessions. Being a Christian psychologist comes with many challenges and we have to constantly refine our rela tionship with God and acknowledge him as the All knowing God because thats who we ultimately seek direction from. Learning how to integrate the use of prayer and scripture with Christian clients we have to recognize the negative side effects that can come of prayer or scriptural interventions. I will continue to keep God first in my life allowing him to speak to me, lead me, and guide me as an instrument to help others. I can only better myself after reading this book and take what I learned to become the multitasking counselor.