What is Religion - 2214 Words

Religion comes from the Latin word religare which means to â€Å"to tie, to bind.† It is a belief in something sacred which binds a number of people together based on a common purpose. Religion is just not an organization but it is also a platform of seeing the world. It is like a prism which shows different light to different people. India is a country where people of different religion has come and has settled down. There are the fire worshipping Hindus, the Kitabia Muslims and Christians, the minority like Arya Samaj, Sikhs, Judaist, Jains, and Buddhists etc all living under the same nationality. In India all these religions are given the equal weightage and no discrimination is done on the basis of such belief. India is a secular state with many different religions living for ages. According to the 2001 Census of India, 80.5 percent of the total population is Hindu while Muslims account for 13.4 percent and Christians 2.3 percent. The country also has Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, and Jewish communities as smaller minorities. Even before secular word was inserted in preamble in 1976, Supreme Court already has observed that secularism was one of the basic features of Indian Constitution. In Kesavanada Bharti case and Indira V Rajnarain case the State shall not discriminate against any citizen on the ground of religion only and that the State shall have no religion of its own and all persons shall be equally entitled to the freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess,Show MoreRelatedReligion : What Is Religion?2567 Words   |  11 PagesWhat is religion? Remember to advance a claim, make an argument, and support that argument with evidence from our readings. A Way of progress/life goal Primal Religions= Confucianism= To become a Chun Tzu Taoism= To follow the Way and attain or maintain te. ‘‘two great sanctions: the moral requirements visible in nature and the inner conviction of what is right and wrong The eastern religions of Taoism and Confucianism, as well as, the primal religions discussed by Smith are far differentRead MoreReligion : What Is It?902 Words   |  4 PagesReligion: What is it? There are many different religions that people believe in today. When I think of religion I think of a group of people who believe in a god or gods that created the world and determine your faith. There are different forms of theist religions, some of these religions believe in many gods and some only believe in one. That to me was the main part about being religious, is that you had to believe in a god. I never believed or knew that religions could be non-theistic, so I alwaysRead MoreWhat is Religion?1045 Words   |  5 PagesWhat is Religion? Religion has many meanings; a way of life, belief, and practices. In America people have different views on religion; it was indicated in the constitution. What is the constitution? The constitution is set of laws approved by the state. Religion and constitution are separate. As stated in the constitution of the United State of America, the first amendment, â€Å"congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.† I n other words the constitution and religion are notRead MoreWhat Is A Religion?1317 Words   |  6 PagesWhat is a religion? A religion is a set of beliefs based on a common principle shared by a community. Some of the most famous religions are Christianity, Buddhism, and Judaism. The goal of Christianity is to be one with God. Key Christianity practices include Sunday service, reading bible, praying regularly, and pilgrimages to hold the community together and have a strong relationship with God. Christians also have a strong devotion to saints. In Buddhism, people practice detachment from everythingRead MoreWhat Is Religion1838 Words   |  8 PagesWhat is Religion? Is religion a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny or is it a system of symbols, myths, doctrines, ethics and rituals for the expression of ultimate relevance (Carmody, 2008). Religion is the human quest for experience of, and response to the holy or sacred and a combination of all individuals desire to attain the promise of a better life than that here on earth, human spirituality. Religion is the voluntary subjection of oneself to God (CatholicRead MoreWhat Is a Religion?585 Words   |  2 Pages A religion is a system of beliefs, collective ideas, traditions, and rituals that serve the purpose of gathering, unifying, educating, and enlightening a group of people by influencing and guiding their insights, thoughts, and ways of life. Religion has been highly influential through the course of human history as a source of influence. A large proportion of people in the world today believe in a religion. Religion is most like a system, or collective structure designed to encourage beliefsRead MoreCulture And Religion : What Is Religion?1758 Words   |  8 PagesCulture and Religion What is Culture? What is Religion? Which predates the other? Are they different from another? Is one a byproduct of another? Or are they one in the same? These fundamental questions will dictate whether people and their beliefs make up the interpretation of their environment or have definitive proof beyond that of a theory, substantiating Religion not just as a social construct of culture, but an absolute for acknowledgement and submission of an individual and more importantlyRead MoreWhat Is Religion? Essay1614 Words   |  7 PagesWhat is religion? Each person’s definition of religion is different. Each person’s faith is different. This is a question that has been asked for centuries, and regardless of the answer given there is no right or wrong answer. Religion can be defined as a group of people who have shared beliefs who feel their life has purpose or meaning. This feeling or belief that their life has meaning can come from outside of themselves, as well as within. Taking this one step further, these shared beliefsRead MoreWhat Makes A Religion?946 Words   |  4 Pagesare the same. What makes us so similar? Is it that rhythm in our chest? Is it out compassion and love for one another? Is it the desire to create art and feel inspiration? I believe religion is the key to all of these. Even if one don’t follow a religion, they can still admit that there is something spiritual about the likeness of each living, individual soul. Like humans, religions are also vastly similar at their core. Yes, they have many many different qualities and beliefs, but what you look atRead More What Is Religion Essay1653 Words   |  7 Pages What Is Religion nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;What is religion? According to an Oxford dictionary, religion is the belief in the existence of a supernatural ruling power, the creator and controller of the universe, who has given to man a spirtual nature which continues to exist after the death of the body. Religion appears to be a simple idea on the surface, but in reality it is a very complex system of ideas that many base their lives upon. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;There are many religions

The American Red Cross And Its Intervention - 3633 Words

Emmanuel Babadjide PAD 758 Professor Kempf The American Red Cross and its intervention in the hurricanes Isaac and Sandy Factual summary The American Red Cross is a major organization in the United States and around the world. Clara Barton founded the American chapter in 1881. She was a public servant who decided to get involved during the civil war by attending to wounded soldiers and feeding them on the battlefield. Her sense of humanitarian work was only strengthened by her trip to Europe during the Franco Prussian war, where she discovered the initiative of Henri Dunant (Reitman, 1996). After the battle of Solfinero, this Swiss banker was shocked by the carnage of war and decided to gather doctors and volunteers around the village to help tend to the wounded. This action motivated him to create a nonpartisan organization that can focus on caring for people wounded in wars and conflicts regardless of their origin. (Reitman, 1996). The organization was ratified in the 1864 Geneva Convention by twelve countries and later by many others. The United States Red Cross was founded due to the efforts of Barton in Washingto n (Reitman, 1996). The first chapter of the national American Red Cross was created in upstate New York. Later, the organization received funding to create its national headquarters in Washington. Since then, the Red Cross has benefited form a close relationship with Washington as it was created by congressional charter more than a century ago and plays aShow MoreRelatedThe American Red Cross1599 Words   |  7 PagesThe American Red Cross is a service organization that provides aid for disaster/crisis as well as other non-disaster related services to the communities of America. The American Red Cross the premier United States based aid organization providing for people in the times of need, whether it is a disaster or planning and partnering. Shining light on an exemplary organization that strives to serve and provide during times of disaster and times of calm. The American Red Cross has been there for AmericaRead MoreDisaster Mental Health Workers870 Words   |  4 Pagesfor first responders with the ability to provide early interventions for the psychological well being of survivors. There are many agencies that utilize DMH. â€Å"DMH helpers often work as part of or collaborate with the organizations responsible for tending to those needs† (Halpern Tramontin, 2007, p. 64). There are many organizations that utilized DMH. A few of the major organizations that utilize DMH are FEMA and the American Red Cross. These agencies understand the importance of having trainedRead MoreBefore 1990 and the emergence of disaster risk reduction or (DRR), humanitarianism, which is fueled700 Words   |  3 Pagesthe basis for intervention has shifted from intervening states toward individual victims of abuses. (Hannigan 43). Not only has there been a shift in intervention, but in how responses to humanitarian emergencies victims find themselves are handled. I will explore the changes in responses to humanitarian emergencies over time. Prior to World War I, the response to national and natural disasters was seen as a local issue. Humanitarianism hit a milestone when the International Red Cross was createdRead MoreThe Case Of Ta Esha1344 Words   |  6 Pagesearly intervention to help Ta’esha developed cognitively would help a year from now – but the composition of the circles of support will change by then. 1) What programs and services are available in the community to advance the health condition of Ta’esha? Name at least two and explain how such service can promote her health. Bringing Help, Bringing hope of the American Red Cross will be able to help those devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Some of the unprecedented generosity of the American RedRead MoreThe Attack Of A National Disaster1498 Words   |  6 Pagesmaintain treatment to current clients, 2) work with local government to recommend mental health advice during the disaster, 3) deliver outreach curriculums, 4) organize resources for dispensing of mental health services from agencies such as the Red Cross, National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other voluntary organizations, 5) focus attention on emergency shelters, evacuation centers for victims in need of services, 6) make available servicesRead MoreA Case Study : Response Grant ( SERG )1453 Words   |  6 Pagesand the School of Psychiatry to remotely provide services (Gregg, C., Lofton, L., 2011). â€Å"The extent of these interventions was due in part to the 84% of those treated had already experienced at least one traumatic event prior to the tornado† (Houston, J. B., Spialek, M. L., Stevens, J., First, J., Mieseler, V. L., Pfefferbaum, B. (2015). American Red Cross. The American Red Cross is a quasi-government agency (Missouri Department of Mental Health, 2013) that is funded by the government but privatelyRead MoreThe Prevention Of Natural Disasters1742 Words   |  7 Pageshuman-made. Resilience underpins any approach to securing and sustaining human development (human development report. ) This paper discusses the background and significance of the community based risk reduction program developed by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) society in 2006. It also describes the first pilot project implemented by SARC in 2007. Disasters, community vulnerability, development and risk reduction : Between late 199s and early 2000s, natural disasters have affected 2.5 billionRead MoreSouth Syrian City Of Deraa Devolved Into A Full Blown Civil Conflict1211 Words   |  5 Pagesrevolutionaries, pro-regime fighters and Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra jihadists. Additionally, Syrian rebels possess great distrust towards the Syrian Red Crescent, the nation’s main humanitarian organization, due to its perceived pro-Assad slant. In a recent statement from the International Committee of the Red Cross, â€Å"Mounting cross-line operations is challenging, not least because, as in every conflict, neither side is keen to see us crossing into the area held by their enemy.† Most ofRead MoreEmergency And Disaster Preparedness Education For The Latino Community3065 Words   |  13 Pagespresented by an emergency state within the community. Intervention through educational sessions by trained health promoters is shown to improve community preparedness when measured in terms of participants’ report of stockpiling emergency supplies or building an emergency supply kit, report of discussing an emergency plan with family, and reported feelings of preparedness (Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, 2008). Such int erventions are especially valuable when they take into accountRead MoreCrisis Response Time for American Red Cross Essay1254 Words   |  6 Pages (1) Since the writing of this case, the American Red Cross (ARC) is on record as having conceptually addressed its infrastructure and operational hurdles. However, very few strides have been made to reverse stakeholder perception crisis response time, relief dispatch strategies, and the ethical dilemmas plaguing the organization. Governmental mandates that streamlined the board and that established accounting /reporting parameters have done little to modify the organizations operational culture

One New Beginning free essay sample

In a mixture of different races, religions, sexes, and life, culture is truly visible. To me, adapting to a new environment and blending in, has become second nature. My world consists of hundreds of people with no resemblance of my ethnicity or religion and it also consists of adventure, culture, and learning from experiences. My experience of moving to a different country has â€Å"confined† me to live a dual life now. Outside of my apartment everyday I see people with western clothes, liberal lifestyle, and food from various cultures. But the moment I enter my apartment, the whole world changes. It is as if I have walked into a distinct realm, alienated from the society outside. The smell of rice and â€Å"torkari†, and the sound of a different language and the clothes of a different country become a part of me. The culture I have grown up with has become engraved in me and yet I tend to change myself when I go outside. We will write a custom essay sample on One New Beginning or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It is not the fact that I am ashamed to reveal my culture, but I feel more like myself when I camouflage into being someone else for a while. This is where my tendency to look for adventure comes in. I have adventured my way through seventeen years of my life and the more I risk my stakes, the more I am inclined to do it again. Whether I win or I lose I know everything happens for a reason so I like to take a chance whenever the situation presents itself. Living a dual life for seven years I have learned to appreciate different cultures along the way and have developed a proclivity towards learning about poverty, relationships in different cultures, and just learning about interactions between people. Thus my adventurous side tells me to travel to different countries and provoke change not just superficially but â€Å"within† individuals. Growing up having to learn independently by trial and error, I am also interested in science and technology. Working with computers does fr ustrate me occasionally but often I find myself apt for solving technical problems. In my â€Å"confined† world I feel that I am restricted from exploring beyond my â€Å"neighborhood†, and that feeling provokes me to take a risk at life and explore the unknown parts of the world that are indistinct from me. At one stop I got out of the truck, tired and dehydrated from the scorching heat and found myself in the midst of different people; some were hungry, some jaded, and some hopeless. I remembered just a day ago when I was at my grandma’s house, thinking of going back to America to get out of the mundane summer. But now I was at a place where there was no trace of technology, no clean streets, nor any trace of security; it was only the outburst of starving and helpless people who wanted a roof above their head and food to fill their empty stomachs. My impression was confusing; I couldn’t speak but stare at the small plastic wrapped homes near the edge o f the lake and the swarming people around the homes. I thought to myself that the decision my uncle and my dad made had a grave significance; it wasn’t just about providing food to these hungry people but it was about making a small difference in their life by providing a hand to them when they needed it the most. My thoughts about the boring visit to Bangladesh had changed the moment I got out of the truck to see the poverty stricken villagers. I had found the adventure and satisfaction I was looking for; I had found the inspiration and motivation I needed to fulfill my goals. I later found out that the people in this area had been hungry since the day of the flood. It was an isolated area where no one came up to provide help. Fortunately, after wondering around in our trucks for hours we had found people who needed the food most. That day when a lady ran to me and told me â€Å"God bless you†, I was elated. I cannot describe in words the sense of excitement that had trickled up my veins; I felt like I had conquered the world. My adventure to this place was unknown to me, if I had not taken the chance to go to the trip I would not be where I am today. This experience is a significant part of my goals and dreams today. I am proud to be a part of the â€Å"team† who made a small difference in another part of the world. I am thankful to my munificent uncle and dad who made this adventure possible. After I came back from Bangladesh, I was inspired to get involved in my community more than I had before. Thus, I have joined various clubs like, Peer Mediation, MSO (Muslim Student Organization), JSA, Academic Decathlon, and I am an active volunteer in Billy Mitchell, UCLA Medical Center, and I collaborate with two of my friends to teach an art class in Anderson Elementary. My increase in involvement in my society has impacted my life tremendously. I take these activities as a challenge and a time to make a difference in my own society. The person I am today is truly the product of my experiences and involvement in society. On a larger scale, my greatest dream is to be able to impact the lives of the people around the world who are a victim of life. To fulfill this dream I want to give my best at everything I do and hope for the best to come.

Interior Design Essay Example

Interior Design Essay In their article, Interior design education within a human ecological framework, Kaup, Anderson and Honey (2007) argue for an interdisciplinary model of interior design education that would incorporate the study of human ecology. Kaup, Anderson and Honey contend that such an approach would enhance the overall skill set of interior designers, allowing them to provide a greater benefit to businesses, homeowners and communities, while also addressing some of the perceived training gaps in current interior design education. While Kaup, Anderson and Honey (2007) structure their article as an argumentative essay, they rely heavily on a literature-review format to help cement their points. To begin their argument, Kaup, Anderson and Honey define human ecology as the study of human beings, their environments and human-environment interactions from a holistic perspective (p. 45). Human ecology incorporates the science of human behavior study with the art of creating functional design to enha nce how humans thrive in their environments. In short, the authors argue that students who study human ecology as part of their interior design curriculum will be exposed to such diverse fields as anthropology, archeology, architecture, biology, demography and more (p. 46). This would provide a more complete education than most interior design students are currently receiving at U.S. colleges, Kaup, Anderson and Honey contend. According to Kaup, Anderson and Honey (2007), state licensing of interior designers has been increasing steadily since the 1960s, and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation has established minimum standards that accredited colleges must adhere to in the construct and delivery of their programs. Those standards, however, leave colleges a fair degree of latitude in deciding which disciplines to align their programs with. For example, some colleges emphasize the artistic element of interior design,

Burning Fall Leaves May Be Hazardous to Your Health

Burning Fall Leaves May Be Hazardous to Your Health Burning fallen leaves used to be standard practice across North America, but most municipalities now ban or discourage the incendiary practice due to the air pollution it causes. The good news is that many towns and cities now offer curbside pickup of leaves and other yard waste, which they then turn into compost for park maintenance or for sale commercially. And there are other burn-free options as well. Burning Leaves May Spark Health Problems Because of the moisture that is usually trapped within leaves, they tend to burn slowly and thus generate large amounts of airborne particulates- fine bits of dust, soot and other solid materials. According to Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources, these particulates can reach deep into lung tissue and cause coughing, wheezing, chest pain, shortness of breath and sometimes long-term respiratory problems. Leaf smoke may also contain hazardous chemicals such as carbon monoxide, which can bind with hemoglobin in the bloodstream and reduce the amount of oxygen in the blood and lungs. Another noxious chemical commonly present in leaf smoke is benzo(a)pyrene, which has been shown to cause cancer in animals and is believed to be a major factor in lung cancer caused by cigarette smoke. And while breathing in leaf smoke can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat of healthy adults, it can really wreak havoc on small children, the elderly and people with asthma or other lung or heart diseases. Small Leaf Fires Can Cause Big Pollution Problems Sporadic individual leaf fires usually don’t cause any major pollution, but multiple fires in one geographic area can cause concentrations of air pollutants that exceed federal air quality standards. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), several leaf and yard waste fires burning simultaneously in a particular locale can cause air pollution rivaling that from factories, motor vehicles, and lawn equipment. Fallen Leaves Make Good Compost Purdue University consumer horticulture specialist Rosie Lerner says that composting leaves is the most eco-friendly alternative to burning. Dry leaves alone will take a long time to break down, she says, but mixing in green plant materials, such as grass trimmings, will speed up the process. Sources of nitrogen, such as livestock manure or commercial fertilizer, will also help. â€Å"Mix the pile occasionally to keep a good supply of air in the compost,† she says, adding that a compost pile should be a minimum of three cubic feet and will generate soil conditioner within weeks or a few months, depending on conditions. Mulch Leaves Instead of Burning Another option is to shred leaves for use as mulch for your lawn or to help protect garden and landscape plants. Lerner suggests adding no more than a two-to-three-inch layer of leaves around actively growing plants, chopping or shredding the leaves first so they don’t mat down and prevent air from reaching roots. As to using leaves as mulch for your lawn, it is just a simple matter of mowing right over the leaves with the lawnmower and leaving them there. As with leaves used for garden mulch, this will provide many benefits, including weed suppression, moisture conservation and moderation of soil temperature. EarthTalk is a regular feature of E/The Environmental Magazine. Selected EarthTalk columns are reprinted on About Environmental Issues by permission of the editors of E. Edited by Frederic Beaudry

Heros Journey 101 Definition and Step-by-Step Guide (With Checklist!)

Heros Journey 101 Definition and Step-by-Step Guide (With Checklist!) The Hero's Journey: an Author's Guide to Plotting Ever notice that many stories seem to have a similar pattern? There’s always a protagonist who goes on an adventure, makes new friends, encounters roadblocks, fights a bad guy, and returns home a changed person. In fact, we can sum it up for you in two words: Hero’s Journey.This story structure is as old as time. From Theseus and the Minotaur to The Lion King, so many narratives follow this pattern that it’s ingrained in our cultural DNA today. In this post, we'll show you how to make this classic plot structure work for you - and recap it all in a neat infographic. Ready to answer the call of adventure? Let’s cross the barrier.What is the Hero’s Journey archetype?The Hero's Journey is a classic story structure that's shared by stories worldwide. Coined by academic Joseph Campbell in 1949, it refers to a wide-ranging category of tales in which a character ventures out to get what they need, faces conflict, and ultimately triumphs over adversity. Here are the three stages of the hero’s journey:The Departure Act: the Hero leaves the Ordinary World.The Initiation Act: the Hero ventures into unknown territory (the "Special World") and is birthed into a true champion through various trials and challenges.The Return Act: the Hero returns in triumph.In 2007, screenwriter Christopher Vogler refined Campbell’s original structure in his book,  The Writer’s Journey.  In it, Vogler expanded upon Campbell’s three phases, defining 12 stages that make it up. (This is the version that we’ll be dissecting later in this post.) The Hero's Journey has its fingerprints in everything from The Lion King  and horror novels to Star Wars and Arrival. But keep in mind that you don't necessarily need to follow it beat by beat. You can instead think of it as a map: you can stray from the set path whenever you like. But when you’re struggling to figure out what should happen next, it can act as a narrative arc guide to suggest what the next milestone should be. What are the 12 stages of the Hero's Journey? The 12 Hero’s Journey StepsThe Hero's Journey is a model for both plot points and character development: as the Hero traverses the world, they'll undergo inner and outer transformation at each stage of the journey. The 12 steps of the hero's journey are...1. The Ordinary World 2. The Call of Adventure 3. Refusal of the Call 4. Meeting the Mentor 5. Crossing the First Threshold 6. Tests, Allies, Enemies 7. Approach to the Inmost Cave 8. The Ordeal 9. Reward (Seizing the Sword) 10. The Road Back 11. Resurrection 12. Return with the ElixirBelieve it or not, this story structure also applies across mediums and genres (and also works when your protagonist is an anti-hero!). To show you how it can be used outside of your average sword-and-sorcery books, we've adopted the 1976 film  Rocky as an example in each step. 1. Ordinary WorldIn which we meet our Hero.The journey has yet to start. Before our Hero discovers a strange new world, we must first understand the status quo: their ordinary, mundane reality.It’s up to this opening leg to set the stage, introducing the Hero to readers. Importantly, it lets readers identify with the Hero as a â€Å"normal† person in a â€Å"normal† setting, before the journey begins.Example of the Ordinary World: In the opening of Rocky, Rocky Balboa is introduced as a mediocre boxer and loan collector - just doing his best to live day-to-day in a poor part of Philadelphia.2. Call to AdventureIn which an adventure starts.The call to adventure is all about booting the Hero out of their comfort zone. In this stage, they are generally confronted with a problem or challenge they can't ignore. This catalyst can take many forms, as Campbell points out in Hero with a Thousand Faces. The Hero can, for instance:Decide to go forth of their own volition, i.e. Theseus upon arriving in Athens,Be sent abroad by a benign or malignant agent, i.e. Odysseus setting off on his ship in The Odyssey,Stumble upon the adventure as a result of a mere blunder, i.e. Dorothy when she’s swept up in a tornado in The Wizard of Oz,Be casually strolling when some passing phenomenon catches the wandering eye and lures one away from the frequented paths of man, i.e. Elliot in E.T. upon discovering a lost alien in the t ool shed.The stakes of the adventure and the Hero's goals become clear. The only question: will he rise to the challenge?Example of the Call to Adventure: Apollo Creed, the undisputed World Heavyweight Champion, decides to make a big fight interesting by giving a no-name a chance to challenge him. Intrigued by the nickname, â€Å"The Italian Stallion,† he rings Rocky up.3. Refusal of the CallIn which the Hero digs in their feet.Great, so the Hero’s received their summons. Now they’re all set to be whisked off to defeat evil, right?Not so fast. The Hero might first refuse the call to action. It’s risky and there are perils - like spiders, trolls, or perhaps a creepy uncle waiting back at Pride Rock. It’s enough to give anyone pause.In Star Wars, for instance, Luke Skywalker initially refuses to join Obi-Wan on his mission to rescue the princess. It’s only when he discovers that his aunt and uncle have been killed by stormtroopers that he changes his mind.Example of the Refusal of the Call: Rocky says, â€Å"Thanks, but no thanks,† to Creed’s invitation. He’s reluctant, given that he has no trainer and is incredibly out of shape. Follow Rocky as he traverses the Hero's Journey in this post 4. Meeting the MentorIn which the Hero acquires a personal trainer.The Hero's decided to go on the adventure - but they’re not ready to spread their wings yet. They're much too inexperienced at this point and we don't want them to do a fabulous belly-flop off the cliff.Enter the mentor: someone who helps the Hero, so that they doesn't make a total fool of themselves (or get themselves killed). The mentor provides practical training, profound wisdom, a kick up the posterior, or something abstract like grit and self-confidence.Wise old wizards seem to like being mentors. But mentors take many forms, from witches to hermits and suburban karate instructors. They might literally give weapons to prepare for the trials ahead, like Q in the James Bond series. Or perhaps the mentor is an object, such as a map. In all cases, they prepare the Hero for the next step.Example of Meeting the Mentor: In steps former boxer Mickey â€Å"Mighty Mick† Goldmill, who sees potential in Rocky and starts training him physically and mentally for the fight.5. Crossing the First ThresholdIn which the Hero enters the other world in earnest.Now the Hero is ready - and committed - to the journey. This marks the end of the Departure stage and is when the adventure really kicks into the next gear. As Vogler writes: â€Å"This is the moment that the balloon goes up, the ship sails, the romance begins, the wagon gets rolling.†From this point on, there’s no turning back.Like our Hero, you should think of this stage as a checkpoint for your story. Pause and re-assess your bearings before you continue into unfamiliar territory. Have you:Launched the central conflict? If not, here’s a post on types of conflict to help you out.Established the theme of your book? If not, check out this post that’s all about creating theme  and motifs.Made headway into your character development? If not, this character profile template and these character development exercises may be useful.Example of Crossing the First Threshold: Rocky fully accepts the gauntlet to square up when he crosses the threshold into his love interest Adrian’s house and asks her out on a date.6. Tests, Allies, EnemiesIn which the Hero faces new challenges and gets a squad.When we step into the Special World, we notice a definite shift. The Hero might be discombobulated by this unfamiliar reality and its new rules. This is generally one of the longest stages in the story, as our protagonist gets to grips with this new world.This makes a prime hunting ground for the series of tests to pass! Luckily, there are many ways for the Hero to get into trouble:In Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,  Spencer, Bethany, â€Å"Fridge,† and Martha get off to a bad start when they bump into a herd of bloodthirsty hippos.In his first few months at Hogwarts, Harry Potter manages to fight a troll, almost fall from a broomstick and die, and get horribly lost in the Forbidden Forest.Marlin and Dory encounter three â€Å"reformed† sharks , get shocked by jellyfish, and are swallowed by a blue whale en route to finding Nemo.This stage often expands the cast of characters. Once the protagonist is in the Special World, he will meet allies and enemies - or foes that turn out to be friends, and vice versa. He will learn a new set of rules from them. Saloons and seedy bars are popular places for these transactions, as Vogler points out (so long as the Hero survives them).Example of Tests, Allies, Enemies: Rocky continues to try and win over Adrian while making a dubious friend in Paulie.7. Approach to the Inmost CaveIn which the Hero gets closer to his goal.This isn’t a physical cave. Instead, the â€Å"inmost cave† refers to the most dangerous spot in the other realm - whether that’s the villain’s chambers, the lair of the fearsome dragon, or the Death Star. Almost always, it is where the ultimate goal of the quest is located. Everything you wanted to know about the Hero's Journey - and more! Note that the protagonist hasn’t entered the Inmost Cave just yet. This stage is all about the approach to it. It covers all the prepwork that's needed in order to defeat the villain.Example of the Approach to the Inmost Cave: The Inmost Cave in Rocky is Rocky’s own mind. He fears that he’ll never amount to anything - something that he reveals when he butts heads with his trainer, Mickey, in his apartment.8. OrdealIn which the Hero faces his biggest test of all thus far. Of all the tests the Hero has faced, none have made them hit rock bottom - until now. Vogler describes this phase as a â€Å"black moment.† Campbell refers to it as the â€Å"belly of the whale.† Both indicate some grim news for the Hero.The protagonist must now confront their greatest fear. If they survive it, they will emerge transformed. This is a critical moment in the story, as Vogler explains that it will â€Å"inform every decision that the Hero makes from this point forward.†The Ordeal is sometimes not the climax of the story. There’s more to come. But you can think of it as the main event of the second act - the one in which the Hero actually earns the title of â€Å"Hero.†Example of the Ordeal: The start of the training montage marks the beginning of Rocky’s Ordeal. He pushes through it until he glimpses hope ahead while running up the museum steps.9. Reward (Seizing the Sword)In which the Hero sees light at the end of the tunnel.Our Hero’s been through a lot. However, the fruits of their labor are now at hand - if they can just reach out and grab them! The â€Å"reward† is the object or knowledge the Hero has fought throughout the entire journey to hold.Once the protagonist has it in their possession, it generally has greater ramifications for the story. Vogler offers a few examples of it in action:Luke rescues Princess Leia and captures the plans of the Death Star - keys to defeating Darth Vader.Dorothy escapes from the Wicked Witch’s castle with the broomstick and the ruby slippers - keys to getting back home.Example of the Reward (Seizing the Sword): Rocky’s reward is the return of his faith in himself. He regains the self-esteem to realize that he has the stuff to take on Apollo Creed - win or lose.10. The Road BackIn which the light at the end of the tunnel might be a little further than the Hero thought.The story's not over just yet, as this phase marks the beginning of Act Three. Now that he's seized the reward, the Hero tries to return to the Ordinary World, but more dangers (inconveniently) arise on the road back from the Inmost Cave.More precisely, the Hero must deal with the consequences and aftermath of the previous act: the dragon, enraged by the Hero who’s just stolen a treasure from under his nose, starts the hunt. Or perhaps the opposing army gathers to pursue the Hero across a crowded battlefield. All further obstacles for the Hero, who must face them down before they can return home.Example of the Road Back: On New Year’s Day, the fight between Rocky and Creed is held. Rocky realizes the challenge that lies before him in the first few rounds, in which both men are more or less equally matched.11. ResurrectionIn which the last test is met.Here is the true climax of the story. Everything that happened prior to this stage culminates in a crowning test for the Hero, as the Dark Side gets one last chance to triumph over the Hero.Vogler refers to this as a â€Å"final exam† for the Hero - they must be â€Å"tested once more to see if they have really learned the lessons of the Ordeal.† It’s in this Final Battle that the protagonist goes through one more â€Å"resurrection.† As a result, this is where you’ll get most of your miraculous near-death escapes, la James Bond's dashing deliverances. If the Hero survives, they can start looking forward to a sweet ending.Example of the Resurrection: Rocky’s knocked down more than a few times as the fight continues. The entire fight winds up lasting 15 rounds and takes both men to the brink of exhaustion.12. Return with the ElixirIn which our Hero has a triumphant homecoming.Finally, the Hero gets to return home. However, they go back a different person than when they started out: they’ve grown and matured as a result of the journey they’ve taken.But we’ve got to see them bring home the bacon, right? That’s why the protagonist must return with the â€Å"Elixir,† or the prize won during the journey, whether that’s an object or knowledge and insight gained.Of course, it’s possible for a story to end on an Elixir-less note - but then the Hero would be doomed to repeat the entire adventure.Example of the Return with the Elixir: Rocky doesn’t win the fight - but he doesn’t care. He’s won back his confidence and beaten his mental demons. And he’s got Adrian, who tell him that she loves him.Free Infographic: The Hero’s Journey TemplateThe following infographic can be used as a hero’s journey template. Follow Bilbo along on each of the 12 steps of his journey - as you go through, plot your own character’s journey through the: Ordinary World, Call of Adventure, Refusal of the Call, Meeting the Mentor, Crossing the First Threshold, Tests, Allies, Enemies, Approach to the Inmost Cave, Ordeal, Reward (Seizing the Sword), Road Back, Resurrection, and Return with the Elixir! Looking beyond the Hero’s JourneyIt’s important to remember that this story structure was conceived as a way to better understand story structure. It’s just one helpful way to outline a novel and dissect a plot. For more longstanding theories on the topic, you can go this way to read about the ever-popular Three-Act Structure or here to discover Dan Harmon's Story Circle and  three more prevalent structures. Cool infographic alert! Analyzing the Hero's Journey: As Seen in the Hobbit Remember, rules are made to be broken. There’s plenty of room to play within its confines. Do you want to experiment with an abbreviated â€Å"Resurrection† stage, as J.K. Rowling did in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone? Are you more interested in exploring the journey of an anti-hero? It’s all possible. Once you understand the basics of this universal story structure, you can use and bend it in ways that disrupts reader expectations.Are you planning on using the Hero's Journey in your book? What's your favorite example of this structure? Let us know in the comments below!

Managing and Leading Strategic Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Managing and Leading Strategic Change - Essay Example to the company (and later taking on the post of COO and President whereas Bethune would remain the CEO and Chairman), introduced a â€Å"Go Forward Plan† which had four parts, aimed at putting the company back on track in 1995. The four pats were the market plan: â€Å"Fly to Win, The Financial Plan: Fund the Future, The Product Plan: Make Reliability a Reality, The People Plan: Working Together.† The plan was to implement all these changes simultaneously, since they would create a multiplier effect (Hartley, pp. 78-84, 2010). Implementation and Leading this Strategic Change (Go Forward Plan) Bethune knew that despite this plan was approved by board of directors with all the trust, confidence and enthusiasm, employees would view this plan with all possible suspicion and mistrust. Therefore, the first thing, which Bethune did, was to open the doors of the executive lounge of Continental, which had been protected from any visitors since many years like some castle. Employ ees now need only to show their IDs and gain entrance into Bethune’s office. After opening the doors for employees, Bethune initiated a new ritual of arranging open houses at the end of each month at the Houston headquarters. Just to ensure that employees feel comfortable around executive, the concept of causal Fridays came into being, except for the employees who had direct dealings with customers (Palmer, Dunford & Akin, pp. 284-285, 2008). One of the previous managements of Continental had tried to repaint all the planes but failed to complete the same due to limited financing and immense pressure for cost cutting. As of late 1994, the planes were in the same condition, not painted uniformly. Bethune felt that repainting the planes would send a message of revival, newness, and better operations to the... Managing and Leading Strategic Change Since 1983, nine different CEOs who came in with the slogan of change, tried their luck and as the figures show, they were not very successful. Not only the company was in trouble from the financial side but as it has been mentioned above, that the company was surrounded by trouble from all directions. High turnover, infighting between employees and departments, employee absences, use of sick time, customer complaints, and highest number of mishandled baggage reports, ranking last in terms of on time arrival and others would just be a glance at the terrible conditions in which â€Å"Continental Airlines† was still somehow surviving. It was in February 1994, when Gordon Bethune took the charge of the company as the Chief Operating Officer and President and later in that year as the CEO as well, he knew that the company needed a hardcore strategic change and strong implementation of that change as well. Quite understandably, it was his responsibility to do the same. Important here to note is that the whole change process that Bethune implemented at Continental was in line with eight steps of change presented by John Kotter, professor of leadership at Harvard Business Review in Boston. This is one those strategic change implementation models, which has been praised and acclaimed by many different authors in their writings and analysis. Let us a have a brief analysis of the same. Kotter’s first step is about creating urgency for change.