Thursday, November 4, 2010

Circular Value



Sometimes it is so contradicting when a person who claims to be generous and kind is actually engaging in actions which speak the opposite. Look at our surroundings. We have those who say they pay a rather significant importance on educating the younger generations, and yet charging the courses available at such high cost to the point of some fail to take up tertiary education. We have those who want to bring people off from the dying edge and to ensure the health of many souls, and yet charging even higher cost for the medications, even the medical check up requires particular amount of money. We have those who wish to bring better lifestyle to all citizens within the restricted boundaries, and yet they ask for dozens of surcharges onto each requests made. Are the wishes and claims true after all? Indeed, it is ridiculous to have a person making losses out in their professions. Nonetheless, is it really necessary to charge at such a price that many cannot afford, which may then cost the person a great opportunity or perhaps, his life even? Perhaps some may say the price value allows people to distinguish the best from the worst, the higher the better quality and guarantee. Is it really? Or it is as simple as the marketing purposes? Are all the low priced items that bad? The amount we pay in the current days does not guarantee us the best service nor the best learning environment, but merely, the envious expressions in which others put on their faces whenever it is mentioned. It is a circle indeed, without us knowing what could be the main contributor to such a mess. Do all doctors wish to be doctors so that they could save many lives? Do all academic institutions founders found universities and colleges just so they can produce students of higher quality? It all comes down to one word, money. How pathetic. 



Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Showing Empathy



We are asked and taught to be empathy toward the surrounding people and incidents, regardless whether we’re biologically bonded. In hospitals for example, we have patients checking in and out daily, with their family members going in and out the building during the hospitalization period. Their presence may be due to their love and care over the significant ones who are now lying on the bed, in the room which is filled with the smell of chemicals and medication. Some may be wondering why bother to be present, as the visitors can only stand there and watch the patients undergo suffers and pain, not a big help to ease the pain they are going through, nor to pull them off from the illnesses. Perhaps we are there to provide emotional support and so the patients are able to hang on and continue fighting the terrorists who exist within the bodies. Perhaps we simply show up to prove our care and concern, as there will be the others who would witness our presence, and not commenting on the absence which many may perceive as cold-hearted. Even the hospital staffs themselves are required to show particular facial expressions and voice behaviours which suggest empathy, such as speaking in a lower tone and showing neutral expression. In other words, empathy is no longer to just feel for what the others do, but also to engage in actions to show that we do feel. It may not necessarily to be actions in making the other person to feel better, but actions which reflect our urge of supporting the individual, despite our relationship proximity with him or her.