Y7 Humanities O C T O B E R
2016
COPING WITH CIRCUMSTANCES Fady Al-Hashem
A FAREWELL TO
KARRADA
SCRUPLES
Dr. Hassan Farhat
COMPASSION FATIGUE: HAVE YOU GOT IT?
Dr. Laurence Ajaka
W W W . Y A
7
E L W E E N M A G A Z I N E . C O M
Literature The Compass of Mankind's Journey
By Laurence Ajaka
And even if you do not enjoy such books, you can still gain the same flash of genius in novels and folklore. After all, literature is nothing if not our daily life painted with words. What's more, we can go back centuries into the past and live among the souls that roamed this
Literature is the destination for any human being anxious to delve into the intimate depths of humanity for only when we relive all the pleasures and agony of the species can we connect with our humanity. The tools for such an endeavor have always been a vivid imagination and empathy for the fellow man.
earth before us. Writers like Charles Dickens and poets like Wordsworth are renowned for their exquisite talent for bringing forth life in all its complexity, hardships and joy with their unique talent of description. Some books even changed the course of history like Darwin's "Evolution" and Marx's "Communist Manifesto".
Without the benefit of books, one would have to live decades upon decades in such an intense manner to experience the depths one or a few books can instill in a matter of days. The knowledge of historians and philosophers are available between the binds of books.
Literature will unite the past and the present while paving the way to comprehending the future. When properly inhaled, it becomes akin to an unavoidable infection of thoughts and ideas that elevate the humble person into a reservoir of shared experiences, wisdom and dare we say divinity. In fact, it was man's ability to faithfully transmit their accumulated knowledge from one generation to another that created the glorious universal civilization we enjoy. It is the beacon that brought humanity from savagery into the light.
HAPPINESS: A MATTER OF MINDSET Dr. Laurence Ajaka
What is happiness? A question so deceptive in its simplicity, yet it has brought down some of the best minds in history to their knees trying to formulate an answer for it. This is not an attempt to answer that debacle, but a simple observation of reality.
Most people swear by materialistic possessions as the stairway to heaven, but that can easily be disproved when you see how many rich people suffer from emotional insecurities and mental disturbances. You can also see how those with the least can still enjoy life to the fullest. It’s illogical to presume the universe will carve out a niche indulgent with the desires of each person. Realistically, it’s akin to a chaotic and randomized game of chance. And even the besttailored niches will be affected by the turbulences that refuse to adhere to the best thought-out plans. It’s up to each of us to tame the hellhounds that prey on our insecurities to be
"Most people
happy in spite of the circumstances.
swear by
It would be prudent to help our children shape their destiny to attain happiness. They don’t
materialistic possessions as the stairway to heaven..."
have to go through the same baptism of fire that most of us do. Educating them about happiness is done providing them with the proper mindset to combat the arduous challenges awaiting them. When one is prepared for the grueling melee, finding happiness becomes easier in the little things. It provides them with the mindset to acquire happiness.
A wise man can learn more from his enemies than a fool from his friends
NIKI HUNT
Love: Is It Appealing To The Eye Or The Soul?
BY FADY AL HASHEM Love is an enigma no matter that billions of people throughout history have sworn by it. It’s in the very essence of every living being and our vessel to reach the Divine. It has been distorted, but when it’s true, it can be the greatest gift life can bestow us.
Have you ever seen the bloom of first love when a little boy and girl steal glances at each other? They are shy and self-conscious; their emotions are too confusing to be properly processed. They live the inequitable magic of platonic love that is altruistic. When they both get older and bolder, one will approach the other after waiting for what seems like an eternity. They could end up dating for a period of time, or one would suffer a minor heartache. And it doesn’t have to be a boy and a girl. Life can have twists and turns like that, and it’s crucial to embrace yourself.
"Love can wait..." People are so petrified of being alone that they will compromise their standards just to feel loved. They forget that they already have many people who love them from friends and family. Some things are best left in the hands of fate. They must sustain their spiritual path while keep searching for a significant meaning of love because unconditional love is somewhat an illusion.
Acting out by getting crazy, drinking and drugs as well as sleeping around with random people for sexual gratification will never help alleviate the pain. Remember that the destination is worth the struggle of even the most tumultuous journey. Love can wait. Let people take their time to graduate from school and college and find their own path in life before falling in love. At this point, they have a rounded perspective and can look beyond the physical. Some men will find beauty an indispensable criterion for a partner, and they would stop at no boundaries to win over the object of their desire. But as beauty fades, as it invariably does, they might turn away in disgust and become abusive. Love needs patience so that it can blossom beyond the initial heartbeat of the sight of a pretty face or attractive manners. A man or a woman must nourish their desires before making a rational decision of serious commitment to be sure the connection can survive life.
Sighs Hamid Alshammari THE SHY YOUNG MAN SIGHS LATE AT NIGHT AND HEARS THE SQUEAK OF NIGHT CREATURES SO HE SENDS HIS SOUL TO SHARE THEM THEIR JOY. AH ! HIS SOUL HAD DWELT IN THE NIGHT KINGDOM.
THE BREEZE WAS AN ETHEREAL PEACOCK WHEN THE LADY STRETCHED HER HAND TO PICK UP A ROSE THE LOVER SOUL BECAME A DEW DROP.
THE YOUNG MAN SOUL SET OUT ACROSS THE FIELDS AND HOVERED OVER THE MOUNTAIN AND BESIDE THE RIVERS UNTIL IT LANDED ON THE PALACE BALCONY WHERE HIS GLAMOROUS SWEETHEART LIVES.
SO THE DEW USED SINCE THEN NOT TO FALL BUT AT DAWN MURMURING THE LOVER DECLARATION: O BELOVED LEANING ON THE SOUL PILLOW
AND FROM ONE OF THE PALACE ROOMS A PERFUME DIFFUSED SO THE SOUL OF THE YOUNG MAN RODE THE MOONBEAM AND SNEAKED WITH IT TO THE SWEETHEART CHAMBER AND FLUTTERED ON THE EDGE OF HER VELVET BED.
INTERPENETRATING AS BLOOD AND AIR INTO ALL BODY ATOMS SWIMMING IN THE EYES LIGHT. FRESH IS YOUR TORTURE.
THEN THE YOUNG MAN SOUL SANG A SWEET SONG FOR THE SLEEPING SWEETHEART AND TICKLED HER CHEEKS AND COLLECTED HER SCATTERED HAIR EXQUISITELY WHILE THE LADY WAS … DREAMING . THE YOUNG MAN SOUL FELT THAT THE LADY WOULD WAKE UP SO IT HASTENED TO HIDE IN THE ROSES VASE WHEN THE LADY YAWNED SHE WAS ASTONISHED TO SEE VIOLET DEW DROPS ON ROSES, A SCARLET LIGHT ASCENDING DANCING, WHITE FEATHERS FLOATING ALL AROUND HER, SCATTERED SPLINTERS OF RAINBOW, AND A RUSTLE OF TRANSPARENT WINGS HER MOUTH WAS RAINING MUSIC.
I SEE YOU IN EVERYTHING I SEE EVERYTHING WITHOUT YOU IS NOTHING AND EVERY NOTHING WITH YOU IS EVERYTHING YOU ARE BEFORE THE ETERNITY OF LOVE AND AFTER ITS FOREVER YOU ARE THE SOLE OWNER OF THE HEART WHILE OTHERS , IF FOUND, ARE TENANTS OR TRANSGRESSORS YOU ARE THE ADORATION AMBASSADOR, THE CAPITAL OF WOMEN AND THE LAST SAIL OF TRAVELLING SIDBAD
THIS MONTH'S FEATURE
KARRADA Dr. H Farhat
I write to wounded Baghdad I write to slaughtered Karrada. They killed you from vein to vein O, my city of peace City of great religion leaders. There in Karrada I heard a miserable old man saying : I went in the morning of Eid festival To buy a gown For my lonely boy But as you see I am buying A shroud for him . Our neighbour is still collecting Pieces of his lost son , his martyr son. Our neighbour didn't find of her son But his milk bottle And pieces of his mouth and blood Are still near it As if he were searching for his milk. My son died hungry Shall I feel satisfied after his death? And near that wall there is a corpse Whose blood was beating As if it wanted to rise anew But as you see The ambulance didn't come And it won't come Because it exploded before Eid. Look at victims, O my master ! They are as roses in their ages But their buds hadn't open yet Because of death. Look at that child His book is still in his hand With his head cut His book tells us his age It is for fifth primary class. Look ! That is a young girl Whose white rose on her head became red.
O , my master ! All colors are red. All Iraq was palm trees But today you don't see anything Except the blood of slaughtered and killed We believe that our people Will expell mercinaries Coming in the name of The Ablest Creator To distribute death And let people live in graves. O, my master Our land is beautiful Our people is beautiful And our wound is beautiful. O, my master We certainly believe That the oppressed will make reprisals On the oppressor. O , my master The Great Savior will appear in our religion From a mosque where his father is In the lap of Samarra. We call him in our prayers , ' Hurry to Your Appearance ! ' O , Hasan Son Hurry to your appearance To kill the charlatan And distribute just on in our land . Definitely He will appear To kill the unjust and charlatan And support the oppressed .
DR. LAURENCE AJAKA
SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT: THE PERPETUAL
!
CONTROVERSY
Over the years, there have been many philosophical ethical schools of thought that have struggled in vain to create a comprehensive understanding of life in all its complexity and diversity. They marry at some points and often divert to extremes. Realism is where concepts of right and wrong exist independently on their own regardless of what people think or feel about them. They might vary slightly over the years, but in essence, they remain the same. For example, slavery is considered to be wrong. It doesn’t matter if it was socially acceptable for many years in the human experience; it remains wrong in whichever context it existed or will exist.
Supernaturalism is where God is the source of ethics, and ethics is inseparable from religion. Something is good because God said so, and you can only lead a good life by following what God says. This has long been the major source of ethics in most societies. It remains a dubious source because it has exploited numerous times in history as a means of political subjugation to keep the subordinates in line and under control. Intuitionism relates good and bad as subjective properties that are dictated by the adults. Humans are intuitive enough to be able to recognize the good from the bad. They will be selfevident to any person who uses their mind to distinguish between them.
And the older the person is, the more they are able to distinguish as they accumulate more experiences. Far from there being obsoleted, and good and bad will always be a subjected to the understanding of adults. Consequentialism is a school of thought where the end will justify the means. It teaches people to think about the ultimate good and teaches them to reach it with whatever means possible.
"THEY MARRY AT SOME POINTS AND OFTEN DIVERT TO EXTREMES."
It leaves the freedom of followers to choose the path they see fit in order to reach the greater good. This can be very dangerous in some cases such as extreme situations when certain lives and livelihoods can be compromised immediately all in the name of the ultimate goal. Non-consequentialism is the opposite where the actions themselves are what matter rather than the results. The ultimate good does not justify making unethical acts. They refer to the principle of things. What is good is good and what is bad is bad no matter what results they yield. When you start from an ethical and moral high ground, the results will always be justifiable because no ethical principle has been sacrificed. Subjectivism goes to extremes in regarding moral properties subjective and not objective. There are no absolute ethical values. They are true or false according to moral values, attitudes, and convictions of each person. This school of thought relies on the intelligence and experience of each individual to carve out their own moral code according to what suits the life and circumstances surrounding them.
Skepticism questions and sometimes denies the role of reasoning in morality. Followers question the existence of morality itself and the ability to incorporate it into the physical world. The concepts and ideals of morality are too abstract to be a viable component of existence and have to be forsaken for the sake of a more realistic approach to dealing with life’s challenges. Emotivism is when morality is not a statement of fact but rather an expression of a person’s views and emotions. Moral statements are meaningless beyond expressing what a person feels. Followers believe that ethics and morality come from the human experience, and that is often domineered by emotions. Reasoning has a little place or value when emotions run high, and morally questionable situations tend to be highly charged. Prescriptivism’s followers believe that when you make a moral judgment, you are bound to that judgment whenever any similar situation arises. This moral judgment will instruct you on what to do or not do. So if you say stealing is wrong, you can never justify stealing in any situation even if you are starving because the concept of stealing is wrong regardless of the context it exists in. While the extreme and contradictory schools of thought make it harder to attempt one portrayal of ethics and morals, it stands as a testament to the richness of the human experience.
BY FADY AL HASHEM
COPING WITH CIRCUMSTANCES
LOOKING BACK INTO MY PAST IS AN EXE
R
CISE IN FUTILITY
THAT I TEND TO AVOID WHENEVE
R
POSSIBLE.
While it looks polished on the outside, there are many dark memories lurking in the shadows of the happy smiles in the family photo album. Like so many conservative Christian families, my parents enrolled me in a nunnery school where I spent all my formative years. The school was a nightmarish mishmash of bullies who are sadistic to the extreme. Their insecurities made them monsters intent on destroying everything pure and innocent in others.
Thankfully, I managed to escape eventually even though I bore many scars. Throughout it all, my family dismissed my struggles as some kind of manly ritual to toughen me up. It was only when I got in contact with different social circles that helped reduce the traumatic effects of my early years. Home life didn’t offer much comfort. My father was a General in the Lebanese Army and he believed in military precision in his home as well. The rules were strict, and he was ruthless in implementing them. What kept me going is my belief that the tides will turn.
My demons have managed to drag me down into the pit a few times, but I always managed to keep my head above the water. Vengeance is the antithesis of what I have been brought up with, so it was never on the table. It’s just gratifying to write freely about my struggles in hopes of one day managing to let go. My family remains a huge burden I have to coexist with, but I am patient awaiting a sign that will propel me into a new era. Meanwhile, I have managed to accept what I cannot change and that has given me inner peace. One thing to take from my experience is the inevitability of change. No matter how immovable the obstacles seem, time is a circle that keeps moving. Keep hopes burning even in the middle of the tempest. Aim for the stars to ensure that you will, at least, reach for the moon.
DR. LAURENCE AJAKA
DON'T BE.
THE ACADEME HURDLE: TEACHING IN THE FRAME OF
!
RECITATION
Reaching university level is a vital milestone that most students strive to. It denotes adulthood with all the freedom and responsibilities that it comprises. Most enter undergraduate life thinking they will finally be able to enjoy studying since they are no longer burdened with courses, beyond their sphere of interest. The extent of a week is quite enough to annihilate their enthusiasm once they inescapably collide with the “Reader�. Who hasn't had at least one encounter with an instructor that regard their duty is only restricted to reading out lectures aloud? These pseudo-intellectuals presume that just by passing under the arch of the institute, the 15+ years of following an educational process dependent on explanation becomes obsolete, and a magical spell now enables them to process complex concepts by simply reading them. They presume students competent enough to assimilate detailed and precise information at the drop of a hat, and those who fall below the bar are to be left for their own fate. This method is never successful regardless of which domain adopts it. It makes students’ life extremely difficult, and they are forced to allocate more than the necessary time for the course.
They are ill-equipped to handle such an approach, and this drains their already depleted time allocation especially for those who have to harmonize between a career and an education. To all teachers who are patting themselves on the back, you are probably being cursed up and down behind your backs. Your performance is grossly inadequate because you fail to uphold the minimal requirement of being a good teacher that encompasses giving students a lecture that clearly illustrates all the finer points of a new or even old concept. The student is referred to as such for a reason; they need the tutelage and guidance of others. Teaching was never and will never be automatic recitation. If it were, all teachers would become obsolete and courses would be mailed in a pretty package to students all around. If anyone out there would argue that their students pass regardless of this method, the merit goes to them and not you. They are paying for your negligence. It doesn't make you a success; it makes you the one all students roll their eyes to each other in shared misery while you stroll ahead in ignorance of the grave injustice you cause.
HAVE YOU GOT WHAT IS TAKES TO BE A GOOD AUDITOR ?
Auditors have a responsibility to be at the highest levels of professionalism and integrity. Theirs is a very sensitive job where any minor mistake can result in catastrophic losses and endless legal actions. This sensitivity has to be governed by extra qualities that might not be in as strict demand for other professions. The number one quality that is indispensable for an auditor is integrity. An auditor becomes intimately familiar with almost every aspect of the business. He/she can extrapolate much of the company’s strategies and weaknesses. An auditor also has the power to wreak havoc on the finances of the company without anyone being the wiser. It’s a monumental sign of trust to hand over all the ins and outs of one’s company to another, so there has to be a reputation of unblemished integrity. He/she needs to gain the trust of the client completely at the risk of losing said client otherwise. Precision is not something to be underestimated in auditing. There is no denying that it’s a quality essential in every professional but not as highly as with an auditor. At high levels, even one mistake could mean the difference between winning or losing millions. Even a tiny miscalculation could accumulate over the years and create a significant deficit. In fact, many employees take similar shortcuts deducting fractions of pennies thinking no one would notice. It’s the auditor’s duty to calculate precisely where even the farthing goes. Such a task requires a bright and organized mind willing to delve deep and leave no stones unturned. While challenging, auditing is very rewarding. It’s the checkpoint that every organization needs to keep the wheels running smoothly. It can save the jobs of thousands and provide further security for thousands other. Integrity and precision for each and every auditor cannot be stressed enough.
By Dr. Zeina Zeidan Maalouly
#
GRUB
Compassion Fatigue
For anyone in the helping professions, Compassion Fatigue is a common occurrence.
Their needs have not been on their radar for years, even decades.
Here is the origin of compassion fatigue, its relationship to physician burnout and what you can do when you recognize it in yourself.
airplaneoxygenmask optIt’s like the Oxygen Masks on an Airplane – You have to Put Your Mask on First
Compassion fatigue is when you find yourself challenged to care about your patients in the way you know is proper and expected in your position. Doctors, nurses, therapists, law enforcement, social workers, military … the list goes on. All these professions rely on some degree of Empathy and Compassion to function at maximum effectiveness.
The key to avoiding compassion fatigue is taking care of your own emotional needs first. You can’t give what you don’t have. You can’t get water from a stone. If your emotional needs are not being met, you can’t be there emotionally for your patients when they need you the most. And no one teaches you how to get your own emotional needs met in medical school or residency. It’s every doctor for themselves.
Cynicism, Sarcasm and feeling Put Upon
Here’s The Unspoken Tragedy
If you find yourself being cynical or sarcastic about your patients you have compassion fatigue. It can come in the little voice in your head, or mumbling under your breath or “ Venting ” to your colleagues or staff.
If you can’t be emotionally present for your patients because of compassion fatigue … you can’t be there for your spouse, significant other, children or friends. Everyone loses when you allow yourself to be tapped out at work. And this is just the start of a slippery slope.
If you find yourself feeling like your patients / staff / institution are deliberately trying to wear you out or drive you crazy – you have compassion fatigue. Compassion Fatigue … Your Emotional Bank Account is Empty Being a doctor or other helping professional is the perfect compassion fatigue formula. Caring for others with difficult, often chronic illnesses is a draining emotional experience. Think of yourself as having an Emotional Bank Account. You simply can ’ t get to the end of an office day with the same amount of emotional energy in your account as when you started. Your job is draining … even on a good day. It is up to you to Recharge Your Emotional Bank Account on your own time. That ’ s where the double whammy hits. At the same time your job is draining, you have been trained and conditioned that Your Needs Come Last. For many of the doctors I work with … they find it very difficult to know how they might recharge .
Compassion Fatigue is a Warning Sign of Physician Burnout Compassion Fatigue is one of the three signs of Physician Burnout along with physical exhaustion and a sense that your work doesn’t make any real difference. When You Notice Compassion Fatigue – It’s a Call To Action Compassion fatigue is a sign you are not getting Your Needs Met. Your emotional bank account is tapped out. There’s nothing left. You are running on empty and cynicism and sarcasm are simply defense mechanisms when your back is against the wall. Time for some Exquisite Self Care I imagine you have not taken enough time for yourself or the most important people in your life lately. Your emotional bank account may be even worse than empty … you may be overdrawn and in a major negative balance. Here’s are a few keys to address this urgently.
Do a great job with every patient you see and Cut your work hours back to minimum Only chart what is necessary … stop worrying about complete sentences and punctuation Strongly consider some time off Take care of Your Needs First ( remember the oxygen mask… ) Get some Rest Get some Exercise Do something fun you have put off in a while Spend some quality time with your significant other and children Make Recharging a Part of Your Normal Life Know that in the future these non - work activities are key to keeping your emotional bank account full and to you being the best you can be … so schedule these recharging activities into your life every month from now on. That means choose your rechargers, schedule them, do them and celebrate them. Don ’ t skip or scrimp because these things don ’ t feel as important as taking care of other people ’ s needs. That ’ s just your training and conditioning talking … it ’ s what got you to this point of compassion fatigue in the first place. Remember the oxygen mask and get your needs taken care of first.
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A LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE