Blogging with Nataly

Have you ever gave someone a gift? Have you ever received a gift? What about someone special to you? if so, which made you happier? Well, Jesus himself said “There is more happiness in giving than receiving.” And from personal experience, I can very much say giving/gifting something thoughtful to a special someone brings so much more joy than receiving something.

http://www.quiz-maker.com/QW16YX0TK

(Take this quiz to see how much you know about gifting!

The Gift of Magi: Love requires sacrifice, and in giving they were happier.

Gifts are much more meaningful when the gift may have required any sort of sacrifice, the gift is thoughtful, and the gift is given by someone very special. O’Henry the author of the short story “The Magi”, conveyed his message that love is selfless to the point that one can sacrifice and find more happiness in giving than receiving. Through narrative, O’Henry liaised a loving– deeper than the typical couple of it was more of a deep respect and devoted love– relationship. Della and her husband Jim had a mutual admiration for each other. As Christmas was approaching “she wished to give something almost worth the owner of belonging to Jim (O’Henry 2)”. Both Jim and Della knew that they each we’re proud of two things which they owned. One thing was Jim’s gold watch:it had once belonged to his father. The other thing was Della’s hair (O’ Henry 2)”, which is very thick and long and shiny. O’ Henry built these characters’ relationships on a foundation of perspective. The connected events and the permitted glance into Della’s perspective and a bit of Jim’s allow connections to be made. It gives life to the relationship among the characters because one is able to have a great idea of their admiration and affection for one another. Della decided to sell her long and beautiful hair  so she could have money to buy a gift for Jim. Stella sacrificed time “she was going from one shop to another” (O’Henry). She was willing without hesitating to sacrifice her most valuable possession: her hair. Jim and Della were tight on money so Jim worked very hard. When Jim arrived home, Della was anxiously waiting for him when he saw Della and he was left flabbergasted. Della was worried Jim was upset because he said nothing, he was astonished, Della expressed to him “maybe the hairs of [her] head could be counted but no one could ever count [her] love for [him] (O’Henry 5)”.They haircut did not change Jim’s love for Della, “nothing like a haircut could make [him] love [her] any less (O’Henry 5)”. The events that led to them at the moment of giving each other their gifts is like being outside in a snowstorm everything is cold and chaotic but when they were together expressing their love it was like finally walking in a warm and safe home. They each gifted each other something very thoughtful, considering the gifts were a beautiful comb for Della’s hair (her most valuable possession) and a simple rich gold chain for Jim’s watch, his most valuable possession. They each sacrificed their most valuable possession in order to gift each other something and now neither had their valuable possessions, how ironic! But they had each other. “Of all you give gifts, these two were the most wise. They are the Magi (O’Henry 6).” The Magi who brought gifts to newborn Christ child were “wonderfully wise men (O’Henry 6)”, as O’Henry claims, he suggests those who gave gifts are wise when it’s not about the gift it’s about the sacrifice and love that is given. Jim and Della loved each other very much as shown by their actions. They were happier giving the gifts as it was a symbol of love, they sacrificed for each other as narrated throughout the story.

Everyone has opinions and some people have stronger opinions than others. Opinions are truly based on how one feels and reasons, which that is based on life experiences and choices. When it comes to forming a thesis, especially one about the value of life, of all life, some incline towards claiming that reason is superior to emotion. It’s not completely wrong, but to a certain extent allowing emotions to conquer over reason is irrational. For instance, self-harming is usually described as a relief by those who do so. But a relief from what, and does it really bring relief? Probably a relief from intense emotional pain, and perhaps it does bring relief, but only temporary relief. To the extent of cutting one’s own body, starving oneself, binging and purging, or acting on any sort of dangerous behavior–psychological, emotional, and or mental harm–is concerning. It calls to question cause, as previously mentioned most likely it is emotional pain. So as can be seen, allowing emotion to blind reason can be harmful to other or oneself, it will blind one from acknowledging emotion and being able to cope with such pain. But what about reasoning, can over-reasoning be harmful also? Well to put it this way, would you tell someone who’s loved one recently passed away that they should get over it because they’re still living and logically should proceed? I don’t know about you, but personally using reason and emotion I wouldn’t. Instead of viewing emotion and logic as enemies or opposites, why not view them in harmony and balance, simultaneously concurring to agree on a emotionally rational decision.

The Most Dangerous Game

In Richards Connell short story, “The Most Dangerous Game”, Sanger Rainsford, who is a very well-known hunter, was found stranded on an island where he met Ivan a deaf bodyguard and General Zaroff. General Zaroff was a wealthy, living comfortably and he was a very skilled hunter, who had an ambition for killing since a very young age and he invited Rainsford and treated him with hospitality. After having a discussion about what he called his passion, hunting, he revealed to Rainsford he began to hunt men because he became bored of animals who he claimed “had nothing but legs and instinct” (Connell pg7). General admitted that men could reason , which he claimed instinct was no match for reason. General also said that this world was meant for the weak to bring pleasure to the strong. Men who were stranded on the island were forced to hide away from the General and given three days, if they were not successful they’d die and if they were they could get away, but nobody had been successful. Now, who is the most dangerous game? It is, yes, Rainsford a very well-known skilled hunter up against the General, but because he was a man who could reason. Rainsford himself earlier in the story also said something similar to what the General had said. Rainsford justified hunting with claiming animals could not feel, and General justified hunting men with claiming that life is for the strong and life could be taken by the strong. So, in both aspects, clearly, both men were using reasoning–which was irrational–since none of the two presented emotion towards the subject of hunting. How does this relate to using emotional reasoning and determining how valuable all life is? Well Connell depicts the cruelty of hunting human beings (murder), while also raising rhetorical questions such as: is murder of anything ever justifiable? At the end of the short story Rainsford outsmarts General and ends up killing him–unexpected–, so one could infer Connell was perhaps trying to relate the topic of killing whether humans or animals.

Reason VS Instinct and Emotion

One could continue to argue about which more essential: reason or emotion, reason or instinct. Conor Friedersdorf, in the article “Is Reason Losing Out to Instinct and Emotion?”, draws attention to a quite interesting matter about about the relationship between reason, instinct and emotion. He recalls upon the response of many readers who were provoked to respond to Evan Thomas. Thomas a journalist and author of Being Nixon , wondered if reason was dead, he said, “So much of the structure and animating ideals of Western democracy are based on the idea of reason and rationality–the enlightenment ideal that man is rational and thus capable of self-governance.” In a video from the University of York, Dr Rob Jenkins, a cognitive psychologist, related a good example in which he said, “We need some means of distinguishing good, and not so good reasoning. Here we can turn to a simple analogy: chess is a board game characterized by certain rules. The rules set out how each chess piece can move on the board. To understand the rules of chess you must commit these allowable moves to memory. So, to know how to play chess is to understand the rules of the game…In the same way we can ask whether a person acts according to the rules of reasoning and applies them in a valid way.” So both are referring to reasoning and how humans claim to have the capability of self-governance because of having the capability of reasoning. But like Jenkins said, what is the difference between good and bad reasoning? Gemma Mason draws attention to her suggestion that humanity is still in the process of learning what it means to be rational while avoiding fallacies: (from the article “Is Reason Losing Out to Instinct and Emotion?”) she says, “Rationality isn’t a single, obvious thing. It’s a social construct. I don’t say that to demean the notion; it’s a very useful social construct. The notion of a “rational debate” provides a lovely framework for people to disagree without ceasing to listen to each other, and it’s really valuable.” So she’s saying that rationality cannot exactly be pinpointed that it is constructed upon by society and also says “rational debate” is valuable framework. Another person who responded to Thomas wsa David DeSteno: “The reason why debate between reason and emotion has continued to go back and forth is because it sets up a false dichotomy. Neither is always better or worse. Each reflects two systems of the mind that are both trying to find an adaptive response to the issue at hand…And the way it typically works is that reason is held to be noble and emotion problematic.” What both reason and emotion have in common is that their both controlled by each individual, and technically reason is biased because each person has their bar set at a certain point of their reason. To determine how valuable all life is it would probably be prudent to reason with rationality and emotion because one trying to override the other would just create chaos. How much do you value your life? Pretty sure you would use some emotional reasoning because after all we are all human. Hopefully!

So, General and Rainsford valued reasoning as shown by their actions. They both justified hunting and showed very little mercy for both animals and humans. Evan Thomas has reflected upon the question of the premise that reason rules over emotion. He recognizes that question of what good and bad reasoning is essential since humans can reason to an extent and emotions are involved since humans can feel. All life is precious, and I certainly say that with all bias, of course using emotional reasoning! The debate will continue for who knows how long, but with a good reason it continues, because at least we can recognize the importance of reason and emotion.

Have you ever wanted to Learn a new language but just didn’t where to start? Learning a new language can be difficult, but by practicing these simple steps you will be able achieve your accomplishments.

1. Set Language – Learning Goals

The first step to learning your desired language is to know which one you want to learn. I speak from experience. I know already English and Spanish. and I know a bit of French, setting a goal for me was important for learning French. Setting a goal will help you focus on what is important in order to excel in learning a new language. If you don’t set goals how will you know and understand what you want to achieve?

When encountered with the new idea of learning a new language we are often overwhelmed. There are tons and tons of different words to learn and many different ways to study. Setting goals narrows your focus so you don’t have to worry about the details so you can get to learning. According to researchers it has been proven that people who set the right kind of goals are more likely to succeed.

Focus on specific, tangible outcomes. Set yourself detailed goals, and focus on what you’re planning to learn rather than how much time you plan on studying. Set short-term goals. It is good to have an ultimate goal, the thing you eventually hope to achieve. Long term goals are too overwhelming to stay motivated on an everyday basis. Break the process into smaller chunks and set goals for each week or month. Challenge yourself but not too much. Goals work better when you push yourself. But if it is too challenging it can discourage you. Lastly you can write down your goals. Writing out goals helps you commit to them. Place your goals in a notable place, Like your mirrors or as a screensaver on your cellular device.

2. Learning the right words

Languages have many words. For example, English has about 600,000 to 1 million words. Fortunately, you don’t need to learn that amount of words to be skilled in a language. Learn the basic and common words of that language and little by little add new and different words. By concentrating on learning theses words first, it will help you eliminate wasted time and increase the quantity of info you comprehend very rapidly.

3.Study Smarter Not Harder

By using the best techniques to study you will be able to learn faster than you expected. One of the greatest ways to learn vocab terms is by using flash cards. Not only do flashcards help you remember new information they also help you to focus on separate words and permit you to assess yourself.

Follow these tips to learn quickly with flashcards

Verify to make a guess before checking the answer in the back of the card

Learn translations first, then learn the words

Practicing is essential and effective practicing helps to learn faster

Here are other ways to combine new words alongside and beyond flashcards

Visualize the words your learning an say them out loud

Use physical actions by gesturing

You can use the app Duolingo

use the word in a native language

4. Use it everyday

For beginners, it can seem overwhelming to use the language everyday and all day. But really it is not that difficult. There are a variety of enjoyable ways to make a language part of your everyday life.

To begin with, make use of every moment you have available to learn new vocabulary. Take some flashcards with you and study them whenever you can. Maybe during your train or bus commute.

Whenever you start to feel tired or overwhelmed swap from actively learning to passively learning by doing what you would normally do in your native language. Try to watch a video or a tv show or stream a radio broadcast.

The target when you start is not to comprehend everything you hear but to familiarize yourself with the sounds of the language. Even though you don’t comprehend much of what you hear, just listening can have a variety of positive effects such as:

Getting used to the modulation of the language

Learning to distinguish common words

learning to use it in context

Staying motivated

5. Learn the culture

Understanding the language is about more than understanding terms on a paper. It’s important to learn about the culture and the history that is associated with these words.

Understanding and learning about a country or culture’s history, current events, religious beliefs and the common customs will help you understand a ton about what people say and do and why they do something.

According to researchers they say that children learn to read in a second language better when they understand the context behind what they read and the culture.

When beginning to learn a new language , take some time to learn about the culture. Different cultures use the same word in a different way. Don’t feel as if it were a waste of time trust me it will benefit if you go to a country that is native to the language. This will help you from not embarrassing yourself and making offensive mistakes.

7. Assess yourself

Knowing ahead of time that you will take a test is the perfect way to stay motivated to learn more quickly.

Try to test yourself on the daily maybe every week or every two weeks. This helps you look back at your results and see what you have mastered and what you need to work on.

If you are learning from a book, take a practice test or complete the exercises at the end to see what information you retained and what you forgot so you can study what you forgot.

Taking a pre test will help you see what you already know so you can move forward is a great way to also start learning a new language.

A fun way to assess your self is to play a game online. Online practises and games can be found all over the the internet there are many different fun games that you can play anywhere you go.

8. Enjoy the journey

When we enjoy ourselves and have a good time we tend to learn better. Don’t stress if you don’t understand ask for help or learn a language with a friend to make it more fun.

Another thing that you can do to enjoy the journey is to focus on learning different things that grab your attention and that you are interested in.

If you like cooking you can try to make a dish that is part of the cultures language. Maybe you can even find the recipe in your target language.

Lastly make friends with people who speak the language or who are wanting to learn. Languages are definitely not made to learn from day to night so just pace yourself and enjoy yourself then you’ll be able to check learning a new language off your bucket list.