Life’s Journey

Life is an art of seeing everything as a purpose (Bangot, L. B.), this is what the statement of one writer when he wrote a fictional story â€Å"10:12’s Purpose†. Yes, everything has a purpose. The bad things that happened, this essay that I’m writing, all has a purpose. We cannot predict what will happen tomorrow, only God knows. The journey I life is the only journey that has many path. Everyone who takes has a different and unique road of adventure but what makes them common? Man has only two destinations. It’s our choice to where to go and whom to follow. How will we know our destination here on earth, simply, as we goes on with our lives, our hearts will lead us to where we should be going. President Fr. Robert Lawton, S. J. said during a baccalaureate mass: â€Å"So what is the answer to this deep insecurity that we all feel?† this is really an awakening statement. We never noticed about it but we sometimes feel it. What is really the answer to this great insecurity that is in us? Are we really insecure? One thing that will only answer these questions; we don’t have all what we want. Not all the goods are on our side. Even if all goods are there, there is still unsatisfaction and man will still crave for something that is better than what he have now. Even the most beautiful woman has an ugly that is in her. We are not perfect. We are made to be human beings. We don’t have that supernatural ability that will give us everything. If we have all, are we happy? Sometimes, but do we have a joyful life? Joy is different from happiness. Joy is felt even in the rainy season of our lives. We cannot feel this joy unless we do not feel insecurity. I remember a verse in the bible, it is on John 16:24 and it says â€Å"Until now yo0u have not ask for anything in my name, ask and you will received and your joy will be complete†. What a wonderful statement of Jesus. We can only have what we ask in prayer if we believed in Him as our savior. Believing means following what the Lord has said or commands and imitating His deeds. We can only have this if we accept Jesus as our Lord. The answer to our insecurity is the salvation that we can get from believing in Jesus. We will only be saving if we believe. In Ephesians 2:8-9 it says â€Å"For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith†¦.and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast†. It is only a gift from God. Every good works that we did will not be credited for our salvation. Our works (good works) are just an outflow of our faith. Jesus came into the world as a man and has nothing. Yet he wasn’t insecured because He knows who He is. He owns the riches of this world. What really is the most important to us? For me, it is the salvation. I would prefer to have all the bad things here on earth than to have no salvation. If I have the Christ living in me, why should I be insecure, my home is in heaven. In the statement of Fr. Lawton truly the journey to be oneself is the riskiest. If we have God living in our hearts, we have all the trials and testing of faith. We will be prune in order to bear fruits. It is the riskiest because the road ahead is a narrow road. If we claim to be a Christian (meaning: a person who follow Christ) then to be ourselves is to be a Christian. A Christian should be holy, humble, and everything you think that is right and good. A Christian knows God’s will. How, by meditating the bible. In Joshua 1:8 it says â€Å"Do not let this book of law depart form your mouth, meditate on it day and night, so that you will be very careful to do everything written on it, then you will be prosperous and successful†. Meditating is the only way to know what really God wants us to do. I am now in the stage to make my first pace in life. It is now the time that I will be equipped with knowledge about life. A four year University sounds like the entrance to be a real person. I feel excited but nervous, excited because I was given a chance to fulfill my dreams. This essay is the proof of the opportunity, but I feel nervous because I do not know what will happen to me, but one thing for sure, it is for my good. If I do not go to this University, I will be stuck as a person with no use (in the case the opportunity will just pass by without me grabbing it). I believed that Loyola Marymount University can give me not only the education that I need but the equipping to be oneself as well. In this school I will learn everything to be a person and not just that; I will also be equipped with God’s word. That is the most important of all. But because I’m still here on earth, I should also know what is happening and how to deal life here on earth. Also, I believe that LMU can give me the motivation that I need to pursue my journey. In other words, inspiration can also be taken when I’ll be inside the University listening to my teacher. But as for now, my only dream is to be part of the University and my only hold is the faith that God will give me a chance to study in LMU and be equipped for the life’s journey. Work cited: THE FAMILY DEVOTIONAL STUDY BIBLE (1987), New International Version. The Zonderval Corporation. Bangot, L. B. . 10:12’s Purpose.                           

Curriculum Evaluation Essay

The report included a deterioration of performance in reading, language and arithmetic due to poor instructional methods, large class sizes, and inadequate supervision Presidential Commission to Survey Philippine Education (PCSPE) 1. Analyze performance of the educational system and its relevance to national developmental goals 2. Ascertain the efficiency of the system 3. Identify areas which need more detailed investigation. 4. The report included findings on : a. Mismatch between educational services and manpower requirements b. Mismatch between education priorities and the national development priorities c. Inequitable distribution of educational facilities and resources across the regions d. Lack of systematic planning and evaluation SURVEY OF OUTCOMES OF ELEM EDUCATION (SOUTELE) 1. Battery of achievement tests designed to measure the outcomes of elementary education 2. General mental ability test of non-verbal type designed to measure association 3. Student’s attitude inventory aimed to measure affective objectives 4. Questionnaires in order to establish the profiles of pupils, teachers, school heads, etc. 5. The study revealed deficiencies of elementary education in terms of inputs (resources), processes (curriculum and instruction), and outputs (students’ achievement). These are affected by socio economic, school types, quality of teaching. The Household and School Matching Survey (HSMS) 1. The survey hypothesized that learning is predicated on the antecedent academic, social, physiological variables. 2. The findings of the investigation showed that home-related and community related variables have greater influences on learning than school related factors such as cost per pupil and numbers of textbooks per students. The Congressional Commission on Education Study (EDCOM) 1. Enhancing the internal capability of the system to satisfactorily implement the constitutional provisions on education 2. Providing the system with necessary financial and other infrastructure support 3. Strengthening the system’s linkages with all sectors concerned in human resource development 4. Assisting the system to achieve its sectoral goals and targets through strategies that are consistent with the nation’s development goals. The National Evaluation and Impact Study of PRODED 1. Teacher factor is crucial in the success of the teaching-learning process 2. There is a need to improve the pre-service and in-service training of teachers that should include the development of skills in classroom management, teacher-pupil interaction, and the use of instructional aids, etc. Monitoring and Evaluation of RBEC 1. Defines what levels of learning students of schools and divisions meet at various stages of the basic education cycle based on the national curriculum. 2. Setting of minimum national standards for capabilities, structures, processes and output based on a template for school improvement processes from planning to implementation to monitoring and evaluation 3. Nationally standardized student assessment, outcomes measurement and reporting of basic school statistics Presidential Commission on Educational Reform (PCER) 1. Created through E.O. in 1988 to define a budget feasible program of reform, and identify executive priority policy recommendations and items for a legislative agenda on education. 2. Comprised of multi sectoral group 3. Proposed the establishment of National Education Evaluation and Testing System (NEETS) that assumes responsibility for educational assessment of all levels, including technical and skills development CURRENT TRENDS AND ISSUES BILINGUAL EDUCATION 1. Article 14, sect 7 of 1987 constitution – â€Å"for the purposes of communication and instruction, the official languages of the Philippines are Filipino and until otherwise provided by law, English.† 2. DECS Order 52, s. 1987 – the policy of bilingual education aims to make every Filipino competent in both Filipino and English at the national level 3. DECS defines bilingual as â€Å"separate use of Filipino and English as media of instruction in specific subjects.† Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) 1. Art 15, Sec 2, 1987 Phil. Cons. – recognizes the â€Å"right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation and other conditions prejudicial to their development.† 2. UN Convention on the Rights of Child 3. Education for All (EFA) agenda of DECS, 1990 envisioned 90% in 2000 of early childhood care and development either home-based services or kindergarten / nursery classes Other issues 1. Access to pre-school education 2. Private Pre-school education 3. Global education 4. Environmental education The K to 12 Program The K to 12 Program covers kindergarten and 12 years of basic education (six years of primary education, four years of junior high school, and two years of senior high school [SHS]) to provide sufficient time for mastery of concepts and skills, develop lifelong learners, and prepare graduates for tertiary education, middle-level skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship. The adoption of the program is in response to the need to improve the competitiveness of our country’s graduates as the ten-year basic education cycle is seen as inadequate for work and higher education. In fact, overseas Filipino workers are not automatically recognized as professional in other countries that view the ten-year education program as insufficient. The Philippines is the only country in Asia and is one of only three countries in the world with a ten-year basic education cycle. 1. Universal Kindergarten Education. 2. Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education. 3. Core Academic Areas 4. Specializations. TYPES OF CURRICULUM (PHILIPPINE SETTING) Overt, explicit, or written curriculum Is simply that which is written as part of formal instruction of schooling experiences? It may refer to a curriculum document, texts, films, and supportive teaching materials that are overtly chosen to support the intentional instructional agenda of a school. Thus, the overt curriculum is usually confined to those written understandings and directions formally designated and reviewed by administrators, curriculum directors and teachers, often collectively. Societal curriculum As defined by Cortes (1981). Cortes defines this curriculum as: the massive, ongoing, informal curriculum of family, peer groups, neighborhoods, churches organizations, occupations, mass, media and other socializing forces that â€Å"educate† all of us throughout our lives. The hidden or covert curriculum That which is implied by the very structure and nature of schools, much of what revolves around daily or established routines. Longstreet and Shane (1993) offer a commonly accepted definition for this term. The â€Å"hidden curriculum,† which refers to the kinds of learning’s children derives from the very nature and organizational design of the public school, as well as from the behaviors and attitudes of teachers and administrators. Examples of the hidden curriculum might include the messages and lessons derived from the mere organization of schools — the emphasis on: sequential room arrangements; the cellular, timed segments of formal instruction; an annual schedule that is still arranged to accommodate an agrarian age; disciplined messages where concentration equates to student behaviors were they are sitting up straight and are continually quiet; students getting in and standing in line silently; students quietly raising their hands to be called on; the endless competition for grades, and so on. The hidden curriculum may include both positive or negative messages, depending on the models provided and the perspectives of the learner or the observer. The null curriculum Those lessons learned through searching the Internet for information, or through using e-forms of communication. (Wilson, 2004) From Eisner’s perspective the null curriculum is simply that which is not taught in schools. Somehow, somewhere, some people are empowered to make conscious decisions as to what is to be included and what is to be excluded from the overt (written) From Eisner’s perspective the null curriculum is simply that which is not taught in schools. Somehow, somewhere, some people are empowered to make conscious decisions as to what is to be included and what is to be excluded from the overt (written curriculum. Since it is physically impossible to teach everything in schools, many topics and subject areas must be intentionally excluded from the written curriculum. But Eisner’s position on the â€Å"null curriculum† is that when certain subjects or topics are left out of the overt curriculum, school personnel are sending messages to students that certain content and processes are not important enough to study. Unfortunately, without some level of awareness that there is also a well-defined implicit agenda in schools, school personnel send this same type of message via the hidden curriculum. Phantom curriculum The messages prevalent in and through exposure to any type of media. These components and messages play a major part in the enculturation of students into the predominant meta-culture, or in acculturating students into narrower or generational subcultures. Concomitant curriculum What is taught, or emphasized at home, or those experiences that are part of a family’s experiences, or related experiences sanctioned by the family. (This type of curriculum may be received at church, in the context of religious expression, lessons on values, ethics or morals, molded behaviors, or social experiences based on the family’s preferences.) Rhetorical curriculum Elements from the rhetorical curriculum are comprised from ideas offered by policymakers, school officials, administrators, or politicians. This curriculum may also come from those professionals involved in concept formation and content changes; or from those educational initiatives resulting from decisions based on national and state reports, public speeches, or from texts critiquing outdated educational practices. The rhetorical curriculum may also come from the publicized works offering updates in pedagogical knowledge. Curriculum-in-use The formal curriculum (written or overt) comprises those things in textbooks, and content and concepts in the district curriculum guides. However, those â€Å"formal† elements are frequently not taught. The curriculum-in-use is the actual curriculum that is delivered and presented by each teacher. Received curriculum Those things that students actually take out of classroom; those concepts and content that are truly learned and remembered. The internal curriculum Processes, content, knowledge combined with the experiences and realities of the learner to create new knowledge. While educators should be aware of this curriculum, they have little control over the internal curriculum since it is unique to each student. The electronic curriculum Those lessons learned through searching the Internet for information, or through using e-forms of communication. (Wilson, 2004) This type of curriculum may be either formal or informal, and inherent lessons may be overt or covert, good or bad, correct or incorrect depending on ones’ views. Students who use the Internet on a regular basis, both for recreational purposes (as in blogs, chatrooms, listserves, through instant messenger on-line conversations, or through personal e-mails) and for research and information, are bombarded with all types of media and messages. Much of this information may be factually correct, informative, or even entertaining or inspirational, but other information may be very incorrect, dated, passive, biased, perverse, or even manipulative. The implications for educational practices are that part of the overt curriculum needs to include lessons on how to be wise consumers of information, how to critically appraise the accuracy and correctness of e-information, as well as the reliability of electronic sources. Also, students need to learn how to be artfully discerning about the usefulness and appropriateness of certain types of information. And, like other forms of social interaction, students need to know that there are inherent lessons to be learned about appropriate and acceptable â€Å"netiquette† and online behavior, to include the differences between â€Å"fair usage† and plagiarism.

Evaluation Of Investment Alternatives Essay

Introduction – Capital budgeting A critical role of a financial manager is the evaluation of capital projects.   This is a very important task because the money involved in such activities is significant and the benefit or loss derived from will highly influence the financial performance of the whole organisation (Brockington R. B. 1996, p 102).   Indeed, Nobel laureates Modigliani and Miller suggested in their theory of capital structure that the value of a company is not affected by its gearing, but the primary factor that influences such value is the investment in wealth creating projects (Pike R. et al.   1999. p 557 and 577). 1.1   Evaluation of plans if their risk equals that of the firm 1.1.1 Net Present Value Method PLAN X Details 0 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 1 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 2 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 3 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 4 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 5 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 Initial Investment (2,700)                Cash Flows    470 610 950 970 1,500 Net Cash Inflow/(Outflow) (2,700) 470 610 950 970 1,500 12% Discount Rate 1.0000 0.89286 0.79719 0.71178 0.63552 0.56743 Present Value (2,700) 419.64 486.29 676.19 616.45 851.15 Net Present Value – â‚ ¬349,720 PLAN Y Details 0 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 1 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 2 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 3 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 4 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 5 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 Initial Investment (2,100)                Cash Flows    380 700 800 600 1,200 Net Cash Inflow/(Outflow) (2,100) 380 700 800 600 1,200 12% Discount Rate 1.0000 0.89286 0.79719 0.71178 0.63552 0.56743 Present Value (2,100) 339.29 558.03 569.42 381.31 680.92 Net Present Value – â‚ ¬428,970 Source:   Drury C. 1996, p 389. 1.1.2 Internal Rate of Return Method PLAN X Year Net Cash Inflow/(Outflow) Discount Factor* Present Value    â‚ ¬ 16% 17% 16% 17% 0 (2,700,000) 1.0000 1.0000 (2,700,000) (2,700,000) 1 470,000 0.86207 0.85470 405,172.90 401,709.00 2 610,000 0.74316 0.73051 453,327.60 445,611.10 3 950,000 0.64066 0.62437 608,627.00 593,151.50 4 970,000 0.55229 0.53365 535,721.30 517,640.50 5 1,500,000 0.47611 0.45611 714,165.00 684,165.00 Net Present Value 17,014 (57,723) PLAN Y Year Net Cash Inflow/(Outflow) Discount Factor* Present Value    â‚ ¬ 18% 19% 18% 19% 0 (2,100,000) 1.0000 1.0000 (2,100,000) (2,100,000) 1 380,000 0.84746 0.84034 322,034.80 319,329.20 2 700,000 0.71818 0.70616 502,726.00 494,312.00 3 800,000 0.60863 0.59342 486,904.00 474,736.00 4 600,000 0.51579 0.49867 309,474.00 299,202.00 5 1,200,000 0.43711 0.41905 524,532.00 502,860.00 Net Present Value 45,670.80 (9,560.80) Source: Horngren T. C. et al. 1997, p 785 – 787. 1.1.3 Evaluation of projects Plan Y is more financially feasible under both methods.   The net present value of Plan Y is â‚ ¬79,250 [â‚ ¬428,970 – â‚ ¬349,720] higher than Plan X.   The internal rate of return of Plan Y is also 2.61% higher than the other plan, indicating a higher margin of safety on losses in case the expected cash flows are not achieved (Randall H. 1996, p 446). 1.2 Examination of plans at different risk profiles 1.2.1 Net Present Value Method PLAN X Details 0 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 1 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 2 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 3 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 4 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 5 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 Initial Investment (2,700)                Cash Flows    470 610 950 970 1,500 Net Cash Inflow/(Outflow) (2,700) 470 610 950 970 1,500 13% Discount Rate 1.0000 0.88496 0.78315 0.69305 0.61332 0.54276 Present Value (2,700) 415.931 477.722 658.398 594.920 814.140 Net Present Value – â‚ ¬261,111 PLAN Y Details 0 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 1 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 2 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 3 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 4 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 5 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 Initial Investment (2,100)                Cash Flows    380 700 800 600 1,200 Net Cash Inflow/(Outflow) (2,100) 380 700 800 600 1,200 15% Discount Rate 1.0000 0.86957 0.75614 0.65752 0.57175 0.49718 Present Value (2,100) 330.437 529.298 526.016 343.050 596.616 Net Present Value – â‚ ¬225,417 Source:   Hirschey M. et al. 1995, p 799. 1.2.2 Comparison of decisions at different risk rates When the discount rate of the project is considered instead of the overall rate of the company, the financial viability of Plan Y diminishes because this plan is a riskier project than the other one and hence, a higher discount rate is chosen.   The process of discounting arises from the time-value of money principle, and the higher the discount rate the lower the present value from the cash flows generated from the project (Pike R. et al. 1999, p 66 & 67).   In such a stance, Plan Y is no longer the most optimal project because Plan X net present value exceeds that of Plan Y by â‚ ¬35,694 (â‚ ¬261,111 – â‚ ¬225,417). 1.3 Analysis of real option data for plans 1.3.1 Net Present Value Method PLAN X Details 0 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 1 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 2 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 3 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 Initial Investment (2,700)          Cash Flows    470 610 950 Net Cash Inflow/(Outflow) (2,700) 470 610 950 13% Discount Rate 1.0000 0.88496 0.78315 0.69305 Present Value (2,700) 415.931 477.722 658.398 Net Present Value: -â‚ ¬1,147,949 + (â‚ ¬100,000 x 25%) = -â‚ ¬1,122,949 PLAN Y Details 0 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 1 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 2 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 3 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 4 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 5 â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â„¢000 Initial Investment (2,100)                Cash Flows    380 700 800 600 1,200 Net Cash Inflow/(Outflow) (2,100) 380 700 800 600 1,200 15% Discount Rate 1.0000 0.86957 0.75614 0.65752 0.57175 0.49718 Present Value (2,100) 330.437 529.298 526.016 343.050 596.616 Net Present Value: â‚ ¬225,417 + (â‚ ¬500,000 x 20%) = â‚ ¬325,417 Source:   Lucey T. 2003, p 416. 1.3.2 Comparison of real option plans with original plans If we consider and apply the real options available, Project Y becomes the best project, on the contrary of the conclusion noted in sub-section 1.2.2.   It is also worth nothing that the application of the real option for Plan X is not financially viable because we will end up with a negative net present value.   If we compare the net present value of Plan Y under the real options scheme with the net present value of Plan X we can deduce that Plan Y real options project is more feasible than the other plan since the net present value is â‚ ¬64,306 higher [â‚ ¬325,417 – â‚ ¬261,111]. 1.4 Effect of Capital Rationing Capital rationing is an absolute restriction on the amount of finance available for a project irrelevant of cost.   This should not be confused with scarcity of economic resources.   Capital rationing on projects is sometimes applied even though the organization posses or can attain available finance.   For example, a capital rationing may be imposed on the amounts of debts an organisation can take in order to limit the gearing of the firm (Brockington R. B. 1996, p 151). When conditions of capital rationing are imposed, there is the possibility that the most optimum project is not selected.   Therefore yes capital rationing may effect the selection of Plan X or Plan Y.   For example if a capital rationing is adopted by the firm which states that the initial investment cannot exceed â‚ ¬2,000,000 due to its effect on gearing. Under such conditions no Plan would be selected by the firm.   Another example of capital rationing that will affect the project choice is if management decided to restrict expansion of the factory, because they fear that control on employees may be lost affecting negatively their relationship and control on staff.   In this case Plan X would be excluded, even though it is the most optimal project as denoted in sub-section 1.2.2., and the available choice would be Plan Y. 1.5 Financial instruments available for private companies The alternative financial instruments that the firm can use, apart from shares are: Corporate Bonds & Debentures; Overdraft facility by the bank; Bank loan; Venture capital; and Leasing 1.5.1 Advantages and disadvantages of corporate bonds/debentures The advantages related to corporate bonds are (E*Trade Financial website): Corporate bonds are usually lent at a longer period of time (Veale R. S. 2000, p 155). Interest payments for bonds are tax deductible. Interest rates of corporate bonds are frequently lower than those of banks. Percentage ownership of shareholders is not weaken by the issue of corporate bonds or debentures (Veale R. S. 2000, p 156) The disadvantages encountered with corporate bonds are: Obligation of interest on the firm’s cash flow, thus increasing the risk of bankruptcy during periods of financial problems. Upon maturity, the company has to pay back all the amount of the bond. 1.5.2 Advantages and disadvantages of bank overdraft facility A bank overdraft facility can provide the following benefits (tutur2u website): Allows flexibility of finance.   The company can increase the overdraft facility within acceptable limits. Interest is only charged on the amount used and is tax deductible. Percentage ownership of shareholders is not diluted by taking an overdraft facility. The disadvantages imposed by an overdraft facility are (tutur2u website): Rates of interest are higher than those of bank loans. Money due is repayable on demand. The facility limit can be changed by the bank according to its discretion. Usually used for short-term borrowing. 1.5.3 Advantages and disadvantages of bank loans These are the advantages derived from bank loans (tutur2u website): Loan is repaid back in regular payments thus allowing better cash management. Lower interest charged than bank overdraft. Percentage ownership of shareholders is not diluted by taking an overdraft facility. Large amounts can be borrowed for long term finance. Limitations of this type of finance are (tutur2u website): Interest has to be paid within a specified date. Less flexible than an overdraft facility. 1.5.4 Advantages and disadvantages of venture capital The advantages of venture capital are (Business Link website): Obtain proficient management expertise, if they get involved in the firm’s operations. Large sums of finance can be obtained from venture capital. The disadvantages incurred by using such medium of finance are (Business Link website): Require detailed financial reporting like business plans and financial estimates. Legal and accountancy fees are incurred in the negotiation process. Firm require a proven track record to take such finance. High returns are frequently expected from venture capitalists.       15.5 Advantages and disadvantages of leasing The advantages obtained from leasing are (Enterprise. Financial Solutions website): Provides 100% financing of asset. There is no need of credit lines with banks and other depositary associations, which are hard to obtain. Minimal paperwork required to acquire lease. Acts as hedging against inflation. Flexible payments are allowed in leasing. Interest on leasing is not subject to increases like bank overdrafts. The disadvantages encountered through leasing finance are (Auto Leasing Software Lease Tips website): The organisation is committed to the entire validity period of the lease. High amounts of insurance coverage are frequently demanded in leases. No ownership of the asset the firm is using in the project’s operations. References: Auto Leasing Software Lease Tips.   Disadvantages of leasing (on line).   Available from:   http://www.autoleasingsoftware.com/LeaseTips/Disadvantages.htm (Accessed 13th March 2007). Brockington R. B. (1996).   Financial Management.   Sixth Edition.   London:   DB Publications. Business Link.   Equity Finance (on line).   Available from:   http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1075081582 (Accessed 13th March 2007). Drury C. (1996).   Management and Cost Accounting.   Fourth Edition.   London:   Thomson Business Press. Enterprise.Financial Solutions.   Advantages of leasing (on line).   Available from:   http://www.efsolutionsinc.com/Advantages_of_leasing.htm (Accessed 13th March 2007). E*Trade Financial.   Corporate Bonds Overview (on line).   Available from:   https://us.etrade.com/e/t/kc/KnowArticle?topicId=13200&groupId=8722&articleId=8723 (Accessed 13th March 2007). Hirschey M; Pappas L. J. (1995).   Fundamental of Managerial Economics.   Fifth Edition.   Orlando:   The Dryden Press Horngren T. C.; Foster G.; Srikant M. D. (1997).   Cost Accounting – A Managerial Emphasis.   Ninth Edition.   London:   Prentice-Hall International (UK) Limited. Lucey T. (2003).   Management Accounting.   Fifth Edition.   Great Britain:   Biddles Ltd. Pike R.; Neale B. (1999).   Corporate Finance and Investment.   Third Edition.   London:   Prentice-Hall International (UK) Limited. Randall H. (1999).   A Level Accounting.   Third Edition.   Great Britain:   Ashford Colour Press Ltd. Tutur2u.   Bank Loans and Overdrafts (on line).   Available from:   http://www.tutor2u.net/business/gcse/finance_bank_loans_overdrafts.htm (Accessed 13th March 2007). Veale R. S. (2000).   Stocks, Bonds, Options and Futures.   Second Edition.   United States of America:   New York Institute of Finance.

The effects of the 2008 financial crisis on the investment in the Gulf Essay - 1

The effects of the 2008 financial crisis on the investment in the Gulf area specially on Qatar - Essay Example Delayed implications of the crises were seen in the non-oil producing countries. The Middle East Gross domestic product in 2008 was 6%. By 2009, it had fallen to as low as 3.1% due to the impact of the crises. The global economic recession had a great impact to the economic growths of many economies in the world, with great intensity in Middle East countries. However, most countries did experience slow economic growth rather than total absolute decline. The slow growth in the oil producing countries resulted to a decision made by oil producing countries board. They made a decision to reduce the oil output, leading to a reduction in the value of the Arab oil exports, hence a direct implication to the Gross Domestic Product. In Middle East, oil sector did suffer a whopping 5.2% decline in year 2009 (Allen, 2008). The impacts with relation to the unemployment rates and poverty levels were also massive. The repercussions were severe in some countries. According to International Labor Organization Statistics, there was an estimation unemployment rate of 25%. The tourism and manufacturing industries had been affected to great heights leading to poverty in most households. There was a massive decrease in the real estate construction and the industrial activity forcing the immigrants to resume back to their homes. Per capital income per day declined to levels of 1.25 dollars. Those in a position to earn such an amount were also very few (Reinhart & Rogoff, 2009). Despite the commencing of the rapid economic stimulus programs, it took a long time before the final picking up of the economy. There was continuous economic stagnation. The government also did start some anti-poverty campaigns to decrease the high levels of poverty. The declining oil prices had detrimental impacts to the Gulf Corporation Council Countries. The production of oil was also declining and taking a negative

Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare Essay

Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare - Essay Example These plays also have personal education, renewal, and growth; hence one can learn ballot from them. The theme of faithfulness, love and appearance in conjunction with the reality cuts across the three plays. Different elements of these plays In Midsummer night dream, the subject matter is more inclined to acts of cruelty and betrayal. For instance, Lysander falls in love with another person and betrays Hermania; this brings about a fight as everyone is struggling to prove who is in real love. Seduction and persuading one to do what he or she is not intended to do is seen widely in this play, and so is competition. This is unnatural thus representing the dark side of passion. Satyr is usually seen as a form of characterization, in the sense that, they were seen as people who indulged in excessive drinking, immorality and broke traditional rules and taboos. In relating satyr to Midsummer night dream, one may realize that satyr may be classified as a comedy and a tragedy play whereas Midsummer night dream is only a comedy (Shakespeare 1590). The chorus is seen as the amusing effect of the satyr play as it illustrates the relation for the wanton, insolent, saucy and cowardly origin of satyrs. In a certain satiric drama, the costumes and attires were goats’ horns on the head, and they looked like half goats and half men, seen as goat deities of Doric type. Pastoral play is mostly seen as a way of art, nature, and life. This is an attitude linked with a combination of values instead of clear literary conventions.

Discuss the case in favour of and against immigration control Essay

Discuss the case in favour of and against immigration control - Essay Example For example, after the Europeans discovered America, many of the people from the continent came to settle in the new land. The reasons for the immigration were to explore economic opportunities and to spread the religion of Christianity. (Smith, June, 2006). In the modern world, the subject of immigration has asserted itself as a grave problem as a result of the cross border infiltration. Immigration has many consequences for the immigrants and the immigrating country. This results in the increase of population in the country, which pressurize the economic condition of the country. Most of the immigrants are left jobless which pressurizes them to take the path of crime. For example, in the USA, due to the immigration of the Mexicans, the percentage of crime has increased manifold in the society. The immigrants are considered as outsiders in the country and there have been instances where they were ill treated. The immigrants can take away jobs in the country, which would have been th e domain of the citizens. The example of USA can be taken in this regard where The Chinese and the Indian immigrants occupy important positions in the corporate world. Therefore, it can be said that there are various ill effects of immigration. (Perkowski, 12th July, 1903). Therefore, countries who are most affected by the problem of immigration have devised various control measures to eradicate the problem. Immigration is the movement of the people of a country to another country where he does not belong by nationality or origin. The control measures put in by the Government and the statutory bodies in the countries look to limit the volume of the immigrants in the country. Laws have passed in various countries for limiting the volume of immigration. The control of immigration means functions performed under this Act to limit the flow of the immigrants in these countries. (Immigration, 2003) The immigration control has become one of the main functions of the

The moment have changed my life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

The moment have changed my life - Essay Example It was fascinating to learn that computers could be used to deliver an entire mathematical lesson with ease of comprehension. This was following a computer simulation that showed the different angles and perspectives of an object that was smiley complicated to understand with only the imagination that I had. It was from this moment that I was drawn to computers and thought of my previous ignorance and withdrawal from them as an act of rebellion, towards my parents in an attempt to be unique from the rest of the family. Simulations were the first part that got my attention, especially with what could be done to achieve works of art with exceptional detail to aesthetics and concept delivery. The idea of changing abstract concepts into ones that a learner can easily fathom was strangely fascinating, and drew me into joining the computer club in the school and even sought the help of my family. Their skills were exceptional but not in programming for simulations let alone academic content for schoolwork. However, they helped a lot in honing my new interest and even providing me with information concerning on programming and comprehension of code generation, as well as generation of scripts. Therefore, because of the new simulations that the computer club and I generated, we enabled the mathematics teacher to explain the content in improved ways to us; and for that reason our grades kept improving. Understanding was better as so were the incentives we received, as well as the credits we received in ext ra credit classes. This allowed me to do more content delivery systems for other subjects such as geography and physics with the help of my family and friends. Together we generated scripts and simulations on projections for statistical methods in geography and math and coded projectiles for physics classes. Extra credit classes and recognition followed as this utterly changed my perspective on school life, and how much time I had wasted hating computers. I

The Impact of Creative Advertising on Consumer's Attitudes towards Literature review

The Impact of Creative Advertising on Consumer's Attitudes towards High and Low Involvement Products - Literature review Example In order to explain the difference between the high involvement products and low involvement products, an example between toothpaste and laptop is given (Bajaj, 2001). Here tooth paste is the low involvement products, while the laptop is a high involvement product. Both the products are evaluated on the basis of the benefits that can be received from them (Mintzberg and Waters, 2009). Apart from that, a high involvement product costs considerable more than a low end product (Benner and Sandstrom, 2012). Due to this reason the customer looks for differentiating factors in that particular product, which are not present in other products. The customer looks for specific features in the product that justifies the price paid for that product (Morgan and Linda, 2005). In other words the customer wants to achieve greater differentiation within the particular budget earmarked. In case of low involvement product, the products are more or less the same, offering the same benefits and features at the same cost (Bonaccorsi and Daraio, 2009). Thus, the low involvement products are characterized by less products differentiation. So for this reason the customer can reach to a conclusion easily (Robert, James and Jean, 2004). Creativity in advertising Creativity helps to transform thinking which are strategic in nature into ideas. These ideas then enable the advertisers to create effective communication (Samiee and Roth, 2003). There are mainly three different stages in creativity; create, creation and creative. In order to create, the advertisers need to float a new idea that is unique and different from the other ideas. The new idea is linked to the main purpose. It constitutes the... This report stresses that creativity in advertisements creates the difference in the way customers perceives a low involvement product and a high involvement product. The numerous experiments indicate that creativity in advertisement influences the buying pattern of the goods. The effect of creative advertisement is more on high involvement products than the low involvement products. A customer has to factor in different kinds of variables and information while buying a high involvement product. This article makes a conclusion that the involvement of the customer can be eased and the buying process can be fastened up and smoothed if the customer is made well aware of the product and the way it can be differentiated with other brands. By bringing in creativity in the advertisement the advertiser is in reality serving the same proposal although in an innovative way. The idea of doing the same and usual thing in a different way create lasting impression on the mind of the customer. The customer is able to associate with or recall the product for a longer period of time. The closest memory the customer accesses are long term memory where the information regarding the brand is stored. Creativity advertising helps to create that niche space in memory through connecting with the most basic features a customer looks while making a decision. The basic features are attention, perception, emotion, senses, reasoning, though, language as well as assimilation and recognition.

Critically Assess the Development Potential of the 'Green Economy' For Essay

Critically Assess the Development Potential of the 'Green Economy' For Localities and Regions - Essay Example A green economy can be defined as an economic model that improves the welfare of human beings while at the same time reducing any negative impacts on the environment. A green economy is consistent with sustainable development. In the past, countries have focused on economic growth and development as a way of eliminating poverty and raise the level of income for their citizens. Some of the strategies of economic development have resulted in environmental degradation and some of the negative effects on the environment are irreversible. The main objective of traditional economic models is increasing the level of gross domestic product. Many governments are now appreciating the fact that their economies have exceeded acceptable limits in terms of emission of greenhouse gases and exploitations of natural resources. Global recessions and financial crisis have caused many governments in both developed and developing countries to shift their focus to sustainable development (Ocampo 2010, p. 2; UNEP 2011). Sustainable development is a major concern in advanced economies. This is because these economies are responsible for the highest proportion of greenhouse gas emissions (Parker 2011). A green economy provides a channel through which many people can improve their standards of living while the planet becomes healthier. Local and regional development is a concern for many governments across the world. However, local and regional development is now more challenging, competitive, globalised and knowledge intensive. There is a shift in focus by many governments concerning local and regional development. Governments are now more concerned how sustainable their current level of development is as opposed to the magnitude of development. Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of economic development in nations on the environment following the increasing trend in global warming and sudden climatic changes (Christopherson 2011, p. 4). The long term prospects of sustainable local and regi onal development are uncertain. There are many contentions on whether a green economy is achievable or not. Those who support a green economy argue that it would result to social justice to individuals who have not benefited from globalization. The lives of such individuals will be improved if the planet is healthier. Supporters of a green economy are not concerned about how new jobs are distributed across regions but instead, they are concerned about saving the global climate. Critics of a green economy argue that it is unrealistic and unachievable with current economic structures and institutions (Pike & Tomaney 2010, p. 3). This paper critically analyses the development potential of a green economy in localities and regions. The Potential to Develop a Green Economy for Localities and Regions Gibbs (2002, p. 93) explores some of the guiding principles that would help localities and regions to shift towards sustainability. A sustainable society values unpaid work and gives its memb ers access to work without causing harm to the local, national and global environment. A sustainable society also considers the environment in its provision of goods and services as well as other facilities such as sanitation and health care. Developing a green economy involves balancing between economic development and the environment. To achieve this balance, localities and regions must focus on conserving natural resources and control the flow of commodities. The local and regional governments should invest sufficient resources in improving the state of the environment (Gibbs 2002, p. 93) Gibbs (2002, p. 94) indicates that for regions and localities to develop green economies, they should apply some of the concepts of sustainable development including emphasizing on the environment, participation, futurity, and equity. Emphasizing on the environment involves considering the full and actual environmental costs

US Policy on Digital Learning Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

US Policy on Digital Learning - Research Paper Example Digital ecosystem describes varied concepts concerning the field of Information Technology (IT), e-learning, as well as Information and Communications Technology (ICT). In the field of IT, digital ecosystem refers to an accessible networking infrastructure found on the Internet. Institutions continually adopt digital ecosystem services or solutions that enable them to use all available e-business solutions to enhance their operations. In contrast, when used in ICT, digital ecosystems establish viable business ecosystems. However, in e-learning, which is the focus of this study, digital ecosystem or digital learning ecosystem is considered the ecological models of teaching and learning, appreciating infrastructure available for e-learning and implementing existing e-learning tools. Weigel (2001) posits that digital learning ecosystems aid the design of innovative learning tools. Conventional, digital learning ecosystems, allow education stakeholders to appreciate the evolution of digi tal learning users, tools, services and policies. This is a noteworthy advantage of digital learning ecosystems, which was unavailable in traditional, virtual learning environments. Education stakeholders make use of the ecological approach and define the intricate interactions between students and instructors, students, and interfaces, students and students and students, and content. These relationships exemplify the elements existing in digital learning ecosystem and shape students’ learning outcomes.... This is a noteworthy advantage of digital learning ecosystems, which was unavailable in traditional, virtual learning environments. Education stakeholders make use of the ecological approach and define the intricate interactions between students and instructors, students and interfaces, students and students and students and content. These relationships exemplify the elements existing in digital learning ecosystem and shape students’ learning outcomes. The examination of the aforementioned interactions is a vital part of creating in-depth appreciation of digital learning environments. This understanding helps in the standardization as well as promotion of effective digital learning practices. Digital learning ecosystem also encompass learning infrastructure such as software applications that support and manage digital learning. Since the 1990s, Learning Management Systems (LMS) were the conventional software applications used for managing and supporting digital learning. Howev er, following the advent of the social media, education stakeholders continually challenge the place of LMS in digital learning ecosystem (Quellmalz & Kozma, 2003). These stakeholders appreciate and seem to prefer the use of personal and open digital learning tools, for instance blogs, social networking sites and wikis. In essence, the perspective of digital learning ecosystems considers all learning-related services and tools as species existing within a digital ecosystem – according to emerging points of view, the â€Å"species† inherent to digital learning ecosystems as living and continually evolving in symbiosis with different user communities such as developers, facilitators, learners and administrators. US Policy on Digital Learning The US Foundation

Communication's course assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Communication's course assignment - Essay Example The tenets of rhetoric that facilitates the persuasion of the audience include logos, ethos, and the pathos. In addition to these, there are also the five canons which are also used in the design and package of the persuasive speech so that it becomes more palatable to the audience, they include the following; arrangement, invention, memory, delivery, and style. In the three presidential debates that took place between the incumbent president Barrack Obama and the former governor Mitt Romney, the duo extensively used rhetoric to persuade and appeal o the audience in all the three occasions they confronted one another in the debates. In the first presidential debate, rhetoric took a fair chunk of the time when the two presidential aspirants were asked about the inequalities at the work place. President Obama made the first remark on the ‘glass ceiling’ that his grandmother had to go through during her time working in a bank, this was a perfect pathos appeal used at the right time to emotionally connect with the audience. The anecdotic phrase propelled Obama and the women could infer that Obama understands the problem the women have faced thus stands the best chance to find solutions to them. Obama also extended by making passionate logos appeal to the women on this consciousness about them in the work place, in this regard he me ntioned the Lily Ledbetter Act that he signed during his first tenure as a vivid clarity that his concern for the women is real and not a pretence. Romney responding to the same did not score him any point given the emotional connection Obama created by using effectively the pathos and logos. Romney in response to the equality of the women at work place did not explore the effective use of rhetoric, in fact, his statement about women flexibility at work to enable them attend to household chores. This statement worked against him as it was interpreted that he perceive women as homemakers and not as people who

Kite Runner Essay Essay Example for Free

Kite Runner Essay Essay Betrayal lingers like a curse, haunting its way into consciousness, injecting its poison of despair and loneliness. The action of Betraying is mostly associated with hate. However, there are some exceptions. Betrayal is not always done by evil people neither it is necessarily a closed end to a strong relationship between individuals. In khaled Hosseini’s novel The kite Runner, it is illustrated through character and setting the situations where betrayers were put under hard situations which causes them to commit actions that oppose their ethics. The goodness that exists in betrayers’ hearts in this novel indicates how everything can be betrayed, but hate could still be replaced by love. In the novel, the relationship status between individuals and the situations involved the betrayal were illustrated through character. Even though Baba betrayed his friend Ali when he slept with his wife, the relationship between Baba and Ali stayed the same due to Baba’s morality and love for his childhood friend. This is indicated when Baba said â€Å"He is staying here with us, where he belongs. This is his home and we are his family. †(Page 95). Throughout the novel, Baba is portrayed as generous, kind and loyal person. However, his betrayal to Ali created an oxymoron between his loyalty and betrayal. Despite his treachery to Ali, Baba’s morals continued to be alive and his love for Ali continued to be brotherly . In other words, the betrayal did not end the strong relation ship that was built between Ali and Baba throughout the years. This is because the actions committed by Baba don not reveal to his evilness or hate to Ali. It was the human desire that conquered his mind and led him to perform a disloyal action and a mistake that he paid the price for. Baba believed that there is always a chance for redemption and forgiveness as long is there is an existence of conscience. That is why he treated Ali as part of the family and insisted to have them living by him forever to prove that betrayal is not the death of loyalty. Also, Hassan’s reaction toward Amir’s betrayal shows that friendship and love beat betrayal and protects a strong relationship from collapse. Hassan demonstrates this when he confessed that he stole even though he did not as Baba asks â€Å"Did you steal that money and Amir’s watch† â€Å"Yes† Hassan replied. (page111). The heavy blow of betrayal was when Amir planted a watch and money in Hassans mattress to drive him away from his home. This was very harsh for Hassan but his innocence, devotion and sweet heart caused him to prevent the erasing of beautiful memories between two intimate friends. That is why he decided to admit something that he didn’t carry out. This proves the disloyalty is not the end of a strong relationship since Hassan kept respecting and loving Amir after he was betrayed by him. Furthermore, Amir’s betrayal to Hassan is not the result of Amir’s evilness or hate for Hassan, but it is the outcome of Amir’s felling of guiltiness. Therefore, the characters and in this novel changed the common idea that suggests how betrayal is done by sinful people which as result leaves the relationship in disappear. The novelist emphasizes the factors that cause people to betray each other despite their goodness though the setting. The story takes place in Afghanistan where Hazaras were persecuted which led Baba to betray both of Amir and Hassan by hiding the truth regarding their brotherhood. The suffering of Hazaras in Afghanistan is mentioned at the beginning in the book when the novelist said â€Å"Pashtuns had quelled Hazaras with unspeakable violence. †(page9). This quote indicates that anything associated with Hazaras was treated cruelly and forbidden in Afghanistan. That is why Baba could not admit that Hassan the Hazara is his son. If he told the truth, many conflicts could have developed and fanatical people in Afghanistan could have harmed Hassan. Baba’s conscience made him remember everyday that the biggest sin he has done is hiding the truth from people who have the right to know that truth. This indicates that Baba’s lie does not refer to his evilness, but it indicates his consciousness of the place he was surrounded in. In Afghanistan, blood at that time was everywhere and death of Hazaras was everyday’s scene. Amir became very upset after finding the truth. Nevertheless, the betrayal caused by Baba did not lead Amir to hate his father, but he tried to seek reasons for why his dad has done that. Moreover, the miserable and most exclusive betrayal of Hassan in the novel done by Amir signifies how even if the betrayal destroys the victim, the betrayer might not be evil and the victim could still have no hate for the betrayer. This is shown when Amir said â€Å"Everywhere I turned, I saw signs of his loyalty, his goddamn unwavering loyalty† (page 94). Amir watched Hassan becoming raped by Assef and does nothing to stop it. This is the biggest betrayal in the novel that left both Amir and Hassan in the dark side. However, the location of the raping scene greatly contributes to the betrayal’s status. The raping scene was set up in a place where only Asssef and his friends were standing in the alley at the time of sunset while they were abusing Hassan. The terrifying setting of the scene led Amir to be afraid that if he steps in, they would harm him. So, Amir decided to escape and betray Hassan by leaving him alone facing the disaster. Even thought it was a horrible betrayal, this does not point out to Amir’s evilness or hate . It is the setting that influenced Amir’s reaction. Besides, the betrayal was not the end of their friendship. Hassan kept being loyal until the last minute, and his loyalty was seen everywhere in Amir’s eyes even after the raping event. Redemption and fogginess were the keys of the continuous brotherly love between Amir and Hassan. In summary, it is evident that the places events occur in could be the reason for actions that oppose the individuals’ goodness. In conclusion, the novel The kite Runner incorporates Character and setting to prove that for every betrayal there is a cause, and every betrayer has reasons for their actions. The novelist conveys that betrayal must not be categorized under antipathy. The end of the novel indicates that redemption could solve the problem no matter how complicated it is. Anything may be betrayed, anyone may be forgiven, but not those who lack the courage of their own greatness. Strong relationship and love can solve any problem. There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love. Therefore, disloyalty is not the path toward hate.

PESTEL analysis of the macro-environments

PESTEL analysis of the macro-environments There are many factors in the macro-environment that will effect the decisions of the managers of any organisation. Tax changes, new laws, trade barriers, demographic change and government policy changes are all examples of macro change. To help analyse these factors managers can categorise them using the PESTEL model. This classification distinguishes between: Political factors. These refer to government policy such as the degree of intervention in the economy. What goods and services does a government want to provide? To what extent does it believe in subsidising firms? What are its priorities in terms of business support? Political decisions can impact on many vital areas for business such as the education of the workforce, the health of the nation and the quality of the infrastructure of the economy such as the road and rail system. Economic factors.  These include interest rates, taxation changes, economic growth, inflation and exchange rates. As you will see throughout the Foundations of Economics book economic change can have a major impact on a firms behaviour. For example: higher interest rates may deter investment because it costs more to borrow a strong currency may make exporting more difficult because it may raise the price in terms of foreign currency inflation may provoke higher wage demands from employees and raise costs higher national income growth may boost demand for a firms products Social factors.  Changes in social trends can impact on the demand for a firms products and the availability and willingness of individuals to work. In the UK, for example, the population has been ageing. This has increased the costs for firms who are committed to pension payments for their employees because their staff are living longer. It also means some firms such as Asda have started to recruit older employees to tap into this growing labour pool. The ageing population also has impact on demand: for example, demand for sheltered accommodation and medicines has increased whereas demand for toys is falling. Technological factors:  new technologies create new products and new processes. MP3 players, computer games, online gambling and high definition TVs are all new markets created by technological advances. Online shopping, bar coding and computer aided design are all improvements to the way we do business as a result of better technology. Technology can reduce costs, improve quality and lead to innovation. These developments can benefit consumers as well as the organisations providing the products. Environmental factors:  environmental factors include the weather and climate change. Changes in temperature can impact on many industries including farming, tourism and insurance. With major climate changes occurring due to global warming and with greater environmental awareness this external factor is becoming a significant issue for firms to consider. The growing desire to protect the environment is having an impact on many industries such as the travel and transportation industries (for example, more taxes being placed on air travel and the success of hybrid cars) and the general move towards more environmentally friendly products and processes is affecting demand patterns and creating business opportunities. Legal factors:  these are related to the legal environment in which firms operate. In recent years in the UK there have been many significant legal changes that have affected firms behaviour. The introduction of age discrimination and disability discrimination legislation, an increase in the minimum wage and greater requirements for firms to recycle are examples of relatively recent laws that affect an organisations actions. Legal changes can affect a firms costs (e.g. if new systems and procedures have to be developed) and demand (e.g. if the law affects the likelihood of customers buying the good or using the service). Different categories of law include: consumer laws; these are designed to protect customers against unfair practices such as misleading descriptions of the product competition laws; these are aimed at protecting small firms against bullying by larger firms and ensuring customers are not exploited by firms with monopoly power employment laws; these cover areas such as redundancy, dismissal, working hours and minimum wages. They aim to protect employees against the abuse of power by managers health and safety legislation; these laws are aimed at ensuring the workplace is as safe as is reasonably practical. They cover issues such as training, reporting accidents and the appropriate provision of safety equipment Typical PESTEL factors to consider include: Factor Could include: Political e.g. EU enlargement, the euro, international trade, taxation policy Economic e.g. interest rates, exchange rates, national income, inflation, unemployment, Stock Market Social e.g. ageing population, attitudes to work, income distribution Technological e.g. innovation, new product development, rate of technological obsolescence Environmental e.g. global warming, environmental issues Legal e.g. competition law, health and safety, employment law By using the PESTEL framework we can analyse the many different factors in a firms macro environment. In some cases particular issues may fit in several categories. For example, the creation of the Monetary Policy Committee by the Labour government in 1997 as a body that was independent of government but had the ability to set interest rates was a political decision but has economic consequences; meanwhile government economic policy can influence investment in technology via taxes and tax credits. If a factor can appear in several categories managers simply make a decision of where they think it best belongs. However, it is important not to just list PESTEL factors because this does not in itself tell managers very much. What managers need to do is to think about which factors are most likely to change and which ones will have the greatest impact on them i.e. each firm must identify the key factors in their own environment. For some such as pharmaceutical companies government regulation may be critical; for others, perhaps firms that have borrowed heavily, interest rate changes may be a huge issue. Managers must decide on the relative importance of various factors and one way of doing this is to rank or score the likelihood of a change occurring and also rate the impact if it did. The higher the likelihood of a change occurring and the greater the impact of any change the more significant this factor will be to the firms planning. It is also important when using PESTEL analysis to consider the level at which it is applied. When analysing companies such as Sony, Chrysler, Coca Cola, BP and Disney it is important to remember that they have many different parts to their overall business they include many different divisions and in some cases many different brands. Whilst it may be useful to consider the whole business when using PESTEL in that it may highlight some important factors, managers may want to narrow it down to a particular part of the business (e.g. a specific division of Sony); this may be more useful because it will focus on the factors relevant to that part of the business. They may also want to differentiate between factors which are very local, other which are national and those which are global. For example, a retailer undertaking PESTEL analysis may consider: Local factors  such as planning permission and local economic growth rates National factors  such as UK laws on retailer opening hours and trade descriptions legislation and UK interest rates Global factors  such as the opening up of new markets making trade easier. The entry of Bulgaria and Rumania into the European Union might make it easier to enter that market in terms of meeting the various regulations and provide new expansion opportunities. It might also change the labour force within the UK and recruitment opportunities. This version of PESTEL analysis is called LoNGPESTEL. This is illustrated below: LOCAL NATIONAL GLOBAL POLITICAL Provision of services by local council UK government policy on subsidies World trade agreements e.g. further expansion of the EU ECONOMIC Local income UK interest rates Overseas economic growth SOCIAL Local population growth Demographic change (e.g. ageing population) Migration flows TECHNOLOGICAL Improvements in local technologies e.g. availability of Digital TV UK wide technology e.g. UK online services International technological breakthroughs e.g. internet ENVIRONMENTAL Local waste issues UK weather Global climate change LEGAL Local licences/planning permission UK law International agreements on human rights or environmental policy In Foundations of Economics we focus on the economic environment. We examine issues such as the effect of interest rate changes, changes in exchange rates, changes in trade policy, government intervention in an economy via spending and taxation and economic growth rates. These can be incredibly important factors in a firms macro-environment. The growth of China and India, for example, have had massive effects on many organisations. Firms can relocate production there to benefit from lower costs; these emerging markets are also providing enormous markets for firms to aim their products at. With a population of over 1 billion, for example, the Chinese market is not one you would want to ignore; at the same time Chinese producers should not be ignored either. However, the relative importance of economic factors compared to other factors will depend on the particular position of a business. Exchange rate fluctuations may be critically important to a multinational but less significant to a local window cleaner. Rapid economic growth or economic decline may be very significant to a construction business that depends heavily on the level of income in the economy but may be slightly less significant to a milk producer whose product is less sensitive to income. So whilst the economy is important to all firms on both the supply side (e.g. unemployment levels affect the ease of recruitment) and demand side (e.g. income tax affects spending power) the relative importance of specific economic factors and the relative importance of the economy compared to, say, regulation or social trends will vary. Whilst we hope this book provides a good insight into the economy and the possible effects of economic change on a business these must be considered in the light of other macro and micro factors that influence a firms decisions and success. macro environment Hide links within definitions Definitions (2) 1. Major external and uncontrollable  factors  that  influencean  organizations  decision making, and affect itsperformance  and  strategies. These factors include theeconomic,  demographics,  legal, political, and socialconditions, technological  changes, and natural  forces. 2. Factors that influence a  companys  or  productsHYPERLINK http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/development.htmldevelopment  but that are outside of the companys  control. For example, the  macro  environment could includecompetitors, changes in  interest rates, changes in cultural tastes, or  government  regulations. How Macro Environment affects Financial Management Decision? Macro environment is a dynamic factor and has changed drastically in last few years, leading to increase in avenues, competition and complexity. Efficient financial management calls for better financial decisions. This is only possible when every factor is reviewed which can affect the decision in any way and macro environment is one of the most important factors. This has made financial management more critical and sensitive for any business. Effective evaluation of alternatives is very critical in financial decisions. The evaluation calls for analysis of various factors belonging to both macro as well as micro environment. Financial management; a specialized field of general management is affected to a large extent by macro situations. We have to make various decisions related to finance; broadly such decisions include capital budgeting, capital structure working capital decisions. Capital budgeting facilitates investment decisions, capital structure takes care of decisions relating to mix of sources of funds and, working capital assesses the day to day needs of business. While taking these decisions, one needs to understand the criticality of environmental forces. Since, there is no single factor that makes our macro environment but group of various forces like political, legal, economical, social, technological etc, together build it. An effective financial decision needs assessment of these factors. To evaluate various macro forces, it is necessary to be aware of the system and processes of the country constituting the economy. For e.g. financial system of a country which plays a major role while making financial decision. Awareness about financial environment helps us understand how it constraints or facilitate implementation of decisions. Financial environment comprises of various intermediaries as well as regulatory bodies. A simple example will help us understand the criticality of macro factors thoroughly. A change in credit policy like tightening of prudential norms for banks (for e.g. Increase in Cash Reserve Ratio and Statutory Liquidity Ratio by central bank of a country) will reduce the money supply in the economy. Decreased money supply will push up the interest rates and make credit costlier for people who want to borrow. Costly credit will directly affect the capital structure decision. It will also affect capital budgeting decision while assessing the feasibility of the investment alternative. Since, a higher cost of capital will increase the percentage of discounting factor (opportunity cost) with which the future cash flows are discounted. This may cause deferring or canceling the capital expenditure (CAPEX) plans. Also, one should be updated with various changes taking place around the world. We are living in an era of globalization where, nothing is stable and information technology has made the access to news and information of the world just a click away. World is becoming a level playing field where, not only national but international factor can also cause a threat. Like, Sub-prime Crisis brought a challenging time for almost entire world. To summarize, financial management and its decisions are greatly based on some major assumptions. These assumptions are greatly based on the macro factors such as country or worldwide interest rates, gross domestic product (GDP) of a country, growth rate of economy, production and sales figures, population census etc. It clarifies to a great extent that financial decisions may go wrong if proper study of macro factors is not done. If the foundation go wrong, dreaming about a strong building would be equivalent to day dreaming. The new Thinking The role of the Ministry ought to be facilitating industrialists to achieve their vision and being a catalyst in that process I was curious when invited to deliver the keynote address at a seminar which is on Investment Opportunities in the New Economy because the last person you would want to speak on investment opportunities is a bureaucrat.   I think investment opportunities come from the market. And if by the New Economy you are referring to the post-peace era, what we would want to see is not bureaucrats deciding on new investment opportunities, but letting the private sector decide what new opportunities are available for investment.   I have been in the Ministry for the last three months. And during the three months I have encouraged a soul-searching exercise within the Ministry as to what the role of the Ministry ought to be. We have asked ourselves the questions: What is the vision of the Ministry? Together with the Minister and with the senior staff of the Ministry, we have been trying to define the vision we hold for industry in Sri Lanka. And in order to achieve that vision, what is the mission of the Industries Ministry? I would like to share with you some of our conclusions.   We believe that the vision of the industrial sector, as well as that of the Ministry should be to create an internationally competitive, robust, modern industrial sector in Sri Lanka. If we are looking at five years or ten years from now, we would like to see our industrial sector being internationally competitive, self dependent, robust and modern. The age when government subsidized industry, when industry existed with handouts from government is over. If that is the vision that we hold out for industry, what is the mission of the Ministry? We intend sharing with the chambers our views on this matter because we want the chambers to either endorse or suggest what the Ministry ought to do. And in that context we will be unfolding before them the work programme of the Ministry. We will be accountable to industry and the chambers. Every six months we will tell them what we have achieved.   If making the industrial sector modern and internationally competitive is our vision, what is the role or the mission of the Ministry? We believe that the role of the Ministry ought to be facilitating industrialists to achieve their vision and being the catalyst in that process. And we have tried to ask ourselves the question, if we are a facilitator, if we want to be a catalyst in helping industry to achieve their vision, what should we be doing. The new organizational structure of the Ministry will reflect that mission.   Let me share some thoughts with you on what we feel are the areas that we should be involved in and we intend to get involved in. Firstly, all of you as business men and industrialists would agree that more than all the incentives and the tax breaks that you would desire, the fundamental question for industrialists is the macro environment. If you do not have a conducive macro environment in which to operate, I do not think we can talk of business or industry.   What do we mean by the macro environment? Macro environment comprises several factors like interest rates, labour policy, tariff regime, the regulatory framework, investment policy, entry policy and exit policy. There is a whole heap of factors including the legislative framework that creates the macro environment. If that macro environment is not right, I do not think any industry can flourish in a country. So we would have a Director in the Ministry in charge of these macro environmental issues. The last budget included a proposal to set up a permanent Tariff Commission to decide on tariff issues. The market is dynamic and tariff issues keep changing. The government will very soon appoint a Tariff Commission.   Similarly we intend to be represented on bodies that decide on other areas pertaining to industry, in creating that macro environment for industry, labour policy and interest rates.   The second area is industrial policy itself. I am sure many of you have either listened to or participated in debates which discussed what industries ought to be protected in Sri Lanka, if any. We find criticism at many fora where people say we opened up our economy too soon and too sudden. We did not give a chance to local industry to face competition from imported products. Even today there are people who believe that we should not allow some foreign products which have captured the markets to come into this country.   What is Government policy on this issue? We would like to develop that policy in the Ministry after discussions with industry and the chambers.   If you take a simple example, today the shoe industry is facing competition from imports from China. Huge amounts of shoes are on the pavements and in shops that have been imported at very low prices. The shoe industry in Sri Lanka employs more than 5,000 workers. And that is in the organised sector. I am ignoring the informal sector. That industry is crying for protection. Should we protect the shoe industry? There are some who argue that if our industry is to survive, they should be able to compete with any imported product.   In all the sectors of industry that we have dealt with, there are major issues of this kind. So, I think it is necessary for the Government to announce, after a dialogue with the industry and chambers, the policy of the government on protection. I am sure as consumers we would all like to pay a cheap price. We would not like to pay even more, even for the cause of protecting industry. I dont think our national consciousness goes to such an extent that we would agree to the government levying a duty of say, Rs. 900 in order to protect a local industry which manufactures the same products at a cost of Rs. 1,000 while the imported price is only Rs. 100.   If on the other hand, the imported product is Rs. 100 and the cost of the local product is Rs. 110, and there is also a likelihood that given the requisite support, given the assistance needed to upgrade technology and be more productive, the local product can also be sold at Rs 100 within a reasonable period of time, then you and I may not mind a duty of Rs. 10 being levied on the imported product in order to give that local industry a chance to improve and be competitive. In fact, if you look at examples in other countries, if you look at the Indian example, there was a time when milk produced in India was far more costly than imported milk. At that time, they imposed a duty on imported milk and used the money that was recovered to help the local milk industry. Today India is in a position to export milk. We should think carefully what our policy ought to be on tariff issues. So the Ministry would like to get into that exercise and help government make a declaration of its policy on tariffs. Similarly, there are other issues of industrial policy like the BOI and the non BOI regime. I am sure most of you are aware that the same industry within the BOI enjoys certain privileges which are not available to a similar non BOI industry operating in Sri Lanka. The budget has tried to take those differences away and unify the system. Similar issues are there on industrial policy with regard to environment, location of industries and the zones. All those areas are matters on which the Ministry wants to focus its attention. A third area is entrepreneurship development. Sri Lanka has a history of being a protected economy. We have few entrepreneurs in the country. Much less than the desired number we would need in a market economy. We have over the years got our people used to a static, comfortable state of affairs where risk taking is no more in our genes. We need to take some steps in the universities and in the schools to inculcate the spirit of entrepreneurship in our future generations.   There is an excellent programme in schools, executed with the collaboration of an American organisation for creating entrepreneurship in the schools. There are 300 schools that have formed companies with the students. They produce and market products. We need similar exercises like the incubation programmes, the Vasanthaya Programme, and so on to create enterpreneurs in the country. Thus, the third area that we would like to get into is to invest in entrepreneur development. A fourth area that the Ministry would like to get into is small and medium industry.   With the assistance of the Asian Development Bank, we are now engaged in the process of finishing a white paper which will outline the strategy for development of SME industry in the county for the next five years. There is a short term plan and a medium and long term plan. That paper will be out for public scrutiny. There will be public hearings held about the white paper throughout the country. And we intend publishing and implementing the proposals embodied in that white paper.   These four areas are not sector specific. They cut across all sectors. In fact, without having a conducive macro environment, a rational industrial policy and entrepreneurs, I do not think we can develop industry. And the Ministry would devote much attention to those areas in the forthcoming years.   But, that alone will not do. There are sector specific problems and we need to get involved with such issues. For that purpose, we have selected 15 sectors based on two studies done for Sri Lanka. One, the JICA sponsored, Japanese assisted study, and the other, the USAID Competitiveness study. Based on those two studies we have selected 15 sectors and formed task forces in each of these sectors. 14 have already been formed. These task forces are led by the private sector and the Ministry only has a director who acts as the secretary to each task force.   The task force in each group will prepare a five year plan for the sector. The five year plan will have four elements. One, the state of the sector today in the country how many units are there, how many are employed, how much exports, what is the degree of technology, competitiveness in that particular sector. In other words, they will prepare a profile of the sector as it is today.   Secondly, they will do a SWOT analysis for that industry. They would look at the strengths and weaknesses of that industry in Sri Lanka and analyse the opportunities and threats faced by that industry. Thirdly, they would decide what would be reasonable targets for that sector to achieve in five years. They will create a vision for the sector in terms of increased number of units, increased exports and increased employment. And lastly, they will specify what they want the government to do in order to help them realize their vision. A simple five year plan is to be prepared by all 15 sectors. Two sectors have already completed their assignment and handed over the documents to the Ministry. The Ministry will monitor them and help them reach those targets. There could be policy changes that are required. Areas in which the industry needs the support of the Government as identified in these sector studies will receive the attention of the Ministry.   In reinventing the Ministry to playing that role of facilitator and catalyst, there is a tremendous contribution that the Ministry could make for industry. It is a challenge that I and my colleagues in the Ministry are eager to take on. PEST analysis From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia   Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  (Redirected from  PESTLE) PEST analysis  stands for Political,  Economic,  Social, and  Technological analysis and describes a framework of macro-environmental factors used in the  environmental scanning  component of  strategic management. Some analysts added  Legal and rearranged the mnemonic to SLEPT;1  inserting  Environmental factors expanded it to PESTEL or PESTLE, which is popular in the UK.2  The model has recently been further extended to STEEPLE and STEEPLED, adding education and  demographicfactors. It is a part of the external analysis when conducting a strategic analysis or doing  market research, and gives an overview of the different macroenvironmental factors that the company has to take into consideration. It is a useful strategic tool for understanding market growth or decline, business position, potential and direction for operations. The growing importance of environmental or ecological factors in the first decade of the 21st century have given rise to  green business  and encouraged widespread use of an updated version of the PEST framework. STEER analysis systematically considers Socio-cultural, Technological, Economic, Ecological, and Regulatory factors. Contents   [hide] 1HYPERLINK http://www.srilankadot.com/wiki-PESTLE#The_Model.27s_Factors  HYPERLINK http://www.srilankadot.com/wiki-PESTLE#The_Model.27s_FactorsThe Models Factors 2HYPERLINK http://www.srilankadot.com/wiki-PESTLE#Applicability_of_the_Factors  HYPERLINK http://www.srilankadot.com/wiki-PESTLE#Applicability_of_the_FactorsApplicability of the Factors 3HYPERLINK http://www.srilankadot.com/wiki-PESTLE#Use_of_PEST_analysis_with_other_models  HYPERLINK http://www.srilankadot.com/wiki-PESTLE#Use_of_PEST_analysis_with_other_modelsUse of PEST analysis with other models 4HYPERLINK http://www.srilankadot.com/wiki-PESTLE#See_also  HYPERLINK http://www.srilankadot.com/wiki-PESTLE#See_alsoSee also 5HYPERLINK http://www.srilankadot.com/wiki-PESTLE#References  HYPERLINK http://www.srilankadot.com/wiki-PESTLE#ReferencesReferences 6HYPERLINK http://www.srilankadot.com/wiki-PESTLE#External_links  HYPERLINK http://www.srilankadot.com/wiki-PESTLE#External_linksExternal links The Models Factors Political  factors, are how and to what degree a  government  intervenes in the economy. Specifically, political factors include areas such as  tax policy,  labour law,  environmental law,  trade restrictions,  tariffs, and political stability. Political factors may also include goods and services which the government wants to provide or be provided (merit goods) and those that the government does not want to be provided (demerit goods  or merit bads). Furthermore, governments have great influence on the  health,  education, and  infrastructure  of a nation. Economic  factors include  economic growth,  interest rates,  exchange rates  and the  inflation rate. These factors have major impacts on how businesses operate and make decisions. For example, interest rates affect a firms  cost of HYPERLINK http://www.srilankadot.com/wiki-Cost_of_capitalcapital  and therefore to what extent a business grows and expands. Exchange rates affect the costs of exporting goods and the supply and price of imported goods in an economy Social  factors include the cultural aspects and include health consciousness, population growth rate, age distribution, career attitudes and emphasis on safety. Trends in social factors affect the demand for a companys products and how that company operates. For example, an aging population may imply a smaller and less-willing workforce (thus increasing the cost of labor). Furthermore, companies may change various management strategies to adapt to these social trends (such as recruiting older workers). Technological  factors include ecological and environmental aspects, such as  RHYPERLINK http://www.srilankadot.com/wiki-RDHYPERLINK http://www.srilankadot.com/wiki-RDD  activity,  automation, technology incentives and the rate of  technological change. They can determine  barriers to entry, minimum efficient production level and influence  outsourcing  decisions. Furthermore, technological shifts can affect costs, quality, and lead to  innovation. Environmental  factors include weather, climate, and  climate change, which may especially affect industries such as tourism, farming, and insurance.Furthermore, growing awareness to climate change is affecting how companies operate and the products they offerit is both creating new markets and diminishing or destroying existing ones. Legal  factors include  discrimination law,  consumer law,  antitrust law,  employment law, and  health and s

Yesterday Is History, Tomorrow Is A Mystery

Yesterday Is History, Tomorrow Is A Mystery Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift that is why we call it the present. Author unknown. How much of your life is lost either dwelling on the past or worrying about the future? When your thoughts are imprisoned by the past or fearful of the future, you can miss out on one of lifes greatest gifts: that which is happening today and indeed this very moment. The reality is that when you are yearning for yesterday and either tempted or terrified by tomorrow, your ability to move forward will be confined by your inability to make the most of today. The key to throwing off your shackles is to put your effort into the present moment. Not only will you reap the rewards of enjoying a new awareness of everything around you, but also you will have a healthy and positive place from which to move forward in a constructive and fulfilling way. Mark 8: 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? The goal of the Christian life is living our life centered in the eternal presence of God. Living life at the Center is an axiom not fully appreciated as an underlying hope and reality of the Christian life. The center represents the driving force of ones life where the totality of our thought and life brings us into communion and union with the heart of God. It is nothing more or nothing less than our full devotion in knowing and seeking the life giving love of the resurrected Christ. It is something we seek out of obedience and not something we simply do for a spiritual experience. It is the desire to conform and be transformed by the one who is uncreated Spirit. The one our heart seeks is the trigger or prime mover of everything we now see and know in the world. When we seek the center we seek to know and be known by the great I Am, recognizing He is all sufficient, all knowing, and holds the mystery of creation and our life in His hands. In Christian theology the center is aptly described by the apostle Paul, who states I have been crucified with Christ, I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. His practical experience reveals a relationship where the life of Christ has transformed his heart and resides in him. Paul no longer lives in his present state of reality, but in a new reality of the cosmic Christ taking control of his life. He no longer lives his life in his own power and intellect. He lives life filled by grace no longer with his limited knowledge but now filled with the knowledge of God. His heart moves closer each day to be like Christs heart. He declares as he dies to his own desires and passions his heart becomes more like Christs heart. Christs life becomes his life and now being centered in Him he is more and more transformed to become like Christ, act like Christ and talk like Christ. The heart of Jesus now lives and acts through Pauls heart and life. Paul now lives life centered in Christ. The core goal of living life at the center is to become like Christ in the renewing of our minds where in practice we are exchanging our minds for His mind and exchanging of our life for His life. It accepts and recognizes the need of exchanging our fallen character for His perfect character and to become completely centered in his will and his life. It moves us away from the corrupt power of this world where the illusions created by our temporary surroundings trap us. Life in the center untangles us from the mess and attraction of this world and lets us become immersed into the fullness of the spirit which connects our heart and immerses us in the source of all love. When we encounter the unfathomable love of Christ we find we did absolutely nothing to seek Him out. We are humbled with gratitude His divinely initiated love seeks our well being far more than we would ever or could ever desire Him. The daunting task of theology is honestly admitting how does finite man encounter/relate/explain infinite God? How does anthropocentric man, by definition a self consumed egocentric entity interpret God? So we must with full disclosure acknowledge at best our ability to explain the concept of God or the divine flows out of a very limited knowledge at best. However at worst the conclusions we draw testify to our fallen condition filled with arrogance and non-glorifying interpretations of God. Man begins any study and evaluation of God from the outside peering through an opaque glass. Man deluded by his own pride and arrogance never appreciates any of the eternal qualities of God. Instead of being humbled for he owes his life to something outside of himself he somehow wrongly and proudly concurs that his life is what is most important. Mankind reasons with feeble attempts to explain the unexplainable which reveals the stark condition of his being lost in a dark and dangerous world. The center which should be Christ has been turned inside out with God no longer at the center but man as the center of his life. The consequences of that blindness render man as a foolish beast proven out in the pages of history. Mankind as he moves away from the center lives a tragic fairytale existence. The further man moves away from the center (God) the more he thirsts and craves the things which never fully satisfy but actually destroy him. The struggle of any religious or spiritual encounter is the question of who is leading me and where am I being led. The tragedy of many who have been drawn by an all encompassing love toward the center find the ego quickly recovers from its initial loss of control and stops the progression toward the center and the divine life. So our encounter has given us a new awareness of life but results in no real transformation of our heart. We have given a mental assent to change and willingly conclude there is something we now see and sense that we couldnt see before this revolutionary change of view in our life. Now aware we easily conclude the heart of God seems to be a much more favorable place to live against the backdrop of our current broken promises in life. In reality we have for the first time been able to see something we have never seen before because now we also see with spiritual eyes. We now behold the glory of God and a plan for not only creation but our life. The historical Jesus becomes the cosmic Christ who is all in all. Our spiritual eyes now open we see life on a new level of awareness. We now engage on an untraveled journey of following God and discovering a place of worship where religious leaders and others teach us how to follow and imitate God. We have a deep desire to leave the outer edge of the circle and mysteriously move toward the center. However, once the movement begins toward the heart of God, all the external trappings of life outside the circle and the things of the world come back with a vengeance to regain control again. The journey to the center and the heart of Christ started when we spiritually saw a fourth dimension beyond what we can touch with our five senses. The journey into the heart of God is an experience in life we never thought conceivable. There is a hunger or itch that has been scratched created by the awareness of something far beyond what you simply taste, touch, feel, in our three dimensional world of height, width, depth, space and time. We are mystified we have found God so to speak and feel fortunate there appears to be a divine plan encompassing all of creation and we will enjoy all the benefits and culmination of that plan. The adventure toward the fullness of God has begun as we deem life has meaning as we no longer exist alone but in relationship and fellowship with the Creator. The struggle is finite man has begun the process of living in the presence of the infinite God. Once again finite man will never ever begin to comprehend or imagine or explain the incomprehensible, the unimaginable and the unexplainable. So the inflated arrogant ego or self quickly makes the indescribable God simply a god we are most comfortable with in our experience. God is relegated once again to our little box of interpretation or at best a good mathematical equation or as the agnostic no relevance at all. Ego edges god out of even existing from the beginning and continues that process every waking moment of our lives even when we have recognized the need to go to the center! My desire is that not only will you see life differently, but you will process life totally differently than you have ever processed it up to this point. I want to first give you a little test. Its a thinking and response test. There are no ground rules except read the word on the left and the word on the right as a pair. I simply want you to read the list of two words each at this point. Republican Democrat Liberal Conservative Vanilla Chocolate Islam Christian General Motors Mercedes Straight Gay Evolution Creation Doctor High School drop-out Buddha Jesus Protestant Catholic Pentecostal Baptist What is your first response to what you just read? Were they simply words or did they carry hidden meaning? Did you have any emotional response to any of the words in their pairing? Did you place any values on the pairing such as one being better or higher valued than the other word? Were some words more negative or positive than others in your mind? In being able to move to the center and the heart of God we must move beyond our normal way of processing life. We process most of life from a dualistic thinking perspective which in simple terms means the ego or the false self processes our existence from a self preservation mode which protects each and every one of us from any perceived harm to our security and existence. In being able to move to the center and the heart of God we must move beyond our normal way of thinking about life. We must learn to process life from a non-dualistic thinking perspective. Dualism sees things as either /or, right /wrong, good/bad/. There is not anything incessantly evil with this type thinking, it simply needs to be recognized as how we are wired, how we process life from our ego or the false self, the part of us that is you and me. Dualistic thinking involves the process of comparing everything by value, usefulness or non usefulness to our state of being. It must be understood it is the part of the self which plays god. It sees life from one perspective what is best for me and what is best for the preservation and security of my life. Dualism sees things which either benefits me positively or negatively. It places me in the position of being for or against something and judges things as right or wrong in relationship to what the false self concludes is best for me and only me. The best way to understand the false self and what dualistic thinking reveals is that our ego preserves itself by being in control and hates anything that threatens its loss of control. It is most dangerous and deceptive when we have a taste of the eternal and our false self aligns itself with the higher power or God. It then can judge others as being the right kind of believer or not. The ego moves quite naturally from a system of thinking based on atheistic belief into a bible believing way of thinking about God. We no longer have the atheistic ego (self) in control. We now have the spiritual religious ego (self) in control. It then can continue its dualistic thinking without any real heart change and control and judge others as being the right kind of believer in God or not. Once again take the paired words together and read down through the list. . Grace Works Hymns Choruses Immersion Sprinkling Liturgical Non- liturgical Male Leadership Female Leadership Alcohol Non-alcohol Non-instrumental Drums Living Bible King James Version Suits Sandals Gays Straight Once again did you have any emotional response to any of the words in their pairing? Did you place any values on the pairing such as one being better or higher valued than the other word? Were some words more negative or positive than others in your mind? It should be rather humbling at this point if we begin to understand we have had some conversion of our head about God, but not much conversion in our heart and life has taken place. Heart renewal begins to take place when we become non dual thinkers and processors. This type thinking and perceiving occurs when we see life not in parts, but begin seeing life as a whole. In non- dualistic thinking and processing life we see God as the source; everything in life flows out of God and everything that God does. Ego more often than not is more comfortable separate from god. So a new life brings about a new way of thinking. My life is to be lost in letting my life be centered and controlled by Gods will. Transformation takes place when the ego no longer compartmentalizes my interpretation of God to fit my egocentric needs and my limited understanding of God. Life change begins when I trust true knowledge comes from God as my source and I let His love be the driving force in my life. There must be faith in God and realize most of the time my interpretation of God is most of the times very ego centered and will remain ego centered usually with what I am most comfortable with for my life. The tragic ironies of the War between the States in the 1860s more Americans were killed in this war than all the other wars combined in America history. It was not only brother killing brother, but Christian killing other Christians over who was right in the name of God. My hope is we might be transformed by the love of God as we move to the center of His Will. This journey into the heart of God means we must go back when before the fall there was nothing right or wrong. God was not only the only source but he is the source of everything pure and holy. Traveling to the center we encounter an all consuming grace overflowing with love from God for us. Love transforms us and we realize the fullness of his spirit and presence is never found or maintained by some legalistic behavior pattern on our part. Love is greater than what I do or could ever do to maintain a relationship with God. My relationship is never based by what I can do but only what God has done for me. So how does non-dualistic thinking begin to process my spiritual life? I begin by letting go of my constant need to be right all the time and to be in control. I begin to let go of the need to impress others, to always elevate and compare myself as better than others all the time. Traveling to the center I find as the apostle Paul the grace to let go of my life to let the life of Christ consume my life. I find the true meaning of the cross that it not only represents the death of Christ, but death to my life and behaviors as well. I recognize as Dietrich Bonheoffer the fullness of life comes as grace bids me come and die. I must die to my way of thinking, die to my way of doing everything and come alive in Gods love and presence. In dying I come alive in the center of Christs heart and let His love, grace and mercy flow from me to others. The image I see of centering love for me is an arrow going from the heart of God to my heart and then proceeding from my heart into the heart of others. When people see me they see the heart of God manifested in my life. Thus the heart of love becomes the heart of love in me and others around me. To be centered I must be like minded with Christ, I must die and let go of the false self, the ego. I must understand the root of all my dissatisfaction revolves around the ego and the false self. The essence of all healthy religion is to become united with the divine, that my heart and my life might be centered in the divine which is Christ. In defense of our dualistic thinking we could not operate in this world without it. Every day we make decisions which are facilitated by this way of thinking. I have decisions to make every moment of the day whether to turn left, turn right, go straight ahead or stop. Chapter Two: TIME TRAP In simple terms man understands time has a beginning and end. Time begins for us the moment we are born and ends the moment we die. Time is both an enemy and friend. Time moves too fast when we are in the throes of romance or when we have some dreaded deadline to meet. It moves too slowly when waiting for some announcement of great importance. Time is an ever present aspect of our life. The stark reality for all of us is we are all present for a short moment and then in the twinkling of eye time is gone forever from this life. Time can also be a trap which clouds our outlook and attitudes about life. Time is understood as being in the past, present or the future. Our perception of time moves in a straight line toward an ending point. We struggle for meaning and purpose to our existence for time is limited. Time is to be lived with all the gusto for our life is like a vapor of water quickly vanishing in the air. Time is relative in relationship to the number of days in our life. A five year old child has a short number of days living in the past in comparison to the number of days potentially to be lived in the future. Likewise a hundred year old woman has lived most of her days in the past compared to the short number of days possible in her future. So in chronological time how much of your life has been lived in the past and how much time do you realistically have to live in the future? Whats your future number five years, fifteen years or fifty? How much time you have remaining in your life is a perplexing question? Let me pose an intriguing answer. Time if we possess any is measured only in the present or current moment. We may live our lives around the past or future, but they are only perceived dimensions of time. When Jesus says dont worry about tomorrow He understood that tomorrow is perceived in the future which may never take place. Jesus also knew for all of us there will be a time we will have no more tomorrows. Time is only a perception for past time is gone forever and future time is an illusion. If you dont mind the pun, the preoccupation of the perception of time in our past or future can be very time consuming. The truth is we have absolutely no control over the time we seem to possess. (If I told you today you have a blood clot in your heart and it will be fatal within 48 hours how does it change your perception of time. How much does your past time matter, likewise if you have 48 hours to live what future time even 6 days, 6 weeks, 6 months, or 6 years matter?) The false self however doesnt die easily it will continue fighting to the end denying its own impending doom. So we find man lives most of his life not in the present moment but either trapped in the past or living for an unknown future. Time trapped man tends to live life either looking in the rear view mirror trying to figure out where they went wrong, or what they should have or could have done better. Likewise if man is not trapped in his past he seeks a future where he finds a nebulas happiness and contentment. Man lives most of his life not in the present moment but projecting his life somewhere in the future. He has some unclear objective that when I make enough money I will be secure and happy. When I drive a certain kind of car or live in a certain type of house and neighborhood I will be accepted. You can understand (ego) time when we think in any qualifying thought I will be or would be happy. Those thoughts include things like when I get married or have a particular job or amount of money I will be happy, the list is endless. Let me challenge you with a concept you will never be any happier than you are at this present moment. You will never be any more contented than you are at this present time in your life. Peace and contentment is never found in past or future experience. The false self believes it controls time and of course everything else in life. YOU CONTROL NOTHING! If I asked, can you guarantee me you will be alive in a week, what would your answer be? Let me ask can you guarantee you will finish reading the next couple of pages or even the next two sentences without dying? No you cant if you are honest. However, there is an astronomical probability you will read the next couple of pages without dying. The reality however is that you dont know and cant control how much time you have or dont have. For that matter you may think you control your life and others, but you dont. It is only the false ego that believes that it can dictate your future and control the destiny of your life and others around you. YOU CONTROL NOTHING! So that being said, what impact would it have upon your life if you didnt have to worry about being in control of your life and everyone elses life? It would be liberating not to play god and give up of our perceived control of our self and others. What would it look like not to let your past determine your present contentment and outlook on life? What if you could turn loose of all of your regrets, mistakes, failures, broken dreams and turn loose of the unkind words or thoughts that grip your life? What would it mean if you let go of your future dreams (nightmares) and concerns you try to control? What would it mean to be fully alive in the present moment? If you were to die this second in what state of mind would your perceived reality be? Would you die at peace, contented, fulfilled, grateful and hopeful or die frustrated, bitter or angry at the world and yourself? I hope you can begin to see that you will never be anymore happy or contented as you are right now. Living in the past or living in the future can be a miserable way to live life. The only time is the present moment, nothing more, nothing less and truly it is all the time you have or ever will have. The way you live life today will probably be the way you will die with the same attitudes and thoughts you have today. Instead of being trapped in time I want us to consider living in the moment. It is something lost and no longer practiced by many within Christianity. It is a lost gift of spiritual discipline. (In eastern thought and religion it is called mindfulness, or being awake, fully engaged in living life in the present moment.) For the Christian it is experienced as walking in the spirit, praying without ceasing, or practicing the presence of God. It is an ever abiding awareness of the presence of God and the condition of our heart and life. It is life lived in the center of Gods will and is alive to everything that Gods life possesses for us every moment. So in the moment and centered in God I simply let go of all the painful thoughts and even the happy thoughts of my past. I have no control over what thoughts I think I simply turn over those thoughts to God and let them go into to the center of His infinite love and compassion. When my mind is centered in the heart and mind of Jesus I no longer need to categorize, control, hide or deny negative thoughts which cloud my life and future. I am at peace when my heart finds its way and is centered in the heart of God. I simply let the thoughts and voices which create feelings of guilt, anger and despair be turned over to God so they no longer have a grip on my life. I let the painful voices give way to the peaceful and grateful thoughts and voices of a transformed mind in Christ. As the apostle Paul once again concluded, I have been crucified with Christ I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. I am fully alive in the moment and I no longer let the false self be in control of my life and thoughts. I let the false self die and let all my thoughts be lost in God. Present with God I acknowledge all of my thoughts as the good, the bad and the ugly and let them float harmlessly into the pure love of God and let them be consumed in the will of God for my life. Chapter 3 Peaceful Mind, Peaceful Heart CLEAR THINKING PEACEFUL MIND, CLEAR MIND, CLEAN MIND, RENEWED MIND, NOISE Chapter 3 LETTING GO BEFORE WE DIE All of us will eventually let go of every experience, emotion or thought we know in this life. We will turn loose of our grip on everything in this present life we hold dear. We brought nothing into this world and will take nothing out of this world. We will let go of our need to be right about everything. We will let go of our need to be better, smarter, and superior and in control of everyone. We will let go of our need to win at everything. We will let go of our need of accumulating more and more stuff. We will let go of every person who has ever wronged us or offended us. We will let go of our need for recognition and applause. You and I will let go of everything the moment we die. So, if we are going to let go of everything when we die why do we have such a difficult time letting go of those things which seem to rob us of our peace today? In the New Testament Paul describes an inner struggle in his letter to the Roman church. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.Paul describes a battle raging for control of all our desires and deep feelings we have in our life. His understanding is we dont actually control our desires and passions they control us. This battle is within every one of us. It is an internal struggle of a force or entity opposed to Gods will and nature. It is a dominant power we cant see with our eyes, touch with our hands or taste with our tongue but we know it flows in our veins if we are honest with ourselves. It lays hidden deep in our soul and impa cts and controls all of our actions and behavior. Once again it is the false self and it has nothing to do with our body. It is that unseen part of us that makes us do what we do in our life. It fancies itself that it is in total control of our life. It acts out as if we are the master of our own fate and we can plan our own happiness and knows exactly what will make us happy. The deception is it falsely believes it can control our circumstances in life and find the success and fulfillment it desires. The false self only sees itself in the best light and desires only what is best for it. Its underlying characteristic is totally a self centered obsession with itself. Its primary objective is self preservation, and lets no one get in its way of having everything it desires and believes it deserves to be fulfilled. This force defines what we like, what we want, and what we think. It believes it must control the course of our life. It believes what it desires can make us happy, contended and successful. The lie of the ego is that it believes if given enough time it can bring fulfillment and happiness to our life. It survives by being right and superior to everyone around us. Likewise it never offends anyone, but is continually offended by others all the time. The ego is obsessed and never has enough stuff and believes if we only had more of everything we would be happier. So, more love, more money, a bigger house and newer car are the pathway of happiness. The greatest lie of the ego however is its denial of death. The ego because we can think and live and breathe conjectures and plots out that it will live forever in spite of the obvious fact we are dying the moment we are born. The ego replacing God never comes to grips with its certain destruction. It is unwilling to accept we are going to die and let go of everything we have ever thought, wished, done or regretted. We are going to let go of our grip on everything we thought we couldnt live without in this life. Everyone will turn loose some sooner than later and thats a guarantee. The move to the center and heart of God can only be accomplished by letting go of everything we hold dear in this life. The sooner we turn loose and learn to let go of everything now the sooner we will experience genuine peace and freedom. Jesus fully recognized the condition of mans life when he told the Father, not my will but your will be done. The false self leads man toward a path of destruction. Letting go and surrendering of our will and life to be consumed in a love we can trust far more than ourselves. The letting go process is a slow and agonizing process because I dont want anything to take my power, my will, or control of my life from me. The ego hates anything that says it must change for any reason. The ego will do everything it can to mask itself as long as it doesnt have to give up control. It will suffer, it will sacrifice it will pretend and will do our sorts of religious stuff. (1 Cor.13)It will go through all sorts of religious purity rites as long as it doesnt have to give up control. Letting go of anything is not the prescription for getting ahead in this life and enjoying life. Letting go is the last thing that the ego is willing or wants to do. It would rather let you die of drugs, your anger, and the stress of working to find significance and security than give up control. It would rather you go through three or four marriages, three or four jobs, three or four DUIs and not have to change or give up control. Here is the truly frightening thing concerning the false self. The false self would rather have us die in our hopelessness and pain than give up its power and control over us. It holds its grip on us till death. It will convince us we are right for being angry with the world, with others and God. The false self would rather us go to prison for life than let go of its anger and its resentment that it holds against others. The ego is unwilling to let God or any other powers have control of it. It fights to the very end and destroys itself. We must let go of what the false self desires to find life and peace. There is no change and peace for our souls as long as the false self is in control. There is no change of heart as long as the mind is controlled by our ego. There is no change until we understand we are totally powerless to do anything with the ego in charge. Jesus let go of life to do the will of father and said, not my will be done but your will be done. So letting go means letting go of the false selfs control and turning our will over to the will of God. So to find real peace and life and to be centered in the heart of Christ means you no longer have to be right all the time. What kind of immediate impact would it have on your marriage today if you didnt have to be right all the time? What impact would have on churches today? What impact would it have on wars with people killing and hating each other over who is right? Jesus didnt give the first commandment that you would be right about everything concerning your faith and your politics in your life. He said to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with your entire mind and with all of your soul. Ever wonder why you dont get along with people. Try giving up the need to win all the time and trying to be superior to everyone and a few people may actually like you. Give of the need to have more and more stuff and you might actually recognize fewer possessions really are the path to a contented life. Let go of those who have offended you for you owe it to yourself. One of the last things to let go of can be combined as your resentments, your pain, your suffering. Most people reject God because of the question of why is there pain and suffering. At the end of life people are either generally grateful or resentful about life. Resentment is a condition of our heart which has the underlying belief life didnt go as I had planned it. Life never goes as the way we plan