Memories of Childhood Essay Example for Free

Memories of Childhood Essay Childhood is a golden period of mans life. It is the time when man is dependent but he enjoys all the comforts of the life. He has nothing to worry about. He has to do nothing to get his demand fulfill except weeping. It is a carefree time. In my childhood I was free from worries and sorrows. When every day and night brought joys for me. Parents tried to amuse me. They loved me so much that I began to think they were living only for me and it was not wrong as well. Near our house there was a pond. Father took me daily to the pond to enjoy the beautiful sight of the setting sun. Once my father fell ill and could not go to the pond. I was very fond of taking bath in the bright water of the pond but father did not allow me to fulfill my desire. Now it was a golden chance. I went alone to the pond and jumped into the water. Deep water took me into its lap. After this what happened I do no know. When I opened my eyes a doctor was bending over me. Mother and sisters were weeping. I had to remain for one month in the hospital. Now when I recall that horrible accident my heart begins to sink with fear. Then I decided not to do anything without the permission of parents. There is one more thing which I cannot help mentioning More over I can never forget the day when I was beaten by the gardener for stealing mangoes. My friend Maria and I went to the garden to eat mangoes. Maria was very active and clever. She remained out of the garden and asked me to climb up the mango tree. Consequently I was caught by the gardener and he bead me with his sharp stick. Maria ran away The gardener took me before my father and told the whole story. Father prohibited me from going to the garden. I was much ashamed but soon all it was over. If you have female companion you are fond of dolls as well. The same case was with me. I was very fond of dolls in my childhood. Maria and I played with the dolls for hours, marrying and decorating them. Mother did not like her daughter wasting time in playing. As a result she took me to the school. I was much frightened and puzzled among the strange girls. I began to weep bitterly. While I was weeping I felt a soft hand on my back it was my teacher. She consoled me and gave me a beautiful book of colorful pictures. I was taught by her to smile in the storm of tears and sufferings. Now she is far away from me but her memory is fresh in my mind and I will never forget her as well. Children usually keep on gamboling and playing . Sometimes they keep on running in childhood I was like a playful deer wandering through the meadows. Maria and wandered the whole day long in the green fields of our villages picking wild flowers and making garlands. How beautiful moonlit nights were in childhood! When the shining moon appeared we all played in the open fields catching one another. Now childhood is no more but it appears a beautiful dream.

Jorge Borges Life Seen In The Secret Miracle Essay -- Jorge Luis Borg

In 1944, Jorge Luis Borges published â€Å"The Secret Miracle†, a short story describing Jaromir Hladik, a Jew living in the Second World War. Jaromir Hladik is taken away by the Germans to a jail by the Germans to be executed shortly after. While in jail, he ponders on all the ways he could be killed and later realizes that he still has yet to finish his play â€Å"The Enemies†. He prays to God, begging for a year to be granted to him so that he can complete his last masterpiece. In a dream, he is granted that year. When the Germans pull the trigger, the world freezes for a full year so he can finish his play. At a first glance, â€Å"The Secret Miracle† appears to be merely a fictioness story. However, Borges included so much of his own life in the character of Jaromir Hladik that the story no longer seems to be so made up. â€Å"Borges writing was impelled and shaped by experience† (Williamson 296). Borges grew up loving books from the very start of hi s life. His father was always a reader, so he had a room set up like a library that housed hundreds of books. Borges also grew up in a family with colorful war history, which allowed him to be introduced to interesting stories early on. At the age of 56, he was completely blind, causing him to see literature in a different way. He no longer thought literature was a reality. For instance, he believed that although an apple is called an â€Å"apple†, it may not actually have that name. Yet he continues to write in this unreality for he feels that it is a writer’s duty to speak out against Juan Peron through literature. In spite of Borges’ belief that literature is not reality, there is evidence of Borges’ life embedded in it which clearly shape the issues and concerns of his work. Borges was always one ... ...ss, which is difficult and requires strategy to succeed. This would fit in with Borges struggle to succeed in his work. In addition, Borges states that, â€Å"No one could any longer describe the forgotten prize, but it was rumored that it was enormous and perhaps infinite† (Borges 166). This could be referring to the prize of life. Many speak of life as being grand, yet no one actually knows whether life on Earth is a prize or not. It goes on to say that Hladik does â€Å"not remember the chessmen or the rules of chess† (Borges 166). In other words, Borges no longer remembers how to live his own life. Borges was first introduced to the game of chess by his father who â€Å"presented him with mathematical theories and philosophical puzzles† (Sickels 4) while teaching him how to become a better chess player. Perhaps this was Borges’ first encounter with the philosophy of life. Jorge Borges' Life Seen In The Secret Miracle Essay -- Jorge Luis Borg In 1944, Jorge Luis Borges published â€Å"The Secret Miracle†, a short story describing Jaromir Hladik, a Jew living in the Second World War. Jaromir Hladik is taken away by the Germans to a jail by the Germans to be executed shortly after. While in jail, he ponders on all the ways he could be killed and later realizes that he still has yet to finish his play â€Å"The Enemies†. He prays to God, begging for a year to be granted to him so that he can complete his last masterpiece. In a dream, he is granted that year. When the Germans pull the trigger, the world freezes for a full year so he can finish his play. At a first glance, â€Å"The Secret Miracle† appears to be merely a fictioness story. However, Borges included so much of his own life in the character of Jaromir Hladik that the story no longer seems to be so made up. â€Å"Borges writing was impelled and shaped by experience† (Williamson 296). Borges grew up loving books from the very start of hi s life. His father was always a reader, so he had a room set up like a library that housed hundreds of books. Borges also grew up in a family with colorful war history, which allowed him to be introduced to interesting stories early on. At the age of 56, he was completely blind, causing him to see literature in a different way. He no longer thought literature was a reality. For instance, he believed that although an apple is called an â€Å"apple†, it may not actually have that name. Yet he continues to write in this unreality for he feels that it is a writer’s duty to speak out against Juan Peron through literature. In spite of Borges’ belief that literature is not reality, there is evidence of Borges’ life embedded in it which clearly shape the issues and concerns of his work. Borges was always one ... ...ss, which is difficult and requires strategy to succeed. This would fit in with Borges struggle to succeed in his work. In addition, Borges states that, â€Å"No one could any longer describe the forgotten prize, but it was rumored that it was enormous and perhaps infinite† (Borges 166). This could be referring to the prize of life. Many speak of life as being grand, yet no one actually knows whether life on Earth is a prize or not. It goes on to say that Hladik does â€Å"not remember the chessmen or the rules of chess† (Borges 166). In other words, Borges no longer remembers how to live his own life. Borges was first introduced to the game of chess by his father who â€Å"presented him with mathematical theories and philosophical puzzles† (Sickels 4) while teaching him how to become a better chess player. Perhaps this was Borges’ first encounter with the philosophy of life.

Improve own performance in a business environment Essay

1.1 Explain the purpose and benefits of continuously improving performance at work Everyone should strive to improve their performance. Organisations also strive to improve the performance of the whole of their workforce. As an individual, the purpose of continuously improving our performance at work is to make ourselves a more valuable employee who is more efficient and reliable. As a consequence of our improved performance, the organisation will also be more efficient and effective. We can achieve improvements in our performance by considering everything which we do to be a process of continuous development. Every time we carry out a new task we will be learning new skills and developing our flexible approach to work. As we work we will also be updating our existing skills, allowing us to progress and become more confident. Having and experienced member of staff review our work can be very useful as they will be able to tell us about any mistakes we are making and point us in the right direction in terms of making our job easier and more efficient. These reviews can look at our general work during an appraisal or ongoing work as and when the opportunity arises. Self-assessment does not mean that we have to be critical of ourselves. Neither does it mean that we should praise ourselves as to the efficiency or quality of our work. It means trying to step away from ourselves and look at what we are doing. Even if we only take time at the end of the working week to reflect on how our week has gone, this is a step in the right direction to making a self-assessment of how we have worked. 1.2 Explain the purpose and benefits of encouraging and accepting feedback from others Feedback is responses which we receive from other people in reaction to our work or our performance. Much feedback is informal. – It may simply be a thank you for the work which we have done. We should be prepared, however, to receive both positive and negative feedback, as  sometimes the work which we have done will not be of sufficient quality, or the person will not think that we can be relied on in the future. The key purpose of encouraging and accepting feedback from others is to provide us with opportunities to improve areas of our work. By encouraging feedback, more experienced employees can help us come up with solutions to many of the common supported by suggestions on how to improve. Many businesses have formal feedback, usually in the form of an appraisal system. Appraisals are reviews of progress and look at our abilities. Appraisals are opportunities for us and our supervisors to set targets and plans to improve our performance. These appraisals will allow us to talk about our job, what we plan to do in the future and whether we would benefit from additional training. Appraisals are confidential and aim to be positive. We should use these formal feedback sessions as they may be one of the few chances we have to talk about our work, uninterrupted, with our immediate superior. 1.3 Explain how learning and development can improve own work, benefit organisations, and identify career options Training is normally a part of the appraisal system, but there may be regular training opportunities which are advertised within the business. If we feel that these training programmes would be of value to us, our team and the business, there is no reason why we should not enquire as to whether we could get involved. The benefits of learning and development are not only for the individual but also for the organisation itself. One good example is that training and development, whether it is formal education or learning on the job, means individuals are ready to take over key job roles. Many businesses and organisation lose staff on a regular basis; they either move on to another business or organisation or they may retire. Each time a member of staff who has worked for the organisation for some time leaves,  key expertise is also lost. Encouraging learning and development for all staff enables a business to identify successors for key posts. It helps them to plan their career paths and make sure that the business continues to run in an efficient way, even if an expert member of staff has left. There are plenty of ways in which learning and development can go on as a regular part of the working week. In some cases businesses or organisation will encourage staff to attend external training courses, giving us time off in order to do this. They will also encourage staff to continue the education, perhaps in the evening. However, many businesses and organisations have developed comprehensive training programmes that are carried out in-house. It is not always possible to identify a clear set of career options when we first join a new business or organisation. Career options will depend on not only our abilities and willingness to learn and develop but also the way in which the organisation works. Some organisations retain their staff for a very long period of time, which restricts career options for those who have not been there as long. Other businesses and organisations are not growing fast enough, so opportunities are limited. This may mean that some employees will have to look for career options elsewhere, or perhaps switch the type of work that type are doing for something that offers a better opportunity. The main point of learning and developing is not only that the individual can improve their standards of work but also that the organisation benefits because it becomes more efficient and effective. 1.4 Describe possible career progression routes & 1.5 Describe possible development opportunities Administration itself has a clear career path, even though this may mean having to change employers in order to reach the next stage. The broad career progression is: -trainee administrative assistant or administrative assistant- providing basic administrative support, working under supervision and probably as a member of a team -trainee administrative officer or administrative officer- someone who provides administrative support and  generates and implements procedures -administrative team supervisor or office supervisor- someone who allocates tasks to team members and generally organises and monitors day-to-day administrative support -personal assistant- an individual who provides day-to-day administrative support for senior individuals in the business or organisation -administrative section manager- someone who develops and implements procedures to meet the business’s or organisation’s needs. They plan, control and evaluate day-to-day administrative support Company secretary or senior administrative manager- someone who ensure that the organisation or business complies with legal requirements. We can review our own performance or ask others to review our performance and appraise the way in which we can currently carry out work. We can also set ourselves targets so that we can gradually improve our overall skills: -professional -information handling -interpersonal -self-application Career development is all about recognising and seizing on opportunities that could increase our employability, general level of education, experience and skills. Opportunities arise at different times, both before we enter work and while we are in work. We should be looking for opportunities that will give us a chance to gain training, experience or qualifications whenever we can. Typical types of career development include: -induction-this is the initial period, just after we have started working for a business. The induction programme will tell us about the business, its procedures, policies and rules. It will explain to us how we are suppose to work and what the business expects of us. -training needs-a good employer will carry out what is known as training needs analysis, both on its new employees and on a yearly basis with its existing employees. The business will use our job specification, person specification and current abilities  to help identify gaps between what we can do and what we are expected to do. The process should reveal any training that we require in order to get us up to scratch or to improve the way in which we carry out our job. -development plans-in many ways these are similar to training needs analysis, but they usually take a slightly less formal approach. The idea is to identify our longer-term career plans and to match any training or qualifications that may be of assistanc e to us. These are normally carried out on an annual basis and have agreed targets. -performance targets- these are minimum levels of work or output that we will be required to complete by our employer. Performance targets are difficult to set for some individual workers, so a departmental or section target may be set. These will require us to complete work by specified deadlines and very much depend on the type of work involved. -certificated training- this is training that we may be offered, which leads to recognised qualifications, such as an NVQ. These types of training are extremely useful for personal development as they allow us to demonstrate our ability to work at a particular level -uncertified training-these are normally in-house training programmes, designs specifically for the business, perhaps to update on policies and procedures. They are usually relevant only to the business in which we are working and may have no practical value if we switch jobs and move to another organisat ion. -personal development-there are a number of ways in which we can proceed with our personal development. Some may be formal and include, as we have seen, training need analysis, various types of training and development plans. Personal development is our own ideal improvement plan, which would have to be agreed with our employer -flexible working-this can simply be working add hours, but more specifically it is our willingness to work in different areas of the business. This leads to what is known as multi-skilling, which is a measure of our ability to adapt to different types of work and our willingness to learn new skills so that we be of greater use and value to our employer. We should seize chances to work in different areas of the business so we can get a better picture of what the business is all about and how particular tasks, carried out by different parts of the business, fit together -progression opportunities-these are the opportunities that will present themselves for us to be promoted and to gain a higher paid and more valued post at work. By gradually taking on training  and opportunities to work in different areas of the business we will have developed ourselves to such an extent that our employer recognises we should be rewarded for our efforts. As our skills and experience improve, progression opportunities will present themselves. With each step we will gain access to higher-level work and begin the process of improvement once again so that we can seize the next opportunity for progression. [681.2] Be able to improve own work performance using feedback 2.1 Encourage and accept feedback from other people  Feedback is responses which we receive from other people in reaction to our work or our performance. Much feedback is informal. – It may simply be a thank you for the work which we have done. We should be prepared, however, to receive both positive and negative feedback, as sometimes the work which we have done will not be of sufficient quality, or the person will not think that we can be relied on in the future. The key purpose of encouraging and accepting feedback from others is to provide us with opportunities to improve areas of our work. By encouraging feedback, more experienced employees can help us come up with solutions to many of the common supported by suggestions on how to improve. 2.2 Use feedback to agree way ti improve own performance in the workplace Many businesses have formal feedback, usually in the form of an appraisal system. Appraisals are reviews of progress and look at our abilities. Appraisals are opportunities for us and our supervisors to set targets and plans to improve our performance. These appraisals will allow us to talk about our job, what we plan to do in the future and whether we would benefit from additional training. Appraisals are confidential and aim to be positive. We should use these formal feedback sessions as they may be one of the few chances we have to talk about our work, uninterrupted, with our immediate superior. 2.3 Complete work tasks, using feedback give, to improve performance One of the difficulties in receiving feedback is ensuring that a suitable individual witnesses us carrying out the work. One of the ways of getting  around this problem is to identify opportunities in the near future when we will be undertaking different work tasks and it is convenient for our selected individuals to observe us doing this. We should try to organise this before we carry out the first two parts of the learning outcome. [681.3]Be able to agree own development needs using a learning plan 3.1 Investigate and agree where a further learning and development may improve own work performance Most businesses and organisations have a human resources department. Within there will be individuals who are aware of formal and informal learning and development opportunities. There is a wide range of ways in which we could make use of their expertise and take their advice. We need to remember that not all learning and development needs to lead to a certificate. In fact, some of the best learning and development goes on in a very informal way within the workplace environment. We can easily learn and develop by simply watching or shadowing an experienced member of staff. We can use learn their techniques and their ways of dealing with situations. We can use their years of experience in having carried out a similar role to our own- they will know all the best ways to make sure that the task is carried out to a high standard and within deadlines. Many businesses and organisations will also use their human resources department to design specific training programmes. A key part of the human resources department’s job is to look at training needs. They will examine appraisals or performance reviews in order to identify areas where additional training is needed. They can then organise specific training to cover those areas or gaps in what we are expected to do compared with what we can do at present. 3.2 Confirm learning plan changes A learning plan is a simple document where we can set personal targets and record our achievements. Our plan needs to: -cover what we have already done or achieved-this records all important learning that we have already carried out -identify what we would like to learn, or achieve, in the future-this means identifying our goals -identify our targets-what we will have to do on the way to getting where we want to be -identify who can help-what support  and guidance do we need? -have a clear action plan-what do we need to learn? What is the purpose of learning it? How will we know when we have done it? The key part is also to keep our plan updated. We need to go through our plan on a regular basis and see whether we can add anything. 3.3 Follow a learning plan The first stages of following a learning plan should be relatively straightforward. However, we can use our learning plan in a number of ways from the outset: -we can use it to identify work that we can carry out which can then be observed to provide evidence -we can identify areas that we are going to struggle to find evidence for and work towards creating that evidence or the opportunity to produce that evidence -we should also use the learning plan as our next logical step -we need to make sure that as we complete each learning outcome, assessment criterion, unit, we update our learning plan and check it to see whether there is evidence already generated that can be used elsewhere. 3.4 Review progress against learning plan and agree further learning updates, if required. A learning plan is a live document. It is specific to us and it should incorporate our long-term goals. The learning plan is a written version of our career aspirations. It shows where we want to be in the future, where we are now and the steps that we have to take in order to get to our destination. We should review our progress on a regular basis. Some people in full- or part-time employment will discover that a learning plan is in fact part of a learning agreement with their employer because it: -identifies the learning outcomes or objectives that we wish to achieve -identifies the strategies to meet the objectives or outcomes -identifies the evidence we will need to produce to show that we have achieved. By reviewing our learning plan we will be able to make the best use of the learning we of. It will focus our learning where it is most needed. It will help us identify the opportunities for learning and it will also prepare us for appraisals and performance reviews.

Cry the Beloved Country - the Tribe Essay example - 711 Words

One of the main themes that emerges from reading Alan Patons, Cry, the Beloved Country, is the importance of tribal life to South Africa because of the identity it gave its people. Through the communal life of the tribe, the structure of stability and morality of the tribe, South Africas people had a sense of accountability for their own doings, a responsibility towards other and pride in the unity of their people. Tribal life began to break up, however, with the coming of the mines as the youth set off towards Johannesburg and became lost in the crowds and the city. These youths lost their sense of tribal pride, their responsibility towards others and a feeling of accountability for their actions. As a result, many turned to a life†¦show more content†¦When confronted by Stephen and asked if she wishes to return to the tribe, she begins to cry. She admits that she does not like Johannesburg, but cannot go back to the village. She is too ashamed of her actions. She sa ys, I am a bad woman, my brother. I am no woman to go back. (Paton 31) While Gertrude has been in Johannesburg, she has lost her self esteem. She no longer feels a moral obligation to herself or anyone else to find a legitimate way to support herself and child. It is only when presented with the option of returning to the tribe, however, that she regains the ability to feel shame and self-awareness. The tribe would never accept this kind of behavior, and if she were to return, she would have to face the consequences of her actions. On the opposite end of the spectrum is John Kumalo, Stephens brother. John Kumalos descent into immorality coincides with his ascent in the political world. As he has increased in wealth and power, John has abandoned the tribe and the church. He characteristically justifies his position by condemning the faith of others. He voices his scorn to Stephen, calling the chief of the tribe an old and ignorant man who is nothing but a white mans dog, (35) and claiming that the church has not bettered the lives of the people of South Africa in any way. John praises the freedom of Johannesburg where he has attained importance and wealth. Yet John does not bring to his wealth and power the tribal senses ofShow MoreRelatedEssay on Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton736 Words   |  3 PagesCry, the Beloved Country is such a controversial novel that people tend to forget the true meaning and message being presented. Paton’s aim in writing the novel was to present and create aware ness of the ongoing conflict within South Africa through his unbiased and objective view. The importance of the story lies within the title, which sheds light on South Africa’s slowly crumbling society and land, for it is the citizens and the land itself which are â€Å"crying† for their beloved country as it collapsesRead MoreUse of Title in Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton Essay938 Words   |  4 PagesUse of Title in Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton Cry, the Beloved Country, by Alan Paton, takes place in1946 near the small rural town of Ixopo in the smaller village of Ndotsheni. The main character is Stephen Kumalo, a native priest who sets out on a mission to find his family. He receives a letter from a fellow priest, Msimangu, telling him his younger sister is ill. Kumalo decides he must go to Johannesburg to help his sister. He also hopes to find his only son and see if his brotherRead MoreCry, The Beloved Country1710 Words   |  7 Pages Alan Paton’s Cry, the Beloved Country takes place during the late 1940’s in Southern Africa. 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In Cry, the Beloved Country, a 1948 contemporary novel, Alan Paton uses parallelism to emphasize the importance of familyRead More The True Meaning of Cry, the Beloved Country Essay1426 Words   |  6 PagesThe True Meaning of Cry, the Beloved Country      Ã‚  Ã‚   Many debates have been sparked by Alan Patons Cry, the Beloved Country.   Even the essence of the books title examines South Africa and declares the presence of the inner conflict of its citizens. The importance and meaning of the title of Cry, the Beloved Country is visible in Patons efforts to link the reader to forthcoming ideas in the novel, Patons description of South Africas problems, and Patons prayer for the solution of SouthRead More Cry the Beloved Country Movie versus Film Essay1055 Words   |  5 Pages Cry, the Beloved Country is a moving story of the Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo and his son Absalom. They live in an Africa torn apart by racial tensions and hate. It is based on a work of love and hope, courage, and endurance, and deals with the dignity of man. The author lived and died (1992) in South Africa and was one of the greatest writers of that country. His other works include Too Late the Phalarope, Ah, but Your Land Is Beautiful, and Ta les from a Troubled Land. The book was madeRead MoreEssay on Cry the Beloved Country595 Words   |  3 PagesCry the Beloved Country â€Å"Cry for the broken tribe, for the law and the custom is gone. Cry, the beloved country, these things are not yet at an end (Paton, 105).† In Cry, the Beloved Country, it is 1946 and the land reserved for blacks in Ndotsheni, a part of South Africa, is drying up. In the novel written by Alan Paton, young men and women begin to leave Ndotsheni for the new city Johannesburg. One of those gone is John Kumalo, a businessman in Johannesburg and younger brother of StephenRead MoreCry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton696 Words   |  3 PagesCry, the Beloved Country is a novel with remarkable lyricism written by Alan Paton. Born as a white South African, Alan Paton grew up during a time period marked by racial inequality and later became an activist against apartheid. He was a devout Christian so many of his writings reflect Christian faith. As an activist, he wrote many books about South Africa and racial injustice. While traveling around Europe, he began writing Cry, th e Beloved Country, which was published in 1948. That same yearRead MoreEssay on Cry, the Beloved Country, by Alan Paton661 Words   |  3 PagesCry, the Beloved Country In a country torn by segregation and hatred, one man seeks to rebuild his family and his tribe. Cry, the beloved country is a tale of forgiveness, generosity, and endurance. In the story, the main protagonist is helped by a number of characters. A South African man Stephen Kumalo loses his young son, but is still determined to improve the life of his people. In this black mans country, white mans law had broken the tribe, divided the people and corrupted the youthRead MoreCry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton838 Words   |  3 Pagesthis problem in Cry, the Beloved Country. Throughout the story, Paton adds specific personalities to his characters to contribute to change. Characters in Cry, the Beloved Country went through hardships that changed them to realize reality and its outcomes. Paton accordingly creates a picture throughout his story to explain the problems in South Africa. There are many contributing factors of Paton’s idea to identify as being important for change to occur in Cry, the Beloved Country. In Paton’s book