Transition stages of a group Essay Example for Free

Transition stages of a group Essay Recognizing that change will be occurring noticing our reaction to it initiates the transition process. Some people recognize the need change earlier than others. We may see the signs and notice the handwriting on the wall well ahead of others. Other of us may not recognize or react until the change is imminent. In either case, when change is apparent to sometimes obvious, we all form a reaction to the pending change. There are three options. It can embrace the change, accept it somewhat passively, or reject it. The first reactions will lead to the planning stage. However, if we reject or disagree with the change, we can become temporarily stalled. It might question the need for the change, become angry about it, feel highly stressed by the thought of it, or in some cases, experience feelings of depression like losing a job or getting a divorce can be so intimidating that short term counseling may be needed to help with acceptance of change and to facilitate the planning process. Before, we can continue the journey to the next adventure or change we will need to formulate a goal and action plan. If the change is about entering a new relationship, we often discuss with our partner the goals we have for the relationships, describe our expectations, or try to be clear in our own minds what it is we are looking for. If we are looking for a new relationship we may generate alternatives about how to meet new people. When anticipating a major move, we need to think about where we will live, what we need to take with us, and what need to be done before we can leave. The planning stage can help to minimize and diminish fears and concern about the unknown by identifying the concrete steps that will help us with the transition. Setting short term goals and envisioning the perfect scenario that could occur as a result of the change may help s to feel better about it. This is often the most difficult part of the transition process. It can be both stressful and sad to leave the familiar environments and routines or let go of cherished keepsakes, pets or a way of life especially when the experiences have positive. For many, the most difficult is to say goodbye to the people whom we have come to know, love respect, and depend on. There are things we do to reduce the effect of the separation. We may need to be sure that we have time to visit with each  of those special people and to set up ways to keep in touch. Setting a date for a reunion or a phone call in the near future may reduce feeling of finality. Creating photograph collages with special memories that may be given as parting gifts can help to keep memories in the forefront to reduce anxiety. Remembering that we are all only a phone call or e-mail away may even help to reduce the initial stress of leaving others behind. Whenever we start a new journey there are moments of anticipation or exhilaration. We may even experience and a adrenaline rush, where we can feel the physical effects of the body’s anticipating of the change. Whether we’ve moved to a new place, or we just start a new job, the initial entry, while stressful, can also be positive exciting. This stage is helpful in putting the past behind and embracing the excitement and newness of what is to come. Taking it all in, meeting new people, and looking at possibilities may seem exciting and sometimes even almost overwhelming. Sometimes this new period has been called the honeymoon period where the newness the change gives us a false sense of reality. True or false this period of initial excitement is an important bridge from the past to the future. This security and eager anticipation helps to energize us to cross over into our new situation. However wonderful the initial excitement, when the dust settles and reality sets in we can often feel a let down. We realize that we are in a new and different place. We are not sure of the culture, the expectations, or how we will fit in. during this stage we begin to fill in the blanks. We familiarize ourselves with the routines, the environment and people who potentially will enrich our lives if we allow it. As Spenser Johnson (1998) says in his book about dealing with change, â€Å"who moved my cheese†? during the search for new endings (or cheese) we must free ourselves of the fear, envision the goals and leaves the past behind. We may need to find mentor d or guides who can provide information and advice about the culture or context. We will need to explore untraveled paths and leave ourselves open to new experiences, although some days may be difficult especially at the onset or in the beginning of the change. Taking a one day at a time philosophy, we should allow ourselves to set a specific goals for the day, focus on one positive event that occurred that day, and let go of the past. â€Å"Movement in a new direction helps you find new cheese.† During this time we try to make the strange familiar by seeking out others who have  out similar interests, goals, or talent. We should seek out opportunities that pique out interests. When we reach this stage we are now living the change as a normal part of life. We feel as though we have become an accepted and valued member of the community or relationship. We can now focus on how we contribute to the environment and to make a difference in self actualization and elevate ourselves on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs scale. We may even realize that what we may have been holding onto about a former life was an exaggerated illusion and not the reality of that life at all. Finally we realize that while in this situation we should take advantage of what this new change offers as the next change is just around the corner, and it begins again!

Irony of The Setting in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson :: Lottery Shirley Jackson Essays

Irony of The Setting in "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson The setting set forth by Shirley Jackson in the beginning of The Lottery creates a mood of peacefulness and tranquillity. This setting also creates an image in the mind of the reader, the image of a typical town on a normal summer day. Furthermore, Shirley Jackson uses the setting in The Lottery to foreshadow an ironic ending. First, Shirley Jackson begins The Lottery by establishing the setting. To begin, she tells the reader what time of day and what time of year the story takes place. This is important to get the reader to focus on what a typical day it is in this small town. The time of day is set in the morning and the time of year is early summer. She also describes that school has just recently let out for summer break, letting the reader infer that the time of year is early summer. The setting of the town is described by the author as that of any normal rural community. Furthermore, she describes the grass as "richly green" and that "the flowers were blooming profusely" (196). These descriptions of the surroundings give the reader a serene felling about the town. Also, these descriptions make the reader feel comfortable about the surroundings as if there was nothing wrong in this quaint town. Upon reading the first paragraph, Shirley Jackson describes the town in general. The town is first mentioned in the opening paragraph where she sets the location in the town square. She puts in perspective the location of the square "between the post office and the bank" (196). This visualizes for the reader what a small town this is, since everything seems to be centralized at or near the town square. This is also key in that the town square is the location for the remaining part of the story. The town square is an important location for the setting since the ending of the story will be set in this location. Also, Shirley Jackson creates a comfortable atmosphere while describing the residents of the town. First, she describes the children gathering together and breaking into "boisterous play"(196). Also, the children are described as gathering rocks, which is an action of many normal children. She described the men as gathering together and talking about "planting and rain, tractors and taxes"(196). Finally, she describes the women of this community as "exchanging bits of gossip"(196) which is a common stereotype of women. She creates a mood for the reader of the town and residents of this town on a normal summer morning.

Critical and Evaluative Response to Virginia Woolf’s Professions for Women Essay

Critical and Evaluative Response to Virginia Woolf’s Professions for Women Virginia Woolf (1882-1941), a British author and feminist, was born and grew up in London. At that time girls weren’t sent to school, so she was educated by her parents. Although she was a woman, Woolf became a significant figure in London literature society and a member of the Bloomsbury Group. Professions for Women is one of her essays in which she talks about the difficulties women should deal with in all kinds of professions. This essay is considerably impressive. It made me think about myself, as a woman, and the problems I face during the path to success. Woolf points out to many obstacles that women fight when becoming â€Å"a doctor, a lawyer, a civil servant†, (277) etc. They are held back by their fears and doubts as well as society’s beliefs and judgments. Woolf talks about a â€Å"phantom† (274) that used to interrupt her when she was writing. She says that phantom is an obstacle that women should get rid of it to reach their goal. In my opinion â€Å"phantom† can be anything. Everyone, regardless of kind, class, sex has his/her own phantom. It represents an obstacle of the mind. It’s a negative thought that comes between us and our aims, and keeps us back from maintaining the success. It’s something we have to learn to break to improve ourselves, and as Woolf says â€Å"It is far harder to kill a phantom than a reality† (275). Woolf uses beautiful metaphor to explain the â€Å"phantom. † She likens it to an â€Å"Angel†, and calls her â€Å"The Angel in the House† (274), and continues â€Å"It was she who bothered me and wasted my time and so tormented me that at last I killed her†, and describes her briefly: â€Å"She was intensely sympathetic. She was immensely charming†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (274). Woolf also makes a strong imagination of herself â€Å"writing a novel in a state of trance†: â€Å"The image of a fisherman lying sunk in dreams on the verge of a deep lake with a rod held out over the water† (276). These literary figures attracted me and made me want to read more by this writer. The essay is mostly in a narrative style of writing. Woolf uses narration to describe what occurred to her when she was writing. She tells the story of how she did the battle with the â€Å"Angle†, which represents women’s hesitation and fear, and overcame the phantom that wanted to prevent her from being her true self. She goes on to talk about what happened after she has â€Å"killed† the â€Å"Angel. † She found that after we overwhelm one of our weaknesses there are many more to come. There are more personal obstacles we must jump over as well as society’s obstacles. In my opinion this essay has and had a very effective reflection of women’s life style. Woolf encourages women to take professional careers, such as a doctor or a lawyer, and also encourages them to actively participate in society. It says that in order to maintain the success, we have to face many oncoming obstacles, whether they are material or society or even ourselves.

Sociology Race And Ethnicity - 962 Words

Race and ethnicity are commonly used as synonyms for each other as we encounter many diverse individuals throughout the world. Sociologist on the other hand, find very distinct understandings to how these terms, while different, hold correlation to one another. Max Weber, a founding figure of sociology, was one of the first to define race and ethnicity. He stood with the idea of essentialism which presumes that and individual s identity depends on fundamental and innate characteristics that are deep-seated, inherited, and unchangeable. (Pearson, pg 241) As for ethnicity, Weber described it as subjective belief in relations to a groups common descent. While sociologist today may disagree with Weber s theory, they do apply this idea of subjectivity and have correlated it to that of not only group definitions but of our own perceptions of biological similarity. If you would have asked me, Do you believe race is biological or that is was socially constructed?, I would have responded with the same examples you may commonly receive from scientist or anthropologist; that race is in fact biological and deeply rooted and shared from generation to generation by DNA. However, through analyzing Pearson s, Chapter 11 Race Ethnicity we discover various examples in which history has built the shelves in which everyone is neatly categorized for its convenience even if not entirely in truth. Take for example white privilege. For most of the United States history, it was basicallyShow MoreRelatedSociology : Race And Ethnicity983 Words   |  4 PagesJaneva Walters October 2, 2015 Professor Gambs Sociology 100 Race and Ethnicity Although the terms race and ethnicity are very common, very few of us accurately describe the difference between the two. Simply because we tend to combine them into the same definition. 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