Narrative Essay

Studying Abroad in India

By Nicholas Klacsanzky

While studying at The Evergreen State College, a liberal arts college, I got the chance to apply
for a contract class where I could get credit doing educational work of my own vision. This is
one of the specialities of The Evergreen State College, and I was lucky enough to land a contract
with a professor to go to India to study in a musical academy for six months. It seemed like a
dream: doing what I love the most, and all for college credit.

I had been to this academy before for four months a few years back. However, this time I was
determined to take this learning experience more seriously. My goal was to become at least
semi-professional at tabla by the end of my training.

I was ecstatic when I arrived in Vaitarna—a village about a three-hours drive from Mumbai.
There, the Vaitarna Music Academy is situated. I found out about this academy from my
meditation group, Sahaja Yoga Meditation. Since it is in a village, the scenery is picturesque:
rolling hills next to a river, with a multitude of wildlife, like snakes, buffaloes, geese, rabbits,
and more. The Academy itself is not fancy, but it is cozy and has all the amenities you would
need. I was not so concerned about comforts, though. I was there to learn the art of a percussion
instrument named the tabla.

Since I had been there before, it did not take long for me to adjust to the environment and
schedule of the Academy. At around 7:30 a.m., I would practice tabla for about 30 minutes to
get a warm up—most of it was repetitive practice of phrases. This was followed by a collective
meditation on the main stage by all the students and teachers.

After an hour meditation, we would head off to breakfast. The breakfast lasted one hour, and
after that, we went to our classes at 10 a.m. I came at a time during the year where there were
hardly any tabla students, and for most of the time of my stay, I was the only tabla student in
the class. This meant more intensive learning and more absorption of information.

The first lesson of the day went on for two hours. Commonly, each day, I would learn a new
composition or variation of a rhythm cycle. I was expected to know the new rhythm well enough
by the next day that I could play it competently without mistake. That was the challenge.

After the two-hour class, we would have an hour lunch, and then a rest period to nap or just
chill out together. At 4 p.m., another two-hour class would resume. These later classes were
more relaxed, and focused on working on what we had learned in the morning and reviewing
what we knew already.

After the second class of the day, there was some time before dinner to relax. Dinner also ran
for about an hour. Around 8 p.m., the evening collective meditation happened. Sometimes there
were musical performances at night by students, teachers, or for the village people. After this,
our time was spent being in each other’s company, playing games, chatting, talking about
music, and just getting to know each other better. The camaraderie between the students was
palpable.

This is an outline of what happened on the weekdays, with Saturday being a day with only one
class, and Sunday being free. Now, I want to get more into the details of the six-month stay and
the style of teaching that was used at the Academy.

Each day was hot, and the fans above did not help much. The teaching rooms were almost
empty, save a few mats and cushions, and some hanging art. It was mostly an open space with
a few instruments. The classes were intensive, with continuous playing for two hours. Often
my teacher would want me to follow him on the tabla, matching his beats as he flowed from
one variation to the next. He would slowly increase the difficulty and speed, until I felt like my
fingers were breaking. Sometimes I would tell my teacher that I could not play any longer, as
my fingers could not move anymore. However, most of the time, he said to keep pushing
myself, and to keep playing. This was a test of endurance, stamina, confidence, and mental
capacity. In a sense, when you are trying to go beyond your supposed limit, you need to
remain calm in the mind—at least that is what I learned from those types of sessions.

In other sessions, my teacher, a strict but lovable Muslim man, would recite a tabla composition
and I had to recite it back to him. Tabla has its own language for the notes it makes, and we
speak this language in order to convey a composition. I was never good at remembering
compositions and learning them by heart, as per the tradition in India. I wrote notes and took
videos of my lessons in order to remember them. Though this was not traditional, it was
acceptable for a westerner.

My teacher would shout at me and correct me if anything I played was wrong, immediately.
Sometimes he would get so fed up with me that he would push my hands away from the tabla
and play what needed to be played, glaring into my eyes. This type of intimidation worked, as
I feared making a mistake. This made my attention stronger and more dedicated to
listening. His teaching demonstrated to me that there should be no compromise in quality
and exactness. One should strive for perfection, or as close to it as possible.

The food we were fed there was simple: mostly rice and dal with vegetables every day. The
village was excluded from modern conveniences. Each day was scheduled the same. Each day
was hot, with the nights giving little rest from the heat. There was not much to do besides
practice and learn music. This atmosphere taught me that to be fully concentrated on
learning, one needs to create a minimalist environment so that distractions cannot bother
you.

After six months at the Academy, I could play exponentially better and felt at home in India—
especially in the nature. However, it was the life lessons and building of character that I will
cherish the most from this experience: how to push yourself to your limits, how to create the
best learning environment, how to respect and act around a teacher, how to be disciplined, and
how to succeed in the face of your shortcomings.
Narrative Essay

Near Death Experience

I was on vacation in Ganapatipule, which is a town on the coast on the west side of India,
situated right on the Indian Ocean. I was with my long-time friend, Janu, and his mother,
staying in a hotel for a few days. The vacation so far was the embodiment of relaxing: eating
fresh mangoes, waking up late, dining out all the time (mostly fish curry), swimming a few
times a day in the Indian ocean, and joking around with old pals.

Around three in the afternoon on a cloudless day, the beach on our side was empty of people
besides my friend, his mother, and I. It was freeing to be alone on this vast beach, known to
be a holy place among Hindus. Ganapatipule is named after the god Ganesh, and there is a
famous Ganesh shrine near there where a swayambhu (a sculpture erected from the earth itself
in the form of a god) is worshiped. Bathing in the ocean around this area is supposed to
cleanse people of their negativity and visiting the shrine also purifies individuals as well.

As I started to swim in the warm ocean, jumping over waves, I left my friends behind. I was
wearing a white kurta, or a traditional garb for men in India, which was heavy in the water,
but my feet was easily touching the ocean floor at all times. I usually washed my clothes by
swimming in the ocean when I was there.

But at one instant, I felt that my feet could not touch the ocean floor anymore and I plunged
into the water, weighted down by my clothes. The waves kept coming and now they were
menacing, as I was getting sucked into the depths every time they came—even if I rose out of
the water and tried to swim back to the part of the ocean where I could get a foothold. I had
been sucked into a riptide, in fact, and was stuck in a dipping valley, despite my hard efforts
to reach safety and my yelling to my friends in the distance.

After struggling heavily for a few, long minutes to go against the suction of the riptide, and
shouting to my friends in the distance near the shore to no avail, I began to relax, accepting
my fate. I no longer fought to reach the edge of the ocean valley to get a foothold, and in the
process of being pulled into the ocean and coming back up to the surface,

Yet as soon I surrendered myself to the situation, a huge wave came and pushed me out of the
riptide and the deep valley I was sucked into. On the drift of the wave, I landed near my
friends, who seemed astonished at my expression and my words of description. They were
unaware that I had been trouble. But it did not matter at the time—I was happy to reach land
again and felt my life was renewed.

I later learned the time I swam was inauspicious for swimming at Ganapatipule, as the natives
believe the god Ganesh bathes around three in afternoon in the ocean there. It was as if
Ganesh forgave me for the intrusion, and released me from the anger of the ocean against
divine protocol.
Narrative Essay

If I Could Go Back in Time

One of the most popular topics in the history of science-fiction has been the idea of time
travel. In literature and cinema, this topic has been exploited uncountable times. We know and
love such works as H.G. Wells’ “Time Machine”; H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Shadow Out of Time”;
Bradbury’s “A Sound of Thunder”; King’s “The Langoliers”; as well as numerous films and
TV shows: “Back to the Future,” “Butterfly Effect,” and “Timecop.” These, as well as many
others are dedicated mostly to one question: how can an individual affect or even change his or
her entire life in the present by making even slight corrections in his or her own past? In my
opinion, this is one of the most common, natural, and essential questions.

When I was a child, I often dreamed about a special pocket device that would allow me to
“save” certain moments of my life, so that in case I failed to do something, I could always
“load” my life from a checkpoint, already possessing a certain level of experience—exactly
how they do it in video games. I imagined the things I could do if I had such power: jumping
from skyscrapers without a parachute (and “loading” in the last second); traveling across
savannas, jungles, and deserts; racing and performing other risky occupations.

As I grew older, my life experience gradually became more diverse. In many situations, I had
no idea how to act properly, what decisions to make, what path to follow; naturally, I made
mistakes. While many of my actions back then turned out for the good in the future, some
mistakes provided for many painful moments for me and people around me.

Would I try to make other people act in a different way? I think no. I would rather warn myself
about the awaiting consequences of my most reckless decisions. I would talk to a long-haired
teen holding his first cigarette and tell him: “Don’t do that—years will pass until you finally
manage to quit.” Or: “Man, don’t go there—you don’t need to see what is going on in that place
tonight.” “Whoa! Don’t drive so fast, pal!” Perhaps, one of the most important warnings would
be: “Don’t push her away now—you could be happy together.” So many warnings I would give
to myself that sometimes I think: was it really me who did this and that?

Having a time machine is an amazingly attractive idea. It seems having one would make life so
much easier! Perhaps, it is true. But what I think more often now is that living without this
aggregate teaches us responsibility. This is perhaps the most important responsibility: about
oneself, about important people to us, about one’s own life, which is the only one we have. And
besides, our mistakes make us what we are today. Today I am a person leading a healthy, active
lifestyle; I care about my friends and family; I think about my share of responsibility in
everything that is going on in my life; I try to live each day at the maximum in order to regret
nothing.

If I could go back in time, I would try to make my future better. This is what our parents always
try to do when we are children. But you know what? I am glad that no time machine has been
invented.
Narrative Essay

The Nightmare Creator Essay

It was a blazing summer’s day. My surroundings were slowly starting to melt: the trees, the houses, the
sky, and the pathway to my garage. It seemed that I was about to dissipate as well, becoming a puddle of
glue-like substance left on the ground.

I was walking at crawling speed. My head felt huge and heavy, and each muscle in my body felt
sore. My arms and legs were responding to the signals that my brain was sending to them at a
slower speed than I thought was possible. It felt like a slow-motion horror movie, only it was
happening live. I finally reached the front door and touched the handle with a loose grip. The path
that took only a second for my eyes to see took about twenty minutes for my body to cover. But, I
was finally at my goal.

I slowly squeezed the handle of the door in a downwards motion, only to realize it had barely
moved. I gathered the last reserves of my strength that I had left in my body and pressed the handle
again. No success. I pivoted around, leaned against the door, and slowly slid down to the ground.
I felt faint. I was so thirsty that I could barely think about anything else. I had to get inside; had to
pull myself together and open the door. Otherwise, I would faint there, near the front entrance to
my own house.

I pushed myself up from the ground and faced the door again. I closed my eyes for a second, took
a deep breath, opened my eyes, and pulled the door knob down as hard as I could. It gave way
grudgingly. If it wasn’t for the helpless shadow of a man that I was at that moment, I would
definitely have screamed in happiness for finally winning over this stubborn door knob. But I could
only settle on a weak smile and a deep sigh.

I went inside and had to wait for a minute before I could make out my environment. It was too
dark, still boiling hot and, somehow, lonely inside. By the time my eyes adapted to the darkness
inside, I could tell that no one was around. What time was it? And where was everyone? The house
was completely and scarily quiet. The silence was unnatural. There was no sound coming from the
working fridge, or ticking clock; nothing. I went to the kitchen to get some water, opened the tap
and put an empty glass under it. But no water poured, not even a drop. The glass remained empty.
This seemed like a complete nightmare. I thought that I must have been dreaming—my small
world had become ravished by emptiness, and somehow, I was forgotten here all alone, left to pass
away into the realms of thirst and heat.

I was having a panic attack. Yet with the panic, I was enabled by strength to run from one room
to another, looking for anyone besides myself. Mom, Josh, dad, Charlie—no one was to be seen.
The dogs were gone too. Again, for the third or fourth time, I caught myself thinking this was just
a bad dream. But my body still vividly felt the pains of soreness. Having no clue of what else,
except the pain, that could help me distinguish between dreaming and reality, I had to accept the
fact that I was living in this nightmare for real.
Suddenly, I heard a sound from downstairs. It was a faint sound that repeated in a second,
only louder. I jolted downstairs, feeling cautious and, at the same time, hoping that it was
someone, or something, that could explain to me what was going on.

The living room was empty. The source of the sound seemed to be from the back porch
outside, and it was increasing in volume with every new cycle. It reminded me of when dad
and I went rowing, and every time dad turned over the oars, they made the same whistling
sound, cleaving the air. I ran outside the back door and was almost brought down to the
ground by the force of the wind. It was a helicopter, right above me, maneuvering so that it
would land on me. I laid on the ground, screaming, but I couldn’t hear my voice through the
noise of the implacable blades getting closer, and freezing me to the ground….

… “Jason, honey, wake up! It’s just a dream, babe. You look so pale. Are you okay?”

My mom was standing next to my bed like a guardian statue. She tried to appease me as I was
still screaming and flapping my arms. When I calmed down to a relative level of normalcy, I
stared at the fan above my head, spinning and whistling like a nightmare creator.
Narrative Essay

Trip to the End of the World

It could had been another drab winter. Every year, as soon as that particularly thick fog and
white crisp snow covered the village of Ramsjö, its three hundred inhabitants would start
spending their free time indoors, either sleeping or trying to wake up. This is what people
commonly did in winter in Ramsjö—a small Swedish village located right in the middle of
nowhere, on the shores of a beautiful lake that, unlike the inhabitants of Ramsjö, never froze
even during the most severe winter seasons. Winter usually started early in this part of the
country, and it meant that most life would hibernate almost completely for eight or nine months
to come. The village folk were used to this kind of weather here. Everyone but Lara. She came
to Ramsjö only three years ago, and she still had not forgotten what life was like outside this
sleepy hollow den.

Lara came to Ramsjö to work at the local vineyard. She loved the work. She just was not into
the whole Swedish moody, depressive climate and lifestyle. A native of Munich, Lara was used
to having an active social life, a hundred and one acquaintances, and a wide variety of places
to go out to in the evenings. Well, one facet of her life that she did not have problems with here
was getting acquainted. It seemed that two months after Lara had arrived in the village,
everyone already knew her, and some four months later, she already knew everyone here as
well. “Everyone” was the three hundred and two inhabitants of Ramsjö, most of whom worked
in the vineyards or the local forestry.

Lara’s first two winters in Ramsjö were scarily quiet and stress-free. It was not that she did not
expect the place to be that way, but it seemed that she already had enough of the quietness and
relaxation to start finding it rather depressive. She craved for sunny days, bright blue skies and
smiley faces. That is why Lara long ago decided that this winter would be different from the
previous two that she had spent here. Lara decided it would not hurt to travel around a little,
the only problem being that she did not know what was there to see in wintry Sweden. But then
it suddenly occurred to her that she was closer than ever to the fairy tale land that every child
from anywhere in the world knows about—the Lapland. It was right there, a four-hour trip in
her SUV and then another hour and a half on the local transport that looked like a combination
of a caterpillar tractor and a land battleship. But, as frightening as it looked, it was the only way
to travel around in the severe weather of the Scandinavian mountains.

When Lara finally got to the heart of Finnish Korvatunturi—the residence of Santa Claus—she
was already tired and sleepy. It was probably due to the Swedish lifestyle of being careful and
deliberate, but as soon as she came closer to a small village house that looked like a postcard
picture, three cute toddlers dressed in green and with miniature bells sewed to their cones
approached her. Two of them took Lara by each side and the third one pointed at the house,
speaking some esoteric language and talking in a shrill voice, half-laughing and half-
whispering. That is just as much as it took for Lara to start feeling like she was part of a fairy
tale. Being a clear-eyed 27-year-old woman, she suddenly felt like a gullible little girl who
woke up in a fantasy land. Lara followed the toddlers inside the house, and suddenly felt so
warm, so comfortable, and so… at home. The toddlers pointed at an old brown arm chair by
the fireplace, and ran away, leaving the sounds of their contagious, joyful laughter ringing in
Lara’s ears. She hopped on the arm chair, tucked her legs underneath herself and stretched her
arms towards the warmth of the fire. She did not even notice when an old man with a big white
beard, dressed in red, quietly approached her by the side and gently put his right arm on her
shoulder like a father would have to a daughter after coming back from a prolonged winter
excursion.

“Well, hello there, dear. You have grown up so much since your last visit, my girl.”
Defining Essay

Introversion as a Norm
Today’s world values activity. People are assessed by how much they do, how they behave,
how communicative they are, and how well they socialize. The active way of life is the
undisputed desirable norm, and many people around the world take a high level of activity for
granted—they never question it. However, there are also a group of people, who, due to their
personality, feel uncomfortable about being excessively active. This personality type is known
as an introvert. This term has come to be used as a synonym for grim, dull, or even asocial, and
thus needs to be clarified, since introversion is not a pathology. Introverts have a different
approach to life from the one that has been adopted as exemplary by mainstream culture.

So what is introversion? Merriam-Webster’s Online dictionary defines introversion as the state

or tendency toward being wholly or predominantly concerned with and interested in one’s own
mental life. Dictionary.com, among other meanings, defines introversion as being a shy.
According to Charles Martin, an introvert is a person whose “energy comes from dealing with
the ideas and reactions within one’s head, in the inner world” (Martin). Susan Cain says that,
opposite to extroverts, “introverts prefer less stimulating environments and tend to enjoy quiet
concentration, listen more than they talk, and think before they speak” (Cain).

In light of this, introversion can be defined as an individual’s tendency to concentrate and reflect
on their own inner world, giving a priority to thinking over acting, and adhering to a
comfortable environment. They prefer to spend more time on their own or with a couple of
people they know well.

Introversion grants individuals with a set of features, which makes them completely different
from the type of personality presented by extroverts. According to Cain, introverts prefer to
limit their circles to a few acquaintances; however, they build extremely stable and long-lasting
relationships (Cain); they tend to know people better than extroverts. Introverts become
exhausted rather quickly by constant contact with other people.

Introverts often prefer to work alone as opposed to with a team. They do not take action as
quickly as extroverts, and tend to ponder over a problem at hand before starting to solve it.
However, due of this, they often foresee consequences that escape their extrovert counterparts,
thus taking more effective actions and making more efficient decisions. Due to the peculiarities
of their thinking process, introverts are often misunderstood by those around them; they are
often believed to be detached and unemotional, though they might be simply thinking about
their interlocutor’s words. They could be experiencing a real emotional storm inside, but show
little of it on the outside.
Introversion is considered an aberration, but this is because modern societies have developed
so many extroverts. According to Marty O. Laney, about 75% of people are extroverts (Laney).
She also claims that personality types cannot be changed—only slight modifications are
possible. This can seem upsetting, but in fact, it allows many people to feel comfortable with
their introversion. They can stop trying to become someone they are not and learn how to live
comfortably in the extroverts’ world.

Therefore, introversion is not an aberration or pathology. In fact, it is a type of personality,

possessed by approximately 25% of the world’s population, which involves a completely
different way of thinking and functioning than is considered normal nowadays. Generally
speaking, introversion is a tendency to concentrate on the inner world. Introverts often give
priority to thinking over acting, and prefer to adhere to a comfortable environment. They are as
sociable as extroverts, but choose to limit the number of people they associate with. They prefer
instead to establish deeper relationships with fewer people. Being an introvert is a unique
chance to look at the world from the other side, and there is no need for such individuals to try
to be someone else.
Defining Essay

The True Meaning of Absurd

The term absurd is used when an individual faces an occurrence that is beyond his or her
comprehension, when he or she is anxious, or cannot deal with a certain issue (Fen 23). It would
be rather fair to say that, in many cases, people avoid making the effort to understand a concept
that is inexplicable, instead labeling the phenomenon as “absurd.” However, the term “absurd”
can have a much deeper meaning than usually considered. It is actually a philosophical category
that was widely used by the famous philosophers of the twentieth century—especially by the
believers in the school of existentialism. Grasping its various aspects would be useful for the
general reader, as well as for students who study philosophy.

Before proceeding to the definition of the term itself, it would be instructive to remember
the ancient Greek myth about Sisyphus. According to its most widespread version, Sisyphus
was a king and an erector of Corinth. He managed to deceive and seize Thanatos, the god of
death. Due to the absence of Thanatos, people stopped dying and finally, the gods became
worried about this fact. They sent the god of war, Ares, to free Thanatos, who wrested Sisyphus’
soul. As a punishment, Sisyphus was condemned to roll a heavy stone to the top of a high
mountain. As soon as the stone reached the apex, it rolled to the foothill so that Sisyphus had
to start from the beginning.

The punishment given to Sisyphus is often seen as the quintessence of absurd. Thus, it can be
inferred that absurd means sudden, or that it does not fit in concrete logic. Merriam-Webster
online gives several meanings for the word absurd: “1) ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or
incongruous; 2) having no rational, or orderly relationship to human life, lacking order, or
value.” According to Dictionary.com, this term means utterly or obviously senseless, illogical,
or untrue; contrary to all reason, or common sense; laughably foolish, or false.

This is how absurd can be understood on the common level. However, its philosophical
meaning is more interesting and versatile. Thus, existentialism had generated the whole
doctrine of absurdism, which characterizes the relationships between human beings, life and
reality. This doctrine had developed after the world wars of the twentieth century, where
millions of people had died and suffered, and various social disturbances occurred (fen 34).

Absurdism was studied by many famous philosophers like Albert Camus, who dedicated almost
all his works to this topic. In the beginning, the myth about Sizif was mentioned. Camus’ most
famous essay on the topic of the absurd was written exactly about Sizif. The philosopher sees
absurd as a conflict—a confrontation between the human yearning for meaningfulness and
clarity, and an indifferent universe free from guarantees. Therefore, one has three ways to deal
with the absurd: committing suicide, performing a leap of faith, or accepting it. According to
Camus, the latter is the only true way, which assumes a person understands that the universe is
free from absolutes (Liam 221). Thus, a person as an individual is also truly free and possesses
abilities and possibilities to create their own sense and purpose of existence.
Soren Kierkegaard, another famous existentialist, comprehends absurd as a synonym to
paradox. He defines it as a matter of faith and the only phenomena that allows a person to
believe in self. According to his philosophy, a human being is a synthesis of opposites: eternal
and temporary, finite and infinite, freedom and obligation. Due to the synthesis of these
opposites in an individual’s consciousness, one constantly resides in fear and despair (Liam
194). And the more self-consciousness one possesses, the deeper these feelings are. The only
way for salvation is faith in God and this is where absurd comes in. Kierkegaard refers to the
biblical myth about Abraham and his son Isaac. According to this legend, God required
Abraham to sacrifice his son to Him. In this case, Abraham’s faith led him to commit a crime;
it transformed a murder into an act of charity and simultaneously, where faith had returned
Isaac to his father alive. Faith cannot be logically argued, but it works and this is absurd.
Individuals are free and this freedom lets them find their own way to God.

We can see the understanding of absurd is rather multi-faceted. Absurd does not necessarily
mean hostile, useless, and deprived in any sense. In most cases, this term is still used to label
certain phenomena and events as weird, incognizable, and unwanted—but at the same time,
absurd can allow a person to find a meaning, an essence for which one is looking. Absurd
contains a resolution, sometimes of a problem that was generated by itself. One might say that
absurd possesses some sense, which is totally absurd.
Defining Essay

Codependency
During their lives, individuals follow several important concepts that play a significant role in
their existence. Among the most common of them, success, well-being, and faith are prime
examples. Another and perhaps one of the most ancient concepts is love. This word is one of
the most widely-used in the world, although there are many sound reasons for the substitution
of this concept when speaking of it. What is most confusing is the notion of “codependency,”
which brings, in contradistinction to “love,” a harmful and morbid experience.

According to Merriam-Webster online, codependency is a psychological condition or

relationship in which a person is controlled or manipulated by another who is afflicted by a
pathological condition. Dictionary.com defines codependency as a relationship in which one
person is physically or psychologically addicted, for example, to alcohol or gambling. In
addition, Oxforddictionaries.com offers the definition of codependency as an excessive,
emotional, or psychological reliance on a partner, typically one with an illness, or addiction,
who requires support.

These are the most common interpretations of codependency. As it can be observed, all of them
contain several keywords: relationship, partner, dependence, addiction, or pathology, and
characterize this state as “unhealthy.” At the same time, many psychologists claim that
codependency is not just about being in a relationship with a person having an addiction, or
who is mentally challenged. Research indicates that it is a state that is commonly mistaken for
love and is typical in most relationships. Thus, 98% of grown-up Americans who are married
or are in a romantic relationship are considered to be codependent (Weinhold 46). Actually, it
does not matter whether one of the partners has a certain obsession, as codependency develops
even between people who are free from bad habits.

Codependency can be defined as a psychological state involving a heavy emotional reliance on

a partner, characterized by excessive caring, a constant search of their acceptance and approval,
and by painful experiences as a consequence. Among the latter, one can point to excessive and
unjustified jealousy, repressed anger, unspoken resentment, and the feeling of abandonment.
Codependency is considered to be the same kind of addiction as alcoholism and narcomania—
the difference being that the object of the unwholesome passion is directed to another person.
Codependent people often forget about their needs, interests and goals, sacrificing it all for the
benefit of the partner they “love.” Stated succinctly, codependents make the relationship more
important than themselves. For classic examples of this disease, one needs to look no further
than Romeo and Juliette, Othello and Desdemona—or from the more recent past, Sid Vicious
and Nancy Spungen, as much less romantic, but still a codependent relationship.

Codependency, which is sometimes called neurotic affection, is supported by a number of

extremely powerful and enduring myths, which are taken for granted by the majority of
people. For example, one of the most widespread myths is that partners should always endorse
each other. Another typical myth is the dream about a perfect partner. One more myth prescribes
that partners satisfy each other’s needs and match all interests in all spheres of life (Weinhold
422). These and many other myths are supported by mass culture: popular songs, movies,
books, and other media promote this kind of relationship. The same mistake was constantly
made during previous centuries and perhaps only religious and philosophical movements, such
as Christianity, or Buddhism, had taught people true love.

It can be seen that codependency is a phenomenon that is often confused with love, due to the
prevalence of numerous uncritically-perceived myths supported by modern and ancient
cultures. 98% of Americans presumably are in codependent relationships. This is the unhealthy
psychological state of excessive, emotional reliance on a partner, which is characterized by an
obsession to control and take care of one’s partner, and by a constant search for that partner’s
approval. This state is accompanied by various painful experiences, such as excessive jealousy,
a feeling of abandonment, repressed anger, insults, and a constant craving for being needed and
recognized. Codependency can be successfully cured without breaking relationships, but it is
important for patients to realize their problem and to want to get out of it.
Defining Essay

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
I think people who are not too educated in psychology—and supposedly, they make a
majority—think that psychological disorders must manifest themselves in anti-social behavior,
strange passions, autistic behavior, or in any other similar way. But what if many of the people
around us, whom we consider normal, even our friends and family members, actually suffer
from psychological disorders? What if they are obsessed and locked-up in the prison of their
own minds? What I am talking about here is called an OCD: an obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The term OCD consists of two defining words: obsession and compulsion. As the word
“disorder” speaks for itself, defining obsession and compulsion is crucial for understanding this
problem. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, obsession is a persistent disturbing
preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling. Compulsion, in its turn, is an
irresistible, persistent impulse to perform an act—often to deal with the obsession. An OCD
can be defined as a condition of the mind characterized by a constantly repeating intrusive idea
or thought, which can be neutralized only by a certain act or ritual.

Reasons standing behind a particular OCD can be numerous. One of the latest research studies
points to genetics, brain abnormalities, life events, parenting and upbringing, and even
infections (NHS). Forms OCDs can take are also numerous, though generally they can be
classified under such categories as checking, contamination, hoarding, and intrusive thoughts.
People with a checking OCD constantly check domestic appliances, windows, car doors, and
so on. A contamination OCD often manifests itself in an individual’s urgent need to wash his
or her hands or body and to avoid “dirty” items. Hoarding OCD often prevents people from
throwing away objects, even those that are unnecessary. OCDs connected to intrusive thoughts
make individuals fear their own inappropriate thoughts.

It is important to mention that people with an OCD never (or rarely) do or experience what they
are afraid of. For example, people who have intrusive violent or sexual thoughts are the least
likely to act on these thoughts, partly because they find them so frightening and “wrong.” It
also refers to people who have obsessions to check items and domestic appliances: because they
are so attentive, these people are unlikely to cause fire, flood, or other property or health
damage. OCD fears can be fairly called irrational.

An OCD is not an anti-social psychological disorder. On the contrary, many people with OCDs
are less likely to harm people or to be inaccurate and negligent. An OCD is a permanent state
of mind in which a person has constantly repeating intrusive ideas or thoughts, which people
with an OCD believe can only be neutralized by certain acts or rituals. Unfortunately, these
people continue to suffer from their irrational fears and have to repeat their rituals to calm down.
Fears or obsessive thoughts that disturb such individuals most often fall into such categories as
checking, contamination, hoarding, or ruminating. Reasons behind OCDs are numerous, and
include genetics, brain abnormalities, life events, parenting and upbringing, and infections. The
good news is that OCDs can be successfully treated with the help of competent specialists.
Defining Essay

Defining “Nothing”
One of the trickiest things to define is “nothing.” Why is it difficult to define? Once you try to
define “nothing,” it becomes something. Even if you think of “nothing” as an abstract concept,
it still would not be nothing, as then it would be an abstract concept.

Then how do we define “nothing” if it is impossible to do so? We can try to define it by saying
that we can say nothing about it. At least that avoids it being concretely related to the word
“undefined,” which is more about not being able to set limits on something or set a meaning to
something. In the case of “nothing,” we cannot say anything about it.

Though Oxford dictionaries defines “nothing” as “1. not anything; no single thing” and “2.
something that is not at all important or interesting” this is still saying something about it
(Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries). But I guess you might as well say “nothing” is something that
cannot be discussed. However, we used the word “something” and now we have come to
another dead end.

In physics, we understand there cannot be truly nothing, as even in a total vacuum—where there
is no gravity, particles, or energy—quantum fluctuations appear and disappear constantly,
(Cain, Fraser). Creating a space where there are no quantum fluctuations requires an enormous
amount of energy, and there would be a remnant of that energy in that space after the
fluctuations have been flushed out, plus an unstable environment (1veritasium). So even on a
physical level, “nothing” cannot be present.

In defining nothing, it is best to keep our mouths shut, as it cannot be defined by any means.
“Nothing,” in fact, does not exist; as if it did, it would not be nothing. In this perspective, we
might say the best definition of “nothing” is that it is something that is not something, which is
quite a contradiction. We have a word for “nothing,” but that does not mean there is such a
thing as “nothing.”
Comparison and Contrast

Western Yoga Versus Traditional Yoga: Is There a

Difference?
In my opinion, one of the most significant aspects of 21st century life is the inevitable process
of globalization. Its opponents claim it contributes to nations losing their distinctiveness—and
they are right to some extent. But, on the other hand, globalization has also helped people access
the cultural heritage of other nations, and thus enrich their own. Discovering the East aided
western people in looking at life from a different perspective; new spiritual conceptions, martial
arts, and the knowledge about esoteric medicine are just a few boons gained by western
civilization after contact with the East. Meditation and various yoga systems are also among
these gains. However, as it often happens, they have quickly become a mass cultural
phenomenon; thus, they were made commercial, simplified, and adjusted to the needs and pace
of life of an average westerner. Therefore, traditional yoga systems and those taught in the West
differ significantly.

To start with, western yoga is strongly focused on postures (asanas) and

breath. Advertisements on the Internet often include an image of a man or a woman sitting in
the Lotus Posture, or in some other asana, which obviously requires being in shape. Searching
on Google proves that yoga is often seen only as a variation of fitness; questions like “What is
better: yoga or pilates for losing weight?” illustrate this thesis. Besides, unlike eastern yoga,
where a great focus is made on being attentive to yourself and to your body signals, in the West,
yoga classes often incorporate such elements as music or gymnastics. Though this is often made
to make classes look diverse and attract new customers, it makes for a great distracting factor
for practitioners (Bhagwan Sri Aditi Akash). This takes yoga away from its meditative aspects
and turns it into another form of fitness.

The slogan of the entire western world could be “Better, higher, stronger,” since this principle
helps people to function and survive in its competitive environment. Unfortunately, this attitude
works even for yoga, where the instructor can force the practitioners to “flip through poses at
lightning speed” during one training session (MindOnTravel). Considering many people also
try to practice yoga postures on their own, guided only by tutoring videos on YouTube and the
aforementioned slogan, such training mostly does harm instead of being beneficial: the number
of yoga-related emergency room visits increases each year (Azcentral.com).

Eastern, or traditional yoga, embraces another approach. Western yoga almost makes a cult out
of asanas and breathing techniques; people start to set goals for themselves, such as being able
to sit in the Lotus Posture, for example, and this takes them away from the true meaning of
yoga practices. Traditional yoga sees postures only as methods of returning to the inner self,
comprehending our own essence. Sometimes the easier an asana is, the deeper it can take a
practitioner into meditation; there were cases when people experienced sudden insights while
simply lying on a floor during their yoga classes. While for westerners, asanas become a way
to reach a close-to-perfect physical shape, in the East, health and the ideal body condition often
are side effects of a deeper practice of self-exploration and meditating (Bhagwan Sri Aditi
Akash).

Eastern and western (or modern) yoga systems differ in a number of ways. In the West, yoga
practitioners focus more on physical shape; they tend to pay more attention to asanas and
breathing techniques, which can take them away from the meditative aspects of yoga practice.
In addition, western systems often incorporate music and other outer elements that distract
practitioners. Due to the peculiarities of the western mentality, people who try to practice yoga
on their own can get serious injuries. On the other hand, eastern, or traditional yoga systems
tend to concentrate more on the meditative aspects of practicing yoga; they pay more attention
to the exploration of the inner self of a practitioner, and see asanas and other techniques mostly
as methods, not as goals.
Compare and Contrast Essay

Differences Between Conventional and Alternative

Medicine
The progress of science is usually believed to have improved the quality of many processes,
products, and services. However, in certain spheres of life, traditional methods are still being
used; medicine is a bright example of the co-existence of two antipodal approaches. Along with
commonly recognized conventional medicine based on science and technology, there also
exists alternative medicine, which sometimes includes practices developed thousands of years
ago. The superiority of each of these kinds of medicine have a long-standing history, as each
of them have proved its effectiveness; therefore, understanding their advantages and drawbacks
is crucial for forming one’s own point of view.

The first difference between these two systems is their approach to diagnosis. Conventional
medicine focuses on the factors that cause diseases and remedying their symptoms; every
abnormality is seen as an independent clause, separate from the personality of an individual
and their environment. Unlike its counterpart, alternative medicine sees a body as an
equilibrium of interrelations between a body and its environment; therefore, a disease is thought
to be caused by an imbalance between them. In other words, alternative medicine focuses rather
on cleansing the entire system than on curing its particular elements (Buzzle).

Alternative medicine assumes health is a life-long process; therefore, to sustain a healthy body
condition, a person should continually maintain proper nutrition, their daily regimen, body care,
mind exercises, and so on. Conventional medicine, while also taking these principles in
consideration, relies mostly on drugs and surgery. This makes it more effective for managing
critical situations (or for quick-fixes), but is less efficient in healing chronic diseases. In
addition, it is extremely expensive.

Unlike conventional medicine, which relies entirely on chemically synthesized drugs,

alternative medicine uses natural components such as herbs as remedying
substances. Alternative medicine also uses ancient methods of dealing with diseases, such as
acupuncture, massage, yoga, breathing techniques, meditation, and so on.

Alternative and conventional medicine have different approaches when it comes to

understanding and curing diseases. Whereas conventional medicine often sees a disease as an
independent clause, and focuses more on a quick-fix than on systematic approaches, alternative
medicine sees a body and its environment as a holistic system; a disease occurs in case of an
imbalance between all of the system’s elements. Conventional medicine is thus more effective
for treating critical situations, but less suitable for managing chronic diseases. Alternative
medicine yields gradual results, but they are usually more stable and long-lasting, as they often
involve the change of an individual’s lifestyle. Alternative medicine relies mostly on natural
components and ancient techniques, whereas conventional medicine prefers chemical drugs and
scientifically-approved methods of diagnosis and treatment.
Compare and Contrast

Differences Between the Daily Lives of Teenagers

Today and a Century Ago
Technological progress has boosted both mobility and industrial production levels, while
globalization has enhanced communication around the world and made the exchange of socio-
political ideologies possible. For example, one can refer to the political revolutions in different
parts of the globe—the Arab Spring and the continuing political upheaval in Syria, in particular.
Taking these, and many other factors into consideration, one could say that social processes
today and those about a hundred years ago are almost incomparable. At the same time,
particular social groups, such as teenagers, become overexposed to the effects of these socio-
political and technological changes (Connors 129). This fact can be easily noticed when
evaluating modern youths’ preoccupations, hobbies, and behavior, as well as analyzing how
they use leisure time as compared to their counterparts a century ago.

Today’s teenagers use many types of technological gadgets, such as computers, TV sets,
smartphones, and tablets—both at school and at home. They also seem to be studying with
the help of technology. Actually, the latter now sometimes takes the place that had traditionally
been left to parents and teachers. This refers not only to teaching material, but also to social
and communication skills. Young people have become one of the main target audiences for
social media, and waste in an inordinate amount of time on social networks instead of using it
to conduct more constructive activities (Connors 45).

Modern teenagers are also more educated than a hundred years ago. One of the effects of
an easily accessed education is that the youth have become more dynamic and socially active.
They now tend to question and test the norms and traditions of their society. By doing so, the
youth have become a source of societal change in many countries—recall the boycotts of
university students in different countries (Silling 256). Due to the fact that teenagers, a hundred
years ago, lacked the access to quality education, they were not so active. Actually, they were
more conservative and adhered to the social norms laid down by their society.

Talking about the old times, teenagers a century ago had little or even no access to modern
technology. They acquired knowledge from parents and through extensive reading, and used
their free time helping their parents around the house, playing outdoors, and so on (Connors
67). Education back then was a facet of society that was not highly emphasized. Access to
education was considered a privilege for male children; and besides, financial difficulties in
many households did not allow parents to send their children to school.

With regard to girls, societal norms a century ago, in the main, would hardly allow them
to perform the same roles as their male counterparts. Managing a household was considered
an appropriate position for women; therefore, girls were mostly confined to the domestic
sphere. However, movements around the globe, in more modern times, have helped alleviate
the plight of girls and women, so that today’s female teenagers can freely explore the same
opportunities and careers as young men.
Compare and Contrast

Forward or Defender: Which Soccer Position

Contributes More to a Win?
Soccer is a fascinating sport for a myriad reasons: it has changing speeds, dynamics in the
variety of player positions, and a hint of unpredictability where a twist of fate can turn the
game around. Soccer is no doubt a team game—one can seldom score a goal by dribbling the
ball across the field and getting it across the goal line alone. Every player contributes to the
overall result—even those players sitting on the substitute bench can contribute to the general
winning spirit of their team. Yet, despite the undoubted fact that soccer is a team game, there
has consistently been the argument as to who contributes more to a win, and thus, which role
is to be considered more valuable: is it the defender or the forward players? I believe it is
incorrect to consider choosing between these two positions.

The forward position is no doubt both exciting and fascinating. It is no secret that forward
players are commonly the most popular names in the world of soccer, and are also usually
sold to clubs at a much higher rate than players in any other position. After all, it is a forward
in most cases who scores that longed-for goal and makes the whole stadium chant their name.
Forwards also most often earn free kicks and penalties for their team by forcing the opposing
player to commit a foul to stop the marauding striker from getting the ball across the goal line
(Winston, Soccer’s Reality). Forwards are the most widely recognized, that even non-fans
can identify them by face and name. Soccer fans themselves will, in the majority of cases,
agree that forwards are the players who deserves, on-and-off the field, more than any other.

However, there have been millions of soccer games where even the world’s top-ranked
strikers have failed to score a goal because they seldom had the ball in their possession. When
defenders play their role properly, there is no ball to get into the goal, no matter how great a
forward is up front and how much he or she is willing to contribute. Forwards are rarely able
to fall back to their half of the field to tackle for the ball, and still have the strength to bring it
all the way to the opponent’s goal (Howards, Statistics of Soccer).

Defenders have to be ready to make a sliding tackle—alert and ready to back up their
teammates in the event of a mistake. Defenders themselves do not have the luxury of making
mistakes, since even a small slip on their part might result in a goal for their opponents, and
thus, a loss that fans are likely not to forgive.

One quality that any soccer player should have—whether they are a forward, a defender, a
goalkeeper, or a midfielder—is the ability to sense the team and each member of it, read their
intentions and act in unison for the team’s victory (Richard, Analysis of Soccer
Positions). We cannot truly say which position is more valuable: whether it is the
defender or the striker, since they are both irreplaceable to the team and could not work
effectively without each other.
Compare and Contrast

What is the Better Purchase: LCD TV or Plasma TV?

We live in a world of choice. In each moment, we are presented with the opportunity
to choose from an array of options. The truth is, though, that we do not always make
our choices consciously. Sometimes, instead of choosing what is best for our personal
requirements, we fall in the trap of commercial tricks and purchase a product we do
not need. When we want to make a choice based on facts and objective reasoning
exclusively, we need to methodically analyze and compare each product based on the
criteria we value. In this essay, I will try to do that when choosing between the two
most popular types of TVs: LCD and plasma. When entering the technical
department of any supermarket or a high-tech store, many people ask
themselves whether a LCD TV is better than a plasma TV, or vice versa. To
answer this question, we need to compare the two products based on several
relevant technical criteria.

From a layman’s eye, LCD and plasma TVs may look alike; however, a keen eye will
notice the difference between these sets. These differences permit customers to have
a manifold of choices based on their particular requirements. A plasma display
comprises of two glass panels packed in compartmentalized spaces, with many
small plasma cells. Plasma cells are normally charged to a precise electrical voltage
level (Kith, Plasma TV Components). On the other hand, an LCD display is comprised
of aqueous crystals that are normally preset between two panels of glass (Reed,
Architecture of the TV). Displays are further enhanced by utilizing electricity voltage on
the LCD TV set panel.

As a result of such technical differences, a conclusion can be drawn that plasma

TV sets are better in comparison to LCD TV sets when it comes to
lighting (Howard, TV Comparisons: Modern). Also, many users have noted that
plasma screens give an enhanced black color display as compared to LCD screens.
In addition, a plasma TV affords better viewing angles.

Another crucial criterion to consider whenever we compare two products of everyday

use is the pricing range. The price of any TV set depends on the display diameter and
the stylistic configuration of the device. One may spend up to a million dollars on a TV
set that was designed and custom made exclusively for their interior, and may even
be inlaid with precious stones or a designer label. However, when we aim to compare
two products based on their cost, we need to select two equally-sized, factory-made
for mass consumption products of one or two popular brands, and compare their
prices. An average plasma TV is cheaper than an LCD TV. This is largely due to the
fact that a plasma TV costs less to assemble, thus translating into a lower price (Fields,
Price Comparisons of Viewing). The price criterion once again speaks in favor of the
plasma TV. At the same time, when taking the price factor into account, we have to
understand its changeability. Since LCD TVs are a much more current technological
invention than the plasma TV, there is a high possibility that the price of LCD products
will decrease palpably in the near future, as technological progress offers us new
alternatives.

At the same time, it is logical to assume that the LCD TV will also have some
considerable advantages that help it successfully compete with the plasma TV on store
shelves and in consumers’ households. One such important advantage of the LCD TV
would be its lifespan. LCD TVs have a longer lifespan as opposed to the plasma
TV (Franz, TV Statistics). It also has superior screen resolution. This would be a
decisive factor to choose LCD over plasma for those consumers who enjoy playing
high-resolution video games on their TVs. However, this would not greatly matter to
an average TV viewer, since a plasma TV perfectly copes with the other tasks of a
regular TV set without any resolution imperfections for the viewer.

Ultimately, technology matters less when it comes to obtaining such a popular

domestic device as a TV set. After all, it is about the reliability and safety of the device
that every member of your family will use practically every day. Having compared the
two most popular types of TV sets, I came to the conclusion that there should be no
controversy between LCD TVs and plasma TVs. It is not about which TV set is more
worth its cost, or which is better-selling, but about the purpose for which the TV
set is being used. Notwithstanding the similarities between plasma and LCD TV sets,
their understated differences might be crucial when taking into consideration the TV’s
use, the environment, and location.

Buying the largest, most costly TV set that will occupy no less than a whole wall in your
living room might not be one of the smartest decisions for a household with children
and pets, while it would perfectly suit a hi-tech apartment of a young business person.
Consumers should remember a couple of basic tips when choosing one type of TV
over the other. For instance, if you want to fit a TV set into a huge space, then a plasma
TV will do better due to the wider viewing angle and the lower price of big sizes. The
debate about which TV set is better is far from over. In the end, the question lies more
in the hands of the consumer. Next time you buy a plasma or LCD TV set, do not be
surprised if your neighbor criticizes your choice.
Causal Analysis

Factors that Affect Our Health

By Nicholas Klacsanzky

Being healthy is kind of a mysterious thing. Some people can drink alcohol all the time and
smoke cigars in between and live long and relatively healthy, whereas nutrition-nut
individuals always eating organic food and abstaining from habits that would be detrimental
at times die early. Genetics definitely has an influence on how long we live and how well we
do internally, but there are many other factors that strongly affect our health. Let us explore
the general, intrinsic, and extrinsic factors that affect our well-being.

To get facts straight, the most influential factor affecting our health is our socioeconomic
status (40%). After this comes, in order, health behaviors (30%), environment (10%), family
genetics (10%), and finally healthcare (10%) (What Affects Our Health?). Socioeconomic
status involves race, education, and poverty level. We are often born into an unhealthy status,
or land into one due to economic situations. Not surprisingly, healthy habits such as
exercising, good eating, and meditation reflect the second most influential factor. But it seems
that many people with a low socioeconomic status cannot afford to engage in these health
behaviors. Clean air, clean water, a lack of toxicity, safety, and green materials all help to
maintain our health as well, reflecting the third most important factor for our health status.
Maybe somewhat of a surprise, genetics is the fourth most essential factor, with
predisposition playing a role. Slightly less influential is the standard of healthcare we have,
which is curious to think about, since we spend enormous amounts of money on it.

Next, we will get into more detail about the intrinsic and and extrinsic factors affecting our
health. Intrinsic factors involve elements within our body that can possibly create diseases
and other harmful processes, whereas extrinsic factors comprise aspects of the outer world
that can influence our health. The main intrinsic factors are malfunctioning body parts,
hereditary diseases, hormonal diseases, and allergies. In terms of extrinsic factors, we got
nutritional disorders, infections by microorganisms, habit-forming substances, and
environmental pollution (Shetty, Satya). I think “habit-forming substances” needs a bit more
explanation. Drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana or cigarettes, sniffing glue, or hard drugs
could be classified as habit-forming substances. They are usually addictive and are
intertwined with popular lifestyles.

We have been mostly delving into physical health, but mentioning mental health is also
key. In fact, many specialists believe our mental and physical sides are interconnected.
Let us take depression. If an individual is showing signs of depression, they have a “67%
increased risk of death from heart disease” and also a “50% increased risk of death
from cancer” (Mental Health Foundation). With a more severe issue like schizophrenia,
people with this problem “double the risk of death from heart disease” and are “three times
the risk of death from respiratory disease” (Mental Health Foundation). On a more everyday
level, stress can cause a large amount of emotional, physical, cognitive, and behavioral
symptoms. There are too many symptoms to mention here, so I will give a run down of the
most essential. For emotional symptoms, we have “becoming easily agitated, frustrated, and
moody, feeling overwhelmed, like you are losing control or need to take control, having
difficulty relaxing and quieting your mind”; in terms of physical symptoms, we can list “low
energy, headaches, upset stomach, including diarrhea, constipation, and nausea”; with
cognitive symptoms, we have “constant worrying, racing thoughts, forgetfulness and
disorganization”; and finally for behavioral symptoms, we can name “changes in appetite—
either not eating or eating too much, procrastinating and avoiding responsibilities, increased
use of alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes” (WebMD) . As you can see, stress creates a complex of
damage for an individual.

What makes one person healthy and another person unhealthy involves a multitude of factors.
Socioeconomic status, health behaviors, environment, genetics, and healthcare are the tip of
the iceberg. There are a myriad intrinsic and extrinsic factors that affect our health, and our
mental health is also interconnected with our bodily state. With socioeconomic status being
the most driving factor for health, it seems doctors and other professionals related to keeping
the health of people above water should focus on raising the socioeconomic status of their
locales.
Causal Analysis

What Causes Teenagers to Run Away from Home

Adolescence is probably the most extreme period in the life of an individual. Transiting from
childhood to being an adult is full of rioting, searching for one’s identity and purpose,
developing new models of behavior, psychologically separating from parents, and maturing.
Many people tend to remember their teen years as the most saturated and meaningful—even
though what teenagers usually do is hang out with friends and party. This age, however, is not
as carefree and unclouded as it seems; teenagers, due to hormonal hurricanes and the
psychological peculiarities of this age, often get themselves in trouble. Millions of parents
around the world are worried that their children at this age will get in the wrong surrounding,
start doing drugs, or drink alcohol; there is, at the same time, a problem that is no less
dangerous: running away from home.

Although it might seem romantic—escaping home and wandering around the country or
abroad, in search of one’s purpose or for whatever other reason—the reality is
different. According to statistics, every year, up to 2.8 million teens who escape from
home have to live on the streets. Among them, about 50% have been kicked out of their
homes or shelters at least once, and they specified home conflicts being one of the main
reasons of this; according to the reports of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention, about 20% of young people who have been thrown out of their homes or escaped
faced physical and/or sexual abuse, or felt they were under the threat of abuse. Overall, more
than 60% of runaway teenagers have depression, half of them have problems at school, and
about 20% have developed substance addiction (National Safe Place). As it can be seen from
the statistics, being a runaway is not about romantically searching for their place in the world,
but rather suffering from injustice, poverty, violence, and depression.

Of course, there are cases when teens run away because of something bad at home (for
example, a big fight with parents, or harsh restrictions, and so on). However, for a large
percentage of runaways, the need to escape is innate, due to systematic misfortunes at
home or school. In this regard, specialists distinguish between episodic running away and
chronic running away. Episodic running away does not have a consistent pattern, and usually
it not used to manipulate parents. More likely, episodic runaways occur in order to avoid
punishment for misbehavior or misconduct, possible humiliation (for instance, from peers at
school), or embarrassment. In the case of chronic running away, the situation is different;
teenagers who regularly escape from home may be using this strategy to influence their
parents, draw their attention if other means do not prove to be efficient, manipulate parents, or
act out. One of the signs of such a pattern is when a teenager uses phrases such as: “If you
make me do this/If you do not do that, I will run away.” They may threaten their parents by
saying, “If you make me do that, I’ll run away,” knowing that running away is what many
parents are afraid of. This is a bargaining strategy, and parents can engage in it without fully
realizing they in fact cater to such behavioral patterns, not prevent them. Once a parent
concedes to such blackmailing, a teenager may start using it more to always get what he or
she wants; when such a relationship model substitutes direct and open communication
between children and parents, it is not a healthy relationship anymore (Empowering Parents).

As for the reasons why teenagers choose to escape can be numerous. Among the most
common ones are abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, and so on), substance addiction, and
peer pressure. According to a study conducted at the University of Chicago, the most
common reason for teenagers to run away from home is the lack of support and understanding
coming from family members—and this is the best-case scenario. Unfortunately, there are
numerous cases when teens have been molested, beaten, humiliated, threatened, and
mistreated in their families; the fact that parents—probably the closest people to a teen—do
this to him or her deeply undermines a young person’s ability to trust the world and his or her
given society. Often being dependent on their parents in terms of finance or a place to live,
they do not have an effective means of preventing or stopping harm from their parents;
running away for such children seems to be the only valid option. Nearly the same is the
situation for many teenagers at schools; feeling like a black sheep in class or being bullied,
such teens tend to choose radical ways of problem solving. There were infamous cases when
such teens committed mass shootings in the schools they studied at, but less psychologically
traumatized children prefer to eliminate themselves from the stressful environment—through
running away, usually. As for substance addiction, it commonly accompanies the
aforementioned problems; a healthy teenager who has good relationships within and outside
the family rarely feels the desire to try out drugs, for example; this may be done as an
experiment or a part of teenage rioting behavior, but rarely turns into a consistent pattern
typical for addicts. Nevertheless, teenagers who develop a substance addiction may run away
from home in order to conceal this addiction from their parents, find money (often illegally)
to buy more drugs or alcohol, or because they got into trouble connected to substances. Either
way, parents need to look out for the signs of addiction a child may display in order to be able
to notice the problem in time and try to solve it before it is too late.

Running away as a teen is a dangerous act. Teens who escape their homes often have to live
in poverty, depression, and abuse; trying to solve problems (such as physical or emotional
abuse, for example) at school or home, they run away hoping to get away from the source of
distress; however, living on the streets means becoming less protected and more vulnerable,
so the reason why teens escape does not vanish. Therefore, parents should be more attentive
to their children, encourage direct communication, and watch out for signs of problems their
child might be demonstrating in order to prevent the situation from becoming worse.
Causal Analysis

The Most Obese Countries in the World and Why They

Are on the List
Despite global poverty, there is also global obesity. This demonstrates the imbalance the world
is in now. Obesity is a dangerous condition, as it leads to early death, heart issues, and other
medical problems. Being obese also is harmful to one’s self-esteem and sense of self in general.
In the world today, there are about two billion overweight individuals, and this number keeps
growing (CNN). Let us take a look at the most obese countries in the world and uncover why
these countries stand out in the obesity epidemic.

Contrary to popular opinion, the United States is not the most obese country in the world.
In fact, the U.S. is only the 12th most obese country in the world. The country with the
highest rate of obesity in the world is Nauru, which is a tiny island close to
Australia. According to WorldAtlas, “topping the list are small Pacific Island nations such as
Samoa, Tonga and Kiribati, to name a few. Approximately four of every five citizens of these
countries are obese or overweight. The reason is almost all of the food these island nations are
imported and therefore expensive, but fast-food chains offer a cheap and convenient
alternative” (Dillinger, Jessica). Besides the food choices of the citizens of these islands, the
environment on these islands are conducive for relaxation. This makes exercise and doing hard
work less preferable.

The countries next in line after islands are Middle Eastern

countries. The WorldAtlas states that “75 percent of these countries’ population is overweight
and well over a third is considered obese. With scorching hot temperatures of up to 40 degree
Celsius, regular ‘natural’ exercise such as walking is not common with an increasing embrace
for western fast food restaurants in recent years. Traditionally, people often share large
community platters, making it difficult keep track of portion size” (Dillinger, Jessica). In
addition, many wealthy native people of Middle Eastern countries have others work for them,
while they own companies and lands. This lack of movement makes them gain more weight.

Jammed between the Middle Eastern countries on the list is the United States. The reason for
the United States being high on the obesity list is a complex of factors. As Walter Willett, chair
of the department of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, states, “Part of this is
due to lower incomes and education, which result in purchases of cheap foods that are
high in refined starch and sugar. More deeply, this also reflects lower public investment
in education, public transportation, and recreational facilities. The bottom line: cheap,
unhealthy foods mixed with a sedentary lifestyle has made obesity the new normal in
America” (U.S. News & World Report). And what is interesting is that the American lifestyle
has seeped into the countries that are on the top of the list of the most obese countries. So, in
fact, they have outdone America in its own habits to become more obese than America.

Obesity is a global catastrophe, and island nations, the Middle East, and the U.S. spearhead this
issue. The lack of access to quality food, a lack of exercise, and a lack of education about health
all contribute to obesity. According to the statistics, obesity rates are continuing to rise. What
will stop this conundrum? Only time will tell.
Causal Analysis

Problems that Arise from Alcohol Advertising

Various facets of a society, be it the youth, mature adults, or even children are constantly
exposed to complex and often conflicting messages about alcohol usage (Gorg 546). Alcohol
advertising indirectly causes many societal problems that need to be dealt with. However, one
can identify three major issues that need to be addressed, namely the over-consumption of
alcohol, underage drinking, and the perception of a negative body image.

Some experts link excessive alcohol consumption with an increased exposure of the population
to advertisements for alcohol. Alcohol advertisements broadcasted on television—especially
on sports channels—have been identified as being the most effective. They make the largest
contribution to the rate of growth of alcohol consumption compared to any other type of
publicity, such as magazine and billboard advertisements (Longman 56). Over-consumption
of strong spirits, such as whiskey, vodka, and gin can readily lead to a crippling
dependence on alcohol, debilitating illnesses, and even premature death. Further social
consequences that need to be factored in include divorce, domestic violence, and bankruptcy.

Another issue unequivocally associated with alcohol advertising is the relentless rise in
underage drinking. In the USA, as well as in many other countries, a person is only legally
permitted to consume strong alcoholic drinks when they are 21 years old. However, according
to scientific research, many young people begin to consume alcohol at a much younger age
(Reese 456). This phenomenon, encouraged by judicious advertising, is supported, for example,
by a specific college culture that promotes binge drinking and wild parties (Reese 454). In some
countries of Eastern Europe, it has been reported that young people use or even abuse alcohol
well before they enter college.

The stereotypical and racy sexual imagery projected by advertisements that actively promote
alcohol consumption raise significant moral and ethical issues. One of the primary target
audiences of alcohol advertisements is the single, young man. Advertisements aimed at
this category often include “controversial content” such as scantily-clad women (Gorg
195). Not only young men, but also young women watch these advertisements. Women tend to
compare themselves to the models featured in the commercials. The impossibly perfect,
photoshopped models in advertisements often lead “a normal young woman” to perceive her
own body image to be somehow inadequate (Gorg 237). In the real world, this is simply not the
case; there are all sorts of shapes and bodily sizes of attractive women.

Companies that produce alcohol, as well as advertising agencies, are generally more concerned
with promoting a certain brand than with the ethical consequences of their actions (Longman
24). Besides, alcohol companies argue that they have a right to advertise in the most effective
way possible in order to generate sales (Reese 353). However, negative effects of alcohol
advertising are worth considering, as they cause social and personal problems, such as alcohol
over-consumption, underage drinking, and negative body image.
 Persuasive Essay

Education Is The Key To Success

I believe education is the most important tool you can receive, that can bring you most success in
society today. Education lessens the challenges you will face in life. The more knowledge you gain
the more opportunities will open up to allow individuals to achieve better possibilities in career
and personal growth. Education has played an important role in the career world of the twenty-
first century. A person with a higher education will be easily qualified compared to a person
without an extended education; as one will be prepared to do various tasks that careers demand as
well as meet job standards.

I also believe education is important because it helps us develop a unique perspective of looking
at life. Education has played a major role for all individuals in the society. It has allowed the
community to succeed both socially and economically by enabling it to develop common culture
and values. Education is the reason our world is the way it is today, doctors have been close to
finding cures for cancer because of a higher education; our technology has been enriched compared
to the 19th century all because of education.

If the importance of education is not recognized, then someday education will become less
relevant. Education serves to unite and strengthen our country. Without education people would
not be able to distinguish right from wrong. If this should happen, then our society will find itself
at a large disadvantage compared to other countries. “Education is the most powerful weapon
which you can use to change the world” once said by a wise man name Nelson Mandela, and that
is why I strongly agree why education is important.
Persuasive Essay

The Key to Success – an Essay about

Education
From the moment we are born, we start to learn. We learn how to attract attention and get our
needs met. We learn how to interact with others and how to crawl, walk, and run. Some of this we
learn on our own, and the rest we learn from our parents and siblings. As we grow older, however,
the amount of information we can learn on our own diminishes, and we must rely increasingly on
formal education in order to develop the skills and knowledge we need to be successful in today’s
world. Education is the key to success, and pursuing education is the best way to achieve one’s
goals in life.

Around the world, there has been a massive push to increase access to education. Over the past
fifty years, preschool and pre-kindergarten programs have expanded rapidly, and on the other end
of the spectrum, governments have been working hard to expand students’ access to higher
education. This isn’t simply a conspiracy to funnel cash into the pockets of schools and teachers.
Instead, it is a recognition that education is essential for achieving one’s goals.

The number of jobs that someone possessing only a high school diploma can qualify for continues
to shrink each year as employers push for more professionalization of employment. Many
employers use a bachelor’s degree as a filtering mechanism to limit the number of applicants for
a position. Even now there is a push in the business world to require master’s degrees or MBAs
for an increasing number of positions. Consequently, having a college education is more important
than ever just in terms of being able to get your foot in the door when it comes to applying for a
job.

But that’s not the only reason education helps to create the conditions for success. Education also
broadens the mind and exposes individuals to topics and information outside their usual comfort
zone. Having a broad general education helps a student to see connections between subjects in
different areas. When a student can make these kinds of connections in the real world, he or she
becomes an asset to the global business world, one where information and events are often
interdisciplinary and seeing how different subjects and approaches tie together puts you on a fast
track to success.

When you have a great education, you have the tools you need to develop creative solutions to
problems and discover insights beyond the limited set of solutions already in place. For example,
someone working in management might have great deal of expertise in the six traditional
approaches to management, but if that manager also has an exceptional education, that manager
might also be aware of sociological, organizational, and communication theories that shed
different light on the problems of working with individuals in small groups and teams. Applying
cross-disciplinary approaches can help to create a more nimble and effective organization that
competes better in the global marketplace.

Consequently, we can see that education is the primary way that people today can experience
upward mobility, obtain desirable employment, and advance in the workplace. The more we learn,
the more we are able to do and to achieve. But this isn’t limited only to the workplace. The same
applies in other ventures as well. Even in seemingly unrelated areas such as sports, education is a
key to success. Players can’t master their sports without learning about the theory behind them,
the history of the game and its rules, and even how competitors play the game. While it may not
look the same as the type of classroom education that we associate with schooling, this kind of
learning is education as well. Similarly, if you wish to become a pilot of a plane or a boat, you
must learn how to operate those machines, and that takes education. Whenever we learn, formally
or informally, we are experiencing education. No matter the endeavor, we must learn to succeed.