September has been super busy and I have seen some amazing manifestations in the physical of things that I have been praying about. God has reminded me as he often does yesterday, of the fact that we are on a journey and we often go through different seasons and phases. He has also reminded me that whilst I might not always fully know and understand what he is doing I must continue to seek, know and trust that he has my back and it will all work out in the end.
Be blessed to be a blessing.
To me I believe October the 10th month of the year will be another amazing time of revelation, encounters, provision, abundance and transformation. So I ask you to share with me, what you are expecting for this month and encourage you to set your intentions for this month, focus on what you want and if you believe in God and the power of prayer. Pray and speak those things into being. Additionally I want to remind you that as you go through the last few months of this year, if you are ready and willing to see some amazing miracles in your life. Re-commit absolutely everything you do completely to God, pray for divine attraction, do you best and watch the manifestation of God in the next few weeks.
Be blessed to be a blessing
Tuesday, 13 October 2015
Tuesday, 6 October 2015
Writing introductions
Your introduction is the first impression your readers will have of your writing. A good introduction will show them that you know what you're talking about and that you're going to complete the task in question. It will also make them want to carry on reading and feel well disposed to what is to come.
A bad introduction will have the opposite effect and might even prejudice the reader against the rest of the writing, even if it does improve.
The most common mistakes made by students are:
A good introduction will:
You want the examiners, to say to themselves "Good! This student has understood the question, has revised and is going to answer the question set, not another one. Let's read on!"
It might be useful for you to think of your introduction as a film trailer, not everything in the movie but the best bits to wet the reader’s appetite.
So more specifically, how do you do this?
include a "topic sentence" which indicates the main thrust of your answer.
Some would suggest that an introduction should begin as follows for example:
This essay deals with the economic and political decline in Britain's world role.
This assignment will examine Britain's peculiar unwritten constitution.
However, I would argue that the examiner knows they are reading an essay so it
might be more useful to start by focusing on the question, the key factors you
are going to explore. Then suggest which factor is the most significant and why
(thus make your judgement).
use the same, or very similar, wording as in the question. If part of the
question is "Discuss recent developments in communication technology"
then in your introduction say something like "This essay will consider
recent developments in the field of communication technology and will ...
". Don't leave any room for doubt.
Or The main reason why Stalin was able to rise to power after the death
of Lenin, was because he was the best politician for the job. Additionally…
Highlight the main themes to be discussed and briefly refer to them then
make your judgement.
The importance of introductions (and conclusions) cannot be stressed too
much.
Here are some examples of good (and bad!) introductions.
Example introductions
Imagine you are studying the mass media as part of your course and you have
been set the following essay title:
Examine the sociological evidence of stereotypes of social groups in the mass
media. What are the causes of stereotyping in the mass media and to what
extent do they influence social attitudes?
Word limit: 2000 words
Read the following examples and decide which meet the criteria for a good
introduction.
Example 1
As we all know, Britain is a multicultural society. In the 1960s many thousands
of immigrants came to the country, mostly setting up home in the major cities.
The majority of these immigrants came from the West Indies, India and
Pakistan and Hong Kong. Racism has always been a problem, with the various
groups of immigrants seen as stereotypes, although over the years there has
been increasing integration into British society, particularly by the children of
immigrant families. This is reflected in the mass media. Twenty years ago black
people were rarely seen on television and very few held jobs in the press.
However, nowadays, more and more black people work as journalists and are
thus able to look at events from a different perspective.
Your comments:
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
________
___________________________________________________________
Example 2
Stereotypes are everywhere: the reserved British, the disorganised Italians, the shopping-obsessed Japanese. This essay will talk about these stereotypes and ask if they are true. It is going to look at the different types of stereotypes and their representation in the media. The following areas will be covered: television; radio; the press, and the cinema. I will particularly look at television and ask the question "Does television reinforce these stereotypes?"
Your comments:
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Example 3
Stereotypes abound in today's society. People seem to have an innate compulsion to categorise others into various groups and then to apply rigid and limited descriptions to these groups. There are therefore, amongst others, stereotypical nationalities and races; stereotypical sexes and sexual orientations and stereotypical classes. And one place where these stereotypes often thrive is in the mass media, particularly in the tabloid press and popular television, such as in situation comedy. Some, for example Hick (1996), claim
that this is a harmless phenomenon, whereas commentators such as Ealham (1998) point to the possible dangers of obsessive stereotyping in the media.
This essay will examine what sociological evidence there is for the process of stereotyping in the mass media, and will then go on to analyse the reasons for its occurrence. The final part of the essay will ask how far society's attitudes are in fact shaped by this portrayal of the various kinds of stereotypes.
Your comments:
___________________________________________________________
____________
Introduction 1
Your tutor would read an introduction like this with a great sense of foreboding. There's no real problem with the actual English, but the writer shows no indication whatsoever of answering the question. The word 'stereotype' has been picked up on, and narrowly interpreted as meaning racial stereotype. But even then there is no attempt to focus on the actual question, and most of what is said is irrelevant. Probably a fail.
Introduction 2
Too short for a start, and not very well written (inconsistency of tenses: will/going to) No attempt to put the question into some sort of context, to get the reader interested in what's to come. At first, it looks as if stereotypes are being interpreted simply as national stereotypes and also the writer goes off on
the wrong tack: the question does not ask for a simple description nor asks
about the validity of these stereotypes. The last part of the introduction,
however, does indicate that the last part of the question will be addressed. If the writer manages to focus more on the actual question, the essay might just scrape a pass.
Introduction 3
This is a very good introduction. It's about the right length (c8%); gives a little relevant background and context, indicating that the writer has thought about what a stereotype is in its broadest interpretation; makes some initialreferences to sources; and finally focuses precisely on the question, showing
the reader that it has been fully understood and that it will be answered. Note that the wording of the final part of the introduction is very close to that of the question. If the essay follows in the same vein, it should get an excellent mark.
A bad introduction will have the opposite effect and might even prejudice the reader against the rest of the writing, even if it does improve.
The most common mistakes made by students are:
- not to include an introduction at all
- to include an introduction, but one which is unrecognizable as such
- to include too much background/historical information in the introduction
- to make the introduction too long.
A good introduction will:
- show that you are going to answer the question or complete the task
- show that you understand the issues and their implications
- show how you are going to do this by indicating the structure of your answer
- and making clear the main areas that you are going to write about (your plan).
- show evidence that you know key studies by making reference to your sources and be totally relevant.
You want the examiners, to say to themselves "Good! This student has understood the question, has revised and is going to answer the question set, not another one. Let's read on!"
It might be useful for you to think of your introduction as a film trailer, not everything in the movie but the best bits to wet the reader’s appetite.
So more specifically, how do you do this?
include a "topic sentence" which indicates the main thrust of your answer.
Some would suggest that an introduction should begin as follows for example:
This essay deals with the economic and political decline in Britain's world role.
This assignment will examine Britain's peculiar unwritten constitution.
However, I would argue that the examiner knows they are reading an essay so it
might be more useful to start by focusing on the question, the key factors you
are going to explore. Then suggest which factor is the most significant and why
(thus make your judgement).
use the same, or very similar, wording as in the question. If part of the
question is "Discuss recent developments in communication technology"
then in your introduction say something like "This essay will consider
recent developments in the field of communication technology and will ...
". Don't leave any room for doubt.
Or The main reason why Stalin was able to rise to power after the death
of Lenin, was because he was the best politician for the job. Additionally…
Highlight the main themes to be discussed and briefly refer to them then
make your judgement.
The importance of introductions (and conclusions) cannot be stressed too
much.
Here are some examples of good (and bad!) introductions.
Example introductions
Imagine you are studying the mass media as part of your course and you have
been set the following essay title:
Examine the sociological evidence of stereotypes of social groups in the mass
media. What are the causes of stereotyping in the mass media and to what
extent do they influence social attitudes?
Word limit: 2000 words
Read the following examples and decide which meet the criteria for a good
introduction.
Example 1
As we all know, Britain is a multicultural society. In the 1960s many thousands
of immigrants came to the country, mostly setting up home in the major cities.
The majority of these immigrants came from the West Indies, India and
Pakistan and Hong Kong. Racism has always been a problem, with the various
groups of immigrants seen as stereotypes, although over the years there has
been increasing integration into British society, particularly by the children of
immigrant families. This is reflected in the mass media. Twenty years ago black
people were rarely seen on television and very few held jobs in the press.
However, nowadays, more and more black people work as journalists and are
thus able to look at events from a different perspective.
Your comments:
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
________
___________________________________________________________
Example 2
Stereotypes are everywhere: the reserved British, the disorganised Italians, the shopping-obsessed Japanese. This essay will talk about these stereotypes and ask if they are true. It is going to look at the different types of stereotypes and their representation in the media. The following areas will be covered: television; radio; the press, and the cinema. I will particularly look at television and ask the question "Does television reinforce these stereotypes?"
Your comments:
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Example 3
Stereotypes abound in today's society. People seem to have an innate compulsion to categorise others into various groups and then to apply rigid and limited descriptions to these groups. There are therefore, amongst others, stereotypical nationalities and races; stereotypical sexes and sexual orientations and stereotypical classes. And one place where these stereotypes often thrive is in the mass media, particularly in the tabloid press and popular television, such as in situation comedy. Some, for example Hick (1996), claim
that this is a harmless phenomenon, whereas commentators such as Ealham (1998) point to the possible dangers of obsessive stereotyping in the media.
This essay will examine what sociological evidence there is for the process of stereotyping in the mass media, and will then go on to analyse the reasons for its occurrence. The final part of the essay will ask how far society's attitudes are in fact shaped by this portrayal of the various kinds of stereotypes.
Your comments:
___________________________________________________________
____________
Introduction 1
Your tutor would read an introduction like this with a great sense of foreboding. There's no real problem with the actual English, but the writer shows no indication whatsoever of answering the question. The word 'stereotype' has been picked up on, and narrowly interpreted as meaning racial stereotype. But even then there is no attempt to focus on the actual question, and most of what is said is irrelevant. Probably a fail.
Introduction 2
Too short for a start, and not very well written (inconsistency of tenses: will/going to) No attempt to put the question into some sort of context, to get the reader interested in what's to come. At first, it looks as if stereotypes are being interpreted simply as national stereotypes and also the writer goes off on
the wrong tack: the question does not ask for a simple description nor asks
about the validity of these stereotypes. The last part of the introduction,
however, does indicate that the last part of the question will be addressed. If the writer manages to focus more on the actual question, the essay might just scrape a pass.
Introduction 3
This is a very good introduction. It's about the right length (c8%); gives a little relevant background and context, indicating that the writer has thought about what a stereotype is in its broadest interpretation; makes some initialreferences to sources; and finally focuses precisely on the question, showing
the reader that it has been fully understood and that it will be answered. Note that the wording of the final part of the introduction is very close to that of the question. If the essay follows in the same vein, it should get an excellent mark.
Monday, 5 October 2015
Do you know your value?
I recently shared two videos entitled the blessing of singleness part 1 and part 2, although the video itself was primary aimed at single Christian women I realised that it was actually aimed at more than just this group. It was aimed at married Christian women and at women in general also.
As someone who has spent most of my life within the church, I am aware of the pressure that Christian women over a certain age experience when it comes to singlehood. It's as if whilst you are in your 20s you are fine, and everything is okay but once you head towards 29 or 30, every sister in church or family member who are Christians become concerned and worried about your marital status, suddenly your singlehood and lack of marriage proposals becomes a problem. It's as if you are no longer a valuable member of society, because no one has asked you to marry them and their is no ring on your finger.
As Christians you should be ashamed of the way you treat the single members of your church and community, especially the women and the pressure we place upon them to find an eligible partner and quick. The constant questions that are levied at these people are unacceptable and rude and where have you found support in the scriptures to treat people in this way? True the rudeness and insensitivity may not be a conscious effort at suggesting to the individual that they are not valuable as a individual or that they are not making a significant contribution to church life on their own. Nevertheless, whether intentional or not the impact is still the same.
You should always endeveaour to value and esteem your fellow brethern whether single or married, you should show them the respect they desire and deserve and most importantly you should value them as a person.
Additionally as a single person, never sell yourself short. Never settle for less than your desire or devalue yourself. Recognise who you are in the Kingdom of God, many in the bible who did great works for God such as Paul or Jesus, were single themselves.
Nevertheless, the constant question about my singlehood did irriate me, but eventually I began to ignore the insensitive questions, that one aunt in particular liked to ask.
My single sister whether Christian or not, I want you to always remember and know you value, you are worth more than rubies and diamonds. You are awesome and amazing, created with passion and for a purpose. You are phenomenal, you do not need a man to complete you and when you do have one he must appreciate your worth and recognise the rare gift he has been given in you.
Be blessed to be a blessing.
Tuesday, 22 September 2015
Work life balance - take time for you!
You may have decided to become an entrepreneur or run your own business, so that you can have an amazing work life balance, I know I did. You love what you do and are committed to your business, your calling has become your vocation and you are filled with passion and excitement for what you do.
Being with the children
Additionally, you also love being able to drop or pick up your kids up from school. Make pizzas with your children, as I will be doing later and just generally interacting and engaging with them during daytime hours and enjoy being their parents.
How to balance it all?
However, sometimes it is difficult to strike a healthy work life, balance with all the pressure you may experience as a woman. Wanting to be there for your children, to really invest in their lives. Yet also wanting to create the most successful and dynamic business for yourself and others. Wanting to create a business, were you impact and transform the lives of others, supporting them in creating the lives of their dreams.
Nourishing yourself spiritually and physically
My life lesson this week and a discussion I had with one of my client's this week was about striking an effective work life balance between being yourself, a parent/wife and running your own business. As well as factoring in time for developing, growing and marketing your business, and working with your clients. Time for being a mother and wife/partner and it is still important to include time for yourself. You cannot avoid nurturing and nourishing yourself both spiritually; through meditation or prayer and physically; through exercise and spa treatments etc... Otherwise you will have found that you have merely swapped being married to a job, to being married to your business. Yes you may have to work hard in the early years, however, how can you serve others, when you are empty yourself.
Take time for you and you will find yourself even more effective in your life transition, less overwhelmed and living an amazing journey.
You are the best and deserve the best.
Be blessed to be a blessing!
Being with the children
Additionally, you also love being able to drop or pick up your kids up from school. Make pizzas with your children, as I will be doing later and just generally interacting and engaging with them during daytime hours and enjoy being their parents.
How to balance it all?
However, sometimes it is difficult to strike a healthy work life, balance with all the pressure you may experience as a woman. Wanting to be there for your children, to really invest in their lives. Yet also wanting to create the most successful and dynamic business for yourself and others. Wanting to create a business, were you impact and transform the lives of others, supporting them in creating the lives of their dreams.
My life lesson this week and a discussion I had with one of my client's this week was about striking an effective work life balance between being yourself, a parent/wife and running your own business. As well as factoring in time for developing, growing and marketing your business, and working with your clients. Time for being a mother and wife/partner and it is still important to include time for yourself. You cannot avoid nurturing and nourishing yourself both spiritually; through meditation or prayer and physically; through exercise and spa treatments etc... Otherwise you will have found that you have merely swapped being married to a job, to being married to your business. Yes you may have to work hard in the early years, however, how can you serve others, when you are empty yourself.
Take time for you and you will find yourself even more effective in your life transition, less overwhelmed and living an amazing journey.
You are the best and deserve the best.
Be blessed to be a blessing!
Friday, 18 September 2015
Nobody tells you how hard it is!
Today's blog is less about transformational strategies and more about encouraging all the mums out there like myself doing the best they can, but surprised about all the hard work that is involved in being a parent. My husband has this philosophy that the only difficult stage of parenting is raising teenagers. I disagree I think every age, has it's difficulties and issues, whether it be babies, preschoolers, infant or juniors, pre-teenagers and teens. You have probably found the same and may even find yourself bemoaning, "Nobody told me how hard it was before I had children!", a friend who has 6 year old twins and I recently had this discussion. No, they never do.
I have a 2 and almost 6 year old and they both have the capacity to fill your heart with warmth at times or leave you tearing your hair out and shouting. I am sure you have found the same, but I am sure you don't ever shout. Mums with older children and far more wisdom than me, have suggested that shouting is a waste of my energy and time; maybe deep down inside I know they are right, but sometimes it's frustrating when I talk to my children and they just completely ignore me. Additionally, they are boys and I have been told that it's a masculine thing. Not sure if that is true or not. So let's be honest with each other, motherhood is hard, I am sure sometimes, you find it hard too. Nevertheless, strangers may look at your children with judgement and disdaint, I have had strangers ask me if my child was on a tag because, he was playing with a metal chain near the bus stop. I was like really, really now do you want me to forget the educational training I have had and dignify that with an answer. I guess you can tell I wasn't very happy that day, and I am not sure how you would have responded?
For mums dealing their children, it is not easy, being a parent doesn't come with a manual and nobody told you how hard it would be, but I just wanted to let you know that you are the most amazing mum ever. You are doing an awesome job, your kids value you completely and you are raising dynamic and individuals that will make an impact on the society around themselves. Don't be so hard on yourself, value and celebrate your achievements and most importantly don't judge yourself by the standards of others. You have no idea what is going on in the other person's life.
Finally I salute all the mothers reading this post, you are marvellous and be proud of your achievements.
Be blessed to be a blessing!
Tuesday, 15 September 2015
40s and loving it!
I have recently joined a 40+ group on facebook and have also been talking to some friends who are either almost 40 or in their 40s. The mixed responses from these women have been insightful and varied. I am sure if you are over 35, you may have found the same. You may have friends who are in their 30s, who face the thought of turning 40, with fear and upset; complaining that they are getting old. I think your only as old as you feel, how old do you feel today? Don't get me wrong, we all have days when we feel tired, but I don't think 40 is as old as it was, when you were a child and those over 35 were referred to, as middle-aged.
Some women respond to turning 40 with amazing midlife transitions, they train for a marathon, travel the world, decide to have children or decide to change their careers. Are you one of these women? Or would you like to be?
My friend and I were discussing the wisdom of 40. The conversation went something like this. "In your twenties you are trying to work out who you are. In your thirties, you've grown up and are establishing who you are. By the forties you've fallen in love with who you are, and your pretty secure in yourself".
I love being over 40 and I am sure you feel the same, for me the saying that life begins at 40 is so true. I am sure the same is true for many of you? If it isn't for you then, there is still time for change. 40 has a vitality and freedom from the opinion of others that was not always so clear in our earlier years. You are old enough to have a level of wisdom that wasn't there in your 20s, yet young enough to take on new challenges and transform your life, into the life you desire.
Be blessed to be a blessing
Some women respond to turning 40 with amazing midlife transitions, they train for a marathon, travel the world, decide to have children or decide to change their careers. Are you one of these women? Or would you like to be?
My friend and I were discussing the wisdom of 40. The conversation went something like this. "In your twenties you are trying to work out who you are. In your thirties, you've grown up and are establishing who you are. By the forties you've fallen in love with who you are, and your pretty secure in yourself".
I love being over 40 and I am sure you feel the same, for me the saying that life begins at 40 is so true. I am sure the same is true for many of you? If it isn't for you then, there is still time for change. 40 has a vitality and freedom from the opinion of others that was not always so clear in our earlier years. You are old enough to have a level of wisdom that wasn't there in your 20s, yet young enough to take on new challenges and transform your life, into the life you desire.
Be blessed to be a blessing
Sunday, 6 September 2015
Sharing and Collaboration
Since then, an incredible and astonishing thing happened. A conversation with an inspirational friend, refined my focus and I discovered more clarity about what my sharing meant. I had shared the uplifting, unique and inspirational music of a friend without even thinking about it, and today I shared another friend's awesome writing talent.
For a long time I have known that part of my purpose has been to share and encourage others especially those of faith and women in particular. Too often you may suffer and struggle with issues in your lives in silence. Whether as Christians or just as women you may find you feel, you are not good enough to achieve your dreams. Someone during your journey has shattered your self-confidence and your ability to truly believe in your own greatness. It could be a teacher, a parent, a relative, a friend or even a work colleague. It doesn't matter who stripped your dreams away from you. They had no right to, and even more than that they lied to you, they were wrong.
You are all the things you thought you were and then some more. You were created with greatness within you, you are like a butterfly, amazing, creative, beautiful and a dynamic individual. You are unique, you are not a replica, there is no one else on this entire planet like you. You are like a butterfly, know that no one else can do what you do or how you do it. Also know that you were created with a unique and awe-inspiring purpose.
We touch and influence each others lives in some shape whether knowingly or unknowingly. Or even possibly through the 6 degrees of separation theory.
So I encourage you from today onwards, to actively and openly encourage those around you. To share your story and truth with those around you. Empower those around you to live their best lives and be the best version of themselves.
As I share my journey with you all, I encourage you to share your own. I believe we all have the power to live amazing and extraordinary lives, we just need to be that first.
Be blessed to be a blessing
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