city of god essays

city of god essays In the introductory scene, there is a chicken running through narrow hallways in a Brazilian slum called City of God. Chasing the chicken, there are dozens of thugs waving and shooting guns trying to kill it. At that point, the hero of the movie, Rocket, is presented as what seems to be just another young man that is going to be bullied, or probably killed by the gang members if he doesnt catch the chicken. From there on, director Fernando Meirelles relocates the story a decade before, allowing the public to witness the changes on the slum that conducted to introduction of the movie, and to show that Rocket is a courageous man that is able to face his worst fears. The film is a coming of age story that uses bold cinematography and narrative to powerfully convey its message. The story is a documentary-like film that explains the evolution of violence in that poor city while telling the coming of age story of two kids that moved in opposite directions. On the one hand, there is a kid named Rocket who decided that he didnt want to be a criminal and opposed the violence happening around him. He tries to be a correct man. He falls in love with a pretty girl while working his way to become a photographer. When he sees his first camera, he knows what he wants to do with his life(Oppenheimer). However, after working on dead end jobs and realizing that the girl dumped him for a gang member, Rocket decides to try being a thief, but he finds out that he is not that type of person. Instead, he gradually grows to be a man with aspirations and the will to improve and move out of City of God. On the other hand, there is a boy named Li'l Z who admires his brother and his thug friends that live robbing people in order to buy drugs and to have fun. Li'l Z ends up surpassing the original gang members of the City of God and become ruthless murderer that is not afraid of anything and that craves total contr...

Geophagy (Eating Dirt) - A Traditional Practice

Geophagy (Eating Dirt) - A Traditional Practice People around the world eat clay, dirt or other pieces of the lithosphere for a variety of reasons. Commonly, it is a traditional cultural activity which takes place during pregnancy, religious ceremonies, or as a remedy for disease. Most people who eat dirt live in Central Africa and the Southern United States. While it is a cultural practice, it also fills a physiological need for nutrients. African Geophagy In Africa, pregnant and lactating women are able to satisfy the very different nutritional needs of their bodies by eating clay. Often, the clay comes from favored clay pits and it is sold at market in a variety of sizes and with differing content of minerals. After purchase, the clays are stored in a belt-like cloth around the waist and eaten as desired and often without water. The cravings in pregnancy for a varied nutritional intake (during pregnancy, the body requires 20% more nutrients and 50% more during lactation) are solved by geophagy. The clay commonly ingested in Africa contains important nutrients such as  phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, copper, zinc, manganese, and iron. Spread to the U.S. The tradition of geophagy spread from Africa to the United States with slavery. A 1942 survey in Mississippi showed that at least 25 percent of the schoolchildren habitually ate earth. Adults, although not systematically surveyed, also consumed earth. A number of reasons were given: earth is good for you; it helps pregnant women; it tastes good; it is sour like a lemon; it tastes better if smoked in the chimney, and so on.* Unfortunately, many African-Americans who practice geophagy (or quasi-geophagy) are eating unhealthy material such as laundry starch, ashes, chalk and lead-paint chips because of psychological need. These materials have no nutritional benefits and can lead to intestinal problems and disease. The eating of inappropriate objects and material is known as pica. There are good sites for nutritional clay in the southern United States and sometimes family and friends will send care packages of good earth to expectant mothers in the north. Other Americans, such as the indigenous Pomo of Northern California used dirt in their diet they mixed it with ground acorn which neutralized the acid. * Hunter, John M. Geophagy in Africa and in the United States: A Culture-Nutrition Hypothesis. Geographical Review April 1973: 170-195. (Page 192)

Benchmarking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Benchmarking - Essay Example The objective of this report is to highlight the methods that could give an exact idea of the performance of the companies and how well they use their resources. This report doesn’t consider just one perspective for the judgment of the company. Its discussion is on the basis of both the financial and non-financial factors of the company. Besides these market perception and working environment with the potential of and for the workforce have been discussed.in order to gain the complete perspective of the companies. In this report the two companies selected for the benchmarking or comparison are not only the leading companies in their industry but also on of the biggest companies overall in the global ranking. The report gives the detailed comparison of Apple and Microsoft complete analysis have been made in order to get a conclusion regarding the performance of both companies in comparison to each other. ... Apple and Microsoft have global presence and compete on international market. They both are technology based companies however they have diverse range of products and compete on different level for every market and product that they offer. Both companies almost compete in every sector of the industry as the nature, aspects and operations of their business are quite similar thus the competition is quite cut throat and is mostly regarding capturing the market share not only in the American market but on the global scale. Thus there financial data can be compared as both companies have same target market, business operations and market environment thus any difference can be associated to the non-financial factors of the company. Company Details Both the companies are technology based and compete almost in all of their product and market segments. They maintain their own stores, authorized dealers and online stores. The principle executive offices or the registered headquarters of both A pple and Microsoft along with their registered exchange, ticker symbol and logo are as follow: APPLE INC. 1 Infinite Loop Cupertino, California, USA Registered on â€Å"The NASDAQ stock market LLC† Ticker Symbol AAPL MICRODOFT CORPORATION One Microsoft Way Redmond, Washington, USA Registered on â€Å"The NASDAQ stock market LLC† Ticker symbol MSFT (Investing.money.msn.com, 2013) Company Background and Profile Apple Inc. Apple is a California corporation that was established in 1977 and today along with its subsidiaries design, manufactures and markets mobile communication devices, media devices, personal computers, portable digital music players and long

Goal statement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Goal statement - Essay Example Interdependent when it involves patient’s plan of care development, working together with the doctors, therapists, patient and patients family, and coordinating the patient care performed by other members of an interdisciplinary health care team. Their roles are defined as independent when it is the nurses that are involved exclusively in the care of the patient. The nursing profession is guided by ethical standards set by bodies such as the American nursing association that rates how efficient the nurses are in identifying the patient’s source of pain ad bringing that patient relief (Hogan Et al, 2014). How effectively are the nurses communicating with the patient’s doctors, family, and the patient in acting as a bridge between the patient and all those around him? How effectively are the nurses meeting the patient’s emotional requirements, as care is a wholesome approach? How well are the caregivers responding to the needs of the concerned family such as strain, stress? The main reasons for seeking advance sociality preparation in the nursing profession include career advancement. The goal of the nurse may be to join other leaders in the realms of the top administration of a facility. Obtaining an advanced degree is essential in reaching your professional goal within the upper levels of nursing management. The other reason is salary increment. Irrespective of the field of choice or the geographical region of ones practice, advanced specialty preparation, guarantees the nurse some increase in benefits and allowances enjoyed. The nurse enjoys more flexibility this is because the nurse may choose whether to operate a full time or part time work schedule. The chances of autonomy are significantly increased once one take an advanced specialty course because the nurse is in a position to establish their independent practice (Hogan Et al, 2014). The reasons for choosing to specialize in

The psychology behind child abuse and neglect

The psychology behind child abuse and neglect The Psychology of the Child deals with mental growth or, what amounts to the same thing, the development of behavior patterns (including consciousness) up to adolescence, the transitional phase marking the entrance of the individual into adult society. Mental growth is in- separable from physical growth: the maturation of the nervous and endocrine systems, in particular, continues until the age of sixteen. The psychology of a child must be regarded as the study of one aspect of embryogenesis, the embryogenesis of organic as well as mental growth, up to the beginning of the state of relative equilibrium which is the adult level. Child abuse is the physical and/or psychological/emotional mistreatment of children. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define child maltreatment as any act or series of acts or commission or omission by a parent or other caregiver that results in harm, potential for harm, or threat of harm to a child. Most child abuse occurs in a childs home, with a smaller amount occurring in the organizations, schools or communities the child interacts with. The mental health journal, states that child abuse is defined as any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation, an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm. There are four major categories of child abuse: neglect, physical abuse, psychological/emotional abuse, and sexual abuse. NEGLECT: Neglect is the instance in which the responsible adult fails to adequately provide for various needs, including physical (failure to provide adequate food, clothing, or hygiene), emotional (failure to provide nurturing or affection) or educational (failure to enroll a child in school). PHYSICAL ABUSE is physical aggression directed at a child by an adult. It can involve striking, burning, choking or shaking a child. The transmission of toxins to a child through its mother (such as with fetal alcohol syndrome) can also be considered physical abuse in some jurisdictions .The distinction between child discipline and abuse is often poorly defined. Cultural norms about what constitutes abuse vary widely: among professionals as well as the wider public, people do not agree on what behaviors constitute abuse. Some human service professionals claim that cultural norms that sanction/ support physical punishment are one of the causes of child abuse, and have undertaken campaigns to redefine such norms. In the United States, the National Association of Social Workers has issued statements that even the mildest forms of physical punishment, such as moderate spanking, can lower childrens self-esteem, constitute acts of violence, and teach children that physical force is an acce ptable way to resolve conflicts. Against this latter argument, the philosopher Prof. David Benatar points out that one might as well say that fining people teaches that forcing others to give up some of their property is an acceptable way to respond to those who act in a way that one does not like. If beatings send a message, why dont detentions, imprisonments, fines, and a multitude of other punishments convey equally undesirable messages? He adds. 3 PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE also known as emotional abuse, which can involve belittling or shaming a child, inappropriate or extreme punishment and the withholding of affection. CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE is any sexual act between an adult and a child, including penetration, oral sex and forced nudity in front of the adult. According to the (American) National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse, in 1997 neglect represented 54% of confirmed cases of child abuse, physical abuse 22%, sexual abuse 8%, emotional maltreatment 4%, and other forms of maltreatment 12%. A UNICEF report on child well-being stated that the United States and the United Kingdom ranked lowest among industrial nations with respect to the wellbeing of children. This study also found that child neglect and child abuse are far more common in single-parent families than in families where both parents are present. CAUSES OF CHILD ABUSE Child abuse is a complex problem which has multiple causes. Understanding the causes of abuse is crucial to addressing the problem of child abuse. Parents who physically abuse their spouses are more likely to physically abuse their children However, it is difficult to know whether marital strife is a cause of child abuse, or if both the marital strife and abuse are caused by tendencies in the abuser. Substance abuse is a major contributing factor to child abuse. One study found that parents with documented substance abuse, most commonly alcohol, cocaine, and heroin, were much more likely to mistreat their children, and were also much more likely to reject court-ordered services and treatments. Another study found that over two thirds of 4 cases of child maltreatment involved parents with substance abuse problems. This study specifically found relationships between alcohol and physical abuse, and between cocaine and sexual abuse. In 2009 CBS News reported that child abuse in the United States had increased during the economic recession. It gave the example of a father who had never been the primary care-taker of the children. Now that the father was in that role, the children began to come in with injuries. CAUSES OF CHILD ABUSE Children have that right to be loved. But there are those who suffer child abuse in the very sense of the word. Child abuse could either be physical, mental or sexual abuse to children. This might have certain adverse effects on the child so they must be given extra support and attention physical abuse concerns maltreatments of children in a physical way. This means hurting the children physically, or not giving them proper nutrition. Emotional abuse or mental abuse, on the other hand, is about abuse in children which affects primarily their emotions. This includes saying hurtful words to children, as well as scolding them often that lower their self esteem. Sexual abuse, however, is abuse that concerns the sexual attributes of a child. This is one of the worst cases of child abuse. Like any other abuse, child abuse also has a cause. There are many causes of child abuse. The most prominent one among the causes is mental illness, as well as psychological problems. The tendency is that people who are not in their right minds, could easily do harm to children, whether intentional or not. Also, family problems are major causes of child abuse. Parents under the power of drugs could easily hurt their children. Plus, financial problems could invoke parents or other 5 members of the family to abuse children as an outlet of their emotions. Stress could also be a root cause of child abuse. It is good to know the cause of abuse on a certain child so that the treatment and the actions could be well defined. EFFECTS OF CHILD ABUSE (SHORT TERM) Studies indicate that every day a significant number of children are exposed to serious maltreatment and neglect leading to physical and psychological injury and serious long-term consequences. Researchers are continuously examining the wide range of potential consequences of child abuse and neglect. Mounting evidence suggests that, in addition to the immediate negative effects on children, maltreatment is associated with a host of problems manifested in adolescence and adulthood. Child abuse is not, however, a short-term crisis in a childs life. Although children are removed from violent homes or leave home to live on their own, the effects of experiencing abuse in their childhood follow them through life. Child abuse can affect all aspects of a childs life and can spill over in there adult life as well. Effects of child abuse include the following: PSYCOLOGICAL EFFECTS Child abuse may permanently alter the psychological well being of a child. Following maltreatment, children are known to display the following problems: Extreme and repetitive nightmares, Anxiety. Unusually high levels of anger and aggression. Feelings of guilt and shame for sexually abused victims this can be quite severe, especially if the victim experienced some degree of pleasure during part of the abuse. Sudden phobias, such as a fear of darkness or water. 6 Psychosomatic complaints, including stomachaches, headaches, hypochondrias is, fecal soiling, bed wetting and excessive blinking. General fearfulness and a specific fear of others of the same gender as the abuser. Depressive symptoms, long bouts of sadness, social withdrawal. Self-reported social isolation and feelings of stigmatization.. After continued exposure to maltreatment, children may develop further psychological complications: Significant increase in rates of psychiatric disorders, Dissociation, intrusive thoughts suicidal ideation and more acute phobias, More serious levels of anxiety fear depression, loneliness, anger, hostility and guilt, Distorted cognition, such as chronic perceptions of danger and confusion, illogical thinking, inaccurate images of the world, shattered assumptions about the world and difficulty determining what is real, decreased effectiveness in comprehending complex roles. PHYSICAL EFFECTS In addition to the obvious physical injuries, such as broken bones, bruises and scarring, abuse is also related to several additional physical complications for children, including the following: Children who have suffered serious and chronic neglect are more likely to be smaller and lighter than non-maltreated children, which has been shown to affect long-term health. Children who are physically abused (or shaken in the case of very young children) may suffer permanent neurological damage, dramatically affecting their future development. Weight problems often emerging as eating disorders. Serious sleeps disturbances and bouts of dizziness when awake. 7 Other stress-related symptoms, such as gastrointestinal problems, migraine headaches, difficulty breathing, hypertension, aches, pains and rashes which defy diagnosis and/or treatment, Poor overall health. BEHAVIORAL CONSEQUENCES Abused children are known to display the following behavioral problems: Developmental delays, Clinging behavior, extreme shyness and fear of strangers, Troubled socialization with peers constant fighting or socially undesirable behaviors, such as bullying, teasing or not sharing, Poor school adjustment and disruptive classroom behavior,there is a growing understanding among researchers that child maltreatment is associated with a host of behavioral problems that manifest themselves in adolescence: School-age pregnancy, Self-destructive behaviors such as self-mutilation or burning, Truancy and running away behavior, Delinquency and prostitution. Early use of drugs/alcohol and substance abuse/dependence, Eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia or obesity primarily among female victims,Suicide and suicide attempts. Evidence suggests that many of these problems continue into adulthood and become ingrained patterns of behavior. It is believed that in order to deal with the trauma of being abused and neglected, children and youth develop such behaviors as coping strategies. And although these behaviors eventually become self-destructive, they are often extremely difficult to abandon. EFFECT ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE One of the most destructive consequences of child abuse may be the detrimental effect on 8 a childs school performance. Over and over again, research indicates that abused children demonstrate reduced intellectual functioning and perform very poorly in school. And poor school performance can have serious long-term consequences. Academic failure has been associated with antisocial behavior and quitting school. These behaviors in turn increase the risk of long-term decreased productivity, long-term economic dependence and generally lower levels of satisfaction with life as adults.58 Maltreated children may display the following: Lower overall schools performance test scores and lower language, reading and math scores. Grade repetitions, disciplinary referrals and a high number of suspensions. Working and learning at below average levels (as reported by teachers). Weaker orientation to future vocational and educational goals compared to non-maltreated children. It is understandable that maltreated children will perform poorly in school. Not only do they face the obvious complications associated with a violent home life, but neglectful and abusive parents are less likely to provide an intellectually stimulating environment for the child, read to the child, supervise homework and generally become involved in their childs academic life. EFFECT ON SEXUALITY In general, abuse adversely affects a childs concept of sexuality reduces his or her ability to set appropriate boundaries and often instills a fear or negative perception of sex. While the majority of sexual consequences are the result of sexual abuse, other forms of maltreatment can also be sexually destructive. For example, a neglected child may seek 9 sexual intimacy very early in life in order to fulfil an unmet need for parental intimacy. This creates a risk for teenage pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases. The following are the major sexual consequences of maltreatment reported in the literature: Engaging in open or excessive masturbation, excessive sexual curiosity and frequent exposure of the genitals. Simulated sexual acts with siblings and friends, inappropriate sexual behavior such as breast or genital grabbing. Premature sexual knowledge sexualized kissing in friendships and with parents. In adolescence and adulthood, maltreated children continue to display sexually maladaptive behavior: Orgasmic disorders and painful intercourse, Promiscuity, Dissatisfaction with sex and negative attitudes about sex. These problems are often the result of introducing a sexual component into a parent-child relationship, which affected the childs sense of sexuality and intimacy. In essence, a child who has suffered sexual abuse can, as a result, have difficulty distinguishing between a sexual and a non-sexual relationship and therefore introduce a sexual element into all relationships. INTERPERSONAL CONSEQUENCES Child abuse can interfere with a persons ability to develop meaningful and appropriate relationships from childhood through to adulthood. Abused and neglected children are consistently rated by their peers as demonstrating socially undesirable behavior. Children displaying multiple psychological and behavioral problems often have a difficult time 10 both developing and maintaining healthy relationships. Victimization reduces social competence and limits empathic ability, both of which are necessary to establish satisfying relationships with others. Maltreated children have been known to display the following interpersonal problems: Insecure attachments to parents and caregivers,loss of close friends, difficulty in trusting others. Relationship problems, such as overly sexualized or overly conflicted relationships. Chronic dissatisfaction with adult relationships and fear of intimacy. EFFECTS ON SELF PERCEPTION Parental abuse undoubtedly affects the self-esteem of a child. A lack of interest in a child or a violent attack on a child, for example, will likely lead the child to develop a sense of unworthiness. Maltreatment has been associated with distorted or extremely negative self-images starting in childhood and continuing throughout ones life. Maltreated children typically view themselves as bad, worthless or unlovable and may develop the following problems: Extremely low levels of self-esteem, Feelings of being out of control, Inaccurate body images which often lead to eating disorders, Overwhelming sense of guilt or self-blame for the abuse, Impairment of a cohesive sense of identity, Self-disgust, self-denigration, self-hatred.   SPIRITUAL CONSEQUENCES Often, children who have been abused and neglected report having lost their sense of faith, not just a religious belief in a divine being, but also their faith in themselves, other people and the world around them. It is common for maltreated children to display what 11 some authors have called a shattered soul or soul pain. Moreover, adults who have experienced maltreatment display less interest and participation in organized religion. Systematic battering, sexual abuse, emotional attacks or the long-term neglect of a child is likely to destroy his or her spirit or enthusiasm for life. While often overlooked in the literature, the shattered soul may prove to be an extremely significant long-term consequence of child maltreatment. SUBSEQUENT VIOLENCE Victims of child abuse often become further victimized as adolescents and adults and/or become violent themselves toward their own children and in intimate relationships. According to studies on the intergenerational transmission of child maltreatment, one third of all victims grow up to continue a pattern of seriously inept, neglectful or abusive child rearing as parents; one third do not; and one-third remain vulnerable to the effects of child maltreatment depending upon social stressors in their life. Adults and adolescents who report a history of child maltreatment may demonstrate the following: Maltreatment of their own children. A history of being a victim of a violent assault by a non-family member during adolescence. Perpetrating dating violence in adolescence and/or spousal violence in adulthood. Becoming a victim of an assaultive partner (most often a male abuser) and/or the victim of additional sexual assaults. CHILD ABUSE A PERMANENT AND LIFELONG TRAUMA When an orphan or adolescent experience trauma such as family violence, child abuse, or witnesses prolonged violence, several problems arise. These children might experience 12 anger, distrust, and fear commitment. Children who live through such childhood trauma often suffer permanently. Extensive studies about adults abused as children investigate the relationships between childhood trauma and problems including uncontrollable anger and a negative attitude. Miller, Villani and Sharfstein all discuss numerous factors that influence violence, including alcohol, violent threats, and a violent past (Miller, p. 61-62; and Sharfstein, p. 2). Miller (1998) presents several abuse and mistreatment studies concerning children who experience family violence at an early age and how this violence leads them to have behavioral problems as adults (p. 62). Child abuse, whether inflicted on orphans or children who live with biological parents, causes distrust, another problem and long lasting effect. Distrust can result with abused children. These children begin to distrust the people closest to them, their family, and this lack of trust carries over into adulthood. 13

Hunger Games Character Paper

The Hunger Games- Character Paper I read the book The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. The book is about the future and how the central government overrules all of districts, Panem. The main character of the book is Katniss Everdeen. She is a teenage girl who lives in â€Å"District 12†. Her district is known for all the coal mining; she had lost her father when she was younger in mine explosion.After this she had to step up and be the adult. She is very brave and she is very smart. Katniss, the story's narrator and heroine, is 16 years old and has straight black hair, gray eyes, and olive skin. Her father died in a mine explosion when she is 11. Since then, to keep her family from starving in the Seam, she has had to provide for her mother and sister, using the hunting and gathering knowledge that her father taught her.Her best friend and hunting partner is Gale, and, while they spend a great deal of time together, Katniss is sure that she doesn't see him in a romantic light, something that comes into deep question when she is District 12's Hunger Games tribute and must work hard to maintain a star-crossed-lovers facade with Peeta Mellark. Throughout the novel, she remains a hunter and a survivor, â€Å"the girl on fire,† but she is also a girl who is very confused about her emotions concerning Peeta and Gale.Katniss must also remember to hide her true emotions about the Capitol: She loathes the Capitol and its tyrannical rule, but to rebel openly is to ask for punishment, oftentimes death. She is brave and daring and returns home from the Games a beloved star to her district but a menace to the Capitol dictators in charge of Panem. Katniss is very relatable to young girls because of her confusion with boys. This makes Katniss a great main character for the book because who doesn’t love a science fiction book with a relatable main character?

Running Quotes About Life

Runners often take lessons they learn in running and apply them to their life, and vice versa. Get inspired with these thought-provoking running quotes: Dean Karnazes Struggling and suffering are the essence of a life worth living. If youre not pushing yourself beyond the comfort zone, if youre not demanding more from yourself—expanding and learning as you go—youre choosing a numb existence. Youre denying yourself an extraordinary trip. Jen Rhines Life (and running) is not all about time but about our experiences along the way. Joan Benoit Samuelson As every runner knows, running is about more than just putting one foot in front of the other; it is about our lifestyle and who we are. Meb Keflezighi, U.S. Olympic marathoner Like the marathon, life can sometimes be difficult, challenging and present obstacles, however if you believe in your dreams and never ever give up, things will turn out for the best. Kara Goucher Thats the thing about running: your greatest runs are rarely measured by racing success. They are moments in time when running allows you to see how wonderful your life is. Marc Bloom In short, running can change your outlook on life and make a new person out of you. Nina Kuscik Running gives freedom. When you run you can determine your own tempo. You can choose your own course and think whatever you want. Nobody tells you what to do. Unknown Life is like a marathon. Its full of ups and down that take your breath away. Amby Burfoot Running has taught me, perhaps more than anything else, that theres no reason to fear starting lines...or other new beginnings. David Bedford Running is a lot like life. Only 10 percent of it is exciting. 90 percent of it is slog and drudge. Nancy Anderson So much in life seems inflexible and unchangeable, and part of the joy of running and especially racing is the realization that improvement and progress can be achieved. Michael Johnson Life is often compared to a marathon, but I think it is more like being a sprinter; long stretches of hard work punctuated by brief moments in which we are given the opportunity to perform at our best. Arthur Blank I run because its so symbolic of life. You have to drive yourself to overcome the obstacles. You might feel that you cant. But then you find your inner strength, and realize youre capable of so much more than you thought. Oprah Winfrey Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it. Dean Karnazes Running is about finding your inner peace, and so is a life well lived. George Sheehan Life is a positive-sum game. Everyone from the gold medalist to the last finisher can rejoice in a personal victory. Unknown The answer to the big questions in running is the same as the answer to the big questions in life: do the best with what youve got. George Sheehan The obsession with running is really an obsession with the potential for more and more life. Chris Lear, in Running with the Buffaloes In many ways, a race is analogous to life itself. Once it is over, it cannot be re-created. All that is left are impressions in the heart, and in the mind. Michael Sargent Running should be a lifelong activity. Approach it patiently and intelligently, and it will reward you for a long, long time. Jenny Hadfield Life can pull you down, but running always lifts you up. Unknown A marathon is like life with its ups and downs, but once you have done it, you feel that you can do anything. Nelson Mandela Running taught me valuable lessons. In cross-country competition, training counted more than intrinsic ability, and I could compensate for a lack of natural aptitude with diligence and discipline. I applied this in everything I did. Amby Burfoot I have learned that there is no failure in running, or in life, as long as you keep moving. Lorraine Moller, Four-Time Olympic Marathoner For me, running is a lifestyle and an art. Im far more interested in the magic of it than the mechanics. Its that interest and exploration that make running fun for me. Its easy to become outcome-focused; for me the unfoldment of self is what is meaningful in running and outlasts any medals. Molly Barker, founder of Girls on the Run Running is like celebrating your soul. Theres so much it can teach us in life. Hal Higdon I run, therefore I am. And given the years improved fitness adds to our lives, if I did not run, maybe I would no longer be. Ron Daws, The Self-Made Olympian There is more to failing than picking yourself up out of the dust, brushing off the grime and trudging onward. For every defeat, there is a victory inside waiting to be let out if the runner can get past feeling sorry for himself. Max Popper in The Essential Runner When you have the running spirit, you look forward to life. I firmly believe that I wouldnt have lived as long or as happily as I have without running. Adam Goucher One of the first lessons running teaches us about success in athletics and in life is that there is no one else. No one else can do your workouts for you. You alone must do the drills... You cannot hire someone else to do your cross-training when you are battling injury, or pay someone to run a race and get you a new PR. You are truly your own hero in running. It is up to you to have the responsibility and self-discipline to get the job done.