The family, religion and education are the three primary social institutions in democratic societies. The family is the
most basic of all three because its function is to bring new people into the world. Education and religion assist the
family in socializing children, teaching the new citizens to live according to the cultural expectations of society. For a
half a century, I have worked in all three areas, as an educator, a social psychologist and a minister. This newsletter
focuses on human relations. It is intended to assist families in all three areas of development. You are invited to react
to the content of this letter. In fact, your input will assure its relevance. Topics on all three areas will be discussed
according to needs expressed.
For a FREE subscription to this newsletter, e-mail me at jcc@religiousreview.com
most basic of all three because its function is to bring new people into the world. Education and religion assist the
family in socializing children, teaching the new citizens to live according to the cultural expectations of society. For a
half a century, I have worked in all three areas, as an educator, a social psychologist and a minister. This newsletter
focuses on human relations. It is intended to assist families in all three areas of development. You are invited to react
to the content of this letter. In fact, your input will assure its relevance. Topics on all three areas will be discussed
according to needs expressed.
For a FREE subscription to this newsletter, e-mail me at jcc@religiousreview.com
A NEW YEAR, A NEW BEGINNING
Life is but a series of beginnings. Each beginning is pregnant with numerous possibilities. A new perspective on life
looms ahead. There will be new milestones to reach and higher mountains to climb. New Year’s resolutions will turn
into goals. And hard work will turn goals into realities.
The challenges for 2007 will be large. But listen to the words of Jesus: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your
Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). These are words of assurance for believers to take
courage. Every endeavor requires fortitude. Fear destroys fortitude. But to follow the thinking of the early Greeks,
fear should never be feared. Attempting to instill fortitude in the American people, presidents Roosevelt and
Kennedy repeated the old saying during difficult days of our history. It paid off. And people met the challenges of
the time with great courage.
In reality, those words were eternal, a constant reminder through all generations of what can be attained with a
strong resolution and in absolute consistence of God’s expectations from human life. Clothed with the garments of
the promises of God, may you be able to tackle the goals you have proposed for yourself this New Year in all
confidence of the presence of the Lord in your life guiding your every step of the way.
****************************************************************************************
Life is but a series of beginnings. Each beginning is pregnant with numerous possibilities. A new perspective on life
looms ahead. There will be new milestones to reach and higher mountains to climb. New Year’s resolutions will turn
into goals. And hard work will turn goals into realities.
The challenges for 2007 will be large. But listen to the words of Jesus: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your
Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). These are words of assurance for believers to take
courage. Every endeavor requires fortitude. Fear destroys fortitude. But to follow the thinking of the early Greeks,
fear should never be feared. Attempting to instill fortitude in the American people, presidents Roosevelt and
Kennedy repeated the old saying during difficult days of our history. It paid off. And people met the challenges of
the time with great courage.
In reality, those words were eternal, a constant reminder through all generations of what can be attained with a
strong resolution and in absolute consistence of God’s expectations from human life. Clothed with the garments of
the promises of God, may you be able to tackle the goals you have proposed for yourself this New Year in all
confidence of the presence of the Lord in your life guiding your every step of the way.
****************************************************************************************
==============================================================================
Volume 1, Number 1 Focusing on Relations January 2007
==============================================================================
Volume 1, Number 1 Focusing on Relations January 2007
==============================================================================
HOW DO HUMAN RELATIONS BEGIN?
Human relations begin with the formation of the
person. So, how does the person develop? It’s all in
the brain!
It's no easy task to understand what makes
individuals what they are. With the advent of the
computer, however, a comparison made be made
between this machine and the human brain,
because both work very similarly.
A computer is a machine built to process data, and
so is the brain. Before the computer can do any
processing, it has to be programmed to perform the
specific tasks required. For instance, I am typing this
newsletter in a computer previously programmed
with a word processor, a piece of software turning
the computer into a typewriter.
Here are some examples. Accountants use
computers to do their advanced mathematical
calculations with the help of appropriate software.
Engineers make their complicated drawings in
computers programmed with a particular type of
software. The variety of tasks performed by
computers today is incalculable. This is all possible
because of the programs with which these machines
are equipped. But without programming, computers
are useless machines.
Let’s get to the brain now. The new born also comes
into the world equipped with an organ made to
process data and make the body do its everyday
functions. At birth, the new citizen can perform
movements, cry, ingest nourishment and eliminate
waste. These are basic instinctual actions. Then, a
process of teaching and learning begins. As
individuals grow older, new and more complicated
data is put to them for internalization into their
brains. The body of information put to the
developing individuals form their frames of
reference, their programs if you will. These programs
remain stored in the brains for the everyday use of
people. Most data, however, is stashed away and
forgotten, just as computers are often programmed
with much software the owner never use.
A major difference between the human brain and the
computer must be clear. Computers may be easily
programmed, deprogrammed and re-programmed
many times without affecting its general
performance. Computers are machines made to
obey mechanical performance commands, nothing
more. Computers have no feelings or belief systems.
Unlike computers, not anything is ever erased from
the human memory bank. Only strong electro-shocks
can erase memories from the human brain,which are
administered only to severely suicidal mental
patients. Moreover, humans are highly developed
sensitive beings, having the capacity to feel and
believe. Although much is known about the human
brain, much more is unknown. Herein rests the great
complexity of the human brain.
What makes personality, then? It is the accumulation
of information the brain receives and stores from
birth to the present that forms what is called by
psychology the frame of reference of the person.
Now, the data stored in the memory bank of the
individual self is both desirable and undesirable.
Good experiences saturated with love and care
produce good feelings in the person having them,
and they express these feelings through good
actions toward others. On the other hand, perceived
bad experiences of abuse, neglect and hate are
expressed with like behavior toward others.
In the next installment, I will discuss the frame of
reference in more detail.
Human relations begin with the formation of the
person. So, how does the person develop? It’s all in
the brain!
It's no easy task to understand what makes
individuals what they are. With the advent of the
computer, however, a comparison made be made
between this machine and the human brain,
because both work very similarly.
A computer is a machine built to process data, and
so is the brain. Before the computer can do any
processing, it has to be programmed to perform the
specific tasks required. For instance, I am typing this
newsletter in a computer previously programmed
with a word processor, a piece of software turning
the computer into a typewriter.
Here are some examples. Accountants use
computers to do their advanced mathematical
calculations with the help of appropriate software.
Engineers make their complicated drawings in
computers programmed with a particular type of
software. The variety of tasks performed by
computers today is incalculable. This is all possible
because of the programs with which these machines
are equipped. But without programming, computers
are useless machines.
Let’s get to the brain now. The new born also comes
into the world equipped with an organ made to
process data and make the body do its everyday
functions. At birth, the new citizen can perform
movements, cry, ingest nourishment and eliminate
waste. These are basic instinctual actions. Then, a
process of teaching and learning begins. As
individuals grow older, new and more complicated
data is put to them for internalization into their
brains. The body of information put to the
developing individuals form their frames of
reference, their programs if you will. These programs
remain stored in the brains for the everyday use of
people. Most data, however, is stashed away and
forgotten, just as computers are often programmed
with much software the owner never use.
A major difference between the human brain and the
computer must be clear. Computers may be easily
programmed, deprogrammed and re-programmed
many times without affecting its general
performance. Computers are machines made to
obey mechanical performance commands, nothing
more. Computers have no feelings or belief systems.
Unlike computers, not anything is ever erased from
the human memory bank. Only strong electro-shocks
can erase memories from the human brain,which are
administered only to severely suicidal mental
patients. Moreover, humans are highly developed
sensitive beings, having the capacity to feel and
believe. Although much is known about the human
brain, much more is unknown. Herein rests the great
complexity of the human brain.
What makes personality, then? It is the accumulation
of information the brain receives and stores from
birth to the present that forms what is called by
psychology the frame of reference of the person.
Now, the data stored in the memory bank of the
individual self is both desirable and undesirable.
Good experiences saturated with love and care
produce good feelings in the person having them,
and they express these feelings through good
actions toward others. On the other hand, perceived
bad experiences of abuse, neglect and hate are
expressed with like behavior toward others.
In the next installment, I will discuss the frame of
reference in more detail.
A BREAD OF HAPPINESS
RECIPE FOR 2007
Using a large love bowl,
mix the following ingredients
2 cups of faith
2 cups of patience
I cup of sympathy
3 cups of forgiveness
2 cups of kindness
2 cups of strength
Bake it in an oven of trust.
When done, cover the bread
with a large amount of
understanding. Before
serving, sprinkle the
bread with one cup of
harmony. And serve it in
a plate of joy and with a
big smile.
RECIPE FOR 2007
Using a large love bowl,
mix the following ingredients
2 cups of faith
2 cups of patience
I cup of sympathy
3 cups of forgiveness
2 cups of kindness
2 cups of strength
Bake it in an oven of trust.
When done, cover the bread
with a large amount of
understanding. Before
serving, sprinkle the
bread with one cup of
harmony. And serve it in
a plate of joy and with a
big smile.
*****************************
Words of Wisdom
Wisdom is a tree of life for those who
embrace it –Prov 3:18.
*****************************
Words of Wisdom
Wisdom is a tree of life for those who
embrace it –Prov 3:18.
*****************************
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