Case Study : Problems As Blessings

Problems as Blessings

( to be thankful to what received or not? )

 

I. Statement of the Problem

Everybody faces problems. Some problems are big and threatening, some are just small but irritating. It could either develop or destruct a person who owns problems depending on how he or she carries it.

Many of us speak about problems as threat, others see those challenges or trials of life that would somehow let them be more efficient and more effective individuals.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

because you know that the testing of your faith develop perseverance”

( James 1:3-2* )

As stated by in Holy Bible, God uses problems for our perfection. When we respond correctly, problems become character builders. Sometimes God must light a fire under you to get you moving. Problems often point us in a new direction, motivate us to change or engage us in self evaluation.

“When you change the way you look at things, the way things look change”

-Taoism teaching

Often the greatest setbacks in our life end up being the greatest blessings in disguise. Sometimes your biggest failure sets you up for your greatest success.

II. Background of the Problem

A problem is an obstacle, impediment, difficulty or challenge, or any situation that invites resolution; the resolution of which is recognized as a solution or contribution toward a known purpose or goal. A problem implies a desired outcome coupled with an apparent deficiency, doubt or inconsistency that prevents the outcome from taking place.

Every theoretical problem asks for an answer or solution. Trying to find a solution to a problem is known as problem solving. There are many standard techniques for problem solving. A problem is a gap between an actual and desired situation. The time it takes to solve a problem is a way of measuring complexity. Many problems have no discovered solution and are therefore classified as an open problem.

It has been said that some of the biggest problems people face can end up being the greatest blessings in disguise.

Of course in the middle of difficultly and strife, it is very hard to see this as true. However, when you look back at some of your hardest moments years later, they seem to open the door for blessings in disguise.

Some people might find that a major problem or loss, while devastating, can put them on whole new path. These are the detours in life that make us stop completely and reevaluate. We might have this idea in of what life is “supposed” to be like, and then we get hit with a whole new reality.

One of the things I say in my book, Just Give Your Head a Shake, is that “the more negative a situation was for me, the better off I would land. Life sometimes doesn’t make sense and I believe we simply shouldn’t waste our time wondering why this is.”

We can make ourselves crazy wondering why things are the way they are or why this problem or that is present, but this truth is that everything is exactly the way it is supposed to be. Your life, the crazy world we live in, and your current circumstances are just as they should be.

Rather than trying to resist our struggles, whatever they might be, imagine seeing them as blessings or gifts. What a difference world this would be if everyone could believe their challenges were actually blessings in disguise. So, as you deal with whatever is facing you at this time, remember that it might just be a gift.

III. Desired Criteria for Solving the Problem

There are many times in our life when we just want to throw it all in, hide under the covers or run off to be a different person in a different town. And it's true: problems can get you down, especially when there seems to be no end to them. But by making a small change in your thinking you can actually turn your problems into good things - into things you actually look forward to. And best of all - changing your thinking costs nothing to do.

"How can I do that?" you might ask. What I am about to say may seem crazy, or even different, but it's true: You have never truly lost until you stop trying. Why? Because while you're still trying, each set-back doesn't stop you, it becomes a new lesson to help you on your way to success. Each set back makes you a more worthy opponent. Each set-back helps you get stronger, better and faster - so long as you never ever quit.

Whenever we set out to do something - maybe we've set a goal, or maybe we just secretly want something we don't have - we never go there in a straight line. Sure, we start out heading directly towards it, but something might happen that makes us have to adjust our course. So we adjust, but then we might go off course the other way! The point is, so long as we are constantly readjusting our course while moving forward, we are going to get to our goal eventually. Pilots never go in a straight line to their destination - and they never fly on auto pilot the whole way. They adjust their flight-path to get to their destination.

If you don't count a blessing, then for you that blessing does not count.  For all practical purposes, it doesn't exist.  You won't recognize it as being present. Each day you need to remind yourself of your blessings, or you will forget they are there.
For most people, the spreadsheet of life doesn't contain blessings. The rows and columns on their spreadsheet are either empty or filled with problems. You need to check your mental spreadsheet to see if you are counting your blessings or problems.  Most folks are experts at counting their problems and never get around to counting their blessings.

When I lived in the world of large villas, luxury cars, and unrestrained desire, I knew many people who had everything except happiness.  They suffered from an affliction called "more."  Their mental tanks were continually empty because they never counted their blessings.

When you count your blessings, you problems shrink, and soon you forget they exist. When you count your problems, your blessings shrink, and soon you forget that they are there. When you get up in the morning, you decide whether you are going to count your blessings or your problems.  That decision sets the tone for your entire day.

 

IV. Alternative Solution under Consequences

Related Studies:

·        As Roman Catholic, Ellah Macalintal tells that she has never been so much lucky as anybody else. She is an ordinary lady who also experiences joy and sadness even winnings and failures. She usually heard from her parent everyday advices that she obey and sometimes disobey it. For she knows that it is part of growing up. Many problems may come on her way but she would never take those as burden but instead challenges to make her a better person.

·        In every game, part of it is losing and winning. If you win today it was brought about by different aspects. Your hard work for trainings and the motivation to do some related works. Like the AZKAL heartthrobs brother Younghusband, they talked about the rise and fall on their journey us top players in the game. Every time they win it is a reward for what they invest, their hard work and discipline. And when they lose the battle, it reminds them to do better next time. They are optimistic every time. Taking those things positively is one thing everyone should duplicate. Problems are blessings for them.

·        According to God’s word, He uses problems for correction. Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It’s like when as a child your mother told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn to value of health, money, a relationship and etc. by losing it.

·         Learners should taste the ups and downs. They should encounter problems in life so that they would learn how to solve it. Life is a problem solving. It needs critical thinking and absolute understanding on the different things in life. We must always consider problems as part of one’s journey.

·        Those who win never quit, and those who quit never win. Those who see problem as a problem would never get through of what they are encountering right now. According to Readers Digest, problem is given by God to test us, to challenge us but not to harm us. It is God’s way of knowing how bright and good are we to pass the test of life.

 

Interview

Date:                March 3, 2012

Interviewer:       Mico Renson B. Amazona

Interviewee:      Mrs. Rowena Biscocho Sapaula

                        Filipino Subject Teacher, Fourth Year

                        Fernando Air Base National High School

Topic:               Problems are Blessings

1.       When do you pray?

-          Each day I pray. I have been in a habit of prayer since I got in school then. I pray every morning, in meal time and at night before I sleep.

2.       If you mind, may I know your usual prayers?

-           Ah, I follow format when I pray. First, I always thank Him for all the blessings and gifts that I am receiving from Him, and also for family of course. I also ask for forgiveness if ever I did something which is against on His divine will. And lastly, the final part of my prayers is my personal request like guidance and many, many more!

3.       What is the biggest and most challenging problem that you have encountered?

-          Biggest challenges and problems? Oh my gosh, there’s a lot. I have encountered many challenges which really define me now. And I guess, one of those which really challenge me a lot is when my parents passed away. I just couldn’t imagine myself that time because I really feel so sorry for myself. I thought that, that would also be the end of my life.

4.       What have you learned after you surpass that problem?

-          I learned so many things in life then. I learned what life is. Most of all, it is to love life more and more.

5.       Do you believe that problem is a blessing? How or Why?

-          Hmm, yes! I believe that problems are blessings in disguise. Problem would not remain problem if we see the other side of it. Because, problems are only challenges which test us and give us reason to discover more in life.

Many problems will have multiple direct solutions, but often these solutions will be unsavory at first glance because they will require courage, self-discipline, creativity or persistence to implement. But if we can somehow get ourselves to follow through, we know the solutions will actually work.

Here are ways God wants to use the problems in your life:

God uses problems to direct you. Sometimes God must light a fire under you to get moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God trying to get your attention? Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways. *Proverbs 20:30 (GN)

God uses problems to inspect you. People are like tea bags, if you want to know what is inside them, just drop them into hot water. Has God ever tested your faith with a problem? What do problems revel about you? When you have many kids of trouble, you should be full of joy because troubles test your faith and this will give you patience. *James 1:2-3 (NCV)

God uses problem to correct you. Some lessons we learn through pain and failure. It’s like that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something, health, money and a relationship by losing it. It was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws. *Psalm 119: 71-72 (LB)

 

V. Choose from alternatives

Problems, when responded to correctly are character builders. He uses them to perfect you. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship to God and you character are the only two things you are going to take with you into eternity.

We can rejoice when we run into problems they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of Character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it; until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. *Romans 5:3-4 (LB)

Whatever be the nature of the problems, it is a fact that it affects our normal life. As these problems are crucial, we need to handle it very carefully to save our precious life.

Any problem can be encountered with a positive perspective. If we are sick, just remember that we are only one among millions and is very common in human life. We need to be very careful that no issues are developed within.

 

VI. Justify your Choice

Human life is packed with various problems, both internal and external.  Life is not problem proof. All of us are subject to various kinds of problems and difficulties. Some people get disappointed and succumb to it, but few people come out victoriously. Some people consider failures as end but some others consider it as a stepping stone towards success.

A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents us from being harmed by something more serious. God is at work in our life- even we don’t recognize it or understand it.  But it is much easier and profitable when we cooperate with Him.

To God be the Glory!

Case Study : Teens Go for Drinking

Teens Go for Drinking

( Drinking of Alcoholic Beverages of Teens with their Barkadas )

 

I. Statement of the Problem

Adolescence period is a kind of transition where the body goes through significant changes, such as development of the brain and alterations of hormone. Teenage is also the time when juveniles start to correlate more with their peers and associate further than their childhood acquaintances. During this period, teens build their rapport not just only with their family but also with their friends and to the friends of their friends. This is the time “barkadahan” are created.

Alcohol is the most frequently used drug by teenagers. About half of high school and college students drink alcohol on a monthly basis, and 14% of teens have been intoxicated at least once in the past year. Nearly 8% of teens who drink say they drink at least five or more alcoholic drinks in a row.

Teenage Alcoholism needs to understand the risk factors. There are a couple of reasons why children will drink. Let’s divide kids into two groups:

The first group is just looking for fun and excitement. They want to be a part of the crowd, so they do what their friends do, or what they THINK their friends do. They want to be cool. Even in elementary or intermediate school, kids want to be cool.

The second group is the kids who want to feel better. They might have emotional or mental issues, or they come from an abusive home, or something else is not right, regardless of how loving and supportive their parents are. They want to feel better, or just feel “normal.” They are self-medicating to feel better. Alcoholics will tell you about the “click,” that effect they receive when taking the first drink. Don’t assume that a child is exempt from using alcohol to feel better.

II. Background of the Problem

Alcohol is widely used by young people. Around 80 percent of Filipino teenagers over the age of 15 years have tried alcohol at least once. Binge drinking, drink driving and unsafe sex can all result from the misuse of alcohol. Alcohol is tolerated as a socially acceptable drug, yet it is responsible for most drug-related deaths in the teenage population.

Beer and liquor are everywhere in the Philippine culture. Alcoholic beverages are advertised on television, radio and in the print and internet. People drink at ball games, they drink at parties and they drink at church socials. The idea of a young child drinking is frightening. Some people think it’s harmless to give a little child a taste of beer or a sip of wine.

One fun thing that most barkadas/peers are doing is drinking- alcoholic beverages to be exact. It is hard to resist a shot given by one of your peers when they say that “we’re having fun, don’t be KJ”. Well, most response is to accept it, give it a try and then find one’s self into it. Teens like to have friends around them. And drinking is great paraphernalia to make a group closely bonded even though they are still not allowed to drink. Well, it is hard to give obstruction to what teen’s curiosity is seeking.

Drinking and socializing are very congruent. They are like twins, best friends or maybe a couple. It’s hard to separate them from each other because when you drink with peers, socialization is already created. And one of the most common ways of socializing nowadays is through alcohol.

Here are some of the factors about alcohol abuse that Teenage Alcoholism should look for:

- Too much free time

- Weak family structures

- Peer pressure

- Social pressure

- Media glorification of drinking

III. Desired Criteria for Solving the Problem

Studies have shown that the most influential role models for children are their parents. Children learn by imitation, so it is important that parents demonstrate sensible drinking behaviors. Parents and guardians are important role models for their children—even children who are fast becoming teenagers. Studies indicate that if a parent uses alcohol, his or her children are more likely to drink themselves. But even if you use alcohol, there may be ways to lessen the likelihood that your child will drink.

Parents can’t prevent their teenagers from experimenting with alcohol, but they can encourage sensible drinking habits. Suggestions include:

·         Offer good role modeling.

·         Start teaching your child about alcohol from an early age.

·         Explain the downside of heavy drinking, such as vomiting, head spins, passing out and hangovers.

·         Educate your child on the links between drinking and dangerous behavior, such as unsafe sex.

·         Teach your child sensible tactics such as how to say no, standard drink recommendations, ‘pacing’ themselves, alternating alcohol drinks with non-alcoholic beverages and not drinking on an empty stomach.

·         Talk about the dangers of drunk driving and plan alternatives together, such as public transport, designated drivers or calling home.

·         Encourage your child to talk about the dangers of alcohol with their friends, so they can come up with ways to look out for each other.

According to research, there are many important factors that help reduce the likelihood of a young person abusing alcohol. As well as good parental role modeling, these factors include:

·         A loving, supportive home life

·         Educational programs in schools on the use and misuse of alcohol

·         Developing personal, social, academic and employment skills

·         A healthy lifestyle, such as regular exercise and a love of sports

·         Restrictions on alcohol advertising

·         Avoiding the use of scare tactics, which can backfire and increase alcohol use among teenagers.

IV. Alternative Solution under Consequences

Related Studies:

·         It is alarming to know that our teens now a days are really involve in different vices particularly the alcoholic beverages, pronounced by the Department of Health Under Secretary Tayag during a presscon for “Youth Alarming Vices”, 2009. The youths of today are the one who largely get participated in alcohol drinking specially the high school and college students. “Pabata ng pabata ang mga umiinom na mga kabataan ngayon” added by UnSec. Tayag. This issue is another threatening fact that our nation faces now.

·         Environmental factors, such as the influence of parents and peers, also play a role in alcohol use. For example, parents who drink more and who view drinking favorably may have children who drink more, and an adolescent girl with an older or adult boyfriend is more likely to use alcohol and other drugs and to engage in delinquent behaviors.

·         Research also shows that many adolescents start to drink at very young ages. In 2003, the average age of first use of alcohol was about 14, compared to about 17 1/2 in 1965. People who reported starting to drink before the age of 15 were four times more likely to also report meeting the criteria for alcohol dependence at some point in their lives. In fact, new research shows that the serious drinking problems (including what is called alcoholism) typically associated with middle age actually begin to appear much earlier, during young adulthood and even adolescence.

·         Children who begin to drink at a very early age (before age 12) often share similar personality characteristics that may make them more likely to start drinking. Young people who are disruptive, hyperactive, and aggressive—often referred to as having conduct problems or being antisocial—as well as those who are depressed, withdrawn, or anxious, may be at greatest risk for alcohol problems. Other behavior problems associated with alcohol use include rebelliousness, difficulty avoiding harm or harmful situations, and a host of other traits seen in young people who act out without regard for rules or the feelings of others.

·         Other research shows that the younger children and adolescents are when they start to drink, the more likely they will be to engage in behaviors that harm themselves and others. For example, frequent binge drinkers (nearly 1 million high school students nationwide) are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, including using other drugs such as marijuana and cocaine, having sex with six or more partners, and earning grades that are mostly Dropped and Failed in school.

Interview

Date:                February 29, 2012

Interviewer:       Mico Renson B. Amazona

Interviewee:      Mrs. Evangeline O. Maglinao

                        Physics and Chemistry Teacher, Fourth Year

                        Fernando Air Base National High School

1.       What Is Alcohol?

-          The scientific name for alcohol that people drink is ethyl alcohol or ethanol. Beer, wine and liquor all contain ethyl alcohol. Other types of alcohol, like rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol), are poisonous if ingested.

2.       What Happens When You Drink Alcohol?

-          After you drink an alcoholic beverage like beer or wine, the alcohol enters your bloodstream from your stomach and small intestine. From there, it travels to your brain. There, it slows reaction time, makes you less coordinated, impairs your vision, and -- even at relatively low doses -- leads to unclear thinking and problems making good judgments.

3.       Is Alcohol Addictive?

-          Yes, alcohol is highly addictive. About 18 million adults are addicted to alcohol. This means they need to drink alcohol in order to function normally, and their drinking causes problems in their lives.

-          Alcohol addiction can begin at any time in someone's life, but starting to drink when you are a teenager increases the risk for addiction. About half of Filipino teens who start drinking alcohol before age 15 will be addicted to it at some point. Only 9% of people in the Philippines who wait until they turn 21 will be addicted at some point.

4.       Is One Type of Alcoholic Drink Safer than Another?

-          No. All alcoholic drinks contain alcohol, and all can be just as dangerous. The more alcohol you drink, the more you will be impaired. Beer, wine, and liquor all contain different amounts of alcohol. Beer is between 3% and 5% percent alcohol; wine is about 12%; and liquor usually is about 40% alcohol. One beer has about the same amount of alcohol as one glass of wine or one "shot" of liquor.

5.       Why Do People Drink Alcohol?

-          Drinking alcohol is a social activity -- most people drink with friends. Because alcohol makes people feel less inhibited, they feel more at ease socializing after a drink. People also drink just because other people are drinking. For many people, it feels good to be doing what everybody else is doing. But drinking just because everybody else is can lead to problems, especially if people are drinking too much.

-          On the other hand, many people enjoy the taste of alcoholic beverages. And when consumed by adults in small to moderate amounts, especially with meals, alcohol may good for the heart.

6.       What Is Binge Drinking?

-          Unfortunately, at some teen parties, the emphasis is on drinking to get drunk. This "binge" drinking happens when someone drinks more than four (for women) or five (for men) alcoholic drinks in about two hours. Binge drinking is the most harmful type of drinking.

7.       How Many Teens Drink Alcohol?

-          More and more teens are choosing not to drink alcohol. Less than one in 10 teens under 14 years old has drunk alcohol in the past month. For teens 15 to 17 years old, less than three in 10 have drunk alcohol in the past month. If somebody says you need to drink because "everybody" is doing it, don't believe them. Even though teenage drinking may seem to be common or even normal, it isn't.

8.       Why do you think that more of those involved in alcoholic drinking are teens?

-           Maybe because they are in the stage of curiosity. And there are lots of factors to consider why teens in particular go for alcoholic drinking. One of the reasons is the peer pressure. They greatly affect the development of an adolescent especially in the social aspects. And also because Teens are more likely to start experimenting with drinking if they have parents who drink, if they have friends who are also drinking, and if their parents don't give them clear messages about not drinking outside the house (if they are allowed to drink some wine with dinner, for instance).

9.     In your own opinion, how can we avoid our teens today in the abuse of alcoholic drinking?

-          For me, they can also join school and community efforts to discourage alcohol use by teens. By working with school officials and other members of your community, you can help to develop policies to reduce alcohol availability to teens and to enforce consequences for underage drinking.

Teenage alcoholism requires specialized treatment centers treat both teens and adults, but these may not be help. Teens face different issues than adults, and they also respond in different ways to different ways of treatment.

Here are some types of treatment that have proven effective for teens.

Group Counseling. Teens respond very well to group counseling may be helpful as well, but teens often lack the capacity for the introspection that is the often the goal of that type of counseling. It can also be difficult to get them to open up in one-on-one situation.

Education About Teenage Alcoholism. Education is extremely important treatment of teenage alcoholism. Teens rarely understand the dangers of drinking alcohol. They need to be educated about the health risks they face when they drink. Because teens tend to feel they are invincible, they sometimes do not feel these risks apply to them. Sometimes speaking with experienced serious health problems related to drinking can help.

Academic Education. Teens suffering from alcoholism are quite from often behind academically. Their drinking has interested with their schooling. They need to catch up to their peers so that school is no longer a stressor and they can graduate on time.

Family Counseling. Family counseling is a crucial of the treatment for teen alcoholism. Family relationships are generally quite strained by the time a teen goes for treatment. Teens who drink heavily usually withdraw from their families. They become defensive when family members express concern about their behavior. Parents and other family members don’t know how to deal with the teens’ behavior and react with anger.

V. Choose from Alternative

There are many reasons teens turn to alcoholic drinking, but almost all of them can be satisfied with other recreational activities. Teenage or underage alcoholism causes many problems and damage to a person’s health that it’s a good idea to look for other ways to satisfy the needs that draw us towards alcoholic drinking in the first place.

Traditional efforts to reduce underage drinking have focused solely on youth education and prevention techniques, often simply trying to convince youth no to drink. Research shows that this model has been only marginally successful.

Reducing underage drinking through Coalition is embracing a new approach that focuses instead on how the social environment encourages- even enables- alcohol abuse among young people.

 

VI. Justify Your Choice

Teenage drinking prevention is a crux because in order to prevent something one must first realize that there is a problem, or the potential for a problem.

After all, the best prevention measure for children is strong parenting and alcoholism prevention initiatives in schools, churches and the community. The prevention programs need to adapt to the environment where the effort is taking place.

In addition in the programs in schools, programs can be tailor made to meet the needs in churches or community centers that deal directly with people who live in the area which have been part of the growing teen.

To God be the Glory!