Category: Life

When Have You Asked For Help?

Life is so complicated that you can’t do everything by yourself. Is there a notable time that you asked for help?

More than any time in history, we live in an integrated world. With the touch of a button, we can speak to someone in real time half a world away. Products or food we consume come from dozens of different countries.

All this interconnectedness makes for a complex existence. The number of variables that might impact you is staggering. Add to that an ever-increasing pace, and you have a recipe for confusion and exhaustion.

With that in mind, it makes sense that we can’t get by as an individual. We need other people to help us in any number of ways.

Sometimes, that help comes automatically. Our society runs more or less on its own. Food shows up at the local grocery store without you having to ask for it. Products are made and services are offered in the normal course of affairs.

However, there are some times when you need to specifically ask for help. If you are overwhelmed, you might need to ask a coworker for assistance. If you just don’t have enough time to accomplish all your necessary tasks, your partner may need to come to your aid. Family, friends, or even complete strangers can be called upon in a variety of ways.

When do you most need help? Is there a particular instance that stands out in some way where you requested assistance from someone? Have you been asked for help? Does your experience being asked for help make it easier for you to, in turn, ask others when you need it? And what happens if you need help and it doesn’t come?

Related questions: How do you need help? How can you help? If you had an assistant, what would you have them do? What makes a good leader?

What Makes Something A Human Right?

Politicians and philosophers sometimes talk about a human right, a right we humans have merely due to our existence. But what makes that so?

The U.S. Constitution details a few of these rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. At other times, individual rights like housing, health care, fresh air and clean water, and others have been mentioned.

The idea is that these are inalienable rights, that is, rights that confer on us as soon as we are born. They do not have to do with our status, our job, our family, or any other external factor. We have them because all people have them, regardless of race, gender, class, country of origin, or any other factor.

Of course, this is an ideal, or an aspiration. As a society, we believe individuals should have these things. But of course, there have been many times in many places throughout history where human beings have not had these rights.

Including the in the United States. Despite what the U.S. Constitution says, historically rights were not given evenly to people based on race and gender. That has evolved and changed over time. But today there are efforts underway to remove some of these rights for some accused of criminal behavior, or others who have questionable immigration status.

Fundamentally, it begs the question: what makes something a human right? Why did life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness make the cut, and others didn’t? Is health care a human right? How do we decide? And if we can have differing opinions, and if we, as a society can change our mind about it, is it a right that we are born with?

Related questions: Is health care a human right? Does nature have rights? Do animals have rights? Personal rights or public safety?

All Day Indoors Or Outdoors?

If you had to spend an entire day either indoors or outdoors, which would you prefer? What are some of the pros and cons of each?

Share why if you wish.

All Day Indoors Or Outdoors?
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What Is The Most Exciting Thing You’ve Done?

Sometimes, life can be very exciting. What are some of the most exciting things you’ve done?

Share why if you wish.

What Is The Proper Level Of Engagement In National Politics?

National politics happens to get the major headlines, from the president to Congress to the Supreme Court. Should they?

Who gets elected president is a big deal. The presidential race, including primaries, debates, and a lengthy campaign season, is covered extensively by national and local media. And yet, individual voters have almost no influence on the president.

The situation is similar in Congress. A resident of a state can call their senator or congressperson, but even if that call is successful, the politician is just one of a large group.

It would seem that a person would be much more likely to make a difference at the state or local level than they would at the national one. In a town environment, one resident is a much larger percentage of the constituency. As a result, they wield much more influence. In addition, the issues at the local level often have a more direct impact on someone’s day-to-day life.

And yet, it is at the national level that most of the attention is directed. Many major media outlets have someone – or even a team – dedicated to covering the president. You may well know members of Congress, even those that don’t represent your district or state.

Overall, how much should we pay attention to events and people that are beyond our control? How important is it to follow what transpires over which you have little input? Is that being an “informed citizen” or are you spending your attention on something that doesn’t deserve it?

What is the proper level of engagement in national politics?

Related questions: Politics: local or national? What deserves your attention? Are you politically active? What is important?