If you were sitting on a bus and overheard a conversation in which one person call another person a “sponge,” what would you think it meant?
Author: D. Sader
Too Wrapped Up in Your Own Problems
Describe an occasion when something terrible happened to someone close to you (a family member or a friend), but you have been too wrapped up in your own problems to think about that person’s troubles. What was your first reaction to the other person’s bad news? How did you behave toward him or her? In the future, would you try to deal with similar situations any differently? If so, how?
Do’s and Don’ts
Most of us have had, or will have, reason to confront another person and express a lot of anger that we have been storing up. In your blog make a list of “do’s” and “don’ts” about this type of confrontation. Then think of a confrontation you have already experienced. How many of your “do’s” and “don’ts” did you follow? If a similar situation were to occur, how would you handle it this time?
A lie, then another, and then another . . .
Write about a time when telling one lie or doing one wrong thing put you in a situation where, to cover your first lie, you had to tell more. How did you finally break the cycle of lies? (If this hasn’t happened to you, think of a time when it could have happened.)
Conscience Caught
Write about an incident when you trapped someone (or when someone trapped you) into admitting guilt about something. How did you feel?
A Sensitive and Deep Friend
Imagine you have a friend who thinks deeply and reacts sensitively to events around him or her. Your friend has just written you a letter saying that human life is full of more problems and sorrow than joy and hope. Your friend goes on to say, “What’s the use of living in such a ‘sea of troubles’?” Write a response to your friends letter.
Your close friend has been acting strangely
Suppose your close friend has been acting very strangely. Your friend’s parents ask you to find out the reasons for the strange mood and then report back to them. Under what circumstances would you be willing to do this? How would you feel about this request? Would you tell your friend what you were doing?
Support
If a parent is supporting a son or daughter living away from home, do you think the parent has the right to “check up” on the child’s behaviour? If so, what methods of “checking up” would you consider acceptable or not acceptable?
Reflection
Reflect on a moment when you received some unexpected news and thought, “This news will change my life?” As you think back, to what extent did it change your life?
Danger In The News
Write about someone in the news lately who has attempted something dangerous, despite the warnings of others. It could be a political figure, an athlete, or a daredevil. What qualities made this person act, despite the dangers? What is your opinion of these qualities?