The Splintered Old Bench
No one will find me. I’ll have hidden myself well. I part the green curtain as I walk, armed only with a camera, pen and paper, and a book. Behind me, the overgrown foliage and gnarled roots weave themselves back together, concealing the path I have taken. A passerby will overlook my refuge and dismiss it as just another place that nature has reclaimed from the materialistic world. A smile creeps across my face as I anticipate my long sought solitude. I will be safe; no one will seek me here. I will be left alone with my imagination.
The old wooden bench greets me as it leans its back against a sturdy pine tree. It beckons to me to come share its secret world, to watch the day and all its happenings from its sacred sanctuary.
I brush the pine needles of...
From the time he decides to go to the woods at night, this peaceful panorama presented in his hometown changes. Evil images like "devil, lonely thick boughs, "1 add an obscure and negative side to the story.
Strategies for the improvement of health literacy are vital tools of empowerment showing huge potential in the reduction of health inequalities. Take into consideration that people suffering from the condition of limited health literacy have produced the worst health outcomes. Health literacy has larger role to play in affecting the health outcomes among individuals with lower education as compared to those with higher education. Measures and steps to improve health literacy have been revealed to impact various health outcomes such as: disease reduction, making depression more severe, improving availability of health information and bettering health behaviors.
Newton, D. E. (2010). Same-sex Marriage : A Reference Handbook. Santa Barbara, CA: Greenwood Publishing Group.
Jim is an innocent young man, living on the coast of Queensland. In this peaceful town, everybody is happy and at peace with themselves and with nature. The people enjoy the simple pleasures of life - nature, birds, and friendly neighbourly conversations. Their days are filled with peaceful walks in the bush, bird watching and fishing. Jim and his friends especially enjoy the serenity of the sanctuary and the wonders of nature that it holds.
Health literacy is a term not widely understood by the general population. It is defined as “the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information needed to make appropriate health decisions and services needed to prevent or treat illness,” (About health literacy, 2014). A person’s level of health literacy is based on their age, education level, socioeconomic standing, and cultural background. Patients with low health literacy have a more difficult time navigating the health care system. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this group of patients may find it harder to find medical services and health care providers, fill out health forms, provide their complete medical history with their providers, seek preventative care, understand the health risks associated with some behaviors, taking care of chronic health conditions, and understanding how to take prescribed medications (About health literacy, 2014). It is to a certain extent the patient’s responsibility to increase their own health literacy knowledge. But to what extent can they learn on their own? Those working in the health field have been trained to navigate the health system and understand the medical terms. They have the knowledge and capability to pass on that understanding to their patients. Health care professionals have a shared responsibility to help improve patients’ health literacy.
The personalistic theory of modern psychology suggests that changes made in society are the direct result of an individual(s). The focus of the personalistic theory places emphasis on those thought to be unique individuals that have contributed to the progress of psychology and accomplished known achievements McCauley (2008, p. 5). Andreas Vesalius has been considered by many to be the originator of the human anatomy and William Harvey has been describing to have taken the role of laying the foundation for modern psychology Fearing (1929, p.1). Vesalius and Harvey were men both scholars of biological science, in which this field had not begun to advance until the seventeenth century.
Health literacy plays an important role in individuals’ decision-making. The scope of health literacy does not limit to traditional medical perspective. In fact, it has extended from the basic understanding of diseases and medications to all aspects that affect health. As one of the key social determinants, health literacy has huge impact on health and well-being. Its influence is associated with disease prevention, healthy lifestyle promotion, policy making, etc. This essay will first discuss the concept of health literacy and the consequences that link to it, and then give a strategy—designing user-centred messages in education, to improve health literacy,
First, improvements to the information provided to heart failure patients need to be made. According to US Department of Health and Human Services (2010), without clear information and an understanding of prevention and self-management of conditions, patients end up in the emergency room more often and have a hard time managing chronic diseases. Information can come from many sources such as healthcare providers, pamphlets, news media, and family members and friends. Partnering with cardiologist, public health officials, news stations, and community organizations and churches to ensure that appropriate information is provided regarding healthcare. Training should be provided to these groups about health literacy. The US Department of Health and Human Services (2010), suggest that few health care professionals receive formal training in communication, particularly in working with people with limited literacy. Also, studies show that many Americans receive their health information from local news, however, the information that is often provided are claims not supported by data, commercialism, shows disregard for the uncertainty of clinical trials, and single source stories. “A survey of journalists found that only 18 percent had specialized training in health reporting and 50 percent were not familiar with health literacy” (US Department of Health and Human
Being invited to a friend’s house the other day, I began to get excited about the journey through the woods to their cabin. The cabin, nestled back in the woods overlooking a pond, is something that you would dream about. There is a winding trail that takes you back in the woods were their cabin sits. The cabin sits on top of a mountain raised up above everything, as if it was sitting on the clouds.
Vancheri, C., Institute of Medicine (U.S.)., & National Academies Press (U.S.). (2011). Innovations in health literacy research: Workshop summary. Washington, D.C: National Academies Press.
We slowly crept around the corner, finally sneaking a peek at our cabin. As I hopped out of the front seat of the truck, a sharp sense of loneliness came over me. I looked around and saw nothing but the leaves on the trees glittering from the constant blowing wind. Catching myself standing staring around me at all the beautiful trees, I noticed that the trees have not changed at all, but still stand tall and as close as usual. I realized that the trees surrounding the cabin are similar to the being of my family: the feelings of never being parted when were all together staying at our cabin.
As the bushes and brush grew more solid I began to ponder. Will I make it through this forest tonight or will I be taken in by the thick of the mystery? Sounds from sluggish foot steps caused a vibration around me that lead me to stop in my place and listen closely. Could this forest be haunted or was I just over exaggerating? I started to get very nervous by this time. “It will be just fine,” I told myself. I am just imagining things. I continued my journey through the forest but negative thoughts were running through my l...
Fortunately, I wake every morning to the most beautiful sun lit house. I sit on my porch sipping coffee, while I drink in an atmosphere that steals my breath away. Rolling hills lay before me that undulate until they crash into golden purple mountains. Oh how they are covered in spectacular fauna, ever blooming foliage, and trees that are heavy with pungent fruit. Green it is always so green here at my house. Here where the air lays heavy and cool on my skin as does the striking rays of the sun upon my cheeks. I know in my soul why I choose to be here every day. Pocketed in all the nooks and crannies of these valleys and hills are stately homes, rich with architecture resplendent. Diversity is the palate here; ...
The poem “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” by William Wordsworth is about the poet’s mental journey in nature where he remembers the daffodils that give him joy when he is lonely and bored. The poet is overwhelmed by nature’s beauty where he thought of it while lying alone on his couch. The poem shows the relationship between nature and the poet, and how nature’s motion and beauty influences the poet’s feelings and behaviors for the good. Moreover, the process that the speaker goes through is recollected that shows that he isolated from society, and is mentally in nature while he is physically lying on his couch. Therefore, William Wordsworth uses figurative language and syntax and form throughout the poem to express to the readers the peace and beauty of nature, and to symbolize the adventures that occurred in his mental journey.
On the edge of a small wood, an ancient tree sat hunched over, the gnarled, old king of a once vast domain that had long ago been turned to pasture. The great, gray knees gripped the hard earth with a solidity of purpose that made it difficult to determine just where the tree began and the soil ended, so strong was the union of the ancient bark and grainy sustenance. Many years had those roots known—years when the dry sands had shriveled the outer branches under a parched sun, years when the waters had risen up, drowning those same sands in the tears of unceasing time.