struggle Small firms and nonprofits like KPCC struggle with technology's diversity problem By www.scpr.org Published On :: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 13:53:14 -0800 Mary Ann de Lares Norris is Chief Operating Officer of Oblong Industries. She brings her dog LouLou to Oblong's downtown LA headquarters.; Credit: Brian Watt/KPCC Brian WattKPCC recently reported on the tech world’s diversity problem. Technology firms face challenges in hiring diverse staffs of its coders, web developers and software engineers. It’s also a challenge at nonprofits such as Southern California Public Radio, parent of 89.3 KPCC, which has always sought to build a staff that reflects the region it serves. The section of that staff that develops the KPCC app and makes its website run is all white and mostly male. But a small talent pool means the diversity challenge is even greater for nonprofits and even smaller tech firms. “The first problem is that all of the people working for me are male,” says Alex Schaffert, the one female on KPCC’s tech team. “I’m kind of focusing on maybe getting another girl into the mix.” Schaffert can use the term “girl” because she happens to be the leader of the tech team: KPCC’s Managing Director of Digital Strategy and Innovation. Why diversity is important Schaffert recently launched the topic of diversity – or lack thereof – at a weekly meeting of her team. She expected a “stilted and awkward” discussion from the five white men on her team, but a few of them didn’t hold back. “Not having diversity represented on the team leaves us more susceptible to circular thinking and everyone sort of verifying each other's assumptions,” said Joel Withrow, who was serving at the time as KPCC’s Product Manager. “It impacts the work. It limits what you’re able to build.” Sean Dillingham, KPCC’s Design and Development Manager, said living in a diverse community is what attracted him to Los Angeles, and he wants diversity in his immediate work team, too. “When I look at other tech companies, I will often go to their ‘about us’ page, where they’ll have a page of photos of everyone, and I am immediately turned off when I just see just a sea of white dudes, or even just a sea of dudes,” Dillingham said. Big competition, small talent pool Dillingham and Schaffert are currently recruiting heavily to fill two tech-savvy positions. When a reporter or editor job opens up at KPCC, Schaffert says close to 100 resumes come in. "But if you post a programmer job, and you get three or four resumes, you may not get lucky among those resumes," she says. "There may not be a woman in there. There may not be a person of color in there." In other words, the talent pool is already small, and the diversity challenge makes it even smaller. KPCC is competing for talent with Google and Yahoo and all the start-ups on L.A.’s Silicon Beach. Schaffert’s being proactive, mining LinkedIn and staging networking events to attract potential candidates. She’s also trying to make sure KPCC’s job descriptions don’t sound like some she's seen in the tech world. "If you read between the lines, they’re really looking for someone who is male and is somewhere between 25-30 years old and likes foosball tables and free energy drinks in the refrigerator," Schaffert says. “So you read between lines, and you know that they’re not talking about me, a mother of two kids who also has a demanding career. They're talking about someone different.” Pay vs. passion Schaffert's challenges and approaches to dealing with them are similar to those of Mary Ann de Lares Norris, the Chief Operating Officer at Oblong Industries. Based in downtown Los Angeles and founded in 2006, the company designs operating platforms for businesses that allow teams to collaborate in real time on digital parts of a project. “I think technology and diversity is tough,” Norris told KPCC. She’s proud her company’s management ranks are diverse, but says only 12 percent of its engineers are female. “Pretty standard in the tech industry, but it’s not great,” Norris says. “We really strive to increase that number, and all of the other companies are also, and it's really hard.” Like Schaffert at KPCC, Norris works hard fine-tuning job descriptions and communicating that her company values diversity and work-life balance. But sometimes, it just boils down to money. "We have to put out offers that have competitive salaries,” Norris says, adding that she can’t compete with the major tech firms. "The Googles and the Facebooks of the world can always pay more than we can. So we attract people who are passionate about coming to work for Oblong. And, of course, we also offer stock options." KPCC doesn’t have the stock options, but we’ve got plenty of passion. Could that be the secret recruiting weapon for both small tech companies and nonprofits? LinkedIn recently surveyed engineers about what they look for in an employer. Good pay and work-life balance were the two top draws. Slightly more women prioritized work-life balance and slightly more men chose the big bucks. Clinical Entrepreneurship professor Adlai Wertman says that, historically, nonprofits and small businesses actually had the upper hand over big companies in recruiting minorities and women. "There’s a feeling that they’re safer, more caring environments, less killer environments, and we know that corporate America has been the bastion of white males," said Wertman. But Wertman says that advantage disappears in the tech world because of the "supply-and-demand" problem with talent. When big firms decide to focus on diversity – as some have recently — they have plenty of resources. "They’re always going to be able to pay more, and in truth they’re getting access to students coming out of these schools in ways that we as nonprofits and small companies never will," said Wertman. Wertman worked 18 years as an investment banker on Wall Street, then left to head a nonprofit on L.A.’s skid row. Now he heads the Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab Enterprise Lab at USC’s Marshall School of Business. He believes that, early on, the big companies have the best shot attracting diverse tech talent. But in the long run, much of that talent will turn back to smaller firms and nonprofits. "I think ultimately people vote with where they’re most comfortable, where 'my values align with my employer's values, and if I don’t feel those values align, then I’m going to leave,'" Wertman said. "Ultimately, I think, for a lot of women and minorities, there’s a lot of value alignment within communities that are doing good in the world." This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org. Full Article
struggle Overall unemployment in state, LA County keeps falling, but some places still struggle By www.scpr.org Published On :: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 16:35:52 -0800 Walter Flores was unemployed for 8 months in 2014 but is now working in sales for Workforce Solutions in Compton; Credit: Brian Watt/KPCC Brian WattCalifornia's unemployment rate continued its decline in December, ending the year at 7 percent, according to figures released Friday by the state Employment Development Department. But in Compton, Willowbrook and the Florence-Graham section of Los Angeles County, it remains about double that, data show. “You might have work this week. But next week, you won’t have work,” said James Hicks, 36, 0f Compton. He's worked in warehouses through staffing agencies, but said the jobs have always been temporary. Statewide, California has added jobs at a faster rate than the United States for three straight years, according to Robert Kleinhenz, Chief Economist with the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation. He pointed out the statewide unemployment rate is now where it was June 2008. "All in all, with the recession now five years back in our rearview mirror, we’re finally at the point where we can say that we have shrugged off quite a bit of the pain that occurred back during those times," Kleinhenz said. The Los Angeles County metro area saw a net gain of almost 71,000 jobs in 2014. The County's overall unemployment rate has fallen to 7.9 percent from 9.2 percent a year ago. But Compton's unemployment rate was 13 percent in December. “I’d rather have a full-time type of gig, working 40 hours a week, but right now, even if you get 25 hours, it’s a blessing,” said Hicks, the warehouse worker in Compton. On Thursday, he interviewed to be a guard with a security firm, but was told there weren’t any positions available. He had another security guard job six months ago that he thought might become full time and permanent. "It was going all right for about two to three months, until they cut my hours and days," Hicks said. Walter Flores lives in La Mirada but currently works as an account executive in the Compton office of Workforce Solutions. He was unemployed for about eight months last year after a car accident. "Losing what you love to do is a tough one, but I'm back," he said. "2015 is going to be a great year." Flores said most major warehouse and logistics companies prefer to hire temporary workers through industrial staffing firms like the one where he's working because their needs are sporadic. But he said it's still a potential opportunity. "It doesn't matter that it's a temporary position, as long as you put your foot in the door, and then you let the employer know how much value you are for the company," Flores said. Hicks, who's earned a GED, wants to find a program to study physical therapy. But first, he’d like to find a job. He said you can't judge Compton’s residents by its unemployment rate. "Some of us out here who [are] looking for jobs, but sometimes it’s the luck of the draw," he said. "It’s kind of scarce out there.” This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org. Full Article
struggle A Year After The Woolsey Fire, This Malibu Day Laborer Still Struggles to Find Work By www.scpr.org Published On :: Fri, 08 Nov 2019 16:08:32 -0800 Julio Osorio stands in the Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery near his mother's grave. (Emily Elena Dugdale/KPCC); Credit: Emily Elena Dugdale Emily Elena DugdaleThe devastating Woolsey fire broke out one year ago. In Malibu, it wreaked havoc not only on hundreds of homeowners but also on the day laborers, housekeepers and gardeners who traveled to the city to work in its affluent neighborhoods. This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org. Full Article
struggle Boeing delivers layoff notices to 17,000 workers amid financial struggles By finance.yahoo.com Published On :: 2024-11-14T04:47:51Z Full Article
struggle Inside Goldman Sachs’ years-long power struggle over its China venture By biztoc.com Published On :: Thu, 14 Nov 2024 05:23:58 GMT A deal with a prominent Chinese banker gave the US group market access, but securing full control cost a lot more than it expected Full Article
struggle Kanguva Box Office Day 1 Prediction: Start Of Over 20 Crores Is Locked But It Might Struggle To Beat Kamal Haasan’s Indian 2! - Koimoi By news.google.com Published On :: Thu, 14 Nov 2024 06:14:30 GMT Kanguva Box Office Day 1 Prediction: Start Of Over 20 Crores Is Locked But It Might Struggle To Beat Kamal Haasan’s Indian 2! KoimoiReview : Kanguva – High-voltage action drama that works only in parts 123teluguKanguva first reviews: Suriya ‘shed his blood and sweat’ but the movie ‘is tiring’, say fans Hindustan TimesKanguva Movie Review Rating and Release LIVE Updates: Netizens Call Suriya Film 'Pure One Man Show' Times NowKanguva Movie Review: An earnest Suriya gives his all for a Siva film that doesn’t give him enough The Indian Express Full Article
struggle Sport | India lead T20 series: Jansen heroics can't save Proteas after top order struggles to kick on By www.news24.com Published On :: Wednesday Nov 13 2024 23:23:16 Marco Jansen's late pyrotechnics were not enough to save South Africa as they slid to a 11-run defeat against India in the third T20 at SuperSport Park on Wednesday. Full Article
struggle Boeing delivers layoff notices to 17,000 workers amid financial struggles By www.upi.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 23:47:51 -0500 Boeing started issuing layoff notices Wednesday to 17,000 employees to cut 10% of its workforce in an effort to shore up the aerospace giant's shaky finances. Full Article
struggle Boeing delivers layoff notices to 17,000 workers amid financial struggles By www.upi.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 23:47:51 -0500 Boeing started issuing layoff notices Wednesday to 17,000 employees to cut 10% of its workforce in an effort to shore up the aerospace giant's shaky finances. Full Article
struggle World Diabetes Day: Nick Jonas, Salma Hayek, Maheep Kapoor On Their Struggles With The Disease By www.ndtv.com Published On :: Thu, 14 Nov 2024 08:12:50 +0530 World Diabetes Day is celebrated on November 14 every year Full Article
struggle Former Sri Lankan refugee pleads for South African citizenship after over 20 years of legal struggles By www.iol.co.za Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 16:07:56 GMT Full Article
struggle Prince Andrew is 'barely leaving home' amid financial struggles By www.thenews.com.pk Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 23:59:00 +0500 King Charles recently axed the Duke of York's £1million-a-year allowancePrincess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice are reportedly deeply concerned about their father, Prince Andrew, as his mental and emotional well-being continues to decline.Sources close to the family have revealed that the... Full Article
struggle Kim Kardashian talks solo parenting struggles amid Kanye West absence By www.thenews.com.pk Published On :: Thu, 14 Nov 2024 10:23:06 +0500 Kim Kardashian has recently reflected on navigating parenthood in the absence of her former husband Kanye West for 57 days.Speaking on November 12 episode of iHeart What The Winkler? Podcast, the SKIMS founder opened up about parenting alone these days without ex-husband Kanye, who is in Japan... Full Article
struggle Firefly Aerospace rakes in more cash as competitors struggle for footing By arstechnica.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 16:20:03 +0000 The Series D fundraising round was "oversubscribed" and netted Firefly $175 million. Full Article Science Space alpha Commercial space Firefly Aerospace launch medium launch vehicle
struggle Sick Alcaraz struggles: Can he recover in time? By www.rediff.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 11:04:00 +0530 An off-colour Alcaraz lost 6-1, 7-5 to Norway's Casper Ruud in his opening match on Monday and the 21-year-old cancelled a public training session the following day. Full Article
struggle Pioneering Research Shows Sea Life Will Struggle to Survive Future Global Warming By www.newswise.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 11:00:00 EST A new study highlights how some marine life could face extinction over the next century, if human-induced global warming worsens. Full Article
struggle The Never-Ending Struggle to Sustain a Small Business By www.small-business-software.net Published On :: Wed, 11 Jul 2018 09:19:56 -0400 Delissa Reynolds, an actress, ran a popular local bar for years, until the neighborhood changed. complete article Full Article
struggle Small Business Struggle While New Businesses Surge: A Paradox? By www.small-business-software.net Published On :: Mon, 11 Jan 2021 15:14:22 -0500 This week the Wall Street Journal reported that nearly 300 companies that had received loans through the Paycheck Protection Program had filed for bankruptcy. The very next day, the Journal highlighted Americans using the Covid-19 pandemic to take their first steps on the entrepreneurial journey. Existing small businesses continue to struggle. New entrepreneurs are seeking opportunities. That is what the data appears to be saying about the state of small business and entrepreneurship amidst the third Covid-19 wave. Small Businesses Suffering, See Rough Road Ahead In early November, Goldman Sachs surveyed nearly 900 small businesses. They found that four in 10 had laid off employees or cut compensation. If further government relief were not forthcoming, another 38% said they would need to do the same. Half of small business owners had stopped paying themselves. Full Article
struggle South Sudan: Reporter's Diary - the Struggle for Survival for South Sudanese Returnees By allafrica.com Published On :: Thu, 07 Nov 2024 15:56:08 GMT [The New Humanitarian] Malakal, South Sudan -- 'There is no house, no food, and no place to sleep for the children.' Full Article Conflict Peace and Security East Africa Press and Media Refugees and Displacement South Sudan
struggle A forgotten page of the Freedom Struggle: the Khanpur Estate and Bara Basti villages By www.milligazette.com Published On :: Wed, 31 Jul 2024 11:40:24 +0000 In the famous second battle of Gulaothi which was fought on 29 July 1857, British forces wanted to take control of the whole of the Bulandshahr district. To stop their advance, Nawab Walidad Khan of Malagarh deputed his main commanders, Haji Munir Khan and Ismail Khan, to Gulaothi. Full Article Special Reports
struggle The Struggle Against the Normal Life By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-01-22T20:58:40+00:00 Much of what we mean when we say "normal" is nothing of the sort. Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at the clash of worldviews that surrounds us in our present day. Full Article
struggle Got a Small Parish? A Joyful Struggle! By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2019-09-18T15:35:55+00:00 Fr. Joseph interviews Fr. Matthew Snowden of St Nicholas Mission/Jackson, Tennessee—on the struggles and joys of shepherding a fledgling Orthodox community Full Article
struggle The Struggle to Pray ... at Home By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-06-09T14:53:56+00:00 Prayer is not simply talking to God, worrying in Jesus' name—or watching a live-stream! Full Article
struggle Prophet or Profit: The Struggle to Keep Our Church Priorities in Order By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-07-31T21:21:24+00:00 Financial pressures in our Orthodox Churches are very real and often cause great worry and anxiety. As a result, we, both clergy and laity, can lose our focus and get our priorities out of order. Using the terms “Prophet” and “Profit” to symbolize two different mentalities (not suggesting Churches are trying to make a profit in the conventional sense) join Michael as he discusses what our priorities should be and what results proper focus on them would yield. Full Article
struggle Wrestling with God: Struggles, Wounds, and Transformation By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2019-04-23T21:05:41+00:00 Have you ever felt like you were wrestling or struggling with God, like your life was out of control, the future was unknown or something to be feared, and you were at a loss about what to do? Your prayers seem unanswered and God seems silent. Join Michael as he recounts the story of Jacob and shows how Jacob’s story and his struggle with God is our story. Full Article
struggle Growth and Struggle in Liminal Space – Lessons from St. Mary of Egypt By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2024-04-11T05:03:00+00:00 Join Michael is a discussion on our need to navigate the difficult liminal spaces in our lives with patience and discernment, as illustrated beautifully in the story of St. Mary of Egypt, and how it is possible to overcome sin and depravity to fulfill our calling to become saints and living icons of Christ. Full Article
struggle Don't deny your doubts and your struggles. Be who-you-are before Christ, so He may save who-you-are. By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2021-03-04T22:37:24+00:00 Don't look for the easy way out of pain. Do not deny the reality of your doubts, your struggles and your sins. Be who-you-are before Christ, so that He may save the truth of who-you-are. Full Article
struggle The Struggle to see Goodness in All By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2021-03-12T20:40:20+00:00 Some people thrive and others collapse fought by the same temptations, in the same context, surrounded by the same people. St Paisius the Agiorite (St Paisius of the Holy Mountain) and St John of the Ladder teach us that a joyful disposition of the heart and the determination to see goodness in everyone can make the difference between spiritual life and death. We need to train our thoughts to always 'translate' the situations we face into good examples, into sources of strength, virtue and beauty. Depending on whether we decode this world through a lens of love or one of condemnation, the same temptations can feed the Divine Image in us or the nothingness in us. Full Article
struggle Dealing with Struggles By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2017-05-24T01:35:24+00:00 Rita discusses how we can face our health struggles in a way that aids in the healing and growth of our souls in Christ. Full Article
struggle The Struggle for Prayer (Apr. 21, 2019) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-01-23T22:20:07+00:00 Using one of the major hymns for the feast of Palm Sunday, Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick talks about the struggle to pray, how it works and why it's worth doing. Full Article
struggle Lenten Struggles and Anxieties By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-04-02T23:50:03+00:00 Try not to fall, but if you do, just get back up again. Full Article
struggle “With God All Things Are Possible” for Those Who Take Up the Struggle By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2023-08-28T13:37:02+00:00 St. Basil the Great, who gave away his great wealth to found philanthropic ministries for the sick and needy, taught that the Lord’s strict words to this man revealed his lack of love for his neighbors. Basil wrote that “Those who love their neighbors as themselves possess nothing more than their neighbor; yet surely, you seem to have great possessions! How else can this be, but that you have preferred your own enjoyment to the consolation of the many…For the more you abound in wealth, the more you lack in love.” The young ruler had laid up treasures for himself on earth and had given his heart to them. (Matt. 6: 19-21) Full Article
struggle Fr. Seraphim Rose - The Man, The Struggler By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2010-09-22T19:53:30+00:00 Enter once again into the rustic cell of Fr. Seraphim Rose with Kevin Allen as he talks with Fr. Damascene, the biographer and spiritual child of Fr. Seraphim. This is part 2 of a 3 part series and provides a unique glimpse into the life of a man who many say will someday be venerated as a Saint. Full Article
struggle Joys and Struggles at the Margins By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2024-01-31T06:00:01+00:00 Members of the community reflect on the margins of our existence; where seemingly-forgotten people dwell; and yet, in the margins is where they find their faith strengthening... Full Article
struggle The Struggle is to Win By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2018-11-02T04:12:17+00:00 Fr. Apostolos Hill discusses on the struggle for salvation as evidence that we are on the right path. Full Article
struggle Kingdom Struggles By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-03-08T05:38:25+00:00 Kingdom Struggles In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. God is one. Amen. On this Meatfare Sunday we are urged by the Church not to eat meat for the next week, as we prepare ourselves for Lent that begins on Monday, the 2nd of March. The challenge is to practise self-discipline, to experience that we “eat to live,” not “live to eat.” Yet in the Gospel today from the 25th chapter of St Matthew, Jesus Christ praises those righteous people who gave Him food when he was hungry and drink when He was thirsty. The righteous are puzzled, because they have not seen Jesus Christ. However, He explains to them that when you gave food and drink to those in need, you gave that nourishment “to Me.” It appears that possibly the Gospel and the theme for Meatfare Sunday might be in conflict about what attitude to take to food. However, in fact, the Gospel and Meatfare Sunday strongly support each other, because what is being considered is not our attitude to food, but our relationship to Jesus Christ. Meatfare Sunday urges us to become more self-disciplined so that we can draw closer to Christ. The Gospel today urges us to help those in need, to seek social justice, so that we can draw closer to Christ. In brief, both Meatfare Sunday and this Gospel are urging us to draw closer to Christ. In this Gospel “the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” Later, in the Gospel of St John, Jesus Christ states: “I am the good shepherd; [and] the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” So, why are the sheep praised so much and the goats so rejected? The correct translation of this Gospel verse is “As the shepherd separates the sheep from the young kids.” St John Chrysostom points out that “indeed from sheep great is the profit—as from the milk, as from the wool, and from the young, of all which things the young kid [does not have]” [cited by The Orthodox New Testament: The Holy Gospels, Volume 1, Holy Apostles Convent, Buena Vista, Colorado, p. 123]. To put it bluntly, the sheep have grown up and reached spiritual maturity, but the young kids have only begun their lives and are not yet spiritually mature. The division between sheep and young kids in this Gospel passage from St Matthew is linked to judgment on our lives, both God’s judgment of us and our own judgment of ourselves. Metropolitan Antony Bloom has written, and I quote, of how: “the day will come when we shall stand before God and [we will] be judged, but as long as our pilgrimage [on earth] continues, as long as we live in the process of becoming [that is, of growing closer to Christ], as long as there is ahead of us this road that leads to the full measure of the stature of Christ [that is, the importance of following Christ in our lives] which is our vocation [our calling], judgment must be [given on ourselves] by ourselves…. On [this] road [that leads to Christ] judgment is something which is happening all the time with[in] us; there is a dialogue, a … tension between [on the one hand,] our thoughts, emotions, feelings, actions and [on the other hand,] our conscience, which stands in judgment upon us…. There is a continuing dialogue with[in] us through our life,” concluded Metropolitan Antony [Meditations: A Spiritual Journey, Dimension Books, pp. 3-4]. In the reflection that Metropolitan Antony has set out, the sheep could be viewed as our consciences—our awareness of what is right—in conflict with many of “our thoughts, emotions, feelings [and] actions,” that represent the young kids. If Metropolitan Antony is right that “judgment is something which is happening all the time with[in] us”—and that is certainly an Orthodox Christian approach—then this separation between sheep and young kids is happening within us throughout our lives, as well as on the Final Day of Judgment. Essentially, we are trying now to rid ourselves of sin, through sinning less and less, as well as confessing whenever appropriate. However, we can’t rid ourselves of sin through willpower, but rather through prayer and listening to our consciences and listening to the Lord. In our lifelong battle with the tendency to sin, Metropolitan Antony points out; and I quote: “We very often walk in darkness, and this darkness is the result of our darkened mind, of our darkened heart, of our darkened eye; and it is only if the Lord Himself sheds His light into our soul, upon our life, that we can begin to see what is wrong and what is right in [our souls].” Metropolitan Antony then draws upon the writings of the Russian Orthodox priest, St John of Kronstadt, who boldly and rightly claimed that “God does not reveal to us the ugliness of our souls unless He can [observe] in us sufficient faith and sufficient hope for us not to be broken by the vision of our sins. In other words,” continues Metropolitan Antony, “whenever we see ourselves with our dark side, this knowledge increases, as we can understand ourselves [better and better,] more [and more,] in the light of God, that is, in the light of the Divine Judgement…. This means two things: it means, indeed that we sadly discover our own ugliness, but also that we can rejoice at the same time, because God has granted us His trust. He has entrusted to us a new knowledge of ourselves as we are, as He always saw us … [but in His mercy] He did not allow us to see ourselves [earlier] because we could not [yet] bear the sight of truth….[Thus] judgement becomes joy, because although we discover what is wrong [with our thoughts and our actions], this discovery is [given to us with] the knowledge that God has seen enough faith, enough hope and enough [courage in the face of pain and suffering] in us to allow us to see, because He knows that now we can act,” concludes Metropolitan Antony [Meditations, pp. 4-5]. I find those insights from Metropolitan Antony and St John of Kronstadt quite inspiring. When we seek to draw closer to Christ’s unique will for each of us, we still face problems and challenges in our lives However, we can be confident that as we see our sins more clearly this is itself a beautiful sign that God trusts us and is telling us that we are now ready to face and remove those sins from our lives. We are all in the midst of the pilgrimage on earth to draw closer to Christ, with the support of the Theotokos, the Mother of God, and the angels and the saints. This is not a mystic journey reserved for a few holy and sinless souls. On the contrary, precisely as Metropolitan Antony says: on this journey of drawing closer and closer to Christ, “the first step is to get to know ourselves”—our strengths and weaknesses, our hopes and our fears—both within ourselves and with regard to others. “The first step … in our evaluation of ourselves will be to measure this state of disruption [caused by the sin that presently exists within us].” To encourage us to evaluate ourselves, Metropolitan Antony sets out a number of tough questions that each of us, whatever our age, must answer for ourselves: “How much are my heart and my mind at variance [that is, not consistent] with one another? Is my will directed to one unique goal [of drawing closer and closer to Christ] or is [my will continually] wavering? How far are my [thoughts and my] actions directed by my [conscience and by my] convictions [or] how far are [my thoughts and my actions] under the [influence] of unruly impulses [that is, the sudden desire to do something without thinking of the consequences]? Is there any wholeness within me? … How separated am I from God and my neighbour?” [Meditations, p. 5]. These are tough questions that Metropolitan Antony poses to each of us. However, the very fact that we are asking ourselves these questions now is a sign that God is with us and that He will guide us to face our sins and draw closer to Him. Meatfare Sunday and this Gospel about the sheep and the young kids offer us encouraging guidelines for how to prepare for the season of Lent that will soon be upon us. Let us each face our sins, bring them to Confession, and get to know ourselves, so that we will then come to know Christ in His full, resurrected Glory. And so, we ascribe as is justly due all might, majesty, dominion, power and praise to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, always now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Father Emmanuel Kahn Full Article
struggle Enduring A Hard Struggle By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-12-18T23:26:12+00:00 Full Article
struggle We Struggle to Believe By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2017-05-14T20:31:09+00:00 Full Article
struggle Holiness as Gift, Perfection, and Struggle By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2021-06-29T02:55:49+00:00 On the Sunday of All Saints Fr. Pat looks at three aspects of Christian holiness. Full Article
struggle The Struggle of Faith By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2023-03-29T20:09:51+00:00 The 9th chapter of the Gospel of Mark opens with the account of the Transfiguration, then is immediately followed by the the story of Jesus healing a boy possessed by an unclean spirit, a spirit which Jesus’ disciples were unable to cast out. Fr. Pat makes three observations about faith which we can learn from this story. The painting Fr. Pat refers to is The Transfiguration by Rafael. Full Article
struggle We Wish You an Ascetic Christmas! Understanding the Ascetic Struggle in Orthodoxy By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-12-01T03:43:09+00:00 For most people in our society the Christmas season is a time of celebration, with holiday parties, and unleashed consumerism. For Orthodox Christians however the Advent Season is a time of fasting, prayer and ascetic struggle. Why? In this edition of Ancient Faith Today, host Kevin Allen discusses with Father Gregory Jensen, author of the book The Cure for Consumerism, the reason for the ascetic struggle for Orthodox Christians. Full Article
struggle Volkswagen Proposes 10% Wage Cut to Union Amid Financial Struggles By thesun.my Published On :: Fri, 01 Nov 2024 11:41:39 GMT Volkswagen Group is seeking significant cost reductions as it faces declining demand, rising expenses, and mounting competition. The automaker has proposed a 10 per cent wage reduction for its union employees after IG Metall, the union representing Volkswagen’s workforce, requested a seven per cent raise. This wage cut comes as part of broader measures Volkswagen is considering to address financial difficulties, which include restructuring bonuses and possibly eliminating anniversary and monthly bonuses.Despite these proposed changes, Volkswagen’s CEO Thomas Schafer has not ruled out more drastic options, such as plant closures, if cost-cutting goals are not met through negotiations. “Successful operations are a prerequisite for job security,” said Arne Meiswinkel, VW’s lead negotiator, highlighting the necessity for lower labour costs to stabilise the company.Volkswagen reported a steep 42 per cent drop in third-quarter operating profits, and its core brand posted only a two per cent operating margin through September. According to CFO and COO Arno Antlitz, this underscores the need for “significant cost reductions and efficiency gains” to sustain the company’s operations.Rumours of potential plant closures in Germany have circulated as the company confronts inefficiencies across several domestic sites. Schafer remarked that the issues cannot be resolved by “simple cost-cutting measures,” indicating deeper structural challenges within the automaker’s German manufacturing operations.Volkswagen and IG Metall will resume negotiations on November 21. Full Article
struggle OIC panel reaffirms unwavering support to Kashmiris’ just struggle By tribune.com.pk Published On :: Sat, 06 Feb 21 17:25:17 +0500 Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir holds virtual meeting in NY Full Article Pakistan
struggle Govt struggles to expand tax base as illicit trade surges By tribune.com.pk Published On :: Mon, 09 Sep 24 22:21:40 +0500 Widespread smuggling, tax evasion result in billions in lost revenue across key sectors Full Article Business
struggle Power struggles in climate ministry By tribune.com.pk Published On :: Wed, 11 Sep 24 21:32:41 +0500 Controversy surrounds reinstatement efforts of official accused of misconduct Full Article Business
struggle Apple's iPhone 16 struggles with AI features delay, increasing Huawei competition By tribune.com.pk Published On :: Tue, 10 Sep 24 19:50:16 +0500 Apple’s shares fell 1.7 per cent on Tuesday, a day after the US tech giant unveiled its new iPhones with AI Full Article Technology
struggle 'I struggle with body positivity. How can I feel good about myself?' By www.geo.tv Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 18:12:00 +0500 Hi Haya,I’m in my mid-20s and struggle to remain body-positive. I have been working out and taking care of my diet, but this feeling of not looking the best just keeps me mentally exhausted.It has affected my self-esteem a lot and leaves me... Full Article
struggle Traumatized by war, hundreds of Lebanon's children struggle with wounds both physical and emotional By www.washingtontimes.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 00:37:35 -0500 Curled up in his father's lap, clinging to his chest, Hussein Mikdad cried his heart out. The 4-year-old kicked his doctor with his intact foot and pushed him away with the arm that was not in a cast. "My Dad! My Dad!" Hussein said. "Make him leave me alone!" With eyes tearing up in relief and pain, the father reassured his son and pulled him closer. Full Article
struggle Tom Brady and Bill Belichick shared their opinions on Jerod Mayo, Patriots’ struggles By www.boston.com Published On :: Tue, 22 Oct 2024 15:24:01 +0000 "Obviously I don't care who you play for or what team you are, that's not a good formula right there." The post Tom Brady and Bill Belichick shared their opinions on Jerod Mayo, Patriots’ struggles appeared first on Boston.com. Full Article Sports Bill Belichick Football Jerod Mayo Morning Sports Update NFL Patriots Tom Brady
struggle Jim Montgomery doesn’t have an ‘answer’ for Bruins’ third-period struggles By www.boston.com Published On :: Sun, 10 Nov 2024 04:06:22 +0000 "We just weren't good enough. You guys can write what you guys think is the malaise on the team and what's going on." The post Jim Montgomery doesn’t have an ‘answer’ for Bruins’ third-period struggles appeared first on Boston.com. Full Article Sports Bruins Hockey Jim Montgomery NHL