A mental health doctor and professor who has made a study of stress gives the readers in the Kyeogyang magazine some thoughts to ponder on dealing with stress. He begins by telling the readers that stress for many means the reduction of stress, however, is not life full of stress? When one stressful situation is solved another appears.
He considers the problem from a scientific position. Stress when excessive, tires the brain, and when it continues the possibility of bodily disease. Better than to try to reduce stress is to learn how to manage stress. If you are wondering what stress management is: examen to see how you accept the change of seasons and the beautiful things in nature— experiencing a blue heaven is a sign that the brain is managing well, maintaining a proper balance between conflict and peace, if not you are in conflict mode.
Between play and work, the most difficult should be work, but those with excessive stress it's often play. The brain tells us more than behavior. Some take vacations, spend a lot of money, return home and find it more tiring than work.
Many are those who everything in their work is going well but are 'burnt out'. He recalls a man who was 'burnt out' and when asked what he should be doing, answered: nothing— a terrible situation to be in. Nothing seems to recharge the brain.
Burnt Out Syndrome is a difficult situation where the brain needs some new energy to revive it but no matter what— nothing helps. All that is wanted is to be alone and to lie down. Nothing seems to recharge the brain. The recharging apparatus is not functioning. He recommends being merciful to oneself which is the apparatus in the brain to recharge oneself and bring energy back to the brain. It's like charging the smartphone from the outside. The outside outlets are people, nature and culture, all very understandable. Knowledge will not do it, looking upon oneself with mercy, this recharging is not with the logical part of the brain.
Most of the stress we experience comes from relationships. Stress comes from people and relieved by people. We are not energized by looking into a mirror and telling ourselves all is well. It's when others tell us that we are great that we become energized, this is not received only with words.
When people are the problem, nature and culture can recharge us: looking at a mountain scene or reading a novel or poem. When the brain becomes tired and the recharging apparatus is not working we need others, nature or culture to get recharged.
We need to monitor what is coming out from our heads and stop responding and very gently listen to what our hearts are saying. He concludes the article, telling the readers to look at some of the details of daily life that he introduces to help us recharge.
1) Breathe deeply three-time and feel the flow: do this during the day before going to work, switching on the computer, waiting for a meeting to start...
2) In a quiet place savor the situation, eat with this attitude: scrutinize the color of the food, the aroma and eat with the whole body.
3) Walk for 10 minutes in a contemplative way: moving the body and lessening tension associated with the head—with the leisure to look into your heart.
4) Once a week have an intimate conversation with a friend: this will be a help in relaxing oneself.
5) Look at a sad movie or something that will evoke sorrow: we seek to divert a sad mood by something opposite but doing this exclusively we lose the ability to accept sadness.
6) Read three poems during the week: our hearts are moved by metaphors more than by logic. When we become accustomed to the metaphor we will have a better chance at examining our hearts.
7) Leave the smartphone in the house and travel on the train: rather than looking absent-mindedly out the window take a long contemplative look at what you see.
Looks very simple but with this practice, we will be projecting what is happening in our heads onto a white screen. We will have the psychological leisure to examine ourselves and ironically develop the wisdom necessary for life.
Many are those nowadays who refuse to buy a product, a certain brand, or buy what will harm the environment because of some negative attributes that are connected with the product. We can also refuse to travel to another country and refuse to buy their imports because of their behavior. It is expressing disapproval or forcing the acceptance of certain conditions. A university professor in the field of consumerism gives the readers some ideas on this attitude held by some in society.
This refusal to buy comes from the name Charles Cunningham Boycott, an Englishman who exploited the Irish tenants. When the famine got worse and the lives of the Irish farmers became very difficult, he forced the collection of rents; angry farmers united and confronted the landowner by not giving food to the caretakers and not working. They did win.
It is an effective way for consumers as a group, to refuse to open their wallets in order to change or eradicate an immoral corporation or organization. True, especially in markets where there are many alternative options. In 1996, Nike, a global company, was the object of the refusal to buy because of the controversy surrounding child labor in Pakistan. This movement quickly spread around the globe. Nike sales dropped by 50%. Nike eventually banned child labor in factories around the world and started to improve the working environment. Amazon has recently had the same difficulty in the UK, criticized for avoiding taxes.
There are two main results from this refusal to buy. One is a short-term decline in sales. The other is tarnishing the image of a company or brand. The proliferation of these movements rarely leads to a decline in sales, as most companies have some form of countermeasures. However, once damaged, images and reputations are difficult to overcome. This is why most companies actively confront these movements to lessen some of the losses envisioned.
The most important thing in these movements is to collect a large number of supporters who sympathize with the reasons. It is difficult to obtain a large number of supporters if the cause is unclear because these movements restrict consumers' freedom of choice and may cause economic loss to the participants. Consequently, without moral justification, it is difficult to gather supporters.
It would be better if you buy goods at one of the competitors at the same time. The situation by which companies lose their reputation due to certain problems is a good opportunity to help other better companies with their products.
Many of these movements often end with no apparent reason. First of all, it is difficult for consumers to have the same understanding and involvement because of different interests. It is also difficult to expect achievements dealing with a monopoly situation where there are no other good alternatives. This is why it is difficult for these movements to succeed in high technology and energy industries.
Refusing to open your wallet is a good way to show the power of consumers who are voters in the market. Consumers' buying can save or ruin markets or businesses. However, to vote correctly in the market is as difficult as voting in politics.
In 1998 Korea acknowledged facing a crisis of bankruptcy and asked for help from the International Monetary Fund, IMF. The government was not able to see the problems with foreign exchange that brought about financial difficulties. So begins an article by a professor working in quantum science.
At the time of IMF an economic scholar who visited Korea on leaving left these words: "In this world numbers are associated with everything, it's the dollar." An extreme expression and no need to associate numbers with dollars but Korea went through financially difficult times because of numbers.
What is meant by justice? Michael Sandel, the author of What Money Can't Buy, a best seller, asks what are the moral limits of the market. Unlike the past every thing can be bought and sold. The market mentality has destroyed many of our realtionships of the past. The rules of the market should not be used in our social relationships, institutions and our thinking but it does.
From an early age, instinctively we compare what is mine to what another has. The proverb: the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence is an indication of this reality. This is the reason we use numbers in comparisons, science and technology which continue to advance, and the market goes its way with selling and buying. Height and age, weight, wealth, friends, are given in numbers. We understand another better with these numbers, they help us to know another's problems and how to help. But Sandel in his book reminds us that not everything is determined by numbers we can't determine human values by numbers.
Numbers do not tell us everything about a person. When persons do the same work and one gets paid much and the other little is this just? In the same way one works little and another works much and they receive the same pay is this just? In a parable of Matthew's Gospel 20: 1-16, some only work one hour and get the same pay as those that worked the whole day. Is this just? If this happened today what would happen? And yet this was the contract that was made with the workers. They got what they contracted for.
Can we say this is unjust? "Take your earnings and go. I choose to pay the last- comer as much as I gave you. Have I no right to do what I like with my own? Why be envious because I am generous?" And concludes with: "Thus the last will be first and the first last." God has his way of judging, often not the way we judge.
When we talk about justice we take two quantities and compare and measure them.This can be done rather easily with logical and objective results. We can make a statistically basically good response. But dealing with people it is not as easy as the words we use. Consequently, concern for numbers is not as important as agreement, and promise.
We have come a long way in the way we use numbers and brought great inovations to our daily life. Numbers have entered almost all facets of life: politics, sports, education, practically all of life. Using numbers does give us more accuracy and efficiency but they are not what justice is all about. As Sandel says there are many things that money can not buy. The fact is that principles and methods of the market govern a great deal of what we do and we forget that what is important has little to do with numbers.
The mass media does not only publish news but is a medium for advertising. For the industry, advertising is as important as the news, for it is the main means of revenue. In the recent Catholic Times, a one-time editor continues to instruct the readers on fake advertising.
Of course, the DNA of news content and advertising are different. Advertising is a commercial interest and the news is of public interest. They have opposite qualities but have a symbiotic relationship in that they need each other.
Consequently, both have to be accompanied by news ethics and advertising ethics. The Internet Newspaper Ethics Committee considers both equally important.
Nowadays, fake news is often filled with fake advertising. Articles are made to pass as news when they are advertising for a company or product. Even the name of the reporter is disguised. With the expansion of digital media, the advertising revenue of newspapers and other media has decreased. Fake news covering all kinds of subjects such as recreation, hospitals, cosmetics, travel, automobiles, contain camouflaged advertising. No indication we are reading an 'advertisement'.
A few years ago, one of the famous daily newspapers in an article used to advertise on the internet was believed by the readers and the goods were ordered. Not receiving the goods the victims sued the companies as fraudulent and won the lawsuit against three newspapers that posted the same article.
The newspaper advertising code of ethics consists of four sections. The first one is "newspaper advertising should benefit the reader and be trusted." Also, the following three prohibited contents: "unscientific or superstitious", "speculation", "untrustworthy enterprises".
In addition to the article type advertisement, the ethics committee frequently punishes 'fake advertisements as 'unscientific or superstitious advertisement'. It still means that unscientific or superstitious advertising is doing well. It is surprising when we think about the educational and cultural level of our people, but they advertise what is still in demand.
If we see the titles of the ads that the Korean Newspaper Ethics Committee has filed for disciplinary measures in the last three months as unscientific or superstitious we will easily understand what is meant. Solving all your marriage problems, employment, passing tests, business prosperity and all kinds of health problems with groundless, unreliable solutions.
Of course, readers and viewers have different levels of credibility about news and advertising. Unlike news, however, most people understand that with advertising a considerable amount of exaggeration and even falsity is included. Even so, to delude persons who are in a state of desperation and looking for anything to help, this approach is wrong-headed. The same is true for large daily newspapers, which boast of their history and tradition and continue to display such advertisements.
Both Catholic Weeklies had stories on violence against women. Social media spotlighted the problem with the abuse of a migrant woman by her husband. Revealed to the public, it ignited the indignation of many of the South Koreans and a desire to do something.
Since Korean women are not anxious to go to the farming areas of the country, many of the farmers look for brides from other countries. Language and culture are mostly to blame for the domestic violence in these cases.
There is a saying that you don't strike another with flowers: meaning violence can never be justified. The images on the social media showing the woman being assaulted by her husband in front of her child were difficult to view for many. The voice of criticism was loud but society has still to deal with the situation.
Patriarchy and drinking are reasons given for the frequency but we also have the attitude of the citizens which may have something to do with the problem. Nearly one in five women in Korea say that a husband may be justified in hitting or beating his wife compared with one in thirteen women in OECD countries on average.
The Seoul Catholic Women's Welfare Council discussed the issue on the 30th anniversary of its founding. The topic was the 'actual state of economic independence of women leaving domestic violence centers, and measures necessary'.
A survey made on the situation with 149 victims who had left the centers was reviewed. According to the results, 60.4 % of the victims were divorced. Others were in the process of divorcing or living separated from their husbands. Many had economic difficulties after leaving the facility. Housing problems were the biggest. Finding employment was not easy. Women also have emotional and psychological difficulties; anxiety they will face violence again is present.
Group homes provided by the government number about 30% of the facilities at present. Those who need such facilities are many; the need is greater then what society has at present.
Paying for housing was the biggest problem that all the age groups had even of those in their 60s or older. After release from the facilities providing support was most helpful. During the time in these facilities help in finding work with vocational training programs was seen as necessary.
Over 64 % have not received any aid whatsoever. And this according to those who know the situation means that many have to go back to where they suffered the abuse. Without a safe place to go independence will be impossible.
The Church needs to extend its work for those who need help. This will be an area in which other church communities, organizations, and society as a whole will need to be involved.
The Catholic Times of Korea the oldest Catholic weekly has launched a website to keep its readers abreast of the news. The Catholic e Times will be available on your PC and mobile phone allowing one to access content not available in the newspaper. The Weekly in one of its recent issues introduced the new features of the online edition.
The 'Catholic e-Newspaper', launched in 2016, can be accessed with the smartphone that allows busy people to easily access church news and information anytime and anywhere. Also produces high-quality images and allows readers around the world to view the paper and YouTube channels.
Efforts were made so that the new media may be easily accessed by those who are not used to the smartphone. On the webpage that appears once you write (가톨릭e신문) you will have easy access to the site. However, you have free access to some areas and the others require that you pay a subscription fee. Those who speak Korean, may find this well worth the money. English is offered in many programs.
The Catholic Newspaper, which began in 1927 during the Japanese colonial period, has tried to present accurate news to the readers as a representative of the Korean Catholic Church. But today, Korea and the entire world suffers from "fake news" that is produced and spread indiscriminately.
The digital online media represented by YouTube has content that can not be verified as correct information. In particular, the news of the Catholic Church following the teachings of the universal church is also mixed with distorted content produced by channel operators who are keen on recruiting religious groups and subscribers."Fake News" is not just YouTube's problem. "Fake News" spreads in blogs, cafes and portal sites operated by individuals— Facebook, KakaoTalk, etc.
Catholic e-newspapers have various functions besides the opportunity of reading the newspapers. The Catholic e-Newspaper Premium gives you a chance to hear more news from honorary journalists from around the country. It also has a variety of attractions and informative contents such as videos and foreign language news services translated into Chinese and English.
The Catholic Newspaper has opened a channel on YouTube and is showing footage of films. In addition to conveying the news of the Korean church to the audience, they have attracted the attention of readers with appropriate visual content on many aspects of church life here in Korea. If you write (가톨릭 신문) in the YouTube search engine and click, the newspaper channel will appear and you will know how to continue.
This effort of the Church in Korea is a tool for evangelization and to help the Christians be more knowledgeable about their faith.
The Catholic News Weekly had an article on hate speech and the problems that arise. The Weekly had an interview with professor Hong who has made a study of the issue in society and records his thoughts on the subject. Like Jesus, who first came to those who were marginalized and excluded from society, you have to push your hands out first with love.
With the development of the media and the Internet, our society is full of hatred. Aversion is no longer an emotion of disliking an object but changing words into knives. Preaching disgust against those who are marginalized in society affects society as a whole. With the direct and terrible violence of 'hate crime', we have a serious social problem.
In this situation, the professor is gaining sympathy from the public on hate speech in Korea. "Christians need to be sensitive to hate speech, discrimination, and work aggressively against them."
The professor became interested in the subject and worried about what was the limit to our freedom of expression. There has been much debate in Europe on hate speech and is not recognized under freedom of expression. While he was studying whether this discussion would be necessary for Korea, the expression of dislike in our society started to become an issue and decided to research it.
Expressing disgust is a phenomenon that has always been with us but has intensified recently. The main reason is that people do not fight against the real problems of society but create scapegoats. Expressions of abhorrence and discrimination spread at a faster pace due to the influence of the Internet and the media environment.
Hate speech undermines human dignity. Harm is done to the personality and the mental health of those discriminated. It does not stop here, but it hampers their social life in general. Another problem is that it causes direct harm to society. Most of the objects of abhorrence are already socially discriminated against. In particular, people with disabilities, migrants, women, sexual minorities are becoming victims of direct and wide-ranging aversion.
As a member of the Catholic Human Rights Commission, and a member of a sub-committee of Justice and Peace Committee he was asked what role should the church play in the problem with hate speech. The spirit of the church is to love and embrace. Jesus' actions have always approached those who are alienated and excluded from society. We Christians must live according to His life. I think the church should be most sensitive to hate and discrimination, and the most aggressive in its removal. For example, I think it was important to have an active role in the diocese of Jeju when refugees became a hot topic in our society. When many people showed negative attitudes, the first thing they did was to mention the role of religion in Korean society.
The church has always been interested in groups alienated in society. I think that the attitude of listening first and reaching out to them is an important role of the church today. Also, if the church is an open place where everyone is welcomed, and there is no discrimination in the church, it will be a good sign in preventing hatred and discrimination in society.
Can the Anti-Discrimination Act prevent discrimination and exclusion? Although the Constitution declares that discrimination is prohibited, there are no laws that specify the meaning at present. The Anti-Discrimination Act is meaningful in that it is an official declaration that discrimination is prohibited in our society.
If the media did not do its job hate speech would be flagrant in society. Consequently, it is difficult to say that the media itself is blatantly promoting hatred. However, there are quite a few cases where not enough attention was given to details. For example, in the case of crime reports from people with mental illness, the content of the article may tell you the truth, but it can have a tremendous impact, such as driving the public opinion that mentally challenged people are potential criminals and that they need to be in prison. Journalists have a responsibility to pay some attention to whether discrimination or dislike is encouraged.
Professor Hong believes the problem of hate and discrimination in Korean society will be one of the most serious social problems. The church has a history of always welcoming groups that are discriminated and excluded with love and acceptance. The Catholic Church, in particular, embraces the person as a child of God even if they did something that did not conform to the teaching of the Church. We reach out to listen to their stories and hope for a change in their lives.
