School Bullying Bystander Power Essay - 2572 Words

School Bullying: Bystander Power Frequently in our society, the news includes another tragic story of a bully victim committing suicide or striking out. Hailee in Nevada, Tyler in Georgia and Bart in Connecticut were all bullied to a tragic end. These are only three examples of the many news stories of children who committed suicide because we have yet to identify the solution to stop bullying. We all should agree, incidents like this should never occur. Additionally, no one knows how many children are considering suicide at this very moment. The psychological and physical toll the stress of being bullied has may not be as widely reported as the suicides, but it impacts numerous children daily. School bullying prevention programs cannot continue to primarily focus on punishments and counseling for bullies and victims. First, we must acknowledge the importance of bystander influence. Then as an integral part of the solution to bullying, we must educate bystanders regarding th eir impact and how to take appropriate action. Bullying: The Current State The statistics on bullying are alarming with 25% of students being bullied, 8% staying home to avoid being bullied and greater than 40% report fear of being bullied (STOMP Out Bullyingâ„ ¢, 2016). We are punishing the bullies and supporting the victims to no avail. Despite the national focus on bullying, the problem continues and appears on the rise with the introduction of cyberbullying. â€Å"PACER†, â€Å"Stop Bullying†,Show MoreRelatedBullying in Schools Today839 Words   |  3 Pagesthink of bullying they think of the big guy picking on the little guy, but in most cases the victim is a bully themselves. Bullying will not go away all together, but determining if the situation is actually bullying or not, and standing up to the bully is a great start to decrease bullying in schools today. Drama sometimes is difficult to differ from bullying, and it is important to understand the difference. (1b: SV, and SV.) Bystanders need to become involved to start the end of bullying. Also,Read MoreDaniel Briggs s Life At The Young Age Of 16 Essay1341 Words   |  6 Pagessoft spot for helping others. His interests included hunting and trapping, however, this was not popular where he lived. The bullying began when he was young and it carried on into high school. Once he had reached high school, it escalated. Daniel had difficulty finding friends who had common interests with him and ultimately made him a target for bullying. The bullying began with words then progressed to physical forms. such as having trash thrown at him, punched in the stomach, jumped from behindRead MoreAnti Bullying Programs And Schools1302 Words   |  6 Pagesincreased stress on schools to recognize bullying an issue. Some schools are implementing anti-bullying programs and schools are hoping the programs will be effective. Schools, teachers, staff, students and parents need to realize that bullying is not going to go away over night, but each program students learn will help them become more accepting and empathetic. Anti-bullying programs are effective in schools and give students lessons they will reference to their whole lives. Bullying in the United StatesRead MoreLiterature Review: Behavioural Responses of Student Bystanders in Situations of Bullying970 Words   |  4 PagesBullying, a form of aggression, can be experienced in several forms: physical, verbal, social or cyber. All bullying is composed of three specific concepts—causing their victims harm, possessing greater power than their victims and repetition (Oh Hazler, 2009). Most often it is just the bully and a victim taken into consideration yet this fails to identify a key influence: bystanders. It is their impact on bullying that creates serious problems thus understanding the bystander’s role is vitalRead MoreLiterature Review: Behavioural Responses of Student Bystanders in Situations of Bullying1102 Words   |  5 PagesBullying is a serious occurrence that is plaguing youth all over the globe. Bullying, a form of aggression, can be experienced in four forms: physical, verbal, social or cyber (Oh Hazler, 2009; Trach, Hymel, Waterhouse Neale, 2010). However, all bullying is composed of three specific concepts—causing their victims harm, possessing greater power then their victims and repetition (Oh Hazler, 2009). Read into the definition of â€Å"bullying† and one would simply identify a bully and a victim yetRead MoreBullying : A Child s Worst Nightmare868 Words   |  4 PagesBullying. A child s worst nightmare; it is a terrible and recurring sight in society. All children can handle this differently. The causes of bullying are normally related to how a child is raised or just on his/her mental status. Bullying has negative effects on everyone involved; the bully, the victim, and even the bystanders. The prevention or stopping of bullying is necessary for society. By having a clear understanding of the causes and effects of bullying it will guide people to stopping orRead MoreThe Bullies And Victims Article Focus On The Problems Of Bullying1750 Words   |  7 PagesThe Bullies and v ictims article focus on the problems of bullying in the United Kingdom. Bullying is not just a problem in the United Kingdom; it’s a serious issue throughout the world. When analyzing the incidences that occurred with Mark, Sarah, Theresa, Simon, and Debbie, these attacks were alarming since they were vicious where some of the victims suffered an injury from being physically assaulted. The brutality of these attacks deserves punishment since the bullies used physical aggression andRead MoreCyber Bullying And Its Effects On Its Victims1651 Words   |  7 Pagesadvances that are creating, changing and shifting the individuals who live in it, especially cyber bullying. With the rise in the use of technology, digital culture and anonymity, cyber bullying has become a prominent issue that can have negative psychological effects on its victims through the power of these technological advances. This new 21st century term is derived from standard physical bullying has become a promi nent and revolving issue as cellphone, texting and social media sites take awayRead MoreA Brief Note On Cyberbullying And Other Types Of Traditional Bullying1138 Words   |  5 Pagestraditional bullying. According to Nansel (2001) and Olweus (1993), bullying is characterized by intentional behavior that is meant to cause pain, both physical and emotional, to another person due to an imbalance of social or physical power. There are two forms of traditional bullying: direct and indirect. Direct bullying is characterized by physical attacks, such as hitting and kicking; it is also characterized by non-physical attacks, such as teasing. The characteristics of indirect bullying are lessRead MoreBullying Is A Serious Social Problem911 Words   |  4 PagesBullying is a serious social problem that happens in schools between adolescents. Bullying is not taken seriously and often dismissed. The perpetrator and the victim are expected to work out the situation on their own. There are m any forms of bullying such as physical, verbal, social, and cyber. The perpetrators can have a negative effect on the victim for many years and possibly even life. Despite numerous â€Å"anti-bullying† advertisements and campaigns, bullying is an important social issue that occurs

Do We Really Want A President Sneezes - 957 Words

Coughing Kills On September 12, 2016 the Star-Telegram reprinted the article, â€Å"Do we really want a president who coughs?† written by Rex Huppke, who is a columnist for the Chicago Tribune. With the upcoming Presidential elections in November, Mr. Huppke focused his attention on the Democratic nominee, Hilary Clinton and her recent coughing episode during a speech she gave in Ohio. He suggests that her cough should be a major concern for voters and her health examined thoroughly to see if she is fit enough to be the President of the United States. He sites what he calls â€Å"reliable websites† and he quotes seemingly reputable sources that are also deeply concerned she is not. His cautionary tone in the beginning of the article leads the reader to believe he has a serious point to get across. However, his fictitious words, hasty generalizations, and outright lies tell a different story. He also breaks numerous rules of fallacy throughout this satirical piece to make the poi nt Americans are ridiculously naà ¯ve if they rely solely on media to make significant decisions. In the beginning of his article, Mr. Huppke asks those Americans who are of legal age to vote to consider the question, â€Å"Do I really want a president who coughs?† (Huppke) to which he answers immediately for the reader, no. His argument begins with a definitive perspective that answering no to this question is the only rational answer. He goes on to say that â€Å"coughing is a sign of mental incapacity andShow MoreRelatedKant And Mill s Utilitarianism Theory1316 Words   |  6 PagesWhen presented with a choice between saving the life of one person, or saving the life of five, how should you choose which is the right thing to do? Is there even a right choice in this situation when either way someone is going to die? The theories presented by Kant and Mill seem to suggest there is. They each have their own beliefs on how you should handle the situation, and which is in fact the right choice to make. Kant’s deontological theory rests in the basis of morality. Mill’s utilitarianismRead MoreAnalysis Of Ken Kesey s One Flew Over The Cuckoo s Nest2592 Words   |  11 PagesMental illness has always been around, and asylums have been around since 1406 CE. Patients were treated like animals in the asylums up until 1946 when President Truman signed a law called the National Mental Health act. People speaking about mental illness is more of a recent thing because before people were just thrown away when they even mentioned mental illness. Once the mentally ill were gone, the public would ignore the entire issue, in the late 1880s Nelly Bly posed as a mentally ill womanRead MoreThe History of Birth Control and Society Essay1997 Words   |  8 PagesThe History of Birth Control and Society People have been desperate to control how many children they have and abstinence is not really an option adults want to choose. Some ancient forms of birth control include: animal skins and intestines for condoms, lemons as barriers to protect from pregnancy, poisonous cocktails to cause abortion, and animal dung cocktails as spermicides. When those measures failed, women turned to abortions. (Rengal intro ix) Humankind has been trying to have sex withoutRead More The Pursuit of Genetic Engineering Essay4075 Words   |  17 Pagesdue to advances in genetic engineering and cloning. These medical innovations have the potential to revolutionize our lives in numerous ways. However, the fear of controversy and the fear of the â€Å"new† could hinder and possibly halt any progress that we are capable of making. There are concerns that society should carefully consider. It is important, though, to thoroughly research and examine a topic in order to understand why there should be no fear caused by cloning and genetic engineering oneRead MoreEssay on Hitlers Rise to Power3943 Words   |  16 Pagesto starvation. The situation needed immediate attention and so they abolished the mark and created a new currency called the Rentenmark. This plan succeeded in gaining German stability and things were going well. ‘When America sneezes, Europe catches a cold’ this saying was especially true in Germany after the American stock exchange crashed in 1929. The effects of the crash were devastating on both the people and the economy. It left American speculators ruined, theRead MoreInside the Meltdown49737 Words   |  199 Pagesimportant place to be right now. We re getting a lot of media attention, and I think that s positive because I think the FDIC is all about public confidence. That s how we maintain the stability with people having confidence in our brand and our insurance guarantee, and I think we ve done that fairly successfully. We have seen a lot of stability. People are keeping their money in banks, which is good. ... I think we ll be judged by how history judges us, whether we continue to be effective in tryingRead MoreThe taste of melon by borden deal11847 Words   |  48 Pagestheme ââ€"   analyse story structure ââ€"   identify changes in the narrator’s perspective ââ€"   interpret characters’ motives 130 Look Closely D E A L When I think of the summer I was sixteen, a lot of things some crowding in to be thought about. We had moved just the year before, and sixteen is still young enough that the bunch makes a difference. I had a bunch, all right, but they weren’t sure of me yet. I didn’t know why. Maybe because I’d lived in town, and my father still worked there insteadRead MoreFraud Triangle15238 Words   |  61 Pagesthe start, I knew it was unethical, but I didn’t know it was indeed a crime until now. I have had to do a lot of thinking, praying, and talking to those close to me about this. I am truly sorry for what I have done, and I don’t EVER plan to do it again. All I want now is to make amends with the banks. I do not have the money to pay back either bank right now. I realize this hurts them. I want to try to set this right, whether I go to prison or not. I am prepared to work however long it takesRead Morewisdom,humor and faith19596 Words   |  79 Pagesharms and lengthens life.† Shakespeare, The Taming of the Shrew, Induction, Scene 2. â€Å"Laughter without a tinge of philosophy is but a sneeze of humor. Genuine humor is replete with wisdom.† Mark Twain, quoted in Opie Percival Read, Mark Twain and I (1940), 17. â€Å"Humor offers both a form of wisdom and a means of survival in a threatening world. It demands that we reckon with the realities of human nature and the world without falling into grimness and despair.† Roger Shattuck, The Banquet Years:Read MoreMetz Film Language a Semiotics of the Cinema PDF100902 Words   |  316 Pagesdà ©coupage when used to describe the final stage of a shooting script. Michael Taylor also coined the expression mirror construction to translate construction en abà ®me, to describe embedded narrative structures like a film within a film. This is not really very accurate but I have not found any solution better than embedded structure; see his explanation on page 230. Single shot sequence is usually used to translate plan sequence rather than shot sequence. Simi ´ xi x A NOTE ON THE TRANSLATION

Health Benefits Of Ergonomics Essay Research Paper free essay sample

Health Benefits Of Ergonomics Essay, Research Paper Biotechnologies involves planing workplaces and work tools to be used easy, expeditiously and efficaciously by people. The overall end is to advance wellness and productiveness in the workplace. Where ergonomic rules are non applied, chronic musculoskeletal upsets such as tendonitis of the arm and manus, eyestrain hurt and back hurts may be common.Most people are concerned when they can non utilize parts of the organic structure like they know they should be able to utilize them. Peoples are frequently incognizant of ways to forestall hurt, and biotechnologies will present methods that will assist cut down those hurts. Chiropractors recommend utilizing biotechnologies in a professional environment every bit good as at place. Following simple guidelines can assist forestall hurt to the weaponries and custodies, eyes, and back. Everyday activities at work, place, or play can do wear and rupture on musculuss, articulations, sinews, and nervousnesss. Problems can be a direct consequence of hapless position, insistent gesture, and inordinate force or force per unit area to any portion of the body.Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ) provides ergonomic consulting services to companies, labour organisations and authorities bureaus. In an environment where Repetitive Strain Injury ( RSI ) and the associated workers # 8217 ; compensation costs continue to increase, these services are directed to placing the hazard factors to such upsets and helping clients in cut downing the jeopardies created by these factors.INTRODUCTIONIncreased or changeless productiveness is a concern of every employer. Employers want to cognize that their employees are making their best. Therefore, employers should endeavor to do the work environment suited for productiveness. The ergonomics plan is designed to make merely that. In most instances, a happy employer leads to happy employees.PurposeThe intent of the ergonomic plan is to do emplo yers cognizant of hurt bar. Such consciousness can to increased productiveness, a lessening in the figure of worker # 8217 ; s compensation instances, and a lessening in figure of lower dorsum injuries.The information provided to you in this proposal will do you, as an employer, see the necessity of using biotechnologies to your working environment. Surveies have shown that with increased computing machine usage, the Numberss of Repetitive Motion Disorders has tripled since 1979.ScopeThese ergonomic consulting serves are provided by trained and experient industrial applied scientists and wellness professionals. The scope of services include: Workstation rating and alteration ; Job ratings combined with recommendations for alterations ; Tool design to cut down manus and forearm weariness ; Training of employees and supervisors in ergonomic constructs, proper work interruption forms and exercisings ; Assistance with the rating and choice of furniture and manus tools ; Review of medic al direction protocol for employees with cumulative injury upsets ; Design of an effectual Biotechnologies Program to run into in-house demands and satisfy pending OSHA Ergonomic regulations.Definitions and Symptoms RSI ( besides known as RMI, insistent motion hurt, OOS, occupational overexploitation syndrome, and CTD, cumulative injury upset ) is a description, and non a diagnosing. It is a term which has many causes and many manifestations.Carpal tunnel syndrome, CTS, is a specific status, and hence a diagnosing. It is this kind of confusion which leads to many statements that # 8220 ; RSI does non exist. # 8221 ; The many diagnosable upsets that RSI encompasses include carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar nervus entrapment, tennis cubitus, and tendonitis. These upsets can develop bit by bit and impact many parts of the organic structure as a consequence of insistent action over clip. Many symptoms may come and travel before settling in: ache, tenderness, swelling, hurting, snap, prick ling, numbness, loss of strength, loss of joint motion, and decreasing coordination of the injured country. These symptoms can so take to the upsets listed supra. Although the causes of RSI are controversial, most sick persons will hold that a nerve-racking twenty-four hours will decline their symptoms, merely by increasing musculus tenseness and thereby trouble. RSI is caused by many shared and single factors, including physical fittingness, musculus tenseness, single work wonts, emphasis, long hours, deficiency of interruptions, bad biotechnologies, and hapless, inactive position. In the office environment, the most common reported hurts were eyestrain, lower back hurting, and hurting in the weaponries and hands.Eyestrain BasicsReflective blaze, such as on computing machine screens, sometimes causes asthenopia. But its worse consequence may be doing you to alter your position to an uncomfortable place in order to see good. The most unmarked cause of asthenopia in offices is contra st # 8212 ; normally, a dark screen surrounded by a bright background such as a window or a illuminated wall. Eyess are strained more by near sing than by distant screening. If you gaze at something excessively long, your eyes can pall. Eyess need to concentrate at different distances from clip to clip. It is a good thought to follow the # 8220 ; 20/20 regulation # 8221 ; # 8212 ; every 20 proceedingss, look 20 pess off for 20 seconds. Computer work seldom causes myopia ; it more likely makes you realize that you need glasses.Low Back PainBack hurting is as perplexing today as it was decennaries ago. Despite first-class trials and processs, modern back specializers admit that up to eighty per centum of all instances have no clear physiological cause. In fact, many unpainful people show pouching or herniated phonograph record in X raies. Job features are forecasters of back hurting. Jobs with heavy or frequent lifting are high hazards, as are occupations affecting drawn-out stand ing or sitting. Peoples who sit for long periods are at hazard for back upsets. The two greatest jobs seem to be 1 ) sitting unsloped or forward, and 2 ) non altering place. An unsloped position with a ninety-degree hip place is really unhealthy. For a figure of grounds, the phonograph record experience more force per unit area # 8212 ; and the force per unit area is more lopsided # 8212 ; than while standing.Upper back and cervix uncomfortableness is frequently related to upward screening angles ( for illustration, proctors above oculus tallness ) or tilting, writhing, or making ( for illustration, looking down and sideways at a papers on the desk, or making for a mouse ) . Signs and symptoms include hurting when trying to presume normal position, decreased mobility, and hurting when standing or lifting from a seated position.Although back hurts account for no work-related deceases, they do account for a important sum of human agony, loss of productiveness, and economic load on compensations systems. Back upsets are one of the taking cause of disablement for people in their on the job old ages. Weaponries and HandsThere are many sorts of Cumulative Trauma Disorder ( CTD ) medical conditions that have ergonomic causes among office workers, including carpal tunnel syndrome and assorted sorts of tendon redness. Because of the complexness and elusive differences between upsets, doctors do non ever name CTDs right or easy. CTDs can go on when there is really small repetitive work. Besides repeat, other possible causes include:Holding one position. Muscles that hold a body part in position for long periods are more prone to fatigue than muscles that move a body part around.Non-neutral positions. In this context, â€Å"posture† is the position of an individual joint, not overall body posture. Any posture significantly different from â€Å"neutral† is considered to be at risk for musculoskeletal distress.Localized pressure. Direct pressure on nerves or tendons can cause damage in the long run. The wrist is one location of concern. The elbow (the funny-bone or crazy-bone nerve) is another.Use of force. Even small exertions can cause stress if small muscles are involved. Sudden, fast motions involving a jerk or a snap.Cold temperatures.Vibration, as with hand-help power tools or whole-body vibration as caused by driving heavy equipment.CHECKLIST FOR SOLUTIONSSolutions the common problems of eyestrain, back pain, and arm and hand pain, are relatively easy. Simple changes to oneâ⠂¬â„¢s everyday routine and surroundings can help lower work- related injuries. When one decides to change his or her office habits, there are a few things in one’s surroundings that can be changed. RSI and associated poor ergonomics not only affect the health of computer users — they hit the finances of their employers as well. One direct cost is a productivity loss of 20 percent , according to one study. The following remedies will not cure already existing problems, but are designed to prevent further distress. Simply changing work habits and at home can help reduce the cost of sick leave and staff turnover.ArmrestsThe use of armrests on chairs is a controversial subject in the ergonomic community. Ulnar nerve entrapment can result from resting forearms and elbows against hard surfaces, like some armrests. However, an armrest can provide some support if you are already injured, as long as the armrest is well-padded, and it is not forcing your shoulders up and preven ting you from relaxing your upper body.Monitor PlacementThe distance for computer monitors and documents depends entirely on how clearly they can be read at a given distance. The general rule is to keep viewed material as far away as possible if it can be easily read. For distance from your monitor, you should be between 18 and 28 inches away from your screen. Your screen should be adjusted so that it is between 15 and 30 degrees below your straight-ahead line of sight. If the screen is much lower than that, you can possibly end up slouching. The use of glare screens can reduce bright spots caused by light reflecting on monitor screens.Alternative Input DevicesLook into alternative input methods that will reduce strain on your hands and wrists. Many heavy keyboard users have found the split and adjustable keyboards to be more comfortable. The most popular alternative input device is the trackball, but the new â€Å"trackpad† is generating a lot of interest. Wrist PadsWrist pa ds/rests are usually the neoprene pads that many people put in front of their keyboards. The wrist pads help in two ways. First, the wrist pad is designed to remind you to lift up your wrist slightly so that your hands don’t rest on any surface as you type, because that angle can compress the carpal tunnel. Secondly, when you pause in your typing, you probably put your hands down, and it’s better to rest then on a soft pad than on the hard corner of a desk. This can cut off circulation and compress the carpal tunnel. When wearing wrist braces, the main rule of thumb is to pay close attention to how your hand and wrist feels. If you catch yourself working against the brace instead of with it, don’t wear it. Most experts agree it is a better idea to wear braces when your hands and wrists are passive, such as while asleep.The ChairThe chair is probably the most important piece of ergonomic furniture. The following are the basics:Tilt the seat pan to get your thighs slightly higher than your knees. This straightens the spine and helps support your head and arms.Check that your chair has a tiltable back. Ergonomic wisdom says that you should not sit bolt-straight, but a little back (no more than 10 degrees). If using armrests, make sure they are not too wide apart. Too wide leads to more ulnar deviation at the wrist.If using armrests, make sure they are not too close together. Too close together interferes with your arms during typing.If using armrests, make sure that they are not too high. This will force your shoulders upward and will lead to neck and shoulder tightness.If using armrests, make sure they are not too low. Too low leads to rounding of the spine, contraction of the chest, and restricted breathing.If using armrests, make sure they are not too hard. If it is too hard, it puts pressure on ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel at the elbow.STRATEGYOver the next four years, OSHA is committed to reducing workplace injuries and illnesses in three target groups: in the 100,000 workplaces where we conduct major interventions; in five hazard industries — food processing, nursing homes, shipyards, logging and construction; and in three serious safety and health problems — silicosis, amputations and lead poisoning. OSHA is planning extensive outreach to assist employers in developing safety and health programs and addressing ergonomic hazards. The agency also is working to improve training for inspectors to help them learn to evaluate workplace safety and health programs.PROMOTING HEALTHConventional medicine mostly addresses treating the symptoms. We need to focus on the causes and view the whole body as a complete system. One will have to go through trial-and-error to find a specialist that practices a skill that works for each individual since each repetitive injury case is different.Promoting habits for healing and health is a matter of personal taste. Investigate and learn what works for you. Good methods to try are the following:For stretching and gentle body movement: Try Yoga, Chi Kung, or Tai Chi.For reducing stress: Try meditation, visualization exercises, taking deep breaths, or going for a walkFor working through sore, stiff, or sensitive muscles: Try massage, physiotherapy, trigger point therapy, acupressure or shiatsuFor reducing inflammation and pain: Try ice or a package of frozen vegetables on the affected area.For relieving neck strain after sleeping: Use a cervical roll or a â€Å"contour pillow† and don’t sleep on your stomach.For general well-being: Take frequent rest breaks (recommended is 5 minute rests every 20 minutes and get out of your chair at least once an hour), drink lots of water, exercise, stretch, and move around often.CONCLUSIONSThose are the basics. The most important thing to ask yourself is: Are you comfortable throughout a day’s work? If it feels good and you tend not to shift trying to get comfortable, then you are probably les s at risk of injury or possible reinjury. Remember, people are not robots. Move around. Get up. A good chair lets you have a little room to move so you can stay loose. Leaning and slumping is fine once in a while, just don’t make that your continual working position.

Smiling at the Simplicity of It free essay sample

I walk to the center of the stage, the microphone stand a mere three inches from my mouth, taking the plastic between my fingers as the piano starts playing. I take a deep breath, tapping my foot to the beat, smiling to myself as I sing the first verse. I lose myself, forgetting for the slightest second that there are people in front of me listening to everything that comes out of my mouth. I’m in my own little world, singing solely for the pleasure that comes with expressing myself, never mind that people are actually watching me. Before I realize what’s happening, the piano stops playing and the crowd is applauding. I smile, look down to the first row, and lock eyes with this little girl about six or seven years old, standing in front of her seat clapping up at me. I can’t help but stare. We will write a custom essay sample on Smiling at the Simplicity of It or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page She looks more like me than anyone I’ve ever seen. She has the same dimples. The same brown hair down to the middle of her back. She’s jumping from foot to foot like I always used to do, her eyes somehow finding a way to watch everything in the auditorium at the same time. And I remember when I was that little. When I was learning how to do addition and how to write and how to sing. And then the stage transforms around me. I’m back in this classroom with at least twenty-five other people, all first-graders except the man standing in the front of the room. I watch from the back as little me rushes to the magic carpet with all the other kids and sits somewhere in the middle of the only bench, around the exact same spot where I used to sit. The man presses the play button and the music starts, Phil Collins’s voice being over taken by the chorus of six year olds. I hear one voice in particular that I’ve come well acquainted with, one that I’ve come to love. And I can’t help but smile at where it all started. At how the simplicity of karaoke used to be enough. The song ends and the singing stops, the room fading more and more back into a stage every time I blink. I look back to the front row, but the little girl is leaving, walking away hand in hand with her mother who looks nothing like mine, her small back to me, practically running just to keep up. I walk to the edge of the stage and sit down, resting on my hands as the doors swing shut behind the last member of the audience, slamming the way they always have. I take a deep breath and smile, biting my lip as I remember the rush that came with singing. And the serenity that followed it. I run my fingers through my hair and push myself up from the floor, walking back towards the center of the stage, next to the microphone instead of behind it. I put my hands into my back pockets and sing as loud as my lungs will let me, my voice reaching the back of the auditorium with little-to-no effort. When I get to the final verse I stop singing and listen as the room becomes silent once again, smiling at the simplicity of it.