Saturday, May 23, 2020

The Development Of Motivation And Self Regulation - 968 Words

Chapter thirteen provided readers with information about the development of motivation and self-regulation. To begin, motivation is defined as the factor that energizes and sustains a behavior. There are two kinds of motivation: extrinsic motivation and intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation refers to motivation that is triggered by external factors that particular behavior brings. Intrinsic motivation is motivation that stems from internal characteristics or in the task they are performing. Both kinds of motivation stimulate children to explore their environment and acquire new knowledge in beneficial behavior. However, intrinsic motivation appears to show more advantages in the way children engage in classroom material, tackle assignments and use helpful learning strategies. Going to back behaviorist B.F. Skinner, he proposed that human being behaviors to modified to bring preferred results, which he referred to as reinforcers. Sometimes results are tangible but there are insta nces where rewards may simply be attention. From infancy, children are concerned with primary reinforcers that fulfill basic needs. As they get older, children discover the consequences for behaviors and what outcomes are highly praised. Children then associate certain behaviors with reinforcers also known as secondary reinforcer. Later on, children are able to hold out in rewards in exchange for something else in the future (delay gratification). When they are neither intrinsically orShow MoreRelatedSelf Determination Theory And Theory955 Words   |  4 Pagesprovided talks extensively on the areas of the Self-Determination Theory, its stages and the basic psychological needs, and its implications. The main purpose of this article is to inform the audience of the Self-Determination Theory, while also giving clues as to what provides for higher development. The article also gives many different studies to back-up the data supported by the authors. The article describes that people are effected by the motivation that is used to generate their behavior. BasicallyRead MoreRelationship Between Self Regulation And Motivation869 Words   |  4 PagesDiscussion: The articles chosen for this project provide developments in how teachers can motivate students to self-regulate their learning. Sansone and Thoman reach a conclusion in their research that made a critical case of the relationship between self-regulation and motivation. The purpose of their argument was to explain the importance the â€Å"interest experience† plays in students maintaining motivation in order to self-regulate. They used research already completed to explain their suggestionRead MoreSelf Determination Theory : The Theory Of Motivation1366 Words   |  6 PagesThe self-determination theory is the general theory of motivation that states people need to feel autonomous and in control of the decisions they make for themselves about themselves. Our objective within this report is to show that by allowing individuals to make the decision for behavior change, there is a greater probability of long term success for that change than if the decision is made from an out side source. We examined several studies that used the self-determination theory to motivateRead MoreSelf-Determination Theory in Action Essay682 Words   |  3 Pages Self-determination theory (SDT) is a theory of motivation that allows students to be more autonomous with their learning and achieve greater challenges academically. There are several factors that influence a student’s ability to self-regulate their learning which leads to improved academic performance and overall well-being. Students need to be autonomous, competent, and feel as if they can relate to others. First of all, it is important for teachers to create a learning environment where studentsRead MorePersonal Statement On Emotional Intelligence1593 Words   |  7 Pages1610793 University Canada West Professor: Dr. Michele Vincenti MGMT601 Leadership in the Global Context 16th January 2017 Abstract The paper discusses about the emotional intelligence, which has various factors. The factors are self awareness, motivation, self regulation, social skills and empathy. In case of effective leadership, these factors plays major role. However, emotional intelligence is teachable to improve the personal skills and personality. A person with proper emotional intelligenceRead MoreThe Human Learning Discusses Motivation And Affect1457 Words   |  6 Pagesof motivating factor that helps a person plan and move forward. Chapter 16 of Ormrod’s Human Learning discusses motivation and affect, which is described as an internal state that arouses a person to action, pushes a person in certain directions, and keeps an individual engaged (Ormrod, 2012). Motivation causes an affect, which is an emotion or feeling that is the result of motivation. It provides an individual to compete with him or herself as well as with others in and out of the classroom, toRead MoreThe Theory Of Social Ps ychology1551 Words   |  7 Pagesmanifest into self- construct systems for motivation of cognition, behavior, and learning. With Bandura’s concepts of self-regulation / self-efficacy, and Weiner’s concept of attribution as driving mechanisms for motivation in individual cognition and behavior, the two theorists recognize and have identified an internal adaptable operating system. Peering into their suggested theories, identifying specific components of their associated concepts, and reviewing viewpoints on drives for motivation, Bandura’sRead MoreInstructional Strategies And Intrinsic Motivation Are Keys For Adjunct Faculty1274 Words   |  6 PagesA variety of specific self-regulation techniques can be available for teachers to consider when teaching students know how to control their behaviours. The teacher’s role will be to help students through the problem-solving process, to develop self-regulation plans, to reinforce students for implementing the ir plans and to work with students to evaluate the effectiveness of their plans. Second strategy: Instructional strategies and intrinsic motivation are keys for adjunct faculty. Recent studiesRead MoreThe Key Components Of Emotional Intelligence1609 Words   |  7 Pagesnursing as it applies to various roles in leadership. Lastly, it will discuss ways in which EI can be used for personal and professional development. History of Emotional Intelligence, Science and technology are continuously advancing. According to Goleman (1998), prior to the 1990s, emotions were largely unexplored. Goldman suggests that more recent developments in technology have resulted in research on the brain and the psychology of emotion. He argues that there is now a growing body of researchRead MoreDistance Education Issue And Its Significance. Evidence1034 Words   |  5 PagesSignificance Evidence suggests that learners’ motivation, beliefs, and attitudes play a critical role in their academic success along with social background and school behaviors. Studies indicate that there is significant rate of drop out in distance education than in on campus studies (Willging Johnson, 2004). Some facts about distance education are about 30-50% students drop out before finishing and about 27.3 % is due to lack of motivation and contact. . Factors involved for the drop out

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Whats Needed in a Business Plan - 1620 Words

In this task I will be talking about what is included in a business plan, things such as the finance, location, market research, human resource policy and much more. Budget This is the amount of money that can be spent on expenditure over a set period of time. For my business I will set a budget for the first six months as I need to keep an eye on how much money is going out, too much outgoing can lead to the business going in debt. Having a budget for a set period of time will help me control my expenditure and will ensure me not over spending. Therefore it is vital to keep a budget. I would also be losing out on a lot of money if I spent without having taken note of how much cash I am spending. Having a budget is a good way of†¦show more content†¦- After I calculated each fixed cost for every expense I then added them all together and divided it by the contribution (per unit). By doing this I got the breakeven point. Breakeven = Fixed Cost ( £1770) =  £590 Outlet Contribution-Per Unit ( £3) Market Research * Primary Information that I already knew and had together were things such as the target market, about having an online business as most people these days shop online rather than go out to a store * Secondary Researches I did on secondary research helped me with many things, such as competitors, what price I should sell it, who would buy my product and to send out questionnaires. For example, I found that selling my product online and in other popular fashionable clothing shops would be so much better for me to do rather than just set up a store for socks. Location I am going to set my business online as I am only selling waterproof socks so there’s no need to waste money on setting up a store just to sell different styles of waterproof socks, also when I found from my secondary research that people would be buying them from online more. I also found that selling my product in other popular fashionable clothing shops such as River Island, TK Max and many more shops would be really good for my business, I would be selling the sporty designed waterproof socks are mainly going to beShow MoreRelatedThe Key Elements Of A Successful Business1423 Words   |  6 Pagesin small business. I want to know what it takes to build a successful business. What are the skills needed to start a new business? What are some of the steps to building a business model and plan? I am working on getting my degree in business. I am a general manager and will be soon help the company expand in opening two new stores in the next few months. This is something that is exciting to be able to expand the brand. This experience will help me when I am ready to own my own business. I knowRead MoreInformation Resources Planning And Management1547 Words   |  7 Pagesinformation assets for the development of business. It evolves on the information science and information systems techniques and also on the process of business manage ment. This Information Resource Planning(IRP) can be implemented through the following five steps. 1. Assessment of current Information resources (the status quo) 2. Establishment of an Information Vision 3. Establishment of an IT Architecture for that vision 4. Formulation of an IS Strategic Plan (roadmap) to evolve an organization’sRead MoreBusiness Plan For A New Venture1355 Words   |  6 PagesA business plan can be used for beginning a new business, to create a more profitable business or for consideration of new services and ideas. A business plan is a written document that gives details on a business idea or venture and present the outlook of the business over a number of years. This plan will guide the business project management and operations, assist in vital decisions and measure performance. 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Assessment of current Information resources (the status quo) 2. Establishment of an Information Vision 3. Establishment of an IT Architecture for that vision 4. Formulation of an IS Strategic Plan (roadmap) to evolve an organization’sRead Moreidentifying the internal and external factors in human resource planning1441 Words   |  6 PagesHuman resource planning is looking at the current workforce skills and motivation techniques that are needed to compare with what is needed in the future. Businesses need to take account on both inside and outside the business and the skills that are needed with in business to make it a success. Internal: Planning factors: Internal planning can relate to what is already happening inside the business itself. This can include thing like how the organisation can cope with methods of working or new demandsRead MoreOrganizational Analysis And Training Needs Assessment1388 Words   |  6 Pagessuccessfully. Organization analysis, task analysis, and person analysis are the three steps required to perform a TNA. Organizational analysis reviews the company’s workplace, ideas, and facility assets to figure out what training needs to be done. Task analysis describes exactly what has to be done for that job and the skills required doing it. Person analysis determines who actually needs training. These analyses are extremely important in order to conduct a proper needs assessment. The valueRead MoreA Business Continuity Plan For Sunshine Machine Works1495 Words   |  6 PagesTranscript – Sunshine Machine Works In this day and age, a business continuity plan is essential to an organizations risk management. A large organization like Sunshine Machine Works understand that time is critical when it comes to natural disasters or man made interruptions to their network systems. When a system is offline for excessive amounts of time, could mean a loss to the organization. That’s why having an effective business continuity plan is vital to keeping operations for being disturbed duringRead MoreThe Four Functions Of Management: Planning, Management, Leading and Controlling1225 Words   |  5 PagesOne thing a successful company has is a great staff filled with people in working in different areas, all doing their best to keep the business moving forward. Like an army, the staff does need a leader, or maybe a few, to make sure that everyone in the business is organized, informed and all moving toward the goal of the company. Some people may think that this person is the owner but most of the time this person is the manager. Successful managers must know, and be able to apply the four functionsRead MoreResearch Towards The Financial And Accounting Sections For The Group Essay968 Words   |  4 Pagesestimating expenses and calculated all financial calculations. Performed at an above average expectancy for the responsibilities assigned, required little guidance, took initiative on research, and needed minimal editing and revisions in writing content. Worked well within the team and individually. Beom needed a little help with forecasting sales. He was a great asset to the team, with a great attitude, worked well on his own, completed his assigned sections, and contributed his fair share of work and

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster Free Essays

string(35) " was calculated in every decision\." RISK CASE STUDY – ASSIGNEMENT 2 August 3, 20111 THE SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER DISASTER Risk Management Plan 1. Risk management plan summarizes risk management approach, list methodologies and processes, defines everyone’s role – definition of risk management plan. NASA was using for the most part qualitative risk assessment process. We will write a custom essay sample on The Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster or any similar topic only for you Order Now Launch of the shuttle was allowed as long as aggregate risk remained acceptable. Quantitive method was applied for risk assessment because if the complex procedures (like data gathering) were in place NASA would be buried with paperwork. NASA’s culture was flying with acceptable risk. There was Risk Management Plan in place for NASA because there was risk assessment and protocols in place but due to excessive nature of most of NASA’ projects waivers became a way of conducting business. As described in the NASA Handbook, hazards (risks) were analyzed and overseen by the Senior Safety Review Board. Each identified risk was classified by an established system, based on both the risk’s level of criticality on a scale of one to three (C1, C1R, C2, C2R, and C3). However, their review process contended that no single risk or combination of risks would be enough to prevent a launch, as long as the aggregate risk remained at an acceptable level. 2. The Risk Management Plan was not followed. Methods used to gather data to assess risk were expensive and labour intensive and so were the procedures (Flight Readiness Reviews. To keep up with mission manifest schedule – 16 flights per year any) issues had to be resolved fast (waivers). Once a risk was declared acceptable, it was overlooked during future mission planning sessions. Additionally, they didn’t have proper procedures for evaluating the impact of unknown risks (i. e. the ice problem). Lastly, protocol stated that one risk or one person’s concern was not enough to cancel the launch. A no launch recommendation by one party could have been overruled by the launch director. 3. Differences: a. Risk Management Plan is the outcome of Plan Risk Management Process and describes how risk management is structured and performed. It includes methodology (approach, tools, data source), roles and responsibilities (lead, support), budget (resources, protocol for contingency resource), timing (when and how often process is performed), risk categories (RBS), definition of risk probability and impact (high, medium, low), probability and impact matrix, risk stakeholders’ tolerance. b. Quality Assurance Plan describes how quality assurance will be performed within project to allow for reducing â€Å"waste† and eliminating processes that do not add value. It is meant to increase level of efficiency. c. Safety Plan A safety plan is an organized system of rules and guidelines used to maintain safe work environment. 4. Pressure to meet schedule – sixteen flights a year in 1986 meant that all involved will have to face paperwork constraints related to flight readiness assessment. Personnel and contractors were working overtime already trying to fill out all necessary paperwork related to problem solving, investigations and last flight updates. Waivers were part of NASA protocols to bypass all of this plus they were a way to indicated that risk was acceptable. Number of flight per year was critical to designing risk management plan because of all similarities between flights like temperature; launch condition could become predictable factors to determine acceptable risk. Risk Identification 5. Risk is uncertain event associated with work, it is a loss multiplied by likelihood that may have impact on the project. There are three common categories of risks: controllable knowns, uncontrollable knowns, and unknowns. Anomaly is a deviation from the standard. Project manager and team define a baseline and decide the difference based on definition of anomaly provided by subject matter experts (engineers). 6. NASA had Flight Readiness Review few days prior to flight. Risk identification at NASA was conducted by Senior Safety Review Board. In majority of cases risk assessment process was qualitative. If aggregate risk remained acceptable launch should happen. Hazard were analyzed and subjected to formalized hazard reduction process I in NASA handbook. Quantitative method of risk assessment was not applied because they were expensive and time consuming. Technical experts were not involved enough in any of the discussions. 7. In order to resolve any differences we need to list them and quantify them first which never happened in case of Challenger. Customer is always right and ultimately his decision overrules but contactor must provide as accurate data as possible based on analysis. Every recognized risk has different weight and some of them thru brainstorming can be resolved or even eliminated. 8. Upper management needs to be committed to project of such a huge scale and support it. They should be informed about individual risks and it is up to project manager to provide true information about project. It seems that culture of NASA accepted waiver as a way to determine acceptable risk and considered then as a part of official protocol. 9. Risk associated with any chosen method should be classified based on cost (budget), safety and technology (design) and overall impact on the mission. Challenger did not have either solid political support or direction. Cost became the most critical component in decision making. Sold fuel systems were cheaper but also less safe. They require less research and development but were designed for reusability. 10. Politically motivated trade-offs are impossible to control by PM and his/her team. There is a pressure to for government to deliver promise or a need to see where all funding went. All PM has is data and measurements based on research, analysis and historical lessons. There should be a limit where safety becomes impossible to trade. This is where government agenda should not applied because risk of losing lives is too high to trade. 11. NASA was under pressure from government and by the same token pressured contractor (Thiokol). Funding was inconsistent, expectations were very high and there was no clear direction where space program was going and flying manifest was beyond capabilities of personnel should he chose to follow all procedures. Risk was calculated in every decision. You read "The Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster" in category "Papers" 12. Risk Management plan is evolving document as project goes on. different phases should be recorded in Risk Register and 2 separated risk assessments conducted because each phase faces different risks. Identifying risk will help us analyze triple constraint factors. Both risk assessments are equally important. Risk Quantification 13. Given the complexity of Space Shuttle Program it is necessary to address individually each technical aspect of the risk. In some cases lesson learned from previous experience with shuttles can be applied to other program given that conditions like weather, resistance to high temperature or fuel type. Certain measurements can be applied to all space shuttle programs. Qualitative risk evaluation could be used at the beginning of the project to sort out level of each risk. Quantitative risk would be possible if there full support from upper management (government), budget and methodologies were in place. Both methodologies are equally valuable in complex project like Challenger. 14. There were 3 separate ice inspections conducted on the site and ice team responsibility was to remove any ice. First inspection delayed launch due to presence of ice on launch pad. Second inspection discovered still significant presence of ice on launch site and it was determined take off was unsafe. Falling ice could damage heat tiles on the Orbiter. Third inspection still found significant ice presences on the launch pad. 3 major concerns of the ice-on-the-pad issue: launch objection due to the weather, ice on the pad was unknown effect on the ignition and debris were considered potential flight safety hazard, freeze protection plan for launch pad 39B was inadequate. Ice was considered a potential problem. 15. Risk quantification allows preparing better for potential risks. Contractors provide data but it is decision of the customer whether to take some of all data under consideration when making decision. To resolve a matter of dispute, the customer and contractor should collaborate. If there is no agreement customer decides what approach to take. 16. Senior management needs to be presented with information in easy to understand form – in case of Shuttle short movie presenting what would happen on impact. Only potential problem made it all the way up to higher management not the critical ones. None of the recommendations from Thiokol were passed to upper management. There were no established procedures that all risk data cannot be modified by any member of the team without proper access and expertise. 17. It was quantitative system but issuing waivers very often made it useless because they by-passed some of the recommendations. Lessons learned were not used by Thiokol regarding temperature at launch which was supposed to be 53 degrees Fahrenheit. Thiokol engineers tried to quantify some of the risks based on historical information regarding blow-bys and temperatures. 18. No, there were no probabilities assigned to risk like putty, temperature, rings although there was some historical data available. There were not enough details to develop probabilities and metrics to rely on. Engineers could not determine direct correlation between factors. Risk Response (Handling) 19. Size of the company, available budget, company culture and overall resource decide what constitutes acceptable risk. It depends on tolerance of individual company to determine if risk is acceptable. 20. Project manager is always responsible for success and/or failure of the project. If there is another body in the company responsible for handling risk on larger, company scale it should be consulted as well. 21. According to PMBOK there are 4 risk responses and all of them were used: acceptance (consequences were acceptable), avoidance (re-scheduling take off), control (type of aborts and their respective landing sites) and transfer (hiring Thiokol as contractor to transfer risks). 22. There was an abort due to bad weather and ice which was correct response. NASA decided to launch in spite of C1R which meant 2 components failure (both main and secondary ring booster are the same type). This is not a correct response to existing risk. This decision was made without any regard for possible consequences of component failure. 23. Subject matter experts and upper management and technical consultants with the knowledge of space technology. Astronauts should be consulted as well since they risk their lives and are in immediate danger. 24. Every project should have risk response mechanism included in risk management plan. All data gathered from SME and specialist in the field should be taken under consideration when developing risk response mechanism. When team cannot agree on it senior management who is ultimately responsible has final saying. 25. Astronauts with technical experience and knowledge should have been consulted. Christa McAuliffe as an example would not contribute anything valuable because her knowledge wasn’t in space shuttle design discipline and she did not have any previous experience flying either. They have accepted the risk already when they agreed to fly – no need to re-assure it. Astronauts are all volunteers and understand that safety is space is never 100% guaranteed. In my opinion it is safety staff that should have been included primarily. No safety representative or quality assurance officer was included in any of the decisions (or during the take-off). 26. Waivers were a way of bypassing official protocols in order to maintain schedule. It was a form of acceptance. 27. Waivers were standard operating procedures – they are type of active acceptance – â€Å"the wrong thing can be done to solve the problem because its solution was not clearly thought out under pressure in the heat of the moment† 8. Yes! Schedule pressures made managers less willing to acknowledge possible risks. Despite the fact the temperature was not favourable (as required minimum of 50 degrees Fahrenheit), Thiokol amp; NASA decided to go ahead with the launch to meet their desired planned schedule. Political pressure affected all responsible parties. 29. The risk response mechanism utilized by managers at Thiokol and NASA was Acceptance. They were fully a ware of the potential risk however they decided seat back and see what happens. 30. The Engineers did not do everything to convince the management to stop of the launch. After failing to convince the management they decided to take a passive approach of â€Å"wait and see what happens next† while they knew the results will be catastrophic. To make matters worse, Engineer Boisjoly changed his expert professional opinion after was told put on his management hat. 31. Though NASA claims that its top priority is the safety of the crew and equipment, it did violate its responsibility to ensure safety of the crew in spite of the evidence that was presented to them by the engineers. They played Russian roulette with human lives. Final findings though confirmed that pressure caused rational men make irrational decisions. 32. YES! NASA was completely aware that the temperature was not favourable for launch (as required minimum of 40 degrees Fahrenheit) however still went ahead with the launch to meet their desired planned schedule. The O-Rings had never been tested below freezing temperatures before amp; did not meet the 40 degrees below qualification temperature. Risk Control 33. Documentation is crucial and must to be thorough as part of risk management in order to identify all potential risks, keep a historical record data , reveal relevant information to the project to ensure project process are in compliant with the company’s goals. Depending on the complexity of the projects or programs company is involved quantity will differ. Excessive paperwork can be very discouraging to personnel. 34. There was no audit trail to the best of our knowledge. Thiokol had lessons learned regarding erosion, temperatures and blow-bys. 35. Thiokol noticed black soot and grease on the outside of the booster casing, caused by actual gas blow-by and had ordered new steel billets which would be used for a redesigned case field joint. This vital information should have been disclosed during the hour presentation granted to them which they mostly argued on the cold weather effects. 36. Hard facts speak to upper management better than anything. Presentation and SME opinions quoted within presentation would help to get upper management attention. 37. Again, facts, findings and lesson learned are powerful tools. Once team and upper management is aware that science doesn’t back up decision sole responsibility and pressure is taken off single person and transfer to the whole team. 38. There were 5 different communication and organization failures and 4 of them were directly related to safety program. Lack of problem reporting requirements, inadequate trend analysis, misinterpretation, lack of involvement in critical decisions. Safety organization should be better staffed and SUPPORTED. 39. Rockwell was prime contractor to build Orbiter. It was believed that Rockwell was not the best choice since it had not been involved in Apollo Program as others. Rockwell issued a â€Å"concern† about possible Orbiter damage due to the ice problem but they never stated they did not want to launch. They never said to NASA launch should be aborted due to unknown nature of the ice. It was never formally recorded that Rockwell objected. By making objection official there is paper trail that can be traced back should situation call for it. 40. Risks levels must be maintained completely at minimal before launching of the spaceship; however loss of human life should be avoided at all cost. The overall risk should have been between C2 amp; C3. 41. It is best to execute a presentation to the higher-ranking Management with adequate evidence of potential risks amp; the overall impact. In addition, outsource experienced experts who will back you up with their input in order to win a favourable decision. 42. The liability should be placed on the people who made final decision to launch while they fully aware fully of potential risks. Though the Thiokol engineers â€Å"cried for Help†, they were thwarted from pleading their case and the management went ahead supported NASA proceeding with the launch. Both Thiokol management amp; NASA should share the blame. How to cite The Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster, Papers

Saturday, May 2, 2020

Auntobiographical Incident My Shahada Essay Example For Students

Auntobiographical Incident My Shahada Essay As I started my new job, I notice that my boss was Muslim. I have always been intrigue towards Islam but I was afraid to look into it due to all the bad reputation it has been given by this country. And of course being born Catholic didn’t help either in being scared of my parents of what they would think. I eventually started listening and seeing my boss pray. I thought it was so beautiful. Little after I started my new job, I met my husband now, Aziz online. He too is Muslim. We became really good friends, I started asking him questions about Islam and the more I knew the more I wanted to know. Something new started to burn inside of me, it was like if I was lost and I was finally being found. That feeling when you have been in a long trip and you’re just happy to be back home. I had never felt this way towards anything or anyone. Aziz was the one who answered all my questions and he guided me to online website about Islam. In my own secrecy I would read the Koran which is the Muslim book sent my God. I would go to the Mosque with my boss. The Mosque is the Muslims place of prayer. I was afraid what my family would think if they found out but eventually I didn’t care. Four months had pass since I started researching Islam and I had finally decided that I was no longer going to hide about my passion towards GOD! And Islam. I wanted to surprise Aziz by telling him that I had return (converted) to Islam. I asked my boss if he could guide me on how and what I needed to do to return to Islam. I wanted this with all my heart, I wanted to go back home. My boss was really nice in guiding me on how to convert. He bought me my very first Koran and a couple of other Islamic books. April of 2008 my boss took me to the Mosque and told the Imam that I wanted to do my shahada. An Imam is the person who leads prayers in a mosque and the shahada is the Muslim profession of faith (â€Å"there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah†). I did my shahada that very same day and it was the most beautiful experience I had ever experienced. The same day I did my shahada I went online and I told Aziz that I had converted to Islam Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah is an Arabic phrase meaning Praise to God. Aziz was so happy for me a few months after my shahada Aziz propose to me and I accepted. Six years have passed since I returned to Islam and I can honestly say my life has never been better Alhamdulillah! I am married to my best friend, I have two wonderful children, we have our daily aches and pains but ALHAMDULILLAH! We have each other and we have God to thank for.