YOUR LETTERS Dear
YOUR LETTERS Dear Editor: Based on my personal experience, I highly recommend that new parents who are fluent in Chaldean and/or Arabic use these languages when speaking to their young infants, babies, and kids. My wife and I have two kids. When they were young, we questioned whether to speak with them in Arabic (my wife does not speak Chaldean). I preferred we speak in formal Arabic, so later in life they would be able to communicate with anyone in the Arabic world. My wife preferred the Iraqi dialect, which we often use. As it turned out, we did little of each and now regret it. I wish we had spoken more of either. We had some concerns that if we spoke only in Arabic with them, they would be a bit behind when they went to school. However, I now believe that concern was unfounded. Kids befriend other kids in preschool and learn English that way, as well as from TV entertainment in English. Kids adapt much more quickly than adults, and would have had no difficulty learning English quickly, even if it was not spoken much in the house. I also recommend starting the habit of speaking Arabic or Chaldean in the home with the first child. As you have more kids, they might communicate with each other in English unless the older one is used to speaking in the language you spoke with him or her. Of course, it is never too late to start even if the kids are older, as long as they are still home with you. As kids grow to become teens, they often show some rebellion against parents’ habits and that is normal. But, as they approach their twenties and older, they often revert to the original culture, and they might wonder why they were not taught their parents’ language when they were young. As kids are finishing high school and preparing to go to college, they may discover that many competitive universities are impressed with kids who speak multiple languages, and this might help them in their college applications. Arabic is spoken by at least half a billion people in the world, and the Arabic business and political world will continue to dominate the news in the future. Knowledge of Arabic will prove to be an asset for your kids in business, social, cultural, and political affairs. As to the Chaldean language, it is our heritage and is in danger of diminishing with time, unless we make the effort to convey it to our kids if we can. Sincerely, N. Peter Antone March 19-24 • Fisher Theatre broadwayindetroit.com Groups (10+) broadwayindetroitgroups@theambassadors.com (subject: The Cher Show) APRIL 23-28 • FISHER THEATRE BROADWAYINDETROIT.COM 10 CHALDEAN NEWS MARCH 2024
GUEST COLUMN Living with Contentment BY SAMIR JAMIL, MD Being content (or not) is all about emotions. Emotionally sensitive people react to events quickly and with intense feeling. They have difficulty in getting their emotional reactions to go away. Finding ways to manage emotions effectively can minimize the non-physical pain they experience. This article offers a few suggestions and strategies to minimize worries and live contently. These strategies below are not in the order of their significance. Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness helps reduce anxiety and stress for everyone. Consider a way to practice mindfulness every day that is easy to remember (mindfully brush your teeth or mindfully drink your coffee). The point is action with intention. Consider using a bracelet or a sticky note to remind yourself. Relax, be in control. Find a way to laugh today (dance, watch a comedy, run in the park, buy a balloon, dabble with paint). Stay focused on what is in your control. Attempting to control other people or events creates anxiety, anger, and feelings of helplessness. It is enough work to control our own actions; you cannot control others’. Practice gratitude. Each evening, go through your day and list three things you are grateful for. Be specific, then focus on those three experiences or interactions or things and appreciate the positive. Nurture relationships. Some friends will make you angry or upset, but having friendships is one of the keys to contentment. When you spend time with friends, focus on what you like, and what energizes you. Review the positive experiences in your mind. Pick your friends carefully. Give up your attachment to outcomes. Being too attached to certain outcomes, living in a certain way, or fixating on a certain solution limits you and leads to suffering. Try to be SAMIR JAMIL, MD SPECIAL TO THE CHALDEAN NEWS open to what comes. Learn something new. You don’t have to choose something difficult. Learn a little about another culture, read a magazine about a hobby you know nothing about, cook a new dish, or play a new game. Let go of urgency. Sometimes we feel urgent about everyday tasks. Be mindful, let go of urgency when it is not a 911 situation. Slow down, breathe, and take small steps. Accept imperfections. Life is messy and imperfect. Striving for perfection that does not exist crushes joy and contentment. Stop comparing. Comparing is a way of evaluating and judging ourselves and others. At times and Finding ways to manage emotions effectively can minimize the non-physical pain emotionally sensitive people experience. wrongly, we compare ourselves to someone else who we see as superior to us (a way of competing). Get out-of-the-box. Having a big family get together, watching movies with friends, or focusing on a spiritual journey are examples of activities that may be helpful. Notice what works and what you are doing right. It is easy to overlook what goes right. When you are feeling upset, it is difficult to problem solve or think of what actions might help. Keeping a list of what works for you could be a key good for coping successfully. Practice self-compassion. Calling yourself names is punishment, and we all know that punishment does not work. Accept yourself in kindness. Identify your values. Living in ways that are inconsistent with your values causes stress and unhappiness. So, make choices whenever you can that reflect your values. Think of loved ones. Think of the people who love you no matter what. Think of the people who love you as part of your team and remember that they are there to support you. Under-react. Sometimes we just do not need to react. This does not mean under-feeling, minimizing, denying, or suppressing, but just letting events be. Relax your body. Practice brief deep breathing and slow exhaling. A relaxed body sends a safety message to the mind; a tense body says there is danger. Remember your positive qualities. If you are not sure, ask those who are close to you. Ask yourself what you can give to others. Helping others can be simply smiling at someone, giving a cup of coffee, giving clothes to a shelter, or giving time to a child. We are all part of the same community, and we all need help. Commitment. Take one small step and commit to success in what is important to you. Having a small success builds hope and belief in yourself. Having purpose and meaning adds to your sense of well-being. Learn to solve problems. Everyone meets problems at certain times in our lives. But being able to manage your life can bring self-contentment and satisfaction. Practice willingness. Say yes to LIFE. Yes, to being part of this universe. No matter how disconnected you may feel, you are part of the whole. You belong. Accept the changes that come with life. See the beauty of the world. Notice the sunsets, the mountains in the fog, children playing, etc. Beauty is all around us and everywhere, but we often do not see it. Man asked GOD, give me everything to enjoy life. GOD replied, I have given LIFE to enjoy everything. MORE THAN 1,251 yEARs Of cOMbiNEd lEgAl ExpERiENcE RON AcHO 49 yEARs! A pROvEN succEssful liTigATiON fiRM A TTORNEYS & C O UNSELORS AT LAW (734) 261-2400 racho@cmda-law.com MARCH 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 11
