COLLABORATION versus COMPETITION

In life, often people encounter varied circumstances when they have to collaborate or compete with each other and at times you really wonder which of these two approaches would be more impactful and why?  Obviously, these are simple questions, which one might or might not choose to address, but for the purpose of

this brief scrutiny I will tackle them. 

Before I concisely discuss these two concepts, I would like to quickly draw your attention to the following question: What are the basic elements that allow people to work with each other?

Well, according to scholars, teamwork and collaboration, combined with good communication and sound problem solving skills could help different groups to reach a common goal or to accomplish a given project in a timely fashion. It sounds really doable, isn’t it, but despite its simplicity, lots of people, more often than not, get stuck. Why? It is perception, it is misunderstanding, it is ego, it is stubbornness, it is unrealistic expectations, or just bluntly speaking, it is the lack of skills? Hard to assume.

Specifically talking about collaboration, we could state that’s a sound working practice that allows individuals to work together toward a common goal in order to achieve a certain benefit.
Often, collaboration encourages people to think, and at the same time it allows them to articulate and gain clarity about their competencies. In many cases it serves as a mirror that gives them a glimpse at their strengths and weaknesses. To collaborate is to communicate! Trusting each other, understanding roles, and having in place an effective communication process are the key components of any group collaboration effort. What is clear, it is the fact that through collaboration people could easily learn from each other by sharing knowledge while finding out how the other collaborators are approaching their share of the project. Being collaborative means not just listening to other ideas, but really hearing them. Other important elements of collaboration are the following: have a common purpose or goal, trust each other, clarify roles from start, and communicate openly and effectively.

In this context, needless to say that roles are very important. As we all know, a role is an action carried out by a member and each person who is part of the team has a role in order to help the team achieve a particular objective. So, for the purpose of coherence, it is crucial that each member of the team clearly understands his or her role in the team and smoothly proceed with it. Aside of that, getting things done the best way possible depends on how well each member of the team receives and shares information with others. Poor listening skills is a common problem among teams failing to execute a task. If you don’t listen to each other and don't follow the plan in place things can take a different turn leading to an undesired outcome, and team members may get confused or frustrated if communication isn’t on point.

Effectiveness, productive collaboration, mutual respect, good listening skills, and the desire to be successful are significant aspects, which involve the entire team.

Collaboration is the key to success!

On the other hand, competition is mostly based on rivalry, and it has been observed that on different degrees it is part of life on this planet. According to Darwin’s evolution theory, “only the strongest can survive”, but is this a good or a bad thing, is this healthy or unhealthy?
Some people believe that competition could lead to innovation, but many studies reveal that seldom it brings out the best in people. Those who are competitive because they have to win at all costs often create more stress for themselves and for those they interact with. 
Without any doubt, to an extent, healthy competition encourages people to become better versions of themselves, encouraging at the same time a certain level of creativity, but unhealthy competition always leads to embarrassment. Many times unhealthy competition destroys the real enjoyment of a given activity, makes it less creative because some people become way too worried about being the first, too stressed to smile, too anxious imposing on others, too apprehensive to properly communicate and too rigid to collaborate. 
Generally speaking, competition is pretty ambiguous, yet from the life principles’ perspective it could be useful in some occasions, but when competition becomes the only moral rule of life then lots of problems would appear, starting with the depreciation of human soul and finishing with a low cultural level.

Instead of competing with each other it is desired to complete each other.

Personally, I’m a big promoter of collaboration, effective communication, mutual respect, trust, loyalty, and I truly believe that if we really want to change the world, we have to work together toward this goal, in peaceful terms.

If you have a great idea, share it! If you want to build a team, to partner, or to create a project, find the right collaborators, be positive, cooperate truthfully, have a proper attitude, be respectful, be honest, communicate effectively, trust each other, be consistent and make it happen, because together we are so much better! 
When we learn how to work together versus against each other, things are happening well, as we each become more powerful when we empower each other.

“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.” 

What is LOYALTY?

In simple words, loyalty is the fidelity to someone or something, and in order for this to be true, it has to come straight from the heart, and not to be imposed by an external factor. Someone who is loyal to you, always can be trusted. As a general concept, loyalty has its domestic, religious, commercial and professional forms, which are encompassing elements of freedom – such as freedom of expression, freedom of belief and freedom of association.

According to many scholars, loyalty is one of the most important qualities in a person, as well as a valued moral of human society – in the past, in the present and for sure in the future.

In relationships, this is the main attribute to look for in people. If someone, can’t reciprocate with the level of loyalty extended toward as a fried, then that person can never be more than an acquaintance.

As a matter of fact, based on extensive studies on different types of people a main observation surfaced, which states the followings: when opportunity controls loyalty, there is definitively something wrong with one’s character.

Usually life presents many occasions when we can see a person’s true colors, and most of the time that occurs when you are no longer beneficial to their life, and here I’m referring to those people who are nice with you only as long as they can use you. For those, their loyalty ends when their personal benefits stop. 
Loyalty is very important to our personal lives, to human relations, to businesses, to companies & corporations, to organizations & associations, as well as countries because in essence it stands for commitment & dedication, permitting respect & trust to flourish. 
This valuable quality allows people to take actions based on trust. Loyalty is never backstabbing your friend if there is a true feeling of mutual respect and trust.

Needless to say that trust always goes hand in hand with loyalty, because both hold together relationships, and it is impossible to go past a certain point in friendship if trust doesn’t exist. Without any doubt, loyalty is very important to the success and the stability of any lasting relationship.    

Loyal friends always make the relationship they have with you significant, and if they see that something is not right they will come first to you to give you a hand, but definitively won't go behind your back to give you a push.

In a nutshell, friendship means a lot of things and there are different degrees of it, but regardless the standpoint, loyalty level is the primary indicator of how strong and authentic a particular friendship or relationship is.

As I wrap up here my rather brief expose on loyalty, I wish you all cherish and honor all those dear friends who never betrayed your trust, and for the ones that did it, may you let them go in peace while continuing to focus on what really matters in life.

Reward loyalty with loyalty. 

January 2020: Eminescu & Romania's Culture Day

January 15, 2020: An evening of poetry featuring Mihai Eminescu & Romania's National Culture Day

Today (Wednesday – January 15, 2020) we celebrate the 170^th birth anniversary of reputable MIHAI EMINESCU, who is considered (nationally & internationally) one of the most important poets of Romanian language. 
For this occasion, I organized a teleconferenced session and together with a group of 20 friends we’ve gathered on line to touch base on different facets of Eminescu's life and vast work. 
“Eminescu has left an impressive literary work ranging from poetry to translations from various foreign languages, theater plays and prose belonging to literary Romanticism. His works were influenced by the major philosophical landmarks of Romanticism and of his time. A poet, prose writer, playwright and journalist, Eminescu has been considered by literary critics the most important poetical voice in Romanian literature. […] His masterpieces became landmarks and pillars of Romania's cultural life as well as a major part of the world culture.” 
According to many, Eminescu’s work is more like a symphony.

Eminescu was proclaimed Romania's national poet, not because he wrote in an age of national revival, but rather because he was received as an author of a paramount significance by Romanians in all provinces. Eminescu’s life, work and poetry strongly influenced the Romanian culture and his poems were and still are studied in all schools in Romania. His poems span a large range of themes, using frequently metaphysical, mythological and historical subjects, and his latest ones are evoking his childhood years with a profound nostalgia. It is important to mention that Eminescu’s poems have been translated in more than 60 languages.
Since 2010, the birthday of Romania's greatest poet became the National Day of Culture in Romania, and many Romanians honor the occasion (in the country and abroad). At my circle, we all were glad to join together to pay our respects to Mihai Eminescu, whose poems, for each of us, enriched our school years & not only. 

In my usual briefing to you, I’d like to share that our evening together was pleasing in every way. Voice after voice expressed a large array of feelings, thoughts, personal comments or heartfelt remarks, all filled with admiration, gratitude, nostalgia and national pride since Eminescu is Romanian like all of us. 
Also, my guests were invited to bring along a freshly made cup of tea to enjoy as conversations would progress. After we all were ready to begin, to further set the tone, I was presenting the group Eminescu’s poem called "Rugaciunea unui dac". 

To give you all the details of our session would be too lengthy, but I will share only some points so you would get an idea since favorite poems were recited, famous quotes of classics were reminded, articles, monographic studies or personal compositions were shared, all featuring Eminescu and his amazing work:

– Our dear friend Dorina A. read us all a comprehensive article she wrote, which was very well received by the entire audience and also published by “Observatorul” (from Toronto) & "Ziarul Natiunea" (from Romania); with Dorina's permission, the article is published in comments section
– Then our friend Monica T. recited the poem “Rugaciune” (which is published in comments section)
– Further, our dear friend Asiza D. recited for the group the poem “Somnoroase pasarele” (published in comments), which her mom used to read to her at bed time when she was little. After that she read the poem called “Cantec de leagan”, composed by her departed mother. She wrapped up her sharing expressing thankfulness for the initiative and for the event in itself.
–  Next, Teodor T. began his expose with many appreciative remarks for the host, for each participant, for the theme of the evening, and for our country of origin. Then he read a brief monographic study on how Eminescu was in real life followed by a beautiful personal composition, which in essence was a poem dedicated to the passing of a 170 years from Eminescu’s birthday. Teodor also recited the last strophe from the poem called “Melancolie” (full poem is in comments)
–  The evening continued with the contribution of our dear friend, Dr. John S., who emphasized Eminescu’s impressive love for Veronica Micle. John also read to the group the poem called “De dorul tau”, written by Veronica Micle (published in comments sections). He also shared with the group the efforts many Romanians around the world made in continuously recognizing Eminescu’s major contribution and genial work, also enumerating the several statues Eminescu has throughout the world, namely in Edmonton, Montreal and Islamabad. For a while John was living in Edmonton, and there together with a group of other Romanians they organized large cultural events featuring Eminescu & his work, which we all found of inspiration.  

– After that our friend Ileana M. shared several facts refreshing Eminescu’s studies in Vienna, when he attended lectures (as 'extraordinary auditor') at the Faculty of Philosophy and Law. Ileana also mentioned Emil Cioran’s comments about Eminescu, who considered that without Eminescu Romanian culture would’ve been less rich. Then she recited Eminescu’s famous poem called “La steaua” (published in comments section). 

– Further, our friend Camelia G. expressed her respect and appreciation for the host, for the group, for the occasion and then recited a poem she loves, called “Criticilor mei” (published in comments).
– The evening together continued with Nicoleta's input, as she praised Eminescu’s geniality. She also reminded how much Nicolae Stainhard respected and loved Eminescu, calling his poetry not pessimist, but rather divine. Then she recited a fragment from Eminescu’s poem called “Cartile” (full poem in comments).
–  Next, our dear friend Otilia P. shared with the group Tudor Vianu’s profound admiration for Eminescu’s geniality. 

For your reference, please know that Tudor Vianu was a well-regarded Romanian literary critic, poet, philosopher, academic and translator.
– Subsequently, our dear Lidia expressed her appreciation for our wonderful evening together and recited Eminescu’s poem called “Lacul” (published in comments).
– Our dear friend Sandu O. prepared an interesting material which features Eminescu vis-à-vis of quantum physics 
– Also, our next friend, Anca P. brought into attention the poem called “Dor de Eminescu”, by Adrian Paunescu (full poem published in comments)
– Further, our dear Emilia A. proposed for review an interesting short documentary called, "De-a pururi...Eminescu! (@Arhiva TVR)" compiled from TVR’s archive in order to honor the passing of 170 years from Eminescu’s birthday. In this video, Eminescu’s geniality is emphasized by many famous names belonging to Romanian culture, such as: Nichita Stanescu, Tudor Vianu, Tudor Arghezi, I.L.Caragiale, Emil Botta, Acad. Zoe Dumitrescu Busulenga, Petru Cretia, Octav Grigorescu, Ligia Macovei, Geo Bogza, as well as a number of famous reciters (such as: Ovidiu Iuliu Moldovan, Clody Berthola, Gelu Nitu, Dan Condurache, Nina Cassian, Irina Petrescu, Ion Caramitru, Leopoldina Balanuta, Mircea Albulescu). 
– Last, but not least, Dragos A. voiced his genuine appreciation for this initiative, considering the occasion an ‘oasis for the soul’. Aside of that he mentioned Marin Sorescu’s poem, called “Trebuiau sa poarte un nume” (published in comments section), which features Eminescu as well. 

We all enjoyed our time together, which was filled with lots of precious memories, near and dear to each of us! At the end, we wrapped up the evening with Eminescu’s famous poem/song called “Sara pe deal”, interpreted by Madrigal choir. 

Much appreciation to each of my guests who were willing and able to join the call. Until next time, my best to each of you!
Alice

“People are not so different in speech, but rather in deeds.” (Mihai Eminescu)

To further complete Eminescu’s commemoration cycle, I’ve acquired a flowers wreath, I customized it fittingly & after having it accompanied by a ceremonial service (on Jan.26'20) it was rested upon a traditional Romanian triptych, located on a property belonging to a Romanian community worship place, in our area. 

As already mentioned before, Eminescu is Romania’s national poet, venerated and respected by many generations and I found truly appropriate to have his commemorative garland placed on a piece of land belonging to Romanians rather than having it hanged somewhere else or in a place that Eminescu would’ve been less relevant for others. 

I was truly grateful to notice that my initiative was embraced with so much appreciation by all friends belonging to my circle as well as the other Romanians who’ve heard about it. 

To the best that we each can, may we all continue to honor all those special people who influenced our lives, helping us becoming better & kinder! 

This event has been delivered in Romanian Language, featuring Romanian culture.  

● A previous event I organized on the same theme: Eminescu & ROMANIA’s CULTURE Day – 2019

NOTE: Dear readers, please be advised that on this website each of the previous postings, pertaining to the recurrent annual themes, portray a different perspective of the subject/s presented (same theme/s, but a different outlook without duplication due to the cultural richness of the specific topic/s discussed).