THE GREAT RESIGNATION DISCONNECTED IN A CONNECTED WORLD
THE PROBLEM WITH HAPPINESS
A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE ON THE WORLD TODAY
IN THIS ISSUE
MARCH 2022
THE GREAT RESIGNATION
What to consider before
quitting your job PAGE 32
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CURRENT 4
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WHAT IN THE WORLD DISCONNECTED IN A CONNECTED WORLD You won't find the solution online
WELLBEING
12 THE PROBLEM WITH
HAPPINESS
Meaning vs happiness 24 BETTER HEALTH FOR
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FAITH
18 WHAT IS THE BIBLE?
And why you should give it a read 26 LAW OF LOVE Ticket, barrier or something else? 38 THINGS WE FORGET ABOUT MARTIN LUTHER KING JR
SCIENCE & TECH
52 THE CUTTING EDGE EVERY BODY Health news that Engineering, science makes a difference and technology news 46 REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS The secret of lasting relationships
60 PORTION CONTROL FOR
A HEALTHY WEIGHT
FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA 2
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CULTURE
54 SERIES PUTS SPOTLIGHT
ON FAMILY VIOLENCE
Television review: Maid
FUN
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SUDOKU
Have you been paying
attention?
THE RIGHT HABITS The buzz of the new year may be starting to fade. There's still some lingering warm weather (depending on where you live), but most of us have now returned from our holidays and it's back to business. This is a highly critical moment to set the right tone for the rest of the year—the inspiration we felt at the start of the year is likely starting to wane, giving us a more honest look at our goals, ambitions and even New Year's resolutions. Do I continue on with change, or do I revert to the way things were before? These are questions that statistics say most Australians are asking themselves. Korey Dowling explores this phenomenon further, and how it's manifesting in people leaving their current jobs in search of something new (p32). Statistics also say many people were considering quitting social media in 2021—Kymberley McMurray explores this phenomenon on page 6 and suggests practical tips for reducing screen time. Improving one's relationships is also at the forefront of many people's minds—Relationships Australia says 42 per cent of surveyed people found isolation had a negative impact on their relationships. If you feel similar, why not check out Genia Ruscu's article about the secrets of lasting relationships (p46). Former Signs editor Bruce Manners also explores how to maximise happiness while searching for meaning (p12). This is amongst a number of other pieces, like the truth you may not know about Martin Luther King Jr (p38) and how the Bible changed someone who had struggled to open its covers (p18). I'm sure you'll find value between the covers of this month's Signs too!
Daniel
DANIEL KUBEREK Assistant editor
VOL 137 NO 3 ISSN 1038-9733 EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER Brad Kemp EDITOR Jarrod Stackelroth ASSISTANT EDITOR Daniel Kuberek COPYEDITOR Tracey Bridcutt GRAPHIC DESIGN Theodora Pau'u Talia Valderrama PHONE +61 2 9847 2222 EMAIL info@signsofthetimes.org.au WEBSITE signsofthetimes.org.au ADDRESS Adventist Media PO Box 1115, Wahroonga New South Wales 2076 SUBSCRIPTIONS Kelli Geelan PHONE +61 3 5965 6300 Australia/New Zealand, $A26; South Pacific countries, $A41; Other countries $A51 Published since 1886, Signs of the Times is printed 11 times a year by the Seventh-day Adventist Church and is registered as a periodical. Seventh-day Adventist Church (SPD) Limited ABN 59 093 117 689 NOTE The inclusion of a person or their image within does not imply their endorsement of the Seventh-day Adventist Church or its beliefs. Unless otherwise stated, Bible verses are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, Anglicised. Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc®. Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton. All rights reserved worldwide. COVER PHOTO: Norma Mortenson, Pexels Typography by AMN
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of love
God’s law was given many years ago. Does it still have relevance for us today?
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to do with the law of God? Answer: Not a lot. They are merely examples of dated legislation, laws that made greater sense in past social contexts than they do today. So is this true of God’s law? Do laws handwritten on tablets of stone (commonly known as the Ten Commandments) and delivered to the Israelites all those millennia ago truly still hold relevance for our lives today? Laws passed from God to man, generation to generation— inscribed on stone and parchment, printed on paper and projected onto screens. For me, my answer is yes! I wholeheartedly believe these laws continue to be relevant today. Growing up as the youngest and only girl (with two brothers who towered over me in both age and height) led to an education of observation—watching both the actions and resulting consequences of my brothers’ behaviour. Like a miniature scientist (minus the lab coat), I would watch my brothers test the limits and learned where each and every line was placed so years later, when my turn came, I didn’t have to risk searching for it. For the Israelites, their experience was not the same. Their role in history paralleled the role of my brothers. Pioneers in the desert. After being
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otatoes, pigeons and disrupting a wedding. Struggling to find a connection? Each of these objects or actions is the basis for somewhat strange pieces of Australian legislation still in effect today! Thinking of selling or purchasing more than 50kg of potatoes in Western Australia? Well at that quantity these tasty little morsels could land you with a $A2000 fine under Section 22 of the Marketing of Potatoes Act 1946. And injuring a homing pigeon in Victoria or South Australia is a definite offence under the respective Summary Offences Act of those states. Finally, in South Australia, obstructing or disturbing a wedding, funeral or any religious service is an offence attracting a maximum penalty of $10,000 or two years’ imprisonment (Summary Offences Act 1953 (SA) Section 7A). Curiosity satisfied but what do these laws have
spiritual needs remain. God knew captives in Egypt, held as slaves for this when He gave us His law all such a long time, their those years ago. decision-making abilities were The purpose of God’s law is to impeded, along with their capacity guide us through life. Knowing and for self-care. Much like the care my understanding God’s law is almost parents took in raising their children akin to your teacher allowing you to and teaching us how to care for ourtake a “cheat sheet” into your exam, selves, God, as the Israelites’ Father, containing the formulas you will gave them His law as an act of love. As a hands-on parent, God inscribed need for the scenarios you will face. these guidelines with His own finger, But is God’s law a ticket or a barrier? Does following God’s law grant you a passing them to His children for place in heaven? their benefit Or does the and protection inability to (Exodus always follow 31:18). God’s law presThat love is the same love ent an obstacle that God has to eternal life? for us today; Personally, I do and those same not subscribe to Commandeither of these God knew the future theories. God’s ments are law is neither intended for when He gave humanity a ticket, nor a our benefit and barrier. protection, as the Ten Commandments We cannot they were for earn our way the Israelites all to heaven or those years ago. eternal life by keeping God’s law, While our situation has changed— because if this was the requirement, our technology and education—our no-one would be there. Nothing that need for a Saviour remains. Unlike we can do, on our own, is capable laws written by men who cannot of earning us eternal life. “For by know the future, God knew the grace you have been saved through future when He gave humanity the faith . . . it is the gift of God, not Ten Commandments. He knew how of works, lest anyone should boast” the world would transform and He (Ephesians 2:8,9 NKJV)1. Eternal life knew that we would still need His guidance to protect us from our own is not something God offers to those destructive tendencies. Our physical who earn it or work the hardest, but environment has changed, but our is instead a question of faith. What
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Recent statistics suggest many people are considering a career change. Before you hand in your resignation letter, there are a few things worth considering.
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that 70 per cent of people say they ealth impacts aside, Covid-19 define their life purpose through has provided many people work. Purpose, however, is split with the opportunity to reset into individual and organisational and re-evaluate what is important purpose. Knowing your individual to them. Considering Gettysburg College claims at least a third of your purpose is quite important in helping to guide the key decisions about why life is spent working, it is important that you find a fulfilling career. “The you want/need to work, what career you will find fulfilling and the type Great Resignation” has been making of organisation you want to work for. headlines recently with an estimated Having an idea of what is driving 25 per cent of Australians looking to re-assess their work options by either you will help you understand the type of work and switching organisation you roles at their should be aiming work to somefor. If your thing that purpose is found better fulfils in motivating their needs, or factors like by resigning providing the altogether. It's important to resources needed While the to support jury is still carefully analyse why your family or out whether you are thinking of giving you the “The Great means to travel, Resignation” leaving your job then finding an is a long-term organisation that phenomenon, unequivocally this is an opaligns with your values and beliefs portunity for every individual to stop may not be as critical. However, if and evaluate their own career and your driving force is more intrinsic— decide: Is this what I really want to if you can work for an organisation be doing? If not, what can I do about that you believe in—you are far more it? Here are some things to consider likely to love what you do! We all before making a radical career shift. have aspects of our jobs that don’t excite us, but if you can see that find purpose even the less desirable tasks are still If you’re able to find purpose in helping to contribute to a greater your job, you are much more likely purpose, you’re more likely to find to be fully engaged and loving what meaning and satisfaction in those you do. Research conducted by tasks. McKinsey Global Institute found
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Before you decide to hand in your resignation, it’s important to double check what the employment market is doing in your industry area. Regardless of what media outlets are calling it, “The Great Resignation” may not necessarily be happening in your work field. This means that opportunities may not be as plentiful as you thought they might be. Research popular job sites for key positions and assess if there is a growing opportunity for a shift in roles. Reach out to key networks in your vocation and understand the real-world situation.
the grass is not always greener
It’s important to carefully analyse why you are thinking of leaving your job. Is it because you’re not getting along with your manager? Do you feel you’re not being valued? Are you looking for a company with a different purpose? Analysing your desire to leave will assist you with articulating what you’re looking for, and help you decide if it’s truly better elsewhere—or maybe the grass on this side isn’t so bad after all. Be sure to have a longer-term view of your career progression. Jumping careers is not always advisable and certainly depends on the reason for the jump. Reach out to trusted mentors in your vocation to get a better picture of what it takes to progress in that area.
think before you quit
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Growing reverence for Martin Luther King Jr as an iconic leader of the Civil Rights Movement has come at the cost of forgetting—or diminishing—some key aspects of his life, his work and his voice. BY NATHAN BROWN
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UNSEEN-HISTORIES—UNSPLASH
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Maid is the latest mini-series from Netflix to tackle some heavy topics around family violence and alcoholism. Jarrod Stackelroth examines why it's so successful.
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