Now viewing articles posted in 2023.

  • Thanks Moms

    May 22nd, 2023


    Thanks Moms

    Moms, or women in general, are incredible human beings. When you look back at what they have accomplished and fought for over the years it is nothing short of astonishing. Growing up as a boomer, we heard stories of what things were like during World War II. As more and more men went overseas to fight, many women went to work outside of the home, often in roles traditionally reserved for and occupied by men. Although they may have taken some creative license, much of the movie A League of Their Own is based on fact. When the war ended many of the women left the workforce and returned home as full-time moms. Those that think being a mom isn’t a hard job have never been left in charge of the kids by yourself for any length of time.

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  • An Overwhelming Sadness

    May 15th, 2023


    An Overwhelming Sadness

    Writing blogs is usually very therapeutic for me. Find a topic that I am interested in and share my thoughts with whoever chooses to read them. If something is bothering me or I see
    something that, in my opinion, is wrong I get to write about it. Sunday night is my usual time to write these and after I finish there is usually a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, and
    peace. Tonight, there is none of that.

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  • A return to normal, for better or worse

    May 8th, 2023


    A return to normal, for better or worse

    In previous blogs the word normal has been discussed regarding the pandemic. People around the world wanting to return to “normal” or to a pre-pandemic time. A time when no one had a drawer or shelf full of masks. When the word test referred to things like eye test or driver’s test. A time when there weren’t daily reports about the number of COVID cases and deaths. Back to a time of open campuses with full residence halls and restaurants and bars would once again be teeming with patrons. For the most part, mission accomplished. In so many respects it is back to normal, business as usual.

     

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  • Lessons Learned from The Shawshank Redemption

    May 1st, 2023


    Lessons Learned from The Shawshank Redemption

    There is not enough time to give you a recap of the entire film, but during the movie two convicts are released from the prison and struggle to reacclimate to a society that has dramatically changed. Imagine going to sleep in 1999 and waking up again in 2023.

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  • No Place for Hate

    April 24th, 2023


    No Place for Hate

    It was a simple email with the best of intentions. One of the people that I work with sent me a link to a video and article discussing New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s Foundations new campaign to stop the spread of Anti-Semitism.

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  • Spring Hopes Eternal

    April 17th, 2023


    Spring Hopes Eternal

    There is something about spring that somehow makes life feel lighter. Perhaps, it’s the longer, warmer days, maybe it’s being able to shed a layer or 2 of clothing, or it might be that we are closer to Summer. Of course, the end of winter and putting away shovels doesn’t hurt either. Another baseball season is just beginning, and everyone is in the playoff/championship hunt. This year, spring couldn’t come fast enough for me.

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  • Exclusion is exclusion, even if you don’t agree with someone’s ideals and principles.

    April 10th, 2023


    Exclusion is exclusion, even if you don’t agree with someone’s ideals and principles.

    Talking about diversity, equity, and inclusion or DEI can be like standing on a hilltop during a thunderstorm holding on to a lightning rod, especially if you are espousing a viewpoint that maybe unpopular. Before you jump to conclusions, I am in full support of a more just, inclusive, diverse, and equitable country and world. Pick up a newspaper, watch the news, listen to the radio, or simply observe what is going on in your own city, town, community, or neighborhood; there is no shortage of stories about violence against minorities, hate crimes involving members of the gay and transgender communities, acts of antisemitism, and threats against others who look or believe differently. It is shameful. We are possibly more aware of the inequality and hate, than we were years ago, but that is precious little comfort for those that are being persecuted. In some respects, I would argue that we are in worse shape than we have ever been regarding inclusivity.

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  • Quitting Quietly or Otherwise in the Field of Student Life

    April 3rd, 2023


    Quitting Quietly or Otherwise in the Field of Student Life

    Experts disagree on whether quiet quitting is a new phenomenon or simply a new name for behavior that has been around for decades. This term quiet or silent quitting crept into our lexicon just about a year ago.

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  • Jill Konrath, We Miss You

    March 27th, 2023


    Jill Konrath, We Miss You

    It is rare that I devote a blog to an individual, especially one that I have never met but she is someone that I miss, a lot. Most, if not all of you probably have no idea who Jill Konrath is. She is an author, speaker, and noted expert in the field of sales. Some of the largest, most well know organizations in the world have hired her to talk to them about their sales strategies and to improve their effectiveness as a sales team.

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  • KISS – Keep it Super Simple

    March 20th, 2023


    KISS – Keep it Super Simple

    Recently, I was contacted by an individual at a college. On campus her role is an academic advisor, and she was trying to plan a program for some of her students. It quickly became clear that she is not a person that plans programs or events on a regular basis. At the outset of the conversation, she mentioned that she had contacted several people to try and help her put this together but found herself getting overwhelmed. It would have been easy for me to say to her “no need to worry, this is easy.” If you do this every day of your life, it is easy. Honestly, planning an event or a function can be easy, if you stick to a few parameters. Try not to make it more complicated than it needs to be. Here are just a few tips and tricks to make event planning a bit easier and far less stressful.

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