Filed under: Life
Don’t you sometimes stop and wish that you could write down your own views on how people should engage with each other? What would your personal rules of engagement look like? Would they be shaped by your experiences? By the people you’ve met? By the things you’ve encountered? If you could write a book, a chapter, a paragraph, or even a blog post on rules to live by and things to remember, what would you write?
Shaped by my own experiences and in no particular order – here’s the start of my own list.
- Treat others the way you wish to be treated. This includes the waitress / waiter, the dry cleaner, the concierge, your boss, your co-workers, your partner, your friends, and your family. If you wish to receive respect, show respect. If you wish to receive joy, show joy.
- Be truthful to yourself. People can tell if you’re acting like someone you’re not, if you’re showing off, or if you’re just plain lying to them. You are who you are – be proud of that. If you are not satisfied, then do something to change that. Acting pretentious is certainly not a way to make friends and influence people – it can often derail your plans, make enemies, and embarrass you.
- Follow your dreams and live your passions. It is only when we are passionate about something that we are able to give the maximum amount of our strength, energy, time, and mind to it. Engage with what you’re interested, foster your knowledge, and then go out in and do it.
- Make a difference. We were all put on this Earth not only for ourselves, but for others. You have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others, while making yourself feel good and accomplished at the same time. But make sure you don’t do it to “do it”. Be passionate about what you’re doing. Throw your whole heart into it. It is only then that you are actually making a difference because it is only then that what you’re doing means something to both you and the world.
- Always carry things appropriate for the weather. Hot – extra clothes, deodorant, make up. Variable – umbrella, a light sweater. Cold – layers, a scarf, gloves (except if you’re me – I always forget my gloves).
- Find someone you can confide in. Someone who you can share your deepest secrets and your biggest dreams. Someone who will be there when no one else is. Someone who can give advice, but finds greater enjoyment in listening. And remember to reciprocate.
- Do something that scares you. Take a leap of faith and try something on a whim. Be spontaneous. You never know what will come.
- Take challenges in stride. Life is neither easy nor simple. In fact, life can be really hard. When things are tough, remember that you have people who you can rely on for support but also remember that you are strong yourself. You can overcome any hurdle. The challenges in life are what make us stronger and better equipped and knowledgeable about the world.
- Learn for the entirety of your life. Learning doesn’t stop once you’re done with school – pick up a book, try a new craft, play an interactive game. Keep your mind active and ready for all of the intellectual challenges and changes the lie ahead.
- Take a moment and breathe. Life can get pretty hectic sometimes with deadlines, work, school, family, friends, relationships, and drama. Take some time to be by yourself. Clear your mind and try to relax.
Filed under: Life
FYI: Don’t watch this at work, people will think you’re nuts.
Made you cry, didn’t it?
Filed under: Life
West Hartford placed #55 on CNN Money’s Best Places to Live list
WINNERTop 100 rank: 55
Population: 63,000
Compare West Hartford to Top 10 Best PlacesThe people of West Hartford are book smart — and it’s not because Noah Webster, founder of the American Dictionary, was born and raised here.There is a strong emphasis on education. Local schools get high marks, and many scholars, professors, and faculty who work in the universities in the vicinity call West Hartford home.Shopping lovers won’t have far to go: There are many retail stores in town, as well as lots of vibrant ethnic restaurants. –N.A.
Filed under: Education
Where does Connecticut stand?
Here are the Connecticut schools:
“E & E” is the percentage of all graduating seniors who had a scored of 3 or above on at leas one AP test during high school. “Subs. lunch” is the percentage of students who qualify for the federalsubsidized school lunch program.
Take a close look at the list. See that “Subs. lunch” – compare Conard and Hall. Yes, that’s an 8 point difference. Two high schools. One town.
