Uncommon Sense

After a year-long break, Uncommon Sense is back up and running.

Why you may ask?  Was it the “build your brand” talk we got during law school orientation in August?  The fact that “everyone’s doing it”?  Or just plain and simple that my bookmarked interesting articles should be shared.

Probably a little of all of the above, combined with the fact that my Pipeline Fellowship with the Roosevelt Institute requires a discussion of my policy ideas, views, and findings on a public forum.

So here’s what you can expect.  From here on out, I’ll be trying to blog consistently, while juggling law school, work, activities, and having a life.  I’ll post mostly about education policy/law and progressive tidings, although every now and then, you may see a pretty picture or a rant about law school.

If you see an article/tweet/blog of interest – email it along: amy.baral@gmail.com.

Here we go…

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.

FYI: Don’t watch this at work, people will think you’re nuts.

Made you cry, didn’t it?

West Hartford placed #55 on CNN Money’s Best Places to Live list

WINNER

Top 100 rank: 55
Population: 63,000
Compare West Hartford to Top 10 Best Places

The 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.

“One life on this earth is all that we get, whether it is enough or not enough, and the obvious conclusion would seem to be that at the very least we are foods if we do not live it as fully and bravely and beautifully as we can.”

“In the entire history of the universe, let alone in your own history, there has never been another day just like today and there will never be another just like it again.  Today is the point to which all your yesterdays have been leading since the hour of your birth.  It is the point from which all your tomorrows will proceed until the hour of your death.  If you were aware of how precious today is, you could hardly live through it.  Unless you are aware of how precious it is, you can hardly be said to be living at all.”

(both from Frank Buechner)

As “The Real Housewives of D.C.” prepares to start in August, the NYT posted an article including some views on the show and views on the city in general.

It was all talking to people who knew people who knew people.  That’s the way in which D.C. works.  It’s a town that’s all about the proximity to power, and it operates in these concentric circles around the White House.

—

The show reveals a none-too-flattering side of life in a city where connections are the local currency and what you know is sometimes less important than whom.