Category Archives: Golden Rule

Yet another school shooting and another call from Democrats to take away the right to keep and bear arms. Democrats use gun violence and safety as their excuse for wanting to make citizens vulnerable to government.

But we must remember Democrats are the party of massive government control. The proliferation of weapons in this country is one of the things keeping us free free from government oppression. Recall that Lexington-Concord was about the British aiming to confiscate colonists weapons caches. It was one of the precipitations for the Revolutionary War.

But the shootings in major cities and unfortunately, schools is NOT a gun issue. It is a parental failing and concomitantly a social issue. We need to hold parents accountable for the predations of their offspring on the grounds they failed to raise their children properly.

Dumping their kids in day care and public schools is no substitute for inculcating proper values into your kids. When you bring a child into the world you assume a decades long obligation to adequately teach that child proper behavior.

But then its hard to do when adults themselves are going berserk because their fast food order isnt correct, or someone cuts in front of them in a queue, or a restaurant runs out of chicken or sauce. The gun violence we have is a direct result of failed parental examples.

And let us not fail to mention that bastion of violence, the entertainment industry. They steadfastly deny their on-screen violence affects anyone because everyone knows it is all make believe. Watching entertainment doesnt really impact people, they say. If that is sowhy the commercials?

Commercials are on screen and advertisers use these to impact the viewer! You cant have it both ways. If on-screen fails to impact viewers then companies are wasting a lot of stakeholder money on ads. But if on-screen ads do impact viewers, then so will the violence perpetually pervading television, movies, and video games.

As a society can we continue to permit the headlong collapse into anarchy, violence, and ultimately big government controls? How many children and adults need to be killed before we decide enough?

It has been said Nature abhors a vacuum. Gods values have been pushed out of the classroom and socialistic relativism is filling the void. As weve seen time after time, socialist agendas fail citizens.

Are we going to accept woke as a substitute for sanity? Are we going to allow alleged injustices to replace the merits of the Ten Commandments? The Golden Rule?

Corruption isnt always about money. Souls and spirits can become corrupt, too, and Uvalde is the latest example.

Ken Schaefer

Sharpsburg, GA 30277

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Instead of fewer guns, how about better parents? - The Citizen.com

I had an interesting conversation recently with someone who had mentioned they had never read the Bible and didnt really believe in it. I listened as this person went on to say, if only people would treat others as to how they themselves want to be treated, then this would be a better world. I smiled and asked, Did you know thats in the Bible? Some call it the golden rule. Its in Matthew 7:12 and in Luke 6:31. Jesus said it. This person had no idea that one of their life values actually came from Bible scripture. A surprised expression came across the persons face.The person continued to comment that if people would be kind and loving to others then they might receive some kindness and love back.I asked the person, Did you know that is a biblical principle? Sowing and reaping. What you sow into the lives of others, you also will reap.I said with a smile, You know, for someone who hasnt read the Bible, and doesnt really believe what it says, I would say you could preach on what you just said and have Bible verses to back you up.This story makes me think how very important it is to know Gods word. Reading the Bible every day not only helps us grow in our faith but is foundational to what we believe.Did you know reading three or four chapters a day, we can read through the entire Bible in one year! Heres how: Select a Bible reading plan Choose a Bible translation that you can easily read or listen to Have a notebook and pen, or tablet to take notes Decide on a time and place to spend time with the Lord stay with it Journal your journey with GodI personally use the method of journaling called S.O.A.P.S = Scripture - write the scripture verse that most stands out to youO = Observation - write what caught your attention about the verseA = Application - write how the word applies to you for todayP = Prayer - write a prayer to God about what youve read and ask for his help in living it outMy desire is to be a lifelong learner! An eager student and also a willing teacher. Pray, listen, and meditate on his word and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free!The B.I.B.L.E. yes thats the book for me. I stand alone on the word of God, the B.I.B.L.E.Peggy Locke is co-founding pastor at Carson City Foursquare Church.

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Faith & Insight: The BIBLE | Serving Carson City for over 150 years - Nevada Appeal

As winter sets in, you might be wondering: how do you know if your dog is warm enough? And how cold is too cold to take them for a walk?

Its a tricky one; much depends on their natural coat. We go through this question on a daily basis in my household in winter because one of my dogs is small and hasnt got much coat she is currently wearing a jumper and on my lap, under a blanket.

But the majority of breeds are probably OK in most Australian temperatures. In many ways, its easier to keep a cold dog with a thin coat warm than to keep a hot, thick-coated dog cool when the mercury climbs.

That said, there are some good general rules to follow to ensure your canine friends dont suffer when an Antarctic blast hits.

Read more: How hot is too hot? Here's how to tell if your dog is suffering during the summer heat

My rule of thumb is to feel their extremities. If I can feel their ears or feet are a bit chilly to touch, that suggests their core temperature might be a bit low. Then I would provide a coat or put the heater on (if were staying in).

Much depends on whether your dog has a double coat or not many dogs do. You can see if your dog has an undercoat by parting their hair and seeing if there is a downy layer of pale hair between the glossy top coat and the skin.

Breeds that have a double coat include most kelpies, cattle dogs, German shepherds, and huskies. Some breeds, like Samoyeds, have really dense undercoats and can tolerate cold really well. A dog with a thick undercoat doesnt need anything more to stay warm on a cold day.

If your dog has a single coat, you might need to think a bit more carefully about the cold. Breeds in this category include maltese, cavaliers, greyhounds, whippets, and staffies.

In addition to coat, also consider the golden rule of surface area to volume ratio.

Smaller animals have more surface area for their weight than larger animals, which means they have more surface area to lose heat from compared to a dog that is bigger and heavier.

Small, lean dogs will generally struggle with the cold a bit more than other dogs for this reason. For example, Italian greyhounds are much more vulnerable than regular greyhounds.

If we feel cold then they probably do too. A thicker coat helps slow down heat loss, which is good if you live in a cold environment, but not so great if you live in a warm environment.

If your dog is shivering, hunched with tail tucked, trying to tuck their paws in close to their body or lift them off the cold ground, theyre uncomfortably cold.

If the dog is being still, they are at more risk of getting cold. For example, we wrap our smallest dog in a blanket when shes in the car but once shes running around, she seems to generate enough heat to stay comfortable.

At home, pay attention to where the dogs are sleeping. If they are curled up in a tight ball on the thickest bed they can find, or nuzzling under blankets, they are trying to keep themselves warm.

My small dog has learned to show me if she wants a jumper on by wagging her tail and sticking her head in it if I hold it out to her. So we might be able to teach our dogs to answer the question Do you want another layer on?

If dogs are not sleeping well at night or getting up a lot in the wee hours, its a good idea to check how cold they feel and try offering them some warmer sleeping options.

If youve got a dog in the yard, make sure they have access to shelter and a bed to get them off the cold ground, especially when there is a cold wind.

In Australia, a cold day is generally easier to manage for dogs than a hot day.

So yes, you could have an Italian greyhound as a pet in southern Tasmania, as long as you add layers when needed and maybe accept they are going to sleep in bed with you under the covers.

I like to let dogs choose, as much as possible, what they need to manage their core temperature.

For example, you might provide a bed with a cover, or extra bedding and blankets on a cold day, so they can use what they need and move away from it when they have warmed up enough.

Once I put a jacket on my dog, she is unable to take it off herself, so I am relying on being able to tell somehow that she doesnt want it on anymore.

Still, this is an improvement on her simply climbing into my jacket with me all the time, which she still does sometimes even when shes got her own extra layers on.

Sometimes you just want to cuddle up to a warm friend, though. Its hard to argue with that!

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Is my dog too cold? How cold is too cold for a walk? Here's how to tell - The Conversation

The Royal Family will be out and about as The Queen's Platinium Jubilee is celebrated over a four-day weekend in June. And many royalists will be wondering what they would do if they came face-to-face with one of the family.

Language and cultural experts from Busuu have put together a how-to guide on what you should and shouldnt do when addressing the royals. You'll need to be aware of the right form of address, and the type of body language it's advisable to use.

A spokesperson from Busuu said: There are a lot of rules surrounding the royals: the language that should be used to address them, the body language that we should uphold, and so much more. Using the correct title to address a royal is extremely important, especially as all members of the royal family will have their own title.

Whether you find yourself in the presence of a royal or in a highly formal setting, these tips will definitely help you fit right in.

When referring to the Queen, we should first address her as Your Majesty. After that you can refer to her as Maam. This is similar when addressing family members like the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

You should begin by calling them Your Royal Highness, and afterwards you may call them Sir or Maam.

You should try to speak in a slightly more formal tone when talking to a member of the royal family and, in order to show that you are giving them your full attention, it is vital that you retain eye contact at all times.

Correct body language is important when addressing a royal. You should have good posture, avoid slouching or standing in closed-off positions, like with your arms crossed. Try to either hold your hands together at the front, or put them behind your back.

Ladies sitting in skirts or dresses should keep their legs together and angle them to the left or right. If you look closely, this is how the Duchess of Cambridge tends to sit and it was also how Princess Diana used to sit. Although you can cross your ankles, one thing you must never do is cross your legs. This is one of the worst things you can do, as far as etiquette goes!

Men, on the other hand, can cross their legs, but should avoid sitting with their ankle on their knee with their leg bent.

Royals will have a lot of security around them but, regardless, you should avoid physical contact such as handshakes and hugs. You should only shake a royal's hand if they extend theirs first.

It is said that in the presence of royalty you should avoid wearing something exposing your arms. Formal dress is recommended. Jeans and trainers will be unacceptable.

When dining with royals, the correct etiquette for sitting at the dinner table involves keeping elbows, arms and hands off of the table. Having your elbows on the table when eating is said to suggest over-indulgence, which was known to come across as peasant-like.

When at the table, you should also wait for the hostess to unfold her napkin and place it in her lap before unfolding your own.

When dining formally, youll notice multiple utensils in front of you. The rule of thumb is to go from the outside in and start with the smallest utensils.

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Golden rules of meeting royalty from talking posh to what not to wear - Cornwall Live

For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.

Galatians 1:10 HCSB

Memorialized in vinyl back in 1973, Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown was a number one hit for the late Jim Croce. Brown will forever be remembered as the baddest man on the south side of Chicago. At least until he met Doris husband, who made him look like a jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone.

On this side of heaven, there will be people who like to memorialize your past mistakes and replay them like a number one hit, usually at public venues for maximum stimulation.

You are not defined by what you have done in your past, or by what your parents want or expect you to be, or even what your friends and family expect of you.

God made you divinely unique and different, set apart to please Him. And, if you have become a born-again believer those mistakes in your past are not even in the cheap record rack!

With that said, if you are going to be all that God knows you can be, to please Him, you must allow Him to cross examine your heart and allow Him to point out things which do not please Him.

Search me, O God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139: 23-24 NLT

While the Bible says, We are for a little while lower than the angels, at times, we can be anything but angelic. For those trying to walk closely with Jesus the expectations of others can be quite challenging.

Sometimes people forget they are here on the south side of heaven with very human people, making the same mistakes. So how do we balance our relationships with others and at the same time place God first in our lives?

The Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 2:4, Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. So, first and foremost we should please God. But part of pleasing God is loving people. So how do we go about loving people? What does loving people look like?

I think it would be safe to say that being judged and scrutinized by others would not be loving. It would be difficult to consider it loving to be talking about others in a negative way. Those are obvious ways we demonstrate a lack of love for others. Sometimes when we do not stand up or speak out in defense of our brother can show a lack of love. Silence can break a heart and change a life!

Pleasing God would include his golden rule. The golden rule is actually a verse in Matthew 7:12, Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. In lieu of Gods mercy to us, we should extend grace and forgiveness to those who have hurt us. But at the same time, we should not allow ourselves to be bullied or manipulated out of fear of rejection!

Lets be honest, relationships can be challenging. Whether a family member or a friend, their expectations can exceed our capabilities. Sometimes the closeness of the person can provide the greatest margin to conquer. We must be patient to listen to what they are saying to us and search it for morsels of truth. Is it relevant? Is it a rehash of some long ago wrong, still unhealed? Is there bitterness which is poisoning their well?

We are not responsible for what others may think of us, but we are responsible for how we handle accusations and confrontations. The Word of the Lord says, So, encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT

Recently, a friend told me about an encounter while shopping.

As I was shopping, this woman, a stranger, came over and complimented the way I looked. It was so very nice.

Women can sometimes be hard on other women. Think of the blessing it would be if more women were encouraging each other.

True Christ-centered relationships are loving, kind, and seek to encourage and build one another up, in the ways of the Lord. Sometimes we choose to endure hard relationships to draw people to Christ.

We endure things we typically would not endure to show them the love of Christ. These relationships should not become unhealthy, lacking boundaries or borders.

Keep in mind, we should love others, but sometimes that could mean loving them from a distance. This doesnt mean we cross them off our list; we can continue to pray for them.

Life is too short to try and live to please others. Dont be afraid of the fall out and know that God is working out all things for the good of those who love Him, those who have been called according to His purposes.

Yes, loving people on the south side of heaven can be challenging, but it is worth it! Imagine, the friends you will see when you enter the Gates of His City!

At this writing, we are just learning of the horrific school shooting in Texas. Pray for the families in Uvalde, Texas and for our nation.

Theresa Rowe is the founder of Shaped by Faith, TV and radio host, author and motivational wellness speaker. Website, http://www.shapedbyfaith.com.

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Loving people on the south side of heaven - messenger-inquirer

With the sounds of the carillon as a backdrop and supported by more than one hundred years of tradition, the 39 members of Class of 2022 began their walk across Pruden Lawn Saturday and toward the culmination of their years at Chatham Hall.

What a class! What a group of dedicated, community-minded young people, said Rector Rachel A. Connell to the Class of 2022.

A group of individuals who use their voices to advocate for themselves and others. A group with a good sense of humor and a great heart for effecting change. Make no mistake that you have had an impact on Chatham Hall. You have challenged us, you have challenged me, you have asked Chatham Hall to continue to grow so that it can be better than when you arrived, she said.

Perhaps the greatest hallmark of your class is that you say thank you. Yes, that is unique and noteworthy, and in this world it is no small thing, she told them. You say thank you and you care. You make sure others know that you care. What a remarkable legacy, said Connell.

The Class of 2022 included girls from as close to home as Chatham, Keeling and Danville to as far away as Germany and China.

Chatham Halls highest award, the Rectors Medal, was presented to Alexa Keating. The award goes to the senior girl who, in the judgment of the rector and recognition of the faculty, best represents the ideals of Chatham Hall in the contribution she has made to the life of the school throughout her years at Chatham Hall.

Keating was a friend and confidant to all, said Connell.

Ellie Larsen was honored with the Trustees Scholarship Medal, awarded to the senior whose cumulative grade point average at Chatham Hall is the highest in the graduating class.

Several new members were inducted into the Cum Laude Society for superior academic achievement in an independent secondary school, including graduates Madelyn Boltz, Whitney Byington, Ellie Larsen, Christine Leak, Carrie Midkiff, Catherine Niu, and Piper Vogel. Seniors Whitney Byington, Christine Leak, Catherine Malone, Carrie Midkiff, and Catherin Niu were also awarded Global Scholar certificates. Taylor Xu 23 was recognized with a Global Entrepreneurship certificate.

Honor Council president Zion Andrews was recognized with the Honor Council Award and Christine Leak received the Purple & Golden Rule Citation for graduate who best lived the precepts of the Purple & Golden Rule and educated others into an understanding of it.

Kate Denny, who will graduate in 2025, was presented the Lillian Evans Lineberger New Girl Award, which recognizes a new girl who is an excellent student, outstanding citizen, and superb influence in the school.

Departmental awards included the following:

Art Department Award Gloria Guo

The Adora Prevost Ragsdale Dance Award Whitney Byington and Catherine Malone

The Sherwood Dramatic Award Aryanna Satti

Music Department Award Grace Brooks

Class of 2012 Athletic Award Zion Andrews and Annabele Whitehead

The Anne Dickinson Beal English Department Award Carrie Midkiff and Kellyn Norman

The Catherine Ingram Spurzem Award for Creating Writing Grace Brooks

History Department Award Carrie Midkiff

The Dixie Hargrave Whitehead Mathematics Department Award Ellie Larsen

Religion Department Award Alexa Keating and Ruby Spencer

Science Department Award Catherine Malone

World Languages: Chinese Award Grace Brooks and Ellie Larsen

World Languages: French Award Christine Leak

World Languages: Latin Award Kellyn Norman

World Languages: Spanish Award Catherine Malone

Of the class, Connell said, Perhaps the greatest hallmark of your class is that you say thank you. Yes, that is unique and noteworthy, and in this world it is no small thing. You say thank you and you care. You make sure others know that you care. What a remarkable legacy.

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Chatham Hall Class of 2022: "You say 'thank you' and you care" - Chatham Star-Tribune

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Ask a fashion insider to name the "it" shoe of summer 2022, and you might expect a name-check for Versace's towering satin sandals or a Y2k-esque platform flip-flop. But the shoe we're actually most excited to wear is a little less glamorous, if far more versatile: the fisherman sandal.

Fisherman sandals made their way back into the conversation via summer collections from Prada, Max Mara, and Celine, among others. They have a classic bent with basket-woven uppers in neutral tones, remixed by designers with heavy-duty rubber or platform soles (or both, in Prada's case). Their appeal starts with their wearability: Most fisherman sandals are cushioned and flat, and lined leather straps you could walk miles inbut only if you really wanted put them to the test.

More crucially for us at BAZAAR, fisherman sandals bring a "true fashion-led edge" to summer outfits, according to Net-a-Porter senior market editor Libby Page. "I love how this nostalgic and masculine shoe has been given a minimalist makeover," she tells us, citing pairs from The Row and Roger Vivier as emblematic of the low-key nautical look.

When it comes to styling fisherman sandals, there's one golden rule. "Keeping things simple with this chunky style is key," Page recommends. She suggests a few outfit formulas for incorporating them into your wardrobe: "They work best when styled with a white wide leg pant and a simple blue shirt, or a boxy chino short and white tank top."

Of course, you can also wear them with flowing dresses or matching beach setsthe following 12 pairs are so wearable, they'll become your go-to summer shoe.

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Expert-Recommended

We asked Page to send a few of her favorite fisherman sandal styles; her list started with The Row's minimalist pair. The thick straps and chunky but not overwhelming sole are both supportive and stylishand the pebbled leather will develop a gorgeous patina through each wear.

Best Everyday Sandal

Here's a sandal that can go anywhere this summer: the office with a sleek pair of trousers, the beach with a breezy sundress, or the farmer's market with a t-shirt and denim cutoffs. Its versatility comes from the contoured and surprisingly comfortable footbed, paired with a full-coverage leather upper.

Cult Favorite

True fashion heads will only indulge the fisherman sandal trend with Prada's sky-high sandals. These riff on the house's signature Monolith sole with an open-cage upperand the Prada logo, of course.

Expert-Recommended

When we asked stylist Vivid Wu for her warm-weather essentials, she selected Hereu's fisherman sandals. This heeled version of its Ancora sandal has the caged element that defines the trend, with a low heel for a dressed-up look. Follow Wu's example and wear them with ankle socks on chillier days.

Editor's Closet

I've worn Vagabond's fisherman sandals everywhere from Miami press trips to weekdays at the BAZAAR office. They slip on so easily and I love the square toeplus there was virtually no break-in period.

Expert-Recommended

Another item from Page of Net-a-Porter's personal recommendations, this Roger Vivier pair combines a heavy-duty look with a lighter-than-air fit. Behind the statement buckle, there's an elasticated panel that glides on (and stays on) with ease. Molded footbeds add a luxuriously comfortable fit.

Reviewer-Favorite

Reviewers only have good things to say about this highly supportive pair from Free People, which is still available in three neutral tones. "These darling sandals are as comfortable as they are stylish. Versatile as hell on top of it all," one reviewer raves. Another adds, "I bought these in the sand. Once I tried them on I was obsessed and ordered the yellow (love!) and the black." Shoppers say they run true to size.

Nice Save

Here's a classic fisherman sandal in four shadescreamy white, black, brown, and lemonthat's currently on sale for less than $100. It comes with a cushy, padded insole made for walking extra miles.

The Pop of Color

Seasoned fisherman sandal-wearers may want a step up from neutral leathers. Go for a sandal like Reformation's, with a shiny, croc-patent leather to usher your shoe collection into more colorful territory.

Investment Piece

Fisherman sandals done Hedi Slimane's way include an exaggerated lug sole, for those who want to really make an entrance.

Best Flat Fisherman Sandal

Emme Parson's take on the fisherman sandalnamed for The Old Man and the Sea's author, naturallygets better with every wear. Over time, the vegetable-tanned leather will mold to your foot for a one-of-a-kind fit.

Best Platform Fisherman Sandal

Jean shorts, floral dresses, swimsuit cover-up sets: This pumped-up pair from Ganni will take them all to a new level. While you'll get extra height, you'll also be able to walk miles thanks to the gentle pitch of the sole.

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Best Fisherman Sandals: 12 Fisherman Sandals to Wear Summer 2022 - Harper's BAZAAR

From February 2020 to February 2022, Google searches for same-day mental health services and centers for workplace mental health each grew by 1,300% and searches for how to ask for a mental health day grew by 1,000%, according to marketing platform Semrush. Searches for mental health strategy increased by 133%, mental wellness by 52% and emotional well-being, 23% during this same pandemic period.

These numbers show the after-effect of people working extremely hard over the last couple of years, dealing with huge amounts of change, said Nick Taylor, clinical psychologist, CEO and co-founder of Unmind, a London-based workplace mental health platform. "As they serve others, a lot of people relegate self-care. This is often fine episodically, but prolonged periods of neglecting self-care can turn small issues into more serious problems, which require serious help.

For HR professionals and business leaders, this means understanding the added dimensions of mental health unique to the workplace, including among working parents of young children.

Mae Singerman was director of operations for an organization that worked to expand the social safety net for long-term care. She ran almost every meeting she attended, supervised staff and consultants, tracked and managed a $6 million budget, rolled out new policies and helped to facilitate organizational changes.

I also had started to work late at night, was eating at 10 p.m. I was worried and anxious about work all the time, even outside of work hours. I stopped moving, she explained in an email to HR Dive. Contemplating her future back then, Singerman said, the last thing I would want to do every day would be to work this job. I just knew I was done.

Singerman, who lives with her husband and "the chaos of a 4- and 6-year-old"in a small New York apartment, is caregiver both in and out of the home coordinating care for her mother in Florida and traveling to be with her for a few days each month. Though she had considered leaving her executive role for some time, ultimately it was a series of family and health-related events that prompted the decision.After her own appendectomy and a false alarm about cancer a scare heightened by the fact her father died of cancer when she was 11 Singerman said, I just realized, I wanted a change and to live differently. I dont want to grow or train right now. I just want to be."

Since fall last year, Singerman has served as administrative project manager at Showing Up for Racial Justice, a national organization that encourages White people to fight for racial and economic justice. I'm basically a glorified administrative assistant, she said, and overqualified for the job.

I'm still the kind of person who is looking for validation through work, she said, but I cannot imagine going back to a job with high stress levels anytime soon, not even for the positional power she had before. Im really happy with the change. I was able to add a lot more structure back into my life. ... I now work out in the morning. My overall health and mental well-being is better.

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Mother of two, Rachel Skybetter, works in ed tech communications. She said theres a disconnect in the workplace between business leaders and employees. My daughter just turned 4 and my son just turned 8 months, she said. When they are both home, its a tornado, and my attention is split in 100 different ways. The deadlines aren't changing, and the meetings aren't moving.

Skybetters experience echoes findings of The 2022 State of the Workplace report from workforce analytics platform ActivTrak, which showed collaboration tools interrupt employees an average 70 times per day, accounting for 21% of distractions. Its work about work the incoming notifications generated by email, meetings and productivity tools and responses to those things that can bring a sense of running in place, especially for workers already in a cycle of catch-up, feeling a sense of underperformance and overwhelm.

Essentially overnight, lines blurred between our work and home lives, leading to longer hours and difficulties with establishing boundaries,said Megan Smith, vice president and head of HR, North America, at SAP. Our kitchens became our offices, family rooms turned into day cares, Smith said, and this shift, in some cases, was permanent. Its impossible to completely compartmentalize stress especially when theres just no time to punch out.

The ActivTrak report shows the spiraling effects: Deep work is compressed to 14-minute sessions on average, and tasks requiring extended focus are pushed outside regular work hours to times meant for family and recuperation.

Skybetter described what has been the futility of time off. When I take days off, I'm not going on vacation. I'm not doing anything relaxing. I'm actually probably looking forward to working, right? because it means my kids are at day care, and my house is quiet.

Splitting child care responsibilities with her husband who also works from home, Skybetter said theyre privileged to have advantages that many families don't. But it bothers me that I have an 8-month-old strapped to my back, and I'm trying to work. When she first spoke with HR Dive in January this year, Skybetter hadnt slept through the night since March 2021.

Rachel Skybetter working from home with 8-month-old son and 4-year-old daughter.

For many workers, especially parents of school-aged children, these issues have come to a boiling point. The ActivTrak report indicates increasing work-life balance, and yet 34% of employees continue to be overutilized at work, spending more than 75% of their time in this state. Smith said theres no denying the realities and struggles of worker burnout as significant contributors to the drop in employee engagement and the rise of the Great Resignation.

In a recent update, Skybetter said COVID-19 had hit her household, and gosh, I mean, you think you know fatigue and then you have COVID, have to work, AND handle two littles at the same time, without being able to leave the house. Even just for Starbucks or something. Its physically draining, yes, but the mental anguish is tough. I felt hopeless some days and it felt like it would never end, said Skybetter.

But it did. I took a few half days. Worked some nights. Here I am two weeks later" days ahead of her son's first birthday "and it feels like a blip." She said she's in better place, and "lucky to have unlimited PTO, but I do wish I could specify it was for COVID leave.

Neither Skybetter nor Singerman want to villainize their employers, and both offered advice to companies interested in supporting the well-being of employees and their families.

Skybetter said, when a parent is out for both COVID and simultaneous caretaking duties, theres no way to specify the type or reason for the time away from work. Pointing to her husbands employer who lets employees differentiate types of leave, Skybetter suggests other employers expand system capabilities to do the same.

Singerman offered three suggestions to help workers deal with stress and mental health issues:

These problems are intertwined and present a positive opportunity to rethink work as a first step, Rep. Ro Khanna of California said during the recent Workers and the Corporate Values Revolution conference, hosted by From Day One, a conference series and media outlet.

You don't need the 9-to-5, or staying long hours just for face time, said Khanna, who wrote the book Dignity in a Digital Age. These actually may not be the most productive ways to work, and beyond that, theres a need to prioritize greater workplace flexibility.

Conference speakers agreed the pandemic has prompted increased transparency, better language and more discussion in the workplace around mental health. But employee well-being is closely tied to employee experience, and employee experience can comprise highly individualized elements of race and age, parental and marital status, gender identity, paid leave, and more. It became clear during conference sessions that the nuances of employee well-being require a specialized approach.

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A July 2021 survey from The Conference Board that found employees who were apprehensive about returning to offices had also expressed greater concerns about mental health, stress, and burnout.

Meanwhile, a University of Phoenix Career Optimism Index released in February revealed that 62% of respondents who were not hopeful about the future of their career were actively looking or expecting to look for new jobs. A greater share (69%) responded if things would change at my job, I would consider staying, but 1 in 3 employees said they would quit their current jobs without securing another.

Taylor, the clinical psychologist,said because of the reactive nature of traditional employer-provided mental health resources like EAPs and occupational health people end up not seeking care until symptoms have become overwhelming. And because the topic of mental health and illness is still taboo within many company cultures, many employees struggle to ask for help.

Just seeing your employees is a type of employee recognition thats urgently necessary in today's atmosphere, said Gabriela Mauch, vice president of Productivity Lab at ActivTrak.

She discouraged the often rote, unilateral traditions of leadership that dont recognize people as individuals.

Addressing employee burnout, she suggested managers rely on tools that alert them when employees are working well over their typical hours or through the weekends.

This will help managers to facilitate the right conversation at the right time, said Mauch, and to step out of "the robotic nature of 'hey, how are you doing? Okay, good. What are your tasks today? Thats putting someone in a cadence. That's what you want to avoid. When we're spending all this time thinking about how we can train and develop our managers to listen, we need to think about the other side of the equation, which is how we can empower employees to speak, perhaps by simply asking Are you okay?

SAP's Smith said that while it may seem obvious, its so critical to devote time, resources and budget to get an accurate read on how employees are doing.

Theres an important link between workplace compassion and workplace competition. You certainly don't want to facilitate a cutthroat workforce as an inadvertent consequence of benchmarks and rewards, said conference moderator Emily McCrary-Ruiz-Esparza.

It's that platinum versus golden rule, said Sarah Bartas, vice president, HR corporate at Stanley Black & Decker. The golden rule is to treat others as you wish to be treated, but it's really [about] the platinum rule treat others as they wish to be treated. Meet them where they are. Are they someone that is introverted, where you have to create a different kind of space for compassion versus that vocal person in the room, and you've got to find a different space for them? It's common sense, but it's not common practice.

Scott Nycum, vice president for inclusion, diversity and giving at General Dynamics Information Technology, offered what he called a hack as an optimist but also an incrementalist.

Hacking innovation-compassion could look something like this: When someone has a success, the debrief is naming who helped you. It gets the brain to [acknowledge] I didn't get here alone and it changes the tone and tenor of culture on a team. We ask that question no matter what.

Even in situations of apparent failure, Nycum said the question is asked: Who helped you to get back up when you failed? Though he called it a small thing, Nycum said hed rather have every team at General Dynamics make this 2% shift in focus a move he said could help build trusting workplace relationships and re-energize teams, wherever they may be in the world.

Not just during May Mental Health Awareness Month but everyday, mental health and workplace well-being demands awareness, sources say.

Its important," Smith added, that employers do not view mental health as a check-the-box exercise when approaching solutions. Addressing mental health in the workplace should take a multi-faceted and integrated approach.

Correction: An earlier version of this story included an incorrect timeline for Singerman's personal loss.

The rest is here:

Punching out: The dire state of worker mental health - HR Dive

AEW star Paul Wight recently spoke with Submission Radio Australia and discussed WWEs ongoing situation with Sasha Banks and Naomi after they recently walked out of RAW, leaving the WWE Womens Tag Team Titles. You can find links to our various reports on Banks and Naomi at the end of this article.

Wight talks about how business is business, and despite passion for the business, sometimes it comes down to making business decisions. He also recognized how talents often believe in something to where they feel like they have to take a stand.

For me to speculate on all of that would just be absurd, because I dont know, Wight said. I havent talked to Naomi, I havent talked to Mercedes, or Sasha, either. So, I think every talent fans forget, you know, theres keywords used every time, theres opportunity and all these different things, but this is still a business. And as much as we love and everyone has passion for this business, it comes down to a lot of times making business decisions. And sometimes a talent believes strongly in something they have to take that stand.

Wight continued and talked about his own career and the attitude he had, a golden rule for the industry, and more.

Ive never been put in a position where I felt like I had to make that choice, he said. My attitude was always very different in wrestling. I always [felt like] I signed a contract, they pay me to do this. Whatever they want me to do. Whether its getting knocked out by a mechanical bull, wear a mawashi and have my ass hang out at WrestleMania and have a sumo match. That was never a thing for me where I was so worried about my character. And Ive caught grief for that over the years too, [that] Ive sold too much for these people, Ive done too much for other people. Everybodys got an opinion. I always approached this business and never forgot the golden rule, that its entertainment, its not real, doesnt matter. Whatever you do last week, most people wont remember in three or four weeks. And if they do remember it, then thats a good thing, because youve made an impact on a fan. But everyone looks at this business differently. They all have their own business choices and opinions.

Wight added that he hopes things work out for Banks and Naomi.

I just hope obviously that Sasha and Naomi find a way to work things out, because theyre two incredible talents that fans really enjoy seeing, Wight said. And the only sad thing out of the whole scenario would be them not being able to entertain the fans that I know that they both are very passionate about and love doing. But again, all you can do is sit back and wait and see what happens.

For those who missed it, you can click here for Wights new comments on his AEW status and future.

Stay tuned to WrestlingHeadlines.com for more.

MORE COVERAGE OF THE SASHA BANKS NAOMI SITUATION:

Backstage Update on Plans for the WWE Womens Tag Team Titles

Pat McAfee Addresses His Reaction To Michael Cole Announcing Sasha Banks & Naomis Suspension

Snoop Dogg Posts New Photo with Sasha Banks, More on Where Banks Was on Friday

New Report Says Sasha Banks and Naomi Situation Is Expected To Get Worse

Naomi Removes Mentions Of Being A WWE Star From Social Media Accounts

WWE Removes Their Official Sasha Banks & Naomi Facebook Pages

Sasha Banks Video from Concert, WWE Pulls Banks and Naomi Merchandise, More

Michael Cole Announces Suspension for Sasha Banks and Naomi In Awkward SmackDown Segment, New Champions To Be Crowned

Backstage News on Naomis WWE Contract Status

Arianne Andrew Believes Naomi Was Manipulated Into Walking Out On WWE

Interesting Backstage Talk on How People In WWE Are Reacting to Sasha Banks and Naomi

Bully Ray Wonders If Sasha and Naomi Walkout Was A Work So Naomi Could Join The Bloodline

Lots of Backstage WWE RAW Notes on Sasha Banks and Naomi, Banks vs. Ronda Rousey?, More

Person Close to Naomi Reveals Details on What Led to Sasha Banks and Naomi Incident at WWE RAW?

Which Two Stars Were Referenced In WWEs Statement on Sasha Banks and Naomi?, New Details on Why Banks and Naomi Were Unhappy, More

WWE Issues Statement on Sasha Banks and Naomi, Claim They Handed Over Their Titles

Sasha Banks and Naomi Reportedly Walk Out of Tonights RAW

Follow Marc on Twitter at @this_is_marc. Send any news, tips or corrections to us by clicking here.

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Paul Wight on Sasha Banks and Naomi Walking Out on WWE - Wrestling Headlines

By Marian Moskowitz, Chester County Commissioners Chair

Marian Moskowitz

All of us are again dealing with our emotions over the latest senseless massacre, this one in Texas where 19 innocent children and two teachers were murdered. If you are like me, your feelings range from sadness and heartache to anger.

As invariably happens after every mass shooting, the debate again begins over gun laws and regulation. And yes, I would certainly like to see our legislators at the state and federal levels try to work together to develop areas of agreement. But my larger concern goes beyond legislation.

I keep asking myself why there is so much hate and anger in this country. I unfortunately come to the conclusion that politics has a great deal to do with stoking that hatred. Our children are watching the adults scream, yell, and curse at one another over anything and everything. Are we teaching the next generation that it is OK to hate one another? And if we are teaching this, could we be headed to a future where mass shootings become even more common?

When I grew up in Philadelphia, my parents were committee people. They hosted the voting polls in our garage. All the neighbors would come down, vote, and then hang around, have some food and drink, and argue about politics. The conversation could get loud, but it was respectful. The political parties did not hate one another. In fact, they liked each other. They were neighbors, friends, and acquaintances with different views.

As a public official and parent of five children (and grandparent of five), I feel powerless and frustrated that responsible adults cannot even agree on something as small as background searches or restrictions on sales of AR-15 rifles. And while elected officials continue to fight for changes, we also must address civil discourse in this country. This hatred and disrespect are an epidemic that we are all responsible for.

We can stem it through nonviolence, the personal practice of not causing harm to others under any condition, winning over peoples hearts and minds while letting people with opposing views maintain their dignity.

Chester County can serve as a model in this regard. Citizens with strong beliefs on various issues give public testimony each month before the Board of Commissioners. These citizens hold deeply felt views, but by and large they present their perspectives in a respectful way.

This is not a simple matter. As much as I wish we could, we cannot flip a switch and all start practicing the Golden Rule and magically stop the carnage. But we can do more to change the tone of the conversation.

Unfortunately, the tenor of the current discourse is teaching our young people how to hate instead of how to get along. Combine the hate with the fact that our nation has 400 million guns, and no one should be surprised when tragedies like the one in Uvalde, Texas or Sandy Hook, or a Buffalo grocery store occur.

The author and clergyman Norman Vincent Peale promoted the power of positive thinking in his lifetime saying, When you change your thoughts, remember to also change your world.

We need to learn or relearn how to forgive one another and live together. Anything less simply wont do.

The guns are not going away. That makes it an imperative that public officials and the people we influence set a better example of respecting our opponents.

Marian Moskowitz is Chester County Commissioners Chair

Excerpt from:

Op/Ed: Change the tone to dignity and respect for our children's sake | The Unionville Times - The Unionville Times