To save a life

When the history of the COVID-19 pandemic is written, the disease’s economic and cultural impact will surely include the Great Resignation . An unprecedented 45 million Americans voluntarily left their jobs in 2021. In January 2022 alone, 4.3 million workers quit their jobs according to Bureau of Labor Statistics figures. advertisement advertisement IMany employees quit for what they believed were greener pastures. Others sought a sabbatical from “9 to 5” employment, while still others entered a period of “perpetual retirement” where they exited the workforce but, for a variety of reasons, are anticipated to return, perhaps cyclically. Profound Transformation Behind the exodus is a more profound transformation: U.S. workers are demanding a reevaluation of the contractual nature of work—and the power is in their hands. The relationship between employer and employee is changing, and employers are no longer in the driver’s seat. To … [Read more...] about The workplace reckoning in the wake of the Great Resignation

A horrifying rampage of gun violence happened two days before the Robb elementary school’s summer break. On Tuesday, at approximately 11:32 am, one of the deadliest school shootings took place in this school in Uvalde, Texas. Salvador Ramos, 18 years old, is the lone shooter who took the lives of several children and adults. Although, the police officials also shot and killed the gunman. According to Sgt. Erick Estrada of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Ramos arrived at the Robb Elementary school wearing body armor. He was also armed with a long rifle. The elementary school holds classes for the second up to fourth grades. They have a total of 535 students. Sgt. Erick Estrada added, “The updated numbers that they gave me, they told me 19 students, two adults, and then we also have the shooter that was deceased.” He told the CNN reporters. Gustavo Garcia-Siller, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, comforts people as they react outside the Ssgt Willie de Leon … [Read more...] about The latest on the tragic Texas school shooting that left 19 children, 2 adults dead

A version of this story originally published in 2019, prior to the death of "Goodfellas" star Ray Liotta. (CNN) My husband believes I have a serious problem, so now I try to hide it from him. I indulged in this passion/"problem" so much when we first got married that one day he stood in front of me and said, "You do realize that this is not at all normal, right?" So now I try to sneak it in when he's not at home, or sometimes when he's upstairs, practicing his keyboard. I just can't seem to help myself. He catches me often, but I don't care. I just ready myself for a snarky comment, or, at the very least, a massive eye roll. Before your mind starts going in all types of directions and I have to whack you, I'll share with you my obsession. But it has to stay between us, ok? An omerta, as it were. I can't stop watching the movie "Goodfellas." Read More Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Paul Sorvino in "Goodfellas." … [Read more...] about Never rat on your friends and always keep watching ‘Goodfellas’

When I tell people about my burpee habit , their most common response is to suppose I was born with superhuman discipline . I do them daily, and have since December 21, 2011, starting with 10 per day. Now I do over 50 per day , in two sets, followed by stretching and other exercises to work what burpees don't. So when I write "burpees," I mean "10-minute burpee-based routine." Any self-imposed, daily, challenging, healthy activity would work--push ups, jumping jacks, etc. People associate them with hard work. I associate them with the opposite. I'll explain why after setting some context. I wasn't born with extra discipline As for my being born with extra discipline , it's the opposite, which is why I do them. I watched a lot of TV growing up. I ate a lot of junk food. I misbehaved in class. When I learned my life improved more by my improving it, I started moving toward fitness. I played sports when I was young, but at 45 years … [Read more...] about I Do Burpees Daily Because I’m Lazy and Full of Excuses

In April 2011, the New York Times Magazine published an article asking fitness experts, " What's the Single Best Exercise? " In it, Martin Gibala, the chairman of the department of kinesiology at McMaster University, suggested the burpee . I had to look it up. You drop down, do a push-up, then jump. Pictures and animations here illustrate it. No equipment, gym , spotter, or anything necessary. Gibala studies high intensity workouts, as his upcoming book, The One-Minute Workout: Science Shows a Way to Get Fit That's Smarter, Faster, Shorter , documents. The article said: "It builds muscles. It builds endurance." He paused. "But it's hard to imagine most people enjoying" an all-burpees program, "or sticking with it for long." The Habit Begins On December 22, 2011, I mentioned the article to a friend. One thing led to another and we decided to do 10 burpees a day for 30 days, checking in by text, email, or phone each day. Today … [Read more...] about 2,192 Days in a Row of Burpees

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin The month of May is a time of renewal and nurturing new growth. Nowhere is that more obvious than on farms and fields of Nebraska, as another growing season begins. May is also Mental Health Awareness month, which you may be surprised to learn has been observed since 1949. It was established by the National Alliance on Mental Illness to fight the stigma, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families. An argument can be made that at no time has the need been greater than now to bring awareness—both in and outside of the workplace—to mental health. Data compiled by the Pew Charitable Trusts indicates that more than 47,000 people die by suicide each year in the United States, making it the 12 th leading cause of death in the country. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a 25% increase in mental health disorders … [Read more...] about The Business Case For Nurturing Mental Health Awareness In And Outside Of The Workplace