at Oakhill Correctional Institution. Every Thursday evening, 15 men gathered in a classroom for an English 100 course to read essays and create their own. Photo: Chris Bacarella

The University of WisconsinMadison Odyssey Project launched Odyssey Beyond Bars this fall, the campuss first known effort to teach credit courses face-to-face to people who are incarcerated. Fifteen men from a prison in Oregon, Wisconsin, will receive college credits from UWMadison.

Many people in prison need a pathway to turn their life around, and education can provide that pathway, says Peter Moreno, Odyssey Beyond Bars director. I am excited to see the university offer people in prison some of the same opportunities for learning and transformation that we offer to our students on campus.

The first course took place at Oakhill Correctional Institution. Every Thursday evening, 15 men gathered in a classroom for an English 100 course to read essays and create their own. One student wrote about having a learning disability, becoming a father during his freshman year of high school, dropping out of school and becoming entangled in the justice system:

My defective area was my ability to read, write and comprehend. Who wants to be in the back of the class with the troublemakers? Now 18 years later, I sit in Oakhill correctional prison, look back, shake my head and think, Why? Where did I go wrong? But I smile looking into the future! I am set to better myself with school. Writing is the window out of which winged thoughts fly, a tiny magic mirror on whose crystal surface words of feeling fitfully play, like the sunlight and shadows on a quiet stream. This class has already opened my eyes to a better life for myself.

All 15 men in the pilot program will earn three UW credits in English and a newfound sense of hope and self-awareness. With the success of this first class, the program will hold additional courses at Oakhill in summer and fall 2020.

Peter Moreno (left) and Kevin Mullen Photo: Emily Azad

I have been a teacher for over 18 years, and this was one of the most transformative classroom experiences Ive ever had, says Odyssey Project co-director Kevin Mullen. I left that class with a deep respect for the eloquence and honesty of the students, as well as a commitment to expand access to higher education for incarcerated learners in the state of Wisconsin.

Studies like those from the RAND Corporation show incarcerated people and society as a whole benefit from prison education. Prisoners who complete at least some college coursework are more likely to be self-sufficient upon release and less likely to return to prison.

Odyssey Beyond Bars offers students in prison the same kind of introduction to college that the Odyssey Project already provides to community-based students in South Madison: free courses in the humanities, coupled with regular tutoring and academic advising that encourages students to pursue college degrees. UWMadison is working to build a bachelors degree program for this population.

The UW Odyssey Project takes a whole family approach to breaking the cycle of generational poverty through access to education, giving adult and youth learners a voice, and increasing confidence through reading, writing and speaking. Now in its 17th year, the Odyssey Project has empowered more than 450 low-income adults and 150 of their children and grandchildren to find their voices and reimagine their futures.

Related: Writing a new future (Isthmus)

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New UWMadison Odyssey Project program offers college credit and hope to people in prison - University of Wisconsin-Madison

The National Association for Business Resources has named HRPro/BenePro one of the Best and Brightest Companies To Work For in the Nation for 2019.

ROYAL OAK, Mich. (PRWEB) February 26, 2020

HRPro/BenePro Named a Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation for 2019 by the National Association for Business Resources

The National Association for Business Resources has named HRPro/BenePro one of the Best and Brightest Companies To Work For in the Nation.

The 2019 national winning companies were assessed by an independent research firm which reviewed a number of key measures relative to other nationally recognized winners. The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For winners are not ranked.

Among with HRPro/BenePro, The Best and Brightest Program honored 540 national winning organizations from across the country out of 5,000 nominations

The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For competition identifies and honors organizations that display a commitment to excellence in operations and employee enrichment that lead to increased productivity and financial performance. This competition scores potential winners based on regional data of company performance and a set standard across the nation. This national program celebrates those companies that are making better business, creating richer lives and building a stronger community as a whole.

"Being selected as a Best and Brightest Company to Work For again is a tremendous honor for us here at HRPro/ BenePro. This recognition continues to reinforce our commitment to our employees and our noteworthy culture," said Kris Powell, President and CEO of HRPro/BenePro.

Founded in 1990, now celebrating our 30th anniversary, HRPro/BenePro is one of Southeast Michigan's premier HR and Benefit administration and advisory firms. We work with small to mid-sized firms to maximize the value of their human capital spend by automating their processes, increasing employee engagement, implementing cost containment initiatives, helping attract and retain top talent, reduce administrative burden, developing employee communication tools and ensuring compliance through strategic, tactical and operational strategies. We specialize in a fully integrated HR solution including Flexible Spending Account administration, HRIS/payroll, group benefits, COBRA, and comprehensive human resource support services.

Collectively, our team of experts have over 200 years' experience in HR and benefit administration. We offer personalized, customized service to all our clients. With a dedicated account manager and exemplary service, you won't feel like a client, but part of our family. This dedication to our clients is reflected in a 97% client retention rate.

We strive to create a fun, collaborative culture that puts an emphasis on customer relationships and personalized service. Our culture embraces our core values, being client focused, having personal ownership and self-awareness. Our mission is to work closely with organizations to understand and help them achieve their human capital goals. For more information, visit the company's websites at hrpro.com and benepro.com.

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HRPro/BenePro Named a Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation for 2019 - Benzinga

By Michael J. Cozzillio and Craig N. Moore

We have been lamenting the inevitable fate of the Democrats ridiculous cast of thousands surfacing over the past several months.

The dreaded fear of a race with little hope of consensus is in danger of coming to fruition. The most recent debates only reinforce the harbingers of doom. Yet there are reasonable alternatives that could make His Arrogance squirm just a little.

It will perhaps take a lightning bolt of self-awareness to shock the remaining candidates into an admission that four more years is too high a price to pay for any candidates personal ambition. It is not too late, however, for the party professionals to tell the wannabe saviors to put their weapons down, get in a straight line, and listen to what they are all going to do for the good of country and party.

Before your prudence and pragmatism compel you to stop, please take a moment to consider these factors that, blended together, may create a prescription cocktail to cure the Democrats current ills.

Ask yourselves whether a ticket that meets these criteria would not be one worth punching with enthusiasm:

Moreover, a pairing of two people with guts, integrity, and no fear of the bitter invective spewed daily from Trumps profane lips. Finally, a combination in which neither team member is subject to accusations that his/her viability turns on membership in the landed gentry or fueled primarily by an inexhaustible supply of money.

One ticket that virtually meets the foregoing criteria is U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu.

Reverse spoiler alert, we have previously suggested that Landrieu would be a terrific alternative to the current suitors for the big prize.

3 things about the economy Dems need to sweat in Pa. And 3 things they dont |Tuesday Morning Coffee

However, it is becoming apparent that the public, to some degree, may have some misgivings about latecomers who have not earned their bones or emerged from the crucible of the ongoing campaigns. Landrieu himself has avoided any discourse or show of intent in challenging the surviving combatants.

Fair enough, but for reasons already expressed at length, we believe that he represents an irresistible component of the dream ticket, if only as the wingman.

There is ample justification for the argument that this pairing satisfies all of the above-mentioned variables. First, the obvious.

The female/male, North/South, progressive/moderate, national legislator/local leader, Catholic/non-Catholic, and old/young (relatively) combinations are facially indisputable.

The only potential quarrel may rest on the absence of a minority presence. However, Landrieus eloquent and dispassionate stance on Confederate monuments and the hideous hypocrisy of the Lost Cause, together with his expressed views on immigration, clearly cloak him with credibility and, in fact, cachet with people of color.

Moreover, the performance of African-American candidates over the past twelve months reinforces the notion that a person of color is not necessarily a guaranty of a vigorous turnout among minorities.

Warren is a passionate candidate who is an extremely intelligent, scrupulously prepared, and tireless campaigner. Her raw savvy alone would make her a formidable opponent for the intellectually bankrupt, superficial occupant of the White House.

Regarding their other virtues, particularly as adversaries capable of winning a skirmish with the incumbent, one should simply observe them closely in a hostile forum.

Rest assured, on the debate stage, Trump will not hover over Ms. Warren like a panther about to pounce on defenseless prey. Further, could you envision a debate between Landrieu and Vice President Mike Pence? If it were a thoroughbred race, they would not even allow wagering.

Our suggestion is not without difficulties.

Will the voters who stayed home in 2016 turn out for Bernie Sanders in 2020? | Fletcher McClellan

For those diehards enamored with the remaining field of dreamers, as worthy and formidable as it may be in the abstract, the following observations warrant attention.

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is an unrepentant socialist. While self-awareness should not be viewed as some tragic Shakespearean flaw, when America walks into the little booth, the specter of Lenin, Trotsky, and all the proud young Bolsheviks will be in their minds, however silly and misplaced.

Regrettably, it is what it is and we are what we are. Sanders base, especially given his frontrunner status, has been passionate but unrelenting in the process. His surrogates have alienated more than one Democrat. Their willingness to offer vigorous support of a ticket that excludes him, certainly not a foregone conclusion, is the sine qua non of any hopes for a November victory.

Former South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg is aglow with some recent success but unrealistic about his probable lack of staying power and, while sexual preference should be a colossal irrelevancy, will it not slap many homophobic, intolerant or simply old-fashioned voters in the face when they enter the privacy of the voting booth? A pity, a shame, and a grim reality.

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., is appealing and the strong showing in New Hampshire is inspiring.

However, she finished as an also-ran in a neighboring, cornpone, middle American venue and the fear is that the bloom on the rose will not last forever. Her so-so performance in the recent debate evinces some falling petals.

Former Vice President Joe Biden, a true statesman and a candidate with some gravitas, sadly has shown signs of decline and financial stress.

He rallied most recently on stage, but doubts remain. Lastly, former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg may bear the stigma of being still another wealthy, white guy, who is largely unapologetic about his association with the Not-So-Grand Old Party. His unprepared and non-responsive debate performance may have exposed a candidate who will go only as far as his checkbook will carry him.

And lets face it. Our proposal is hardly without baggage. Medicare-For-All in its current iteration has to go. It will never be enacted anyway.

Warren, however, need not surrender all of her hopes for a nation acknowledging that largesse is not a four-letter word.

As history would support, for example, her notions of a progressive tax base are hardly subversive. Landrieu undoubtedly has a recognition problem.

That is what conventions, campaigns, and video records of such things like the Confederate monuments speech are designed to remedy. Whatever the difficulties, they certainly can be no worse than having the current field of candidates continuing to carry out their own executions together with the hopes of the Democratic Party for a win in November.

Still, the fiasco in Iowa, the pathetic debate, and the growing likelihood of an unbroken logjam or the rare brokered convention, are grounds for serious concern, if not panic.

The vindictive action of our foul-mouthed and feckless leader and the blight that appears to be spreading even in the Justice Department sounds deafening alarms. Ideally, the Warren/Landrieu option could be included in the mix as the party moves forward to an election in which the future of the republic hangs in the balance.

Michael J. Cozzillio, is a former member of the faculty at Catholic University School of Law and the Widener Commonwealth Law School in Susquehanna Twp., Dauphin County.Craig N. Moore is currently a criminal defense attorney. Their work appears frequently on the Capital-Stars Commentary Page.

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Warren and Landrieu? That could be just the ticket for 2020 Dems | Opinion - Pennsylvania Capital-Star

With the United Nations all geared up to celebrate International Womens Day 2020 upholding the theme, I am Generation Equality: Realizing Womens Rights, gender equality on the ground still seems a far cry. In spite of several consolidated efforts over the past years the progress in closing the gender gap has been painfully slow. In 2020, the Global Gender Gap score stands at 68.6% according to the World Economic Forums, Global Gender Gap Index 2020.

Globally, the Total Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) rate for women is 10.2%, approximately three-quarters of that seen for men according to the Global Entrepreneurship monitor 2018-19 in spite of the fact that the average global rate for business discontinuance is about 10% lower for women (2.9%) than for men (3.2%).

The causes of business discontinuance are attributed to a set of reasons including lack of profit, lack of finance, other job/business opportunity, retirement, sale or acquisition, personal/family reasons, government tax/ regulations, and so on but less than half of womens business closure reasons are directly attributed to financial reasons (45.8%) and 16.2% citing lack of financing.

Even the World Economic Forums Global Gender Gap Report 2020 suggests that in 72 countries women are restricted from opening bank accounts or availing credit, which impedes economic and entrepreneurial ventures.

Entrepreneurial journey was never easy for anyone and like Nolan Bushnell said

The true entrepreneur is a doer not a dreamer

The beginning is always tough. Other than the obvious challenges stated above there are some deep-rooted problems that are not regularly discussed that a first time women entrepreneur encounters at the inception of their entrepreneurial journey.The genesis of these problems are rooted in the deep-seated cultural milieu, the womans socialization process and the society in itself. The challenges that women face in their new entrepreneurial journey are a definite deterrent but regardless, there are success stories that defied all the statistics and carved a niche for themselves irrespective of what came their way. Oprah Winfrey, Sara Blakely, Cher Wang, Indra Nooyi to name a few. The one thing these women had in common is their relentless spirit to not take no as an answer. Lets shed some light on the problems that the first time women entrepreneurs encounter and the best ways to deal with them.

Across culture, ethnicity and social stature women have always been brought up to believe that they are born with a preassigned role of a supporter and its acceptable for her to be ignorant of the path to her higher existence. Its okay for her to not have an ambition, a career or a vision. Even if a woman successfully interpret

the path to self growth the pressure of being average is immense to pull her down. The hypocrisy of being crowned and celebrated as a powerless harbinger is just too much, so much so that its not surprising to find other women in the family and the social circle who vouch for mediocrity.

A women is brought up to believe that she is not a primary provider for the family, she need not have a career in spite of inimitable education, its okay to give up a career of ascendancy after motherhood. This is a definite challenge that is the result of years of socialization and a part of her subconscious. The worst part is its got a knock on effect.

Women always have an option they say. A professional or a home maker. This leads most women to believe and follow a tradition of mediocrity. The good girl conditioning is so powerful that it gets internalized in a womans personality that affects their ability to assert their ambitions, to negotiate what they deserve & voice what they truly desire.

Thus it is imperative for women to make a conscious effort to shun the idealistic social taboos and understand that a provider can be a supporter too. This brings a tremendous mindset shift. It is high time the entire process of a womans socialization undergoes an overhaul and it needs to start with the women who are responsible for raising the next generation. Let not woman for woman be reduced to a hashtag only. Women need to help each other and work towards their true freedom and prepare them to lead than to follow. More women need to understand that finding their purpose in life not only elevates but alleviates too. Self-independence is the best insurance policy & the path to self-actualization.

The hypocrisy here is so transparent. Women have always been assigned primary roles but a secondary stature within the family and in the society. Her ranking on the perfection chart has to be leading & mediocrity has no place here. Her everyday struggles of juggling between work and life has over time been normalized by the society.Either give up or be best at it.

It is the greatest reason of burn out in women. No wonder the PEW research found most men stating that a part-time or a not working mother is ideal for young children. While asked what applies to the father, most men said working full-time is ideal for a father of a young child. This clearly explains the high levels of stress, burn out, anxiety & drop-outs among women.

Entrepreneurship is a demanding career & the early days are the toughest requiring your undivided attention. Most first time women entrepreneurs struggle here. Striking a balance between work and home seems an impossible possibility.

It is important to have strong work ethics. Schedule your life not just work, communicate in a relationship when you need help, build a team and delegate, set inflexible family time, practice multitasking & find time for yourself. More than anything accept that things wouldnt be perfect in the beginning but they will eventually streamline.

It is time women take charge of their lives. It is important to self start a conversation with oneself and understand what one truly desires. If you want to be a home maker more power to you but if a C-suit is what you want, learn to strive towards it. Make adjustments that starts from as important as settling down with the right partner who supports you, to finding the right job fit that helps your promote your future aspirations. Like Sheryl Sandberg said

I truly believe that the single most important career decision that a woman makes is whether she will have a life partner and who that partner is.

Some women successfully outrank the societal doctrines and family to make way for their vision but most struggle midway due to the lack of an actionable business blue print. There are few learnings which are ongoing but the basic research and a long-term and short-term business plan is mandatory. Before being mystified by the motivation wave of being an entrepreneur have a plan ready, align the needs of your family & set up a framework with your better half, research, meet industry experts, evaluate your financial strength and the needs of the business. Set up sort-term & long-term goals. Take a mentor if required. Dont just walk into the battle ground all unarmed. More than anything maintain high degree of resilience. This not only prepares you at a mental level & keeps you going but helps you chalk out a plan B and notsubmit to failures which is a mandatory induction into the world of entrepreneurship.

It is a must for the first time women entrepreneurs to treat their venture as a primary source of earning for them and their familys needs and not a top up. This helps you to get into that mental frame and start out real seriously and not treat it like some midsummer madness.

Your perceptual thinking determines your potential entrepreneurial success.

Most first time women entrepreneurs go wrong here. But its not only them who are at fault. It starts with the man & the woman behind her upbringing, the social circle and the society at large. Women are nurtured & socialized to believe that they need the permission & support of other men starting with the farther & ending with the husband to lead a life. More of like creepers always needing a support system to fall back on. No wonder women in 18 economies need their husbands permission to work according to a World Bank study. As a result most women wait for this permission and never give shape to their dreams unless they are lucky to receive the support they seek. Permission to be supported & the mental strength that they are not alone. Most women till date look up to men to take major decisions in their lives viz. permission to start, financial help, reference. This is a definite discouragement for the first time woman entrepreneurs to start and stand on their own.

Entrepreneurship is a collaborative process but the journey is yours alone. Your conviction is enough for you to begin. Dont wait for permission. People who believe in you will stay with you regardless of the outcome. This not only boosts your confidence but stops you from procrastinating. Plus women need to understand that a decision that is going to affect not only the decision maker but the people associated with them should be the result of mutual consultation and consensus and this does work well in both work as well as a family set up. The womans say is of as much importance as a mans. Participate more & take lead in the smaller things within the household and in the work sphere. Whether its taking a decision to start your dream venture or asking your boss to spearhead the annual business plan presentation for which you toiled day & night or taking the last call on a real estate buy in the locality you were brought up, calls for considerable amount of self-belief & assertion. Remember Self independence begins with self awareness.

The perceptual bias which is an offspring of gender inequality has percolated into the not so obvious layers of the subconscious so much so that now it seems normal. Women reported having lower confidence levels than men in their capabilities to start a business according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2018-19. Globally, 43.4% of women and 55.6% men reported that they believe they have the capabilities to start a business.

When it comes to a first time woman entrepreneurs success most people set their expectations very high because these women challenge the so-called normal doctrines of the society & are given the permission to be different. This alienates them & leaves them with no other way out but to succeed to prove themselves right. Most first time women entrepreneurs encounter people who are skeptical about their success. This forces women to end up operating from a place of fear instead of self belief. The exact reason most give up in the first few days at the slightest hint of failure.

Here are few things women need to do to deal with this mindset problem. Begin by envisioning your future and get possessive about it. Know your strengths and weaknesses equally & set practical goals. Being aware helps you fix the future set backs in the present & boosts your confidence by pushing you to implement tailor-made plans.

Along with awareness it is imperative to visualize your future. This not only boosts the motivation hormone but sets the ground for your future success because science says your brain cannot distinguish between you visualizing it & the thing really happening.

Awareness and visualization should be followed by acceptance. Accept that a probable backlash is unavoidable. Learn to stand behind your decisions irrespective of the number of times you fail at it.

Begin only when you believe and believe when it has begun.

The journey of a first time women entrepreneur is definitely challenging but the results of dogged determination and persistent hard work is equally worth it. After all, carving a niche for yourself has never been an easy breezy trip.

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5 Problems First-Time Women Entrepreneurs Often Face, and Their Solutions - Thrive Global

If you're a fan of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, (and who isn't), the company just announced something that should make you very happy. Starting this Saturday, Krispy Kreme will start delivering doughnuts from its 350 locations nationwide. Of course, you have to be within 10 miles of one of those locations, but if you are, you can order online and they'll bring your favorite doughnuts to your home.

The delivery service is a partnership with DoorDash, which will charge a $4.99 fee to bring youdoughnuts or boxed coffee. Customers can order online, or within the Krispy Kreme app.

This isn't the first time people have tried creative ways to get their hands on Krispy Kremes. You may remember last year the company first tried to shut down an entrepreneurial college student who drove four hours each way from Minnesota to Iowa to buy doughnuts and then resell them on campus.

Eventually the company changed course and decided to work with the student, even committing to donating 500 dozen doughnuts to the cause. While the new delivery serviceisn't going to reach quite that far, it's a welcome expansion from a pilot program the company started in 2018.

As if doughnut delivery wasn't enough, the company has a specialdeliverypromotion to draw attention to the new service that's really smart. You may have already figured out that this Saturday is Leap Day. Being a Leap Day baby is probablypretty cool, but let's face it, you only have a real birthday every four years. So,Krispy Kreme says it will deliver five dozen doughnuts to hospitals this weekend to help celebrate these special birthdays.

To get the freebies, you just have to tag a photo of your Leap Babywith @KrispyKreme on Twitter or Instagram, with the hashtag #KrispyKremeSpecialDelivery.

The reason I think this is such a smart marketing move is thatKrispy Kreme has an extraordinary following. With this new service itfound a way to giveits customers what they want, while maintaining the quality they expect.

The best marketing campaigns are the ones that delight customers, and tieinto what they already care about.That's a lesson for every marketer and it's worth considering here. When you think about how to win the affection of your customers, sometimes it's as simple as making it easier for them to get what they want.

Plus, everyone loves free doughnuts and babies.

Published on: Feb 25, 2020

The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

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Krispy Kreme Will Now Deliver Its Famous Doughnuts - Inc.

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Be honest: when was the last time you considered your professional future? Most likely, it was in a rare moment between to-dos or meetings, a passing yet nagging thought. And you probably told yourself youd think about what was next in your career when you werent so busy.

Not surprisingly, youre still waiting for that reflection time to arrive.

Interestingly, the wordreflectcomes from Old Frenchreflectermeaningto divert, to turn aside, deflect, and Latinreflecteremeaning bend back, turn back. When we reflect then, we must first divert from our current reality and then turn our thoughts back to look ahead.

In a world where external demands and a cacophony of noise bombard us, taking the time to turn inward and think deeply may be the ultimate luxuryand the best way to figure out whats next in your career.

Heres how to make the most of reflection:

Feel like you have no time?Take control of your calendarby mapping out how youre spending your days. Chances are there are periods of low value and mindless activities (e.g., scrolling through your social media feeds) that could be better spent. Treat reflection as essential to your career development by being intentional with your time and proactively scheduling time to think.

Its impossible to think deeply and carefully about your future while youre doing three other things. Resist the temptation to multitask and instead, focus on slowing down to give yourself a chance to findclarityamong your chaos.

Even if youve managed to dedicate time to reflection, its easy to get sidetracked when yourenvironmentincludes external forces vying for your attention. Up your odds for success by turning off notifications, putting your phone on silent or do not disturb, and closing down tabs.

Tough to focus in your office? Change your environment by getting up and taking a walk, preferably outside.Researchsuggests that taking a stroll in nature (or even your local park) enhances brain function, reduces stress, keeps you energized, and improves creativity, all of which contribute to better reflection sessions.

When you permit yourself time to reflect, try not to limit yourself to predetermined topics, or impose any rigid standards. Instead, allow your mind to freely wander, even if your thoughts deviate from your expectations. Remember, its aboutprogress, not perfection.

One of the best things about reflection is what it brings to the surface. We can unconsciously get into the habit of pushing down our deepest desires andfears, using our busyness to mask acknowledging what we want most. In a quiet moment of reflection, use your self-awareness to pay attention to how youre feeling, your reactions, and any new ideas that arise.

Building in time to think is great, but unless you capture your thoughts and goals, youll never be able to devise a plan ofactionto achieve them. Immediately record the results of your reflections by writing them in a journal or recording voice memos. In reviewing your notes, youll start to see some common themes. Use these as the fuel to power to your professional future and whats next in your career.

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This Is The Best Way To Figure Out What's Next In Your Career - Forbes

Ive spent a lot of my life trying to write songs that were mysterious, Lisa Loeb says. But now, she says, she tries to be more direct in her songwriting.

This strawberry cake is speaking to me, Lisa Loeb says. Anything that pink has got to be good.

The singer-songwriter resplendent in a fuzzy pink angora cardigan and her trademark cat-eye glasses is scanning the bakery display at the Garden Tea Room, a tiny caf tucked inside Forestwood Antique Mall, not far from where she grew up in North Dallas.

When her cake slice arrives, she instinctively snaps a photo and posts it on Instagram. Minutes later, shes second-guessing the post and cooks up a theory that Instagram should be more like the 70s board game Perfection: If you linger too long, the board springs up and all the pieces fly out.

With social media, its too easy for me to go down the rabbit hole, she says in her rapid-fire style of talking. Im still trying to get the balance right and just be in the moment.

Finding the holy grail of lifes perfect balance drives most of the songs on A Simple Trick to Happiness, Loebs 15th album, due out Feb. 28.

The title is partly a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the click-bait inspirational articles that litter social media today. But mostly, shes being serious. In all her years as a musician, childrens performer, actor, entrepreneur, mother and wife, Loeb has racked up a lot of wisdom on how to be a happy, well-adjusted human being.

Ive been in many situations relationships, business situations where I felt such responsibility to the other person I forget to look at what I needed, she says. I forgot its sometimes good to just walk away.

The 51-year-old L.A.-based singer is talking about Doesnt It Feel Good, the leadoff track on A Simple Trick to Happiness, an album filled with lyrics about self-awareness, resilience and the importance of making positive changes in your life.

After graduating from Dallas Hockaday School and Brown University, Loeb studied psychology in graduate school before shooting to the top of the charts with Stay, her wistful ballad from the 1994 film Reality Bites. Today, Loeb wishes shed finished her grad degree, but she says shes learned more from talking to fans than she ever did in school.

I loved studying the physiology of the brain, but over the years I realized the more important thing is how we connect to each other, she says. Its like Oprah: Fans tell me their stories about what motivates them and it inspires me to write songs people can carry around with them, like Post-it Notes you can stick on your mirror.

Happiness which Loeb calls her most personal and focused album was also sparked by her side career as a childrens performer. After winning her first Grammy in 2018 for the childrens album Feel What U Feel, Loeb realized all her tunes should be as direct as her songs for kids, many of which she co-wrote with fellow songwriters.

Ive spent a lot of my life trying to write songs that were mysterious, she says. But when you collaborate with others, you have to figure out what youre writing about it cant just be some abstract ideas swirling around in your head.

She also found inspiration from her 10-year-old daughter, Lyla, and 7-year-old son, Emet, whom she is raising in the San Fernando Valley with her husband, Roey Hershkovitz, a former talent booker for Conan OBrien and now the vice president of Capitol Studios. Both kids appear in the video to This is My Life, Loebs rockin new tune about focusing on moments of simplicity.

I can get stuck in the logistical side of things, but my son and daughter push me to stop and take time to make the rainbow waffles, she says. They help me to remember to enjoy the small things.

With young kids at home, Loeb is no longer willing to tour as long and hard as she did in her 20s and 30s.

I dont do T-shirt tours anymore, where the whole back of the concert shirt is filled with tour dates. Now, I do three-hour tours, like Gilligans Island, she says with a laugh.

She also doesnt miss the halcyon days of the late 90s, when she was all over MTV and VH1 and performing on Leno and Letterman and Saturday Night Live.

Back then, she says, she felt sucked into a vortex where everything was about how you looked, and how short your skirt was. Her strongest memory from back then? Sitting in endless hair-and-makeup sessions, bored out of her skull.

Today, after a quarter-century in and out of the spotlight, Loeb is happy, thanks in part to one simple trick: She doesnt think of herself as a brand-name performer, just a working creative person very anchored in reality.

I dont have Barbra Streisand success or Beyonc success. But can they sit at the Forestwood caf and eat a piece of strawberry cake peacefully? she asks with a grin. No they cannot.

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With a new album out Feb. 28, Lisa Loeb just wants to live in the moment - The Dallas Morning News

Shea Patterson is heading into the NFL Scouting Combine with some incredible self-awareness. And he plans on using that, as well as a chip on his shoulder, as motivation as on-field drills begin this week in Indianapolis.

On Tuesday, Patterson met with the media during NFL Scouting Combine interviews to discuss the opportunity thats ahead of him. The former Michigan quarterback understands that he might not be the most high-profile quarterback available in this years draft, but hes wanting to show that he still deserves a home in the professional ranks.

Im a guy thats gonna come in hungry with a chip on my shoulder, Patterson said, in a video posted by Angelique Chengelis of The Detroit News. Im probably not one of the most sought-after guys in this draft quarterback-wise, but Im looking forward to proving a lot of people wrong.

Patterson enters the NFL Combine as a projected priority undrafted free agent, according to ESPNs Mel Kiper Jr. The draft analyst believes Patterson could work his way into the late rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft, potentially as a sixth- or seventh-round selection.

Last season, Patterson ended his career at Michigan by throwing for 3,061 yards and 23 touchdowns while completing passes at a 56.2 percent clip. As the starter for the Wolverines in the last two years, Patterson posted a 19-7 record.

While Pattersons on-field success was enough to warrant an invitation to the combine, the quarterback also believes some of the hard times during his college career will help him at the next level. In particular, Patterson talked about having to play under four different offensive coordinators in four seasons, dating back to his days at Ole Miss.

I went through a lot of adversity throughout my college career, Patterson said. Ive had four OCs, four quarterback coaches, three head coaches, so I think the ability to come in and be a quick learner and learn the system as fast as possible, I think that will help me a lot.

Patterson is one of 11 Wolverines taking part in the NFL Scouting Combine.

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Shea Patterson at NFL Combine: Im looking forward to proving a lot of people wrong - Saturday Tradition

Opportunities To Love And Nurture Our Neglected Self

Be kinder to yourself. And then let your kindness flood the world. Pema Chodron

What is the relationship you have with yourself? Are you aware of your inner dialogue related with your self-worth? How do you treat yourself when youre angry, fearful or sad? How we relate to ourselves during our darkest moments shows what type of relationship we with ourselves. Everyone experiences positive emotions when things are going right, but what about when life isnt going according to plan? These are opportunities to love and nurture our neglected self because the disowned self is the one we must come home to. What do I mean by coming home to ourselves? It means creating a place to honour our emotions, especially the difficult ones which call for our attention.

Many people run away from their negative emotions, and I used to be one of them. Besides, who wants to experience negative states regularly? We want to feel alive and happy and negative emotions dont fit into that plan. Or do they? Negative emotions serve a purpose and we mustnt run away from them but deal with them with openness and compassion. Because they are important messengers and running away delays our emotional well-being. Think about the negative emotions you experience from time to time? How do you process them? Do you journal your feelings while paying attention to what theyre trying to tell you?

Consider the following scenario as an example of why we must love and nurture our neglected self. Your boss constantly criticises you on your work performance, and you feel a sense of: sadness, frustration and anger. Over time, you bottle these emotions because they remind you of the disparaging comments from your boss. But what if theres an underlying message contained within these emotions? Perhaps by connecting with them on a deeper level, you learn not to take the criticism personally but improve respective areas of your work, thus leading to a promotion.

When we give ourselves compassion, we are opening our hearts in a way that can transform our lives.Kristin Neff

Emotions are transitory events that come and go from our nervous system, hundreds of times a day. Most people are not mindful of them because theres so much going on inside their heads. That is why we should listen to what is taking place beneath the surface of our lives, otherwise we will succumb to the negative emotions like a tsunami. Connecting with our emotional life means checking in with ourselves to see how were doing. It means stopping, feeling and listening to what the emotions are trying to convey. A practice I undertake when anger, frustration or fear emerges is to stop what Im doing and place my hands on my heart to observe my emotions. I sit and feel them, no matter how difficult or uncomfortable they are. I know these emotions will pass, and my job is to connect with them through an embodied experience.

An embodied experience means to somatically perceive through our nervous system, the emotion/s without deferring them. Many people distract themselves via: drinking, drugs, food, shopping, etc. when negative emotions surface. But eventually the emotion will seep through and grab our attention, when we least expect it. Our emotions are our souls calling card. They dont have an agenda other than to communicate the essence of our true selves. They help us make sense of life, so we can live in congruency with our authentic self. For example, if youre not receiving adequate love and affection from your partner, your emotions will tell you something isnt right. Some people try to rationalise it by telling themselves their partner is busy at work or has a lot on their plate. But our emotions dont lie because they are the foundation of our intuition, if we care to listen. Perhaps were afraid to tell our partner we need more intimacy in the relationship? We might fear putting our demands on them will make them think were being demanding, and so we hold back.

Have you experienced something like this before? It might start out as a gut feeling that grows and turns into confrontation because you havent communicated yourself properly. Therefore, we must love and nurture our neglected self because it is the part of us we need to come home to. The neglected self is the comfortable sofa we lay our weary body after a long day at work. It is the comfy pyjamas we wear on a cold winters day. But like all emotions, we must also make room for negative emotions and process them with openness. The key is to be with your emotions and feel them in your body. Simply, stop what youre doing, and breathe into that area until the emotion dissolves or transforms.

I did this exercise recently after experiencing anger and tension from a busy day that didnt go as planned. I was sitting down late one evening, looking forward to reading, and was repeatedly interrupted, which led to anger and stress. I remember a thought entering my mind that said: I dont have time for this right now. In the next moment, I dropped what I was doing and breathed deeply for three or four minutes, whilst moving my awareness to my chest where the anger was situated. What took place moments later was the most exquisite love I have experienced. Its presence was reassuring and comforting, and I didnt want to return to what I was doing. Ive since experienced many more moments like this because what I learned is that on the other side of our negative emotions is a pure and abiding love that beckons us to come home to. It is this love we must nurture often, instead of neglecting coming home to our true self.

Read more here:
How To Love And Nurture Your Neglected Self - Thrive Global

DANIEL McCLOUD

Certain words evoke certain feelings and generate specific thought processes. For instance, when you hear the word marginalized, underrepresented, and at-risk. One immediately tends to think, poor, people of color. But cant anyone be marginalized, underrepresented, and viewed as at-risk when not provided with adequate resources? Terms such as these lead people to stereotype and incorrectly reason that these must be individuals who are lazy, criminal, and uneducated. Perhaps we should redefine this terminology. What if when we hear these words, instead of them invoking negative stereotypes about people of color, they instead remind us of the inequities and oppressive systems that are present in America. We must realize that these inequities are the reasons for the labeling or branding of groups of people, unjustly based on their skin color and not rightfully because of social injustice.

Instead of invoking victim-blaming and apathetic behavior, when we hear these words, we instead seek to become more empathetic, attempting to get inside another persons feelings and worldview. What if these words then lead us to seek self-knowledge and to take inventory of our own implicit biases and prejudices. To redefine these words also requires a level of respect for all people, particularly those who may be different than us. According to Wiggins & McTighe (1998), respect can lead to open-mindedness regarding the views of others.

Yes, words and language are powerful, but actions are even more powerful. We must choose to change the written narrative that has, for years, been used as a tool of oppression. How we describe the human condition has always been critical to identifying injustice and moving towards solutions. As the late Toni Morrison once said, We die. That may be the meaning of life. But we do language. That may be the measure of our lives.

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The Lion's Den | Sticks and stones - The Community Word