Tag: environment

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Community Corporation Drop the FEAR and Focus on the FAITH Drop the ME and focus on the OTHERS Early Childhood Education Guiding Lights: A Journey of Courage, Compassion and Faith Self-Improve Small Businesses Workforce Development

True Security and Happiness: A Deeper Dive into Creation Over Consumption

“True security and happiness is about creating, not consuming.” This sentiment, expressed by Di Tran in his upcoming book “Drop the FEAR and Focus on the FAITH”, captures a profound truth about human fulfillment.

Definition: At its core, the phrase suggests that genuine contentment and a sense of security cannot be achieved through mere consumption or accumulation of external goods, including material possessions. Instead, it is through acts of creation and contribution that we truly find meaning and satisfaction.

What: This “creation” doesn’t necessarily refer to artistic pursuits alone. It’s about self-progress, small victories, and acts of kindness. Whether it’s tidying up a closet, washing a dish with attention, or noticing the details while washing a sock, it’s the act of creating order, care, and value in our world.

Why: The black hole of emptiness inside each of us isn’t something that can be filled with external goods or validation. It yearns for personal growth, for self-made achievements, and for the satisfaction that comes from contributing to something greater than oneself. Consuming might provide a momentary high, but it’s fleeting. Creating, on the other hand, leaves a lasting impact.

Where: This principle can be applied in every facet of our lives. In our homes, when we opt to fix something rather than throw it away. At work, when we choose to innovate instead of simply maintaining. In our communities, when we decide to volunteer or lend a helping hand. Each act of creation, no matter how small, enriches our environment and ourselves.

When: Every moment presents an opportunity to choose creation over consumption. It’s when you decide to cook a meal from scratch rather than ordering takeout. It’s when you pause to listen to a friend instead of immersing yourself in the next binge-worthy series. It’s in those moments, those choices, that we find true security and happiness.

In conclusion, Di Tran’s perspective reminds us that it’s not in the act of taking but in the act of giving and creating that we find our most profound joys. It’s not about self; it’s about others, about the world around us, and about leaving it a little better than we found it.

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Community Early Childhood Education Guiding Lights: A Journey of Courage, Compassion and Faith Leadership Development Self-Improve Workforce Development

Empathy for Teachers and School Staff: A Jefferson County Public School Perspective

Today, August 9th, 2023, marks the inaugural day of the academic year for Jefferson County Public School (JCPS). As the dawn breaks and the school bells chime, hundreds of parents, children, teachers, and staff embark on yet another educational journey.

Among these early risers is Mr. Di Tran. With the sunrise barely piercing the horizon, Tran manages to drop off his two boys at school by 7 a.m. For many parents, the morning hustle can feel like a challenging maze—navigating different drop-off schedules, adjusting to new work timings, and managing their children’s myriad needs. Di Tran’s experience mirrors that of countless parents in the district. His morning, albeit hectic, offers a glimpse into the greater challenges that JCPS teachers and staff confront daily.

Imagine this: a teacher who, like Tran, is a parent. This educator not only has to orchestrate their own children’s morning routines but also has to reach school well before the students to prepare for the day. Their dedication isn’t just about imparting lessons but about ensuring that the learning environment is welcoming and conducive for each child. And all this often before they’ve had their first cup of coffee!

As parents, the instinct is often to focus on our immediate challenges. But taking a step back, we recognize that educators and school staff are balancing professional commitments with personal responsibilities, just as we are. It is crucial, now more than ever, to cultivate empathy, understanding, and patience. By doing so, we create a supportive community that thrives on mutual respect.

Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping our children’s futures. Their mornings, as chaotic as ours, are a testament to their commitment to our kids. It’s not just about arriving early; it’s about arriving with a mindset to inspire, guide, and nurture young minds.

As the new academic year unfolds, let’s remember that behind every lesson plan, school event, or classroom activity, there’s an army of dedicated staff making it all possible. It is the teachers who lay down the foundations, the administrative staff who ensure smooth operations, and the support staff who maintain a safe and clean environment. Each one deserves our gratitude.

Let’s start this school year with a renewed promise: to be more empathetic, patient, and appreciative of those who work tirelessly for our children’s futures. After all, as the saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” In our case, the JCPS community is that village. Let’s make sure we support every member with love, empathy, and understanding.

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Information Technology Leadership Development Self-Improve Small Businesses

Follow Your Interest, Follow Your Passion: Adding Value to Others and the World

The idea of following your passion and doing what you love is often touted as the key to success and happiness. However, the reality is that passion alone may not be enough to sustain a fulfilling career or life. It is important to consider how your interests and passions can add value to others and the world around you. This is the philosophy behind Di Tran’s book “Drop the ME and focus on the OTHERS,” in which he shares his journey from a successful computer engineer to a small business owner dedicated to serving others.

Di Tran followed the conventional path of going to school, attending college, and becoming a computer engineer. He quickly rose to the top of his field and worked for a Fortune 50 company. However, despite his success, Di Tran began to feel bored and unfulfilled in his work. He realized that he had hit a ceiling in his career and that the work had become repetitive and uninteresting.

On the other hand, Di Tran had always been interested in entrepreneurship and had run small businesses on the side. He realized that his passion for serving others through his small businesses was what truly drove him. He decided to leave his career in IT and devote himself to entrepreneurship full-time.

Di Tran’s journey highlights the importance of following your interests and passions while also considering how they can add value to others and the world. Simply doing what you love may not be enough if it does not benefit others or contribute to society. By framing his passion for entrepreneurship in terms of serving others, Di Tran found a fulfilling and meaningful path.

The key takeaway from Di Tran’s story is that it is important to think about how your interests and passions can contribute to the greater good. This does not necessarily mean that you have to pursue a career in a specific field, but rather that you should consider how your skills and talents can be used to make a positive impact.

For example, if you love art, you could consider volunteering at a local community center or school to teach art to children. If you are passionate about the environment, you could look for ways to reduce your carbon footprint or volunteer with an environmental organization. The possibilities are endless, and the important thing is to think beyond yourself and consider how you can make a difference.

Following your interest and passion is important, but it is equally important to consider how your passions can add value to others and the world. Di Tran’s story shows that by framing his passion for entrepreneurship in terms of serving others, he found a fulfilling and meaningful path. So, whether you are just starting out or looking to make a change, take some time to think about how your interests and passions can make a positive impact on the world.