Posts
Be as effective as you can!
Mr. Mike DeSimone provided us, newly arrived Living Education students, with an insightful lesson on how to become even more effective in our work, academics, and personal lives. He provided an interactive game that made his points stand out even more. This was a much-appreciated discussion, and it inspired us as we begin to kick off these exciting nine months here!
The Myth of Multitasking…
Mr. DeSimone started by sharing a story of how shift-tasking can be falsely confused with multitasking. Unlike how we think of multitasking being a good and productive way to manage our time, shift tasking, also known as switch tasking, takes the focus off the project at hand and distorts it elsewhere. Instead of being able to do the work quicker, shift tasking takes longer to complete because of the time to “switch” back and forth between tasks. It is better to do one task efficiently, then move on to a second, instead of a poor attempt at doing two things at once.
The 5 S’s
A large key to Mr. Desimone’s discussion was focused on the 5 S’s.
- Sort: Keep only what is necessary and discard everything else.
- Set in Order: Arrange and label only necessary items for easy use and return.
- Shine: Keep everything swept clean, and tidy.
- Standardize: The state that exists when the first three pillars of the 5 S’s are properly kept.
- Sustain: Make a habit of properly maintaining correct procedures.
The 5 S’s, we have learned, are beneficial in ensuring that the precious resource of time is well cared for. Mr. DeSimone provided a handout to assist our grasping of how the 5 S’s can play a drastic role in the effectiveness, efficiency, and accuracy in our lives.
Further Than Just the Physical
When posed with the question of whether the 5 S’s could be taken past the obvious physical principles they hold, Mr. DeSimone responded with, “These can be taken and used to assist the personal relationships we hold with others.” If how we interact with others is not sorted, then we may be spending time as a group when it should be one-on-one. Setting the time spent with others in order can aid in a stronger relationship with other people. Mr. DeSimone’s lessons were taken to heart by all of us as we strive to be the most efficient and effective students/workers we can!
“Good News!”
Mr. Jonathan McNair began his forum to the LivingEd students by discussing how there is a constant stream of news, with much of it negative, as the world spirals further away from God. If we are not careful, we can be easily influenced b
y it. We have a responsibility to watch world events and be aware of what is going on in the world but still analyze what we are taking in.
“Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man”, we read in Luke 21:36.
Mr. McNair went on to discuss how those in the Church can effectively evaluate the news sources to which we read and listen, to avoid being manipulated.
Factors that influence the news we consume
Several factors such as age and political leaning lead us to consume certain types of news. Younger people tend to favor getting their news online whereas older people are more likely to watch news stations. Those in the world who have political leanings tend to side with news outlets that agree with their opinions. Whether we are aware of it or not, we tend to get our news from sources to which we relate and sympathize.
“The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness” (Proverbs 15:4).
We must be aware of our tendencies to gravitate towards certain news sources and evaluate whether they have all the facts. We must seek out the truth and be aware that news media organizations may be feeding us exactly what we want to hear for their gain, not necessarily because it’s true. They are in the business of making money.
Challenge Yourself
What are the biases? How accurate is the news? Do you have all the information on the topic? All news sources will have bias; however, it is a matter of identifying what the bias is and the strength of it. Consider from where the author or news outlet is coming. Certain words may be used by a group of news outlets with the same biases. Is the information true, or is it somewhat fabricated? When we learn about a current event, we may not be getting the complete story. By choosing to relate or quote from certain news sources that are strongly biased or inaccurate we undermine your credibility.
Strategies to Evaluate Your News
System: Think about the bias of the news organization and realize their job is to grab your attention.
Source: News outlets that appear different may be using each other’s stories for their content.
Perspective: Be aware of the perspectives of the news source and your own. Younger people often view world events differently than older generations. Yourself: You will have a bias towards what you see and hear. It is crucial to realize and learn from those preconceived biases.
Final Thoughts
Even though we are commanded to watch for end-time events, this doesn’t mean we can switch off our brains when we watch, listen, or read the news. Our brains must be ready to analyze what we are consuming so that we are not led astray.
Bible Quiz: Pentecost
Author: Lexi Mitchell | Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2023-24
What do you know about Pentecost? Use the link below to take a quiz and find out!
Lexi Mitchell is a first-year student in the Living Education-Charlotte Program. She is from Long Island, New York. At home, she worked as a lifeguard and a swim instructor. Currently, she assists in the Living Education department as a social media manager and as a producer of written content. She enjoys reading, cooking, exercising, and spending time with family.
Bible Quiz: The Days of Unleavened Bread
Author: Lexi Mitchell | Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2023-24
What do you know about the Days of Unleavened Bread? Use the link below to take a quiz and find out!
Lexi Mitchell is a first-year student in the Living Education-Charlotte Program. She is from Long Island, New York. At home, she worked as a lifeguard and a swim instructor. Currently, she assists in the Living Education department as a social media manager and as a producer of written content. She enjoys reading, cooking, exercising, and spending time with family.
Bible Quiz: Passover
Author: Lexi Mitchell | Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2023-24
What do you know about Passover? Use the link below to take a quiz and find out!
Lexi Mitchell is a first-year student in the Living Education-Charlotte Program. She is from Long Island, New York. At home, she worked as a lifeguard and a swim instructor. Currently, she assists in the Living Education department as a social media manager and as a producer of written content. She enjoys reading, cooking, exercising, and spending time with family.
Students Return from Holy Days Break
Author: Hyabiel Daniel | Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2023-24
As Living Education students return from their break during the Holy Days, a palpable sense of renewed determination fills the air. With just three weeks remaining until graduation, each day becomes an opportunity to seize the moment and make the most of their remaining time in the classroom.
The break served as more than just a pause in their studies; it was a period of reflection and realignment. Now, as they step back into the classroom, they bring with them a renewed sense of purpose and an eagerness to dive back into their studies.
Every lecture, discussion, and assignment takes on added significance as students strive to finish strong. They approach their remaining coursework with newfound vigour, eager to absorb as much knowledge as possible and to apply it in meaningful ways.
But it’s not just about academics. The bonds forged during their time at Living Education run deep, and as students reconnect with their peers, they find strength in community and support in their shared journey towards graduation.
As the days fly by, the reality of graduation draws nearer, and with it, a mix of excitement and nostalgia. They reflect on the journey that brought them to this moment – the challenges overcome, the friendships forged, and the lessons learned along the way.
Yet, amidst the flurry of activity, there’s a sense of anticipation for what lies ahead. Graduation marks not just the end of their time at Living Education, but the beginning of a new chapter filled with endless possibilities.
In these final weeks, Living Education students stand on the precipice of a bright future, armed with the knowledge, skills, and values that will guide them in the years to come. As they prepare to take their next steps, they do so with hearts full of gratitude for the experiences shared and the memories made, ready to embrace whatever the future may hold.
Hyabiel Daniel is a first-year Living Education Student. She is from London, United Kingdom, and typically attends the Seven Oaks Congregation. She enjoys studying social sciences and also loves spending time reading books, baking, and spending time with loved ones.
Bible Quiz: The Gospel
Author: Lexi Mitchell | Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2023-24
What do you know about the Gospel? Use the link below to take a quiz to find out!
Lexi Mitchell is a first-year student in the Living Education-Charlotte Program. She is from Long Island, New York. At home, she worked as a lifeguard and a swim instructor. Currently, she assists in the Living Education department as a social media manager and as a producer of written content. She enjoys reading, cooking, exercising, and spending time with family.
It’s Your Fault—No Really, It Is.
Author: Lexi Mitchell | Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2023-24
Mr. Tyler Wayne gave the Living Education students a forum that he aimed to be applicable to any aspect of life. The topic he covered can apply to situations while living in the dorm (in the case of the students), at work, interacting with family members, or even while standing in line at the grocery store.
His point was simple, but it is one that we all can struggle with from time to time.
We must take accountability for the things we can control.
What could we have done better?
His emphasis was on the idea that we all must acknowledge anything that we could have done in a scenario, and take responsibility for our shortcomings on that subject, regardless of how minor it may seem compared to the scenario at large.
He gave the students a formula for ownership that can be applied to almost any scenario in which a conflict has arisen.
- We are to verbally apologize, using the words “I’m sorry”, “ it’s my fault”, or any other sincere variant.
- We must express what we’re saying sorry for, and identify part of the problem that’s our fault.
- We must explain what we’re going to do to fix the issue or change for it next time.
- Finally, we need to believe it, because empty words mean nothing. In fact, it makes things worse.
At first, this mindset can seem unrealistic, because whenever things go wrong, we tend to blame others for the result. But once we assess a situation in an unbiased manner, we will recognize that we have more of a part to play in things that happen to us than we might think.
As an example, Mr. Wayne gave a scenario in which a student can’t get all their work done in school. Typically, the student immediately blames the teacher for being unrealistic or overbearing. Instead, the student can take responsibility and recognize what they can do differently. They could get better sleep, devote more time to schoolwork, or even lower their personal workload by dropping the class. Although that would be a drastic step, it is something that the student could consider in order to acknowledge their role in the situation.
Real-life scenarios
In order to thoroughly get his point across, Mr. Wayne wrote down several scenarios, and had the students formulate an extreme ownership response that takes responsibility for each conflict that occurs.
Scenario 1:
Not taking ownership: ”You consistently forget to take out the trash.”
Taking ownership: “I’m sorry, I didn’t let you know when the trash needed to get thrown out. Also, I know the garbage isn’t always filled at consistent times, so it can be hard to monitor. Next time, I’ll let you know when it’s ready to be taken out.”
Scenario 2:
Not taking ownership: “My boss didn’t give me the help I needed for a project I had to do.”
Taking ownership: “I’m sorry for failing to accomplish my task. I didn’t ask for the assistance I needed when I realized there wasn’t enough information and resources. Next time, I’ll be more proactive in asking for assistance when I need it.”
Practice makes perfect
As we do this, we will get used to taking responsibility, and with experience it will get easier over time. However, as with anything else, human pride and tendencies to gloat can impact how well our efforts are received by the other party.
So what happens if our attempt to be mature doesn’t work? What if the person is antagonistic and blames us for what happened, even if they had something to do with the situation as well?
Accept it! We should not let ego get in the way. After all, they’re only agreeing with what you’re saying. If we truly believe what we’re saying in our apology, we will be able to put our pride aside and be the bigger person in almost every conflict we are involved with.
Lexi Mitchell is a first-year student in the Living Education-Charlotte Program. She is from Long Island, New York. At home, she worked as a lifeguard and a swim instructor. Currently, she assists in the Living Education department as a social media manager and as a producer of written content. She enjoys reading, cooking, exercising, and spending time with family.
Failing Forward
Author: Lexi Mitchell | Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2023-24
“I didn’t fail 1000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1000 steps.” -Thomas A. Edison
“It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.” -Vince Lombardi
“I think it’s important to have a good hard failure when you’re young. I learned a lot out of that. Because it makes you kind of aware of what can happen to you.” -Walt Disney
Mr. Rick Stafford gave the Living Education students an inspiring forum, starting by describing the lives of notable people who went through hardship. The people he described are among countless individuals who have failed at something, but turned their lives around for the better. They did not let their failures define them; rather, they persevered and used their struggles as learning opportunities.
Failure and success: what do those words mean?
When discussing failure, Mr. Stafford explained, it becomes imperative to understand exactly what failure is. A popular definition of the word is a lack of success. But in that case, what exactly is success? Is it wealth, a good career, a happy family, or materialistic goods? Or is it something else entirely? Simply put, success is whatever you define it as for yourself. Your success is not dependent on the opinions of others.
Not your parents.
Not your friends.
Not society.
Regardless of how we define success, as individuals called into God’s truth, it should always center around living God’s way of life and doing what God would be proud of.
Why doesn’t everyone succeed?
Life can be hard. There are almost infinite hurdles that we as humans can face that hinder our forward trajectory. Some reasons include:
- Their environment
- Health
- Intellect
- Economy
- Their childhood
- Who they married
- Wrong career choice
- Bad habits
Of course, many of these reasons are out of our control. But it is a lack of discipline that prevents us from overcoming our hurdles and doing the best we can with what we were given. If we can’t control our minds, it will inevitably control us. This lack of control leads to the very failure we are so afraid of.
“If only…” is a common statement among people who suffer from many failures. If only I had been born into money, had more time, better health, or better luck.
Mr. Stafford informed the students of a harsh truth: These are all excuses.
But thankfully, once we understand our excuses, we can learn to apply the concept that our thoughts become our reality. In other words, the things we blame become the things that actually slow us down.
Can’t never did anything.
Many successful people had failures, but worked through them.They analyzed their failures, learned how to overcome them, and became better because of them.
In Hebrews 11 is a list of people who failed in some way. But at the exact same time, it is also a list of people who learned how to overcome their failures.
“Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.” Matt 24:46
What characterizes a failure?
In considering these points, two main reasons for failure can be gleaned.
For one, failures have no real purpose in life. Another main reason is that someone can become afraid, and therefore don’t want to try to improve their situations, whatever it may be.
In addition, certain characteristics are found in people who can be described as “failures”.
- Failures lack persistence. Rather, people who succeed have an abundance of tenacity and sticktoitiveness.
- Failures lack conviction. Instead, we must recognize what we want and go for it.
- Failures rationalize. They concoct reasons why they gave up and couldn’t do what they aimed for.
- Failures dismiss past mistakes. But people who succeed learn from their mistakes instead.
- Failures have a lack of self discipline. They lack self control, and give into their feelings.
- Failures have poor self esteem and lack no self worth. They don’t do anything for themselves to be proud of.
- Finally, Failures have a fatalistic attitude. They don’t accept responsibility and blame others instead.
The strongest people are the ones who overcome. They weren’t in a good place to begin, but they got there eventually.
Once we know our definition of success for ourselves, use God’s tools and knowledge to gain it.
God knows what He’s talking about!
Always remember: we’re just children under God. We may fall, but we should use the guidance of our Father to bring us up and take us where we want to be.
There is really only one way to be a failure. That is to quit.
“Fail early, fail often, but always fail forward.” -John C. Maxwell
Lexi Mitchell is a first-year student in the Living Education-Charlotte Program. She is from Long Island, New York. At home, she worked as a lifeguard and a swim instructor. Currently, she assists in the Living Education department as a social media manager and as a producer of written content. She enjoys reading, cooking, exercising, and spending time with family.