When one door closes,

How long do we wait until another one opens?

How long do we stall, our hands floating above the doorknob wondering

What lies beneath?

The anxiety floats through on a wave,

Rippling into existence.

The excitement crashes down upon it,

Creating a shockwave beneath it.

You shake away the feeling,

Reminding yourself that you are in charge.

With a gulp

The door swings open.

Your sweaty hand turns into eager footsteps as you step through the threshold.

Sunlight filters through.

A whole new world stands before you.

Chuckling to yourself

You remember.

This new beginning is for you.

Are you craving a coffee run while also trying to be mindful of your health? This former barista has some tricks up her sleeve to help you lessen your sugar intake, up your protein goals, and trim your budget without losing that wonderful taste.

Let’s Start with the Basics

Don’t be afraid of substitutions – This is going to be the key to adjusting your drink to fit your health goals.
It won’t be perfect the first try – Take note of what you wish it had and refer back to this guide.

Picking a Base

Are you an espresso lover? Traditional coffee? Cold press? These are perfect bases for healthy alternatives. You need to identify what you want the heart of your drink to be.
Espresso will pack more of an immediate punch; this is the base for our beloved mochas and lattes. Feel like you don’t get enough espresso? Try an Americano! Americanos typically have double the espresso when compared to a latte, and it can be made hot or over ice.

Do you love traditional coffee but want an extra punch? Ask for a depth charge! This is one espresso shot added to your daily cup of joy.

Cold press is the beloved, 12-hour brewed, icy goodness that’s made to fill any iced drink. Did you know that if you order a cold press with caramel sauce the creaminess makes it taste like a latte? It’s one of my favorite go-to drinks that has a lower price point and extra caffeine.

Let’s Talk Milk

When it comes to cost, milk is the biggest factor. Adding milk to your coffee can sometimes double the price of your favorite cup. However, picking a base and adding a splash of milk, or a milk alternative, can make all the difference. Some franchises even have protein-friendly milk options with less sugar.

Flavor Time

My suggestion here is to ask for sugar free substitutes. Many coffee shops have a variety of syrups that are sugar free. That being said, if you find that that the Toasted White Mocha syrup is too good to miss out on, ask for a half shot. A typical medium coffee can have four-to-five pumps of syrup in each drink. Getting two or three pumps instead can still give you the satisfying taste without the added calories.

Need Inspiration?

I’ve got you covered!

MacroBarista shares recipes daily on their website and across TikTok. These recipes can help you follow your health goals and save you money!

My Go-To Caribou Dupe

I absolutely love and adore a Campfire Mocha with White Chocolate. How in the world do I make this any healthier?

A Caribou Crafted Press is the answer! The crafted press has a similar taste to any of Caribou’s signature creations with the purpose of being a healthy alternative.

A Crafted Press has a cold-pressed base with a splash of cream and the milk of your choice. This drink includes one pump of any flavor. I add one pump of marshmallow syrup and a half-pump of white chocolate. This has been my go-to for the past four years now. I really love it, and I think you will, too!

Looking for more health and wellness tips? Check out the Health & Wellness section of the FlexTrades’ blog!

Several years ago, I took a trip to DC to visit my sister, a US Air Force Master Sergeant (MSgt). We spent one day walking nearly 12 miles at the National Mall, hitting up all the “must see” places, including:

The White House (where the first Black president of the United States hopped into a helicopter and flew to Boston while we watched in awe)
The Washington Monument
The buds of the cherry blossoms as they were just starting to pop
A private tour of the US Capitol building with an intern from the Senator’s office
The WWII Memorial where we remembered our grandfathers
The Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial where we shaded in the names of complete strangers
The Lincoln Memorial
The grounds of the Korean War Veterans Memorial
The FDR Memorial to ‘fear nothing but fear itself’
The Tidal Basin
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial

In the end, we got to watch the helicopters fly back overhead as President Obama returned from Boston that evening. It was an incredible day that still brings back so many emotions and memories. One thing that stands out to me is the simplicity and magnitude of the MLK Jr. Memorial. A giant piece of rock (30 feet high) with MLK Jr.’s image carved into it and the simple statement:

‘Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.’

Growing up in southwestern Minnesota, I learned how Martin Luther King Jr. had changed the world. It was on the grounds outside of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta where I was lucky enough to take some time to ponder how different the world could have been had that fateful April day in 1968 never happened.

I learned to treat others the way I wanted to be treated, to befriend (and defend) anyone who looked like they needed a friend and to never take for granted the gifts and abilities I had. As one of four kids in a dual-income, lower-middle class family, we played with all the kids in the neighborhood and befriended the children who came in and out of the women’s shelter just behind our house. It never dawned on me that Josh was any different than me just because he had dark hair, dark eyes, and dark skin while I had dark hair, dark eyes, and lighter skin. It didn’t occur to me that Judy might have bigger struggles than me because her tall, white father had fallen in love with a petite, beautiful black woman.

I’m hopeful that I’m doing as good of a job with my children as I believe my parents did with their own. However, I know that the world around us hasn’t gotten any better. We still have so far to go in fighting for MLK Jr.’s dream.

To celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy (this link shares history of MLK Jr. Day), I leave you with two inspiring MLK Jr. quotes:

“Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.”

“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”

Create Habits and Stay Mindful in 2024

Happy New Year, everyone! 2024 is here whether you’re ready for it or not. The new-year pressure to make positive changes and set big goals can be overwhelming. Here are some tips on how to create habits and stay mindful.

Three Tips to Help Create Habits and Stay Mindful

1. Shift Your Mindset: “Your reality is a projection of your thoughts or the things you habitually think about.” – Stephen Richards, How to Get Everything You Can Imagine: Volume 1: How Mind Power Works

How to Have a Positive Mindset

Write down what you are grateful for.
Consume positive media.
Surround yourself with positive people.
Write out a “wins” checklist each day.
Create a morning mindset routine – Make sure you have one thing to look forward to that day.
Take inventory on your thoughts throughout the day.

2. The Two-Minute Rule: If it can be done in less than two minutes, just do it. Using the two-minute rule from the book, Atomic Habits, by James Clear. This rule helps get you started and build momentum.

Nearly Any Habit Can Be Scaled Down to a Two-Minute Version

“Read before bed each night” becomes “read one page.”
“Do thirty minutes of yoga” becomes “take out my yoga mat.”
“Study for class” becomes “open my notes.”
“Fold the laundry” becomes “fold one towel.”
“Run three miles” becomes “tie my running shoes.”

3. Small Changes Big Results: Make your habits simple & easy.

How to Choose a Habit to Form (Source: CNN health)

Set a specific goal and start small.
Create a plan. Make the plan detailed and include time of day and duration.
Make it fun. Research shows if you do not enjoy the process, you will not stick to it.
Be flexible. Allow yourself a few “get out of jail free cards.” Sometimes things come up that will disrupt your plan. Consistency is key.
Find social support. Tell a friend / family member the habit you are working toward building.

Habit Example: I want to get more steps each day.

Specific Goal: I want to get at least 7,000 steps each day.
Plan: Each morning, I will begin my day with a 10-minute walk outside.
Make it fun: On Wednesdays, I will walk to my local coffee shop.
Flexibility: If it is snowing / raining outside, I will let myself skip the walk that day.
Support: Ask a friend to join me in tracking 7,000 steps each day.

List of Mindfulness Tips to Add to Your 2024 Routine:

Intentional Breathing – Set a timer 1-3 times a day to breathe with intention. The breath counts should be a 5 second inhale / 5 second exhale / 5 times kind of thing. Simply put, try intentional / controlled breathing for at least 60 seconds.
Stretching through the motions – Create time throughout the day to do simple stretches: arms, neck, and back.
Eat with meaning – Eat with your less dominant hand and wait a few seconds before taking your next bite. When possible, eat without TV, phone or external entertainment.
Sleep Preparation – Find a set time to wake up and go to bed. Wake up 5 minutes earlier. Eliminate screen time 10-30 minutes before bed and instead try reading for 10 minutes each night.

Do you want more tips and tricks on how to start your new year off right? Check out Debunking New Year’s Resolutions.

New Year’s Resolutions Redone – “Debunking Resolutions”

New Year’s resolutions are often cited as the unattainable goals we set in January, and they are iconic for being forgotten in the new year. The truth is this – you don’t need to set a specific date to start a goal. In fact, my New Year’s resolution started last November, and I’m continuing it in 2023.

Putting pressure onto the meaning of a resolution implies that, after you complete it, there’s no other work to do. I’m here to help debunk new year’s resolutions and hopefully inspire you to create and maintain realistic and meaningful goals in your life… all year round.

My New Year’s Resolution in 2022

In 2022, I was determined to take control of my health. I vlogged (Video Blogged) every morning and talked about the good, the bad and the in between when it comes to weight loss. Two months later, my goal disappeared. Lack of motivation and passion were surely not the issues, so what went wrong?

Focusing on a diet plan outside of my budget range
Putting pressure on perfection with no room for error
Ignoring short-term goals within a long-term plan
Failing to figure out the why

Create Your Goals

Let’s talk about how you can avoid the same four mistakes that I made and crush your goals in 2023. First, we need to discuss SMART Goals. What is a SMART goal? I’m so glad you asked. Check out the graphic below.

Need help identifying SMART goals? Microsoft Office offers this free template: here.

Now, you may have learned about SMART goals in school, but let’s break them down a little bit, shall we? SMART goals are goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and monitored over time. Truthfully, these are, what I like to call, goals with intention. We discuss the power of manifestation, and this will help you achieve your goals. The reality is that when you sit down to create a goal, you immediately plan the steps you need to take in order to accomplish it. When a resolution is set, there’s no thought process. It’s just a desire you would like to achieve someday.

Setting Goals is all About Intent

The intent to do something can make your dream a reality. If you intend to get a promotion at your job by the end of the year, you are more likely to take the steps that are necessary to getting there. This is when the plan starts to map itself out:

Assisting with extra projects
Expressing specified interests in your quarterly reviews
Setting a timeline
Self-Assessing your current project completion

These simple steps are prime examples of SMART goals in action. You specified by the end of the year that you want that promotion. You measured the goal by pinpointing prime areas; areas in which you can showcase that you’re ready for new responsibilities. These goals are made attainable through your self-assessment and quarterly review check-ins. The promotion then becomes realistic as this plan fits within your daily routine and works with your schedule. You identified the time by stating when the promotion is happening and how often you would touch base to check on this goal.

Starting a 2023 Resolution in November

Yes, I started my New Year’s Resolution in November of 2022. And while the new year is a great time to reevaluate change in your life, my goal this year couldn’t wait. Again, my goal was to lose weight and take control of my health.

My initial resolution in 2022 resulted in me losing two lbs., or about one pound a month.

My resolutions for 2023 remained the same, but by creating SMART goals, I have been able to lose approximately 10 lbs. in the past two months, or about five pounds a month.

I am following the same exact routine this year as I did last year, but this time I found resources within my budget to ensure that my goal was both attainable and realistic. I now have weekly goals, a 6-month goal, and an end-of-year goal to keep me motivated and moving forward. These goals are accompanied by a realistic, imperfect schedule that works for me.

Next Steps

Debunk those new year’s resolutions, and don’t lose sight of what you want to achieve. Use SMART goals, think about your passions, and place intent behind these ideas. Watch your goals become reality, discuss them with those close to you, and enjoy the view as that New Year’s resolution voodoo simply fades away.

Attention Travel Technicians: Homemade Gift Guide

Put a homemade twist on gifts during the holidays with this homemade gift guide. Check out these affordable and quick gifts to send to your loved ones.

For the Foodies

Soup In a Jar

Grab your favorite dry ingredients and place them in a mason jar! Tie a ribbon with a written recipe attached to add that personal touch. Need ideas? Check here.

The Cookie Jar

Find your family’s favorite box of cookie mix and toppings at your local store. Place them into a mason jar and add a bow to the lid. For inspiration, click my two personal favorites Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix, and Peppermint Cookie Mix.

S’mores Please

Missing the warm summer and anxiously waiting for bonfire season? The wait is over, this recipe will get you there! You’ll need chocolate of your choice, marshmallows, and golden grahams. More information is available here.

Kiss A Day Jar

Fill a jar with desired candy, find a chalk painter marker, or print out a label. This can say “A Kiss A Day While I’m Away” or use it as a countdown jar to help your loved ones visualize the time. Here is an example: Kiss Jar.

For the family

Hand Warmers/ Mini Heat Packs

Create these microwavable crafts with rice and fabric. Turn small fabric squares from your craft store into a thoughtful gift. This is a great gift for adults and children. Click here for instructions.

Bubble Bath Gift Bag/Box

Find travel size bubble bath items, bath bombs, loofas and/or towels. For children, add small bath toys! There are plenty of fun ways to add excitement to this gift and it’s perfect for all ages. Find inspiration here.

Relaxation/Sensory Box

For this gift, think of items that relax your loved one. Do they enjoy a specific beverage, snack, or hobby? Find items to place together in a box with tissue paper. For children, make a sensory box. Grab a few small toys, model magic, and stickers to create a magical experience. Need a little help? Here it is!

Memory/Adventure Box

Shutterfly offers free photo prints for new app users. Order prints with memories or adventures you’d like to share and grab a shadowbox from your local craft store. Or even send supplies for the family to create one to share with you when you return! Memory Box Tips.

A little something extra

Change your holiday tradition with family at home. Target and Walmart have family onesie sets. Hulu offers a Watch Party feature, that allows multiple screens to watch the same movie or show together. Set up your webcam and enjoy this new memory!

Are you away from home during the holidays? Read about these holiday tips to help get through this time of year.

In a faraway country, an orphan, named Shin Ok-soon, was put on a plane to the USA leaving all that she knew behind; sights, sounds, smells. That plane took her to Minneapolis International Airport, and there she became Kim Annette Cox. Kim met her adoptive family, former Minnesota Viking, Fred Cox, his wife, Elayne, and their three biological children (Darryl, Susan and Fred). I am that orphan and this is part of my story.

Adoption

My life in the United States began on October 21, 1970. I moved from a big city to a small hobby farm with my new family. Days were spent going to school, picking weeds in the strawberry patch, playing with farm animals, and watching dad play football on TV. I didn’t think about how different I looked from other kids at school; brown skin, slanted eyes, black hair. That is until someone made fun of me, or I saw the one other Korean adoptee at my school. People always seemed to get us mixed up, even though we didn’t look alike. Several times, I told boys that my dad was Minnesota Viking Fred Cox. They all thought I was lying because he wasn’t Korean. International adoption wasn’t as common back in the late 60’s and early 70’s as it is today. I would continue through life like anyone else- graduating from high school, getting married, and raising a family. Having a family was always important to me. My children are my only known blood relatives. Through adoption I lost all connection to my biological family. I’d been led to believe they either lost me or gave me up. To me, my family tree started when I had children; Sara, Peter, Kendra and Alec. They are my greatest treasures. One day, my dad was visiting when my eldest daughter went stomping to her room and slammed the door. My dad just laughed and said, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” I reminded him that I never stomped to my room or slammed the door, at least not often. But that one comment, from the most influential person in my life, changed everything. If my children were like me then who was I like? What tree did I fall from? Thus began my search for my birth mother.

I didn’t realize that I would begin a search for cultural identity. It was 1998 and the internet was still on dial up. The internet opened a whole new community for me and led me to the conference, The Gathering of the First Generation of Adult Korean Adoptees. I remember standing in the hotel elevator, looking at the other passengers, realizing that we were all Korean! I had never had that experience before, and it was empowering. As the event’s title indicates, it was the first time that adult Korean adoptees gathered, from all over the world, to share our experiences. In our time together we learned we had many similarities. We were raised in small communities where we were the only minorities. Our families were religious. Many of us had suffered from some type of abuse; sexual, physical, and mental. We didn’t realize that there were so many of us, spread across the world, away from our motherland. I returned to my family excited and confused. The first 25+ years of my life I lived a Caucasian-American life. Once I was surrounded by people who looked like me, I started to realize that I wasn’t white. I noticed that I was the only person of color at the grocery store, at church, at my kids’ school. It was as if everything I had adapted to had changed. I felt like an outsider, and I was angry. With my newfound identity, I thought it would be fun to go to a Korean market in the cities and surround myself with people who looked like me. I even tried some kimchee. Walking into that market was like walking into a foreign country. Because I looked Korean, they greeted me in Korean and I felt shame at my inability to respond as expected. I said, “Hello.” They gave me a puzzled look in return. It was followed by them putting their head down as if I didn’t exist. I had no idea what to buy. I couldn’t read the packages, and I certainly was not going to bring more attention to myself by asking for help. I decided to buy some rice, kimchee, and noodles. I had no idea there were so many varieties of rice yet none of them were Minute Rice. I was nervous to check out, because they may try and speak to me, and I would not have a clue as to what they were saying. I purchased my things, went to my car and cried. What I thought would be a grand adventure turned out to be an eye-opening experience. I did not belong to my small white community. I was not accepted by Korean Nationals. Adoption had created a new community for me; Korean Adoptees. This later expanded into International Adoptees.

Searching Seoul

While at The Gathering I met some adoptees who were of my generation. We planned a return trip to our motherland in search of our birth families. We contacted the media in Korea, and locally, to see if they were interested in our story. I was adopted to Minnesota, where there are over 20,000 Korean Adoptees (Minnesota Ranks #1 in the US for children adopted from Korea), and my dad was a well-known figure. As a former Viking who played in 4 Super Bowls, invented the Nerf Football, and is still the Vikings all-time leading scorer we thought we might attract some local interest.

A show called On the Road with Jason Davis contacted me, and the TV station sent Jason and his cameraman to Korea with myself and some of others. He filmed a special documentary segment called Searching Seoul that would air twice. Once in 2000 and again, years later, to see how our lives had changed from that trip.

He won a regional Emmy Award for the segment. I remember thinking, “Why do I want to do this? Why do I want to put my life out there?” Then I stopped thinking about myself and, instead, thought about all the others whom I had met. Then I knew that this was part of God’s plan for me.

After Searching Seoul aired, a couple of Korean culture camps and parent support groups had reached out to me. They asked if I would come share my story with them. I was nervous. I did not want to pretend that my voice represented how all adoptees felt, especially since I was still trying to figure out my own cultural identity. I knew nothing about it, so I looked at this as a way we could learn together. Afterall, they had Korean roots as well. When I was young, my parents took my sister and I to a Korean school and I learned how to sing a couple songs. I don’t remember much, so this opportunity was a fantastic way for my children and I to learn more together.

Kamp Kimchee

That summer, I packed up the kids and headed to Kamp Kimchee, a Korean culture camp, for the week. I shared my experience with the adoptive parents. I was the classroom mentor for the high school students. My children attended classes with the other students. The unique thing about Kamp Kimchee was that classes were for Korean adoptees and their American-born siblings. It was a family camp where everyone was included. One of the adopted students told me that my children were the first students allowed who were not Korean or part of a family created by adoption. It was a little odd for my children at first. They were neither Korean adopted nor the sibling of a child who had been adopted. They made friends quickly and the families were so happy to have an older adoptee, who was also a parent, involved with the camp. We continued to be involved for another four or five years, until summer sports took over. During the years at camp, my kids would learn tae kwon do, how to sing the national anthem of Korea, fan dancing, and how to cook Korean food! I bought their first hanboks there and made lifelong friends. I am forever grateful to the families of Kamp Kimchee for helping me teach my children about Korea.

Fast Forward 15 Years

I have returned to Korea twice. During my trips to Korea, I helped two other adoptees reunite with their birth families and discover their culture. I did some searching while I was there but concluded I would never find anything. There were no records from the first year of my life. My visits to Korea were bittersweet but enjoyable just the same. I always traveled with other Korean adoptees because we shared the same narrative. We didn’t really belong, wherever we were.

Discovering my Korean self would eventually lead to the end of my first marriage, after 20 years and 4 children. I married young and didn’t know who I was. When I became comfortable in my identity, it was hard on the marriage. I had changed. It was no one’s fault, just a set of circumstances that were beyond our control. I am remarried now, and adoption has impacted my life once again. Through marriage, I became a bonus mom (aka stepmom) to 3 children. One of them is also adopted.

My “bonus son”, Jackson, is biracial and was adopted domestically. We still have many things in common though. Society sees us differently than who we are due to having brown skin, dark hair, and distinct cultural features. I like to think it is easier for him now than it was for me. He is being raised in a diverse area, adoption is more prevalent now, and he has me (a pioneer of transracial adoption). We don’t talk about culture or being adopted yet we are two peas in a pod. There is an unspoken understanding that we have about our uniqueness, and how we navigate through our adoption journey, that unites us.

Reflection

I remember when I was a teenager. My dad would smile, put his arm around me, and tell me I had won the adoption lottery when I joined his family. Of course, I would roll my eyes and agree. As I look back at my adoption journey, I can say that being Korean and adopted no longer consumes me like it once did. I have accepted that I will probably never find my birth family. I am, however, blessed to have been adopted into a wonderful family. I’m equally blessed to have created my own family. I now walk into the Korean Market with confidence, using the three Korean words I know, and a smile on my face. My family tree has expanded with the arrival of my grandson, Milo. He is now the same age as I was when I first arrived. I love to watch him and ask myself if I was like that when I was his age, traveling from one continent to another. All I know is that, when I look in the mirror, I am at peace with the face staring back at me.

October 16, is about celebrating the bosses and leaders in our lives. Since this day lands on a Sunday, take one of these ideas below to help your boss feel appreciated Monday.

Buy a card & write your boss some kind words of appreciation.
Bring your boss a coffee, or send a gift card.
Order your boss their favorite lunch.
Send your boss a meaningful gift that suits their tastes.
Offer your boss a simple “Thank you”. It can go a long way!

We hope you can gloat about your bosses the way our FlexTrades team does!

“—— has been hands down one of the best bosses I have ever worked with. From day 1 as a new employee, not only did he believe in me but showed me the how and why we do things certain ways. He is a very supportive and easy to follow leader who always supports us, and I greatly appreciate working for him. Happy National Boss’s Day to all the leaders out there!”

“My boss continually sets me up for success day in and day out. She encourages me and continues to offer me opportunities to grow professionally.”

“She is a fantastic mentor and leader. Her knowledge in technology stacks is unmatched and she brings a wealth of knowledge from her past industry experience. I’m thrilled to be working directly with her to bring FlexTrades to new heights!”

“She was instrumental in sparking a curiosity and interest in manufacturing and skilled trades more generally for me. She has always been more than willing to share her wealth of knowledge and effortlessly conveys complex ideas to people who have no background in manufacturing. If not for her – I am not sure I would be where I am today without FlexTrades.”

“He has played a large role in my professional development since joining the team. I am very grateful for the ways he has helped me progress with the company, meet my own professional goals, and gain experiences that I never even expected to be a part of my role with FlexTrades”

“After eight years with the company I have several bosses from project managers on up. Some that have really helped me out along the way and helped guide me to where I am today. I would like to give them all a big shout out to say Thank You and that I am grateful for all the guidance along the way.”

“She was always there to answer my questions or point me in the direction of someone with the answer. She is always ready to solve a problem and find a solution within means that accompanies everyone in the company. I am thankful to have had her as a supervisor and colleague.”

she has given me so much information and insight to move me forward in recruiting. She is a boss who gives her team the time to learn the process, dispute any underlying concerns, and make you the best version of yourself.”

“Bosses aren’t always leaders and leaders aren’t always bosses. It’s great when the two things come together though and that takes just the right person. Someone who, no matter their hierarchy or tenure at a company, is always willing to learn from others, ask the questions so they can learn, and is open to feedback, as well. Someone who reflects on the positives and negatives, is always looking for ways to improve, and is not complacent with what’s in place because it’s “good enough and it works”.

“I had a manager (I think the term boss has a negative connotation these days) who was all that and more. My manager respected me, motivated me, allowed space for me, and is really the one person (besides myself) who brought me to the level I’m at today. I’ll forever be grateful for the mentorship, patience, encouragement, and friendship this manager gave and gives to me.”

“He has been a great leader and I’ve been very appreciative of all I’ve learned from him during my time at Flextrades. Thank you for all you continue to do!”

“She leads by example as well as by dictation. She is always tough, but extremely fair in decisions.  I don’t know if I have worked with anyone else under her who is not influenced/motivated by her.”

“He’s been a good boss to work for, I’ve had no issues with him. He works through problems with us and is good on the follow up. He stays positive overall and is pleasant to work for. He takes time to put together numbers for us to review and everything is always accurate. He’s a good motivator and keeps us going in the right direction.”

“She has been an amazing leader! She truly cares about everyone and wants the best for everyone she meets. She is kind, understanding, and patient. She wants everyone to be the best at what they do and helps in any way she can to see them succeed! Thank you for being an amazing boss and all-around good person!”

“She is exactly the type of boss I’d dream up if it wasn’t already my reality! She’s kind, appreciative, gentle with her constructive criticism (but knows how to get her point across at the same time), knows how important professional growth is and is supportive of who I want to become. She’s compassionate, understands the inner workings of a working mom, and frequently checks in to just see how things are going – both professionally and personally. On National Boss’s Day, I hope she knows how lucky I am to get to work for her, because it’s definitely not something I take for granted!”

“I appreciate my bosses for the kindness and transparency. A long with teaching me new skills to empower me each day.”

“My boss has provided an opportunity that allows me the autonomy and flexibility to structure my day, while also knowing that I am supported as much as I need at the same time. I appreciate the trust that is shown and that I have in them as well!”

This year, October 11 marks the 10th anniversary of the International Day of the Girl Child. The United Nations General Assembly declared this day by adopting Resolution 66/170 in 2011. The intention is to recognize the rights of girls around the world and bring awareness to the unique challenges they face daily. Much progress has been made globally in the last decade but the disparity, between boys and girls, in access to basic human rights is still shocking when you check the numbers.

How to get involved

The UN has several suggestions for activists and advocates who want to help the continued advancement of this movement. Among them are to engage government officials, public policy makers, key influencers across industries, and all other stakeholders to make more targeted investments to address inequalities experienced by girls everywhere. Another suggestion they make is to share human interest stories, blogs, and videos of girl change-makers to amplify their impact on others.

You can find more suggestions on UNICEF’s website or check out YouTube for stories about girl influencers such as Malala Yousafzai too. But, as a man in a family of mostly women, I’d like to recognize this day by sharing the story of the girl change-makers in my life with all of you. I hope reading this makes you want to publicly share a story of your own to recognize the powerful girls in your own life and to help grow this movement for them.

My Girls

I’ve written a blog before about the role my aunts and uncles played in my formation and the way becoming an uncle to my nieces changed my life. But I don’t mention in that article how my nieces have changed my perspective of what girls can do. Now, to be clear, I’m not a misogynistic person and I’ve never been accused of being one. I was raised in a family where my grandma, and then my mother, called most of the shots and it never felt strange or especially progressive to anybody. Many other families like ours were very similar. I learned early and often that all women are deserving of respect.

But growing up on a farm, I was always taught that I should do the “heavy, hard” things to spare my grandmother, mother, sister, and cousins (all girls) from the most physical of tasks. This attitude towards division of labor never seemed particularly biased to me until years after my childhood when my father started to age. As dad got older and his physical capabilities began to erode, I began to realize that he just couldn’t do some of the things I needed him to do anymore. Things came to a head one day when I needed help in the field and my dad couldn’t get out of bed, let alone into a skid steer. Luckily, my youngest niece was available and that became the first day she operated equipment solo. She was 7.

Since then, both of my nieces have learned how to use tools, pick sweetcorn, handle livestock, get the Christmas tree for grandma each year, and many other things I never expected them to need to learn.

Their abilities have been proven many more times over the years, especially in the last one. Since my dad passed away last October, I rely on them more than ever now. But they never cease to surprise me. Even when my mom’s mailbox was hit recently, they didn’t need me. Instead, they took care of grandma together.

Today, I no longer even ask my girls if they can do something. The concept that they can’t has completely left my consideration. Now, I simply ask them if they will do something and then I watch them do it even better than I can. Girls can do that, or so I’ve learned. It stopped surprising me years ago.

I hope you’ve learned more about International Day of the Girl Child, or at least been led to think about it, than you would have without this article. We’ve done blogs on other national and international days that you might like learning more about too. Check them out on our blog page. And, of course, if you have other resume tips or questions just send them to our Writing Team and we’ll be happy to cover them in a future article.

What Beard Are You??

September 3rd is World Beard Day! What is Beard Day? It occurs every year on the first Saturday in September. On this day, people internationally celebrate their face ferrets. In the beginning of history most men had beards to keep warm.

This day is observed to celebrate and promote those who were gifted with good facial hair genetics. If you want to get started on growing your chin curtain here is a link to the perfect beard growth starter kit.

To those who participate in the beard life… here are some tips on how to maintain your manly mane.

Trim your Beard. If you have a goal to grow your mane, make sure you are trimming the hair. Link to Beard Kit Here.
Keep it Clean. Consider purchasing a beard wash to stay fresh and avoid irritation.
Tame and Style. Use some beard oil and comb that facial hair.
Take your Vitamins. For optimal hair growth keep up on your health routine.

If you follow these tips… maybe one day you will be able to catch up to Mr. Hans Langseth, whose beard was over 17 feet long.

*** SHOW US YOUR MANLY MANE BY SENDING US A PHOTO OR TAGGING US IN YOUR BEARD PIC ON INSTAGRAM***