Diego Ruiz Duran as well as anyone could not have anticipated the ongoing global effects of COVID-19 or the trickle-down effect it would have on the workforce. The pandemic has stunted the world in many ways – from mass layoffs to record evictions and foreclosures. When the pandemic hit, nothing could have prepared those affected most for what was to come and the long-lasting issues that will continue even when the world goes back to normal.
More people are finding themselves unemployed daily with no immediate options available. The United Nations estimates that approximately 150 million people are unemployed globally. With social distancing being one of the main suggestions for slowing the spread of the pandemic, so many of the things we used to do pose health threats to us and those around us. Vital industries like hospitality, dining, and entertainment have taken an especially hard hit due to the pandemic. We saw a hopeful turnaround for the restaurant industry during the warmer months as outdoor dining was a safer option. In areas of the world where it turned colder, the issue only took many in these industries to the beginning of the pandemic, with magnified financial hardship.
Diego Ruiz Duran, Senior Law Partner & Founder at Law Offices of Diego Ruiz Durán in Mexico City, found a way to help. By offering more pro-bono work and saying yes to people in need, he was able to use his area of expertise for the greater good. This is just one example of how many people are finding better ways to use their work to help others in an extreme time of need. He believes there are numerous ways people can come together as a community to add value during these unprecedented times.
Even people who are still employed are struggling to either make ends meet or simply keep their sanity. This has not only become an unemployment crisis, or public health crisis, but a mental health crisis. Some feel like their lives are on hold, while others are finding ways to not only focus on their area of work to help others, but use their passions to create solutions for people who cannot help themselves right now.
There are ways to find purpose right now in helping others. Consider these options:
Put together care packages for essential goods – groceries, personal hygiene products, blankets, tents
Volunteer time with organizations in a local area – food banks, homeless shelters committed to make sure no one is sleeping outside in frigid temperatures
Donate – either directly to an organization that is helping those in need, or crowdsource a fundraiser to help individuals or families in need
The pandemic has shown it will be around for a while. The least we can do as a population is find purpose in helping those who need help immediately, whether it be honing the skills we already have to offer or finding new ways to lend a hand.
Being on national TV is a dream of many young aspiring children. But do they know what it is really like to be “famous”? To have their name and face plastered all over the nation? To be the topic of every news outlet and social media critic? Often, this reality of living in the spotlight, is not understood until it is experienced. That is the story of Andrew Napolitano.
As a young man in his late thirties, Napolitano was a Superior Court Judge of New Jersey. During his eight years as Superior Judge, he oversaw the most newsworthy cases. Back in the late 1980’s early 1990’s the news outlets were noteworthy but not so widespread as social media is today. Back then, people received their news from newspapers and major news channels.
After eight years of Superior Court, Judge Napolitano decided to move back to private practice and shift into a television career. A few years later, he became an analyst for Fox News. This brought him back to the spotlight once again. Being in the public eye is a huge responsibility and one that should not be taken lightly. After all, a few hundred thousand people are watching from their homes all across the nation.
It is fair to say, that people in these “well recognized positions” do not always live up to the hype of who they are on TV. The average viewer perceives them as a role model, someone to admire and idolize. It is a responsibility that one should consider before pursuing life in the spotlight. In today’s social media craze it is almost impossible to live in the spotlight and not be the subject of some faceless critic. With the internet at everyone’s fingertips, and with “Cancel Culture” so popular, one little thing could destroy someone’s career. Thus, those living in the spotlight have to be even more on guard than ever before. The old saying is true, “To whom much is given, much is required.” Those choosing to live in the spotlight get up every morning, knowing what they are going to face, and they choose to do it.
This is a new challenge that Napolitano has not faced before. In the past one could get out ahead of a news cycle, but today, if someone takes a picture, writes a blog, or speculates anything, it could go viral in a matter of minutes. This happens more often than the average person is led to believe.
Living in the spotlight is a dream that many children have, but until they have lived it, they cannot understand it. Those who choose everyday to live in the spotlight, have been given such a great opportunity to be known. As well as the ability to impact the masses.
Veteran Caribbean politician Asot Anthony Michael grew up in a family already involved in politics and activism. Born in 1969, no one could predict just how much his family would influence his life and political career. His family resided in the French West Indies. Asot’s grandfather was a part of anti-government factions. Some of those factions burned down his grandfather’s home, and he died not long after the incident. Patrick, Asot’s father, became involved with the Antigua and Barbuda Labor Party (ABLP). Throughout the 70s, Patrick spent more time helping the ABLP survive instead of the family business.
Asot Michael’s family, including two great uncles, Maurice and Mitchell, have always helped in national socio-economic development, and Asot followed in their footsteps of philanthropy. His uncles, grandfather, and father helped Asot Michael gain his love of politics.
Education of Asot Michael and Caribbean Nations
For school, Asot Michael went to Saint Joseph’s Academy in Saint John’s, Antigua. After receiving his diploma from high school, Asot moved on to Barry University, earning a BS or Bachelor of Science. The degree also included Business Administration, in which he earned Honors. With a double major in Economics and Finance, Asot Michael finished his education with an MBA at the University of Miami School of Business. During his schooling, Asot gained honors and academic achievements.
In an interview, Asot Michael said that education is critical to him. He will always focus on educating the youth of Antigua and Barbuda. Caribbean islands depend on a “knowledge-based economy,” with such sectors as tourism, banking, and IT being imperative. The ABLP, the political party in which Asot Michael proudly serves, has ensured that island residents’ education is a priority, with expanding secondary schools and helping maintain a growing number of students. The ABLP government increased the scholarships available over several disciplines to help the Caribbean nations gain higher education.
Asot Michael raised significant funds for the renovation of the Parham and Pares Primary Schools.
A Career in Politics
Asot Michael is a politician who listens to his island population and pays attention to the various development needs of his constituents
He believes that “in democracies characterized by the government of the people, by the people, for the people, the reasonable expectation is caring, visionary, innovative, competent, transparent and accountable leadership and management capabilities of achieving the agreed objectives for national growth and development.
Michael, the Member of Parliament for the St Peters Constituency keeps a close watch on progress through the years with his country’s human development fundamentals especially in terms of meeting the people’s most pressing social and economic advancement needs. As a truly transformational leader, he appreciates strides in people-centered and is passionate about ensuring that things are continuously looking up in the key areas of vital interest to the people.
A personal mission is to help neighbors and nations have a better life than in the past. With unique experiences in business and higher education, Asot Michael feels he can be a force to help the government pay attention to business growth, infrastructure, and justice. He wants Antigua and Barbuda to succeed both socially and economically, which requires assisting the focus on the important aspects of island life. Those aspects are always going to include school, helping businesses to survive, and people stay safe, especially amid a pandemic.
Change is Necessary, and Asot Michael Leads It
Investing in a nation, as much as a community, is about supporting the people who live on the island. Ensuring the infrastructure is sound with the renovation that makes residential areas and schools safe is paramount to a nation’s success. As politicians, “we show people we want to see them grow financially,” while they are also happy and safe. It is not a single action that brings this about, but one of trust, positive relationships, and confidence in a government that genuinely cares.
Asot Michael says, “Reinvesting funds in public service projects ensures a stronger community.” Asot feels people need to be involved in their community and know there is help for those who live there. When amenities and services are better, people are happy and able to live safely with an eye towards development and job growth. It is a never-ending cycle, not just a “fix it and you’re done” concept, according to Asot. The process must be “encouraged so the long-term effects” continue.
Asot Michael is satisfied that while there is much to be done to effectively turn the economy around from the ravages of the Covid 19 pandemic, the ABLP government moving on purposefully with the noble, endeavor of building the best Antigua and Barbuda for all the citizens and residents. He urges the Cabinet of Ministers, to strengthen revenue/expenditure performance and to keep striving for higher standards of fiscal responsibility that will maximize productive utilization of scarce resources for the greatest good of the people of Antigua and Barbuda.
Small businesses are essential to Asot because he remembers his father being a small business owner, and he has run a company. With the pandemic, it is more important than ever to ensure the small business owner can get through the hardships and remain open. Asot Michael wants his nation to understand that his political career and aims are guided by loyalty and trust. He wishes to help all people maintain a healthy, happy life. It takes a village or, in this case, an island to ensure everyone is safe and comfortable.
We all know that eating healthy is something that we should be doing, and most understand just how important it is to your health. With that said, not many people know how to eat healthy or what they should be eating when they want to snack. Sometimes you can’t get from one meal to another without a little snack to tie you over, and that is fine, but you need to be snacking on the right foods. Doctors from around the world such as Dr. Cory Harow will always recommend healthy eating as one of the foremost preventative measures to life threatening diseases. With that said, this article will go over a lot of healthy snacks, when that is the best time to eat them, and how to include them in your diet.
First We Will Go Over Some Healthy Snacks
The king among healthy snacks would have to be nuts, and all nuts serve to fill this role, but some are better than others. Almonds are the overall best for you, with some other nuts serving more specialized roles in your dietary needs, and this is due to the fact that almonds contain a vast amount of nutritional value. Evidence has even shown that they may help reduce heart disease and diabetes risk factors as well. Pistachios are a nut that fills a far more specialized role, and that would be making sure you are getting enough fiber in your diet, and honestly most people could use more fiber in their diets, so this is another really good choice of snack.
Moving on to a different type of food entirely, eggs. Eggs can be consumed in a number of ways and one of the best ways is to boil them and take them with you on the go. Eggs are also a very good source of protein, and are always a staple in healthy diets all around the world.
How to Incorporate Them Into Your Diet
The best way to incorporate these healthy snacks into your diet is to make your whole diet a lot more rigid, and to do this you should plan out your meals for the day, but this is just the first step in eating healthy. Some people prep every meal that they will eat that week in one day, and you don’t have to do this, but you do want to have a ridge time that you eat your meals. What this does is stops you from just snacking the day away, and if you can establish a rigid diet then you will be read for the next step. The next step would be that if you are feeling hungry between meals to start planning to have snacks in between said meals. This will allow you to get through the day without snacking on unhealthy foods, and keep you from over snacking as well.
In Conclusion
If you have any questions about diets and nutrition, then you should do some research, or you can contact doctors such as Dr. Cory Harow for advice as to what you should do.
Imagine seeing a beautiful waterfall. All the wonderful rock formations, the sounds, the smells. It might seem like a dream, but it is absolutely possible to see! Duluth waterfalls is where it’s at. Better yet, the North Shore waterfalls are a must see in everyone’s lifetime.
Beginning in Duluth, there is an aerial lift bridge where huge ships travel in and out of the Canal Park. There is also a place to get the best Swedish Cream in the country, that’s not what we’re here to talk about though. Back to the Waterfalls. Gooseberry park is talked about by many and for good reason, it’s a magical place for a first time waterfall seeker. It’s absolutely breathtaking.
This vacation can be a trip for the whole family or a romantic vacation for two. Heck, even a getaway for some R&R! Helen Lee Schifter loves to reset herself by swimming at the bottom of the waterfall at Gooseberry Park. She rents a log cabin on the lake and takes in all that nature has to offer. Stopping at Betty’s Pies for a hearty meal…. and pie! She loves the serene and slow way of life, away from the fast paced hustle and bustle. It’s much needed reset for the soul. With an extra long vacation, there is the option to chase all the waterfalls. A quick search of the North Shore Visitor guide printed out and left in the car is the way to go.
Starting with Lester River waterfall, which can be seen from the road, is the start of the adventure! Don’t forget to bring lunch! It’s going to be a fun day of driving and Awe. Gooseberry Falls has 3 parts, next up is Middle falls, also seen from the road. A few miles more and the Cascades at Split Rock River appears where there is a hiking trail that is 5 miles long. Seems like a long hike, but the waterfall can be viewed from a cliff and it’s magical. Always bring sunscreen, bug spray, and water with. Next up is Beaver Falls where the river drops 300 feet with a series of falls and cascades. This day will end (but can keep going to more waterfalls) at the High Falls, it’s called the high falls because it’s the highest waterfall in Minnesota at a staggering 700 feet tall. This is a sight to see. Most of these falls can be walked right up to and stood under. These waterfalls are great for photographers to check out their skills, wonderful for families with children to venture to, sweet and romantic for couples to explore, awesome and fun for a friends trip, and relaxing and serene for some me-time. A vacation to the Duluth area typically generates a return visit. There is just not enough time in one trip to see and experience everything the area has to offer. Helen Schifter is already planning a return visit to the Duluth area to chase those waterfalls.
Unfortunately, bad things happen to good people. Lives can instantly change when a drunk or distracted driver causes devastating and serious injuries. The consequences of which could be lifelong vocational or medical challenges for those innocent good victims. Finding the best legal and medical services can be of tremendous benefit to those with serious injuries because of negligence.
When confronted with such a situation, it can be difficult to find an injury lawyer to meet your needs, especially when you are unfamiliar with the characteristics to look for in an attorney. As with any service, word-of-mouth references are like gold since your trusted friend or relative can help you find the legal representation necessary. In many instances, this is not an option so you must research to find the best injury lawyer.
Best Characteristics of an Injury Lawyer
While there are countless attributes to look for in an injury attorney, the five most important include:
Active Listeners
The Harvard Business Review has found that great listeners do more than simply hear what you are saying. Instead, they create a safe environment for discussing difficult issues, remove distractions while making comfortable eye contact, and observe your facial expressions and body language. The article further highlights that active listeners ask questions without taking control, capture key bits of critical information, and empathize and acknowledge with the speaker.
The best injury lawyer must be an active listener who remains engaged with the information you provide and how you say it. At no point should your concerns and emotions go unnoticed by the attorney.
Answers All Your Questions
When an injury occurs, there is lost income, medical bills, health insurance forms, and questions from insurance adjusters; all of which are overwhelming while you are attempting to recover from the injuries. The best injury attorney can answer your questions about these requirements thus reducing your stress so you can focus on recuperating.
Educates on Legal Subjects
Finding a lawyer who cares about you and can educate you on the law, so you better understand the process and situation is a keeper.
Extensive Courtroom Experience
An attorney with extensive courtroom experience, talent, and knowledge can effectively present your case to a jury and sometimes settle before a verdict. Remember, just because a law firm spends money on advertising does not mean they have a positive reputation in the courtroom. Typically, the lawyers who defend insurance companies know which lawyers always settle their cases and which do whatever is necessary to reach a just result for the injured due to negligence.
Respect from Peers
Best injury attorneys have earned the respect of their colleagues within the profession. These lawyers are also often identified as the Best Lawyers in America, which is a national publication that places these attorneys on the list of their clients and peers. This is an important point because attorneys who spend loads of cash on advertising and marketing cannot buy their way into the publication.
View Law as a Helping Profession
The best injury lawyer views law as a vessel to help others, not just as a business. Many attorneys are motivated by the chance to solve problems for the injured and their relatives and great lawyers do what is best for their clients. This means working long hours to find a way to take a case to trial. Many cases are not as cut and dry as settling on a fair amount for the injured victim.
The root cause of most personal injury cases is negligence. This concept is meat to ensure all members of society take responsibility for acting on behalf of others’ wellbeing by avoiding placing others at risk. When careless individuals fail to follow these steps, they are demonstrating negligence which results in victims collecting damages. Finding the best injury lawyer to represent your case takes some research but by searching for these key qualities, you will be in the best hands!
George Rutler is an outspoken parish priest who is well known across the country. The Manhattan-based priest appears on many TV programs, and he is also an author with over nineteen published books. In addition, he also earned degrees from several universities across America and Europe, including John Hopkins, Dartmouth, Oxford, and the Angelicum in Rome.
But what happens when he wants is away from the public and the press? What are some of the things that make him happy? Not surprisingly, he loves to listen to gospel music, with a strong inclination towards hymns. His love for this genre of music is in fact so strong that he wrote an entire book about it, “The Stories of Hymns.” Through this book, he highlights and expounds on some of the greatest hymns written through the Christianity timeline, leading right up to the twentieth century. So, who are some of his favorite composers and artists?
Carlo Gesualdo
Carlo was the Prince of Venosa, and his legacy was highly expressive madrigals and sacred music that uses chromatic language. Other than his extraordinary music, Carlo Gesualdo is known for the gruesome murder of his wife and her lover.
After his father died, he grew his estate into a center for music-making, even though it was for him alone. His vast fortune allowed him to hire instrumentalists and singers for personal entertainment.
Even now, Carlo’s music remains among the most expressive and experimental in the Renaissance. However, there is no doubt that he is the wildest chromatic.
George Frideric Handel
This German-born composer is famous for his oratorios, operas, concerti Grossi, anthems, and concertos. Handel trained in Halle and went to practice as a composer in Italy and Hamburg before permanently relocating to London.
Messiah was a great success, even though it was the last Italian opera he composed. Some of his most popular work includes Music for the Royal Fireworks and Water Music. Over three decades, Handel composed well over forty opera series. Since the 60s, there has been increasing interest in his work, and his influence on classical era composers cannot be ignored.
Gustav Mahler
This Austro-Bohemian composer is recognized as one of the best of his generation. As a composer, his work was the bridge between 19th-century Austro-German and the modernism of the 20th century. Throughout his career, his status as a conductor remained impeccable, but his music was only widely recognized after a considerable time frame of neglect.
Edward Elgar
Edward’s father was a piano tuner who was also a decent violin player, and his son followed in his footsteps. During the 1890s, Edward’s reputation as a composer was growing fast, with successful works such as the English Midlands, King Olaf, and the Black Knight.
His significant breakthrough came with the production of the Enigma Variations. This is a musical sketch of his friend, August Jaeger. The solemnity of this variation has made it a set piece for thousands of commemorations and memorial services. There is also a choral setting that uses text from the Requiem Mass, so it’s not hard to see why Edward is Father Rutler’s favorite artist.
Getting involved in non-profit work can greatly impact one’s personal life for the better. It is possible to see vast improvement in one’s personal life just by being more involved in non-profit work. This is because your overall morale is boosted by getting involved in this type of work. You also will feel more accomplished in terms of your goodwill.
Morale Boost
Alexander Djerassi believes that boosted morale is one primary benefit of non-profit work. People will feel an overall sense of accomplishment that they previously were not feeling. They will feel more confident and able to take on the day’s activities.
Someone may find to go about their day in a more positive light is an easier task. They will have a lifted sense of spirit with the awareness of the good they have accomplished in their work. They will generally be more carefree.
Sense of Accomplishment
Individuals will have an overall improvement in their sense of accomplishment. They will be able to feel as though they have made the most of the hours of each day. This will come with the awareness that they have spent the hours in the day doing something that is of humanitarian value.
Non-profit work benefits humanitarian endeavors and environmental endeavors at times as well. Overall, this type of work is beneficial to more than just the individual. It is for this reason that this type of work can give you such a sense of accomplishment.
Respect from Peers
People are likely to enjoy respect from their peers because of their work with nonprofit organizations. Those who they work with are likely to commend them for the work that they do with nonprofit organizations, as well. They will find that they gain popularity and respect for doing this type of work. This respect may come in many forms. Participants may receive verbal congratulations from coworkers and peers. They may even receive accolades from their superiors in the place of work. These compliments should be fielded with the utmost of modesty and respect. Alexander Djerassi is an individual who understands the value of this type of work.
With such a busy schedule, school and also personal life, it can really affect how people choose to spend their free time. Interests that we can do on a weekly, monthly, or even yearly basis. We could have some hobbies in common, many like sports, hiking, exercise, though some people like working out the mind instead. Research, keeping up with the most recent news, whether it be local, state or international, that’s more of a daily basis in my case. The easiest way I stay up to date is with apps, almost all news have apps that are easy to get used to, and also the stock market even.
Going back to sharing similar past times, one of my favorite news cast is former judge, Andrew Napolitano. “Who is he?” You may ask. For those that are unaware of who he is, he is a former judge, who is now a media commentator, attorney and professor of law. Having that many careers doesn’t give people time to have any free time for themselves. What I really admire about him is that although he is a busy man, he always makes time to do what he loves and that is costing his farm. His farm produces maple syrup and is very known for it as well. This is a hobby we share in common. When I was younger, I started with my grandparents’ yard, a couple roses and tulips and in the present day I plant in my friends and neighbors yards. Honestly never would I think I’d be into gardening at all, but after a family incident, someone recommended different activities as a therapeutic exercise. Judge Napolitano is a busy man, not to mention very important. Yet he still has time to attend to his farm. It’s motivational to see someone at such high power still able to have a personal life.
Helen Lee Schifter is an arbitrage trader on Wall Street; she is also a former editor at Hearst and Condé Nast. She graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy and Amherst College, which she attended both during pioneering transitions to coeducation.
She says to herself and thinks 2021 starts the same as 2020. She has big plans in 2021 plans that will change her life forever. She has hope for 2021 to be a better year than 2020. Anything would be better than going through 2021 again. Her plans can’t be that big to not put other people at risk, but she still has big plans to still blow your mind.
She plans on being more confident in 2021 to make sure all of the stuff she wants to do is done and not push to the side. Helen Schifter always enjoys not letting stress get in the way of her having fun.
She plans on going to the beach, but not when it is crowded. She wants to be safe but still have fun and focus on the stuff she wants to do for 2021 going into 2022. Her business is very successful and is helping a lot of people. She plans on keeping the business going so it can keep on growing. She plans on doing more things to help others like donating money for people in need of money if they are struggling.
Her career has just started and she is not planning on stopping anytime soon. She has plenty of things planned to do, even though the thought can be overwhelming. However, she feels the confidence to do them.
2020 has woken her up and she realizes she can’t keep on pushing it to another day to a month. She realizes that even though it might be tough she has to keep on going and not give up. If she kept on getting scared then she would have never started a business of her own. She learned that 2021 is a new year. It is a fresh start to do new things to start over and to leave the old stuff behind.
