Posts in the General Category at Mount Virtus, Page 3

3/27/2018 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

Do Nonprofits Really Help Developing Countries?

Many of us want to change the world for the better but don’t know where to start. Most lack the resources or connections to make a lasting impact on struggling communities. That doesn’t mean our good intentions have to stop there, though. Thankfully, there are amazing organizations that have already done most of the legwork for us; these organizations can use individual and business support in volunteer power and donations to aid developing nations. However, how can we be sure the agency we’re helping is actually doing what they’re saying? With recent news reporting how some nonprofits aren’t delivering on their promises or may be using funding for their own gain, it can make us wary of donating a single dollar to any charity. … [Read more...]

3/19/2018 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

Helping Older Family Members With End-of-Life Issues

In 2016, Colorado approved proposition 106 titled “Access to Medical Aid in Dying,” which allowed eligible, terminally ill individuals with a prognosis of six months or less to live to request and administer medical aid-in-dying medication to voluntarily end his or her life. In 2017, 69 patients received participated, choosing to end their lives with little pain and at their own consent. The truth is that the end of one’s life is as inevitable as it is painful. Whether your family member is at this stage of their life or they are reaching it, it’s important to focus on what is within your control and accept that which is not. Whether you are dealing with an emotional decision such as medical aid in dying or a natural death, planning for … [Read more...]

2/8/2018 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

How Tech Jobs Are Driving U.S. Career & Economic Trends

When we consider the industries seeing significant growth and change, there are trends that simply can’t be ignored, given their propensity to shape and distinguish both the personal opportunities and the economic realities of the country. Specifically, technology is changing everything. From the job sectors seeing growth to how and where those jobs are taking place. In Colorado specifically, the state ranks in the top five for private aerospace employment, concentration of high-tech workers and performance, as well as a STEM-based economy. But Colorado isn’t alone in its participation in the changing landscape of industries and the economy. Tech Jobs Are No Longer Just in Silicon Valley This will come as no surprise. One of the … [Read more...]

2/1/2018 By Jenn Mullin Leave a Comment

Philadelphia Debates Safe Injection Sites Amidst Opiate Epidemic

Politicians and government leaders are trying to combat the nation’s opioid epidemic. With usage, addiction, and overdose rates on the rise, it's growing into an urgent and pressing matter for everyone living here. The destructive vice of drug addiction claims more lives every day, with no part of the country left untouched. From small, close-knit communities to the biggest cities, everyone knows someone affected by illegal substances. Approximately 64,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2016 alone, according to data compiled by the New York Times. Government officials are facing repeated calls for change and action from advocates and grieving families and friends. The latest headlines in the drug crisis show how the discussion is now … [Read more...]

1/24/2018 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

Why the Skills Gap is a Knowledge Gap

Nearly a decade ago, in October 2009, when the recession and unemployment was at its absolute worst, unemployment peaked at 10 percent. All the while the Bureau of Labor Statistics noted that there were 2.1 million available jobs. What happened after that was unsurprising, but unfortunate all the same. Both sides of the political aisle saw a chance to make a political statement. The Republicans called out the unemployed for being lazy, while the Democrats claimed that the greed of corporate America was to blame — if they would only pay what they should. The focus was not the fact that those jobs existed; instead, the focus was on the debate. Why the Shift to College Education? High school graduates have attended college at far … [Read more...]

1/19/2018 By Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Six Ways To Be More Mindful In All Areas Of Life

Being mindful is something that more of us could certainly benefit from in all areas of life including at home and work. Mindfulness is about being aware of the present moment and enjoying that, rather than worrying about everything else that may or may not happen (especially if there is nothing you can do about it either way). It can take some time to get used to being mindful, but there are specific practices that will help you along your mindfulness journey. Here are some ideas about bringing mindfulness into all areas of your life, even if those areas are normally stressful ones. Meditation If you find trying to fit meditation time into an already busy day difficult, then try to break it down into much smaller chunks of time. … [Read more...]

1/8/2018 By Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

How to Stand Out in Job Hunting

Getting a job can be tough, depending on what you want to do, where you want to live and how much you want to earn. Maybe you’re fresh out of university or college, or lost your previous work for some reason. How do you get yourself on the market, and stand out from the rest? Don’t panic. There are lots of things you can do to make yourself more employable, to boost your attractiveness to companies. Let’s take a look at some of them. What do you want to do? Before starting your job search, you really need to pin down the basics of what kind of work you want to take up, where and the salary. You need to focus your hunt on the industry that you feel you’re best suited to. If you’ve worked elsewhere already, are you looking for a change? If … [Read more...]

12/19/2017 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

Tax Reform and You: What Will 2018 Bring?

Image Source: Pexels 2017 has seen a number of different tax reform proposals, most significantly a revision of the current tax brackets and modification of various deductions, depending on the state where you live. Now, the Senate has passed a bill to drastically reform federal taxes. While it still has to be approved by the House of Representatives before it goes through, the bill holds massive potential to benefit businesses. While the proposed tax bill drew strong, controversial reactions from Democrats, there is no doubt that it would help increase businesses growth and success. Here’s how it could affect your next tax season if it passes. Business Tax Changes It’s no secret that Obama era tax reform did nothing to help … [Read more...]

12/19/2017 By Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Powerful Ways To Handle Difficult Situations

It’s likely you’re going to have to handle a difficult situation once in a while. It’s never a pleasant experience and oftentimes causes a lot of angst. There are some people who fold or turn their back and others who learn to face adversity with a sense of calm and poise. It’s your decision who you want to be and which strategy you choose to use in your life. If you’re someone who wants to learn more about tackling challenges with proactive approaches then you’ve come to the right place. Remember that it’s never too late to get back on the right foot. See powerful ways to handle difficult situations. Go to the Source One way is to stop beating around the bush and go right to the source of your pain. Whether it’s a job, person or … [Read more...]

11/8/2017 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

Building Self Esteem at Any Age

C.S. Lewis once wrote: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” Many of us often seem to get humility confused with bad self-esteem as a way to justify our dwelling place within self discouragement. But it’s not good or healthy for us to stay there. We’re more or less taught this by society unfortunately, and learning bad self-esteem at a young age is pretty common. Since so many of us are programed to think lowly ourselves, how can we turn that around, no matter where we are in age or life experience? We all have different challenges that work against our own self respect and self image, but they can be manageable and do not have to break us down. Trust, Trust, Trust Did you know that including a … [Read more...]