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Blog
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Concert ALERT!
Rascal Flatts – Denny Sandford Premier Center on February 27th, 2025
Rascal Flatts starts their Life Is A Highway Tour!
I’ll be attending this concert and you should too! Classic country music is therapy to the soul! I love their music and can’t wait to attend this concert at the end of February. There is still time to get your tickets to hear their awesome music!
DON’T WAIT! GET TICKETS TODAY!
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Laser Engraving
Today in class we learned how to use the laser engraver that the school owns! It was so fun to learn and design a tree design for this laser to engrave. There are multiple steps to running the engraving machine. Lots of these steps are super important and this machine could be dangerous if you don’t remember the steps. There’s a machine next to the engraver that keeps the air flowing inside so it doesn’t get too smokey inside the machine. Below are pictures of my leather tree I engraved!
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Values
One of the most important values in my life is striving to live like Jesus. For me, this means embodying love, humility, and compassion in every aspect of my life. Jesus showed us how to love unconditionally, forgive freely, and serve others with a selfless heart. I try to reflect those qualities in my daily interactions, whether it’s through offering a helping hand to someone in need, showing kindness to those who may not expect it, or forgiving others even when it’s difficult. Living like Jesus also means prioritizing spiritual growth and living with integrity, aligning my actions with my faith. His example of grace, patience, and unconditional love is a constant reminder to be better, not for my own recognition, but to make the world around me a little more compassionate and just.
Authenticity: The Power of Being True to Myself
One thing that always means a great deal to me is authenticity. I have never believed in a life where, even if being myself is going to be hard, I try to be exactly that. Now, to me, all this means is trying to be truthful to myself and others, embracing my vulnerabilities and strengths, and showing up in the world exactly as I am-without trying to fit into someone else’s idea of what I should be.
Living in a society that often prizes uniformity, I have learned that the greatest peace comes from not pretending to be someone I am not. It is about removing the masks and allowing my true self to shine, even if that means vulnerability. There’s a certain freedom in accepting that I don’t have to be perfect, and it’s this genuine, unfiltered way of living that has brought me the most happiness.These two things are super important to me. Living like Jesus and always remembering to be myself!
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Involve –
I have always believed that life is not simply about meetingrequirements but also embracing every given opportunity and doing allthat is required to go a notch higher. It is not something I do because it is expected or makes me look better; it is something within me that, to some level, is very personal. It is a standard operating procedure I setup for myself for most of my undertakings.
1. Setting Higher Standards for Myself
Reaching beyond the norm has called for a raising of the bar in myapproach to life on a day-to-day basis. One can easily get by on minimaleffort, but there’s a difference in satisfaction and growth when you’retaken past the bare minimum. Whether at the workplace, at goals, or with relationships in my personal life, I go above and beyond just because I never impress others to see that indeed there’s somethinggreater expected from me than what the expected minimumperformance warrants.
For example, in terms of meeting deadlines, this involved much effortof fine-tuning details and additions beyond expectation. It’s that littlemore that makes me different. I don’t want to do my job well; I want to do it great. I make it a point to learn new skills, deliver on challengingprojects, and keep pushing my envelope to do more than what wasdone earlier. I don’t settle for “good enough” because, to me, pushing beyond the limits is growth, and it creates newer opportunities.
2. Consistency is Key
Going above and beyond is about consistency. It is not about doing something amazing once and being done, but making excellence a habit. That is what keeps me going-knowing that in little things, whether it is getting up early to set the tone for the day, being continually learning, or taking the time to be thoughtful with other people, it is the everyday things that really make a difference.
It’s not that I just put effort into my goals when it is convenient or I feel like it; I show up day in and day out, whether hard or I’m not seeing any immediate results. It is the small, the constant actions that make thebig changes. In a habit of going beyond what’s required that compounds over time and builds momentum in every single area of your life.
3. Surpassing Expectations in Relationships
This is one of the most important areas wherein, I believe, one shouldgo beyond expectations: in relationships. Be it family, friends, or yourlove interest, one should always make people feel valued and appreciated. I go out of my way to listen, show empathy, and be present for the people I care about. It is not just showing up to big moments, but showing up and being in support when it really makesothers feel seen.
Meanwhile, it is important for me to exercise relationships for growthand not just hold on to where comfort zones are really easy. Wherethere is status quo, deepen the connection and involve people I care about more through new experiences with encouragement. Then, checking-in times for their need or being found through ways thatindicate love and show being heard.
4. Challenging Myself Outside of My Comfort Zone
Growth only occurs when one steps out of their comfort zone. It is not always easy to go above and beyond; it means taking risks, pushing boundaries, and doing things that make me uncomfortable. But every time I step outside my usual routine, I learn something new about myself.
I never stop challenging myself. Learning any new skill, going to a new place, or having that difficult conversation- anything that pushes me outside my comfort zone is embraced. It’s not about perfection; it’s about embracing the discomfort and knowing I’ll grow stronger in the process.
5. Give More Than You Promise
Going above and beyond often means giving more than what’s asked of you. This can show up in small ways, such as offering help when it’s not required, or it could be larger, such as dedicating time or resources to causes I care about. One of the most rewarding parts of going above and beyond is giving without expecting anything in return.
I have learned that the more I give-time, knowledge, or support-the more I get in return. It has nothing to do with transactional relationships but rather this belief in that ripple effect of kindness, generosity, and positivity. Actually, giving more than what is expected really changes not only others but also myself.
6. Embracing the Journey, Not Just the Destination
Going above and beyond means embracing the process fully. Sometimes, one gets so lost in checking boxes and working toward anend goal that one forgets where the growth will actually happen-when one is all in. I have learned to appreciate little wins, small moments, and the lessons I pick up along the way.
Whether it’s the slow progress in a personal project or the challenges I face in relationships, I take joy in the process. The beauty of going above and beyond is not just in the end result but in the effort and growth that happens along the way.
But going above and beyond at the end of the day does not have to dowith perfection nor come to some sort of idealistic view of success. Rather, it is a matter of choice in choosing to push oneself, to show up fully, and to strive toward being ever-better. It is dedication to the well-lived life of purpose, meaning, and intention. Though at times the roadmight be very easy, the path of going above and beyond creates the actual prize that’s rewarded in living one’s life. -
Resources
In this digital age, access to free resources has never been so easy. Be itfor a student, a professional, or hobbyist, or people who look to increase their knowledge, a wealth of tools, content, and services are available without cost. From educational materials down to personal development tools, the internet is just full of options. The best part is that you need not break the bank to exploit them.
Here’s a guide to some of the best free resources you can tap into, and how to use them for maximum personal and professional growth.
Education Resources
Coursera & edX: While a lot of courses on Coursera and edX are paid, they do offer quite a considerable number of courses for free.
Khan Academy: Great for students of all ages, Khan Academy providesaccess to an enormous library of free lessons in everything from mathand science to economics and more. The organization’s learning style isfun, through interactive video-based tutorials and exercises.
2. Career & Personal Development Tools
Free resources also help in career development or the development ofnew skills. These will surely make a difference, whether you are job hunting, building a portfolio, or simply trying to be more productive.
LinkedIn Learning: Though generally a subscription-based service, LinkedIn Learning has frequent free trials and student discounts quiteoften. The courses are well-rounded, ranging from leadership to particular technical skills, which makes this platform great for career enhancement.
Canva: Be it eye-catching presentations, social media posts, resumes, or even simple graphics, Canva is a free tool that features an enormous library of templates and design elements. It’s extremely user-friendly-even for first timers-and though there are some in-app purchases, the free version is powerful enough to satisfy almost all your needs.
5. Health and Fitness Resources
Looking after your physical health is just as important as your mental well-being. There are a number of free tools to help you stay in shape, eat healthily and maintain a balanced lifestyle.
MyFitnessPal: Nutrition and exercise tracking is a big part of health, and MyFitnessPal is one of the best free apps out there for logging food, workouts, and setting fitness goals. Its huge database of food and exercise options makes it easy to use.
Fitness Blender: Having hundreds of free workout videos, Fitness Blender has something for everyone. Be it for a beginner in sports or anexperienced athlete, its library covers everything from cardio to strength training and yoga.
The internet is full of ways to learn, grow, and develop. You can buildyour knowledge, develop your skills, and take care of your well-being byavailing yourself of the free resources. It requires nothing but a little effort and some time to explore that huge world of free content and tools available for you. -
Getting back/ Inspiration
Getting back into the swing of things after a long month away from classes can definitely be a challenge. The transition is always tough, and on top of that, the weather is downright freezing right now. It’s easy to feel discouraged, but no matter the circumstances, we’ve got to keep pushing forward.
For me, the source of motivation often comes from the incredible people around me. You never really know what someone might be going through behind the scenes, yet so many of them keep going—persisting through hardships, big and small, and living each day as fully as they can. Their strength fuels my own. And sometimes, I even find that I can inspire myself.
Living with Cystic Fibrosis is far from easy. The daily treatments, which are absolutely necessary to stay healthy, can sometimes feel like a never-ending cycle of exhaustion, frustration, and, honestly, annoyance. There are days when it feels like it’s just too much to handle. But despite how tiring it is, I know that I have to stick to them. Consistency is key, and even on the hardest days, I push through because my health depends on it.
One thing that’s truly helped me navigate the challenges of both college and CF is sticking to a solid routine. Having a sense of structure in my day is a lifesaver, even when everything else feels chaotic. I’m still working on getting back into a good routine after the break, but I know it’ll come. I just need to be patient with myself, and take things one step at a time.
To anyone else struggling, remember: even on the days when it feels like everything is against you, keep pushing. Don’t give up. Every small step forward counts, and it all adds up in the end. We’ve got this.
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Website Designing
Website designing is difficult. It causes one to be stressed and frustrated at times. However, once you solve the problem, the reward feels so good! Don’t give up and ask Rick questions while you have the chance to!
Keep web creating! I believe in you!
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Almost Done!
Getting through the last days before Christmas break has been challenging. I’ve had a cold and it’s been hard to function! I’m so ready for a month break! I’ve been loving designing a magazine entirely of my own work! I’m also creating a website for a bakery.
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Coding!
Coding is great, but let’s face it: it’s not all rainbows and successfully compiled code. Any developer, from the greenest newbie to the most seasoned expert, has had their fair share of frustrations with programming. It’s a craft that pushes your problem-solving skills, tests your patience, and forces you to accept failure as a stepping stone.
Starting out, coding feels like learning a new language-because it literally is. Beginners often feel overwhelmed, and imposter syndrome is a common companion. The realization that there’s always more to learn-even for seasoned coders-can be both humbling and exhausting.
The amount of mental energy needed for coding is great. Long hours, tight deadlines, and continuous adjustments to new tools and technologies result in burnout. The pressure to “keep up” with rapidly changing tech stacks has developers feeling as if they are on a treadmill that is constantly going faster and faster.
Despite this reality, coding can be very rewarding. Here are some suggestions on how to get past some of the struggles:
Celebrate small wins: The resolution of even the tiniest bug is worth celebrating.
Seek help: A mentor, colleague, or online community can all be of immense value.
Take breaks: Often, being away from the screen yields breakthroughs.
Keep learning: Every challenge presents an opportunity to grow. Welcome the fact that failure is part of the process.