To close Thursday's practice for the University of Akron mens basketball team at Rhodes Arena, coach John Groce talked about setting a tone on the road for the Zips' game at 8:30 p.m. Friday at Ball State.

Groce may as well have been talking about setting a tone for the next two weeks as the Zips play four of the next five on the road, beginning with Fridays games against the Cardinals, which will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.

Coaches always talk about playing with the right attitude. However, so far with an 0-2 record on the road (1-5, if neutral sites are included), the Zips have shown vulnerability when away from the confines of Rhodes Arena.

We've been soft on the road, guard Greg Tribble, coming off a 16-point effort in the Mid-American Conference opener, said.

Groce acknowledged theres been a problem.

I thought our start in those two games is awful, he said. I know I'm talking about just the vibe, the physicality, being ready to play at a level that we need to, where we're being aggressive and proactive rather than reactive. And so that's something I think is important tomorrow night.

Groce gave credit to the teams that beat the the Zips, but also said theres also something else at play a team thats still developing.

I think part of it is you got four [younger guys] right now and an eight- or nine-man rotation that haven't played a league game until the other night, and they're learning their way, he said.

Right now, injuries to starting guard Xavier Castaneda and back-up guard Garvin Clarke are forcing some of UAs younger players to learn, and quickly. Guard Tavari Johnson had earned significant minutes, but Groce turned to Kobe Mitchell, Armani Lyles to fill holes in the rotation against Northern Illinois.

Those holes are not unsubstantial with Groce having to juggle the lineup without those two players, but others filled the void.

Tribble produced a season high with 16 points, knowing that he had to play more aggressively on offense, which involved him having to play freer. He said he needed to be more decisive in that regard.

I feel like sometimes I think too much, he said. Just being decisive again to my spots to where I know I can get my shots at.

As for the younger players asked to step up, guard Nate Johnson added eight points in 30 minutes against the Huskies, doubling his season average. He said he needs to continue performing that way for the Zips to have success in the coming days.

Just more me being more consistent, he said of his role, and my teammates trusting and everybody's stepping up and just playing our role, playing hard.

Tavari Johnson, who also scored eight points against Northern Illinois, said he has to be more aggressive.

Our main scorer is out, so I feel like I'm behind him, so I have to pick it up, because [forward Enrique Freeman] is not going to be able to score our points by himself, he said. "Someone has to help him, so I feel like I had to be more aggressive to try to help him out.

And those younger players will get leeway to develop, Groce said. He understands that with the inexperience comes mistakes. The difference is mistakes made out of effort and those made from mental errors.

If it's errors out of aggression or what I call forced errors rather than unforced errors, he said, then I'm fine with that. That's going to happen some with young guys.

But that right attitude has to be there, also. Tribble said the Zips need a hit-first mindset, challenging opponents from the outset beginning Friday.

We just been getting off to slow, flat starts. It starts with me and some of the older guys on our team, he said. We just got to come out in, set the rules and get that intensity. The younger guys feed off us.

Whether Castaneda plays will be a game-time decision, Groce said.

The Zips guard could be seen working with team personnel off to the side during Thursdays practice, using only his left hand.

If he can go, we'll play him, Groce said. If he can't go, then obviously we're looking at waiting to see what happens between now and next Tuesday against Bowling Green.

Clarke, meanwhile, did some light work with team personnel with his left leg secured in a brace. Though not a starter, his experience is invaluable and his absence most assuredly hurts UAs depth.

Reach George M. Thomas at gthomas@thebeaconjurnal.com

Excerpt from:
University of Akron men's basketball team fills holes with youth - Akron Beacon Journal

Somewhere near the crossroads of the start of the pandemic and its related burnout, we added a few work-related buzzwords to the lexicon: The Great Resignation, quiet quitting, career cushioning, and now, act your wage. Employees are now rethinking their relationship with workrather than doing more than theyre supposed to in desperate moves to advance their careers, they are acting their wage.

The pandemic has given many people the opportunity to reflect on the quality of their lives, explains Dr. Carla Marie Manly, a clinical psychologist. As people moved into hermit mode, many discovered that the slower pace was extremely beneficial for their personal lives. The experience of working from home or from a beach far away from the office left people wondering, Why am I in the rat race? Why am I working so hard to make money for others? For many people, the pandemic provided a stark juxtaposition to the fast-paced life that created burnout and stress.

Many peopleemployees and managers alikewonder if you can be just as productive with a four-day workweek. And if a four-day workweek is successful, how about a three-day workweek? The pandemic gave us work-from-home flexibility and opened the door for more shifts in how, where and when we work. Technology allows for flexibility, but theres a downside to always being connected.

With the rise of remote and hybrid work, LinkedIn found that 40% of working Americans feel more burned out since the start of the pandemic, and 37% are working less traditional hours, explains Blair Heitmann, LinkedIn career expert. We saw that people worked longer days, with many working off-hours and experiencing burnout as their work-life lines blurred.

Acting your wage means you arent on call or on the hook for company problems 24/7 the way a CEO or Executive Director might be, explains career coach Gracie Miller. Its recognizing that you were hired for 40 hours of work and not doing overtime you arent being paid for. You can still take initiative, be a team player and have a positive attitude during those 40 hours. But you dont answer messages on Slack at 11 p.m. or email someone on a Sunday.

But its hard to act your wage if your workplace encourages you to work above your pay grade and/or if youre afraid to speak up about increased workload. If youre not sure, check out these signs of a toxic workplace.

You could say it started because people are fed up at work, but really it started because Reddit and TikTok gave employees a platform to speak up about their dissatisfaction at work. Wed be remiss if we didnt acknowledge the influence of social media and the internet at large for enabling this trend, explains Aaron Rubens, CEO and co-founder of Kudoboard, a workplace appreciation platform.

Employees (and millennials in particular) began sharing their dissatisfaction at workand realized theyre not alone, Rubens says. What emerged was a picture of employers who dont appreciate their employees and essentially see them as expendable resources.

TikToker @saraisthreads posted about employers setting expectations they cant meet, and got almost two million views. @jennahushka gets about 14K views when she posts about dating, but when she posted about burnout or lack of training, her views skyrocket to hundreds of thousands. @loewhaley got two million views when she posted about a micromanaging coworker who doesnt respect boundaries and closer to three million views when she posted about etiquette around out-of-office email.

On Reddits r/antiwork subreddit, the vibe is more about life/work balance than quitting work altogether and provides an outlet for act your wage conversations. People talk about living wages, paid sick time, the housing crisis and more.

Dr. Manly sees both sides of it. There is merit to acting your wage,' Dr. Manly says, Yet for those who find satisfaction in working hard, theres much to be said for the mental health boost that can come from enjoying a strong work ethic.

In many circumstances, its about having reasonable expectations for whats expected of you and how far you might be willing to push those expectations. If youre in a position where you feel youre being pushed to work beyond your wage, you can use it to spark a conversation with your managers.

If your relationship with the manager isnt conducive to this, its time to think beyond your role and responsibilities, says Jenn Lim, a global workplace expert and author of the bestselling book Beyond Happiness: How Authentic Leaders Prioritize Purpose and People for Growth and Impact. When we choose work that is aligned with our values and purpose, and that is intrinsically motivated, were working for more than a paycheck, Lim says, Were working towards something more meaningful and greater than ourselves; were acting our purpose, not just our wage.

Sources:

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Everything You Need to Know About "Act Your Wage" - Reader's Digest

Annapolis boys basketball has become unfortunately used to 18-point deficits like the one they faced against Southern on Friday. The Panthers are a young team, first-year coach Tim Bonnett said, and figured out early on that those kinds of margins were too much pressure.

But, they kept building their confidence and abilities in practice anyway. And on Friday, rather than letting those kinds of scores seep into their self-confidence and become their identity, the young Panthers chose to fight.

Sophomore Darrian Carter embodied that fighting spirit. From just two points scored in the first quarter to 23 by games end, the 6-foot-5 forwards initial fiery comeback lit the torch for the rest of the Panthers en route to a 60-59 finish over the Bulldogs.

I told them, teams are gonna go on runs. We can make runs, too, if we stick with it, Bonnett said. Its all mental for us because were so young and inexperienced. But they fought through it.

The Panthers displayed just how determined it was to right its wrongs in the final moments. Annapolis trailed by one when junior Reggie Dean curved around the court on his teams final possession. This was his chance, and he didnt waste it. The guard slowed his pace before charging into the paint and popping his go-ahead, game-winning layup over a horde of Bulldogs.

And even then, Annapolis didnt rest on small victories. Southern inbounded the ball, dishing to Joell Simmons to move towards his own potential winner. Carter wasnt having it. The skyward sophomore moved to guard Simmons, forcing the senior to misfire as the clock hit zero.

Its our grit and attitude, Carter said. We decided that, even though we had a bad first half to the season, we figured we can come change it in the second half. Thats what we plan on doing.

When Southern surpassed Annapolis to lead 15-12 at first quarters end, it did not look back. The Bulldogs scored 15 straight to start the second while all the heat Annapolis presented in the former frame dissipated like hot air.

Southern guard Brian Griffin popped in two points at the buzzer to toss the Bulldogs to an 18-point advantage, 36-18, at halftime.

But as much as Southern punished their hosts in the second quarter, Annapolis spirit wasnt beat. And the Bulldogs did little to change that.

The Panthers didnt speak of woe at halftime. They spoke of work, Carter said.

First quarter, we played OK. Second quarter was downhill, the sophomore said. Halftime, we came back out, showed up, played our game.

Led by Carter, the Panthers steadily cut chunks from Southerns lead, getting within 51-35 going to the fourth.

Darrians still learning how to score, Bonnett said, and Im working on building confidence with him, too. Hes just learning he can be dominant when he has the ball in his hands,

Carter got to work. When he didnt get baskets, teammates rushed in to back him up. Freshman guard Nysean Harris with a 3-pointer, for instance. Even as its once-healthy lead crumbled away, Southern played erratic, taking inaccurate shots or turn over the ball.

Bonnett and his staff stress being active. His Panthers let their hands go limp in the first half, the coach said, allowing the Bulldogs to collect plenty of skip passes and plenty of 3-pointers. Once Annapolis focused on its hands, it couldnt be stopped.

We [also] figured out how to stop their top guys. They were doing everything credit to them, they played a great game, Carter said. But we decided we wanted to play defense. Close out on shooters and stop them from driving up.

With 2:08 left, Annapolis got within three points. But they werent interesting in tying. Harris shuffled up to the arc and fired. For a split second, the court went quiet as Southern watched their lead die.

Then, the gym split open with sound. And Annapolis led for the first time since the first quarter at 58-57.

It felt great, like the energy the crowd gave us, Carter said, we were just able to get back in the game.

Go here to see the original:
Annapolis boys basketball shows grit and promise in rally over ... - Capital Gazette

From compliance mandates and campus culture to cyber security and access control, practitioners and solutions providers give their predictions on where the industry is headed.

Whether you believe in fortune-telling or not, nearly all who work in the campus safety and security industry would agree that knowing what the future holds would save our community and the entire country a whole lot of headaches and heartaches.

While we can often learn a lot from history and its tendency to be repetitive, advances such as those in technology are catapulting us away from the ability to look into the past to predict the future. Thankfully, those same advances have better equipped the industry to protect students, staff, patients, and the surrounding communities.

Since we dont know for sure what will happen in the future, practitioners and solutions providers who live through and study safety and security day in and day out are our closest bet to accurately predicting what lies ahead. Heres what some of them have to say on various related topics.

Mike Lahiff, CEO of ZeroEyes:

The education sectors Great Resignation crisis will continue, with safety concerns playing a significant role. In a 2022 survey of school leaders and teachers, 40% said they felt less safe than five years ago. Nearly half of American Federation of Teachers (AFT) members say they worry about a mass shooting in their workplace, and a full 63% feel that their schools are not ready for a mass shooter event. Its no wonder that 55% of educators report that they are ready to leave their profession earlier than planned. Many school decision-makers seem to have the attitude that an active shooter situation couldnt happen to them, but we predict that more proactive security measures will become commonplace as school threats continue to increase.

More states will follow Michigans lead and release funds specifically devoted to school safety. Theyll have to because voters will demand it. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 76% of Americans consider gun violence one of the biggest problems facing the country. In another survey of 998 registered U.S. voters, three in five adults stated they belief that leaders in Washington are not doing enough to prevent gun-related violence. The threat of gun-related violence is not going to go away, and especially in the wake of Uvalde parents are demanding that their children be better protected while on school grounds.

Marisa Randazzo, Ph.D., Executive Director of Threat Management, Ontic:

I have a number of colleagues who are health providers and I talk with them from time to time about what theyre seeing. And then a number of hospitals and healthcare facilities, I actively support through training and program guidance through behavioral threat assessments. What Im seeing in those different purviews is while healthcare providers are in the thick of it now in terms of workplace violence, Im starting to see impact from the Joint Commission requirements. As hospitals are fully implementing those requirements and other guidances, like from the American Hospital Association, it takes a while but they are starting to see the beneficial impact of having these programs in place and having these trained teams to respond to incidents as they occur.

While the number of threats may continue to remain high, what Im seeing improvement in is the ability of hospitals and healthcare facilities to respond appropriately and figure out, Where do we need to actually intervene to mitigate risk?

I feel like there is absolutely hope on the horizon in large part because of these requirements. Theyve now been in place for a year and were actually seeing that beneficial impact of reduction in incidents because theyre able to get left of bang, theyre able to look at something before harm has occurred, and take steps to mitigate it.

Marisa Randazzo, Ph.D., Executive Director of Threat Management, Ontic:

My prediction for violence in schools is that were actually going to see a decrease because were getting back to much more normal conditions. Healthcare is still under siege, in part because they are facing this ongoing tripledemic an ongoing influx of patients. Again, were finally seeing the benefits of a couple of years of work. Because of federal funding, so many states now are really trying to implement behavioral threat assessments and violence prevention at a state level, whether it is for looking at concerns coming from students about employee behavior, whatever the case may be. We are finally seeing the benefits of all this infrastructure thats been built at a state level and for schools around the country in a way we have never seen before, historically.

It is my truly optimistic view that were going to see targeted school violence incidents start to decrease and were going to hear much more about the wins schools are having the averted attacks. So much that we do to prevent violence centers around how to support someone who is struggling. Whether it is a patient, a patient family member, a student, or an employee, when we find someone who is considering resorting to violence or feels like they are at the end of their rope and have no other options left, the more we can do to actually support that person and help them solve those underlying problems.

Kati Garner, M.Ed., Regional Training Consultant, Colorado School Safety Resource Center:

2023 will be a year that sees continued conversation around mental health, its impact on staff and students, and how much it affects the overall safety of our campuses. There will be ongoing struggles to hire needed mental health professionals but I truly believe states, districts, and communities will band together to help each other find creative solutions to provide these critical resources.

Anthony Pluretti, Executive Director of Campus Safety, Widener University, 2022CSHigher Education Director of the Year winner:

As the higher education industry continues to experience enrollment challenges, campus safety offices are being called upon to do more than just provide safe environments. Students need to feel welcome at their institutions, and campus safety offices will be called upon to contribute to recruitment and retention efforts in that regard.

Widener University has made building a culture of belonging on our campuses an institution-wide priority, and I see this becoming a more widespread practice in 2023. Campus safety and police agencies are in an excellent position to reformat their outreach programs and find better ways to establish meaningful and lasting connections with the community. Agencies have always had some kind of education that they deliver to the community, however, creating a sense of belonging is about connecting with your students on a much deeper level than was customary in previous years.

Social media pages, comfort K9s, collaborative events with student organizations and just having fun with students are the kinds of things I believe will be asked of everyone this year and going forward. It will be important to develop a culture of hospitality in our departments while still providing a safe campus and enforcing the law.

At Widener, we see every interaction with the community as an opportunity to help recruit or retain students, and to contribute to a culture of belonging. Our campus safety office has found that building and strengthening relationships with this as a priority has been a really rewarding experience.

Michael Garcia, National End User Manager, K-12 Safe Schools, HID Global:

In 2007, myself, a school psychologist, and a group of school safety and security advocates and practitioners from across the country predicted that mental and behavioral health, behavioral threat analyses, and a focus on improving school culture to create a social and emotional climate would combine with physical security people, policy and technology to compliment emergency security operations management in schools. This comprehensive framework would empower school districts to assess and manage risks district-wide. I am sad to say that we were kicked out of school administrative offices and educational service centers across the country.

Well, after 16+ years, we finally have buy-in at the school district level. With this in place, my prediction, now that state and federal government funds for safety and security are starting to flow into schools is.GET READY FOR COMPLIANCE MANDATES. Some will be funded, some un-funded, but all will be enforced by holding back funds if schools are audited and not in compliance. These mandates will be driven by politicians, those appointed by politicians, and non-security professionals, for the most part.

Many past, current, and future issues will not be addressed. Lobbyist groups will begin to push the emerging, non-proven products of their clients as the best investment for the safety of our school-aged children, teachers, administrators, and staff. The compliance measures will be audited by non-security professionals as well, which will deliver a double whammy to those districts that do not have seasoned school security leadership and a decision-making round table in place (with the school board as the final decision approval authority).

To kick these mandates off, school audits will be mandated and performed in 2023, which will deliver surface tension and known vulnerabilities at best. Many of these audits will be grade your own test type, do-it-yourself audits, not the required third-party individual verification and validation (IV&V) true risk assessments (that include cyber and environmental risks, etc), which can then be audited by the state or federal compliance agencies.

We will see more gross negligence lawsuits in school districts because of the school boards and superintendents not mitigating the critical risks found in the submitted risk assessments. They will either not see the value of mitigation for the threats and vulnerabilities that a true risk assessment will bring to light or they will not want to invest the financial resources needed to properly secure our most precious and priceless assets. Compliance mandates will place the responsibility of diligence, vigilance, and management of the safety and security process squarely on the shoulders of the elected board members (governance trustees) and the CEO of the district (superintendent).

This is where board and administrator safety and security training by the National School Boards Association (NSBA) and the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) will be imperative because it has never been required before at the executive level.

Gary Sigrist, CEO and President, Safeguard Risk Solutions:

Legislation and funding for school safety will continue to make a difference, but schools will need help in finding the right solutions for their school community.

We are starting to see states providing legislation and funding that can make a real difference in school safety. The Ohio Attorney Generals Office provided funding for Law Enforcement Officers to receive training in conducting Security and Vulnerability Assessments for their local schools. Ohios 133rd General Assembly enacted House Bill 123, the Safety and Violence Education Students (SAVE Students) Act, regarding school security and youth suicide awareness education and training. HB 123 requires each school building in grades six through 12 to have a Threat Assessment Team (TAT).

House Bill 110 of the 134th General Assembly provides grant funding for eligible security improvements that assist organizations in preventing and preparing for responding to acts of terrorism. For schools to qualify for the grants, they not only have to show a need based on a current Security and Vulnerability Assessment, but they must have a trained Threat Assessment Team. The Ohio School Safety Center provided qualified schools with a list of approved trainers for a district TAT, many of them free to the schools and districts. Schools can meet the requirements of the grant without the need to pay a vendor for an SVA or threat assessment training.

Sadly, with grant funding comes vendors selling snake oil to schools with solutions that are unnecessary, unproven, and often put students and schools at risk with a false sense of security. Although states should not be in the business of promoting products or vendors, a state or national clearinghouse on the types of products proven to make a difference and a method for vetting vendors would go a long way in making the most of safety grant dollars. For example, you cannot work as a school security consultant in Texas unless you have been vetted and approved by the state. Schools and districts must understand grants are limited and there must be a method of funding safety initiatives after state and federal grants cease. If we want this trend of positive legislation and funding to continue, we must help schools spend money wisely.

Michael DePasquale, CEO at BIO-key:

The number of threats to higher education institutions will, unfortunately, continue to rise in 2023, and institutions will need to strengthen their cybersecurity efforts accordingly. IT departments in this sector are often understaffed and underfunded, treated as an afterthought. However, several proactive security measures taken by higher education organizations, like installing biometric authentication methods, can help defend against increased attempts of phishing, fraud, and identity cyberattacks.

Security oversight in healthcare systems can cost lives, as the industry has a direct impact on the well-being of individuals. As we continue to see a rise in cyber threats in healthcare, preventative security measures, like the implementation of identity-bound biometrics, will prove critical to ensuring users are who they say they are when accessing healthcare networks.

As remote and hybrid work methods continue to remain prominent, companies in 2023 will be forced to deploy stronger identity solutions to maintain security efforts. While device-based authentication can ensure only trusted phones and laptops can access the network, this method fails to properly authenticate the individual behind that device. This year, well see a definitive shift toward authenticating the user to strengthen security procedures within the enterprise.

According to a report from Eagle Eye Networks, the top five video surveillance trends for 2023 are:

1. Businesses are budgeting for video surveillance platforms that are AI-ready and future-proof2. Businesses want solutions that reduce operating costs3. Parking is being universally automated4. Schools are experimenting with security technologies to enhance safety5. Convenient and continuous customer support saves time and manpower

While the after-effects of the pandemic, regional conflicts and an uncertain economy present many challenges, business owners will find encouraging information in the 2023 Trends in Video Surveillance report, said CEO Dean Drako. Many of the 2023 trends are driven by recent introductions of cloud + AI technology that are being rapidly adopted by businesses, schools, and organizations across APAC, EMEA, and North America. A common denominator in 2023 will be affordable, easy-to-use technology that gives an insight into operations.

Genetec Press Release:

The [2022 State of Physical Security Report] also showed that 67% of organizations are planning to invest in access control system (ACS) modernization in 2023, putting it at the top of the physical security tech investment list. Modern ACS include built-in cyber defenses and health monitoring tools, and higher levels of automation. Upgrading to a modern, open ACS will help organizations eliminate the weak points of legacy systems and better defend against cybersecurity threats, as well as enable new capabilities like mobile credentials, biometrics, and cloud-connected controllers and services, to implement over time.

Guy Bliesner, School Safety & Security Analyst, Idaho School Safety and Security Program:

Following recent school shooting incidents, there is intense emotional inertia and strong public pressure to do something to make our schools safe. Significant monies are being allocated for school safety and security improvements at the federal, state, and local levels. This will provide an unprecedented opportunity this coming year to create safer and more secure schools.

Unfortunately, there are no easy answers. No one size fits all solution. No buy this one thing school safety remedy. No just do this and your school will be safe process. The radical differences in exposure, security posture, school community demographic, location, building design, and condition, plus a dozen other factors, preclude a universal best answer to any school security improvement.

School security is an ongoing posture that a school community must adopt and not simply a set of processes, and infinitely more than just a product. We need to be cognizant of this unique opportunity and use it effectively.

Agree or disagree with the predictions made here? Share your thoughts, respectfully, in the comments!

Continue reading here:
11 Predictions for Campus Safety and Security in 2023 - Campus Safety Magazine

Western Sydney coach Marko Rudan has questioned the mental strength of his players after watching their shock 1-0 loss to last-placed Perth Glory at a windswept Macedonia Park.

The Wanderers entered Friday night's match full of confidence on the back of last week's 4-0 thrashing of Macarthur, and they were expected to sweep aside a struggling Glory outfit missing key players Ryan Williams, Mark Beevers and Aaron McEneff.

But Glory flipped the script on its head, dominating the first half before scoring the winner in the 59th minute in what was one of Western Sydney's worst performance of the A-League Men season.

The result put a major dent in Western Sydney's hopes of catching ladder leaders Melbourne City, and has also left them vulnerable to being leapfrogged by the likes of Central Coast, Adelaide, and Brisbane.

Rudan said the performance against Glory wasn't good enough.

"We are not going to keep building if our mentality isn't right," Rudan said.

"And it's games like this where we've struggled.

"We come to Perth, poor lighting, strong winds - so what. So what.

"These external factors, if we're going to be a good side, need to be forgotten about.

"We need to be mentally better, and we're not. We're not there."

Rudan wants to see his players show their mental strength during the tough moments.

"That's a process. It's not a magic wand," he said.

"You put them in certain positions or moments to try to challenge them.

"But ultimately the most important day of the week is game day, that's where you get judged, not at training

"A lot of people can do it at training. But can you come to Perth on a windy night and do it? We're not there. Maybe a handful are."

Rudan said captain Marcelo Guedes had some "strong words" to his teammates after the game.

"He understands what winning means and what it takes. It's easy to win at home or when things are going well," Rudan said.

"That's easy, anyone can play the game. But the challenge for this group of players is switching on the mentality (when it's tough), and the attitude needs to be right as well."

The Wanderers are sweating on the fitness of attacker Kusini Yengi after he limped off with a quad injury in the first half.

Yengi only returned a week ago from a similar injury, and it's unlikely he will be able to face Melbourne City at CommBank Stadium on Sunday.

Continue reading here:
Rudan critical of brittle Wanderers - The West Australian

It wasnt the hike that we thought it would be, it was the hike we got.

I kept coming back to those words from Class of 2021 Appalachian Trail Thru-hiker Suzanne Holland during our recent interview. Holland and fellow hiker Cindy Aurin completed their successful thru-hike of the A.T. on Oct. 7, and the sentiment behind those words struck me as something special.

I have never been on a hiking trip where everything went exactly as planned, and my trips have only been over the course of several days or a week. A thru-hike along the 2,193.1 miles of the A.T. multiplies the number of possible entries on the what could go wrong list and makes adaptability a must.

Most sources rank the White Mountains, southern Maine and northern Pennsylvania as the most difficult three sections of any A.T. thru-hike, and when I asked the Dames their opinion, they concurred. According to Holland, They say that when you reach the Whites, 80% of the trail is behind you, but 80% of the work is ahead of you.

Explained Aurin, The wind is constant in the Whites. Its pretty rare when its still.

In fact, Holland reported that the force of the wind actually blew her off the trail while trekking through the Presidential range.

You have a backpack on, so you are a high-profile vehicle. You had to use your trekking poles to stay upright, Holland said.

True to the ranking, southern Maine and the infamous Mahoosuc Notch also proved tough for this hiking duo. This deep gap between mountains is labeled by many thru-hiking experts as the A.T.s longest mile. According to Holland, the section is like a puzzle that involves crawling under and over boulders.

With a positive attitude (and rest), its like a jungle gym recess, it can be fun, she explained.

After hearing Holland and Aurins description of this leg of the trail, I added PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) to the aforementioned adaptability as another key to any successful thru-hike. It took the hikers three hours to negotiate the Mahoosuc Mile, and based on their descriptions, they did it with smiles on their faces.

I last spoke with the Dames at the halfway point of their hike just before they entered Pennsylvania. While in Rocksylvania, as it has come to be known by thru-hikers, both took hard falls that required medical attention on separate occasions about a week apart. Needless to say, the hikers were glad to have the rocks of the Keystone State behind them, but they now began to feel a time crunch to finish their hike.

In order to finish with the traditional summit of Mount Katahdin, the hikers would need to arrive at Baxter State Park prior to Oct. 15, as access to the mountain is typically closed at that point due to winter weather conditions. Prior to the White Mountain range, they were averaging more than 100 miles every eight days. However, the Whites reduced their daily average from around 15 miles per day to around 6.

Facing this dilemma, the Dames made the decision to flip-up or shuttle up to Monson, Maine, hike the Hundred-Mile Wilderness and summit Mount Katahdin prior to its closure and then pick back up in Monson and hike back down to finish the remaining section of the trail. Again, their ability to adapt proved tantamount to their success.

It took the Dames almost seven months to complete their peregrination from Georgia to Maine. Thats a lot of time to unplug from the daily connectivity of the real world. In fact, both mentioned this reentry as one of the hardest things theyve had to do since coming off the trail. Holland told me they are having to control their media diet and ease back into the realities of daily life.

Were trying to figure out where our place is, Aurin explained.

Added Holland, The one thing we do know is we are looking forward to going to spring training baseball games in Florida.

The semi-retired couple splits their time between Florida and their cabin in the mountains near Blue Ridge, Georgia.

Of note, Maine won out as their favorite state. According to Aurin, The remoteness, vastness and purity of the state made it feel like a western state in the East. Its pristine, perfect, amazing.

Their favorite moment turned out to be one of their last on the trail. In the words of Holland: Our last night on the trail was our most memorable. We both said it was a spiritual moment. It was an absolutely beautiful evening in a pine forest in the Bigelows. The colors of the forest were stunning, the sun was setting, you could see the silk of spider webs blowing in the wind in the rays of the sun. We felt like we were at peace with everything, and everyone that had supported us was with us. It was the best ending we could write for the hike that we got.

Sometimes we get what we expect, and sometimes at the intersection of expectations and reality something magical happens. Heres to that magic, to the Wandering Dames and to finding your peace out there in our great outdoors.

Email outdoors columnist Brad Dye at braddye@comcast.net.

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Expectations and reality along the Appalachian Trail - Meridian Star

Seymours Lainey Jackson watches her shot during the sectional Sept. 18 at Otis Park Golf Course in Bedford. Jackson has been named The Tribunes Girls Golfer of the Year.

Greg Jones | For The Tribune

Lainey Jackson had another excellent season of playing golf for the Seymour Owls.

This fall, she filled the No. 1 position throughout the season and carried averages of 42.9 for nine holes and 89.7 for 18.

She won the Bedford North Lawrence Sectional by five strokes with an 84 to help the Owls advance to the Washington Regional, where they placed 13th.

The junior earned all-Hoosier Hills Conference honorable mention by shooting an 87 to place eighth individually at Shadowood Golf Course.

Jackson was named Seymours most valuable player for the second straight year during the awards program held last week at Shadowood.

For all of her accomplishments, she has seen named The Tribunes Girls Golfer of the Year.

I like that you kind of have to rely on yourself, know that you have to do better and that you have to come out and practice every day, she said. I like meeting new people all around and getting to connect with them throughout the whole season with people everywhere.

The Owls play their home matches at Shadowood.

I like the front nine better, she said. Her best nine-hole score there has been a 40, and her best 18-hole round was the 87 she shot in the HHC.

Every hole, I try to think about where I need to be to get the best score, Jackson said. Sometimes, it doesnt go as planned with the first shot. You have to change what youre going to do every time. Its not going to be the same every time, so thats another challenge of the game.

Seymour coach Jim Hoffman said Jackson is very deserving of the honor.

Sectional medalist was really huge. Its a nice individual accomplishment, he said. It helped our team immensely. For her to do that and win by five strokes on a tough day was outstanding. That was a great day for her. She played under control, did her thing, didnt let anything bother her. Her mental side has really grown as she has matured. I could see a big difference from her freshman year to now.

She doesnt let much bother her now. If she shoots a bad score, she gets down and she gets right back up. The next hole is really crucial if you have a bad hole. She has really eliminated the big numbers.

He said her experience on golf courses paid off this fall.

You could see the last couple years coming through for her mentally as the season progressed this year. I see really big things from her next year. Lainey hits the ball a long way. She drives the ball long enough that shes got shots that are fairly easy for her, Hoffman said. What she worked on hard was putting. That really helped her at the end of the season. When she struggled, she struggled putting. When she putted well, she shot well. She got up and down, and when her chipping got better, her putting got a lot better.

Jackson said her favorite away course is Country Oaks near Montgomery, where the regional is played. She has advanced with the team to the regional three straight years.

Its really challenging, and I just like a good challenge, she said.

She enjoys playing the No. 1 position.

I try not to think about beating the other person. I just try to play my best and get my best score, she said. In the end, I like to know if I beat them or not because its competition. When Im out there, Im not thinking how Im compared to them.

Jackson also thought her putting improved this fall, and it helped pick her up because her driving wasnt as strong as it usually is.

My driving wasnt as good as past years, so I had to pick it up with my putting, my short game, so I have a lot to work on this summer. My irons were good this year. My putting was probably one of my best things this year, Jackson said. Practice is really important, and you have to make sure youre taking care of your body, too, after matches and stuff and that youre resting because it takes on your mental and physical health.

Other members of the all-county team:

Payton Ault, Brownstown Central (senior) Was Braves medalist three times and runner-up four times, averaged 46 (9) and 96.8 (18), all-conference three times, mental attitude winner two times.

Hannah Hackman, Brownstown Central (senior) One-time all-MSC, one-time all-MSC honorable mention, two-time mental attitude award winner.

Lexie Satterthwaite, Brownstown Central (senior) Medalist four times, runner-up twice, averaged 47 (9) and 102.4 (18), three-time all-MSC.

Phoebe Skidmore, Seymour (junior) Averaged 48.9 (9) and 101 (18).

Liza Stuckwisch, Seymour (junior) Most improved, averaged 49 (9) and 99 (18).

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Seymour's Jackson headlines all-county team as The Tribune's Girls Golfer of the Year - Seymour Tribune

Are we always in the right frame of mind to drive a vehicle? When a motorist slips behind the wheel of a motor car he automatically becomes a vital part of this complex but useful machine. If the driver is both physically and mentally prepared and ready for the road, the vehicle will perform at its peak.

The key to the entire operation of defensive driving and that motor vehicle is the driver, says Dr Wendel Abel, consultant psychiatrist. According to Dr Abel, driving is essentially an activity of the mind, but additionally, our bodies are also important as they translate the impulses of our thoughts, as we meet and deal with the many challenges of the Jamaican roads.

A driver who sits tall in the saddle, alert, head up, and hands on the wheel, immediately creates an impression of being in control. Fatigue arrives very quickly when muscles are taut, therefore, every effort should be made to remain physically relaxed, while being mentally alert, Dr Abel stressed. It was Robert Benoist, a French Grand Prix driver of the 1920s and 1930s, who embraced the view that the stability of the car depends on the personal stability of the driver.

A person without excellent reflexes and a wandering mind or poor physical coordination can be a dangerous driver. A driver should be able to translate reflex action into correct physical action. For example, stepping on the brakes, turning the wheel, manoeuvring a corner and so on. Reflexes are of little value in defensive driving, unless they are supported by experience and discretion. Motorists should bear in mind that going beyond normal physical capabilities, the matter of adaptability to safe driving becomes extremely important each day we drive on the roads.

With todays fast cars, and heavy traffic congestion in regular hours, especially when rain falls, mental stability of any driver is of paramount importance. According to Dr Dianne McCallum, of The University of the West Indies, Mona, there are various drivers on our roads; some with challenges, others with a certain mindset. Therefore, our drivers need to be purposeful and intentional to defuse any road-rage situation. Our drivers must be calm, while using a kind word or a decent gesture, which could save someone from himself and from others, she adds.

Our driving ability varies from day to day, in relation to ones culture and lifestyle. For example, Mr X, who had a spat with his spouse, just zooms off to work. Driver Y, who is in mourning, is on the way to a funeral. Neither of these two persons could be described as being in a settled frame of mind. Mr X, who had a quarrel, may take out his anger and frustration by driving more aggressively. The mourner may find that his grief has distracted him completely from his safe driving. Dr Abel pointed out that this change from their normal attitude will affect their driving.

Because of the need to be alert and attentive when driving or riding you should consider:

1. Observation: Look around for other road users and pedestrians.

2. Anticipation: Look ahead and give yourself enough time to react to hazards.

3. Concentration: Be alert at all times when driving or riding.

4. Awareness: Understand the actions of other road users.

5. Distraction: Do not become distracted while driving. Your attention must be on the road.

6. Boredom: This could make you feel sleepy, keep your mind on your driving.

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Mental stability, the driver and driving | Auto - Jamaica Gleaner

BY PROF (DR.) YASIR HASSAN RATHER and ZOYA MIR

I carried my favourite bag to my class in March 2020, I played without fear with my friends long way back; hugging my friends, sharing our meals it doesnt happen anymore. I have been seeing my friends, but on the other side of screen we still attend the same class just the togetherness isnt felt. We call it a class but its not the same anymore... Our elders are calling it the new normal. But how can I like it? This new normal has detached me from my friends, from my school, from my space, from my development. Its not my fault, but I am supposed to grow in it. And yet smile! I am a child with not so normal life to adjust with! Still, I am labelled as too sensitive; Am I?

Children having a healthy family environment, children with special needs, children in juvenile homes, children in orphanages, children engaged in child labour and children who are underprivileged - all have been affected by covid-19 pandemic. We tried to find ways to handle the crisis and somewhere found ways of coping with the situation, creating social networks and lifting up spirits of each other in difficult times but children were imposed with a system of education where they missed out on their most important stage of development; growing up with other children, learning from the togetherness, taking turns, learning from fights and accepting individual differences.

As time passed, Covid-19 started transforming the lives of children. The pandemic and the associated policies like confinement and social distancing were put up as priorities and it touched every childs world.

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Lets Celebrate the Day! - Greater Kashmir

Consumers are embracing the idea of wellness like never before and with a completely different approach than in decades past. Its no longer about fad diets, only calorie-counting or workout videos a la Barrys Bootcamp. Wellness today is broad, encompassing fitness, nutrition, and physical and mental health. Its a complete body-mind approach: feel good on the inside and the outside.

The growing wellness trend

With access to an infinite number of materials and sources to consult and learn from blogs, YouTube videos, apps, medical journals consumers are taking more control of every aspect of their lives, health and well-being included.

According to McKinseys Future of Wellness survey, people worldwide are focusing on their health. Seventy-nine percent of people surveyed across six countries believe wellness is important, and 42% rate it as a top priority. Those numbers demonstrate a significant attitude shift among consumers.

But people dont think of health as a single concept. The same study revealed that people qualify aspects of health into six categories: better health (which includes medicine and supplements, devices, trackers, and telemedicine), fitness, nutrition, appearance, sleep, and mindfulness.

Its no surprise that the better health category was most important to consumers in all countries (and the area where they spent the most money). Whats particularly interesting for businesses and service providers in the wellness market is that cultural differences heavily influenced the types of products and services that ranked second for expenditures. In Germany, it was fitness; in Japan, it was appearance; in the UK and China, it was nutrition; in the US and Brazil, it was mindfulness.

Finally, the research revealed consumer trends that are driving the market. The number one trend is an affinity for clean and natural products. Over the last several years, weve seen a growing shift towards clean beauty products, clean and organic foods, and even all organic household cleaners. Now, supplements are stepping up to the proverbial plate. The evidence is clear: in 2019, the global market size for herbal medicine was projected to reach $83 billion, but interest in supplements is so high, the market is expected to hit $550 billion in 2030 at an 18.9% CAGR.

Health supplements are taking center stage

We live in a fast-paced world dominated by hectic schedules. Urbanization is increasing, as is disposable income. Even though many are aware of healthy options (they read food labels, buy organic, etc.) and make healthier choices regularly, its still a challenge to be healthy and have balanced levels of nutrients, particularly for certain individuals.

Take vegans or vegetarians, for example. People following these diets can naturally improve their health by relying on different foods, but they need to know what they lack and how to make up for those deficits. Education is the key, and providing people with the information they need to make the best choices will result in positive outcomes.

Research has shown that when diabetics replaced meat with plant proteins, they could reduce their risk of poor kidney function. Another study found that people on a vegan diet could reduce their dosage of blood sugar-lowering medications. While those are tremendous benefits for people managing chronic conditions, vegan diets commonly come with vitamin B12, calcium, iron, and zinc deficiencies.

However, we live in a time where we dont have to choose one over the other. Patients can have the best of all worlds less medication, lower health risks, and a nutrient-rich diet bolstered by supplements. This is exactly the path that so many consumers are choosing and education is lighting their way as they navigate down the road.

Even consumers who arent battling diseases are tapping health supplements to boost immune systems, foster recovery after workouts, improve mental stamina, or many other reasons.They are turning to friends, family, and online communities, seeking answers from others who have more experience. With the internet available 24/7, advice is never more than a Google search away. With a few clicks, consumers can have access to more information than they know what to do with, and thats where online communities and forums become even more valuable. Beyond sharing research and doctor-approved knowledge, communities are filled with real people who have tried and tested, often sage advice.

The evolving modern consumer

For health-conscious consumers, its not just about calorie counting or one-sided healthcare. They want food with nutritional value, organic products that fuel their body and mind, and helpful supplements to remain in peak form. Consumers consider wellness services and products worthwhile investments -investments in themselves and their futures. The growing demand for natural solutions is proof of that. Everyone is prioritizing their well-being with a focus on both their general health and specific needs.

Given the rise in health-focused apps and wearables, consumers are taking it upon themselves to learn new healthy habits, monitor their behaviors, and make changes as they reap the rewards of better decisions. Its a brave new world for the consumer and one in which they feel empowered by being active participants. That leaves the door wide open for wellness businesses that want to leap into the future alongside consumers.

Photo: Vitaliya Yankovskaya

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Consumer attitudes are changing: Whole body health is the new normal - MedCity News