Giving Thanks
Shawn Achor, in The Happiness Advantage, points out that what we do at work can color our outlook on life, and not always in good ways. He uses the example of an attorney "deposing" her children when they get home from school. Jobs that require us to look for errors or problems can put us in a negative frame of mind. And many of our jobs require us to do that a lot: reviewing building plans and inspecting construction, watching for speeding cars and parking violations, inspecting businesses for fire code violations, reviewing a tree removal permit, and so on.
But the author recommends an antidote, based on solid psychological research. We can regain a positive outlook, in spite of our work, simply by writing down each day three things we are grateful for. It doesn't matter when, but he suggests the same time every day to get into the habit of it. And he says it is even more effective if family members share their three things for that day when they gather at the dinner table. (Copies of The Happiness Advantage are available through the Lake Oswego Library; I highly recommend it!)
2-1-1 Help Line: Free Assistance
You may know about 4-1-1 for information services. Did you also know that four years ago the Helpline became 2-1-1 to reflect the national number to call for a wide range of social services? 2-1-1 accesses local information and resources by city/zip code. Basic service information on local agencies allow City staff to help someone whose needs go beyond what the City can offer.
This information is available via phone, text, email or website search. They also have a fantastic blog which alerts the community of veteran hiring events and legal emergency planning among others. Housing, health care, shelter, warming centers, energy assistance, food resources, child care and emergency assistance resources and much more available to share with persons who may come to you for direction.
DIAL 211 toll free | TEXT your zip code to 898211| EMAIL help@211info.org
Introducing New Colleagues
Scott Austin has joined us as a building plans examiner. Scott was born and raised in Northern California, and served for 23 years in the US Navy, including work in naval intelligence. He decided working in the building industry would make a good "encore career." Scott lives in Beaverton, and outside of work enjoys home improvements, gardening, reading, exploring Portland, and football. He has two cats.
Allison Staley has joined our library, in youth services. Allison was born in Portland and graduated from Grant High. She discovered her passion for libraries working for Steamboat Springs CO library. She likes our library for the small town feel, and the fact that it's close to downtown. Allison lives in the Laurelhurst neighborhood and outside work enjoys skiing, dragon boat racing, soccer, biking and hiking, and of course, reading. Her dog Petunia is a Great Dane/Pit Bull mix.
