It’s so refreshing to encounter youth that have been raised with old fashioned values. It can be rare as young people are accustomed to using slang with both contemporaries and adults alike. We can’t train all young people who we encounter in the workplace to be respectful, but we can reinforce good behavior when we see it by saying, “Thank you for saying, ‘You’re welcome’ instead of ‘No problem.’ We like that!” There are times when just being a good example isn’t enough

There are times in everyone’s life where they are overwhelmed by events in their day that cause them stress. The old saying “Laughter is good medicine”, is great advice. When the situation is ridiculous bordering on hopeless, look for the irony and find humor.

One such case is the story of Etta Edwards and her little white poodle. Etta was unemployed, frustrated to tears and stressed to the point of her blood pressure reaching the danger zone. She adopted a deaf and partially blind white toy poodle that was destined to be put down. Without realizing it the hilarious antics of this little character distracted and calmed Etta bringing her blood pressure into the safety zone. The last time we saw Etta she had dyed multi-colored spots on her little friend saying that she still REALLY NEEDED A JOB! We all had a good laugh, but will remember Etta as she did something remarkable with her humor

I work at a small Jobconnect office in Hawthorne, Nevada where I have had the pleasure of meeting some extraordinary people. When Tim Walker first came to the office he was unfamiliar with computers, learning the most basic of skills. Like so many in today’s dislocated workforce, Tim’s former jobs in the last 35 years never required the use of a computer. Unlike the typical trades worker attitude of, “No ma’am, I just don’t “do” computers!” Tim embraced the change and stepped up to the plate, telling me, “Why fight the inevitable? You have to adapt.”

Tim’s attitude and growth was inspiring as the numbers of burly heavy equipment operators, trade workers and even pilots that would literally flee from office when told that they would need to do an online application. The irony of course is that these men have built our country, moved mountains and flown the skies of the world in planes. When asking myself what makes Tim different, I remembered that he is a Marine. Semper Fi, You’re the Man, Tim!

I would love to hear from readers who have stories of remarkable people who have inspired them. Kris Waldon

As a first post I would like to have feedback on “Attitudes of Encouragement” and how they’ve effected your life. Just like airplanes we carry ourselves with a certain attitude. The attitude of encouragement is the positive choice as opposed to doing nothing when we encounter co-workers, clients, or family members who have become angry or frustrated. When a person is in this mode they can become “blocked” where they can’t move forward in a positive way until they are able to let go, at least temporarily of their complaint. If you are able to re-direct that person in a positive way, you will be rewarded exponentially, as that person goes forth and passes along the favor. I’m not saying that you need to invest a great deal of time with, “Ain’t it awful” commiserating, but to re-direct or distract to remove the block or budge the obsession. Sometimes all it takes is a subtle compliment that brings a smile and a change of heart. Like Bret Simmons says, “Take care of your relationships and the rest will work itself out.”