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JANUARY 2020
Renting out a Refurbished Lease on Life DO SMALL THINGS WITH GREAT LOVE What Makes th World Go ‘Round
Happy New Year!
In my mind, the problem with “great things” thinking is that most people view it as binary. You either do “great things” or you don’t. And if a thing isn’t a “great thing,” then why do it at all? This gives too many people an excuse to say no to all the small things they could do in their everyday lives. Andrew, Melissa, and I were recently debating Robert C. White & Company’s “purpose.”Why do we exist as a company? What are we all about? We quickly got to a common answer centered around peace of mind, problem- solving, and service. We really care about delivering those things to our clients.
I truly hope you and your family had a safe and happy holiday season.
On our way to my childhood home this Thanksgiving, I had to swerve in the road to avoid running over a turtle. The kids promptly decided that they had to save it. They got out of the car, ran to the turtle, picked it up, and placed it safely in the grass (but not before I made them pose for the wind-whipped picture you see to the right). They noticed the turtle had a cracked shell, and it seemed to me that it was a determined little turtle! I was proud of my kids and their innate desires to do a good deed and help this defenseless animal. I was also struck by the connection to a quote I have been thinking a lot about lately.
“We cannot all do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” –Mother Teresa
I was pleased that we are aligned on what we are all about, that it was focused on our clients and not ourselves, and that, frankly, they are “small things” as opposed to “great things.” I believe we can and will have more impact in the world if we focus on the little things we can do with great love. The good that is done little by little, step by step, is what I believe really moves the needle. I’m proud of the team at Robert C. White & Company, and I am proud that we all are focused on the small things we can do for our clients. I hope you are proud of your team here as well, as we honestly view you as partners in all of this.
Yours in doing small things that hopefully make a difference,
Small things with great love …
I must admit, I sometimes get caught in the “great things” conundrum. I know people who I’ve worked with or went to school with who are doing “great things” by anyone’s definition. And often, I ask myself whether I am pushing myself enough to pursue “great things.” Sometimes I even put myself in the unnecessary trap where I question whether I am using my ample God-given gifts to their fullest. Usually I’m able to quickly get myself to the safer (and correct place) where I realize that what really matters are the small things I do on a daily basis.
P.S. You’ve got to love kid humor! Here’s a related joke my kids told me: Why did the turtle cross the road? To get to the shell station. Ha! P.P.S. I’d love to hear your thoughts on “great things” versus “small things.” Feel free to email luke@robertcwhite.com or call me at 860.956.5372.
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CTRL, ALT, DELETE YOUR CLUTTER
Tips for National Clean Up Your Computer Month
Everyone relies on technology. Computers, laptops, tablets, and phones are staples of modern life. However, it’s easy for these devices to become cluttered with old photos, files, and general disorganization. Luckily, January is National Clean Up Your Computer Month and an excellent time to get your technology in order.
Imagine you’re navigating a vast airport on a busy Saturday, shouldering your way through crowds and struggling to hear the PA system over the clatter of 1,000 wheeled suitcases. Suddenly, you see a pig wearing a hot pink sweater waddling toward you on a leash. Do you stop in your tracks? Does your stress level drop? Do you laugh out loud when you see its pink nail polish? If you answered “yes” to any of the above, then you can sympathize with the passengers, pilots, flight attendants, and staff at the San Francisco International Airport. They get to enjoy visits from Lilou, the world’s first airport therapy pig, on a regular basis! As part of the Wag Brigade, the airport’s cadre of (mostly canine) therapy animals, Lilou wanders the airport with her humans, bringing joy, peace, and calm to everyone she meets. Lilou may be the only pig of her kind, but airport therapy animals have been a growing trend for the last few years. According to NPR, as of 2017, more than 30 airports across the U.S. employed therapy dogs, and these days, estimates land closer to 60. The San Jose and Denver airports have therapy cats, and the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport even offers passengers the chance to play with miniature horses before boarding their flights. Therapy dogs started appearing in U.S. airports after the 9/11 terror attacks, which changed American attitudes about flying. They did so well at helping passengers calm down that airports began implementing permanent programs. Some have pets on hand 24/7 to assist passengers, while others host animal visits every few weeks or months. These days, regular travelers have fallen hard for their local therapy animals, many of whom even have their own Instagram accounts and hashtags. So, the next time you’re traveling, keep an eye out for a friendly pup, cat, pig, or horse to pet. A bit of love from an animal just might improve your trip! MEET THE WORLD’S FIRST AIRPORT THERAPY PIG How Lilou and Animals Like Her Calm Stressed-Out Travelers
START BY DUSTING
Over time, computer towers can become clogged with dust, which creates additional, unwanted heat within your computer. Regular cleanings will increase the lifespan of your computer and protect its essential components. Compressed air is great for removing most of the dust and other particulates. If the fans or filters are too dirty, you can remove them from the tower to clean them better. If you use water or liquid cleaning products on them, be sure they are completely dry before placing them back into your computer.
ORGANIZE YOUR FILES
Naming and arranging the files on your computer in such a way that they’re easy for you to find can end up saving you a lot of time. Declutter your workspace by creating one file for pictures, one for Word documents, one for spreadsheets, and one for programs to eliminate the hassle of frantically searching for the files you need.
BACK UP YOUR COMPUTER
Be sure to back up your computer before you start deleting things. This acts as a safety net in case you delete something you didn’t mean to. Additionally, consider installing a second hard drive. The extra space can help with storing important
files without having to worry about how much room is left.
CLEAN UP SPACE
Any files you’ll never use again should be deleted. Likewise, any
programs you haven’t used in a while should be uninstalled. Check your hard drive for files that might be taking up unintended space on your computer. And remember to empty the recycling bin — it’s easy to
forget just how much goes in there.
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ESCAPE TO A WINTER WONDERLAND Chill Out in These Frosty Destinations Snow is magical and gorgeous — unless you have to commute in it. If you want to enjoy all the wonder that winter has to offer without the hassle, why not turn it into a vacation? Here are a few breathtaking, snow-covered destinations that any winter lover can enjoy. Above the city of Gyeongju, this ancient Buddhist temple has stood on the slopes of Tohamsan Mountain since the eighth century. Bulguksa, or “Temple of the Buddha Land,” is South Korea’s No. 1 UNESCOWorld Heritage Site, making it a popular attraction for domestic and international tourism. The crowds and school tours die down during the winter, however, which also happens to be when Bulguksa is at its most pristine. The iced-over lotus ponds and snow-dusted pagodas add to the sense of tranquility this site naturally exudes. If you want the feel of a ski trip to the Alps without the packed slopes and ritzy resorts, the Dolomites are just for you. Located in northeastern Italy, this stunning mountain range is home to some of the best skiing in Europe, as well as many historical sites. The secluded villages that dot the mountain valleys are an attraction in their own right, especially for the rustic cuisine you’ll find there. Don’t expect pasta though. This region is a melting pot of flavors from Austria, northern Italy, and the local Ladin people. Ricotta and sauerkraut pancakes, anyone? THE DOLOMITES, SOUTH TYROL, ITALY BULGUKSA TEMPLE, SOUTH KOREA
THE ANTARCTIC
This is the one entry on this list that is best enjoyed during the summer
months, which is December– February in the Southern Hemisphere, because that’s when the freezing temperatures of the southernmost
continent are at their most hospitable. The Antarctic has
become an increasingly popular tourist destination, with cruises taking adventure seekers through the vast, untouched beauty of this far-flung destination. Some tourists even enjoy kayaking or cross-country skiing through this icy paradise.
HOPPIN’ JOHN
TAKE A BREAK
Inspired by Epicurious
Ingredients
•
1 smoked ham hock
•
1 cup dried black-eyed peas
•
1 medium onion, diced
•
5–6 cups water
•
1 cup long-grain white rice
•
1 dried hot pepper, optional (arbol and Calabrian are great options)
Directions
1.
Wash and sort peas.
2. In a saucepan, cover peas with water, discarding any that float. 3. Add pepper, ham hock, and onion. Gently boil and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until peas are just tender, about 90 minutes. At this point, you should have about 2 cups of liquid remaining. 4. Add rice, cover, drop heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes, undisturbed. 5. Remove from heat and let steam for an additional 10 minutes, still covered. 6. Remove lid, fluff with a fork, and serve.
Solution on Page 4
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INSIDE 1
The Underrated Thing That Makes the World Go ‘Round
2
Meet the World’s First Airport Therapy Pig Enter 2020 With an Organized Computer
3
Real Winter Wonderlands Hoppin’ John Tips to Establish a Family Media Use Plan
4
SCREEN-TIME STRATEGIES How to Set a Family Media Use Plan
HAVE A CHAT
With 24/7 media exposure from TVs, computers, and
smartphones, it feels like life is dominated by screens. Consider implementing a media use plan for your family so they don’t miss out on the real world.
Don’t shy away from warning your kids about what exists in the digital world. Explain to them that certain content isn’t age-appropriate, and teach them what movie and TV ratings mean. Remind them to be careful about what they put on the internet because anything they upload never really goes away. Teach them to be smart with their decisions. Connect with them on social media if it helps you keep an eye on things.
SET A CURFEW
CONSTRUCT A ‘MEDIA DIET’
Limiting the time your children spend staring at a screen is good for their health. Try to keep screen- time usage to under two hours per day. Implement a rule for no screens at mealtimes, and keep all screens out of bedrooms at night. Keep track of the devices by having a communal charging dock in a shared area where you can make
Take an active role in what your children watch by co-viewing programs with them. You’ll have a better sense of what they’re seeing and can point them toward the programming that’s right for them. Look for educational media choices that teach good values. There are a lot of great educational opportunities on the internet, but there’s also a lot of room for negative exposure. If this is a concern, keep the family computer in a public part of your home so you can see what they’re accessing online. It’s important to educate your children about proper media health, but it’s even more important to encourage your kids to be healthy in other ways. Beyond the tips mentioned above, encourage them to play outdoors and read physical books so they can participate more actively in the real world.
sure everything is plugged in for the night.
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