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FEBRUARY 2025
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How to Achieve More Without Sacrificing What Matters THE POWER OF PRIORITIZATION
We’ve all been at the point where it felt like there just weren’t enough hours in the day to get things done, let alone find the time for personal goals or fun. Mastering time management is a work in progress, even for someone who’s been in their career as long as I have. I’ve spent years balancing work, family, and self-care, and along the way, I’ve learned it’s not about simply squeezing more into your day but prioritizing the things that matter most. February is Time Management Month, a good opportunity to reflect on how we spend our time and better ways to make the most of it. Whether you carve out more time with loved ones, focus on personal well-being, or try to reach new goals, effective time management can help you find the balance. As someone working to provide for my family and continue growing in my career, I’ve always felt I needed to constantly improve and push myself to do more at the office. No matter how many hours I put in or whatever tasks I juggled, my family has always been the driving force behind it all. My loved ones are my main priority, and I never want to miss any big occasion or milestone. The sporting events, school plays, awards, and even quality time together are some of the greatest moments in a family. To make all those events and enjoy family time, I knew I had to be very efficient at work. Calendaring has been a game-changer for me. I will block out time on my schedule for the things I want to do outside work so I prioritize them. My 2025 calendar already has one daughter’s volleyball tournaments, my son’s college move- in date, and my other daughter’s wedding. We all have to make a living, but somehow, I still manage to enjoy the good family moments and continue to grow professionally. It comes down to making some big decisions. What was I willing to forgo? Did I just want to excel in my career, or did I want to put family first? I also book time in my schedule to care for myself, whether it’s exercise or a doctor’s appointment. In our busy lives, it’s easy to feel we don’t have enough time to complete everything we need to. It really comes down to choosing what’s most important to each of us and working accordingly. Create your list of top priorities, understand what you must accomplish daily, and calendar that
time. (It’s almost impossible to manage your time efficiently without some form of schedule or calendar). I’m old school, so having a notebook at my side can help me keep track of to-dos, meetings, and whatever other tasks come my way. I start my day by creating a new page of everything I must do, and it guides my routine. Writing it down helps me make an instant mental note. The other really important aspect of time is being present in those important moments. The minute I leave the office, I shut off work. On my commute home, I completely let go of work and begin to focus on my family and what I want to do the rest of the evening. Shutting off my work brain was when I found a satisfying work-life balance, something the younger generation has done well. Balance isn’t just about fitting everything in; it’s about being intentional about what matters most. By blocking out times for our loved ones, passions, work, and well-being, we can meet our goals and still catch every incredible volleyball game, evening together, and memorable moment with our families.
–Jeremy Rafferty
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How Familiar Scents Bring Back Memories Nostalgia in the Air
Have you ever caught a whiff of freshly baked cookies and suddenly found yourself back in grandma’s kitchen? Our sense of smell has a knack for transporting us back in time, thanks to a bank of 50,000 different scents tied to our memories. This little olfactory time machine plays a significant role in our daily lives, taking smells and turning them into emotional snapshots. Get ready to stop and smell the roses because we’re diving nose- first into the power of our nostrils. Scent-sational Memories The olfactory bulb processes scents at the front of our brain, the area that sends information out to the body. Odors go directly to the limbic system, the part of our brain that processes emotions and memories. When we smell something, our brains label it and remember our emotional response to it. So, when you smell those fresh cookies,
your mind tells you it’s a cookie and reminds you of the warmth and love you felt as your grandma baked when you were a child. Our nose also protects us by helping us remember smells associated with danger, like fire. Whiff a Mood Lift Scents also impact our moods and feelings. Certain fragrances, like lavender, can make us feel relaxed; others, like fresh citrus, may trigger a boost of energy. The nose and limbic system work closely together. Certain scents activate the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine or serotonin and activate emotions such as happiness. So, the next time you feel nostalgic, light a candle with a scent that reminds you of home, and your nose will transport you down memory lane.
VERA EXPLAINED
What Every Federal Employee Needs to Know About Early Retirement
Impacts of VERA Federal employees who take a VERA can receive their full pension with no reductions at an earlier age and with fewer years of service. Along with receiving your full annuity, they get several other benefits, like continuing health insurance coverage through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. To qualify, employees must have been in the program for the last five years of service. VERA recipients who want to return to the workforce face no restrictions on taking a new civilian job. However, if they take another federal appointment in the future, their annuity will continue but be offset by the new federal salary. VERAS don’t happen often; but when they do, they are typically agency-specific and often role-specific. If you receive a VERA offer, weigh your options carefully to ensure they align with your long-term career and financial goals.
As we continue into the new year, with a new administration and some uncertainties about potential changes in the workforce, federal employees are facing a swirl of questions. One of the most common questions we’re seeing is about the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority or VERA. This program can help government agencies cut costs by offering eligible employees an early retirement option, thus reducing the age and service
requirements. Though VERA isn’t common, understanding how it works can help you make an informed decision if the option comes your way. What Is VERA? VERA helps agencies undergoing restructuring, reshaping, or downsizing by temporarily lowering the age and service requirements for federal employees to retire. The idea is that by making more people eligible for retirement, fewer disruptions to the workforce and agency operations will occur. Typically, regular Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) employees must have 30 years of service and meet their minimum retirement age, 55–57 based on their birth year, to qualify for their federal pension. If an employee is offered a VERA, the requirement is reduced to 20 years of service at age 50 or 25 years of service at any age. This is a voluntary retirement option; you don’t necessarily have to take it.
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Why Everyone Needs to Experience the Magic at Least Once THE CULTURAL ESSENCE OF MARDI GRAS
The Festivities of Carnival Season Carnival commemorates the season before Lent, the 40-day period of abstinence leading up to Easter. In a tradition that dates back to the late 1800s in the US, those participating in the many Carnival parades, especially in the French Quarter, throw beads out into the crowds of revelers. Many masked parade participants, known as “krewes,” create spectacular floats and elaborate costumes to mimic the Venetian Carnival of ages past. The parades are held throughout the week before and on Fat Tuesday. The Traditions of Years Past During Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday lives up to its name. The local cuisine is among the best in the world. Whether you are looking for traditional fare like gumbo and crawfish etouffee or local favorites like lobster pizza and king cakes, restaurants serve these options and more day and night. If you want to check out the cocktail scene, ask about the Hurricane . Pat O’Brian’s bar served this local libation during World War II (when whiskey was hard to find) and it’s still popular today!
Much like Coachella or the NFL draft, Mardi Gras is one of the year’s most anticipated events. The vibrantly colored beads and masks represent more than just a celebration — they’re a cultural phenomenon that captures the essence and history of New Orleans. If you want to celebrate spring with unparalleled revelry, extravagance, and tradition, pack your bags for Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana. It’s on Tuesday, March 4, this year, the day before Ash Wednesday on the Christian calendar. Come and find out why everyone should experience Mardi Gras in New Orleans at least once in their lives. Historical Foundations Mardi Gras is the French term for Fat Tuesday, with celebrations dating back to the 1700s in Renaissance Europe. The traditions of this celebrated holiday are deeply rooted in Italy and France but have evolved into a unique melting pot of Creole, African, and European influences. More than 50 countries around the world now celebrate the festival, including the largest Carnival celebration in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Book travel early as hotels and flights fill up quickly.
Train Your Brain!
Roast Pork With Sweet Potatoes
INGREDIENTS
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
• 3 tbsp brown sugar • 1 tsp dried sage • 2 cloves garlic, minced • Salt and black pepper • 1 1/2 lbs pork tenderloin • 1 1/2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 red onion, sliced • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided • Pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1 cup chicken broth • 2 tsp Dijon mustard • 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, sage, garlic, salt, and black pepper, then rub mixture on pork. 3. On a baking sheet, toss sweet potatoes and red onion with 1 tbsp olive oil, cayenne, and salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes then set aside. 4. In a skillet over medium-high heat, add remaining olive oil. When hot, add pork and sear for 5 minutes. Transfer to baking sheet with vegetables and bake for 11–13 minutes, or until pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 F. 5. Add broth to skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in Dijon, chives, and black pepper. Slice pork, drizzle with the pan sauce, and serve with sweet potatoes.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE page 1 Balancing Big Goals and Life’s Little Moments page 2 Sniff Back in Time Could a VERA Offer Be in Your Future?
page 3 Your Guide to Mardi Gras 2025 Roast Pork With Sweet Potatoes
page 4 The Global Game That Turns You into a Real-Life Explorer
How Geocaching Lets You Hunt for Hidden Treasures Become a Modern-Day Explorer
Movies like “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “The Goonies,” and “National Treasure” have inspired generations to hunt for buried treasure. We’ve all dreamt of discovering a forgotten relic that would change the world and earn us fame and fortune. Most of us will likely
go to a specific GPS coordinate. There, you’ll use observational skills to locate the cache. Inside, you’ll likely find a logbook to record your name before putting it back in place for the next explorer. Another type, an EarthCache, doesn’t involve a hidden object
never uncover any artifacts worth an article in our local newspapers, but that doesn’t mean we have to give up on the treasure-hunting dream. Going on your very own treasure hunt has never been easier, thanks to geocaching. For those unfamiliar, geocaching is a treasure- hunting game that invites people worldwide to search for and discover hidden caches. You can find hidden secrets around your community and beyond using a GPS and a geocaching app. Geocaching is the official app and one of the best places to start your geocaching expedition. From there, you’ll just have to pick a cache nearby and start searching.
but instead leads you to a unique geographical feature. Those looking for a real challenge will enjoy finding mystery caches that require the discoverer to solve a riddle, cipher, or puzzle.
Once you’ve discovered your fair share of geocaches, you may want to explore the other side of the operation and hide some yourself. Most members of the geocaching community recommend that you discover and log at least 20 caches before hiding your own. That way, you’ll be familiar with the rules of hiding and maintaining a cache.
Geocaching is a great way to get outdoors and reignite your passion for exploring. You never know what you’ll find!
There are a few different types of caches to discover. The most common is the basic cache, requiring you to
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