Practicing Happiness

Sonja Lyubomirsky’s book The How of Happiness offers readers more than a dozen everyday activities they can practice to become happier in the short and long term. Lyubomirsky compiled the list of activities after conducting and reviewing years of research about what distinguishes happy from unhappy people. Here are a few of those research-tested happiness activities you can start practicing today:

• Practice acts of kindness. Do good things for others—whether friends or strangers, directly or anonymously, spontaneously or planned.
• Nurture relationships. Pick a relationship in need of strengthening, and invest time and energy in healing, cultivating, affirming, and enjoying it.
• Avoid over-thinking and social comparison. Use strategies (such as distraction) to cut down on how often you dwell on your problems, and guard against comparing yourself to others.
• Count your blessings. Express gratitude for what you have—either privately, through contemplation or journaling, or to someone else—or convey your appreciation to people whom you’ve never properly thanked. 
• Take care of your body. This could mean exercise, of course, but also meditating, smiling, or laughing.

Be safe and well. 

-- Rhonda

COVID RAPID TESTS

GRANT APPLICATION FOR ARTISTS

WINTER WEATHER INFORMATION

WATERSHED MOMENTS

In this episode of Watershed Moments, I talk with 

Lisa Craig, former Historic Preservationist for the City of Annapolis

(February 2016).

C-STREAM PAID INTERNSHIPS 

Gain Experience in Environmental Science and Management

CRC’s Chesapeake Student Recruitment, Early Advisement, and Mentoring (C-StREAM) program is focused on recruiting, advising, and mentoring college students from populations who have been historically excluded from the environmental field and are underrepresented in environmental research and management professions.

The C-StREAM paid internships provide interns with a $6,000 stipend, a $1,000 housing and transportation allowance, as well as funding for professional development activities such as conferences, training, supplies, and travel which can be extended throughout the following school year! The deadline for internship applications is February 21, 2022

DID YOU KNOW?

Every Delegate and Senator receives scholarship money to award constituents seeking a higher education and would appreciate financial assistance from the Maryland General Assembly. You must apply! Each office has their own rules and requirements. Contact your state representatives immediately to apply because deadlines vary by office. 

Remember to look up your representatives, contact them, let this be an opportunity to build a relationship with your elected officials.

Remember...

Rhonda’s Public Safety “Mantra”:

Rhonda Pindell Charles, Esq. Alderwoman/Councilwoman, Ward 3, Annapolis, MD City Council AND Chair, Public Safety Standing Committee, Annapolis City Council--Police, Fire (including EMS/Paramedics), and the Office of Emergency Management

By law, the Public Safety Committee shall consider matters affecting public safety in the City. The Public Safety Committee shall review all proposed amendments to Title 11 (Public Peace, Morals and Welfare) and Title 12 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the City Code. First and foremost: The public’s safety is paramount. Moreover, as this legal obligation relates to the community’s residents, businesses, and visitors, the public’s safety, including the public’s peace, morals, and welfare, is best assured when its residents are: 1 - healthy; 2 - informed (i.e., educated); 3 - meaningfully engaged in the enhancement of our professional and volunteer workforce; 4 - good money managers of their finances; 5 - residing in safe and affordable housing communities; 6 - mobile (i.e., easily able to access adequate and affordable transportation when needed); 7 - pursuing social, community, entertainment, the arts, historical, and recreational activities; 8 - as well as possibly choosing to enlighten themselves spiritually. Therefore, the Public Safety Committee is committed to working as “One Annapolis”—an Annapolis that values everyOne; and where "HEALTHY LIVING STARTS HERE.".

• City of Annapolis, Department of Planning & Zoning, Office of Economic Development, link for businesses: 

https://www.annapolis.gov/598/Economic-Development

• Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce, link for businesses:

https://www.annearundelchamber.org