Author: Tonie Konig

We all remember the Golden Rule? “Treat others the way you want to be treated.”

This saying goes far beyond simply being kind to people, or going out of your way to help those in need. It's really more about adjusting your views and attitudes.

Instead of just: treating others the way you would want to be treated, thinking about others the way you would want to be thought of, feeling about others the way you would want others to feel about you and speaking to others the way you would want to be spoken to or spoken of, you need to adjust your views and your attitude.

You should focus less on punishing those who cross you and rather guide them into a better frame of mind. Teach them not only the error of their ways, but the error in their thinking. This is not about been condescending, or trying to convert anyone, but a way to understand how we get from thoughts to actions.

If someone believes he/she is doing the right thing by trying to control another person, or becomes invasive in a person’s life, first we need to try and understand how that person thinks his actions will get him the desired result.

Then we can help him evaluate the consequences and perhaps steer him towards choosing a better way to achieve his goals. [read more]

It is said that success occurs when preparation meets opportunity. These opportunities will present themselves from time to time, but how are you treating yourself during the preparation phase? Are you giving yourself credit for the work and the energy that it takes to become more successful? This – being good to yourself, treating yourself with kindness and celebrating each step that you take forward – this is all part of the preparation and the ultimate success.

Simply having the determination to pursue your happiness, your goals and your dreams is a huge success in itself! It takes an incredible amount of courage to wake up every morning and to keep moving forward and motivating yourself to work towards the life that you have always imagined having. Please bear in mind that success is not the same for all people, so feeling successful has everything to do with how you define success. Is it about having more? More money, more recognition, more material items? Do you define your success by other people’s standards or opinions? [read more]

This week in assembly, Mrs Boake and the Grade 4 class taught us something about honesty. Here at Riverside College we want our learners to take responsibility for their actions. They should remember to always tell the truth, otherwise they might just make the problem bigger. As the saying goes ‘honesty is the best policy’. Let’s try our best to make this a good habit to live by. [read more]

This week in assembly we discussed the value of responsibility. We stressed how important it is for everyone to take responsibility for their words and their actions. Our children are still navigating their world and so they need good role models to guide them in the right direction.

It all starts with being able to take responsibility of everything that we do, regardless of the consequences. Being responsible as parents and teaching our children how to be responsible for all things will pave the way for a successful and rewarding future for them all. [read more]

The story of the Brooklyn bridge and how we overcome obstacles.

This bridge in America, spans the river Ohio between Manhattan and Brooklyn.  In 1883, engineer, John Roebling dreamed of a suspension bridge that would make the commute easier for working class New Yorkers.  However, bridge-building experts told him to forget it, it just wasn’t possible!

Roebling convinced his son, Washington, an up-and-coming engineer, that the bridge could be built and the two of them worked out how to overcome the obstacles.  Somehow, they convinced bankers to finance the project and then hired a crew to build their dream bridge.

The project was only a few months under way when a tragic on-site accident killed John Roebling and severely injured his son.  Washington was severely brain-damaged, unable to talk or walk.  Everyone thought the project would have to be scrapped, since the Roebling’s were the only ones who understood how the bridge could be built.

Though Washington was unable to move or talk, his mind was as sharp as ever.  One day as he lay in his hospital bed, an idea flashed in his mind as to how to develop a communication code.  All he could move was one finger, so he touched the arm of his wife with that finger.  He tapped out the code to communicate to her what she was to tell the engineers, who continued building the bridge.

For 13 years, Washington tapped out his instructions with one finger until the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge was finally completed.  At 5, 986 ft. it remained the longest bridge in the world for 20 years. [read more]