Earlier this week I wrote that Monday was a banner day because we learned that Iola is on the road to addressing a housing crunch by the fact that its three elementary schools and an abandoned nursing home will be converted into apartments.
The difference this will mean for our businesses and neighborhoods and, to be crude, our tax base, could be substantial. The more sales and property taxes coming to city and county coffers means the less we all have to pay to keep things up to snuff.
Also a good sign about the decisions by USD 257 board members and Iola Council members is that they were decided by unanimous votes. No doubt, both entities had to deal with some amount of pushback along the way, but their united fronts demonstrate this is a team effort.
MONDAY’S NEWS has buoyed me all week.
I’m grateful for the efforts of our city and school district leaders and I hope they feel good about the work they’ve put in.
This is what happiness is about, according to an article by sociologist Arthur C. Brooks in this month’s Atlantic. And most of us are going about it the wrong way.
Chasing fame only means you can never get enough. Amassing money — once your basic needs and wants are met — is a never-ending gig if that’s what you base your self-esteem on. And most times the pursuit of either requires sacrificing relationships with friends and family.
Brooks also says that humans are wired to dominate and the quest is addictive and destructive.
On his personal journey, Brooks first had to admit some hard truths, including his weakness for accolades.
After all, he’s a famous guy, and every time he appeared on a TV news program, went on a book tour, or was a guest lecturer, the tributes — and checks — poured in.
But the recognition didn’t bring him the joy he had expected and he realized his bucket list to become a famous author, think tank director, etc., was more about impressing other people than living what he deemed a purposeful life. So he stepped away from the spotlight and started focusing on three things:
1. Teaching and writing, because that’s how he feels most useful to others;
2. Devoting more time to family and friends because love is not to taken for granted, and
3. Keeping his inner “caveman” instinct of always needing to win at bay by focusing on being thankful for each day.
Stepping off the treadmill of being professionally stretched and spiritually under-nourished freed Brooks to better focus on what he values most.
