Dating Why Dating Can Be More Successful As You Get Older 12:11 AM Dating advice from a guest blogger:As we age, it’s natural that our views on dating change. As a young man, I was giving off plenty of male pheromones while I was in search of a partner. I focused a lot on the attraction aspect of dating and did my best in that area. Looking back on it now I admit I had an immature view about dating. I was looking for things that were superficial. I never thought those things could or would diminish with age. With every year that passes, we learn. And the more we learn, the more successful we could get in dating...and in life. I’m going to explore the ways I’ve found dating to be more successful as I’ve gotten older. And if you’re at the later stage of your life and dating or dating older women, I’m sure you can relate. Why Dating Can be More Successful as You Get Older 1. You’re more sure of yourself When you’re younger, you can more likely change for your partner. And in doing so, you'll lose yourself.When I was in my early 20's, I met someone and fell head over heels. I adapted to her taste in music, television, and whatnot. I wasn’t pretending because I genuinely appreciated the things she loved. But the problem was that...I ended up focusing on her interests and ignoring my own. In the end, I didn’t like the person I had become. I wasn't myself anymore. As an adult, I’ve got time to focus on my own interests and become more self-assured. I now understand the importance of staying true to myself. And that it's a good place to find a partner.2. You may be financially stable There’s something to be said about having a supportive partner who supports you through anything. But it can also be rewarding to find a partner when you’ve already passed the pains in your career. You may now be working fewer nights and have some money set aside. This is the ideal time to focus on a new relationship. Couples are likely to argue over finances, and may even break up over money. So when you date later in life and are more stable, this issue could be off the table.3. You’ve made your mistakes Sometimes you reach a certain age, you look back on your relationship choices...and cringe. Or even regret it.None of us are perfect, and it’s important to see where we’ve made mistakes. Because if we can’t see it, we’re doomed to repeat the ghosts of bad relationships past. When you're more mature, you’ve probably sorted out the skeletons in your closet and are ready to give and accept love in a healthy way. You know what you want, but more importantly, you know who you are. 4. Your goals are different Dating when you’re younger is often focused on one goal: to get married and have kids. But if you’ve already been there and done that, you can take things slow. There’s no rush to find out if the person you’re dating is the one. You don't worry about the body clock anymore.Getting past that child-rearing age can take a ton of pressure off your love life.When you find yourself dating later in life, you may be in a better place to find true love. There are no deadlines and you can be in a place to make her feel secure ---financially and emotionally. Most people don’t set out to date in their 30's, 40's and beyond. But if you look at it the right way, it may be considered a blessing.
Dating How FWBTinder Can Help You End Loneliness 1:10 AM A normal physical relationship is an essential human need. Friends are there to lend their helping hands whenever you feel lonely. Some friends will spend time with you to cheer you up. But this may not be the only thing you need. You could get attracted and want a casual relationship with someone to fulfill your desires. In reality, this could potentially destroy your friendship. In this case, you would wish to have someone you can consider as your Friend with Benefits---with the benefits here referring to the pleasure that you want in bed. For that, FWBTinder is a fantastic platform for you to have what you desire in your lonely life.How FWBTinder Can Help You End Loneliness Why Consider FWBTinder Over Real Friends? Friends with benefits relationships are famous around the world. But that could be hard to find. That’s where an online platform comes in handy.There are many available sites on the internet but not all of them offer the results you're looking for. If we talk about FWBTinder, it’s one of the best FWB sites in the world. The reason behind it is there are more than a million active users where you can find your perfect match.If we talk about this dating website to end your loneliness, there are many things you should consider. 1. It's freeThe first thing god thing about this website is the free signup. You don’t have to be trapped in the process of paying and getting the subscription for a limited time to end your loneliness. 2. Proximity of usersAfter signing up for the platform, you will immediately see the number of users available near your area. It means you don’t have to meet someone from another city or country to date. 3. Learn about themYou can check their likes and dislikes and other basic information. After getting all these, you can then gauge and select the right dating partner. The idea of this platform provides you a similar feeling to other FWB dating apps, but the features of this website are more satisfactory than the others. You can spend your time inside the app like you do on Instagram or Facebook. The entire platform is made with an idea to provide you full support regarding matching with the perfect partner with whom you want to spend time.Here are the website's features. Features ChatroomsThe website provides chat rooms where you can talk with different people at the same time. Advanced Search optionYou can search for any category. The idea will become more quick and easy for you with an Advanced search option. All you need is to put desired filters and get the category of users that matches your partner's needs.100% Mobile FriendlyDon’t have time to signup on Desktop? No need to stress, because the platform also offers the perfect experience on your mobile. So sit (or lie) down anywhere, and search for your partner. HD member webcamsThe quality of webcams does matter a lot on dating sites. So the FWBTinder provides you with that.Completely anonymous to joinIf you feel hesitant to participate with your name, you can also come anonymously so none of your relatives will see you. Feeling lonely? Sign up for FWBTinder.
Guest Blogger Fall Into Fitness: 4 Great Ways To Stay Motivated 5:00 PM Fall Into Fitness: 4 Great Ways To Stay Motivatedr Staying on track is hard enough year-round, but fall provides an easy means to backslide on all your hard work and progress. The chill, cozy weather is tempting you to stay in bed. And with the holiday season lurking, you tend to let loose. Never fear. You can have your pumpkin pie and eat it too!Here are 4 great ways to stay motivated and to help you shift your mindset into fitness this fall. 1. Take time to enjoy the scenery. Crisp air, autumn leaves falling, the thought of pumpkin carving and apple picking… Fall is an intoxicating time of year! What better way to get a jump start on your exercise than by enjoying the outdoors? Plus, it makes it easier later on when the weather gets MUCH colder to work out outdoors if you have gotten your body adjusted to the cooler temps. Remember that it gets darker earlier. So if you’re running outside after work, for example, make sure you wear some sort of light-reflecting clothing. 2. Make a commitment. Fall is a reigning champion of fun-themed runs, costumed runs, and Turkey Trots. It goes on forever. Making a commitment by registering for a run is a great way to motivate and lock yourself into a fitness plan this fall. Not only will you be already signed up, but you’ll also want to get training beforehand - which means you’ll need to get running. Be sure to train in conditions similar to the actual event, which probably means you’ll need to follow the tip above and run outside. If you still feel like you’re struggling to get moving, here’s a great list of motivational strategies for you to try. 3. Turn your TV binge into a workout opportunity. There’s no debate about it - fall television is king! It’s so easy to get lost binge-watching the newest season of our favorite shows that we leave ourselves no time to get in any form of exercise. But there’s an easy, convenient way to get yourself off the couch. Throw in some squats with your Stranger Things! Seriously, an episode is a great length of time to get in a good core workout. You can even make commercial breaks your time to do quick moves like push-ups or a plank. 4. Take advantage of fitness apps. So much knowledge is already in the palm of our hands. Use your smartphones to start on the road to a healthier you. Not only are fitness apps cheaper in a lot of cases than taking boutique classes or getting personal training, but they are also an awesome resource for keeping track of your progress, staying accountable and becoming more knowledgeable about your own body. Here’s a list of some of the top-rated fitness apps for you to try. Online personal training companies like CALIBER are another great option for fine-tuning your workouts and getting that 1-1 expert advice that can make all the difference. Hopefully, these tips will help you feel motivated this fall, take on the holidays, and emerge a healthy, fab new you! About the Author: Nicole Kennedy is a fitness enthusiast by day, Netflix aficionado by night. Fall is her favorite season.
Guest Blogger 2 Steps To Getting Your Ex Back 7:43 AM When it comes to previous relationships, many people have their reasons for not wanting to go back while others see potential for the relationship to start up again. Getting an ex back can be easy, but keeping them around can be a bit harder. Women get back together with their exes all the time, but not all of them stay back together. That's because whatever caused him to leave to begin with hasn't been changed or fixed. He ends up coming back to exactly what caused him to leave. For all the women who want their ex back, here's a plan to make it happen. A breakup can be hard. You're hurting and the only thing you want is your ex back. It might be clear what made him leave. You may or may not know what you need to do in order to convince him not just to come back, but to stay. Getting him to like you and really see who you are can be hard. You're feeling lost as you're dealing with being newly single and figuring out how you could possibly get him back. You're trying to tell him that whatever made him leave will no longer be an issue. And that's the first step of the plan. 2 Steps To Getting Your Ex Back Step 1: Cut All Contact As mentioned above, a break up usually starts with you reaching out to him and begging him to stay. He's likely not going to respond as he's had enough. So, for 4 weeks, he shouldn't hear a word from you. No calls, texts, messages on social media, nothing. There will be no mutual friends of his or his usual hang out places. Cutting off all contact isn't just for him, but for you. This is the time to forget about him. If you happen to think about him at all, just refocus your attention. Having no contact will benefit both of you. It gives him the space that he wants from you. If he's going to end up missing what he had with you, you have to be absent from his life. A person's absence determines whether or not their presence ever mattered. Focus on yourself and your life. Whatever is on your bucket list that you want to pursue, go for it. You can’t control why he is pulling away from the relationship. As for the no contact... If he tries to contact you, don't respond. Unless it's an emergency, it's not important. The time period has to be at least 4 weeks so that you two have space from each other. You're not cutting him off as he wants and needs to not hear from you. You need it just as much. If you're worried about him finding someone new, he isn't likely going to. If he does happen to find someone, it's not likely to last. If you happen to run into him, keep any socializing to a minimum. Whatever business you're in the middle of, excuse yourself back to it. If you have any contact with him, restart the 4 weeks and go for it again. Having no contact contributes to step 2. Step 2: Fatal Mistakes These are some instinctive mistakes that women make that ruin any chance of an ex coming back. The no contact helps you avoid these mistakes. The first mistake is letting him do what he wants. He may see no point in a relationship if you seem to not care. The second mistake is showing too much affection. You can come across as being clingy and smothering him. The third mistake is constantly contacting him. This mistake can also make you seem clingy. The fourth mistake is using pity. Don't make him think he needs to 'feel bad' for you. The fifth mistake is getting jealous of someone new. As previously mentioned, if he finds someone else, it's going to be short term. The sixth mistake is trying to make him jealous with someone new. This could make him want to fire back with someone new of his own. The seventh mistake is being hateful towards him. That'll cause him to want to stay away, not come back. The final mistake is asking him about the relationship. Whatever becomes of the relationship should be his own decision.
For Moms 5 Cute Valentine's Day DIY Gift Ideas For The Whole Family 7:57 AM 5 Cute Valentine's Day DIY Gift Ideas For The Whole Family Most people think of Valentine's Day as a time to get romantic with their spouse. But the truth is, there is just as much fun for the kids as for the adults. So if you're a creative mom, why not get your kids in on some artsy and cute Valentine's Day DIY gift ideas for the whole family?Not only will these make for sweet gifts for your most cherished loved ones, but you'll be grateful for the memories you make as you get creative with your kids. 1. DIY Family Fun Book Do a family take on this "book of date" Valentine's Day DIY gift idea by compiling a list of fun family day activities you would like to do together. Buy construction paper and cut them into equal sizes. Decorate them with family idea vouchers such as: Going on a picnic Making a blanket fort in the living room before an unforgettable movie night Family board/video game night Go to the zoo Finish off your booklet by punching holes through the "coupons" and tying them together with string or stapling them together. 2. Chalkboard FramesThis cute Valentine's Day DIY gift idea involves a trip to the craft store. Buy an ornate picture frame. It can be as big or small as you like. Next, buy some chalkboard paint and a paintbrush. Carefully remove the glass from the frame and set it over scrap newspaper. Paint the glass with chalkboard paint. Once dry, put your glass back into the frame and write a cute message for your sweetheart or the kids. Take inspiration from this Picture Frame Style Chalkboard.3. DIY Valentine's Slime For this cute - and slimy - Valentine's gift idea for her, pick the glitter color of your choice, confetti hearts, liquid starch, and glitter glue. Here's how to make a DIY Valentine's Slime:Pour two cups of the glue into a mixing bowl and add in any extra glitter you like. Optional: Throw in some aromatic essential oils.Add two cups of liquid starch until you have reached your desired, slime-like consistency. Package this in an old glass candle jar or clear plastic container for a gooey, messy, fun DIY gift! 4. DIY Valentine's Treats Sometimes the best present you can give someone is something you make in your kitchen. Find your favorite sugar cookie or brownie recipe and have your kids help you gather and measure the ingredients. If you're making sugar cookies, roll out the dough and let your little ones go crazy with the heart-shaped cookie cutters. Supervise them closely and ensure it's not too hot before they handle it. You can make this an extra-special baking treat for the kids by dipping your cookies into melted chocolate and then dunking them into a separate bowl of sprinkles for a truly gourmet dessert. Here's a simple DIY Valentine's Day cupcake recipe from Ollie. 5. Reasons I Love You Envelopes Studies show that the couples who have the highest rate of marital satisfaction are those who regularly express gratitude for one another. Make this your reality by making this romantic DIY Valentine's gift idea for him. Start with 10 envelopes and write different titles on each of them. For example, "I love you because you can always make me laugh"Take out some fancy paper and write your sweetheart a letter about why you love them. Share a cute or funny memory together. Write out 10 different letters and get the kids in on it. Some ideas to write on this cute Valentine's Day DIY gift: I love you because... You are a great dad! I love you because... You sweep me off my feet. I love you because... You are weird, just like me.I love you because... You're my best friend. Valentine's Day DIY Gift Ideas for the Whole Family Do-It-Yourself gifts are a fantastic choice for this love-filled day because they come directly from the heart. Not only are they thoughtful, but the recipient of your gesture will love knowing that you put time and energy into making your cute Valentine's Day DIY gift. Author: Rachael Pace is a relationship expert with years of experience training and helping couples. She has helped countless individuals and organizations worldwide, offering effective and efficient solutions for healthy and successful relationships. In addition, she is a featured writer for Marriage.com, a reliable resource for supporting healthy, happy marriages. This post contains affiliate links, so we'd get a commission if you purchase through the links at no additional cost to you.Hero image
Guest Blogger 5 Tips For Budget Travel In Europe 7:56 AM Europe is an excellent destination for anyone planning for a vacation soon. You don t need to worry about the budget implications as there exist so many alternatives for the beautiful trip but low budget. First, you have to plan and determine your budget estimates for the whole trip. That will be resolved but the length of your trip and the cost to cover for air tickets. Once you sort all that out, then you are ready for the journey of your lifetime. Below are the tips to help you get the best of Europe while spending less. 5 Tips for Budget Travel in Europe 1. Camping for cheap accommodation If the cost of staying in a hotel is too expensive for you, then camping could offer a great alternative. They exist beautiful camping sites in Europe even in the major cities at a very affordable cost to sort every traveler need. Those campsites beside offering a place to sleep, the also give cooking and bathing services. Why pay expensively in a hotel when you can get those cost-effective services by camping. Some camping sites also allow for person cooking which is a little bit cheaper than having to purchase restaurant food. 2. Be local when you eat That’s the trick, the local dishes found in the streets will be at a lower cost than those found in the tourists’ hotels. You can use the tourist hotels for sleep but when it comes to eating, walk around, and you will find cheaper restaurants where the locals frequent. Besides the meals, you will also have a chance to enjoy seeing the streets and interact with the locals. 3. Use the train, walk or cycle to move on the roads Using a train is one of the cheapest means to move around Europe without spending a lot. Ensure to get an all-rail pass so that it more comfortable with fewer hustles whenever you want to board a different train. Walking is even more excellent as that another way, you will be site seeing while saving money. Opt to walk for those proximities that are near rather than spending on such unnecessary costs. Cycling is also another option that is cheap and affordable compared to tourist cabs. Just walk with your best hiking backpack under $100 a few blocks away from the hotels, and you will get cyclists ready to take you to the nearest place. 4. Look for less costly airlines There exist several cheap airlines for traveling in Europe. You can opt for such to save as you move. Examples of airlines that offer less expensive airline deals include the easy jet and Ryan air. To even enjoy the low costs more, make early bookings. That takes away the headache of having to rush when the travel time arrives. 5. Visit during off seasons Traveling when the seasons are lower will save you a great deal of money. The flights, accommodation, and other travel necessities will be cheap. That is because there is less pressure in the tourism facilities and the rates will be normal compared to high seasons. Do you want to save while enjoying your moments in Europe? Well, the choice is yours with all these great tips to try and enjoy the low budget vacation. About the Author: Part-time Travel Writer and full-time Vagabond, J Miles wants nothing more than to inspire and encourage others to satisfy their wanderlust. He achieves this by regularly posting valuable travel tips and first-hand travel narratives on popular backpacking and travel writing websites. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Guest Blogger 10 Things Couples in a Healthy Relationship Do 8:00 PM A guest blog by Shawn Clark: There are issues such as boredom, platonic friendship and feeling lack of purpose in your marriage that can lead to divorce or separation. Therefore, you may ask yourself what best ways you can keep your marriage lively, fun and lasting forever as you stick to your marital vows? Then this is the right article for you. An in-love partnership is a great component, which boosts your relationship and helps you sustain a healthy marriage even after the honeymoon. The development of deeper and more caring connecting with your partner is a dream for every married couple. In addition, raising a family is another crucial goal that requires many years of togetherness. It is important to understand that every partner in a marriage has to put little effort into making the other partner feel cherished each day. You should do the little things and gestures to help build a long-lasting bond and strong connection for a wonderful relationship with your partner. Poor performance in bed can be a major contributor to a nosedived marriage. Therefore, couples should engage in exercises to boost testosterone. Full body and heavy exercises such as deadlifts, Olympic lifts, row, overhead press, chin-up, bench presses and squats are associated with increasing the release as well as the production of testosterone in a human body. Thus, exercise may help improve your performance in bed as you will satisfy your partner fully. This leads to a happy a more fulfilling marriage. Exercise is the best and safe way to increase your testosterone for better sexual life other than the potentially dangerous supplements and injections. Also, foods rich in vitamin K, zinc and magnesium are recommended for you to maintain high levels of testosterone. Alone time can be the best for you as it helps with your sanity. However, there are important activities that you should do as couples for a better marriage. These activities are well-known to help you have more fun marriage and strengthen your relationship. From relationship expert’s point of view, below are the activities: 10 Things Couples in a Healthy Relationship Do 1. Planning Your Future Together Planning your future can take two different ways. First, you can plan your future by sitting down with calculators, notepads and calendars. Second, you can indulge in thoughtful and meaningful conversations concerning your future. It is essential for you to plan everything about your future together no matter how insignificant the issue is. Working together as a team is vital to your success. You should strive in making things happen together. These may include; planning your careers, buying your house, your sex life or subject related to your children or child. Planning strengthens your bond and makes your marriage journey a lot easier. 2. Giving Full Attention to Your Partner Giving full attention to your partner is a sign of respect. At all the time, ensure that you are not distracted by your phone to the extent of muttering or just nodding your head while your partner is talking to you. Solid relationship requires you to show up. Learn to turn off your phone at times, stop being glued to Facebook, Instagram or other social media platforms. Heavy use of social media leads to unhappiness in a relationship. It is good to send loving or flirting messages to your partner, but it is also very important to be direct with the other person when something is bothering you. Also, it is wise to pay attention to changes on your partner and this can be on his or her weight. In case one is adding more weight and you are not happy about it, please talk about this subject in a more friendly way. Fortunately, there are a number of diet pills on the market that can help you or your partner lose weight and get your attractive figure back. Research well on the supplement’s ingredients, know its manufacturer and find out what other users say about them before you settle on the best diet pills. This is a significant step as it will help you get a safe and effective diet pill for weight loss. 3. Work Out Together A good workout session is a great factor for couples. Workout is well-known to improve your memory, boost your mood and help you a healthy sleeping patterns. Also, it is linked to speeding your metabolism, reducing bad cholesterol and helping in weight management. Through workout, you will be able to see your partner more beautiful than usual. This is true because workout helps in stimulating your sympathetic nervous system that raises your blood pressure, heart rate and increases respiration and thus, heightens your physiologic state. Heightened physiologic state leads to a more aroused person and this is helpful in seeing your partner more attractive. Therefore, it is perfect for you and your partner to get into exercising as regular as you can for better relationship. 4. Talk about Finances Money is a sensitive and crucial topic in a relationship. Many marriages or relationships collapse due to subject related to finances. Therefore, it is healthy for you to talk about finances. You can pay your expenses together regularly to avoid overburdening one partner. This habit also eliminates the chances of having secrets or surprises. Supporting your partner in paying bills gives him or her support and helps in relieving stress. It is significant to talk about how you can best invest or put your money as a couple and thus, this strengthens your ability to work as a couple on your common objectives. 5. Cook Together It is not healthy to always go out for dinner or lunch. It will be more exciting for both of you to decide cook together. It is a great experience, which strengthens your union. It deepens the feeling that you feel for one another. This idea helps you forgo your usual routine and boosts your happiness. Learn your partner’s special recipe, and as you laugh and have jokes in the kitchen, your relationship will be heading somewhere. In addition, it is vital to consume foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids as they are known to provide a number of health benefits. They help keep your heart and brain healthy, reduce bad cholesterol, keep your hair and skin healthy as well. 6. Hugging Giving your other half a hug is known to be very significant as sex in a relationship. Handholding is also another nonsexual touching that can keep a relationship healthy. People know that you are in a relationship through touching acts. Touching your partner will help you be comfortable with one another and it also helps in calming down both of you. Each time you touch your partner, a positive message is conveyed to him or her. Also, holding hands helps in transmitting trust, security and good feelings. 7. Say Thank You These are simple words, but they are rarely said. What was the last time you said thank you because your partner gave you a gift or did something for you? When you are in a relationship, it reaches a time when you can get very comfortable with your other half and makes you think that it is their right to meet your needs. This is a very wrong impression. Appreciate your partner if she or he assisted you with the house chores or bought your something. Particularly, thank your partner for choosing you and being part of your life. 8. Watching a Movie Together This is a great way of spending good time with your partner. You can choose to watch something at your home or go the movies. This will help you feel good and it is important to agree on the kind of the movie you want to watch. Also, this is one way that helps you learn about your partner as some new facts about him or her will be revealed. 9. Having Sense Humor Sense of humor is something, which keeps your relationship lively. Cracking silliest jokes can make your partner laugh for long. It keeps your partner wanting to spend more time with you. Jokes are well-known to have a positive effect on your relationship. As a couple, it is vital to know when to crack a silly joke. Every person needs humor in life. Laughing helps in increasing your love in a relationship. 10. They Communicate Any kind of misunderstanding is wiped away through communication. Therefore, communication is vital in a healthy relationship and it also helps you bond. Having an objection or something bothering you can only be solved by real conversation. Start a conversation and talk things out. However, do not complain or nag. You should appreciate the positive efforts in your relationship rather than seeing faults in your partner. Keep your partner also in your each day’s activities. Conclusion Working towards a healthy relationship can be challenging, but it is achievable. You need to work on your differences as soon as possible, communicate, spend time together, go out of your normal routine and appreciate each other. However, tension and arguments are in a relationship. Learn to listen, forgive and have fun. In a relationship, you sometimes need to leave behind some of your habits and appreciate the new opportunities that come in during relationship. Enhance what makes you happy, feel happy and enjoy your relationship. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Guest Blogger Perfection 5:00 AM A guest blog by Christine Fisher: This past Sunday, I had the honor and blessing to snuggle and love on just one particular baby boy at the NICU of one of local hospitals. I am so honored and blessed to be a small part of this special ministry. I was able to hold this little guy two different times for about a total of two hours. Whenever I am sitting there rocking one of the wee ones, I get lost in thought and prayer just gazing upon their precious face, lost in the tranquility of the moment, especially as they are sleeping so peacefully. As I did that to this baby this week, a word, along with a few thoughts, came to mind that I want to share with you this week. The word is… Perfection My youngest son shortly after birth…..PERFECTION! Let me explain……. This particular little one has a reputation with the nurses of being a “screamer.” Sadly, it is because he is in the unfortunate circumstance of being an opiate baby. These babies usually get off to a rougher start in life and tend to have tremors, are more irritable and may have sleep problems as symptoms of withdrawal. I did observe him crying earlier and giving the nurse a hard time as she changed his diaper and tended to his needs. When I first picked him up he fussed some, struggling at first to take the pacifier, eventually taking the pacifier, as I softly sang to him and rocked him. I thought about all the problems and issues he was dealing with but as he lay sleeping peacefully in my arms, he looked so angelic and that is when I was overwhelmed with the thought and word PERFECTION which popped in my head. Yes, such PERFECTION God looks at this little guy as PERFECTION! All the issues this baby is dealing with does not change God’s perception of him! And, you know who else God looks at and sees only PERFECTION? Yes, YOU……YOU the one reading these words….. YOU are PERFECTION to God! I bet you are thinking, “What? That can’t be right!” Yes, we are far from perfect and don’t always make the right choices…. Yes, we may have physical imperfections… Yes, we may even sin daily despite trying so hard not to…. Yes, we may have emotional scars from types of abuse we have experienced…. Yes, we may even get mad and scream at God for the “bad” things we are experiencing…. Yes, we may even have an addiction of some sort….. But, you know what? Despite any or all of those things, when God looks at YOU, He sees only PERFECTION! Photo courtesy of fabQuote.co under Creative Commons License (CC BY NC-2.0) You ask, “How can that be?” Because…. YOU ARE MADE IN HIS IMAGE! This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. –Genesis 5:1 (ESV) YOU ARE GOD’S SON OR DAUGHTER! For in Christ Jesus you are all sons (daughters) of God, through faith. –Galatians 3:26 (ESV) YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY GOD! Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. –Ephesians 1:4 (NLT) YOU ARE LOVED UNCONDITIONALLY BY GOD! But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. –Romans 5:8 (NLT) YOU ARE MADE PURE, HOLY, AND FREE FROM SIN BECAUSE OF GOD SENDING JESUS TO DIE FOR YOU! God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. –1 Corinthians 1:30 (NLT) Think about this….If I can look at that little baby, who I don’t even know and have such LOVE for him, imagine how God, our Father, looks at you and has so much LOVE for YOU, His own son or daughter who He created!! Keep in mind as you are sleeping soundly tonight, I guarantee God is looking down on you, His son or daughter, with such love and peace seeing PERFECTION…just as I was doing with that baby boy! (And, even if you aren’t sleeping I’ll add!) This week, I’m thinking some “homework” is in order! After reading the ending of these thoughts, go to a mirror…Pause for a moment and see your reflection and say “PERFECTION!” Yes, that is what God sees too! God sees PERFECTION! “The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.” –Deuteronomy 32:4 (NASB) Images provided by Christine. About the Author I’m Christine, a Christian, hoping to inspire you by sharing what is in my heart about our faith and our great God. Take some time, read some of my thoughts, and feel free to comment and share your thoughts…It would be a blessing to hear from you. My prayer is that you may be inspired and blessed in some small way by reading! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Guest Blogger 5 Things You Can Do To Be Happier Right Now 3:55 AM 5 Things You Can Do To Be Happier Right Now Many of us believe that happiness is a destination that one must reach in order to enjoy it. We’ve been taught that happiness is that new job, that bigger salary, or that handsome/beautiful partner when in reality, true happiness comes from the inside. Since happiness is internal, you can experience it right now. The best part is that no one can take it away from you. Here are 5 simple things you can do right now to experience a little happiness today. 1. Express Gratitude Start each day by saying one thing you are thankful for. Is it your family? Is it your job? Is it your cat? Whatever it is, just express gratitude. In doing so, you slowly began to appreciate the small things that bring you joy. These little moments of gratitude become little moments of happiness. Over time, saying thank you can become a habit and ultimately lose its impact on you. Each time you thank someone, reflect on what their actions mean to you and think about the little piece of joy they have granted you. Gipher 2. Be Generous There is a saying that goes, “you make a living from what you get, but you make a life from what you give.” This saying is true. In order to feel happiness today, try being generous. You can be generous with so many things. Your time, your attention, your words, and your skills are all things that can only be found in one place in the world: YOU! Being generous is a surefire way to be happier, and you have so much to share with the world.Tenor 3. Identify One Thing You Love About You Your uniqueness is a gift worth sharing. At no point in history will there be another person quite like you. You have talents and gifts that make you special. Identify them. Are you patient? Are you empathetic? Are you dedicated to self-improvement? Find your gift and cherish it. Understanding that you are fortunate to be yourself, even in small ways, allows you to be a little happier.Gifer 4. Tell Someone One Thing You Love About Them Just as generosity brings happiness, so does kindness. When you tell someone about something special you see in them, you turn on a light for them. You let them know that they are special and that you appreciate them. This metaphorical light, in turn becomes contagious and shines unto you as well. This shining creates a feeling of accomplishment because you made someone else happy and a feeling of closeness because you’ve reminded yourself of the value another person brings into your life.GifDB 5. Smile This tip may seem mundane, but it is scientifically proven that you can alter your emotional state just by smiling. By physically acting out happiness, you can actually begin to experience it. TenorBonusSmiling is contagious. When you smile, you subconsciously give others permission to do the same. This means that you will be making others happy with your presence.Do you have a happiness trick up your sleeve? Do share! About the Author: MarQ Jeffries is a poet, writer, and lifestyle coach. You can find out more about him at www.callofliberation.com.
Guest Blogger 3 Tips To Make Life Stress Free 5:00 AM Getting stress out of your life takes more than prayer alone. You must take action to make changes and stop doing whatever is causing the stress. You can learn to calm down in the way you handle things. -Joyce Meyer Stress is a potential threat to our emotional and physical health. But how do you make your life stress-free when every aspect seems exposed to it? Here are some tips that can help you avoid stress, relieve anxiety, and be worry-free. 3 Tips To Make Life Stress Free 1. Things You Should Keep Close: Stress Diary A stress diary is very effective in managing stress. You can jot down the date, time, and what you were doing, and what type of feelings engulfed you during the stressful episode. Give ratings to each episode and analyze them after some time to understand the triggers of stress. By doing so, you can easily identify what causes stress in your life and maintain distance from them. HouseplantHouseplants are a natural healer and reliever for stress. Research has shown that simply looking at greenery can reduce stress. Another Washington research proved that when stressed-out people entered a room with many plants, their blood pressure levels dropped by four points. Keeping houseplants like Jasmine, Peace Lily, English Ivy, and Lavender, etc. can help you live a stress-free life. Grateful List Keeping a list of things that you are grateful for can always help you feel happy about your life. Include the little things like your family, meal, job, etc., that you are grateful for in life. Every time you feel stress cropping up, take a look at your grateful list. Soothing Playlist A playlist with soothing songs should always be on the phone, iPod, or computer all the time. It is believed that classical music can slow the pulse rate, lower blood pressure, and lead to a sufficient reduction in the secretion of stress hormones. Listening to such songs or any other songs that you like can increase dopamine and reduce the stress in life.Natural stress-relieversNature offers amazing stress-relievers. Oil extracts from lavender, chamomile, bergamot, neroli, sandalwood, orange, and jasmine are used in supplements, tea, creams, and even candles to help promote sleep and relaxation.There's also CBD oil that has been shown to alleviate depression and reduce stress. When it comes to choosing CBD products, choose the one with the highest standards in quality backed by customer feedback like Blessed CBD so you're sure to get the benefits you need.2. Things You Should START Doing Owning Up To The Mistakes One of the biggest stimulators of stress in working people is, knowing that you’ve done a mistake and anticipating what’ll happen when the boss finds out. The stress generated by this can hamper the state of mind and reflect in work as well. Owning up to the mistake as soon as possible can help you beat the stress. Agreed, the problem won’t be solved, but the prolonged period of stress would be over soon. Living In The Moment Overthinking and over-analyzing every little situation, be it what happened in the past or what may happen because of present actions, is also a cause of stress. Avoid this stress by starting to live in the moment. What happened in the past taught you the lesson it was supposed to and you certainly cannot change what’s about to happen in the future. So stop worrying and start living in the moment. Physical Activity Physical activities are a huge stress buster. Not just physical exercises and work out but simple walks, dance moves, outdoor games, aerobics, swimming, yoga, etc., are also a great way to live a stress-free life. Don’t think of it as a burden but enjoy the physical activity to achieve the best results. Saying ‘No’ Saying ‘yes’ to everything can stress out everyone. Learn to say ‘NO’ to things you don’t like doing. Everyone has certain limits and trying to do things out of the bounds can lead to unnecessary stress. Start saying ‘no’ to the things that you don’t like and are not obliged to do. 3. Things You Should STOP Doing OveranalyzingThe first thing that anyone trying to have a stress-free life should stop doing is overanalyzing things. Overanalyzing things that haven’t happened yet can cause a lot of stress. Remember, ‘today you have today’s energy, tomorrow you have tomorrow’s energy, so why to waste today’s energy on tomorrow’s issues. Stop predicting the future and start dealing with things as they come to say goodbye to stress. Being with people who have a problem for every solution Negative people tend to spread negativity and make life stressful. People who critique everything you do or say or those who always sing out their woes would always make you stressed. Stop surrounding yourself with such negative people out of obligations or courtesy. Find people with whom you can connect and feel happy. Choosing perfection over uniqueness One of the biggest stress creators in life is trying to be perfect or achieve perfection. No one can be perfect so stop stressing out. Setting reasonable standards for oneself can help in avoiding a lot of stress. Keep your aim high but do not set your standards so high that they become a cause of stress in life. Wasting energy on holding past grudges None but the person who holds on to grudges suffers the most. One might feel that holding grudges and anger against someone might be troubling them but in reality, it is you who suffer when you hold on to any grudges. Take off any grudges as soon as possible. Forgive. Life is too short to be wasted in stress.“Remember, most of your stress comes from the way you respond, not the way life is. Adjust your attitude, and all that extra stress is gone.” Follow the tips listed above to help make your life stress-free. About the Author: Ankit Gupta manages ExporteresIndia.com, a leading B2B portal in India. Even after having a lot of responsibilities on his shoulder, Ankit still manages to live a stress-free life. He has jotted down his mantra for a stress-free life in this write-up. You can follow Ankit on his LinkedIn and Facebook handles to read other insightful blogs written by him.
Food 5 Best Drinks To Detox Your Body 9:03 AM Do you feel bloated and sluggish? You probably need a little detox.What happens when you detox your body?Cleaning your house from clutter makes a living and moving around easy.Clearing your mind from negative thoughts gives you peace of mind. In the same way, flushing out dirt from your body can help it function at its best. What can detox do for you? 1. Physical benefits of detox Toxins in your body can accumulate in the major organs. Removing them will help these organs work more efficiently. Your digestive system will be in its best condition. Thus you'll have a faster metabolism and better digestion. Which then helps you lose weight. A healthy gut helps boost your immunity, prevents signs of aging, and promotes proper blood circulation. 2. Psychological Benefits Detox also offers mental health benefits. Toxins can affect the functions of our brains. You tend to feel tired and sluggish when you have too much crap in your system. Detox can help you be more energetic and alert. Read how food affects your mood here. 5 Best Drinks To Detox Your Body How do you detox at home? 1. Water The easiest, most economical, and often taken-for-granted detox drink is one we access and use every day...Water!Drink eight glasses of water per day to eliminate toxins.Listen to your body. You'll know if you feel dehydrated or you've had too much water. Sometimes water alone is not enough. This is when you infuse it with fruits like lemon. 2. Lemon Water Boost the power of water as a detox drink by adding lemon to it. Lemon contains high amounts of d-limonene, which can assist in the breakdown of toxins. It also has citric acid that improves the absorption of aluminum hydroxide. This helps fight off toxins in your system.How to make lemon water: Press and roll the lemon on the counter or on a cutting board. This makes it easy to squeeze.Next, squeeze one lemon in 8 oz of room temperature water. According to nutritionist Wendy Leonard, room-temperature water aids nutrient absorption and utilization. 3. Tea Tea is one of the most popular drinks for detox. It's widely used around the globe and has been around for centuries.How can tea help you detox and lose weight?Teas contain catechins, and some have caffeine that helps boost metabolism and burn fat. What are the best teas for detox? Green teaOolong teaHibiscus teaDandelion teaWhite teaCitron teaChamomile teaRose teaTurmeric tea 4. Green Juice or Smoothie Not everyone likes vegetables. But you NEED them if you want to flush out toxins from your body. Vegetables are rich in fiber.This works like a broom that sweeps toxins or waste materials out of your digestive system. What veggies can you put in your green smoothie?BroccoliSpinachKaleParsleyLettuceCeleryBok ChoyMix it with fruits like cucumber, apple, or lemon juice to add a little sweetness. 5. Apple Cider Vinegar ACV is fast becoming a popular detox drink. It can soothe digestive tissues, minimize water retention, and curb appetite. How to do an apple cider vinegar detoxAdd 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water. Optional: add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, maple syrup, or stevia sugar to make the drink more palatable. When is the best time to drink apple cider vinegar?Drink your apple cider vinegar first thing in the morning or right before eating. It is advisable to drink ACV on an empty stomach because it helps break down food.It also helps you feel fuller and faster.NEVER drink pure apple cider vinegar. It's an acid, so it can damage your esophagus and harm your stomach. How do you cleanse your body from harmful substances? Try adding these 5 best drinks for detox to your list. Your body will thank you later. About the Contributor: Emily is the founder of BodyShape101.com. It's where she and her associates talk about exercise, fitness, and yoga. Their aim is to help people like you be at your healthiest. BodyShape101 talks about exercise & fitness tips. She is a mother of one who tries to find a balance between her passion and her most immense joy in life.Edited and Improved by About Life and Love
