Health & Wellness 4 Ways To Forget About Work For A While 8:27 PM Taking some time off from work is something we all need to do every now and then – no one is physically, emotionally, or mentally built to work non-stop. Taking a break means that when you go back to work, whether it’s your own business or someone else’s, you’ll be a lot more focused and productive, you’ll feel rested, and your energy levels will be much increased. Yet it’s hard to completely stop thinking about work. Here are some tips on how to switch off. 4 Ways To Forget About Work For A While Fix Your Routine Even if you’re not taking a few days or weeks away from work, there needs to be a point in the day when the work has to stop. Whatever that time is, fix your routine so that you don’t go back into the office or fire up the laptop, or even check your emails on your phone. You might wear a uniform for work, and your routine could be that as soon as that comes off, you’re not working anymore. Maybe you have a specific workroom that you use, and once you leave that and shut the door, you don’t go back in until the morning. These routines are important as everyone needs some downtime in their lives. Switch Off One ideal way to forget about work is to literally switch off. Shut down your laptop, turn off your mobile devices, and enjoy doing something else. Read a book, take a long, hot bath, cook something delicious, go for a walk or attend a class. There is so much to do that isn’t work, and you should experience as much of it as possible. Switching off entirely can be difficult for many people – social media addiction is a real thing, for example. Therefore, you may need to take this process slowly, but your end goal should be to entirely leave your work devices alone when you’re not actually at work. Automate Automating processes is especially important when you are running your own business and need to take some time off. If you can automate or outsource as many processes as possible, even if it is a short-term solution, then you won’t have to worry about what is happening in your business while you’re not there – you can rest assured that when you return you can carry on as before. Automation can occur in many forms; you can set up blog posts in advance, for example, so that your marketing is still ongoing. Outsourcing is equally as important, as certain processes won’t be interrupted through your not being in the office; marketing, data recovery, accounting, administration work, and more can all be effectively outsourced. Look Forward To Something Whatever it is you are planning to do when you’re not at work, make sure it’s something you can look forward to. Make exciting plans and count down the days until you get to do whatever it is you are taking time off for. You may be going out for a day with your family, or perhaps you’re going to enjoy a birthday celebration or other party. Maybe you’re traveling, or perhaps you’re staying at home and finally getting some of those little jobs done around the house. Whatever it is, if you’re excited about it then you won’t mind not being at work and you’ll have a much better time. 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 5:55 PM 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 7:00 PM 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.
Life Lessons You Are A Story 7:00 PM Everyone is a story. Each vital to the world. You are a story. That person you sat beside on the bus or train, that little girl you saw sitting on her mom's lap at the park, that guy smoking a cigarette from the building across your office, or the homeless man you pass by every day near the subway, or the lady who got off the elevator as you're about to get in. All of them has a special story waiting to tell. They are stories for everyone to read. You are a story yourself. The world needs to hear your story more than you'll ever know. They need to know your joys and heartaches. They need to learn your lessons. People need to see your scars to know that their wounds will someday heal too. They need to know they're not alone in their journey because someone out there is exactly on the same page. Or has been through what they're going through. Make your story a beautiful one. One that even when you leave the world, those who have been privileged to get to know you will continue to tell with fondness and joy. Don't leave the world confused because they're not sure which part of your story is true and which is just a show. Don't leave the world worse than when you get here. Aspire to live in such a way that strangers would wonder if there are more like you, and inspire them to be like you to another stranger. Live in such a way that people will miss your absence, not rejoice over it. Live in such a way that if you are a book, people will not only give you a five star review, but will keep re-reading your story. That if someone asks them for a recommendation, they will recommend your story. Your story need not be known all over the world (although if you can, why not?). As long as those around you are inspired and blessed by it, you're good. Mother Teresa said, "Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." Never underestimate your story. If it can change one person, it can change the world. If you like this blog post about life and love, please share the article using the social media buttons below or on the left. Thanks!
Fashion & Style Simple Things To Do To Improve Your Life Right Now 9:00 PM You may have written down the things you need to leave in the past for a lighter life journey (like I did). But how about things you need to do and bring with you? Here's a list of some simple things to do to improve your life right now. Simple Things To Do To Improve Your Life Right Now Be grateful Bring gratitude with you. I've always been a believer of the power of gratitude. It makes you a blessing magnet. Gratitude fills your heart with joy and makes you ready to receive more. It is a product of abundance mentality and changes it your perspective on life. The more grateful you are, the more you attract the things you are grateful for. That's how the universe works. (Thanks to Bo Sanchez for this wonderful idea) Be teachable Bring your openness to learning and willingness to be taught. If you believe you know everything then you stop growing. Be humble enough to know that you need other people to teach you, that each person you meet has a lesson for you to learn, that you don't know everything. Because seriously, you don't. Be an eternal student. Learn from your mistakes, learn from other people's stories and examples, learn from the expert, learn from children, learn from animals, learn from the past. Use what you have learned in making better decisions, in improving your skills and thus increasing your career value, in avoiding detours by hanging out with the wrong people and being in the wrong situations, and in speeding up your way to a better life. Be more optimistic Bring your humor and optimism. Author Elbert Hubbard said it best, "Don't take life too seriously. You'll never get out of it alive." Cut yourself some slack. Don't be too hard on yourself (a lesson I needed to learn). Learn to laugh at yourself and your boo boos. Nobody's perfect anyway. Everyone has tripped and slipped---alone or in front of a crowd. I have. Everyone has had a fashion flop history (except maybe for some like Selena Gomez and Audrey Hepburn who can't go wrong with fashion). Everyone has a flaw. You may not be perfect but you are made exactly as God intended you to be. Always remember that things work out even when you think they don't. If your life is on a detour, it is God's redirection, and not His rejection Always look at the bright side. Never lose your sense of wonder. Be more trusting Bring your faith and trust. You may not see where your path takes you. You may be struggling for so long, trying so hard, working double and you are tired and discouraged because it seems nothing is happening. Your life feels like running on a treadmill. You're exhausted but you're still stuck. But you look around and everyone around you seems to be moving forward. Like in a marathon. I know that feeling so much. Have a little faith. Never compare your story with theirs. God has a different plan for you. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Corinthians 2:9) Things will not always go your way but it always works for the best. Trust the process. Trust God's plans no matter how difficult it may seem. Remember who you are Bring your value wherever you go. Remember who you are. Never shortchange yourself. You are worth more than gold. You're worth every drop of blood and sweat of God's only Son. You are the apple of God's eyes. "The Lord will rejoice over you with gladness, He will renew you in His love." (Zephaniah 3:17) Keep your standards high. Have non-negotiables. "Never apologize for having high standards. People who really want to be in your life will rise up to meet them." (Ziad K. Abdelnour) In short, don't allow other people to treat you like crap. It's not about arrogance. It's staying true to who you are. It's about self-respect and self-love. It's about knowing you are meant to live an abundant life. Are you ready to improve your life right now? It's not that complicated. As for me, I'll be bringing a pocketful of sunshine, a heart full of hope and gratitude, and an expectant mindset. I'll also be bringing my water-resistant elegant black Zaful satchel perfect for anywhere, and my red Roman numerals Quartz watch to remind me that every minute spent on earth is precious. Simple fashion for a look that never goes out of style. What are you doing and bringing to improve your life? Satchel bag and wrist watch from Zaful Photos by Carlo Vicente 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
Life Lessons How To Use Affirmations For Prosperity In Your Life 8:00 PM The key to happy life is to live by the words you say and believe in what you want to be. Affirmation for prosperity is the key for happy life. If you wish to achieve a desired goal in life, it’s important that you first affirm the same to yourself and keep on reminding it yourself. Don't bother how or in what way it will happen, just trust the Universe to make this come true. Remember we're dealing with Law here. The Laws of the Universe always work the same, and we can still rely on them! Whenever you get negative suggestions, feelings or thoughts during the day, just reject them and focus on your goal. You can write your affirmation on a little card and carry it with you wherever you go, and when you feel down, just go somewhere where you can be alone and read your affirmation a few times to keep your mind focused. If you do this with discipline every day until you see results, you will know that it works! But remember... Focus on what you want and not on what you don’t. Choose one thing at the time and don't do to people the things you don't want them to do to you. Love is freedom, and when you do things to hurt somebody it will for sure come right back at you!! How To Use Affirmations For Prosperity In Your Life What is an Affirmation? An Affirmation is merely a statement of intent given in present time. That means you word your affirmation to reflect how you want to be as if you already are that way. Often when first using affirmations people sometimes feel this is a fake statement because they are not what they are saying they are. However since you are always telling your subconscious mind how you want to be, (or more usually how you don't want to be - which it then creates) it makes sense to tell yourself exactly what you want and by stating it in such a way that it is already happening, your mind knows it needs to create this change NOW and not Later on. What's the Purpose of Affirmations? The human mind has two distinct phases becoming at once conspicuous when we enter upon a classification of mental phenomena. Upon one side is the Conscious Self with its experiences and memories — the Self that seemingly does the thinking and willing — and upon the other the Unconscious Self, of which we occasionally have momentary views, the Self that carries on all the organic processes and is responsible for maintenance of conscious and unconscious life through a continual adjustment to ever-changing environment. Your Subconscious mind wants to give you what you want. Trouble is you have thousands of thoughts a day, and most (almost 95% it is estimated) are harmful or self-defeating. Is it the little wonder when you tell yourself 95% of the time what you don't want to be like or what you don't want to happen that we could use some direction in our subconscious programming? Most people focus on what they don't want and don't know this will grow bigger and bigger. Affirmation Guidelines 1) State what you want - do not mention within the affirmation what you don't want. E.g., "I am a non-smoker" or "I am slim and beautiful" rather than "I don't want to smoke anymore" or "I shouldn't eat foods that make me fat." 2) State it in present time - Use "I am," or I do" rather than "I should" or "I want." 3) Make it a real statement - Use simple words that are possible, e.g., "I am a super learner, I learn easily and enjoy my growth" rather than "I have an IQ of 230, and I know everything". How to create Effective Affirmations The best time to do an affirmation is just before you go to sleep and only after you wake up. At those times your subconscious is very open to suggestions because your mind is very relaxed and in a receptive state. Do your affirmation for about 10 - 15 minutes two or three times a day or whenever you feel to but don't overdo it and after you did your affirmation just forget about it and go on with what you were doing and have faith and trust that it will come to pass. When you read an affirmation, get yourself relaxed as possible, both body and mind, and read it aloud or in your mind, imagine it and charge it with the feelings you would have as if it was true now! First, believe you already have what you are praying for, and then you will get it! About the Author: Sohail is a content marketer and a blogger, currently he is associated with Smiletutor.sg an online tuition agency in Singapore. His hobbies include writing, reading books, traveling and gardening. 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
Life Lessons Let Go: What It Means And Why You Should Do It 8:00 AM Letting go doesn't mean that you don't care about someone anymore. It's just realizing that the only person you really have control over is yourself. -Deborah Reber You need to let go. If you're still affected by it, you still feel something for it. If you still hate someone who has wronged you in the past, you still are under the other person’s power. Let go of hatred and release yourself from the prison you have created. Let go of grudge and declare yourself free from the other person’s clutch. Let go of anger and remove the other person’s power to control you altogether. You are not your emotions. You are not your feelings. You are not a slave of your past mistakes. You are more than that. Take ownership of your life. Again. Now. Learn to let it go.Giphy What does it mean to let go? Letting go means you need to stop holding on to what's holding you back.It means setting yourself free.Let go of...Your past mistakes and wrong decisions. Just bring the lessons you learned from them, Your traumas and pains. We are all wounded and scarred. It happened. It's over. It can't hurt you now unless you let it. Your TOTGA (the one that got away). If it was meant to be, it will be. If things didn't go your way, it's all for the best. Your could have been and the what ifs. Don't beat yourself up for things that never occurred. You cannot change the past. You can only take charge of your present and choose what kind of future you want. Stop beating yourself up. Stop crying over spilled milk. "Stop clinging to the past. No matter how tightly you hold on, it's already gone." - How I Met Your MotherGiphy Why do we keep holding on?Sometimes we hold on to it because it's what we've known to be 'home' for so long. We always come back home, don't we? It's familiar and what's familiar brings us comfort. It makes us feel confident somehow because we know how things go. Or maybe because we've grown attached to it that it's the only reality we know. And the unknown terrifies us.Or maybe because we're hoping that if we keep holding on, things will change for the better. And we'll live happily ever after.GfycatWhy you should let go?We need to let go because greater things happen outside our comfort zone. Miracles happen in the courage zone. Because we get to see things we never thought existed. Because we experience something beyond our imagination.We need to let go because we need to free ourselves of the old so the new can come in.We need to let go because as long as our hands are still full, we won't have space to receive again.Sfygif The reason most people are afraid of the dark is not because of the dark per se. But because they can't see and that makes them unsure of what will happen next. Will harm come to me? Will I fall? Will I get hurt? These are the same questions we ask ourselves when we're about to make a major shift and let go of the familiar.It is what you don't see and know that scares you. It is what you think is out of your control that frightens you. But amazing things happen when you let go of fear and embrace change.Just have faith.You'll never know unless you try.
Books 3 Important Life Lessons I Learned From Harry Potter 8:00 AM 3 Important Life Lessons Learned From Harry Potter Harry James Potter. What a beautiful influence that scarred bespectacled boy is to this generation. There's no doubt that the Harry Potter book series changed the lives of those who read it. The boy who lived taught me a lot about life. Here are three important life lessons I've learned from Harry Potter. This post contains affiliate links so we'd get a commission if you purchase through the links at no additional cost to you. 3 Important Life Lessons I Learned from Harry Potter 1. Harry Potter me how to be a true friend. When it comes to his friends, Harry gives his all. He’s honest; there's no sugarcoating the truth with Harry Potter. He’s supportive. When Hermione was heartbroken and needed a friend, Harry was there to comfort her.When Ron didn't believe he can be part of the Gryffindor's Quidditch Team, Harry tricked him into thinking he was going to be lucky during the tryout.Harry Potter does not think twice about laying his life for his friends even at such an early age. Giphy 2. Harry Potter taught me to stand for what is right. Harry was not swayed by society's opinion. Even when the whole school would think of him as a lunatic...Even when he had to risk losing his friends---the only family he’s got.Even when people would hate him...Harry Potter does what is right even when it's uncomfortable and difficult. Even if it would mean being unpopular. Even when in the end, he'd be walking the path alone. Giphy 3. The boy who lived taught me how to live with a purpose. Harry Potter was famous even before he could walk and talk. There’s not a child that doesn’t know his name. When he found out that he was some kind of a hero to the wizarding world, he didn't let fame change him.He remained down-to-earth and "normal". He didn't use his privileges to get his way. Instead, he used his influence to help others in need and fight the threat of evil trying to conquer his world. Giphy When you read a book, is it important that you get valuable life lessons from it? Then Harry Potter should be on your list.I’ll forever be thankful for that day I picked up a copy of Harry Potter and I'll always remember the life lessons I've learned from it.I helped Harry Potter out of his cupboard, he changed my life forever. via Amino
Life Lessons Finding Silver Linings: 6 Key Lessons From Getting Sick 4:15 PM Sometimes, it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways. -Proverbs 20:30 Have you ever gotten so sick that it forced you to hit the pause button on life? While getting sick is no fun, offer valuable life lessons we might have missed. A wake-up call. This is precisely what happened to me recently. Here are 6 key takeaways from my experience that resonate with you. 1. The Power of the PauseI was running myself ragged. Chasing clients, burning the candle at both ends – I neglected the most important thing: my well-being. Getting sick was my body's way of saying, "Slow down!" It was a much-needed reminder to take a break, breathe, and trust that things would work out. 2. Health is Indeed WealthBeing sick forced me to put everything on hold, and while it was initially frustrating, it also offered valuable perspective. The money I earned paled compared to the cost of regaining my health. This experience solidified the importance of prioritizing our well-being – good health is the foundation for everything else in life. 3. The Value of ConnectionI consider myself a happy introvert, cherishing my alone time. However, being sick was a powerful reminder that we all need connection. The support and care I received during this challenging time were invaluable. It highlighted the importance of fostering strong relationships and appreciating the people who have our backs.Giphy 4. The Importance of HumilitySickness strips us of our sense of control and forces us to be humble. I was forced to ask for help, a humbling reminder that we can't do everything alone. It's okay to lean on others and seek support when needed. 5. Cultivating EmpathyBefore getting sick, I'd always offer well wishes to those who were unwell. However, experiencing illness firsthand amplified my empathy for others in similar situations. It fostered a deeper understanding of their challenges and the importance of genuine support.6. Gratitude for the Simple ThingsSickness can make us appreciate the simple things we often take for granted. During my recovery, I felt a surge of gratitude for things like waking up without discomfort, having a supportive family, and enjoying a job I love. These everyday blessings are genuinely worth cherishing. Key Lessons From Getting SickGetting sick is certainly not ideal, but it can sometimes be a catalyst for positive change. These life lessons learned from illness have helped me appreciate life more deeply, prioritize my well-being, and cultivate stronger connections.Your TurnWhat about you? Have you ever had an experience that forced you to slow down and re-evaluate your priorities? Share your insights in the comments below.
Faith Wounded And Scarred 8:00 AM It is our choices, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. -J.K. Rowling We are all wounded and scarred. Some wounds are deeper, some scars more permanent. I don't know about you but I'm yet to meet someone, especially an adult who has never been bruised or wounded in life...figuratively speaking. Indeed if we look closer, we are walking among broken people; wounded souls, scarred hearts, exhausted from the battle of every day life. Dramatic, isn't it? But, isn't that the truth? Personally, I know people who are victims of abuse---physical, sexual, verbal abuses by family members, "friends", and even strangers. People who have been struggling with addiction, those who are stuck in toxic relationships, those who are fighting depression, those who are struggling in finances. Some of these people are denying themselves of healing. That's why you meet full-grown adults acting like toddlers. If they can't be happy, neither can you. Toxic people are everywhere. If you allow them, they can transform you into one of them. Sad. And scary. Wounded and scarred, it is our choice that determines what we become. Are we going to use these wounds and scars to help others find their way, or are we going to add more to it by hurting others? In doing so, we hurt ourselves back. Wounded and scarred, we either seek healing and be well, or let the pain taunt us for the rest of our lives, becoming miserable and difficult to deal with. Wounded and scarred, we can allow the Healer to turn our mourning into dancing or stay and rot in the valley of death. Wounded and scarred, we either stay down and miss what life has to offer, or get up, dust ourselves off and carry on. We are all wounded and scarred, whether we like it or not. Whether we accept it and face the truth or forever live in lie and agonize. Wounded and scarred, we are still beautiful, because we are not here by mistake or accident. We are loved, we are His joy, we are made for greatness. Hello, fellow wounded and scarred soul. Oh, how beautiful we all are. 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
Books Power Of Stories To Teach Us About Unwavering Faith And Values 9:00 PM We become the books we read. -Matthew Kelly The stories we read in books don’t just entertain us and bring us to places beyond our wildest imagination. They teach us lessons, guide us, influence us, and mold us. From reading stories we learn about unwavering faith and values.This post contains affiliate links so we'd get a commission if you purchase through the links at no additional cost to you.Power of Stories to Teach Us About Unwavering Faith and ValuesI was thinking about bestselling novels like Harry Potter, Divergent, and The Hunger Games lately. They’re about worlds different from ours, yet the parallelism is impeccable. An ordinary person with extraordinary abilities and admirable boldness are unknown to that person until the situation calls for it. It’s all about someone who is deep-down good and genuine, who doesn’t want to keep quiet and follow an unjust autocrat blindly. Someone who is selfless enough to forget his /her discomfort and safety for the good of everybody, and to protect his/her loved ones from tyranny. They didn’t want to be heroes, but their world needed one, so that’s what they become. They did not wait around for a savior to help them out of their miserable situation. With what they have, with who they are, with nothing but their principle and intention to end evil and help the oppressed, they fought, they risked their lives, and they conquered. I love books like these. Books that don’t just tell of happily ever after, and fairies and true love’s kiss---not that there’s something wrong with fairy tales. I grew up with Disney and I’ll always be thankful for it made my imagination fly. But I love books that don’t sugarcoat the truth in life. Books that tell me honestly that there will be obstacles, there will be monsters, there will be people in power who will try to control us and strip us of our freedom.It is our unwavering faith and values that we uphold that will keep us together as people regardless of our color, gender, beliefs, or the language we speak.I'm really thrilled to be part of this week's #LMMLinkup at Mary-andering Creatively and Brandi Raae. I'm sharing the power of stories to teach us about faith and values.Click here to read the full story. Thank you.
