Faith Reflection: God's Crazy Love 6:00 PM For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son. -John 3:16 I thank God for giving me my passion to write. That's why as a thanksgiving, I decided to start a Reflection series. Because despite not being a technically good writer, despite some grammar slips here and there, despite the criticisms, insults, and mockery I've received from people telling me I'm not a REAL author, I know in my heart that this is a gift from my Big Daddy. I know this can only come from Him---from God's crazy love for me. I'll always be grateful for Him providing me with the tools and skills I need to use this gift. For leading me to the right people, bringing me the right opportunities and allowing me to build pipelines for His blessings to flow into my life. Truly, my God is crazy in love with me! God's crazy love I'm a nobody. I'm only a speck of dust in His vast universe. I often find myself asking, "Why, Lord? Why do you love me this much? I am a sinner. I often neglect you. I often blame you for my misfortunes. Why sacrifice your Son---Your life for me?" And the only answer is love. Pure, unadulterated, complete, infinite, unfathomable, crazy love. Who can explain love? Even science fails to give it justice despite its intellectual research and theories. It's still not enough. Nay, it's not needed by people in love. "I don't know, I just love her. That's all I know." That's what you'll often hear people respond when you ask them why they love someone. It goes beyond the physical. It is more than just what is certain and what's there. It is beyond human comprehension. And that is only human love. God's crazy love is so much more. For this world's wisdom is foolishness (absurdity and stupidity) with God. (1 Corinthians 3:19) That is why the proud, intelligent ones despise Him. For they cannot put Him in a box. For they can never explain His beginning and end. He is their failure when it comes to displaying their wisdom. But that's what makes Him God. He is infinite. He is beyond our grasp. If we can understand Him, then we will be equals. God's crazy love is not for the perfect. It is for those who are humble enough to admit they are not complete, they are not enough and they are not well. Those who will receive Him and allow Him to heal them. God's crazy love is for those who are crazy enough to admit that they need His craziness in their lives. Hey, I am crazy. That's why despite my flaws and imperfections, despite my difficulty to accept His love and feel His presence, despite my unlovable and unloving state sometimes oftentimes, I accept Him. For He's crazy enough to accept me in the first place. (Just between you and me, I think He's crazier than all of us put together). The Lord your God is with you. He is a hero who saves you. He happily rejoices over you, renews you with his love, and celebrates over you with shouts of joy. (Zephaniah 3:17) Kind of hard to imagine an almighty, all powerful, majestic, glorious King rejoicing and shouting with joy, right? I mean, I've always thought kings are reserved, dignified, solemn. We know some kings could even be tyrants, taking delight in punishing his people. Oh, but this King we have is crazy in love with us. He is our Father before anything else. And that is something we may never come to understand. We can only allow Him to love us or reject Him like we always do. God's crazy love is inviting you to accept Him today. Are you in or out? 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
Fashion & Style 5 Simple Steps To Become Albus Dumbledore In Terms Of Beard 6:00 AM Good Evening! I know it will please some of you to know that I almost titled this article '5 simple steps to become Jack Sparrow', while it will please the rest knowing that I realized most people are into Witchcraft and Wizardry rather than Piracy. Haha! Joking aside, growing a bear or even a mustache is a process that involves a lot of patience and perseverance. And the reason I'm saying this is because it depends and varies on the hormonal levels of each and everyone of you. But no matter what your genetics show you, the following steps will DEFINITELY speed the process up. 5 Simple Steps To Become Albus Dumbledore. In Terms Of Beard, Of Course! Personal Hygiene and Body care The rate of hair growth is directly proportional to your body health and nutrition. Start by eating more foods as fish, eggs, and meat. All in all, proteins. Another great thing that would be extremely helpful is the growing the urge to exercise and getting proper sleep each night. With the proper nutrients flowing in your digestive system, a proper circulation to your facial hair is definitely improved by your exercise. Wash your face regularly. Scrub it, preferably. Don't hurt yourself. Again, proteins, nuts (peanuts, hah.), fruits and greens are the most important diet you'd need to follow. More nutrition Increasing the vitamin supply is an extremely helpful way for rapidly growing your facial hair. Mixed with your greens' diet, this will be an excellent way to provide each hair follicle with the required supplements. I recommend a multi-vitamin drug containing Vitamin B6, beta-carotene and Vitamin C. I'd say go with Centrum or Biotin. Consult a doctor first. Leave it alone It will be itchy. It will look nasty. It may look disgusting. Do not trim. Do not shave. I repeat, a lot of people my tell you that shaving it off regularly might make it grow thicker and hairier, it's not true. One thing I have learned in Med-school, it's that each hair follicle stimulates the growth of the nearby follicle, so let them grow and do their thing. Strengthen your beard Do not give up on it. Endure the itchiness and the scratchiness. If you're not serious about growing a beard, the discomfort will make you shave it right away. Products I do not recommend the usage of hair growth products, some of them may be cancerous. (They stimulate excessive growth) yet, with the suitable consult of a doctor, you can use them. Summing it up, your genetics will determine how hard you're gonna work for your beard to grow so don't get discouraged if you see slow progress or a mixture of hairy-non-hairy areas. The previous steps are guaranteed to give you a push. And remember, cutting it too soon will definitely slow the growth pattern. Thank you all for taking time and reading this! Don't forget to comment with your question in the comments' section, I will make sure I answer all of them personally. This may contain affiliate links. 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
Fashion & Style Shop Stylish Women's Wear 6:00 AM Shop for Stylish Women's Wear Finding great fashions when you’re a woman with curves can be difficult, even if the fashion industry has started embracing plus sized fashions in the past couple of years. After all, a lot has happened in terms of curvier ladies becoming more visible and their bodies being viewed as desirable and sexy, and things have come a long way even since 2014 - plus size model Ashley Graham has graced the cover of Sports Illustrated and there’s a whole lot more discussion around body positivity than there was even a few years ago. Body positivity itself is a simple concept - anyone can be beautiful, regardless her size - but it’s somewhat difficult to embrace when you’ve grown up hearing about how you need to lose weight to look good and that you should be ashamed of your body. Fat shaming is psychologically damaging, and it’s a great thing that now things are starting to come around and women no longer must conform to some unattainable standard to look and feel beautiful. Still, it can be difficult to know what looks great on you and where to find it when you’ve spent most of your life being bombarded with negative messages about your body. Thus, you might need some inspiration as far as shopping for stylish women’s wear goes so that you can find something that you look stunning in. Great Styles that are Also Affordable Finding great fashions that are also affordable is difficult enough on its own, and when you’re a plus size gal looking for great fashions this can be infinitely harder. You might have tried going to your local Walmart, but that’s not really the best option for finding the best styles over something that’s cheap and looks it. If you want gently used full-figure clothing, you do have a few options out there for finding some great looks. Used clothing is of course an affordable way to get great fashions, but if you’re particularly curvy you might have some trouble finding much in your local thrift store - but then this is where going online can help you out a bit. You can get a wider selection, and as far as used clothing is concerned there’s a lot more variety as to where it comes from than would be the case if you limited yourself just to what you can find near where you live. Blogs Can Inspire You Different styles of clothing suit different body types, and there are a lot of great fashion blogs out there which demonstrate to curvy women some styles that you can look absolutely stunning in there even if it might not have occurred to you. If the fashion industry ignored different body types over the years except for anyone who’s skinny and white, the recent acceptance of other bodies as being beautiful still comes with some limiting views of what’s flattering - views that aren’t necessarily founded in truth. There are definitely certain styles which are more flattering for curvy women, but because everyone’s body is different there’s no reason to think that a particular style won’t suit you just because of the way you’re shaped unless you try it out - you might well be surprised at what you actually look good in - there are thousands of items out there in sizes 12 - 34 that have been gently worn and flatter curvy women’s bodies. Size is Important Depending on your shape, there are inevitably certain styles that you'll look good in. It's difficult to suggest one thing or the other based on size alone, because everyone's body is shaped differently and just because you're a bit curvy doesn't mean that you look like other women with curves. For instance, if you're curvy but have a small waist then hourglass figures will look great on you, but if you don't have a tiny waist then you might be better off in something like a maxi dress or a wraparound. When you’re selecting clothing, it’s important to shop for the right size - already a complicated affair because sizes vary so much by brand, but this gets even more difficult when you go online since it’s not like you can try something on before purchasing it. Thus, it’s very important to understand how sizes work and what they mean before you buy something, if you want to be sure that it fits you - you should know exactly what size charts mean. Many styles that suit curvy women are relatively free fitting - maxi dresses and wraparounds are great because they can look great on a variety of body types and you don’t have to worry too much if the size is a slight bit off from what you might have thought. Conclusion Discovering great styles for a great price can be easy if you know where to look, and you’ll have little trouble finding something that also fits you well if you follow the size charts. Beyond that, finding great fashions that flatter your body essentially boils down to your aesthetic choices - and if you’re unsure of what looks good on your body type there’s no dearth of blogs that you can look at for aesthetic inspiration. Quite simply, you shouldn’t assume that you can’t find stylish women’s wear that’s also affordable just because you’re not shaped like the average supermodel - and gently used fashions can be a great option for this. About the Author: Helen Cartwright Helen Cartwright is a passionate blogger, who excels in the Fashion and Technology niche. She also ghost-write for a variety of authors who have their work published on leading online media channels such as The Huffington Post and Entrepreneur.com.
Dating The 5 Love Languages: How To Save Your Relationship 6:00 PM Relationship conflicts usually happen not because you lack love but because you don’t know how to show it in a way the other person understands. Sometimes your significant other doesn’t receive it as you intended because we speak different love languages. What are the five love languages, and how can they help nourish and save your relationships? What is a love language? Our love language is our way of expressing, receiving, and understanding love. Gary Chapman, a marriage and family life expert, is the author of The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate. He discovered the five primary languages of love. Although we do relate to these love languages, there is at least one which we prefer the most or which speaks to us the loudest. Learning which love language your partner, friend, or family speaks and letting them know which one is yours can help strengthen your relationship and save you from misunderstandings and issues in the long run. The 5 Love Languages Words of affirmationQuality timeReceiving giftsActs of servicePhysical touch 1. Words of affirmation If your partner’s love language is words of affirmation, spoken words should be your main focus in expressing feelings. You enjoy verbal affection, encouragement, endearment, and frequent compliments. You can also write love notes and send sweet texts. Make it a point to compliment your partner with uplifting words and highlight their strengths every chance. Simple words that show appreciation can make another person’s day. Sometimes, even a trivial comment can impact the other person for ample time. Examples of words of affirmation love language: “You are important to me.” “I love you.”“You look great in that dress.”“That hairstyle looks good on you.”“I’m lucky to have you.”“I love it when you ___.”“I’m grateful for you.”“You bring me joy by simply being in my life.”“Thank you for___.”“I appreciate your ___.”“That is impressive!”“You are inspiring.”“I’m proud of you and to have you.”“You are amazing!”“Love your outfit.” Words of affirmation should not be empty adulation but highlight the best in your partner. It can nourish your relationship by reminding them how able, loved, and admirable they are and encouraging them to always do better, positively affecting your connection. Giphy 2. Quality time Undivided attention. Taking time from your busy schedule, prioritizing, and not just giving what extra time you can spare means the world to those with quality time as their love language. How to show your love through quality time? Be focused and be present. Listen actively. Turn off any distractions.Be a good conversationalist.Try new activities together.Share their hobbies or interests and vice versa.Take them on a surprise date.Create beautiful memories together.Binge-watch your favorite shows or movies.Spending quality time with your loved one can nourish your relationship. It helps you learn more about each other, understand them better, and share more moments. Rebloggy 3. Receiving gifts The love language of receiving gifts is not only about the item itself. It’s the thought of having someone put time and effort into giving you a present. It’s the gesture and what it represents that matters the most. The gift could be as simple as a chocolate bar or a personalized gift like a greeting card you made yourself. It could be anything that exudes thoughtfulness. Receiving gifts love language ideas: Create a scrapbook of your memories or the things you love about them.Order them lunch at work.Send random gifts on random days. Make a holiday for the person and throw them a celebration or send a special gift.Leave them love notes around the house or at their desk.Send an e-card on any day.Surprise them with a bouquet of flowers one morning.Send a special gift on big days, like during a presentation, end of a project, or when they close a deal.Buy them their favorite book, shirt, perfume, or dessert for no apparent reason.Create a playlist of their favorite songs or songs you dedicate to them.Buy them a subscription for something they’ve always wanted. You can give a diamond necklace or pick a flower from the garden. Either way, the person with gifts as a love language will surely treasure it and receive the love you’re giving.Up your DIY craft game by making presents yourself. Here are a few examples from the 5-Minute Crafts FAMILY:4. Acts of service Parents smile from ear to ear when the house has been cleaned without them telling their kids to do their chores.People whose love language is acts of service feel special when you go out of your way to show support or take the initiative to help ease their burden.How to fill up someone’s love tank through acts of service?Acts of service love language ideas:Make breakfast or their favorite cup of joe.Listen when they want to rant.Accompany them on a checkup.Offer to drive them to work or pick them up after.Help carry heavy bags.Run an errand for them when they’re swamped.Wash the dishes and take the trash out without being asked.A helping hand is a simple gesture highly appreciated by those who score high on acts of service as their language of love. Remember to not keep count of the services you’ve done. If it’s inconvenient for you to do something for them at some point, communicate to let them know. Giphy 5. Physical touchBeing physically present and touchy can fill up a love tank amazingly.Physical touch is the most obvious among the 5 languages of love. Touch can nourish and save your relationship because it communicates love effectively. It brings instant joy and gives the other person a sense of security. And physical touch is more than just sex.Ways to express your love through physical touch:HugKissPat on the backCaressHand on the shoulderGiving a massageLeaning your head on the shoulderStroking their hairHolding hands Giphy What is your love language? Some people’s language of love combines two or more of the 5 languages. Actually, we need all five to feel loved and show love. It’s just that we have one primary language which speaks more. For relationships to last longer, each individual should first know their language and find out the other person’s love language. It may not be easy at first, but love is sticking together when times are tough and working things out hand in hand. Learn it now and save yourself from conflicts in the future. 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 Take the 5 Love Language Quiz So, what’s your love language? You can take the quiz here to find out. Then, let me know in the comments!
Single Life Dear Future Husband 6:00 AM We will make a beautiful harmony together through the different notes that we play. The Single Woman’s 30-Day Blogging Challenge Day 30: Write a letter to your future mate saying whatever you want to say Dear Future Husband, It is a long, dragging journey but I learned to enjoy every step of the way; thinking that every day is one step closer to the day we will meet. God is preparing me to be the best that I can be because He's prepared His best for me too: a royalty for His little princess. I know you're not going to be perfect just as imperfect as I am. But, we are perfectly imperfect for each other, and that's what makes it beautiful. We will make a beautiful harmony together through the different notes that we play. I will not promise to give you everything you want, but I will serve you with everything that I have. I am doing really well now, I feel like I could stay like this forever. But, the day you would come is a big big bonus from up above. I complete me, but you would complement me. Thanks for adding accent to my already colorful life. You are the blueberry to my cheesecake. The sprinkles to my ice cream. It's not an easy journey. People criticize me for my choices, question and laugh at my standards. I trip, I fall, I got lost somehow, thinking I've already found you. But, it was nothing but another fraud---a toad pretending to be you. I am glad God meddled in before I sunk deep into that mess. I am learning everything I could, I am enjoying every moment, so that when you finally come I will have lots of stories and lessons to share with you. I am whole and you won't have to fix me. Because in the first place, that's not your job. Your job is to love me. When I've reached the end of the line of my single-hood, I know you'll be there waiting for me. Everything falls in their proper place at His right time, just as He designed the seasons to change at the right moment. We just need to be more patient because He is never late nor early. His timing is always perfect. Dear future husband, I know you're out there. Also wondering, also waiting for that day to come. I can only be excited for that day. As for now, learn all you can. Explore the world. Don't be afraid to take risks. Make mistakes. Enjoy each day. Know that every day you face, each step you take is also a step closer to me. I'll see you when I see you. XOXO, Your future wife 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
