Life Lessons 13 Things You Should Never Apologize For 7:12 PM 13 Things You Should Never Apologize For Here are 13 things you should never apologize for, ever again. Because...There is nothing more beautiful than seeing a person being themselves. Imagine going through your day being unapologetically you. -Steve Maraboli 13 Things You Should Never Apologize For1. You should never apologize for your beliefs. I avoid using the term 'religion' because many people say "my religion" this and "my religion" that. Why should it be "my" religion? I just believe what's in the Bible about which religion is involved. I simply believe... I believe in it, and I get down on my knees every night, thank God, and ask Him to lead the way. -Michael JacksonDon't apologize for your beliefs and for being passionate about them.We were raised in different homes and have different cultures. It's okay if you don't share the same faith with the people around you. Respecting others' beliefs and having an open mind signify spiritual maturity. 2. You should never apologize for the way you look. You're fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)You are beautiful just the way you are, and no one can argue with that. Who says you need to have perfectly straight hair to be beautiful? Those curls are enviable.Who says you need to be voluptuous or slim? A person who is confident in her own skin is sexy.If someone only loves you because you have the perfect curves in the right places...you should be worried. You don't have to buy designer clothes to be accepted. It's not about the clothes you wear. It's about who's wearing them.There's beauty in diversity. 3. You should never apologize for being honest.The truth may hurt for a little while, but a lie hurts forever.Expect to be attacked when you speak the truth. Because the fact makes people uncomfortable. It's not your fault if they choose to live a life of pretense. So don't apologize for it.Just remember to still be respectful and tactful when telling the truth. Don't use honesty as an excuse to be mean.4. You should never apologize for your relationship status.Embrace this season of life, for it is just that. A season.As long as you're not wrecking lives or destroying relationships...You're not offending anyone...You're not wasting people's time...You're not causing harm to yourself or to another person...Don't apologize wherever you are in your life right now. Whether you're still figuring out what you want in life, happily single, or in a relationship, you do you. 5. You should never apologize for sleeping in or taking a break. Breaks can lead to breakthroughs.Sleep in on the weekend. Book a vacation. Go out and see new places. Or stay at home and watch your favorite movie or show. Read a good book. Do nothing. If you've been working like crazy and giving your best, you deserve to have a break. Don't apologize for not being productive for a day or two. Save yourself from breaking down and burning out. Take a break. 6. You should never apologize for your standards.Any time you sincerely want to make a change, the first thing you must do is raise your standards. -Tony RobbinsDo you want a raise or see an increase in your profit? You've worked hard for it. You deserve to receive more. You also need to choose the people you allow in your life. Remember: You become the average of the five people you spend most of your time with. (Jim Rohn)Who are the people in your circle? Set your standards, and don't apologize for it. It's the same as setting boundaries. They're there to protect you from abusive people or distractions, direct your path, and remind you of what you really want. 7. You should never apologize for making wrong choices in the past.Some failure in life is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default. -J.K. RowlingIf you haven't made bad decisions, you wouldn't realize what's best for you. Don't let your past prevent you from moving forward, define who you are, and shape your future.Own up to your mistakes. 8. You should never apologize for asking for help. Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either falls down, one can help the other up. -Ecclesiastes 4:9You can't do everything on your own. No matter how smart and great you think you are, there's always something someone knows that you don't. Or something you haven't discovered yet that someone is already an expert in. Don't apologize for asking questions. It's better to admit that you don't know something than pretend to know it all.All the experts were once newbies too. 9. You should never apologize for your quirks. I think everybody's weird. We should all celebrate our individuality and not be embarrassed or ashamed of it. -Johnny DeppSo what if you still read fairy tales or young adult fiction before going to bed even when you're...not young anymore? So what if you dress like a lady but love heavy metal music? So what if you're the odd one out? Start loving and appreciating yourself more. How? There are several ways to stop hating yourself and help you achieve healthy self-love. Start with accepting yourself for who you are. Embrace your quirks. You're unique, and you've got something only you can offer.Celebrate your weirdness. Don't apologize for it. 10. You should never apologize for your dreams. Don't let small minds convince you that your dreams are too big.Don't let people who lack imagination look down on your creativity. Sometimes critics discourage you from reaching your goals, not because they don't believe you can do it. But because they know you can, they don't want you to. They're afraid of your success because you remind them of their mediocrity and failure.Sometimes it's not because you shine too bright. It's just because they choose to live in the shadows. 11. You should never apologize for choosing to be healthy. The food you eat can be the safest and most powerful medicine or the slowest form of poison. -Ann WigmoreYou don't have to eat less. Just eat right. Choose foods that are packed with nutrients and are healing. Try a vegan or plant-based diet.Some websites and vlogs provide easy-to-make plant-based recipes. Going vegan will not only make you healthy, but it's also kinder to the animals and better for the planet.You'll be more sorry if you keep choosing food that risks your health and slowly kills the Earth. 12. You should never apologize for walking out of a relationship. Never forget that walking away from something unhealthy is brave. -Mandy HaleMaybe you stopped being friends because they seemed to be holding you back. Or you feel like you're going in different directions after reaching a certain point. Maybe your relationship was draining you because it was demanding too much of your time.Maybe you're the only one who's trying to work things out.Don't apologize for putting yourself first and walking away from a toxic relationship.You deserve better. 13. You should never apologize for saying 'no.'Half of the troubles of this life can be traced to saying yes too quickly and not saying no soon enough. -Josh BillingsIf you're uncomfortable with the idea or think it's too much for you...If you don't feel like doing it for no selfish reason...Say 'no.'Don't be guilty of turning down an invitation, a job offer, a proposal, or even what appears to be an opportunity. If your gut feeling tells you to say 'no,' listen to it. Over apologizing makes it easier for people to treat you like a doormat. It invites abusive people to come into your life. It will not correct anything. Don't apologize for not being sorry for certain things. You don't owe it to anyone.
Books Book Recommendation: The Turtle Always Wins By Bo Sanchez 6:38 PM We've heard of the fable about the tortoise- and, in some versions, the turtle- and the hare. This simple story shows us what humility, patience, and perseverance can do. The Turtle Always Wins by Bo Sanchez teaches us that we can build wealth and also win in the race of life by applying the principles we learned from this famous children's book.This post contains affiliate links, so we'd get a commission if you purchase through the links at no additional cost.Book Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐The Turtle Always Wins by Bo Sanchez Book ReviewWhen it comes to living simply yet abundantly, Bo Sanchez can indeed preach. He's living it. In his book, The Turtle Always Wins, Bro Bo explains how long-term investment in the stock market is the best way to build wealth. If someone with a love-hate relationship with numbers like me can easily understand this book and start investing, you can, too.The Turtle Always Wins will teach you that true wealth can be achieved using the Turtle Strategy. You can reach financial success through:strategic planningplanting seeds and caring for them regularlywaiting patientlystaying calm during a crisis consistently doing the "boring" work The Turtle Always Wins by Bo Sanchez is more than just a financial book that aims to help those with zero to limited investment knowledge. It's also about having the right attitude to win in the race of life.This book is NOT for you if...You're a trader and an aggressive investor who wants to get rich quickly despite the high risk.This book is for you if...You want a slow, steady, sure way of building wealth through time.The slow turtle winning the race over the fast hare is an excellent reminder of Ecclesiastes 9:11:The fastest runner doesn't always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn't always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don't always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.The Truly Rich ClubInvesting slowly but surely is the principle we follow in the Truly Rich Club. It was founded by Bo Sanchez with the mission to help good people become rich- truly rich. So you'll not just be financially wealthy but also spiritually well-nourished. What is your approach when it comes to investing? Are you a more aggressive hare or a conservative "slowly but surely" turtle-style type? Why You Should Read The Turtle Always WinsBo Sanchez's book The Turtle Always Wins is an inspiring guide to building wealth and success in all aspects of life.Can you recommend a book about investing like The Turtle Always Wins?
Home 5 Steps To Keep Plant-Eating Animals Out Of Your Garden 12:51 PM Maintaining a garden is one of the most soul-satisfying things a person can do. It connects us with nature. It surrounds us with negative ions that can help relieve our stress. Gardening can give us a sense of accomplishment knowing that we're feeding our family with organic, home-grown goodness.But some four-legged friends would sometimes visit and harvest what we've planted.How do you keep these plant-eating animals out of your garden without harming them? Here are 5 easy steps:1. Use vinegar in your garden.Does vinegar keep animals away?Vinegar is one versatile product you should always keep in your home.Because of its strong smell, vinegar is repulsive to plant-eating animals and keeps them out.Soak old clothes with vinegar and put them around your garden.Vinegar can also help repel caterpillars, bugs, and aphids.Another bonus of using vinegar in the garden is that it increases soil acidity. The acetic acid in the vinegar helps fight lime and kills weeds.2. The scare tacticScare the critters off by using the old but gold scarecrow. Move the scarecrow every couple of days or so.Some gardeners would turn on the sprinkler when the plant-eating animals come. The sudden sound of the water will surprise them and make them run away.You can also train your dog to bark and scare off your unwanted garden guests. 3. Surround your garden with their least favorite.Grow these in your garden. These are plants that can help keep plant-eating animals away:lavendermintrosemarychivesoreganodillcatnipgarlic thymeonionsage4. Use covered bins to keep plant-eating animals out of your garden.Put a lid securely on your compost bin and trash cans so that you don't attract raccoons, deer, foxes, and opossums. The smell of your trash may have led them to your garden in the first place. 5. Deer Fence: The Best Defense When deer and other wildlife cannot access your garden, they will go searching for food in fields, meadows, and high grasses. Installing a deer fence is a surefire way to keep out animals that don’t belong in your garden. Durable, and environmentally safe, the right deer fencing will keep out animals that wish to create mischief, by consuming your plants and seedlings. Deer fencing won’t cause woodland creatures any harm but instead will divert them elsewhere.Choose a six-foot, or even an eight-foot-high fence, or pairs of low parallel fences. This will cause the deer to think twice about scaling them, even if they are being chased, or threatened.The Worst Garden OffendersYou may be wondering, "What animal is eating my plants"? Here are 7 common animals that may be destroying your garden:Deer - You may find deer grazing in your garden at dusk and at dawn. Because winters are hard on them, they seek out and focus only on the most nutritious garden plants. They're hard to catch as they are nearly inaudible except for occasional grunts and mews. If you don't catch them, be on the lookout for deer droppings, and cloven-shaped hoof prints.Rabbits - Adorable rabbits can wreak havoc in your garden. They will eat almost anything and can cause extensive damage if security is not in place.Raccoons and Skunks - Although sometimes happily satiated by feasting on garbage cans, raccoons and skunks will also dig through your garden, looking for insects, and grubs. They will also dig holes to make their dens.Squirrels - Both ground and tree squirrels pose a threat to your garden. Their typical MO is to create holes that are used either for their burrows or to store and bury nuts for winter.Prairie Dogs - While indeed prairie dogs are capable of inflicting great damage to crops in a garden, they are helpful to the ecosystem. Their method of burrowing helps till the soil, thereby adding nutrients. If possible, finding a professional to trap, and relocate these critters, is the most environmentally beneficial and kinder way of managing them.Chipmunks - The famous of them all, chipmunks feed mainly on insects, seeds, grains, and nuts, but have no problem-consuming seedlings and flower bulbs.Field Mice - Ingenious little creatures, field mice will do just about anything to get to a tasty morsel of food. They will disrupt plant roots, and snack on leaves, pull up roots, and gnaw at them from underneath the soil. We must not hurt or harm the animals who only act by instinct and for survival.But, that doesn’t mean that we have to share all our harvest with these plant-eating creatures.With the right tools, planning, and defenses, such as deer fencing, we can happily enjoy the bounty of our gardens by keeping our plant-eating animal friends out without harming them.
Listicle 5 Best American Road Trips To Take This Summer 12:11 PM 5 Best American Road Trips To Take This Summer The USA offers every conceivable landscape imaginable. It is all part of the typical summertime experience. From mountain ranges and lush valleys to wondrous deserts, canyons, plateaus, coastal waterways, and historic sites; the country offers a bit of everything to road warriors. Now that summer is nearly upon us it is time to start planning your next summer getaway. America’s infrastructure can lead you to stunning locales but is your car as ready for the adventure as you are? Travel safely with the best car insurance coverage available. The exceptional customer service people at Freeway Car Insurance will help you update your plan allowing you access to the best and safest summer yet!Geared up? Let’s explore the 5 best American road trips to take this summer.1. The Turquoise Trail One of the most beautiful stretches of highway in all North America is the Turquoise Trail which is named after the turquoise mineral deposits that have been found and mined in the New Mexico area. 52 miles in length this stretch of highway runs between Santa Fe, and Albuquerque, with a sprinkling of interesting and offbeat towns in between. In 2000, the highway was designated as a National Scenic Byway – which means that the US Department of Transportation recognizes the route as having one or more of these characteristics: cultural, archaeological, natural, historic, scenic, or recreational. Visit Cerrillos was once a booming town with dozens of saloons, hotels, and pretty churches, it is now a ghost town, ready to be explored.via Flickr2. The Great River Road Looping and curving through 10 states, the 3,000-mile Great River Road follows the Mississippi River through a number of natural wonders, such as the Trail of Tears State Park in Missouri, and Nelson Dewey State Park, in Wisconsin. It is an amazing opportunity to become immersed in the history and culture that is life on the Mississippi River. Learn the history of the “blues” at the Delta Blues Museum in Mississippi, and stop at the Buffalo Bill Museum, in LeClair, Iowa. Another fascinating stop - Fort Snelling, in Minnesota, an old military outpost, where, today, they offer military history demonstrations and activities. 3. Florida A1A If you love the beach’s warmth and the sunshine, you’ll love Florida’s A1A route which takes you from Miami to the Georgia state line, or vice versa, of course. Some of the amazing stops along the way include the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, Amelia Island, the McKee Botanical Garde, and Daytona International Speedway, not to mention, dozens of spectacular piers and beaches. A favorite among the locals is the Cocoa Beach Pier; a great place for beginning and experienced surfers to catch some waves, as they are consistent here, much like the casual atmosphere of Cocoa Beach itself.via Flickr4. Route 66 This road is the quintessential slice of Americana. There have been songs written about it and movies filmed on it. This road extends all the way from Chicago, IL. to Los Angeles, CA. with so many fantastic spots along the way, including the Meramec Caverns, Petrified Forest, and the Grand Canyon. Photoshoot, anyone? You will not want to miss the opportunity to tour the Cadillac Ranch. Ten Cadillacs which are half-buried in the desert sit ready and waiting for visitors to spray paint their own individualistic art onto them. Don’t forget about the Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum located in Pontiac, Illinois. Here you’ll find virtually thousands of original historic pieces of memorabilia dating back to the days when Route 66 was truly iconic. 5. Million Dollar Highway in Colorado As you might imagine, this route offers a number of outdoor adventure opportunities and incredible vistas as far as the eye can see. At only 25 miles long and just a snippet of the San Juan Highway, this road packs a punch with people seeking adventure in the San Juan National Forest, and Molas Lake. There are ghost towns to explore like Animas Forks and in Silverton, you can take a gold mine tour to level up your knowledge on how things used to be done. This highway got its high-priced name because it is one of the most scenic highways in the USA. With jaw-dropping panoramic views, this highway traverses up three mountains taking an uphill climb of about 11,000 feet!Now is the time to start planning your summer road trip. Getting your car in tip-top shape and making sure you have the insurance coverage you need to get to where you want to go, with serenity, and peace of mind should be first on your list of things to do!Take your pick of the many magnificent highways America has to offer and savor the experiences you will embrace as you drive life’s highways.Where's your next American road trip this summer?
Home Why You Should Consider Storage When Redecorating Your Home 6:31 PM Redecorating your home can be an enjoyable experience. But there are many things to consider when planning and preparing for it. Especially if you want to do more than just hang a new artwork or replace the window coverings. If you're painting rooms, rearranging, and changing furniture, you'll need to still be able to live in the house while doing the work. Your other option is to stay somewhere else which could be more costly and inconvenient.Where to place your things during the changes? You may want to consider storage when you're redecorating your home. 1. Storage protects your things. They say material things are replaceable. While that's true for most, it doesn't address the heart of the issue... It could be expensive to buy a replacement. Items with sentimental value such as heirlooms, souvenirs from a memorable trip, or gifts from someone special must be given extra care. You'll find many options if you're looking for Storage in Los Angeles. Choose a location you can trust. You should be confident that your things are going to be safe and protected. This way you can focus on redecorating your home and let your creativity flow. 2. Redecorating takes longer than expected. You may be surprised by how long it takes to finish redecorating your home.Sometimes you'll even go beyond your budget. Speed up the redecorating process and avoid additional costs by removing clutters. Keep other things that are not yet needed in storage. 3. Avoid accidents by using storage when decorating your home. Accidents are inevitable. Sometimes furniture and trinkets could get damaged because they're not stored away during redecoration.By removing some items from your home, you're reducing the risk of dripping paint on the couch or leaving a big hole in the top of the table. You might also trip on something or have an item fall on you if you don't store them away.Locking things up in storage has a lower risk than leaving them lying around.4. Free up space in your house while redecorating. Not having enough space, wanting more room, and open areas could be reasons why you're redecorating.As you make some changes to your house, finding solutions for storage in Los Angeles may be necessary. You can free up more space while focusing on a certain area. 5. You'll make your insurance unhappy. Doing manual labor or moving things around could put you in harm's way. If you get hurt while redecorating and need to make a claim, your insurance won't be too happy about it. Having storage is the best way to make your home project easier and safer.There will be less clutter and you'll have peace of mind.Are you planning to redecorate your home in the future? Consider keeping your things in storage so you can complete the project fast and enjoy your new home.
Events Top 7 Things You Can Customize For Your Upcoming Wedding 5:25 PM You have the sparkling ring and the perfect fiancé. Now it's time to plan the memorable wedding that you want.Your wedding should symbolize everything you and your partner stand for. Something unique and personal to share with your guests. Whether you look in your local wedding shop, check out an upscale boutique, or hire a wedding planner, you can turn your dream wedding into reality.You can personalize your wedding in many ways, from invitations to dresses and favors.Here are the seven things you can customize for your upcoming wedding day. 1. Venue Celebrating your union at a place significant to your story would be great. Maybe a place where you first met, where you officially became a couple, or where you proposed.If this is not practical or doable, you can have it anywhere. A local community center, your parish, or a beautiful resort are common choices for wedding venues.How can you customize a venue that's commonly used by couples?Add your favorite colors. Display your initials front and center or at the entrance.Surround the place with a symbol or item that's unique to you and your partner's story. 2. Flowers The type of flower you pick says a lot about you and the day you hope to have. You'll find meanings behind whether you choose roses, carnations, peonies, lilies, daisies, gardenias, or orchids.Check out Flowers and Their Meaning here.How to customize your wedding flowers?Build a flower arch.Decorate your initials with flowers.Create a flower wall for guests to take memorable pictures of.Lace the aisle with flowers with candles to light the way for the bridal party.Customize your bridal and bridesmaids' bouquets. Remember the boutonnieres for the groom and the groomsmen.Whatever flower you choose, pick something that reflects your personality. 3. Decorations Deciding on your wedding theme can be exciting, challenging, and stressful. Start by picking the colors that you and your fiancé like. Then customize the style or theme.What decorations should you choose?Do you want a rustic wedding? Then, your options are earth tones such as shades of browns, beiges, and greens.Simple and elegant ceremony? The classic, muted colors with a touch of gold or silver would be perfect.A tropical theme can give you the feel of a destination wedding, even if you only have it locally.Have lots of tropical plants and bright colors to give you a calm resort-style feel. You can go for a traditional black-tie style too.Classical high chandeliers paired with impeccable table placement of fine china plate settings, champagne glasses, and triangle napkins with diamond napkin rings will complete the look. 4. Invitations How do you plan to announce your union? Sending a Save the date card is a great way to get the word out before sending your formal invitations. Customize wedding invitations with personal photos, initials, or your signature style.Invitations can be sent in different forms. You can choose a classic paper invitation or an e-invite that can save time and money. 5. Signature Dish and Signature Cocktails How can you make the food at your wedding unique and personal?Serve a signature dish and cocktail.This dish can be a traditional family recipe or something you and your fiancé like to cook and share. Serve your signature dish with a cocktail that you and your partner concocted.That's a unique and fun way to personalize your wedding. 6. Attire Customize your own wedding dress by designing it or collaborating with a designer. Add something of your own. Remember Angelina Jolie's veil with her children's drawings? Keep the color scheme to achieve the planned, customized look when choosing your entourage's dresses and suits. Request your guests to wear clothes according to your theme. 7. Favors Wedding favors are memorable gifts for your guests to cherish. This can be a wine glass highlighting the newlyweds' names and the wedding date. It can be an emblematic item representing the love that the couple shares.The wedding favor can be as grand or as minimal as you would like for it to be. What are you planning to customize for your wedding? If you're already married, what details of your wedding did you personalize? Share away in the comments below!
Health & Wellness How To Turn Your Bedroom Into A Relaxing Sleep Space 12:20 PM How To Turn Your Bedroom Into A Relaxing Sleep Space Is your bedroom a sanctuary for sleep?Your bedroom should be a place where you can relax and retreat. It should help you get a full night's rest to reboot and be ready for another day.Insufficient sleep could lead to stress and fatigue.If you’ve been having trouble sleeping, there’s a good chance your bedroom décor is partially to blame.Many sleep-troubled people make décor choices that are anything but conducive to a peaceful night's sleep. How can you make your bedroom a good sleeping space? Follow these tips if you want to turn your bedroom into a more relaxing sleep space. 1. Invest in a luxury mattress.A good mattress is vital for getting quality sleep. You may use a mattress well past its prime because new mattresses could be costly. That's understandable. But sleeping on an old lumpy mattress can potentially result in back and/or neck pain. You'll wake up feeling tired and sluggish.It's like going to a gym but without the benefits of working out.Not a good start. Which could snowball and lead to a stressful day.Find a dependable, high-quality mattress. Treating yourself to a comfortable, sustainable mattress can improve your sleep quality.Luxury mattresses have longer lifespans than their cheap counterpart. So you actually end up saving more money.2. Get a spacious nightstand.Getting up in the middle of the night can disrupt your sleep.It could trick your body into thinking you're up for the day. If you frequently get up to get a drink of water or take meds, placing the necessary items on your nightstand can prevent you from having to get out of bed. This limits the amount of sleep you lose. If you get up to go to the bathroom more than you normally should, consult your doctor. 3. Declutter your bedroom.A cluttered sleeping space leads to a cluttered mind. And a cluttered mind could make you sleepless.Bedrooms are often hotbeds for clutter. Use a hamper to keep dirty laundry off the floor.Don't eat in the bedroom.Use shelves to organize your books and other items. 3. Add plants and greensReal plants give off oxygen that can make your room cooler and fresher. Shades of greens found in nature can help put you at ease.They're not only relaxing to look at, but they also improve the quality of your sleep.Sleep problems can lead to decreased memory, diminished functioning ability, and increased irritability. Although some sleep issues require professional help, it's possible that your bedroom is causing them. Turn your bedroom into a relaxing space and see how it improves your life.What do you do to have a relaxing sleep at night?
