8/16/2022 0 Comments Whose Your Soulmate?When you hear about soulmates, you often think about finding your perfect match. Your other half. The love of your life who completes you. It's often thrown around in shows about love like The Bachelor, where contestants expect to find a deep connection through the power of reality TV.
Finding your soulmate is essential for love, as successful marriages are more than just social compatibility. Although contrary to popular belief, your soulmate doesn't necessarily need to be a romantic connection. Essentially, a soulmate is someone who "gets" you - who you can connect with on a deeper level. A soulmate doesn't have to be the love of your life or someone you share a romantic connection with. Your soulmate could simply be a best friend or anyone you share a close relationship with on an emotional or spiritual level. The link feels natural, and you balance each other out. You bond over a shared emotion - you feel and connect when something good or bad happens. Your soulmate can be someone you can be yourself with. The idea of a soulmate can be traced as far back in texts from Plato, the Greek philosopher. Plato was quoted in his text "Symposium" back around 385–370 BC, saying: "...when one of them meets with his other half, the actual half of himself … the pair are lost in an amazement of love and friendship and intimacy, and one will not be out of the other's sight, as I may say, even for a moment." Plato is also quoted saying that all humans were once united with their other half, but Zeus split them apart out of fear and jealousy. There's also the religious interpretation of the human soul's connection to God. Overall, the idea of soulmates has been around for centuries. As humans, we're curious to know who our other half is. With that said, who's to say that this person can't be someone else in your life, like a co-worker or a friend? Embrace all human connection and you will find your soulmate. Who knows? You might find more than one.
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8/9/2022 0 Comments THE PATH TO TRUE WEALTHThe age old question, “does money really buy happiness?”
Whether you’re just starting out in your career, you’re considering relocating for work, or you just had a complete change in your career midlife, this question is constantly going to cross your mind, “does money really buy happiness?” I myself have experienced this, but have also talked to many friends, co-workers, and family members who all too often feel trapped in their job and feel like it’s the only thing they will do for the rest of their lives and only took it because of the money, but not the passion. Don’t get me wrong, not a lot of us are financially free where we can just do whatever we want and not worry about the money, but that doesn’t mean we have to allow money to completely rule our lives. It’s true that money can buy you a lot of extravagant things, but remember money can’t buy friendship, love, relationships, compassion, true alignment and your life's purpose. Money gives you objects, you can buy diamond rings, a big house, a convertible, and all things luxury, but money simply will not buy happiness. Money will only give you a temporary reward. Money can buy you a house, but can not turn a house into a home. Creating memories with people you love and care about is what life is really about. So before you take that next amazing job offer, or you work those extra hours to get more money, think about all that you are missing in the midst of doing that and how your happiness is forever, where money is limited. 7/4/2022 0 Comments Summer In The CitySummer is in full swing in Windsor-Essex. To help plan your summer in the city, here are some festivals and events that are worth checking out!
July Events Essex Fun Fest – July 7-10 – Essex Sports Complex, Essex Enjoy food, games, and rides Lakeshore Art and Culture Festival – July 9 - Lakeview Park Lakeshore Enjoy artisan vendors, live music and a variety of delicious food! Belle River Sunsplash - July 14-17 - Lakeview Park, Belle River This year's 25th Sunsplash Festival on July 14th to the 17th contains four days of action packed activities for all ages! Classic cars, food, vendors and live music. Urban Wine Fest – July 15 - Lanspeary Park, Windsor Urban Wine Fest will be showcasing local wineries alongside international wines, live music, great food and an interactive art component. Leamington Rib Fest – July 21-24 – Leamington Agricultural Society Satisfy your rib craving with Rib Fest! Amherstburg’s Gone Car Crazy – July 24 – Downtown Amherstburg Live Entertainment, Fire Trucks, Jeeps, Street Rods, Muscle Cars, and more. Tequila Expo and Taco Fest – July 24 - Riverfront Festival Plaza, Windsor 2022 Can-Am Police Fire Games – July 25- 31 - Windsor The Can-Am Police-Fire Games are a biennial, multi-sport event that take place inWindsor. The event occurs in the summer months over a 6 day period. Hogs for Hospice – July 29-31 - Seacliff Park, Leamington Epic concerts, the best organized registered ride in Ontario, Freestyle Motocross Show, Custom Bike Show, Bike Games, Vendors, Beer Garden, Axe Throwing and much more. August Events Windsor – Essex Pride Fest August 3-7, Lanspeary Park, Windsor Every August, Windsor-Essex Pride Fest hosts a massive outdoor festival called Pride Fest that features entertainment, activities, vendors, speakers and more. Every year, Pride Fest is attended by nearly 5,000 people, making it one of the largest 5-day events in our region. And, we are hard at work to ensure that the festival is bigger and better every year. Comber Fair – August 5-7, Comber Fairgrounds, Comber Since 1859 the Comber Fair has been proud to bring to you family entertainment while promoting agriculture through competition and exhibition. Whiskeytown Festival – August 6 - Walkerville, Windsor Greenway Jam – August 12-14 – Kingsville Brewery, Kingsville Offering a lineup of local and Canadian performers with a diverse range of musical styles, enjoy the music and sunshine during the day with a wide array of free concerts and musical workshops. End the night at the main stage (ticketed) located at Kingsville Brewery for an unforgettable time watching headlining acts like Steven Page, Kathleen Edwards, and more! Essex County Steam and Gas Engine Show – August 12-14 – Co-An Park, McGregor Tour Di Via Italia – August 13 – Via Italia – Erie Street, Windsor The Tour di Via Italia bicycle races are a treasured tradition (60 plus years) in Windsor’s original Italian community. Every year fans attend Erie St. and recapture some of the magic of bike racing from European homelands. The competitors, of all ages and experience levels, do not disappoint. An Epic Afternoon – August 14 – Viewpointe Estate Winery You’ll indulge in wine tastings from 13 different EPIC Wineries while also enjoying food from local vendors, live music and of course incredible views! Dropped on Drouillard – August 20 – Drouillard Rd. Ford City, Windsor Join the Ford City BIA for a day of Arts, Cars, Eats Jumps & Jams! Arts by the River – August 27- August 28 – Fort Malden National Historic Site, Amhersburg Stroll the beautiful grounds of Fort Malden National Historic Park and select arts and crafts from the outstanding variety and quality of work. 160 talented artists and artisans from Essex County and across Ontario come together to make this an outstanding Arts and Crafts Show & Sale. Enjoy the history of the Fort and the wonderful ambiance of this great summer festival. September Events End of Summer Bonfire & Fireworks September 1 Lakewood Park, Tecumseh Head to Lakewood Park in Tecumseh for the End of Summer Bonfire and Fireworks! A fun way for the whole family to say farewell to summer. Harrow Fair – September 1-4 - Harrow Fairgrounds, Harrow Highlights include a Midway, bingo tent, pie tent, crafters alley, Mom Calling contest, Teddy Bear Parade, Children's Entertainment, Tractor-pull, Lawnmower races, Horse show, Pie auction and of course nightly musical entertainment. 6/29/2022 0 Comments Be A Good SportThere's been a debate surrounding transgender athletes recently due to Lia Thomas, a transgender woman, winning this year's NCAA women's swimming championship.
Lia Thomas won the "Ivy 2022 Champion" in swimming - celebrating victory in the 500-yard freestyle and the 200-yard freestyle. Lia's participation and eventual win sparked controversy and criticism about whether it's "fair" for someone assigned male at birth with a male muscle structure to participate in a swimming category with female-born swimmers. She currently ranks #44 among US female swimmers and #31 among female college swimmers, which means there are still female swimmers with a faster time than Lia, despite the "advantages" she's being criticized for having. Lia has built her skills as a swimmer for years as she's been an avid swimmer since age 5, training and setting new records for herself. Unfortunately, her skills and accomplishments as a swimmer have been eclipsed by discussions of her gender. It's because of that reason why Lia kept her identity a secret because she didn't want to risk losing her swimming career. CNN reported that she started hormone replacement therapy in May 2019 and came out as trans that fall, yet she still had to compete on the men's team. She said it was awkward and uncomfortable, and her speed suffered as her muscles weakened from hormone therapy. As a result, her times were even slower than they were after she transitioned, which is what many trans athletes go through. It's not uncommon for trans women to find a slight decrease in performance overall because of hormone therapy. The NCAA requires that transgender athletes have one year of hormone replacement therapy to be cleared to participate, which Lia did. Affirm Trans Athletes There's already a stigma against the trans community, and trans people already have a hard time finding safe spaces. Trans people enjoy sports just as much as cisgender people. Should they be taken out of sports because of how they identify? Regarding athletes, they only have a short window to participate in their sport. Many athletes retire before they turn 40 to avoid permanent physical injuries. For example, fellow swimmer Michael Phelps retired from competitive swimming at the age of 31. It's also not uncommon for professional football players and hockey players to quit before they hit their mid 30's. As of May 2022, 18 US states have banned or limited the participation of trans athletes in schools. With this short window for an athlete's career, these sports bans stop their athletic career before it begins and holds them back from playing the sports they love. With these changing times, discussions need to take place between trans individuals and sport organizers to discuss these concerns and to better understand what would make for a fair competition. More conversations and research will equal better policies. If an athlete, whether trans or not, has the skills and is ready to rise to the occasion, they should be able to participate. To even the playing field, men's and women's sports have always been kept separate, but there are examples of women beating men when challenged based on having superior skills. For example, Billie Jean King famously beat Bobby Riggs in a 1973 match dubbed "The Battle of the Sexes." And in 2006, Michaela Hutchison made history by winning the 103-pound title at the 2006 state wrestling championships to become the nation's first girl to win a state high school championship against boys. Lia Thomas and other transgender women like her should be allowed to swim equally with the gender they identify. Believing her muscle mass to be the problem because she got it before transitioning and not "naturally" from her assigned birth sex does not automatically make her a better swimmer. Scientifically, there is not an unfair advantage to transgender women, and the argument of "fairness" forgets the mental anguish of not being affirmed. Let transgender women play sports and be on the team that matches their gender identity. 6/13/2022 0 Comments Lessons I Learned From My FatherI can honestly say that I have always been a daddy’s girl. And with Father’s Day approaching, I can’t help but be grateful everyday for the incredible father that I have. I have turned to my dad for advice many times, have always ran to him for comfort and have always known I’ve had him for support when times get tough.
To celebrate Father’s Day this year, I wanted to share with you all some of the amazing life lessons I have gained from my father that I know I will carry on when I have a family of my own. 1. Be Kind To Everyone Something I learned quickly from my dad is that everyone is struggling and you can never guess what they are going through. Being kind and respectful to everyone is a way to spread love and to show to people that no matter their struggle, you are there for them, always. 2. Memories Are Everything My dad is all about creating memories, whether that’s going on family vacations, cooking together, watching a good movie, or just spending time with the ones that matter, he has always based his life around memories. I like to believe that the memories he has, is what has helped shape him into who he is, and that’s why creating memories with us, no matter what age is important to him. I can’t begin to describe the amount of times he would wake us up on Easter morning and have us do an egg hunt around the house, or how he would get us Valentine gifts every year just to make sure we didn’t feel left out. Little moments like those are things we will always remember. 3. Value The Time You Have With Family and Friends As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to the realization that our time on this earth is very limited. We don’t have so much time to go see our family when we want, or our friends due to our busy schedules and everyday life. Something my dad has shown me is no matter how busy you are, or tired you are, there is always room to spend time with the people that you love the most. Making time for those people is so important, because our time here is so limited. 4. Don't Take Life Too Seriously My dad is the goofiest guy I know and he isn’t one to take life too seriously. And now in my adult life, I try to constantly remind myself that life sometimes has to be serious but most of the time, the best moments of life are the ones where you kick back and just enjoy the moment. Share with us some of your most treasured moments with your father for this upcoming Father's Day! 6/6/2022 0 Comments Pride Events in WindsorSince June is Pride Month, we're highlighting some Pride events and programs you can attend throughout the month for 2SLGBTQ+ members and their allies to participate in the Windsor-Essex area.
Express Yourself at the Art Lab - June 23 - 4 PM - 7 PM This event is for 2SLGBTQ+ youth and their allies to gather and have fun through expressive art activities! This event offers a space to hang out, meet new people and make connections while fostering inclusion, community belonging, positive relationships and respect for all 2SLGBTQ+ people. For more info: EXPRESS YOURSELF at the Art Lab | qlinkwe.ca Celebrate Pride: Collage workshop with Derrick Carl Biso - June 26 - 2 PM – 4 PMTo celebrate 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride Month this year, Art Windsor-Essex is partnering with the QLink Windsor-Essex collaborative and local artist Derrick Carl Biso to present an in-person collage-making workshop. Derrick Carl will briefly present the history and culture of collage and share prompts to encourage participants to make their own. You can find out more and register here: Art Windsor-Essex (agw.ca) Advocates, Activists & Allies (Public Allyship Seminar) - June 29 - 5:00 PM 8:00 PM This seminar will provide a basic overview of current terminology relating to gender and sexuality. Explore the concept of intersectionality and privilege in relation to allyship. The seminar will define different types of discrimination in relation to the trans and queer community to assist people in identifying and challenging various types of bigotry and marginalization. Additionally, they will discuss some of the current political issues facing the trans and queer community, and how they can or should be addressed. Finally, the seminar will examine the difference between "advocacy", "activism", and "allyship", and discuss examples of how to take on each of these roles in one's life and within society. Click the link below to register: Advocates, Activists & Allies (Public Allyship Seminar) — Trans Wellness Ontario QLinks Windsor-Essex Open House - Jun 30, 4:00 PM – Jul 01, 7:00 PM. QLink Windsor-Essex invites you to an Open House at the Windsor-Essex Pride Fest office in the Market Square, located at 2109 Ottawa St on the second floor, on Wednesday, Jun 30, from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Drop-in to learn about the individual and group programming offered through the collaborative and see the space where School's Out and other programs will be offered throughout the Summer. Meet the facilitators and participate in arts-based activities that demonstrate some of what youth can expect from their programs. For more info: Qlink Windsor-Essex Open House | qlinkwe.ca There are regular programs weekly and biweekly for members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Windsor-Essex. Click the links below for updated program schedules all year round: Windsor Pride Community programming: PROGRAMS & SCHEDULE | qlinkwe.ca Trans Wellness Ontario programming: www.transwellness.ca/event 5/30/2022 0 Comments Things We Should Stop SayingThere are things that we say or specific questions we ask others because they are common. But, little do some people know is that certain things you say or ask are actually a bit intrusive or simply passive-aggressive.
The following is a list of things that are everyday things you might hear but should stop asking or saying to people. "You've put on some weight", or "You're looking skinny". It's one thing to notice when someone looks different, but it's another to go out of your way to comment directly to the person who looks tubbier or point out how thin they are. A comment like this could make someone feel uncomfortable or self-conscious. In addition, you don't know what the other person is going through. For example, they might have a disorder or a condition that makes their weight fluctuate. “You look tired.” Again, saying someone looks tired can also make someone self-conscious. Maybe there's a reason for their lack of rest? Perhaps they don't need to hear it from others? "That's a stupid idea."We all heard of the expression: "There's no such thing as stupid ideas." Well, it's true. If someone comes up with an idea at work or discusses something to do, instead of shooting down the idea, why not take it as a jumping-off point and expand on it to make it better? Maybe there's a better idea hiding in there? "Whose fault is that?"Saying this to someone after they make a mistake is not helpful. You're not only putting the entire blame on that person for doing something wrong, but in a way, you're rubbing it in their face. Asking "well, whose fault is that?" has the undertone that you knew they would fail, and now they proved you right. Instead, try to help solve the problem. “Boys will be boys” This is another common and outdated phrase. When boys get into fights or do something irresponsible, this phrase justifies their aggressive behaviour. Instead of brushing it off, teach boys that certain behaviours are not ok and hold them accountable. “You should smile more.” You don't need to smile to make others comfortable - plain and simple. “When are you going to get married/have kids/start dating?” Asking this is a little intrusive. Everyone's life is different. For example, it might take longer for some people to hit certain milestones. Not only that, but they may have personal reasons why they don't have kids, aren't getting married, etc. With the current state of the economy, people are having a hard time buying houses, paying for weddings and having kids compared to how things used to be. Everyone has their own journey, and it's not a race. And "Keep My Name Out of Your Mouth". This phrase is now associated with Will Smith when he infamously slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars ceremony, but it's also something people say right when they are about to fight. It's usually a very egotistical thing to say, and like the slap, we should stop talking about it. 5/23/2022 0 Comments In It For The Body Count?Have you ever been asked about your body count?
Body count refers to the number of kills you've gotten in a video game or even a movie, but in recent years, the term is being used to describe how many people you have slept with. Overall, on Tik Tok the hashtag #bodycount has over 289 million views. So as much as knowing how many people you've banged shouldn't be a thing, it really is a thing that people really care now to know. But why are we so obsessed with how many people others have had sex with? Does having a low or high number really say something about who we are as a person? Or are we really just out here judging one another? At the most basic level, let's be honest, humans are curious about other humans. We're interested in their private lives and deepest (and sometimes darkest) secrets. But really, it doesn't matter how many people you've slept with; what matters is truly who you are as a person. But unfortunately, depending on your answer, there will always be judgment about how many people someone has slept with. You're either labeled dirty or a prude and there is no way to eliminate the judgment that comes with either. So you might as well have fun and enjoy what you can in life and don't let people's judgment about you get in the way of you having fun, as long as you're safe. Some people have a clear sense of their sexuality and who they are, and labelling their sexual orientation (whether it be straight, gay, bi, queer, etc.) is not an issue.
But some might not want to choose to label their sexuality. Sexuality is complex, and it can change from person to person. What if you consider yourself straight, but you feel a special attraction to someone of the same sex/gender? Do you have to label yourself as bisexual now because of this same-sex attraction you never experienced before? Labels are mainly used as a way to categorise people quickly. Yet, for some reason, when it comes to queer people, society expects an explanation once they learn of someone's sexuality. An article from Shifting Her Experience mentions that : "A frequent problem we see time and time again with labels is having to constantly "explain ourselves." We've been asked about our sexual history...if we had boyfriends before, what age we knew we were gay, and ... if we ever had threesomes since we are bisexual...we don't have to explain ourselves because we are gay." Humans are constantly evolving and changing. You are not the same person you were five or ten years ago. The best part of the human experience is continuously discovering new things about ourselves. We can go our whole lives being "straight" or "gay", but does a new attraction deserve a new label for you? If we have a clear idea of our sexuality and how we want to be identified, we are free to share it with other people, but it shouldn't be required. As the letters of the 2SLGBTQIA+ become more inclusive by adding new definitions that span the broad spectrum of human sexuality, it's clear that some people cannot be labelled. The relationships between two consenting adults can be diverse and fluid, and sexuality can become more complex when it comes to gender identity. Non-binary writer Suzannah Weiss explained it best: "Most popular conceptions of sexual orientation seem to assume that everybody is attracted either to people who have penises and identify as men or people who have vaginas and identify as women. But trans and non-binary people call these assumptions into question: should sexual orientation be defined by your partners' identities or body parts? If your partner is non-binary, what orientation is that? As a non-binary person, it's impossible to say if I like the "same" or "opposite" gender. Would "straight" for me mean only sleeping with non-binary people? The whole concept becomes almost nonsensical after a certain point. It just doesn't make sense to squeeze myself into this limiting definition." You never know who you'll be attracted to. You might identify one way, but that can always change. Likewise, you don't know who the universe will put into your life or who your soulmate might be. Overall, you know who you are, and not everything deserves an explanation. Whether you choose to label yourself or not, it's nobody's business but your own. 5/9/2022 0 Comments Do You Feel Trapped?Do you ever feel trapped?
Like you’re being suffocated and weighed down by an undeniable force? No matter what you do, the pressure is relentless in weighing you down and even doing the simplest task gives you a knotted heaviness in your stomach? If this sounds similar, you’re probably experiencing what many like to call “Being Trapped In Your Mind.” At some time in your life, you’ve probably faced this issue, and with this month being Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to focus on issues that surround people’s daily issues. Here are some tips that could help you if you’re feeling trapped in your head. 1. Write out all of your thoughts. It seems simple and maybe silly but writing out your thoughts, almost like keeping a diary, will help you sort through your thoughts, and once written down, you might find you’re no longer dwelling on them. 2. Find simple little tasks that help you focus on yourself. For me, I close my eyes and take deep breaths. This will allow you to focus on the inner feelings that you need to feel full. 3. If it’s a situation that is overwhelming you, subtract yourself from the problem. Maybe you got into a fight with your parents or the people around you are triggering you, the best resolution is to step away from the situation to get more of a clear mind. Say to them I’m going for a walk, and we can talk more later. At the end of the day, your mental health should always come first. 4. Getting outside and breathing in the fresh air is always helpful. Nature is simplistic and can add a calming element to our everyday lives. Connecting with nature and seeing everything going on around, you will make a massive shift in your mindset. Just stepping outside and seeing how beautiful the world is can change your perspective on everything you do. 6. Find a better outlet. Often, when people get overwhelmed, they turn to something to distract themselves, but it might not be a healthy way to deal with things. Try channeling all the energy you’re wasting on overthinking and stressing into something healthy like working out, cooking, writing or something that will essentially help you grow. 7. Always remind yourself of the good things in your life and how far you’ve come. Most people who have been struggling get so trapped in their current mindset that they cannot realize the amount of growth they have made within themselves in the last couple of years. Yes, the past can be a daunting thing to think about, but being in the present moment and focusing on the now rather than on the past or the future will be a massive game-changer in helping your mental health. It’s not easy to go from being trapped in your mind to being carefree and open to new possibilities. Still, the critical thing to remember is that you are in control of your mind and that relentless force that is weighing you down is something that you can eliminate now from your life once you start working on what’s important to you. If you or a friend is struggling with their mental health, please find the information below: https://windsoressex.cmha.ca/ https://mentalhealthconnections.ca/ https://wechc.org/ Mother’s Day is a day where people celebrate and reflect on all of the amazing memories and things that they have gotten from their mothers. Let’s be honest, one simple day isn’t enough, but you should take this one day to celebrate and love the significant parental figure in your life and all that they’ve done for you.
For me, I don’t think an article will ever be able to give justice to what my mother has taught me about life, love, music, and being a kind person. Even though there have been many times that I have challenged my mom on many things, she has always been right and has and always will be the rock of my family. I've learned a lot from her, but there are some main things that stick out when it comes to the lessons she has taught me.
2. Life is too short Just like others, I have seen my mom go through her fair share of pain and heartbreak. Seeing her go through it, it helped me realize that life is very short and can be taken away from us at any point. Besides worrying about the bills, the debt, and the everyday struggles we have, it’s important to live. 3. Who cares what anyone thinks of you My mother is a firm believer in being truly authentic to herself. It was always inspirational to me when I was a kid to see the way my mom talked to people. With such confidence and knowledge, she has always known the respect she deserved and has never held back from being honest with anyone about how she feels. That is something now in my adult years that I have developed, being real and authentic to how I feel about myself and the respect I know I deserve. 4. Music can change your whole day Music has always been a love of mine and I believe that has to do with both my parents but mainly my mother. Her taste in music is everywhere, from hip hop to R&B, to jazz, and the 80’s rock, she is all ears when it comes to a good beat. On every road trip we had as a family, we always listened to the best music and no matter what was happening for my mom that day, the music always seemed to distract her and put her in a good mood, and now, it does the same thing for my sister and I. 5. Surround yourself with people who value you This has been a hard one for me to get a handle on, and honestly, I still don’t have a handle on it. My mom always tells me the truth when it comes to the people around me. If she doesn’t like someone, I always know just from her body language and facial expressions. She’s right for one that I should surround myself with people that care about me as much as I do and stick my neck out for those who would do the same for me. There are so many more lessons I could write about, but if I was to do that, then this would be a full book. Be thankful each and every day for your mother, or for the woman in your life that feels like a mother to you, they are unique in your journey of life and all they want for you is to see you happy and growing. 4/25/2022 0 Comments Finding Happiness In Your LifeThe biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams. - Oprah
A few weeks ago, we looked at finding happiness at work by using the PERMA model - the theory of wellbeing - to provide practical ways to apply its components in your work life, which you can check out here. Today, we're going to look at how to be happy in your personal life. Believe it or not, 40% of happiness is genetic. So, our joy and attitudes can be attributed to our genes. But how can we control our happiness and seek contentment and satisfaction in our everyday life? This can be broken down into a few different aspects: 1. Pursue Personal, Self-Rewarding Goals One way to achieve happiness is rewarding yourself after completing goals or tasks. Give yourself a little treat after finishing the things you set out to do. This can be treating yourself after a long day of work, completing chores, and doing things you've been putting off. 2. Focus on community growth Explore your city and engage in your community by volunteering or supporting small businesses and local artists. Community engagement gives us a sense of togetherness and belonging, plus we become happier by helping others. 3. Driven by internal reward Allow yourself to be ambitious and work hard to get to where you want to go by challenging yourself to be the best you can be. Completing tasks and working to the best of your ability gives you the satisfaction of a job well done instead of needing someone else's validation. 4. Driven by the enjoyment of the activity Embrace activities you love and soak in new experiences. Always appreciate the feeling and feel connected to your environment. Life is a journey. Enjoy the moment and embrace the process. When you live your life wide open, you can allow yourself to be free to learn how to make yourself happy. When it comes to expressing emotions, there are different expectations when it comes to men versus women. Most of the time, women are viewed as “sensitive” so it’s socially acceptable for a woman to express her sadness. But men, who are viewed as courageous and strong, are not encouraged to outwardly express their emotions.
These cultural norms and stereotypes have been circulating around for generations, and the lasting effects they have can be toxic, especially for men. Men who do show their emotions are usually viewed as weak, because of that, many men repress their emotions because they’re afraid of seeming weak and not manly. However, suppressing emotions can be so detrimental to anyone’s mental health. The Consequences of Emotional Avoidance: Part of what makes us human is our ability to feel our emotions and process our emotions. Without processing the way we feel, we allow ourselves to build up our emotions within us which can result in anger, trauma and other mental health disorders. Suppressing emotions can lead to anxiety and even depression, and with the stigma around men and their emotions, not allowing a man to be vulnerable and open about the way he feels can lead him down a dark path. Studies show that for men, being told to “man up” or “act like a man” is something that they learn and hear from a very young age and it remains with them into adulthood. Overtime, men get really good at avoiding their emotions, or coping with their emotions is a more acceptable way for males. It creates what most would describe as toxic masculinity, which can be hard to break once it becomes a habit. Learning To Be Vulnerable: Learning how to be vulnerable with your emotions is not something easy and usually very hard to do once you’ve been in a habit of suppressing how you feel all the time. However, there are ways around this that may seem out of someone's comfort zone, but the only way to grow is to be put in situations that make you uncomfortable to do what you need to do for yourself and your mental health.
2. Find therapeutic hobbies This is something not only men should be but everyone should try. Bringing new activities into your life that create excitement and joy is one way to feel like you’re connecting with yourself more. Cooking, exercise, art, and music are just some examples of things you can do for yourself to get mentally healthy, even going for a walk every day can help structure you into a healthier daily routine. 4/11/2022 0 Comments Finding Happiness At WorkWhen it comes to a job, it's good to find something you enjoy or at least tolerate. There's nothing worse than commuting to a job you despise in the morning.
Whether you are overwhelmed by your workload, you don't have the support you need, your management, or you feel like you have nowhere else to go, there are many reasons why people might be unhappy in their careers. And the truth is, a lot of people are just not happy at work. According to Forbes, 81 percent of employees fake happiness. Many people act happy to create the illusion that nothing is wrong so they can be team players who can take on anything since they don't want to seem ungrateful. There will be good days when it comes to your job, and there will also be bad days when you'll want to give up. To be truly happy at work, or in any area in your life, try the PERMA model - the theory of wellbeing - to provide practical ways to apply its components in your private practice or personal life. PERMA stands for: Positive Emotions - this includes a work/life balance to give you time to do what you love, so you're not working too many hours. Engagement – engage with your work with tasks that keep you busy to make your day go by quicker. Positive Relationships – with your co-workers you work well with and feel the respect and support you need. Meaning – you feel valued, appreciated, and have a sense of worth from your company, manager and co-workers. Accomplishment – feelings of fulfillment in the work you're doing. Even if it's not your dream job, try to find something that makes you feel content. Feeling supported, appreciated, and engaged can come with rewards in your career. 4/4/2022 0 Comments The Period FluThis is something that has been occurring for so long, but I never had a definite answer until now.
The period flu isn’t a real medical term, but it sure does sum up how a lot of women feel right before getting their period. Flu-like symptoms like nausea, cramping, fever, and headaches are just some of the complaints that have some people wondering if they’re getting sick or just going crazy during that time of the month. But the good thing is, you’re not alone. The period flu is a thing but has nothing to do with the actual flu. So why does this happen? Experts aren’t totally sure about what causes this phenomenon, but hormone fluctuations throughout your menstrual cycle are the most likely culprit. Before getting your period, prostaglandins which are basically like your hormone’s fatty acids, are there to help your uterus shed its lining. With an excess number of prostaglandins as well as cyclic changes in your sex hormones, it can cause you to feel run down, exhausted, and even create chills throughout your body. What are the symptoms? Before or during your period, you can experience symptoms like…
Although this is something that not all women deal with, there are things you can do to help prevent this from happening or lessen the symptoms that come along with it. -Exercise regularly: Exercising has been shown to help improve a lot of discomforts that are associated with period cramps, depression, and lack of energy. -Eating healthy food: Eating healthier is always a great idea, but it’s a better idea when it’s two weeks before starting your cycle. Doing this can help reduce your PMS symptoms. Cutting down on alcohol, smoking, sugars, and caffeine intake will do wonders. Try applying those two tips and hopefully it will help lessen the nasty and uncomfortable feelings you get before and during your period. 3/28/2022 0 Comments Write Down Your FearsUsually, we make a list of goals for ourselves to achieve or accomplish something to get ahead in our professional or personal lives. Then, you set specific and attainable goals to complete within a certain amount of time to motivate you into meeting them to reach your desired destination for where you want to be in the future.
We also have a lot of fears and anxieties in life. And one way to get ahold of those fears and anxieties is to write them down. When people worry, they tend to imagine the worst thing that could happen. In reality, these worries may never come true. What could happen isn't the same as what will happen. Writing them down gives you the perspective you need to make your fears seem not as scary. The following exercise can let you regain control and power over your fears. Begin by getting a piece of paper and something to write with. On a page, make three different columns. In the first column, write and define your fears, anxieties, or worst-case scenarios. Defining fears gets the worst-case scenario on the page, and it's almost always not as bad as we make it out to be. In the second column , think of ways to prevent your fear from happening to take control of unwanted outcomes. And in the third column, write down what you should do if your fears come true. Again, being prepared can help reduce additional stress. Working through this list allows you to be true to yourself by physically putting your fears on paper, taking control, and thinking of solutions ahead of time. When you put things into perspective, your fears feel manageable and smaller than before. Try to write down your fears by creating the three columns shown in the image below, and allow yourself to think of creative solutions to take complete control of them. 3/21/2022 0 Comments It's Ok To Be LazyDoes being lazy mean you’re unhappy?
The short answer is no. It’s ok to be lazy sometimes. Many people believe that you have to be productive all the time. So if you're home with nothing to do or nothing planned, many are under the impression that you must keep doing things, so it doesn't feel like you wasted your day. While having a day off does give you opportunities to finally get things done that you couldn't do during your busy week, such as laundry and cleaning stuff around the house, you shouldn't feel pressured or feel the need to be productive at all times. Our bodies and minds need rest to recharge after a long week. After all, rest is essential to keep going. As Dr. Isabelle Moreau puts it best when she said: "Boredom and laziness should be used as a means to regain control over one's own body and one's own time." Taking one day to relax and recharge by doing nothing, either by sitting on the couch watching TV or engaging in something that relaxes you, can benefit your mental health by reducing stress. Also, having some time to do nothing can clear our minds and potentially give us clear answers to problems that we might have on our minds. Now, there are times when being lazy can be harmful. For example, lack of ambition, energy, or motivation to the point where nothing gets done can negatively impact specific aspects of your life and can become a more significant issue. But taking one or two lazy days out of the week can benefit you. Take a day to be lazy and make it a way to reward yourself after completing a busy week. Instead of procrastinating, get done what you've been putting off, and then reward yourself by doing nothing after or completing work or personal goals throughout the week, so there's no guilt in doing nothing later. So the next time you have a day with nothing planned, don't always feel the need to keep being productive. Don't feel guilty for having a lazy day with nothing to do, as it can help you recharge and clear your mind after a long week. The role of the grandparent in a child's life is ever-changing. While playing many roles, from mentors to teachers, loving companions, historians to sometimes the best friend, the most beautiful thing about grandparents is that they love what they do and simply being with their grandchildren brings them joy every day.
While reading this, I'm sure you can think about all the amazing memories you have with your grandparents. The times they took you shopping during the summer months for back to school clothes, getting comfy on the couch together to watch your favourite Disney movie, giving you money for no reason, and the best part, tucking you in for bed at night and kissing you on the forehead. Grandparents are like chicken soup for the soul. Whenever you're feeling ill or sad, a grandparent knows just exactly what to do to help you. Not only do they instil in us so many life lessons, but they also teach us how to be kind and see the world in a completely different light. A grandparents' love is endless and what we take with us when they are no longer with us turns into something that truly impacts our lives, our future children's lives, and our future grandchildren's lives. If I'm speaking for myself, some of the life lessons I have learned from my own experience with my beautiful and kind-hearted grandmother are being kind to everyone, being patient, and showing endless love, but the list doesn't end there. Lesson 1: Cherish Every Moment This one just makes sense, but I think something that sticks out for me is how my grandmother made it her mission to always focus on the moment. No matter what we were doing, having dinner at the table, watching a movie together, counting down the seconds before the ball dropped on New Year's Eve, decorating the Christmas tree, or just sitting there and talking, she was always in the moment. Lesson 2: Be Kind To Everyone My grandma was all about being kind to everyone and anyone. Even if that person hurt her, she was kind regardless of the situation. She showed kindness everywhere she went and tried her best to make people feel comfortable in any situation. Lesson 3: Be Patient I will never forget having a conversation with my grandma when I got engaged to my now-husband years ago. After our engagement, we still hadn't gotten married for the years to follow, which made me feel like I was doing something wrong. When I talked to my grandma about it, she said one simple thing, "You will get married when it's time. Give it time." After that, it was instilled in me that something that is meant to happen will, and it did! Patience is all I needed to have. Lesson 4: Always Say I Love You Never forget to express your love to the people who matter the most, no matter the circumstances. While growing up, no matter how much I gave my grandma attitude or was ignorant to my surroundings, she would always say she loved me regardless of what was happening at that moment. Stuff like that made me realize how crucial it is to acknowledge that the people around you that may be going through pain or struggles still need to hear those three simple words. Those words can change someone's day and someone's perspective. Lesson 5: It's Never Too Warm For Socks I'm sure many people can relate to this one, but how many people's grandmothers or grandparents insisted on them wearing socks? Even if it was boiling hot out, it was a huge priority for my grandma to have socks on our feet. She always got upset with my sister and me, even my friends, to put on a pair of socks. It was so important to her that we were warm and comfortable. Lesson 6: Keep Giving For a big portion of my grandma's life, she gave back to the community and those who needed it the most. It was important to her to help those in need, and she dedicated herself to those around her. I learned quickly from her that even though my world may feel like it's falling apart, there is someone else going through it harder, worse, and dealing with more and always being thankful for what I have. Our grandparents greatly influence us, whether we are super close with them or only see them on special occasions. The bond between a child and their grandparents can never be broken. Not everyone is perfect, and I think that is something we all realize about ourselves. We are nothing close to perfect. However, there are always aspects of ourselves that we improve on, whether that be in relationships, friendships, mental health, or even in your work environment.
Sometimes our own behavioural traits may inevitably conflict with our surroundings from time to time, especially if that behaviour turns into toxic characteristics. However, when it comes to toxic traits within us, it is hard to realize that sometimes our behaviour can be harmful to the people around us. Especially if these toxic traits are causing you problems in your everyday life, we often tend to blame the people around us for the reason things aren't working out the way we planned. Still, it always takes an emotionally mature person to look inwards and see where they play a part in the situation surrounding them. Ask Yourself: Are You Self Aware? Being self-aware means being open and honest with yourself and doing the much-needed work to improve your behavioural habits. Constantly checking in with yourself can help you realize that the problem isn't always the other person's fault. But what are some toxic traits that stand out within us or others that can cause these constant issues within our lives? Negativity: One of the biggest traits that stand out is negativity. So ask yourself this question, "Am I constantly approaching situations from a negative mindset?" If that sounds like something you do, many of us use this as a defence mechanism to protect ourselves from going out on a limb, avoiding change, or taking a risk. But unfortunately, having a negative mindset can affect every aspect of your life. It can take a complete toll on your mental health and others around you. We as humans tend to give a lot of our attention to the negative aspects of our life. The things we don't have, the things we want more of, but often we forget to pause for a minute to realize all that we have around us and all we have to be grateful for. Being Judgemental: Are you judging others for how they're living their lives? Do you judge others when they confide in you with personal information? Just remember, someone else's life is their life, and your life is yours. Focusing too much on someone else's life tells how you feel about yourself and your own situation. Choosing to focus on someone else's life showcases your insecurities within yourself. Learn to work through the problems you feel within yourself and focus on yourself. Taking No Responsibility: Not taking responsibility for your actions is a common trait and a sign of immaturity as well. Being emotionally mature and self-aware means that you are able and willing to admit when you're wrong. Unfortunately, this toxic trait goes hand in hand with not apologizing when you do something wrong, which leads to many relationship and friendship problems. It's essential to take responsibility in those vulnerable situations, and when you're able to do this, it will help others realize that you are willing to change and work on yourself. What To Do If You Have Toxic Traits? When it comes to changing your behavioural habits, you already acknowledge a part of yourself that you may have avoided changing. So when you start your journey of self-awareness, it's important to be honest with yourself, even if it means asking yourself those tricky questions about the past and reflecting. Everyone has parts of themselves they want to improve on. Remember that no one is perfect, no matter how much you think someone is. The first step to bettering yourself is recognizing the areas you need to improve on. It's all about working on your self-awareness and growing as an individual. In 2021, Mark Zuckerberg announced his plan to focus on the "metaverse", connecting virtual reality with PC, mobile devices, and game consoles to connect to a larger virtual world. As a result, you can use any of these devices and still be connected to them.
Virtual reality is often associated with gaming, but the idea of the "metaverse" is much bigger. The idea is for someone to create a 3D avatar and use the "metaverse" as a new virtual way to connect beyond gaming, which includes interacting with other 3D avatars for business meetings, hanging out, or even attending virtual events, like concerts using VR technology. This is seen as the next step in the internet evolution and represents a shift in how we interact with technology and each other. The "metaverse" is meant to be a way to heighten our connections beyond a simple Zoom call. Now we can put on our headsets and meet people in virtual rooms where it looks like other avatars are right there with us in this 3D virtual world. With this new technology whose main goal is to connect us even more than ever before, is it really bringing us closer together? It heightens your experience for gaming, yes, but when it comes to other modes of "meeting with friends", is talking to a 3D avatar better than looking at someone's actual face over Zoom or in-person? Human interaction in the physical world offers many mental health benefits that include boosting your mood and creates a sense of security. When we were isolated during the pandemic, we weren't yearning for less human interaction; we wanted more in-person visits with friends and family. Of course, the "metaverse" can provide experiences you don't have access to, like riding a roller coaster or going on a nature walk without leaving the comfort of your own home, but using it as a substitute is not what we should be investing in. The "metaverse" and VR does have their perks, but being isolated by yourself, even when you're supposed to be social, can come with increased anxiety, not to mention motion-sickness and eye strain. Creating a better community in real life and investing in opportunities and spaces that can benefit people is what needs to happen. If we build a better real life, we won't need to turn to a digital one to fill the void. |
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December 2023
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