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9 Reasons Why You Need At Least One Crazy Friend In Your Life

March 9, 2016 by Power of Positivity

You might already know about the numerous health benefits of having great friends in your life, but what about having a crazy friend to boot? Friends laugh with us during the good times, cry during the bad, and just help us through life. They understand where we’ve been and support our direction, but crazy friends add a little bit more to the mix. They take away the seriousness of life and give us laughter and good memories.

Here are nine reasons why you need at least one crazy friend in your life:

1. They turn that frown upside down

Crazy friends will make you laugh at the drop of a hat. They have a lighthearted, carefree approach to life and enjoy making people feel good and forget their problems. A crazy friend won’t let you stay in a bad mood for too long because their contagious humor will quickly lighten your load and make you forget about your problems, at least for a little while.

2. They challenge us to try new things

A crazy friend won’t let you stay in the confines of familiarity – they’ll push you to step outside your comfort zone and show you what you’re truly made of. Always wanted to go skydiving but too afraid to go through with it? No worries, that crazy friend of yours will accompany you to help you knock one of your bucket list items out.

3. They have a positive outlook on life

Crazy people normally have a great outlook on life; their upbeat personalities and great sense of humor prove that. These people have been through a lot in life, just like all of us, but they’ve chosen to use those experiences to better themselves and to teach them that life is truly what we make of it. So, they’ve made it their playground – they make the rules, they run the show, and they choose to feel happy and positive about life. These types of friends are wonderful to have around, especially if you’ve been going through a rough time.

4. Crazy friends have a great sense of humor

Like we said before, you’ll never stop laughing when you hang out with that crazy friend. Everything just seems funnier with them because they put their own unique spin on everything that happens and just have a lighthearted approach to life that all of us could learn from. True friends will always help you to stay in a good mood, and will truly care about making sure you feel good in their company. To read more about signs you have a true friend, consult our related article here.

5. They hardly ever let themselves get into bad moods

A crazy friend doesn’t know how to stay down in the dumps too long; it kills their vibe and doesn’t resonate with their soul. So, it won’t last long if they seem in a bad mood. They tend to have a positive outlook on life and don’t allow petty things to affect them.

6. Crazy friends don’t take themselves too seriously

Another plus to having a crazy friend is that they don’t set ridiculous standards for themselves, and if they mess up, they don’t beat themselves up. They stroll through life casually, learning, growing, and loving along the way, but not getting hung up on trivial things that won’t matter in the long run. They don’t get embarrassed or ashamed easily because they have high self-esteem and truly value themselves. If they make a mistake, they simply laugh it off and keep going.

7. They show you how to let loose

A crazy friend won’t let you spend a Friday or Saturday night cooped up in your room catching up on Netflix. They’ll take you out on the town, possibly get you into a little trouble, and maybe leave you with a few regrets, but they’ll make sure you don’t forget about the time you spend with them. Since they don’t take life seriously, they enjoy showing the world their wild side as often as possible – and they want you to come along for the ride!

8. Crazy friends don’t care what others think

Most importantly, they pay no mind to the opinions of others. They feel comfortable and happy with themselves; if other people want to talk about them, so be it. They’ll continue to dance like no one’s watching and march to the beat of their own drum.

9. Crazy friends make life more fun

Simply put, life doesn’t seem as enjoyable without having that one crazy friend to put things into perspective. On the days when you feel that stress will eat you alive, they come to the rescue and take you out to do something fun. When you hang out with them, they just have so much laughter and good vibes to share that you can’t help but fall in love with them just a little bit.

11 Life Lessons To Learn From Mister Rogers

March 9, 2016 by Power of Positivity

You probably recognize him from the well-known children’s TV show, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, where he spread positive vibes, love, and kindness to his audience. He spent his whole life showing us that we should love everyone despite their supposed shortcomings, and offer compassion and understanding whenever we can. His warm, gentle personality and important life lessons touched the lives of many, and he showed us what being neighborly really meant.

Here are 11 life lessons we can learn from Mister Rogers:

1. We have an obligation to help one another on this planet.

“We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It’s easy to say, ‘It’s not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.’ Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.”

“I hope you’re proud of yourself for the times you’ve said ‘yes,’ when all it meant was extra work for you and was seemingly helpful only to somebody else.”

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers–so many caring people in this world.”

2. Accept your feelings, but learn to deal with them in a healthy way.

“There’s no ‘should’ or ‘should not’ when it comes to having feelings. They’re part of who we are and their origins are beyond our control. When we can believe that, we may find it easier to make constructive choices about what to do with those feelings.”

“There is no normal life that is free of pain. It’s the very wrestling with our problems that can be the impetus for our growth.”

“Confronting our feelings and giving them appropriate expression always takes strength, not weakness. It takes strength to acknowledge our anger, and sometimes more strength yet to curb the aggressive urges anger may bring and to channel them into nonviolent outlets. It takes strength to face our sadness and to grieve and to let our grief and our anger flow in tears when they need to. It takes strength to talk about our feelings and to reach out for help and comfort when we need it.”

3. Understand that everyone is fighting a tough battle, so be kind to all.

“Part of the problem with the word disabilities is that it immediately suggests an inability to see or hear or walk or do other things that many of us take for granted. But what of people who can’t feel? Or talk about their feelings? Or manage their feelings in constructive ways? What of people who aren’t able to form close and strong relationships? And people who cannot find fulfillment in their lives, or those who have lost hope, who live in disappointment and bitterness and find in life no joy, no love? These, it seems to me, are the real disabilities.”

4. Love always wins.

“Love isn’t a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like struggle. To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.”

“Mutual caring relationships require kindness and patience, tolerance, optimism, joy in the other’s achievements, confidence in oneself, and the ability to give without undue thought of gain.”

“We need to help people to discover the true meaning of love. Love is generally confused with dependence. Those of us who have grown in true love know that we can love only in proportion to our capacity for independence.”

“The connections we make in the course of a life–maybe that’s what heaven is.”

5. We’re here to help others feel good about their own existence.

“As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has–or ever will have–something inside that is unique to all time. It’s our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and to provide ways of developing its expression.”

6. Don’t obsess over being perfect – it doesn’t exist.

“Little by little we human beings are confronted with situations that give us more and more clues that we aren’t perfect.”

7. Take the plunge of self-discovery.

“Discovering the truth about ourselves is a lifetime’s work, but it’s worth the effort.”

8. Cherish the little things in life.

“In the external scheme of things, shining moments are as brief as the twinkling of an eye, yet such twinklings are what eternity is made of — moments when we human beings can say “I love you,” “I’m proud of you,” “I forgive you,” “I’m grateful for you.” That’s what eternity is made of: invisible imperishable good stuff.”

9. Value yourself.

“The world needs a sense of worth, and it will achieve it only by its people feeling that they are worthwhile.”

10. Never give up.

“Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.”

11. Keep things into perspective.

“Fame is a four-letter word. And like tape, or zoom, or face, or pain, or life, or love, what ultimately matters is what we do with it.”

Related: Watch this 10 Second Lesson on love, from Mister Rogers

Here’s Why You Should Wash Your Pillows Often

March 9, 2016 by Power of Positivity

What it is about bedding that causes us to ignore cleaning it? Most of us are pretty good about sheets and blankets, but what about everything else? While our beds and pillows may not get much attention, we spend a lot of time in them. Not paying attention to the cleanliness of our sleeping space is, in a word, gross.

Here’s why you should wash your pillows often:

According to various experts, we should wash our actual pillow every three months, and the pillow covers every three weeks. Why? Pillows are a favorite habitat for some pretty disgusting things, including countless numbers of bacteria and fungi. Dirt, dead skin cells, and skin oil seep into every tiny crevice. Oh, and a relative of spiders, the dust mite, loves to visit our bedding en masse.

The accumulation of dust mites is also a health concern, causing physical reactions that imitate allergies. Statistically, two-thirds of all people with allergies are sensitive to the presence of dust mites – meaning more severe allergic reactions. If this rational discourse isn’t enough, just Google “dust mite” and click on “images”…yeah…an ugly little sucker. Imagine a colony of these just nesting in your bed, blankets, and other bedtime accompaniements.

Many allergens are airborne – transmitted through the air and inhaled. This is not the case with dust mites; symptoms that accompany the presence of dust mites are usually strongest in the morning. In other words, if “allergic” symptoms are more severe in the morning, the pillow may be the issue. Doctors also recommend that people with year-round nasal allergies get tested for a dust mite allergy.

Further, we should have a cover for every one of our pillows, washing and drying them at least every three weeks. Further, zippered protectors can assist with lessening the buildup of mites, bacteria, and fungus.

Pillows other than those with feathers can be cleaned in the washing machine. Those containing feathers should be dry-cleaned to prevent damage. Again, ensure that the pillow is cleaned at least once every three months. In between cleanings, cycling a pillow for thirty minutes on low in the dryer can help clear out the accumulated dirt, dust, and debris.

Here are some additional pillow tips:

– Replace your pillows every six months if heavily allergic.

– For those with no allergies, a replacement once every year or two will suffice.

– It is more important to clean your pillows than to replace them.

– Mark on a calendar when you clean pillows and covers. Schedule the next cleaning date for both.

– If allergic, get tested for dust mite allergies.

– Between cleanings, cycle them in the dryer on a low setting for thirty minutes. This helps to clear out some of the clutter.

Here’s a quick way to test if your pillows need to be replaced: fold the pillow in half and place a book or shoe on top. If you let it go and the object is flung off, the pillow is still fine for use. If not, it’s probably time to find another pillow.

However, you can launder your still usable pillow as follows:

Washing

– Check the label and confirm the pillow can be machine-washed (most can)

– Remove the pillowcase and any pillow protector

– Fill washing machine 1/3 full with hot water (hint: a substitute for boiling water to get a deeper clean)

– Add these ingredients: 1 cup of laundry detergent, 1 cup of powdered dishwasher detergent, 1 cup bleach, and ½ cup of Borax. Or, just add regular detergent for a less-intensive clean

– After the detergent dissolves, add the pillow(s) and fill the washer with hot water (hint: 2 pillows are ideal for one cycle)

– Halfway through the cycle, flip the pillow(s) over. This evens out the effects caused by the hot water stream.

– Repeat the rinse cycle.

Drying

– Use the air cycle for down and feather pillows. You can dry synthetic materials using low-heat setting.

– Place pillow(s) in the dryer (hint: adding tennis balls wrapped in several clean socks can help fluff it as it dries). Set them outside in the sun to dry on a nice, warm day.

5 Things you Need to Know About The First Solar Eclipse of 2016

March 8, 2016 by Power of Positivity

The first solar eclipse of 2016 is a major astrological event that can mess with energies around you, so let us educate you about what you need to know before you start any new projects. Using astrology to plan your day is particularly important during major astrological events, like an eclipse.

There will be 4 major solar eclipses in 2016 so being prepared for the change in energy that occurs leading up to and during an eclipse can help you to avoid conflict, setbacks, obstacles and delays.

You may have already prepared for what your zodiac may bring in 2016, but knowing what the astrological year has in store for your sign can always be supplemented with more inforation. Astrologers recommend that you pay attention to the movement of the planets, stars and moon to understand how these energies will affect your daily life.

Before modern astronomy, solar eclipses were seen as a bad omen for centuries. People didn’t understand what was happening to the sun, but they were afraid. We know that these fears are irrational, but astrologers want us to pay attention to what an eclipse can do to the energy that surrounds us.

Some days you may feel like you can do nothing wrong, and then there are solar eclipse days. Astrologers believe that the difference in daylight and the amount of solar energy reaching the planet Earth has an effect on our own productivity as well.

Although North America will not be able to see this first solar eclipse of 2016, the shifting energies can be felt by anyone on Earth. The total solar eclipse on 3/9/2016 at 3:19pm PST and lasting after sundown 8:34pm PST. It will be visible in Asia, Australia and in the Pacific and Indian oceans.

One of the most productive things that we can do is to shift our mental focus from a reactive state when things fall apart to a proactive state that is prepared for obstacles. Vedic astrologer Kathleen Whalen of ConsciousCalendars.com recommends that we prepare for the day with a Plan B and a Plan C, just in case plan A fails.

5 Things you Need to Know About the First Solar Eclipse of 2016 Happening on March 9th

Here are 5 things you can do to help avoid frustrations that can happen around the solar eclipses. Keep this information handy so you can use this guide to prepare for the next solar eclipse on September 1st, 2016 as well.

1. Take time to rejuvenate your mind and body

Kathleen Whalen says that total solar eclipse days and the days immediately leading up to an eclipse are good days for resting, caring for your health, and spiritual practices.

Meditation, yoga, stretching, mindfulness and napping are your best bets for how to use the day to your advantage.

Focus on your own well-being with a massage, bath, or other self-care ritual.

2. Avoid major decisions, exertions, or new projects

Today and tomorrow will be very important for you to avoid signing any contracts or starting new projects. A solar eclipse can cause energy shifts that will delay even the most prepared efforts.

Rather than spinning your wheels, plan ahead and change your plan of action to begin after the eclipse is over on the 10th of March.

Kathleen Whalen of ConsciousCalendars.com says that an eclipse is a day of turbulence and that you should restrict the following:

– No major business activity

– No launches

– No buying homes

– Do not sign contracts

– Do not over-do physical exercise

3. Prepare for unplanned interruptions

Major obstacles are likely and should be expected. This is how you can use this information to your advantage. By planning ahead for delays and obstacles, we can prepare our minds for being patient and taking action by taking these days to rest.

4. Exercise patience

Due to the anticipated obstacles that come with a solar eclipse, work on developing your sense of patience to make the best of the solar eclipse. Live in the moment, breath and relax in spite of delays. Planning ahead to move slower through your day helps you avoid frustration and stress.

A total solar eclipse is a rare event and the reduced solar energy that reaches the Earth is something we can feel in our emotions. You may have sudden urges or extreme emotions during this time. You may also experience a sense of needing to react to something, but your best option is to relax and resist that urge.

5. Focus on one thing at a time

The shifting solar and lunar energies as the moon covers the sun can tend to make us loose focus. Kathleen Whalen advises us to ‘stick with ONE major focus at a time in the weeks before and between the eclipses and then you can actually get something done. And it is okay to choose activities which give back to others and also put you into a state of FLOW or that you enjoy.’

Warning Signs Your Body Is Acidic

March 8, 2016 by Power of Positivity

Is your body too acidic?

Environments that are acidic in nature invite illness, and our body is no different in this respect. Relative to the body, an excessively acidic environment invites bacteria, illness, yeast, and other unhealthy agents.

Excessive acid levels in the body causes the transfer of minerals from healthy bones and organs in order to neutralize this acid. As a result, minerals including magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium can become dangerously depleted. This is just one example of how equilibrium can be thrown off when the body contains too much acid – resulting in the body often having to compensate by reallocating essential substances for health.

Generally, stages of acidity occur in three phases. For the sake of simplicity, we’ll classify these stages as Phase I, Phase II and Phase III. Of course, each phase consists of symptoms that vary in severity and type. We’ll also discuss things we can do to ease acidic symptoms and achieve homeostasis – the balancing of pH levels in the body.

“Diseases happen in acidic environments, so it’s very important to keep your body alkaline. Keeping a diet high in leafy greens, spring water, fresh air, raw almonds, lemons, grapefruits, and warm water with juice from half a lemon helps lower acidity levels.” – Valentina Zelyaeva, supermodel

Phase I: Mild Acidity

This phase involves slightly-high acidic levels, but nothing too extreme. Depending on the individual affected, symptoms may be very subtle – almost non-noticeable – to creating a bit of discomfort. Generally, symptoms may include: increased feelings of cold, decreased sex drive, strong-smelling urine, muscle pain, hyperactivity, joint pains, head congestion, and heartburn.

Fatigue, acne, panic attacks, diarrhea, headaches, and constipation are also symptoms that have been reported during this phase. Generally, these symptoms are relatively slight in nature.

If the individual does not begin the process of self-correcting acidity levels, it can potentially progress to Phase II.

Phase II: Moderately Acidic Body

As anticipated, symptoms of acidosis begin to intensify in Phase II. It is important to note that such symptoms are capable of inflicting long-term harm onto the individual.

Common symptoms during Phase II include: colds sores, endometriosis (pain of the uterus), headaches, hives, migraines, depression, psoriasis and eczema (skin inflammation). Other reported symptoms include the following: asthma, cystitis, bronchitis, insomnia and problems with memory.

The above symptoms of moderate acidity are generally much more noticeable and correctable than those in Phase I. As such, individuals that experience said symptoms should begin the process of lowering acid levels. Of course, if this corrective action is not taken, the accumulating acidosis will generally result in the unveiling of Phase III.

Phase III: Severely Acidic Body

This is the final and most harmful stage of acidosis. In Phase III, more symptoms have a deteriorative effect on cognition and bodily functions. It goes without saying that it is imperative to seek medical attention at this stage of illness.

Common symptoms during Phase III include confusion, headache, jaundice (yellowing in the whites of eyes), fatigue, hypertension, sleepiness, rapid breathing and shallow breathing. This stage also increases the risk of various chronic illnesses, including tuberculosis, multiple sclerosis, cancers, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, and Chron’s Disease.

Generally, consuming highly acidic food is the primary cause of disproportionate acid levels in the body. Processed and fast foods are well-known to have these types of nutritional shortcomings. Other foods known to severely alter the body’s pH levels include pasta, seafood, cheese, cream, milk and other dairy products.

People exposed to high concentrations of pesticides also risk their bodies becoming too acidic. Lastly, certain medications – particularly antibiotics and synthetics – can heighten acidity levels in the body.

Final Thoughts on Fixing a Too Acidic Body

To correct the imbalance of acid in the body, it becomes necessary to make significant changes in diet. First, it should be a priority to eliminate foods that are highly acidic. Examples include alcohol, soda, sweets, dairy products, and sea foods. Second, it is necessary to include alkaline-producing foods – including most fruits and vegetables. It may be wise to seek the advice of a registered dietician or another medical professional who can recommend specific actions depending on individual needs.

5 Things To Ask Yourself When You Have Negative Thoughts

March 7, 2016 by Chris Butler

Everybody deals with negative thoughts once in a while. They pop into your mind at the most inopportune moments. It’s easy to give them too much power. They can affect the way you feel about yourself and others. You may wonder what to do when you have negative thoughts.

Here are five things to ask yourself to help you deal with your negative thoughts.

1 – Is this negative thought an opinion or a fact?

It’s easy to confuse a fact with an opinion. There can be fewer facts than your opinions about yourself or someone else in life. These opinions come from your beliefs or your experiences, so they are more subjective rather than objective. What’s the difference between a fact and an opinion?

Fact: Facts are statements supported by evidence. Someone can verify a fact.
Opinion: This is a statement that someone issues based on beliefs or feelings without having evidence to support the claim.

When you realize that your negative thoughts about someone are based on your opinion rather than a fact, it can help you change your negative thoughts about them.

2 – What is the worst thing that could happen?

When you have negative thoughts, it’s tempting to let your thoughts go off in many directions. If you’re struggling with negative thoughts and the what-ifs that could happen, take a break. Step back and ask yourself some questions, such as these:

What is the worst thing that could happen if these negative thoughts are true?
Is someone at risk of being hurt or harmed in some way?
Am I at risk of harm?
What am I afraid of?

Usually, when you take the time to ask yourself these questions, you’ll realize that you have given in to fear based on your negative thoughts. The reality of the worst thing isn’t as real as you thought it could be.

3 – Are these negative thoughts helping me or hurting me?

Most of the time, your negative thoughts aren’t helpful or productive. They’re usually unrealistic and produce fear. Your negative thoughts create negative feelings. These feelings or emotions affect your brain region called the amygdala. This part of your brain sets off anxiety and stressful reactions. When you’re struggling with negativity, the amygdala will be slower to recover from stress and anxiety compared to someone more positive.

Stress affects your health. It can cause conditions like these:

High blood pressure
Heart problems
Immune system problems that make you susceptible to disease
Memory problems
Stomach problems like IBS
Insomnia
Depression

Having a positive outlook doesn’t mean you never have negative thoughts or feelings, but when you have negative thoughts, you can let go of them. They should be short-term rather than a consistent experience for you. If you constantly overthink and worry about things that happened or what will happen in the future, you disconnect from the present-day reality. The key is being able to bounce back from your negative thoughts. This awareness is a sign of resilience.

4 – Is there any truth to these negative thoughts?

Sometimes you have nagging negative thoughts because you’ve done something you regret. What should you do with your feelings of regret? Here are some steps you can take to realize there is some truth to your negative thoughts.

Take responsibility for what you did: Perhaps in a moment of anxiety, you yelled at your neighbor. Everybody says or does things they later regret. You can’t take back what you said, but you can accept the full reality of what you did. Taking responsibility is the best way to acknowledge the truth. It keeps you from falling prey to feeling like you’re a victim or feeling sorry for yourself, which won’t be helpful.
Forgive and forget: Once you accept responsibility for what you did, you can forgive yourself. Don’t beat yourself up. Some people like to confess their wrongdoings to God to find peace. They find relief and a sense of calm when they do this.
Make amends: If possible, it’s a good idea to make amends with the person you wronged. Apologize to the person you wronged with a sincere heart. Do what you can to repair the relationship. It depends on the level of friendship you have with the person. To apologize to your neighbor, you may say something like, “Hey, I apologize for what I said yesterday. It was wrong to yell at you. It can get tricky with some people who aren’t used to having anyone ask them for forgiveness. They may have grown up in a family where apologies weren’t given to one another. Or your neighbor may never forgive you and stop talking to you. Apologizing is a risk worth taking. At least you’ll have peace knowing you tried to apologize to them.

5 – What can you do to turn these negative thoughts into positive thoughts?

If possible, look for ways to turn your negative thoughts around to more positive thoughts. Here are things you can do.

Remember gratitude: Write down the things you’re grateful for. Start with your family, friends, co-workers, or neighbors. Then move to the basics like food, clothing, a place to live, furniture to sit on. As your list grows, you’ll see how blessed you are. Things may not be perfect, but you have a lot to be grateful for.
Take care of yourself: Be sure you’re eating nutritious foods, staying active, and getting enough sleep.
Get engaged socially: Make time to hang out with friends. Having a community helps fight loneliness and feelings of isolation, leading to pessimistic thoughts. Here are some suggestions for staying engaged socially.
- Find an activity you enjoy, like an exercise class or a book club, to meet new people.
- Volunteer. It is a great way to stay engaged with other people.
- Arrange for a group of friends to have weekly meals together
- Start a new hobby. Have you always wanted to knit or paint? Maybe it’s time to sign up for a knitting or painting class with a friend. If you take a class, you’ll meet people.
- Join a church. Find a faith community where you can grow your faith in God and meet like-minded people.
Focus on today: Assess how you’re feeling today. If you’re struggling with negative thoughts, remember, you won’t have these thoughts forever. Some days are just harder than others.
Talk to a trusted friend: Talk to a close, trusted friend who will help you gain perspective. Be sure it’s someone you feel comfortable with and who knows you well enough to listen with compassion. A good friend loves you enough to point you in the right direction without judgment.

What causes negative thoughts?

If you’re human, you’re going to have negative thoughts once in a while. It’s a common problem. But there are some situations when you’re more prone to negativity.

Depression
Sleep-deprived
Sickness
Stress or anxiety
Allergies
Difficult life events
Side effects from medications

If you notice yourself feeling irritable and having constant negative thoughts, it may be good to discuss this with your doctor. They can run blood tests to eliminate signs of disease or conditions that may cause you to feel this way. If you’re struggling with depression, see a counselor have someone to talk to about your thoughts.

Final thoughts on eliminating negative thoughts from your brain

Negative thoughts are familiar to everyone. If you’re human, you’re going to struggle with negative thoughts once in a while. They show up at the most unexpected times and can make you feel sad or discouraged. It’s vital to assess whether these thoughts about yourself or someone else are facts or opinions. Facts can be proven, while opinions are how you feel about something. You can’t prove opinions. Looking at the worst-case scenario is sometimes a helpful way to deal with negative thoughts that make you fearful. Seeing the underbelly of your negative thoughts takes away their scariness.

You may wrestle with negative thoughts when you’re having a hard day, feeling tired, or stressed. Plus, certain medical conditions can make you more susceptible to negative thoughts. You may wonder what you can do when you have these thoughts. Hopefully, these five questions to ask yourself will help you deal with your negative thoughts and replace them with more positive thoughts.

5 Things That Happen When You Feel Lonely

March 7, 2016 by Power of Positivity

Everyone feels lonely from time to time, but that doesn’t mean it gets any easier to deal with.

Scientists have even called loneliness an epidemic due to the severity of the situation in today’s fast-paced modern world. You can feel alone by yourself or even when surrounded by others. But either way, the pain runs deep through your veins. You feel like no one will ever understand you, and you’re just floating through the universe in this time and dimension as a sort of hollow shell. You look in the mirror and wonder if something is wrong with you, if anyone else possibly could feel the same way as you.

When you feel lonely, you just want to connect with someone, anyone, but having a real conversation doesn’t come easily these days. We know how you feel, so if you can relate to what we’ve said so far, read on for some valuable tips to combat loneliness.

Here are 5 things that happen when you feel lonely:

1. You feel millions of galaxies away, even in a crowded room.

You know the feeling..you walk into that party or social gathering hoping to form some sort of connection, but instead, you just feel distant and detached. Everything feels so loud, so hectic, so wrong. You long for a deep bond with someone that night, but it just doesn’t happen. You wish you could teleport to somewhere a bit less noisy and a bit more you. Nothing seems right about being there, but you stay anyway so you don’t seem like the outcast or the one who can’t socialize. You make small talk, but you feel so disinterested in the conversation. We all know the worst feeling in the world is being along in a crowded room, but how can we combat this heart-wrenching feeling?

How to transform lonely to alone: In this situation, seek out those who seem a bit quieter and disengaged from others. Find those who also look lonely, and gravitate toward them. The quietest people usually have the most to say, so if you crave a meaningful connection with someone, pick someone’s brain who looks a little out of place and uncomfortable. They will probably have a lot to say once you get to talking.

2. You zone out, not talking to those around you in conversation.

You went out with the intention to socialize and enjoy conversation with people, but you just don’t click with anyone. They make small talk about people and events, but you’d rather talk about ideas. About deep things. So, you space out a bit, wishing you could just meet people that you actually connected with.

How to transform lonely to alone: Remember that you won’t connect with everyone in the world. It’s okay to feel a bit lonely sometimes, but you can actually feel alone without it deepening into loneliness. Keep in mind that the connection you have with yourself is the most important in the world, and as long as you have that, you won’t ever have to feel lonely again.

3. You hear the people talking, but you can’t connect with them.

Everything just seems too loud and chaotic. The noise infiltrates your thoughts, making it hard to stay in the present and concentrate in the moment. You don’t know how to approach people in this setting, because it seems that everyone just wants attention or is trying to dominate the conversation. You just feel in a daze, floating around from group to group but not really finding a home in any of them.

How to transform lonely to alone: Like we said in the first point, try to find a group that seems a bit quieter. Go for the people that don’t just want to act loud and crazy, because chances are, you won’t make much of a connection there. However, if that’s more of your personality, go for it. But if you enjoy quiet introverts more, seek those people out in social settings.

4. You long for a real conversation, but don’t know how to start it.

You want an intelligent, thoughtful conversation, but have no idea where to begin. How do you just jump into deep topics with someone you just met? Or even someone you’ve known for a while? Maybe the other person wants a meaningful conversation too, but like you, doesn’t know how to start it off. Everyone wants connections, but fears them at the same time, it seems.

How to transform lonely to alone: Start out with easily relatable topics. You don’t have to dive right in and discuss the meaning of life with someone you just met; you can ease into it slowly by bringing up other topics, such as your favorite documentaries or top places to travel. Real conversations can exist, but don’t scare people away by diving too deep too quickly.

5. No matter where you are, you long to be elsewhere, where people understand you.

You stand there surrounded by dozens of people, but still feel so alone. You just want someone to understand and relate to you, but it seems so difficult to find. Where can you find people who just get you, and better yet, accept you?

How to transform lonely to alone: If you can’t connect with anyone where you are, you can either leave the situation, or maybe go within and see if you have any blockages that prevent you from connecting with people. You have to understand, everyone wants to connect with someone, but you have to remove any obstacles in your way first that might keep you from forming a true bond with another person.

If you’d like more tips on how to overcome loneliness, read our related article here.

7 Important Life Skills You Weren’t Taught In School

March 7, 2016 by Power of Positivity

Our school days are often those that we look back on with happy nostalgia, but there are probably some very important life skills that you weren’t taught there. In fact, some of the best lessons we learn come from making mistakes and trying again.

Making learning relevant to students is the subject of a study that seeks to incorporate out-of-school learning into science education in the classroom. Using real life examples helps students see that life outside of school is a good place to continue learning. This is especially important since most of us will spend much time learning outside school.

We are lifelong learners and absorb new skills as we go about our daily lives. Each day, when you think of it, you are picking up some new piece of information that you didn’t have before. In your later out-of-school days, let’s celebrate these seven important life skills you’ve learned since you left school.

7 Important Life Skills You Weren’t Taught In School

1. You weren’t taught to live in the moment in school

Your school days were planned. You had a starting bell, timed classes, timed tests, recess, lunch, and the end of your day were all scheduled. One of the hardest lessons of all is learning not to focus on what is coming up or what is already past but what is happening right now.

Slowing down your mental focus to allow for the wave of the present moment to wash over you is hard to re-learn once we leave school. Before we start school, we are free to run when we want to run, sleep when we want to sleep, and drink and eat when we want (as long as someone is there to provide it for us). Time constraints were taught, and then you worked to unlearn them again.

2. You weren’t taught how to say no and make life choices in school

So much of your school life in your youth is spent obeying your authority figure teacher. You rarely get a choice in anything in school. They tell you where to sit, what to read, when to eat and when to go home. You don’t get to say no to any of that unless you want to be disciplined for it.

As an adult, you learned to reclaim your voice and say no to what you didn’t want. Some of us are still learning that we have this power and how to use it. Being a yes-man or woman is always more socially accommodating to the person who asked. But learning to reclaim your “No Power” is a skill you learned outside of school that serves you well.

3. You weren’t taught to follow your heart in school

Your heart knows what it wants, but delayed gratification is taught in school. You can’t have ___ until you ____. When you deny your desires, they are still there, but now you have buried them under the weight of responsibilities, time, and money constraints. Listening to your heart when it says, “spend the day in the park” instead of going to the office is not a skill you picked up in school.

4. You weren’t taught how to appreciate the emotions you will experience in life in school

Your emotions enhance your world experience by giving you important feedback about how you feel toward people, actions and words. In school it is more likely than you were taught to stop crying and suppress your anger or frustration rather than lashing out.

Of course, as an adult, you learned that suppressing emotions only led to other problems later on. Using your emotions as a cue to make decisions based on what we feel strongly about is a skill you learned as an adult.

5. You weren’t taught how to rely on yourself in school

You had an abundance of people who could help you in school, but the skill they forgot to teach you was how to handle things on your own when your parents or teachers weren’t around to help. Caring for yourself when you are sick, providing your own entertainment, making and managing your money,

6. You weren’t taught how to dissent in school

The knowledge taught to you in school left little room for dissenting opinions. There might have been an opportunity to argue in debate or later on in your college years. But in school, you were most likely not taught how to think independently or argue your case for the opposite viewpoint. The art of respectful dissent is something you learned outside of school.

Researchers are now looking at how teachers use assertive discipline in classrooms to control student behavior. The assertive discipline approach is based on teachers’ needs for control, but it does not advocate for student needs. They now believe that there are potential negative consequences of assertive discipline, particularly for education in a democratic society.

7. You weren’t taught how to have and keep romantic love in school

Your love life is certainly an area where most people have to learn by making mistakes, and you definitely didn’t learn anything about love in school. You may have had a boyfriend or girlfriend as a child or young adult, but learning to keep a romantic partner happy by focusing on meeting their needs, communicating, compromising and keeping the passion alive is something you had to learn on your own. Or maybe you read our guide: 10 Tips to Help You Find Your Soulmate.

45 Life Lessons From A 90 year old

March 7, 2016 by Power of Positivity

These life lessons are widely known from the highly popular column by Regina Brett. “45 lessons, written by a 90-year-old” was originally featured in The Plain Dealer Newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio.

Since then, it has gone on to spread the story that Regina is now 90 years old. She is really only in her ’50s, but nonetheless, this Pulitzer Prize finalist has a wealth of knowledge and life lessons that you would think she truly was in her 90’s.

Anyone can pick up helpful life lessons from this list. Enjoy and let us know which one is your favorite in the comments.

45 Life Lessons From A 90-Year-Old

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short not to enjoy it.

4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

5. Don’t buy stuff you don’t need.

6. You don’t have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.

8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for things that matter.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.

12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye… But don’t worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It’s never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words, ‘In five years, will this matter?’

27. Always choose Life.

28. Forgive but don’t forget.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give Time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.

35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have, not what you think you need.

42. The best is yet to come…

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

Source: reginabrett.com

Final Thoughts: Learn From These Wise Words

In the comments below, let us know which of life lessons resonated the MOST with you?
# 21 & 39 was our favorite! Miracles are everywhere, just look!

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