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5 Signs You Take Yourself Too Seriously

November 4, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Many of us take ourselves far too seriously, and that shows in the amount of stress we have in our daily lives. What if we stepped back for a few minutes to remember that there’s so much more to life than our job titles, money, accomplishments, degrees, and whatever else we identify with? Most of us spend so much time trying to become something and beat obstacles and get ahead that we forget to simply breathe, laugh, and take in the beauty that surrounds us every day. We let the voices in our heads tell us we aren’t good enough way too often, and we start to believe them after a while.

Life doesn’t have to feel like a constant battle; you can choose to have a more light-hearted approach, and just ride the waves of life rather than fighting to stay afloat.

“Don’t take life too seriously; nobody ever makes it out alive anyway.” – Van Wilder

Here are 5 signs you take yourself too seriously:

1. You don’t remember the last time you laughed at yourself – or anything at all, for that matter.

Many studies have come out in the past decade regarding the incredible health benefits of laughter, and how it really is the best medicine. Laughter has been proven to reduce stress, combat anxiety, and depression, improve memory, lower blood pressure and heart rate, release endorphins into the body, and even boost circulation and oxygen levels to organs. It offers a plethora of health benefits, and most of all, it helps you not take life so seriously. If you don’t remember the last time you laughed, I would recommend taking the highest dosage of laughter you can, because keeping our hearts light and happily allow us to live a healthier, richer life.

Go out with friends, watch a funny YouTube video, or do anything that brings a smile to your face. Just because you have responsibilities in life, does not mean you can’t enjoy yourself along the way!

2. You feel you must defend yourself constantly.

If you take yourself too seriously, you will likely feel as though everyone wants to attack you and get under your skin. You might see the world as a hostile, unfriendly place, in which you must defend your territory and belief systems. However, having this attitude will only keep people from getting close to you, and will not help you to stop taking yourself so seriously. Most people in the world actually love reaching out to others and having intelligent conversations without wanting to hurt or attack other people for their beliefs or personality.

If you feel threatened by others, work on your confidence levels so that other people start to look like friends rather than enemies in your eyes.

3. You get offended when other people question your beliefs.

As an elaboration of the last point, you shouldn’t feel threatened or on edge when other people ask questions about your beliefs or viewpoints. You should be able to have a civilized, open conversation with someone without taking it to the extreme and feeling like you must get defensive about it. If you don’t want to elaborate on how you feel, you don’t have to, but most of the time, others just want to get to know you and don’t mean any harm.

Don’t attach yourself so much to your beliefs; rather, keep an open mind so you can learn from other people, and they might just learn a lesson from you, as well.

4. You always need a goal to chase in order to feel happy.

Humans are goal-oriented creatures by nature. We want to have something to set our sights on, something to work towards, and something to accomplish. Having a dream and going after it is great, but not when it takes you out of the present moment and prevents you from enjoying life in the now. Just because you have something you want to achieve in the future, doesn’t mean you can’t embrace the present. If you can’t feel happy without having something to work towards constantly, you might be taking yourself too seriously. Try to enjoy the little things about life, and remember what truly matters: your family, friends, health, and how you treat others.

5. You compare yourself to other people constantly.

With social media and other forms of entertainment and news outlets, we don’t have to look very far to find someone to compare ourselves to. However, this only serves to make us bitter and judgmental in the end, and does nothing to help us feel good about ourselves. Next time you catch yourself doing this, remember that no one can imitate or replicate you. So go out there and show the world your unique gifts and talents, and stop trying to become someone else. You will only lose yourself by trying to be someone you’re not, so make the choice to love yourself today. If you stop taking yourself so seriously and learn to relax into your individuality, you will start to have a more open, loving perspective about life, and just enjoy the ride while you can.

6. You don’t have a sense of humor

If you get upset when someone teases you, it could mean you’re too serious. It’s normal to get into friendly banter at work, home, or school. If you get offended when people do this, you’re being too serious. Of course, there is a time to be serious, but not all the time. Having a sense of humor is healthy and makes those around you feel happier.

Instead of taking yourself so seriously, relax and allow yourself to join in the fun of friendly teasing. Friendly teasing is usually a sign that people feel comfortable around you.

7. You appear tough

If you take yourself too seriously, you may feel it’s important to come across as tough and strong. Perhaps you feel this so much that you find it hard to be vulnerable with people. Being strong is a mask you hide behind to keep others at arm’s length.

If this is you, don’t be afraid to appear less than strong, especially around trusted friends and family. Remember, it’s okay to be yourself, not a tough veneer to hide behind.

8. You’re hard on yourself

One sign that you’re too serious is that you are too hard on yourself. You feel like you need to work harder than everyone else. You may challenge yourself and load up your schedule. Likewise, you feel you need to do more than others to feel good about yourself.

If you feel like this, it may be good to step back and evaluate why you’re doing this. Maybe you feel inadequate, so you’re trying to prove yourself. Give yourself some space and relax.

9. Get upset when you make mistakes

Self-deprecating thoughts over simple mistakes are common if you view your life too seriously. Everyone makes mistakes. Even if your mistakes seem huge at first, they probably aren’t as significant as you think. Most people don’t even notice other people’s mistakes. It’s easy to be your worst critic.

When you make a mistake, try not to take it so seriously. Find a lesson you can learn from your mistake, and commit to try again.

10. You try to control everything

There are many things in life that you just can’t control. Being overly cautious and controlling is a sure sign you’re too serious about life. Of course, there are many things in life you can and should control, but you need to let go and trust God to help you with those things that are out of your control.

Being a control freak is exhausting, and it never works. Something in life will be out of your control. Try to let go of your fears and desire to control. Look to God for help to trust him with those out-of-control things you face. The well-known serenity prayer expresses this idea like this:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

11. It’s all about you

When you take life too seriously, you can’t let go of your ego. Everything is about you and how it makes you feel or look. You may express this by

Avoiding social situations where you don’t feel comfortable
Overly worrying about what others think about you
Getting angry if someone doesn’t give you the attention you think you deserve
Assuming people should know what you need, so you don’t ask
Drawing conversations back to yourself instead of focusing on the other person

Try to step back and harness that ego of yours. Assume that you aren’t the most important person in the room and focus on others.

12. You’re not humble

Being too serious often means you don’t like to be told you’re wrong. Maybe you don’t like being evaluated or getting feedback at work. Humility is having a low estimation of your importance. Characteristic qualities of humility include:

Being grateful
Not boasting about yourself or your accomplishments
Not giving into pride or arrogance
Being kind, not rude
Not belittling others

Begin practicing these qualities in your life. Choose humility when you’re tempted to be prideful. Keep working at it. You can grow in humility as you practice it every day.

13. You’re a loner

People who stay socially connected to friends and family are happier and healthier than people who chose to be alone. They typically live longer than people who are less connected to their community. It’s okay to be alone sometimes, but if you pull away from people all the time, it’s not healthy. Find ways to get involved in your community. Strive to stop taking yourself so seriously and allow others into your world.

14. You can’t give compliments

If you’re overly serious, you may think that it’s disingenuous to give compliments. Or perhaps you see nothing good in others to compliment. Either of these thoughts means your ego is showing. Giving compliments isn’t wrong if your motive is to encourage someone, not just flatter them. Be on the lookout for good things that other people do and genuinely compliment them about it.

15. You aren’t grateful

Studies show that gratefulness and well-being go hand in hand. People who express gratitude are happier. They see every day as a gift from God. They don’t take things or people for granted. Gratefulness is a remedy for being too serious. Fostering positivity helps you enjoy life. You aren’t as caught up in being successful, but enjoy the adventure of being alive.

If you take life too seriously, it may be time to look around at all the good things you have in life. Even if your life isn’t perfect, there is always something or someone you can be grateful for.

Final Thoughts on Taking Yourself Too Seriously

Life is hard. It’s easy to get busy with work, friends, and family. Too much stress in your life will cause you to become too serious. If you take your life too seriously, it may be time to step forward and re-evaluate your life. Try to include gratitude, laughter, and complimenting others in your day. Enjoy your life, even all the imperfections. There is beauty all around you if you can take the time to see it. Today is a good day to stop taking yourself too seriously and enjoy being who you were meant to be.

What Does Your Bed Reveal About Your Personality?

November 4, 2015 by Power of Positivity

If we are getting the right amount of sleep, then we are spending about a third of our day in bed. It’s the space in our lives that is most personal and intimate. It is one of the few places we can let our hair down and be our true selves without fear of judgment or criticism. To enhance this experience, you can explore beds designed for TV watching, which offer comfort and convenience for both rest and relaxation, allowing you to unwind while enjoying your favorite shows.

It’s fair to question what we can learn about someone from their bed. Well, the answer is a lot.

What Our Bed Reveals About Our Personality

Here is what your bed says about you.

1 – Are You Happy or Unhappy?

People that don’t make their bed are in the majority.

As reported in an article over at Psychology Today:

“In a survey of 68,000 people by Hunch.com, 59 percent of people don’t make their beds. 27 percent do, while 12 percent pay a housekeeper to make it for them. Here’s what disturbed me: 71 percent of bed makers consider themselves happy; while 62 percent of non-bed-makers admit to being unhappy. Bed makers are also more likely to like their jobs, own a home, exercise regularly, and feel well rested, whereas non-bed-makers hate their jobs, rent apartments, avoid the gym, and wake up tired. All in all, bed makers are happier and more successful than their rumple-sheeted peers.”

Bottom line, those of us who make our beds are happier, more productive, and more successful than those of us that don’t.

2 – Are You an Introvert or Extrovert?

The color of your space can help determine whether you are an introvert or extrovert. An introvert recharges their batteries and gets energized from spending time alone and in quiet. On the other hand, an extrovert gets their energies from others in a more social atmosphere.

Well, the colors that indicate the difference between an introvert and an extrovert seem to follow suit. A bedroom space surrounded by warm, colorful hues like oranges, yellows and cheerful and welcoming pinks suggests an extroverted personality. On the other hand, mild and neutral hues like blues, greens, and browns that give off a calming and tranquil vibe suggest more of an introverted personality.

3 – Are You Spontaneous or a Planner?

How a bed and bedroom space are arranged says a lot about how you go through your day and life in general. A more put-together space with everything in its place indicates an organized, in control, planner type of person. Conversely, a more chaotic, disheveled space where things appear to be thrown around supports someone who is more spontaneous and “goes with the flow.”

4 – Are You Modern or Traditional?

It’s pretty easy to determine whether you embrace modern, minimalist, technology-enhanced style choices or true to the traditional antique design. Just look around, and it will be hard to deny your preference.

What does a design aesthetic say about someone’s personality? Someone attracted to traditional design and color palettes wants to put down roots, values family and works hard to maintain a family-work balance.

Someone who selects a more contemporary and modern look for their bedroom space is often more adventurous, willing to change, and gets excited by the newness of things.

5 – Do You Seek Attention of Feel That Less Is More?

Feminine and bold colors indicate an outgoing personality who thrives at being the center of attention. On the other hand, a minimalist approach to the bedroom says the person is open-minded and direct.

It should come as no surprise that our choices in decor, color palettes, and even how we leave our bed in the morning can say a lot about who we are. We make those choices based on what we’re feeling and the experiences we’ve had.

As we grow and evolve, so does our personality, and to keep a dated look in the bedroom may be the cause of poor sleep, feelings of restlessness, and a lack of passion and intimacy. If our bedroom doesn’t fuel us, it may be time to rearrange and redecorate our space to fit our evolved style and personality.

Final Thoughts on What Your Bed Says About You

It might be as simple as starting to make our beds. Admiral William McRaven, US Navy, said this in his commencement speech at the University of Texas, Austin:

“If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter.”

9 Things To Never Say To A Strong Woman

November 4, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Wherever you go, you meet them. Strong women are in every town on the planet and comprise a diverse group. She can be anything and anyone she wants to be, so you’d better not tell her otherwise.

From your Grandma who won’t take any backtalk to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, strong women are the backbone of the world. They bring the next generation into being, and the weight of that tremendous responsibility rests on their strong shoulders.

Strong women are empowered, accountable, visionary, resilient, and have high integrity. You’re dealing with a superwoman, and with that comes super responsibility. She has a long to-do list and works harder than anyone you know to get everything done.

When to Just Be Quiet

A strong woman always values your input. She respects your opinion, although she may not always agree with you. She’d instead work with you than against you, so, like a lawyer, she’s always prepared with her opening argument to help you see things from her perspective. If you can’t see eye to eye, you’d better get out of her way.

Some things are better left unsaid, whether you know a strong woman or are one. Telling her any of these ten things are going to escalate the conversation rapidly.

Here are nine things to never tell a strong woman:

1. “Just stop.”

You can’t stop a strong woman, so why try? You might want her to finish if she’s in the middle of something. Whether venting her feelings or working overtime on a project, she has energy and will use it. If she’s hard at work, ask if she wants help or get out of her way.

If you tell her to stop and she’s midstream in speaking, that will be seen as rude. Tell your strong woman that when she’s had her say, you’d like to add your views, and she’s more likely to wonder what’s on your mind. She’ll stop and let you have your turn.

2. “What were you thinking?”

Even if you think she should have done things differently, this is certainly not how to get your point across. It comes off as accusatory, and a strong woman will likely take a defensive position in response. She had several thoughts on the matter, and now you can hear them all.

3. “You’re crazy.”

She may be emotional and you might not like it, but she’s not crazy. Strong women speak and act with strength and conviction. Interpreting her actions as crazy was an error in judgment on your part.

4. “You can’t.”

This one might be a good motivator if you need her to do something because a strong woman will fight to do what she’s been told can’t be done. Just because you think it can’t be done doesn’t mean she can’t do it. She’s likely to show you a lot of “can do” attitude and back it up with action.

5. “Why can’t you be more like __?”

Because she’s a strong individual woman like no other. So quit comparing her to anyone else. Strong women hold themselves to their standards. She’s unlike your old boss, girlfriend, lover, mother, sister, aunt or friend.

A strong woman can change, but she’ll do it for herself, not for you. Never tell her to be someone that she’s not.

6. “Get your priorities straight.”

Her priorities are on her mind constantly. A strong woman puts first things first. Just because you aren’t her priority right now does not mean she isn’t focused on what is most important.

7. “You don’t need that.”

As if you’ve never bought something just because you wanted it. A strong woman has the right to something that she wants. She probably even knows exactly how her budget can afford the purchase. Just let her enjoy it and bask in the glow of her smile. Even better, note her preferences and get it for her next time.

8. “You ask too many questions.”

Strong women ask because they need to know. Whether it’s to inform her of strong opinions or to clarify what you said, never tell her to stop asking questions. She has a mind to learn, and telling her to stop won’t limit her inquiring mind.

9. “Calm down.”

It’s like poking an angry bear, throwing gasoline on a fire, and pulling the pin on a grenade simultaneously. If you thought she wasn’t upset, you haven’t seen anything yet. The strong woman to whom you just said this will show you some powerful emotions.

You should handle this differently. You might try “You seem very passionate about this” or “What do you think we should do about it?” Diverting her energy to focusing on a solution is fine as long as she’s had time to express herself fully.

Final Thoughts on the Things You Never Tell a Strong Woman

Now that you are armed with what never to say to a strong woman, what do you say instead? How about “I love the strong woman that you are. I support you and want to help you accomplish your goals.” That might leave her speechless.

Are You A Highly Sensitive Person?

November 3, 2015 by Power of Positivity

You have probably heard of the term “empath” before, but this grouping of specific characteristics actually has another name as well: the highly sensitive person, or HSP.

Dr. Elaine Aron, a psychologist who began studying extreme sensitivity in people in 1991, discovered that around 15-20% of the population carries the traits of HSPs. While researchers continue to study highly empathic people, Dr. Aron says that HSPs simply respond to stimuli differently than others due to variations in the brain. So, if you sometimes struggle with adjusting to certain social situations or feel misunderstood, just remember that roughly 1/5 of the population can relate to your unique personality traits. If you need some reinforcement that you are indeed a highly sensitive person, refer to these surefire signs to give you more insight.

Here are 5 signs you may be a highly sensitive person:

1. You get easily overwhelmed by loud noises and chaotic social situations.

Highly sensitive people react to certain stimuli much more strongly due to the programming in their brains – their frequencies simply pick up noises, emotions, facial expressions, and energy in much more depth than others might. For example, if you go into a grocery store or mall packed with people, you might instantly feel negative energy permeate your body, which will affect your mood and emotions. You just intuitively pick up on the collective energy of certain places, and can become easily overwhelmed by intense emotions and vibrations. As a tip, try practicing grounding techniques, such as root chakra meditations to help you feel secure and connected to source energy at all times.

2. Everyone always comments that you’re “too sensitive.”

As a growing child, you probably felt “different” because of your heightened sensitivity to other’s words and actions. People may have singled you out for this since it’s still a fairly uncommon trait to have. As an adult, you may have grown into your sensitivity and learned how to manage specific stimuli more effectively, but you likely still feel very unlike your coworkers and friends. However, this is nothing to be ashamed of. Empaths serve a very special purpose here on Earth, so just remember to wear your sensitivity proudly. Even if you may feel negative emotions much more deeply, think of just how happy you will feel when positive things happen in your life.

3. You enjoy spending time alone rather than in group settings.

Even though 30% of HSPs are actually extroverts, according to Dr. Aron, that means we can infer that the remaining 70% are introverts. So, most of you reading this probably identify as an introvert, meaning you feel more energized and comfortable spending time alone. As a highly sensitive person, social settings can drain you of vital energy because of the wide range of frequencies emitted by everyone in the room. You tend to absorb all of this energy, and can reenergize and find internal balance once again by reflecting on your thoughts. While introversion is not an inherent trait of all empaths, many times it just tends to go hand-in-hand. Try to do group activities that won’t overwhelm your nervous system with too many stimuli, such as yoga and meditation classes.

4. Violence in real life, as well as in movies and TV shows, deeply upsets you.

Many people can see others getting beat up or killed in a movie and not even bat an eye. You, however, cringe at any sign of people getting hurt, and avoid these types of programming and situations at all costs. You turn down movie invitations if others want to see anything that promotes inflicting harm on others, and you likely stick to comedies or documentaries if you do watch TV shows or movies. Violence sends your energy levels into a downward spiral, and by recognizing this, you know to greatly limit your exposure to it when possible.

5. Others often release their problems onto you.

Because of your innate sensitivity to everyone around you, others might see you as the go-to person to vent to and get advice from. You probably attract people quite often who have problems they can’t seem to solve, and want you to listen and help them sort through things. While you love to help people and give them the best advice you can, remember to nurture yourself as well and stand up for yourself if you feel taken advantage of by someone. You can only give so much advice before the other person must take the initiative to work on his or her own life, so don’t be afraid to politely tell them that if you start to feel overwhelmed.

7 Signs You May Have A B12 Deficiency

November 3, 2015 by Power of Positivity

You try to eat right and get all of your vitamins and minerals from whole, fresh foods. But vitamin deficiencies can show up as physical symptoms, despite our best efforts to eat right.

We intake vitamins and nutrients from our food as part of our digestion process. Unlike vitamin D, which our bodies can produce, B-12 comes only from outside sources into the body. B-12 is an essential nutrient that your body uses to produce red blood cells, DNA and nerves.

B-12 and Vegans

Unlike many vitamins, B-12 is not often found in plants. As a result, strict vegans or vegetarians are the most susceptible to B-12 deficiency. One solution is to use products that are fortified with B-12, such as fortified soy or nut milks.

Microorganisms like bacteria and fungi can produce B-12. Since bacteria can be found in the soil, foods that come from the soil can have small levels of B-12. If you are scrubbing your vegetables too much, you could be removing this good bacteria.

Foods naturally containing small amounts of B-12 include mushrooms and fermented foods like tempeh. Nori, a type of toasted seaweed, will also give you a B-12 boost. Nutritional yeast can also provide a source of B-12 for vegetarians. Ovo-lacto vegetarians should get enough B-12 from eggs, milk and yogurt. You can check the foods you eat for their B-12 levels in this chart.

A Shot of B-12

You may have heard about B-12 injections for increased energy or weight loss. The science behind the effectiveness of these claims is lacking. Basically, taking a single vitamin and expecting to lose weight or triple your energy level is unrealistic.

Should You Supplement?

B-12 supplements come in either liquid or capsule form. You may also see this called cobalamin. If you avoid meat, eggs and dairy, you might be a good candidate for a B-12 supplement.

People who are at risk for B-12 deficiency include the elderly, those with HIV, people who have had weight loss surgery, and people with certain digestive disorders, such as Crohn’s disease, who have difficulty absorbing nutrients.

Pregnant or lactating women have a higher daily requirement for B-12. Due to the need to nourish your child, higher levels of B-12 are usually recommended. Your physician can tell you the right about for you and your baby.

Your diet should give you enough B-12 to avoid health problems, but if you are concerned, ask your doctor for a blood test to check your levels. A good doctor will also be able to recommend a supplement to meet your needs if you are showing signs of B-12 deficiency.

Why B-12 is Important

You don’t need much, in fact the daily requirement for B-12 is the lowest of all of the B vitamins. Most adults need only 2.4 micrograms per day. But it is important in many bodily functions. Deficiencies in B-12 can lead to severe health problems.

An extreme deficiency of B-12 can contribute to cardiovascular disease, anemia, stroke, memory loss, incontinence, paranoia, depression and other serious health problems. By knowing the signs of a B-12 deficiency, you can take action to reverse any negative health effects.

Here are 7 signs you may have a B12 Deficiency

1. Fatigue

Feeling tired? B-12 is important for aerobic energy in the body. Without enough of these vitamins, our bodies do not get the oxygen and energy that we need. Lightheadedness is also a sign that you aren’t getting enough B-12.

2. Tingling and Numbness

Losing sensation in hands and feet, along with the tingling sensation of pins and needles, could be a sign of a B-12 deficiency. Check with your doctor for blood work to determine the cause.

3. Joint Pain

Severe joint pain that isn’t due to injury or chronic inflammation, like arthritis, could cause alarm. Also, slower reflexes have been observed in B-12 deficient patients.

4. Rapid Heartbeat or Breathing

Shortness of breath, heart palpitations and a rapid heartbeat have all been associated with B-12 deficiency. If in doubt, get it checked out.

5. Weakness

In one case study of severe B-12 deficiency, a man had trouble walking due to the weakness that he experienced. In addition to muscle weakness, balance problems and staggering could indicate a problem.

6. Jaundice

Jaundice is a yellowing of skin or whites of the eyes and can indicate several serious medical problems.

7. Swollen tongue

Some patients with B-12 deficiency experience an inflammation of the tongue. Other signs related to the mouth also include a smooth tongue as well as a decreased sense of taste.

Seek the attention of your wellness professional if you experience any of these 7 signs of B-12 deficiency. A doctor can determine if you have a deficiency with a simple blood test. Being aware of the sources of B-12 can help you ensure that you and your family are getting enough and will help prevent potentially serious medical complications.

5 Things Epic People Do Right Before Bed

November 3, 2015 by Power of Positivity

How you define an epic life for yourself may be different from what someone else would. In some form, we all wish to live an epic life, whether it is in our careers, finances, or personal goals. To really help accomplish this, a strategy for your valuable downtime in the evening helps you to focus time and energy on what’s important during your uptime. Sleep is important to function successfully, but before you head off to bed, check out these things that can put you in a successful frame of mind.

Here are 5 Things Epic People Do Right Before Bed

1. Plan For Tomorrow

People who live epic lives know that they have an important event, project, or presentation tomorrow, so take time before bed to rehearse it in their minds or aloud with the help of family. For example, lay out the clothes that you will wear tomorrow. Visualize yourself wearing that outfit and having people praise you for how successful you were, and how great you sounded and looked.

Planning and preparing before bed set the scene for success. There is a fine line here that could cross over into worrying about the future, but these people focus on the positive. They know they have prepared enough and will shine in the morning.

This is not last-minute cramming to complete a project because people living their dreams don’t procrastinate. This is a time to put the finishing flourish on things so that they run smoothly in the morning.

2. Bond With Family

Before they settle into bed for the night, this group of people realizes that spending quality time with family and friends makes life the most epic. This could be simply some pillow talk with their partner, allowing them to share their thoughts in an intimate environment. Or it might be reading a bedtime story to the kids at night.

Setting aside time for those most important to you show that you care. It strengthens relationships with those whose support is important to your success. Like the Oscar winners who thank spouses and family members during acceptance speeches, you need to thank your support system by giving them your valuable time. You couldn’t do it all without them.

Time, once spent, can never be regained. This is one motto that these people take seriously. They prioritize everything and spend time wisely, even before bed. No one in their old age wishes that they had watched more TV. Make time for the family now.

3. Read

Reading before bed gets your mind into a thoughtful, relaxed state and has been a longstanding habit for many reasons; pleasure, information, inspiration and distraction. Looking to live as big as a top CEO? Here’s a suggested reading list from several of them.

Relaxation is the most common reason that successful people read before bed. According to a study by the University of Sussex, subjects could reduce stress levels by 68% by reading. Only six minutes of silent reading was needed to reduce heart rate and muscle tension.

4. Write Down What’s On Their Minds

Some people have difficulty falling asleep due to the day’s stress. Things play out over and over again in their minds. They try to solve the day’s problems and often lose sleep.

Successful people know that tomorrow is another day and those problems will still be there. Having a good night’s rest will only make them better able to tackle those problems tomorrow.

But sometimes, even the most well-rested minds can forget by the following morning. By quickly jotting down the list of thoughts in their mind, they relieve the memory function of their brain. Now they don’t have to worry about remembering something in the morning.

Make it a practice to keep a notebook and pen by your bed so you can quickly jot down your to-do list, grocery list, project list, etc., and get it out of your valuable brain space. Now you have more room for sweet dreams.

5. Think Happy Thoughts

Even something as simple as being thankful for the warm blanket and comfy bed you’re snuggling into at night puts you in a positive mindset. Successful people look back at what they accomplished for the day with pride. They reflect with gratitude on all that they have learned and accomplished.

Several studies show that making a list of things people are grateful for before bed led to longer, more restful sleep and less worry at bedtime. Positive thoughts replace negative ones and set the tone for a relaxed sleep.

An optimistic mindset is a great way to drift off to sleep. Instead of worrying about what needs to be done, you’re focused on the great things that have already happened. Knowing that great things have already come to you helps set the expectation for more of the same.

People do more when more is expected of them. This is known as the Pygmalion Effect. When we reflect on our past success before bed, we expect great things of ourselves. We create a self-fulfilling prophecy of our greatness.

Final Thoughts on Before Bed Habits

With these five things accomplished before bed, you will unburden your mind, spend time with the important people in your life, and fall asleep with positive thoughts. You’ll successfully achieve blissful rest and awake ready to conquer the world.

Bios Urn Will Turn You Into A Tree After You Die

November 1, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Is there life after death? That’s one of the big mysteries of life. There are many different beliefs about what happens to our souls after we leave this world. Where there is no debate is what happens to our bodies. Now, you could come back–as a tree.

What happens to the physical form of someone who has passed is a personal choice sometimes made by the person before death and sometimes made by the families after death. Some people donate their bodies to science, some choose a traditional burial, while others prefer cremation, where the ashes remain in a special place or return to the soil in a location that has significance to the family.

There is a new company that is offering a new option. Bios Urn, whose taglines are “back to nature, back to life” and #lifeafterlife, has developed a fully biodegradable urn. What makes this urn special is it includes a tree seed, a specialized soil mixture, and an expansion disc. It provides an environment conducive to growing a tree when loved ones add the ashes and bury it.

Meet the Innovator Behind the Idea of Transforming into a Tree After Death

The idea is the brainchild of CEO Roger Moliné:

“One afternoon my brother was planting some vegetables with my grandmother. They were in the orchard when suddenly our grandmother found a dead bird lying on the floor. Instinctively, without thinking too much, she took the dead bird, made a small hole in the floor and threw on it both the dead bird, with some of the seeds she had on her hand. That action or better said that reaction was what inspired the Bios Urn. A product that could use the remains of someone or something that passed away, and convert it into a new form of life.”

The benefits to our environment are pretty obvious, but the Bios Urn has benefits beyond the tangible. Everyone handles grief differently, but there is something symbolic and spiritual to seeing a loved one live on in nature. The company says, “Bios Urn turns death into a transformation and a return to life through nature.”

The tree resulting from planting a Bios Urn will offset carbon emissions created by the cremation, but that was never the goal.

“We’ve never wanted to be connected to the death care industry,” Moliné told The Huffington Post. “We want people to rethink the concept. That person has just had a bad moment in their life.”

The decision of what to do with a loved one after they pass, especially if their wishes aren’t known, is difficult and often made amid intense grief. It is a vulnerable time and hard to make rational decisions. Bios Urn wants to create a new ritual that takes care of the grief while explaining death from the viewpoint of life.

Moliné is sympathetic to the grief and the process of making such an important and personal decision. He recounts his story:

“When my father passed away a year ago now, I had what’s probably the worst moment of my life. All the process was horrible, from the hospital to the funeral home … everything was so badly designed. Nobody took care of the emotions or the experience and loss of the ones who go through that process. I just felt alone being in front of a company who wanted to take profit from the situation I was living,”

“That made me realize how much we can change with Bios Urn. Going to a mountain or a forest with family or friends and planting a tree instead of burying a (casket), makes the process much more appealing. With Bios Urn, we can propose a different ritual that takes care of the emotions in a different way and explains that process of death from the side of life. That’s why I will always admire those pioneers who in the middle of the worst moment of their life, they opened a website, bought a Bios Urn and had the strength to replace a cemetery with a forest.”

Final Thoughts on the Bios Urn

When purchasing your Bios Urn, you can choose between one of five different types of trees or supply the seeds for a tree that is indigenous to your area.

On their website, Bios Urn shares a variety of #lifeafterlife stories. One such story is about Little Snowflake, an albino Western Lowland Gorilla, the only one of his kind. What made Little Snowflake different is what kept him in captivity. He touched the lives of many and still does, thanks to Bios Urn.

Like Little Snowflake, we can also continue to live on through nature, providing beauty and positively impacting the planet. We will be able to touch the lives of those we love in physical form and become something that lives on forever.

What Does Your Birth Chart Reveal About You?

November 1, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Have you ever read your birth chart? It’s actually pretty interesting.

Our birth charts, or natal charts, can deliver important messages to us about our strengths, weaknesses, relationships, and anything else that serves our souls in this lifetime. Learning about how the stars and planets aligned when you were born and how those placements affect your soul can help you greatly along your spiritual path.

Everyone’s birth charts are unique, and take into account all the planetary alignments on the exact day and time you were born. Many people find them to be astoundingly accurate and helpful, because you can uncover so much about who you are and why you came to Earth in the first place.

Here are 5 incredible things you can learn from reading your birth chart:

1. Your birth chart will teach you what career path suits you best.

Our birth charts can also point us down the right road as far as a career choice goes. If you’re more of a drifter, your natal chart can help you determine how you best fit into the working world, and what you can do to illuminate your path further. It all depends on the alignment and positions of the planets and stars, which means that your career path could be entirely different than anyone you know. Our birth charts help us to recognize our individuality, and feel comfortable within our own skin.

Also, knowing what you should do to make an income will help alleviate any stress you might feel about a possible career for you.

2. Your birth chart will teach you your unique strengths and weaknesses.

In your birth chart, you can uncover what types of activities and work come naturally to you, and what you need to work on more. The detailed information included in your natal chart can help you understand what types of experiences shape you into a stronger person, and what people and places you should avoid.
The best part about the chart is that it’s completely honest, and will tell you both the positive and negative aspects of your personality. Don’t take it too personally, though; it’s only there as a tool to help you grow spiritually and allow you to learn important lessons.

3. Your birth chart will show you that you actually have three signs…

Your birth chart will show you that you are not just your Sun sign, but you also have a Moon and Rising Sign as well.

Our Sun signs quite literally describe the zodiac sign that the Sun occupies during the time we were born. So, if you were born on May 24, for example, you are a Gemini in terms of your Sun sign. However, your Moon and Rising, or Ascendant, signs are equally important.

Your Moon sign represents your instinctual self, which you might keep hidden from others. This can be interpreted as the “darkness” in you, and where you go to find peace and a place to rest your head from the pressures of the world. It also governs emotional development, and can greatly explain your behavior. Some astrologers believe our Moon signs more accurately describe who we are, although the culmination of your Sun, Moon and Rising sign should encompass your true essence.

Finally, your Rising sign describes how people see you at first glance, and how you appear to the world around you. It can either be the same as your Sun sign or completely different. Our rising signs help us determine how we will take action in the world, and what sort of help we can offer to others.

4. Your birth chart explains how the planetary alignments and positions affect your personality and energy.

Just learning about the traits of your Sun sign won’t give the proper depth when it comes to discovering all the secrets about your soul; this is where your birth chart comes into play. It describes the position of each planet and which Zodiac sign it was in at the time of your birth. You will see this listed on the left side of the chart.

Make sure you also pay attention to your North Node, because this represents the experiences you need to have in order to grow spiritually. Your South Node, on the other hand, shows the qualities that come second nature to us that we have likely mastered.

In addition, the Earth’s 24-hour rotation about its axis determines which Houses the 12 zodiac signs will fall under. The Houses govern different aspects of life, and the placement of the Zodiac signs and planets at the time of one’s birth explain the great variations between even twins who are born moments apart. You can read here about what the Houses mean and how they affect your personality, strengths, and weaknesses.

5. Your birth chart reveals the big soul lessons you will face in life.

Your natal chart can also reveal the types of experiences you will have on the Earthly plane that will test your will and transform you from a caterpillar into a butterfly. This is important information to know because the lessons you learn while here will help you heal past karma and show others the way to the Light as well. It can also help you know what’s coming in your soul path, so that you may manifest what you need in order to bring those experiences to you.

How to read your birth chart:

There are many free birth chart calculators online that you can use to read your birth chart. After finding one you prefer, follow these steps:

First, you will need to input your name, gender, date and time of birth, and the city and state in which you are born. Then, you will see a table listing the positions of the planets in your chart, ordered by sign and degree. You will also see your Ascendant sign, or how you appear to others, as well as the signs on the cusp of each house in your chart. We will cover that in further detail below.
After looking at the chart, you will see very detailed descriptions about your Sun sign, as well as what all the planetary alignments mean for you.

What does your birth chart reveal about you? Please comment and share with friends!

5 Things to Never Sacrifice For Love

November 1, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Love and relationships can either bring mutual growth and happiness or feel suffocating and debilitating after a while. All relationships serve their purpose, whether you stay with someone for a few weeks or an entire lifetime. Any relationship should support, love, encourage, uplift, and challenge you to become a better person, not drain your energy and make you feel bad about yourself.

If you have to sacrifice any of the following things for love, you might need to reevaluate what value the person adds to your life.

5 Things You Should Never Sacrifice For Love

1. Freedom.

If you constantly have to check in with your partner or feel guilty about going somewhere with friends or family, this shows that your significant other lacks confidence within him or herself. Possessive behavior almost always points to extreme internal insecurity, often from unhealed childhood wounds, such as abandonment or neglectful parents. Even though this person deserves love and kindness, you need to cut ties with the person to allow them to heal on their own. Controlling behavior suggests that the person does not feel comfortable with him or herself, and this needs to be worked out before he or she commits to any long-term relationships.

2. Yourself.

Never change yourself for someone else; the right person will love you for nothing less than your full, authentic self. Also, the right person would never want you to change because they genuinely love your genuine essence without you having to change a thing. Granted, relationships all require small compromises, like maybe eating at a restaurant your partner wants to try instead of the one you really wanted to go to. Still, you shouldn’t have to alter your personality or beliefs for someone else. Be yourself unapologetically, and if your partner can’t accept you, you need to go for

3. Happiness.

If someone doesn’t enhance your life and add to your joy, then what purpose do they serve in your life? Bottom line: if your partner drags you down and makes you feel crappy about yourself and life, then it’s time to call quits on the relationship. You need someone who will match your vibration and bring vibrant energy into your life, not someone who leeches the energy from your life. Of course, he or she won’t always feel completely blissful, but if they can’t seem to find happiness on their own or offer it to you at all, then let them go…they need to focus on giving themselves more love for their own inner healing, not a relationship.

4. Your dreams.

An ideal love consists of people on the same mission, supporting each other every step of the way. Or, just two people with different dreams but still encourage and cheer each other on. Don’t hesitate to leave the relationship if you don’t have someone on the same path as you or even someone with your back. What you want out of life makes up a large portion of who you are, and you don’t need someone who dismisses or bashes your goals.

5. Inner peace.

Your guy or girl should make you feel a deep sense of calming love that makes you forget about the chaos around you. If they make you anxious, nervous, or angry most of the time, they will only weaken your vibration and cause you to become vulnerable to negative energy. Your partner should have peace within him or herself and reflect it onto you as well.

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Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!