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3 Ways To Train Your Inner Voice To Be More Positive

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Your inner voice is the subconscious amalgamation of everything you think, believe, and have absorbed over your lifetime. Whether you want that voice or not, it’s there to narrate your everyday world, from your very best to your very worst moments. That inner narrative determines how you handle daily situations and respond to stressors and circumstances of all kinds.

Sadly, many people have negative inner voices that criticize them, tell them difficult things, and echo their fears and anxieties. Does this describe you? Then you know that this can drag down mental health and lead to a lot of struggles in everyday life. Luckily, you can teach that voice to be kinder! Here are three ways to train your inner voice to be more positive.

1.    Understand Your Critical Voice

Your inner voice may have a lot of negative things to say about and to yourself. That’s why you need first to understand that critical voice to begin to fine-tune it into something more possible. Here are some steps to take to understand that voice:

·         Recognize The Source Of The Voice

Critical voices are learned over time. No one is born with a natural negative voice that tells them harmful things, after all. You pick up messages as you interact with the world around you and have new experiences, and the most damaging statements that hurt you the most get repackaged by your inner voice for personal use.

In other words, those voices weren’t ones you organically made. Instead, they’re voices born from the words of others, the trauma of difficult circumstances, or other forms of conditioning. Recognizing the source of your critical voice will allow you to see where its roots lie so you can examine them, dig them out, and determine if that source should even continue to have any influence on your life.

negativity meme·         Identify The Message Of The Voice

Please pay attention to your inner voice without seeking to believe it right away, and try to understand what it’s saying to you. Pick out situations where your critical voice becomes most loud and overpowering, and carefully listen to the criticisms it has to offer. It can be hard to properly articulate that message, especially if it’s very harsh. To understand the message, try to reframe the language to “you” instead of “I.”

For example, instead of saying, “I’m such a lazy person,” say, “You’re so lazy.” Then, think – who has said that to you before? And is that hostility from hearing it with “you” language warranted? Is that message true, or is it the voice of someone cruel, harsh, and judgemental? Hearing the message for what it is with “you” language can help unpack the purpose of that message, who has used it against you before, and if you believe it.

·         Understand How The Voice Affects You

Think about how your critical voice affects your daily interactions. Does it make you feel less confident? Have you missed out on opportunities due to that critical voice? Do you underestimate yourself? Turn people off with your self-deprecation? Allow yourself to be subjected to poor treatment?

Examining how a critical voice affects you and your positive thinking can be enough to make you realize that this voice is harming more than helping – and also that it’s also wholly counterproductive and doesn’t serve your best interests or life at all!

2.    Actively Seek The Bright Side

There are bright sides to every situation, even if those bright sides aren’t as big as you want them to be. If you want your inner voice to learn to latch onto bright sides, then it’s time to start actively seeking those sides out. Here’s how to do so:

·         Explain Things Positively

When you see different events in your life, you have a natural way of explaining them in your head with your inner voice. This is called the explanatory style. Research has shown that this style is closely linked to how much positive thinking you have overall – or, more specifically, how much pessimism and optimism you have.

If you’re a pessimist, you’ll naturally attribute good events in your life to “chance” or external forces. When adverse events occur, you’ll blame yourself or feel that you are personally attacked by them. But if you’re an optimist, you see adverse events as isolated ones outside of your control, and you give yourself more credit for specific positive events.

The more you use a specific explanatory style, the more enforced the relevant thinking style becomes. So start training your inner voice to explain things as an optimist would, and your natural optimism will grow.

·         Use Humor

Some situations can really, genuinely feel terrible. While you shouldn’t force positivity, you can undoubtedly use humor as a means of maintaining positive thinking and optimism. If you’re in a situation when you can’t crack a joke out loud, let your inner voice take the reins and lightheartedly poke fun at the problem.

Remaining open to laughter and humor, even in dark times, can help to relieve stress. Besides that, it trains your voice to be more positive over time. If you need some help, crack open a joke book, watch some funny videos or movies, or listen to comedy podcasts!

·         Be Grateful

Gratitude is a vast and vital part of actively seeking the bright side of things, and long-term practices of gratitude can permanently change your inner voice for the better. Pay attention to the good sides of all situations. If a bad thing happens, look for the silver lining through gratitude. What can you still be grateful for at that moment? Did you learn a particular lesson? Do you have a support system to help you through the tough time? Are you in good health?

If you need a little more help honing the skill of gratitude, you can make use of a gratitude journal or similar item, where you note down things you’re grateful for every day. Gratitude has positive effects on mental and physical wellbeing, so it’s a good habit to build overall!

be more positive·         Recognize And Replace Negativity

It can feel silly at first to “talk to yourself” by replying to your negative thoughts and voice. But doing so will begin to build up your cheerful inner voice in response. For example, if your critical voice says, “You’re such a lazy person! You lag behind everyone, and no one wants to be around such a drag! Why even try to begin with?”, you can respond with a positive voice: “No, I am not lazy! My journey may take longer than other people’s, but I make progress every day, and I am not defined by other people’s paths. I try for myself, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.”

Learn to understand the critical voice’s message and roots. As a result, it trains your inner voice to become more positive. You can also add more information to your response to reframe wider worldviews. For example, in the aforementioned response, you may add, “Life isn’t a race, and the world isn’t a game meant for people to win.” Everyone takes their own time getting to their end goals in life, and my time is well-spent this way. We’re all the same – we’re all people working towards our goals!” You don’t need to force positivity. Instead, create a more realistic view, and positivity will follow naturally.

3.    Take Responsibility

You are responsible for training your inner voice. A lot of negativity comes from feelings of lost control or a lack of acceptance of things that can’t be controlled. This means that to better support a cheerful inner voice, you need to learn to focus on the things you are responsible for over the things that you can’t help or change at all. Here are some things to focus on taking responsibility for:

·         Past Consequences Of Negativity

Think about all the times where your inner voice’s negativity has harmed you. Those were your thoughts, and you let them control you to the point of self-sabotage and accidental harm to your life and opportunities. But just as your inner voice harmed you, it can be harnessed to flip the switch. Take responsibility for responding to situations and understand that being positive is the best option for your life’s trajectory and improvement.

·         Your Social Circle

You get to control who you surround yourself with, so choose positive people who will uplift you – and of course, uplift them in turn. When your friends consist of positive inner voices, you will learn from them and gain their support. Let go of toxic people and disengage from those who seek to bring you down.

·         Your Behavior

When you face a difficult situation, what is your instinct? Playing a victim role or taking a defensive stance is tempting, but it’s not the responsible thing to do. Take ownership of your actions, make apologies if necessary, and learn from bad situations to inform your future behavior. Your inner voice will flourish when you begin admitting to your faults and working to improve them with positivity.

·         Your Care

Self-care is essential to positive thinking, and you won’t get any of that care if you don’t make sure that you do. Training your inner voice to be more positive can happen indirectly in this manner; when you take care of yourself, you send a subconscious message to your mind that you deserve to be looked after and to be treated well. Your inner voice will pick up on that message itself, as long as you make sure to carry out self-care routines responsibly.

·         Your Goals

Changing your inner voice won’t happen overnight, and training it can take time. You are responsible for ensuring that your inner voice is sufficiently taught, creating personal goals for that improvement. Make clear, actionable, realistic, and measurable goals, breaking them down into small milestones that you can celebrate each time.

be more positiveFinal Thoughts On Some Ways To Train Your Inner Voice To Be More Positive

Your inner voice is a powerful tool. If you allow it to stay negative, then it will ultimately be your downfall. Learning to train that voice towards positive thinking is vital to your well-being, success, and life growth.

Understanding the 7 Layers of the Human Aura

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Each living being has an aura, which is an electromagnetic energy field that surrounds them. If you can see into the spiritual realm, you can see that this layer is very colorful and has many tiers that encapsulate the body. These levels are essential to each being as it embodies the various aspects of both spirit and self.

Humans aren’t the only living things that have these auras. Also, healers observe them around animals, trees, and plants in nature. Anything that is living and breathing has an energy field that others can observe. Depending on the mood, health, and current actions, this area can expand or decrease.

Some experts describe this field as encapsulating light surrounding and covering your body from top to bottom. Spiritual advisors believe that the light tends to be slimmer towards the ground and grander towards the head region.

The energy your body exudes while you’re intermingling with others can relax them, or it can make them anxious, and this can all occur without you opening your mouth. There’s no doubt that others can feel the energy that omits from your body. Has someone ever said that a person has a nasty aura about them?

Well, essentially, they’re saying that negativity surrounds them. However, there truly is an energy field that’s vibrations can be felt by others, and it doesn’t require a spiritual sense to pick up on it.

Understanding the Seven Auric Layers

human auraThere are seven layers of the human aura, and ironically, each one is located inside of another one. The physical, mental, and emotional well-being of a person dictates and affects these auras. Each of these layers radiates from the inside out.

Realistically, the first layer is the one located the closest to your body, and the last layer, or the 7th one, is the one that is positioned furthest from your being. Ironically, there are seven chakras, and each one of your chakras is related to the layers of your auras, according to Chakras For Beginners. What’s the purpose of having so many layers?

Well, each of these layers is responsible for transmitting information through your energy fields or chakras. The distinctive vibration of each layer grows in strength as it comes from the inside to the out. The layers closest to the outside have the most potent vibrations.

The human aura is also affected by your physical wellbeing. For instance, if you’re healthy and have a good overall sense of well-being, your energy field will be vast and bright. In fact, it can span several feet.

However, if you’re sick, stressed out, and worn down, then your energy field and your vibrations will be weak. Each layer is either fluid or structure, and they help to provide harmony and balance to your human aura.

The Seven Layers of The Human Aura

You must understand each layer and see how it is connected to both internal and external conditions concerning your body. Here are the auras:

Layer #1: Etheric

Your etheric layer of energy is the one closest to your physical body. It’s located about two inches from your skin, and it’s also called the “nadis.” It has a high radiation point in your energy field, and it helps control your physical consciousness.

This layer of energy is related to your organs, glands, muscles, and even your bones. It has a blue-grey hue, and it’s said to vibrate at over 15-20 cycles per minute. Those who are sedentary will have a weaker etheric layer, while those that are more active will have a more profound one.

Layer #2: Emotional

The second layer is the second closest to the body, and it’s primarily responsible for reflecting your emotions and moods. It’s related to the sacral chakra, and it has a vibrant color wheel that encompasses all the colors of the rainbow. When you’re in emotional distress, spiritualists can see that this layer is murky.

Since this layer is constantly shifting due to your moods, it may be one way in the morning and altered by the evening. It has the power to interpenetrate the etheric realm, which helps the emotional self-interact with the physical self.

Layer #3: Mental

Right outside the second layer is the third aura, which is the mental body. It’s often called the solar plexus chakra, as it holds your thought processes as well as your mental regulations. This human aura is about three to eight inches from the physical body.

This layer is a vibrant hue of yellow, and it’s the layer of your mental health, so, understandably, this section has a higher level of vibrations than the first two. Others can see the vibrations from this level closest to your shoulders, neck, and head region. If you’re a strong individual who tends to have an overactive mind, this layer will be brighter.

However, if you have poor mental health and have issues like depression and anxiety, then it’s understandable that your color will be muted and not as lively. Thankfully, if you engage in reading, meditation, or energy stimulation, you can make this layer more vibrant.

shine memeLayer #4: Astral Bridge

The fourth layer is called a celestial bridge. That’s because it connects the higher levels of vibration and the third layer with the lower vibrations. It’s a connector that takes your energy field to the next level of the human aura. In terms of color, you can observe all colors of the rainbow here, but a healthy fourth section will be a beautiful pink hue.

The heart chakra is associated closely with this region, and it’s essential for your spiritual development. This area is about 8-12 inches from your body, and it’s one of the more chaotic levels. The madness comes about from the transference from the lower levels to the astral plane or higher vibrational fields.

Your love and good relationships will strengthen this region, and any conflicts in relationships will weaken it. Some see this as a doorway, and this is where you generate dreams and out-of-body experiences. Those who have spiritual enlightenment or desire to gain more insight should focus on this bridge area to connect to the higher planes.

Layer #5: Etheric Template

This layer is also dubbed the etheric double body of the human aura. It’s the fifth layer, and it directly connects to the fifth chakra. This layer has a higher vibration frequency, and it’s located about 1-2 feet from your being. Some say that this aura is a blueprint of your physical being in the spiritual plane, and the range of colors will vary greatly.

Within this part of your aura are things like your personality, identity, and your overall energy. Also, it may help your body overcome disease and monitor toxins coming into your system. Healing sounds might also help stimulate this region.

Layer #6: Celestial

The 3rd eye chakra that everyone talks about is related to the sixth layer of your aura. Here, you can establish spiritual connections and bring inner light into your being. This aura is about 2.5 feet from the body, and here you receive assistance with your wisdom.

It’s believed that this region allows your spiritual and physical mind to mingle, and meditation helps make this connection. This area has powerful and string vibrations that connect to the divine world. You can receive messages from angels and spiritual beings as well as being strengthened by love and light.

Layer #7: Causal

The seventh layer–the etheric template– is all about your spiritual being. This aura is about 3-5 feet from your being, and it has an extremely high frequency. The soul and mind communicate here, and it’s connected with the crown chakra or seventh one.

This layer has an extraordinary responsibility, as it’s responsible for holding all your layers together, so therefore it has a higher frequency than the others. The hue from this region is vividly golden or white, which signifies spirit. Here you’re able to connect with your creator, and your spiritual development happens in this aura.

All people have a spiritual level, but not all are willing to surrender and open this area. However, those who submit will have more access to the divine and increase their physical abilities.

human auraFinal Thoughts on Understanding Layers of The Human Aura

If you’re learning about human auras and chakras, it can be pretty overwhelming to take this all in at once. Each layer of this aura has a specific amount of vibrational energy, and you have the power to increase or decrease this energy based on your activities.

The more extensive and more profound layers are located outside, and the smaller ones are closest to the body. Why is it essential that you learn about these auric layers and apply them to your everyday life? Since you have the power to strengthen or stimulate this region, it can help you progress in your spiritual journey.

If you desire to experience enlightenment and grow spiritually, being in tune with your energy fields is essential. According to the Psychic Library, Aura awareness and cleansing are vital to your overall mental and physical wellbeing.

Does an Impulsive Child Always Mean ADHD? An Expert Explains

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All children are impulsive and fearless as they explore the world. But what causes some children to display impulsivity to an excess? Even to their own detriment?

Attention hyperactivity deficiency disorder or ADHD has become a common diagnosis today. Many medical professionals are eager to say a child is suffering from this condition based on a few signs and symptoms. If a child is impulsive and can’t sit still, then parents assume the child has ADHD.

Could doctors be too quick to diagnose children with ADHD when they must consider other factors?

Turn the hands of time back 20 years ago, and conditions of this nature were hardly mentioned. When children had a problem with an impulsive nature, they didn’t automatically put labels on them or use harsh methods to combat the dilemma.

impulsiveChildren don’t always make the best decisions because their brains aren’t fully developed. Indeed, some children do have an abnormality and need help accomplishing even the simplest tasks, but this isn’t always the case. Do you know how many children make horrible choices every day simply because they are not equipped with the proper reasoning skills?

What about the toddler that bites their mommy or daddy because they’re angry? This child has learned that when they bite, it gets attention from their parent. Now, whether that attention is good or bad is another topic, but they were noticed.

Now, when this child wants something or gets angry with their parents, they will bite again. They have self-taught coping mechanisms to help them communicate with the world around them. It’s up to the parent to redirect their actions in a positive direction.

Playgrounds Are Danger Zones for Impulsivity

Take, for instance, a hypothetical little six-year-old Scotty. Scott’s mother called the psychologist’s office because she was furious at her son’s behavior. At recess that day, Scott punched a child who wouldn’t give him a turn with the ball. His mother went through all the typical song and dance about how she had taught him better, he should have known not to do this, and how she was going to punish him till he was 18.

The mother wanted instant answers as to why her son was acting this way. Why would her precious Scotty punch another child? It seems like a big deal as a parent when you’re living in the moment, but Scotty was just a normal kid.

Kids are impulsive and haven’t learned the proper ways to regulate their emotions. When a thought enters the brain, they run with it. They don’t stop and think about all the consequences of losing recess or TV time.

The real issue is that Scotty was impatient and impulsive, and he didn’t want to wait his turn. Instead of letting the other child finish with the ball, he became angry, and his emotions went into overdrive. To effectively deal with the situation, Scotty’s mother needed to realize a few things:

  • Scotty’s brain won’t be fully developed until he is around 20 years old.
  • The beginning stages of logical thinking start at around age four, but it isn’t fully developed until later in life.
  • Scotty is still learning challenges and how to act constructively versus destructively.
  • This child doesn’t have the skills he needs to handle highly emotional situations.
  • His mother should help him develop coping skills rather than punishing him or using shame and guilt to motivate change.

The playground is only one example of an overly stimulating environment.

Your child’s location could be a trigger for impulsivity. Note where you are outbursts happen and see if you can find a common denominator. Consider if you’re at the daycare center, grandma’s house, the grocery store, or other stimulating environments.

Learning Emotional Intelligence

How many times have you been where Scotty’s mother was that day? Your child does something that made you furious because it was rude, insensitive, or entirely wrong. The key here is to remember that children react without much thought behind it.

To combat such issues, many schools across the country have begun teaching emotional intelligence. While the brain is not fully developed, a child can foster responsible decision-making abilities, making a difference in their world. Not only will recess and interactions with children be better at school, but it will also affect their home life.

A child can be taught to slow down, think about their choices, and react positively. Scotty cannot go back and fix the issue as he’s already punched the child. It’s like squeezing all the toothpaste out of the tube and then trying to get it to go back in.

It’s impossible to reverse things, but these issues can be learning lessons for the future. Through education, he can be taught that he needn’t act so impulsive. If the child was hogging the ball, then he could ask him when he could take a turn and remind him that he’s had the ball for a long time.

Then, if the student didn’t share, Scotty could get a teacher involved. It sounds like a good plan, but getting a child to learn to stop and think about things is serious work. The sooner a child is equipped with the appropriate strategies for life, then the quicker he will develop self-awareness and learn to make better choices when he’s angry.

pop memeA Game Plan for Impulse Control

Children do impulsive acts every day, and it’s different for every child. One child may like to use dirty words because it makes them feel like they’re getting things off their chest. Another child may throw a basketball at his brother’s head when he doesn’t let him play a game.

You never know what a child will do or when they will do it. Some kids are like small pressure cookers just waiting to explode. To effectively coach a child, you must learn their triggers. Most kids are ready to strike without notice because they don’t know any better.

You can use a similar strategy that a coach would before a big game. Grab a chalkboard and take your child to school. The only difference is these are not academic lessons, but instead, these courses will enhance their lives. To control their impulsive nature, you want to use a three-part strategy.

How Does a Parent Help Children Overcome Excess Impulsivity?

Maureen Healy, an educator and one of the nation’s top experts in child development, shared the following three strategies with Psychology Today in 2019:

1. Introducing A New Skill

This is the entry point where you’re going to teach a new skill. Much like a football game, the latest move isn’t always going to go off without a hitch, but they will learn to do better with it over time. Some of these skills can be walking away from anger, stopping and counting when they feel mad, or getting an adult’s help.

2. The Chalkboard Explanation

Some children need a visual play of what you’re telling them. Have you ever seen a coach draw out the play and show them where to go and what to do? It would help if you made the new skill visual for them. Use whatever tactics possible to get your point across.

3. Offer Support

Now that they know the play and are instructed on how to do it, it’s time to offer your support. Remember, your child needs positive reinforcement rather than negativity. Sure, you can’t let them go around hitting, punching, and biting people, but you can combat it more positively.

You may want to employ a star chart to help identify the progress. Star charts let you see where improvements have been made and what areas to work on next. According to the Diagnostic Center from the Southern California Department of Education, both you and the child have a reference point that helps motivate them.

Encourage the child to talk to you about situations they encountered that day and how they handled them. By opening the lines of communication about this issue, you’re teaching them awareness. If they engage in conversation with you about the right choices, you are starting to impact them.

While you shouldn’t always reward children for doing the right thing or being good, it doesn’t hurt while you’re in the learning phases to have a reward system. It would be best if you got down on the child’s level to effectively learn the concept of your teaching.

impulsiveFinal Thoughts on the Impulsive Natures of Children

Parents tend to overreact when it comes to their children. While punching, hitting and biting are severe behaviors that need to be addressed, they’re also part of normal behaviors parents deal with daily. According to Baby Center, most children bite when they’re younger.

However, as the child ages and matures a bit, usually around 3-4, the biting goes away. Children go through all sorts of phases, but they eventually grow out of them. As a parent, it’s your job to correct any behaviors that pop up in the hopes of training them to be good adults.

Still, it would help if you remembered that their little brains are still developing. Being impulsive is just par for the course. Even if your child does have a more serious condition and has been diagnosed with ADHD, it’s still a learning process.

Parents are the most excellent teachers in a child’s life. You hold more clout with your kids than anyone else. These little kids watch you and your interactions in your daily life, and you must set an example that shows them how it’s imperative to control your emotions.

Now, if your child is 19 and still punching and biting people, then you have a more significant challenge on your hands. However, as in the case of six-year-old Scotty, he just needed a little help redirected, and his mom was the key to fixing this impulse issue.

Middle School Teacher Shows Students the Power of Love

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Donovan Taylor Hill, a middle school teacher at Impact Academy in Oakland, CA, teaches his students more than just math and science. He shows them the importance of self-love and positivity, helping them build their self-esteem. After having a rough childhood and feeling lost in life, Donovan had to become his own strength.

Like many of us in today’s world, he felt very unheard and unseen throughout his early life. Donovan grew up in Virginia in an all-white neighborhood. Being a gay black male, he felt very isolated and struggled with his identity. He said his neighbors often followed him around and told him things like, “You don’t belong here.”

As a result, he felt he had to hide his identity like he couldn’t show the world his true self.

Throughout high school and college, he battled severe depression and later had thoughts of suicide. Many of his issues stemmed from the fact that he had no one to confide in about his sexuality. While Donovan was close with his dad, he passed away from leukemia when he was a kid.

Donovan’s identity crisis only deepened after losing his dad, as that meant he’d lost the connection to the black side of his family. He felt so lost, but he didn’t want to burden anyone, especially his mom, with how he felt. Donovan didn’t know how to ask for help or stand up for himself, so he bottled up his painful emotions. Though he felt deeply depressed, he tried to cope with his feelings and learn to build a positive self-image.

After learning how to love himself, he eventually found his calling in life: a middle school teacher. He said that was “a saving grace” for him because it allowed him to make a difference in children’s lives. Many young adults battle depression, suicidal thoughts, and identity issues. However, when they know someone cares about them and truly wants them to succeed in life, it can make all the difference.

We want to share Donovan’s powerful story with you on how he went from being suicidal and depressed to becoming a beacon of hope for many young adults.

Middle school teacher shows students the power of love

middle school teacher

“As a middle school teacher, I’m often asked by people why I always tell my kids that I love them every single day. Well, the answer goes all the way back to when I was 6 years old,” Donovan says.

One day while riding the bus home from kindergarten, Donovan felt so excited to show his dad an invitation he’d made for him. His school had planned a Father’s Day event where they’d be doing activities outdoors. So, when he got home from school, he immediately ran to his dad and showed him the invitation.

His dad didn’t share his excitement, unfortunately. When Donovan asked if he could make it, his father said that he wouldn’t have time to attend as the commander of a hospital. Donovan felt sad and disappointed, but he didn’t want his dad to know that. So, he just said ‘okay’ and walked away.

“About two weeks later, we had the event, and the staff had grossly underestimated how many kids weren’t able to bring a dad to the event,” Donovan recalled. “So, they had to create a hangout zone, where the kids who didn’t have their dads would sit and eat ice cream until an adult was available to play with them in one of the activities.

“I remember sitting next to this kid who was eating his ice cream bar, and it was smeared all over his face. I was so disgusted by him when his jaw dropped, and I noticed that the whole field had gotten quiet. And I looked over and saw that this 18-passenger van had pulled up. The door slid open, and all these soldiers in full attire came rushing out. The last one to come was my dad, with his big aviators that I loved so much.”

 

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A post shared by Donovan Taylor Hall (@donofriend)

At that moment, Donovan knew his Dad had just been playing with him. When Donovan looked confused, his dad said: ‘Why wouldn’t I come? You made that great invitation for me.’

How this powerful moment influenced the middle school teacher’s life

“He pulled his aviators down, and he looked at me and said: ‘You’re my son, I love you.’

Now, he had planned this; the school knew that they were coming. But, what’s really cool about this is all the soldiers that he brought were soldiers who were stationed far away from home. They were away from their kids, so he gave them the day off to play at the field day event. And every single kid had an adult to play with in their activities,” Donovan said.

What Donovan didn’t know at that moment is that his dad already knew he had leukemia. So, he promised himself that he would spend as much time with his son as possible before he passed away. He wanted Donovan to remember how much he loved and cared about him. Within a year of the Father’s Day event, his dad passed away.

“So, when I’m in my classroom, when I’m with my students, I always tell them that I love them. I want them to remember that feeling, and I never know who needs to hear it and who needs to be told that,” the middle school teacher says.

“More than anything, I want my kids to remember what it feels like to be loved, what it feels like to be cared for because that is the greatest lesson of all.”

 

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A post shared by Donovan Taylor Hall (@donofriend)

Final thoughts on the middle school teacher who teaches students love and positive self-image

Donovan says that many young people, especially millennials, can relate to his story. Many people from this generation came from difficult backgrounds and had to learn how to love themselves. After coming out of a very dark time in his life, Donovan now helps young adults find their light, too. The pain we go through isn’t worthless; it can remind others that they’re not alone in their struggles and that they, too, can rise from the ashes.

Amputee Salsa Dancer Proves Why We Should Never Give Up

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An amputee world-class salsa dancer from Venezuela inspires the world daily with her resilience and positivity. Andreyna Hernandez lost her left leg in a tragic accident five years ago, but she didn’t let that keep her from dancing. She shows the world that you can persevere no matter what challenges you face.

The freak accident occurred in 2016 outside her dance studio. However, she didn’t let the bad memories keep her from pursuing her dreams. In 2018, she returned to the exact spot where the accident happened to dance. The community held an important cultural event here called the Salsa Casino, a social dance festival. She wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

On an Instagram post, she said: “This loss was not an impediment at all. From the first moment I discovered that I could dance again, nothing stopped me. I’ll keep doing what I like until the end of time.”

The amputee salsa dancer said that seeing the happiness and awe-stricken looks on people’s faces while watching her dance keeps her going. She wants people to know that no matter your condition, you can still achieve your goals.

The amputee salsa dancer is now an Internet sensation

One of her videos recorded from this event went viral, mesmerizing everyone with her top-notch skills. She shared the floor with her life and dance partner, Robert Terán, who seems to complement her perfectly. They move effortlessly together, flowing in harmony with the music.

 

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Her hard work and determination have caught the attention of millions worldwide. Posting her performances to platforms like YouTube and Instagram, she’s gained quite the audience. In recent years, Hernandez decided to post videos to TikTok, where she’s amassed many fans.

Earlier in 2020, another video of hers gained traction on the Internet. She posted a clip of her dancing with her partner while being heavily pregnant, which captivated her audience. People can’t believe her talent and precision with every salsa move.

Her performances often blow them away, and most don’t even notice she’s an amputee. They’re too busy admiring her killer dance moves. Now, she posts videos frequently to keep inspiring others with her positive attitude and determined spirit.

She says:

“There will always be some way to achieve what you want.”

When she’s not dancing for online fans, she’s busy running a dance academy with her partner in Venezuela as well. What an amazing woman!

 

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Other inspiring stories from amputees

Meet a few other people who did not let losing a limb stop them.

Heather Mills

Heather Mills, the former wife of Paul McCartney, overcame immense challenges in her life from an early age. At age 25, she was involved in a traffic accident in the UK, which caused severe injuries. Heather had a fractured skull, a crushed pelvis, broken ribs, and a punctured lung. Doctors also had to amputate her lower left leg; she now has a prosthetic leg below her left knee.

Accidents like these often lead to a long road to recovery, requiring not just medical attention but also legal assistance. In situations where injuries are severe, hiring an accident lawyer becomes crucial.  An experienced attorney can help navigate the complexities of insurance claims and ensure the victims receive the compensation they deserve, both between accident and collision. An accident lawyer can handle the legal intricacies while the individual focuses on healing, providing a vital sense of relief during a challenging time.

Furthermore, an accident lawyer can assist in dealing with liability issues, negotiating settlements, and fighting for the victim’s rights if the case goes to court. They work diligently to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and consult with experts to build a solid case. In cases where the injuries are life-altering, having the right lawyer can be the difference between a fair settlement and a prolonged battle for justice.

She began helping develop prosthetics in 1993 and started her career in counseling and public speaking soon after. Today, Heather is a successful entrepreneur and founder of the ethical vegan food company VBites. She’s also vice-president of the Limbless Association and an award-winning paralympic ski racer. Heather has earned numerous medals, including four gold medals for a downhill race in Aspen.

Bethany Hamilton

American pro surfer Bethany Hamilton didn’t let a shark attack stop her from chasing her dreams. On October 31, 2003, a tiger shark attacked her while surfing at Tunnels Beach, Kauai. The attack ultimately led to the loss of her left arm. However, two short months later, she hit the waves again, surfing with a prosthetic arm.

Since then, she’s won first place at many surfing competitions and even inspired the 2011 movie Soul Surfer. Today, Bethany continues to compete in surfing events worldwide.

Francis Anthony Melby “Tony” Iommi

Tony Iommi is the lead guitarist and co-founder of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath. At 17 years old, he worked at a sheet metal factory, where he suffered injuries to his right hand. An accident at work cut the tips off two of his fingers, a common injury in factory work.

When he became an amputee, he used ingenuity to make his own prosthetics by melting soap bottles into a ball. He then soldered holes into it and placed it on his fingers before it hardened. Then he sanded the plastic, covering it with leather to make playing guitar easier. Today, Tony uses commercial-grade fingertip prosthetics.

He’s ranked #25 in the list of 100 greatest guitarists by the Rolling Stones.

Sarah Reinertsen

Born in 1975, Sarah Reinertsen suffered from a rare bone growth disorder since birth. She became an above-the-knee amputee at only seven years old but didn’t let it hold her back. Deciding to run track, she beat the 100-meter world record at just thirteen years old for female above-the-knee amputees.

In 2004, she stepped up her game even further and competed at the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. While she missed the cycling qualifier by fifteen minutes, she returned the next year to try again. This time, she completed the race in just fifteen hours. She made history, becoming the first female leg amputee to finish the race. Today, she still participates in running and cycling events.

amputeeFinal thoughts on these inspiring stories from amputees around the world

Being an amputee doesn’t have to mean giving up your dreams. The stories above prove that you can still have a productive, fulfilling life, especially with modern prosthetics. Many amputees compete in track and other sports with the aid of prosthetic limbs. From dancing salsa to surfing to running businesses, the amputee stories above show that nothing is impossible.

As with anything in life, nothing will stand in your way if you make up your mind to achieve something. Outer circumstances don’t have to define your life; you can always push past any obstacle if you believe in yourself. We hope these stories motivate you to follow your ambitions and reach for the stars!

Meet an Oakland Man Who Befriended a Tiny Hummingbird

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When a tiny hummingbird started visiting a man in Oakland, CA, they quickly became best friends. Since he lives in a big city, he doesn’t get many opportunities to commune with nature. So, of course, he was thrilled when the hummingbird started coming by more often.

When he started feeding the bird, their friendship blossomed. The adorable story shows that when you reach out a helping hand, you’ll receive something even more beautiful in return. Here’s how one man’s relationship with a cute hummingbird began, right in his backyard.

“I got the feeders as a gift on my birthday. I put them on my window and then I glued the hummingbird feeder on top of my seed feeder,” he said. “And once the hummingbirds started coming around, I started sticking my hand out so they would get used to me.”

The man, who goes by “BirdPerson666” on Instagram, noticed something interesting after a few days. He realized that the same hummingbird was visiting him each day. His wife decided to name him Hector after his love of nectar. Now, he seems to respond to his name, flying over to the window whenever he’s called!

The man says he’ll even fly to him when he’s not holding the feeder. For instance, if he walks out to his car, the bird will greet him as if to say, “How’s it going? Are you OK?” It’s a brief encounter, but it warms the man’s heart nonetheless.

The Oakland man considers the timing of the present he received as a spiritual message of some sort. The day he got the bird feeders, one of his close cousins passed away. He believes that there’s some spirituality behind being visited by hummingbirds. Many cultures have thought of these birds as messengers from a spiritual realm. Perhaps the bird is trying to pass along an important message from his cousin or comfort him during a tough time.

 

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The man started feeding the hummingbird after he gained its trust

Whatever the reason for the bird’s visit, the man thoroughly enjoyed it. He kept walking up to the window and opening it so the hummingbird would get used to him. After just four days, he says Hector was eating from the palm of his hand. Everyone knows the way to an animal’s heart is through the stomach, and this hummingbird proves it!

Hummingbird feeders are a bit different than other bird feeders. While hummingbirds eat a variety of insects, their primary source of food comes from nectar. To attract these beautiful birds, many backyard birders leave a sugar-water mixture for them. Because they have such long beaks, they require a specialized feeder with a small hole to quickly drink the water.

They’ve also been known to sip the juice from overripe or previously picked fruits. Scientists have even observed them drinking tree sap, as it also satisfies their sweet tooth. Since they love sweetness, birders have found the sugar water most closely resembles the nectar they’d find in flowers.

The Oakland man knew exactly what to feed the bird since he’d been around them from a young age.

“When I was younger, my mom was the neighbor that people in our town would call when they found an injured animal,” he said, “because they knew she would make sure it would get the help it needed.

“Most of the time, we would get calls about doves and finches people would find in the yards, maybe that hit their windows. So, I guess that’s where it all started.”

The love for birds he had in childhood never left him. Even when he moved to a big city, the “bird man” still carried that connection to nature with him. So, getting the bird feeders for a birthday present allowed him to get back to his roots. It’s even inspired him to share that special connection with others and spread the importance of spending time outside.

 

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A childhood love of birds turned into a mission to share our interconnectedness with nature.

“After Hector and I became friends, I posted a couple of videos of him feeding. And my partner who helps me run the account now, Ranger Shan, immediately started accounts devoted to Hector and my passion for birds,” he said.

The website his friend created says: “Birdperson666 and Hector met in Oakland, California in October 2020. Ranger Shan came to him with the idea of starting accounts dedicated to this relationship and their many critter friends. Birdperson666 and Ranger Shan are committed to bringing attention to the intersection of social and environmental justice.”

They want to make sure people know that they can still interact with nature even if they live in a big city. Some people don’t have access to nature trails or wilderness areas, so it’s important to connect with nature in other ways. Simply adding a bird feeder to your garden can give you that connection right in your backyard.

“Now it’s become a really accessible way that someone like me who lives in a bigger city can enjoy nature and wildlife. And that’s something that our account would really like to see happen as a result – more people enjoying the outdoors. Nature should be enjoyed by everyone, and we’d like to see more weirdos in the wild,” he says.

Final thoughts on the Oakland man who became besties with a tiny hummingbird

It’s difficult to remember sometimes, but we’re all connected in this world. Living in big cities, we often lose this special relationship with nature, but we don’t have to. A man from Oakland, a big city in California, proves that there’s nature all around us, even in concrete jungles. When he put hummingbird feeders outside his window, he developed a close friendship with a daily bird visitor.

Now, they’re practically inseparable. The bird even turns his back to the man sometimes, which proves he trusts him. What a beautiful story of how we can still immerse ourselves in the natural world, even in the heart of a city.

If you have hummingbirds visiting your garden, let us know in the comments!

10 Behaviors That Reveal Peter Pan Syndrome

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Remember the famous fairy tale from J.M. Barrie about Peter Pan? Though Peter Pan is a lovable character, he’s a mischievous young boy that wants to remain a child. He spends his days going on adventures with his friends and ignores his self-growth. The crux of this story is that he didn’t want to grow up, and today there’s a psychological condition that takes its name, Peter Pan syndrome, from this tale.

Note: The psychology community does not consider this a firm diagnosis. Rather than recognizing this as a verifiable condition, many psychologists observe this series of behaviors. Often, these actions point to a behavioral or personality disorder. Primarily, it impacts men. However, psychologists sometimes find it in women, also.

The inability to mentally mature and grow up seems to be a growing trend among millennials. Sure, growing up is hard to do, especially when you must pay bills and go to work each day. Many would rather play video games and depend on their parents’ kindness for support, but life doesn’t work that way.

It’s become a real issue, and this syndrome is gaining more attention. Someone with this disorder doesn’t like to make commitments according to their age, which means they want to remain young and carefree rather than take on responsibilities. They have an attitude of entitlement, and they expect family and friends to support them and their desire to remain forever young.

Now keep in mind that not every person who acts immature has this syndrome, as many things can cause someone to be childish. The matter has nothing to do with someone’s intelligence, but it all comes down to emotional maturity. Do you know someone who may fit into this category?

Ten Signs Someone Has Peter Pan Syndrome

peter pan

Perhaps you’ve met a man or woman who has swept you off your feet. At first, they were so carefree and fun, and you loved going on adventures with them. While they made things interesting, much time has passed, and they still act very childishly and fun.

While they’re taking their mental trips and flights of fancy off to a place like Neverland, you’re left with all the responsibilities. Someone must be accountable. Here are ten signs that the person you love or someone you know may have this syndrome.

1. They Avoid Conflict at All Costs

The person who doesn’t want to grow up doesn’t like conflict. They want to assume that the world around them is perfect, and they don’t want to talk about anything negative. Avoidance of conflict is a significant indication that they don’t have the mentality to deal with it.

2. They’re Very Irresponsible

Being a child is living a carefree life, but an adult has obligations to take care of each day. A person that cannot handle any responsibilities of any magnitude may have this syndrome. They need someone to hold their hand to get anything done in life, and it’s remarkably like stroking a child’s ego and praising them when they do manage to get things accomplished.

3. They’re Unreliable

Running a household takes two people. If you ask this person to do something to help, will they do it? Perhaps, they will avoid it and act like they didn’t hear you, or they will “accidentally” forget.

One of the most significant parts of a relationship is being able to depend on one another, and if you cannot rely on your partner, it’s going to make things challenging for you. Conversely, do you really want to spend your life with someone you can’t count on?

4. They Feel Everyone Else Is to Blame

Another significant issue that comes up with this syndrome is that it will never feel wrong. It’s always someone else’s fault. They will blame you, their boss, their parents, and whoever else is around them.

They play the victim card so much that they believe they’re faultless. Forget getting them to take responsibility for their actions and learn and grow. They will forever feel that the world around them owes them something and is responsible for all the misfortunes in their life.

5. They See No Need to Change

You may point out 101 things that are wrong with them and need to change, but they won’t see one thing. According to the National Library of Medicine, part of Peter Pan syndrome comes from the story and the relationship between Wendy and Peter. Wendy constantly guided Peter and wanted him to change.

Instead, he became accustomed to her guidance. However, he didn’t see the need for any alterations in his behavior. He likes his life the way it is, and he feels that the world around him is simply fine. If you talk until you’re blue in the face about the changes that your partner needs to make, yet they just let it go in one ear and out the other, then it’s an issue.

They are so stuck in their immature nature that they can’t comprehend what you’re saying. They see no need to make any adjustments to please you or anyone around them.

fear of change6. Adulting Is Too Stressful

Growing up and being an adult isn’t easy for anyone. However, the immature person has a tough time with it. Things like managing a checking account, doing taxes, and earning enough money to pay the bills, can be overwhelming.

If this person complains about everyday, routine responsibilities associated with adulthood, it could be a sign of this syndrome. They may skip doing them altogether, depending on friends and family to help. If they do some of these things, then they expect praise for them.

When a person expects your praise for doing responsibilities like taking out the trash or helping with laundry, then you’ve got a big issue on your hands. Wouldn’t life be great if everyone has a cheer squad every time they did something required to be an adult?

7. They Won’t Keep a Job

Someone who doesn’t want to grow up will find it hard to keep a job. They may bounce from job to job because it’s interfering with their social life or playtime. They may call off work often or not show up altogether.

Employers don’t like to hire these people because their resume is a mile long, and they’re not dependable. Sadly, you can’t depend on them to help you pay the expenses for a home either.

8. They Want Someone to Nurture More Than Be an Equal

Remember Wendy and her nurturing nature from the story? Well, the person with this syndrome wants a mother figure to take care of them throughout life. They’re not necessarily looking for a spouse, but they want someone to take on more of a parenting role.

If you notice that your love interest acts more like you’re in charge, and they follow your lead and judgment calls, then it’s a red flag. It’s not your job to pack their lunch, do their laundry, and pick up after them. They need to be adult enough to do these things for themselves.

When they struggle to find a good balance between play and work time, they need to grow a bit.

9. They Have Commitment Issues

Another significant indication that someone has this syndrome is they don’t want to grow up. They will find it hard to put a label on your relationship, and they may keep you in the friend’s zone. It’s not that they don’t want to be with you; it’s that they are still so immature that they can’t fathom a relationship like you do.

10. They’re Constantly Trying to Escape

Just like Peter Pan ran off to Neverland, today’s version of this young person will try to escape reality all around them. Their journeys may be more mental than physical, but they need to find a way out of responsibilities. A red flag that someone has this syndrome is they would rather hang out with the boys than work, and they love video games and other sporting activities to consume their time.

peter panFinal Thoughts on Peter Pan Syndrome

Do you see any of these traits in a person you love or are involved with? You should know that you deserve to be with someone who can be on the same page as you’re intellectual. It’s not that the person with Peter Pan syndrome lacks smarts, but they cannot see the need to grow up.

They would rather frolic through the Neverlands of the world today, play video games, hang out with friends, and live a carefree lifestyle. Be careful if you engage in a long-term relationship with them. You should know that you will likely be the responsible partner in all things, including finances and household chores, for the connection duration.

It would be best if you had someone to be your equal, to support you, and to have a sense of maturity about them. Do you want to play the mother or father role with someone supposed to be your partner? You can stick around in Neverland with them, or you can leave with your dignity intact and live in the real world.

Environmental Artist Creates Incredible Wood Sculptures

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Simon O’Rourke, an environmentalist from North Wales, UK, carves stunning wood sculptures from trees. He creates intricate wooden masterpieces using little more than a chainsaw and his imagination. To date, he’s cut hundreds of sculptures from wildlife to people to fairies and even furniture! Below, we’ll share Simon’s story about how he got into this exciting line of work and what inspires him to keep going.

Environmental artist creates incredible wood sculptures.

While Simon now runs a successful business creating wood sculptures, he didn’t get there overnight. It took a few detours for him to realize his unique path in life. However, he learned a lot about himself and what he wanted out of life along the way.

“I was an illustration graduate; I specialized in children’s book illustration and loved what I did, really enjoyed it. But, it wasn’t hitting all those buttons that I needed to be happy in what I was doing,” Simon says.

Of course, publishing children’s books didn’t keep the lights on, so he needed a full-time job while he built his illustration career. So, he took a job as a tree surgeon or arborist, where he learned about trees firsthand. His responsibilities included maintaining, felling, and planting new trees.

Little did he know this job would later help him in his wood sculpting work. Since he had to work with power tools like chainsaws, this gave him essential knowledge and skills for tree sculpting. Also, being around trees so much made him comfortable with the wood sculpting process.

When he wasn’t working at his full-time job, he spent time building up his illustration portfolio. Luckily, his hard work paid off. He got a children’s book commission from a tree work customer; the book was published in the United States. While he felt excited and accomplished, something was still missing. He didn’t pursue illustration any longer but realized he could use his creativity with the chainsaw. Wood sculpting started calling his name, and he could no longer ignore his soul’s desire.

“It was a bit of a lightbulb moment one time when I saw somebody carving using the chainsaw, and I got really excited,” he recalls. “I wanted to give it a go, so I went straight back into the yard where our tree surgery base was and decided to practice.”

From that moment, Simon knew he’d found his life’s calling: wood sculpting

Creating wood sculptures just resonated with his soul and came naturally to him.

“I love the fact that such beauty can be created with such a violent tool,” Simon says, “and that was really what kind of got me going.”

He got started carving with Acorn Furniture for two years and opened his own business in 2005. Fast forward a few years, and his wood sculpting ventures have taken him all over the globe. He’s traveled to the US, Japan, Canada, Holland, Germany, and Denmark to compete in chainsaw carving competitions. In many of the competitions, Simon won awards for his incredible sculptures.

He draws inspiration from both himself and his clients, turning a wooden stump into art. It’s incredible what his imagination comes up with and how there’s seemingly no limits to what he can create.

Some of his sculptures have even been featured in films and TV shows! In fact, the producers of Game of Thrones asked Simon to design something around a prop from the series’ history. He chose to create dragon eggs and a new casket for them and said it took about three days to make.

He’s created other works of art, including a giant wooden lighthouse for a museum, a rustic wooden table, and even a bridge over a small waterway. He’s also made wood sculptures of fairies, dragons, gnomes, dogs, lions, eagles, owls, and other animals.

He loves sculpting a variety of characters, but humans are his favorite.

“But I think what inspires me most is the human form and what it can convey through just changing expression or changing pose, or changing texture, and that really excites me,” Simon says. “I love the sort of idea that you can completely alter the message of something by the slight raise of a hand, raise of an eyebrow, curl on the lip…things like that, so that’s really what inspires me.”

While he greatly enjoys sharing his passion with the world, it’s even more fulfilling for him to evoke emotions in others. He loves being able to create a unique piece of art that others can draw inspiration from.

“Art, for me, is about telling stories. It’s something really personal, it’s something that kind of allows you to express what’s inside you. But that’s not where it stops for me. Where it kind of leads for me is that art isn’t just about me expressing, it’s about me helping others to express what they feel.”

When people ask him to sculpt something, he first gets an idea of what they want. Down to every last detail, he asks them to describe their dream wood sculpture. Simon sometimes draws the statue to get a clearer picture. Then, he gets to work creating the masterpiece, making sure every detail gets incorporated. His favorite part is handing over the creation and watching his clients’ reactions to their new living art.

Final thoughts on the environmental artist who creates incredible wooden sculptures

Art comes in many forms, and for Simon, it’s the trees that inspire his imagination. Where some people see an old tree stump, he sees a blank canvas. Using just a chainsaw and a vision in his head, he sculpts the tree into a new form. Sometimes it’s a fairy, other times it’s a lighthouse, but whatever he decides to make, it always takes people’s breath away.

His creative work has taken him all over the globe, where he’s competed in many wood sculpting competitions. Simon also runs his own business, creating wood sculptures for anyone who wants one. It’s always heartwarming to watch someone flourish in life, following their heart and trusting the process!

Talented Artist Recycles Old Books Into Works of Art

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Many people give away old books, but one talented artist turns them into masterpieces instead. Meet Alejandro Gil, a skilled book sculptor, musician, nature lover, and artist from Barcelona, Spain. A well-rounded guy, he’s happiest when creating intricate sculptures from old books and watching his ideas take form.

Here’s how he got into this exciting art field and what it takes to make stunning works of art.

Accomplished Artist Transforms Old Books into Beautiful Sculptures

Alejandro describes himself as a book carver, not a typical job title by any means. For him, an ordinary workday involves hours upon hours of sculpting books using only a few tools. In the video, it appears he’s carving the books using just a ruler, boxcutter, a cutting mat, pencil, and glue.

Of course, he first draws the image he wants to carve onto the book. The outline makes it easier to cut the design and add intricate details. He also utilizes computer programs that help him visualize the image he wants to create.

To date, he’s carved quite impressive works of art from the old books. This type of artistry takes a ton of patience, as it requires carving through hundreds of pages at times. For Alejandro, though, it’s worth it to repurpose the old books into something beautiful.

Some of the notable carvings he’s created thus far include:

  • a carved T-rex fossil head
  • the Sagrada Familia, a massive unfinished Roman Catholic basilica in Barcelona
  • faces of people
  • a wolf
  • a bulldog
  • a giant Fender guitar using three old books
  • an ancient Roman bridge in Asturia
  • a surfer riding a giant wave in Hawaii
  • a mountain landscape
  • an amphitheater
  • a desert landscape complete with canyons, caves, and natural waterways
  • the Paris Arc of Triumph, one of the most famous monuments in Paris

 

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It’s unclear how long it takes him to create the book carvings, but we would guess at least a couple of weeks. It seems that the book carvings are more of a hobby for him, but he’s started selling some of them to interested customers. Alejandro’s story is yet another that proves how a passion for something can eventually turn into a viable career or at least a side gig.

Here’s how Alejandro got started turning the old books into art:

“Just at that time, my grandfather and my grandparents were moving, so they had a bunch of old yellow pages and old tourism guides from past years,” Alejandro says. “So, I just started doing my carvings like Egyptian tombs and weird topographies with little persons and stuff.”

At first, he stuck with landscapes, crypts, and tombs. These still required quite a bit of detail but weren’t nearly as tricky as sculpting people. However, he wanted to challenge himself and try turning the old books into faces next.

He thought:

“What if I do like a face and a face shape? And I just drew a face on the front page of a book and then I started carving.”

To some people, it might seem silly to keep obsolete books lying around. Typically, when people finish reading books, they sit in a dusty old corner, completely forgotten. Or, they’re given away to charity, which at least makes them useful for someone out there.

Unfortunately, though, many of them get thrown in the trash once people finish reading them. However, Alejandro had a different idea.

“Why throw this away in the trash? It’s going to get wet and all that,” he said. “Let’s give it like a new value, you know? So, that’s what inspires me.”

As they say, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Plenty of artists around the world create works of art from recycled or used materials. Whether it’s plastic on the beach, recycled tires, or old books, people constantly find new uses for discarded items. After all, it’s better to repurpose trash than to have it just sitting in a landfill somewhere.

 

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If you’re not a sculptor, don’t worry – there’s still plenty of other ways to reuse old books.

Here are just a few ideas we found:

1. Create a book wreath.

Most people think of wreaths as a classic Christmas decoration, but you can use these any time of year! They make an excellent addition to any room in your home. To make one, roll up pages from old books and glue them onto a piece of cardboard. The finished product will resemble a giant flower made from the recycled books. For more information on how to create one, follow this tutorial.

2. Make a secret stash box.

Are you worried about thieves breaking into your home and stealing essential items? Then you’ll love this DIY safety box. To make it, take a wooden box, cut the spines off old books, and secure them to the front of the box. For a more polished option, check out these custom wooden boxes like the ones at https://customcraftua.com/. Here’s a detailed description of how to pull off this project.

3. Turn a book cover into a picture frame.

If you don’t want to spend money on picture frames, you can make them yourself! Cut the cover off an old book with a utility knife. Next, put a photo inside a plastic protector and tape it inside the cover.

4. Create a bookshelf.

We know bookshelves should hold books, but why not make a shelf from them while you’re at it? Make sure to use books of the same width, so the shelf is even. Here’s a tutorial on how to make one.

Final thoughts on the artist who creates works of art from old books

Alejandro Gil doesn’t believe in throwing away books, so he creates mesmerizing art pieces from them instead. Using only simple tools, this creative artist transforms discarded books into beautiful carvings that seem astonishingly real. He’s created massive basilicas, towering mountain landscapes, and a huge guitar, to name a few of his pieces.

He’s certainly talented, but of course, not everyone shares his love of carving old books. If you’d like to repurpose old books but need some ideas, perhaps the ones listed above will pique your interest.

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