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5 Ways To Deal With A Breakup (With No Guilt)

April 16, 2021 by Lakeisha Ethans

The end of a relationship is a challenging experience, and it’s one many will go through at least once in their lives. Coping with the loss of companionship and romantic affection can be painful, especially if it was a long relationship or one where you shared many things. If you cope with a breakup unhealthily, that can make things worse, leaving you stuck in the past.

So how can you handle these painful circumstances? Here are five positive ways to deal with a breakup so you can move on guilt-free.

1. Express Your Feelings

The first step to anyone’s recovery is the point where they begin to express and state clearly how they feel. Many people are inclined to repress or suppress their emotions when it comes to breakups, as there’s a lot of pressure to be “okay” and be better off than your ex-partner. But repression of your feelings can heighten them and make them worse, ruining your positive thinking.

There are many different feelings that you might experience in a breakup. You may be in shock or denial or cry and grieve. Perhaps you may feel betrayal, pain, and humiliation. You might become frightened, angry, or indifferent. You may even experience acceptance, relief, and hope. Whatever you feel, acknowledge it, state it, and express it. Grief and loss are complex things with many stages, and it’s not unusual to experience them in stages that may seem confusing to you.

It’s natural to want to suppress the worst of your emotions, but confronting them will allow you to better manage and deal with the breakup. Don’t judge yourself for how you feel. Observe your feelings, acknowledge them, accept them, and work on yourself as you move on. It’s okay to feel bad, it’s okay to grieve, and it’s okay to be very much not okay for a while. Let it happen.

2. Disengage From Reminders Of Them

When a breakup is fresh, everything around you will remind you of the person you left behind. That’s why you need to disengage from those memories as well as you can to move on. Here’s how:

· Get Rid Of Things That Trigger Memories

If you were dating your ex for a long time, you likely own many items that could trigger memories of them. Some of them may even be positive memories. But when you’re recovering from the pain and emotions of a breakup, all of those memories can cause heartache. If some of these items make you want to contact your ex or cause emotional distress, remove them from your home. You can package items they left behind to send to them later and put away or throw out old gifts they gave you that tug at your heartstrings. You don’t have to get rid of these items permanently if you don’t want to – just put them out of sight, out of mind.

· Stay Off Social Media

Don’t stalk your ex or look at posts of people in love. Do not re-read your old messages. Don’t scroll through the pages of people your ex interacts with. It’s not healthy and nets you nothing. You’ll need a few days of social media distance, at least before it’s safe for you to ease back into an online presence. If all else fails, block or mute your ex on social media.

· Go “No Contact.”

Even the most amicable breakups require a little alone time. You need to collect your thoughts, recover, and let the stronger emotions lose some intensity before you are ready to reach out again. If you’re still on good terms with them, set boundaries and communicate your need for space to your ex. If the breakup was nasty, you can also block them and cut them off.

· Stop Talking About Them

It’s okay and even healthy to rant about the breakup and process it by talking to supportive friends and family. But what’s not okay is continually inserting your ex’s name or any inkling of your previous relationship into everyday discussion. It can be tempting to bring them up when it’s not relevant. Don’t.

3. Make Things About You

Relationships are about doing things together, and now that you’re on your own, your life can return to being focused on you. The world is your oyster! Making things all about you can remind you of the wonders of independence, allowing you to embrace singlehood with positive thinking as you move on. Here are some ways to do this:

· Do Things That You Love

Even healthy relationships take up time and energy. As such, it’s likely that while you were with your ex, there were some things you weren’t able to do. You may not have had enough time for your hobbies. Maybe you dropped book club meetings for date nights. You might have stopped watching horror flicks because they hated them. Perhaps you avoided eating a type of food because your partner is allergic. Regardless, now you’re not dating them anymore – you can do whatever you want! So go ahead and busy yourself with all those things you love that you may not have been able to do while in the relationship.

· Do Things You’ve Wanted To Do

There may be things you’ve always wanted to do that you haven’t been able to yet. What better time than now? Trying new things, having new experiences, and filling out your bucket list is a great way to distract yourself while enriching your mind and body. It’s a healthy outlet and helps your self-improvement, which is always a positive way to deal with breakups!

· Take Care Of Yourself

People often think of going on a diet or hitting the gym extra hard after a breakup, but that’s not truly “taking care of yourself.” The goal of taking care of yourself after a split isn’t to look hot for the sake of your ex. It’s to feel good about yourself and nourish your body, so you feel better and more confident. So do things that make your body feel good. A little bit of exercise, healthier food choices, and better self-care are all ways to do this.

· Build Your Self-Esteem

If you were the person who got broken up with, you might feel bad about yourself. Your self-esteem may have taken a hit from the breakup. So focus on rebuilding it. Find the things about yourself that you love. Consider your strengths and lift them for yourself. Being broken up with has nothing to do with your self-worth and everything to do with the overall health of the relationship and the other individual’s changing. So hype yourself up!

4. Seek Support During the Breakup

Social support is crucial in the improvement of positive thinking, especially during times of stress. Isolating yourself and trying to go it alone after a breakup will only harm you. Plus, external perspectives can grant you crucial insight and perspectives you’ve missed. Here are some ways to seek support:

· Talk To Loved Ones

Ask to vent to family and friends and request advice if desired. Seek out people you love who have been through breakups and recovered wonderfully. Have regular face-to-face contact with your trusted support system, and have fun with the people who care about you most!

· Make New Friends

It’s tempting to hop onto the next rebound relationship after a breakup. Instead of seeking new intimate partners, seek new friends. Take yourself off the relationship market and find clubs, groups, and even online communities to make new friends in. Join groups for people with your hobbies and interests, take a new class, and even volunteer at organizations to meet new people!

· Get Professional Help If Necessary

If your breakup affects you significantly, there is no shame in getting outside support from a therapist, counselor, or similar professional in this field. Opening up to someone who won’t judge you and is trained to help you can give you the necessary tools to overcome your breakup.

5. Remind Yourself Of Why the Breakup Happened

At some point, you’ll find yourself wishing the breakup never occurred. When this inevitably happens to you, remind yourself of why it was necessary. Change is a part of life and is crucial for growth, so if your relationship wasn’t meant to be, that was for a reason. Here are some ways to remind yourself of the reason for the breakup:

· Remember The Relationship’s Struggles

Relationships don’t end because they’re “too good.” They end because there were troubles and difficulties that ultimately one or both parties decided were too much to continue with. The struggles that you faced are ones you do not want to go back to, so you can help yourself move on by remembering how they made you feel and how good it is to be free of those struggles. If you specifically were wronged in the relationship – such as if your ex cheated on you, abused you, or lied to you repeatedly – then remind yourself of all those toxic traits and behaviors you are now free from.

· Revisit Memories Realistically

Studies have found that positive feelings regarding experiences typically remain for longer than negative ones. This means a lot of your memories with your ex may have a rose-tinted hue over them. Think back on your memories and be realistic about them. Was that summer vacation you spent with them perfectly, or did you realize that traveling together was more stressful than it should have been? Were they always super helpful when you were going through a tough time, or did you have to fight for their support and struggle to make them understand why you needed it? Don’t color your memories with falsehood – remember reality and see your past with clear eyes.

· Stand By The Choice

If you decided to break up with your ex, then stand by the decision. You made it for a reason, and right now, emotions may be clouding your judgment and making you forget those reasons. And if you were broken up with, stand by that too, even if they come running back to you eventually. You have the right to move on in peace, and you can’t do that if your ex plays with your emotions. Stop second-guessing and start working on recovery.

Final Thoughts On Some Positive Ways To Deal With A Breakup To Move On Guilt-Free

Breakups are a universal experience, and yet they’re painful to overcome. Learning to deal with the end of a relationship positively can help you move on without regrets or guilt.

6 Ways To Quiet Your Mind For Better Sleep

April 16, 2021 by Lakeisha Ethans

Do you struggle to fall asleep at night? Do you find that your mind races and fills with thoughts, especially negative ones, that make dozing off impossible right away? And, after you finally fall asleep, do you often feel tired the next day regardless? If you answered yes to those questions, you need to learn ways to relax your brain and promote positive thinking to get the rest you need. Here are six ways to quiet the mind for restful sleep.

1. Don’t Focus On Forcing Yourself To Sleep

Paradoxically, trying to sleep very much can lead to even greater difficulty in sleeping. If you’ve ever found yourself lying in bed and feeling more and more awake by the second as you will yourself to doze off, you’ll know exactly what this is like! This can even make your mind even noisier. Here are some ways to counteract this:

· Get Out Of Bed

If you’ve been lying in bed and trying to sleep for 20 minutes to no avail, your brain is only going to get noisier from there. So get up and go to another room and do something relaxing that doesn’t involve light exposure. For example, you may go to a dim living room and listen to some calming music, or turn on a lamp in your office and read a book. Give it a few minutes or even up to half an hour, then go and try to sleep again. Sometimes, breaking the cycle can be enough to calm the mind.

· Do Some Reverse Psychology

It sounds silly, but if trying to sleep makes you wake up, sometimes trying to stay awake can help you sleep. Tell yourself you absolutely must stay awake for various reasons and feel comfortable with that potential outcome. If your brain is susceptible to paradoxical suggestions, this might lull you into a more restful state!

· Determine If Your Bedtime Routine Is Wrong

There’s a chance that the reason you’re not able to fall asleep is because of something unrelated to your noisy mind. For example, you may be going to bed too early, eating too close to bedtime, or sleeping in too warm of a temperature. A naturally busy mind will make it even harder to sleep under these conditions, so if all else fails, examine these factors!

2. Give Yourself Time To Worry to Be More Restful

If you have a boisterous mind, you may need to address this during other parts of the day, long before bedtime. Anxiety and worries can make restful sleep hard to achieve at all, and that’s why you may want to pre-schedule time explicitly dedicated to worries for this purpose.

It sounds strange, but this is a standard method to handle a commonly noisy, racing mind. During this period of between five to fifteen minutes a day, you must drop everything else you are doing and focus exclusively on worrying and nothing else. You will think of every single negative emotion and concern you have and bring them to the forefront of your mind, observing them as they pass.

Then, once the time is up, all worrying must stop immediately. Any worries that come up outside of this time must be pushed aside and told to wait for their turn in the next scheduled worrying time. Once you get into the swing of this, it will come more naturally, and your nighttime worries will be delegated to a different time of day, giving you the chance to sleep.

3. Get Tasks In Order First

Sometimes, a noisy mind results from the knowledge of the many things you have to do. In other words, it can be a reflection of a lack of organization and control over waking life. So get your tasks in order first before you try to sleep, and preferably a few hours before bedtime.

Studies have shown that this can allow you to fall asleep faster, and the more detailed and long your to-do list when you write it, the faster your sleep will come! The sense of peace you have from knowing things are in order can be compelling. Finish your work, make to-do lists, handle chores, and plan as needed. Then put that aside and tell yourself, in positive thinking, that you have everything handled and written down for tomorrow’s perusal.

Here are tips to beat insomnia forever.

4. Engage Your Ears

Occasionally, you can quiet your mind via the engagement of one of the senses. Your ears are an ideal part of the body to engage in this manner, as your sense of hearing can dictate how relaxed you feel and how easily you fall into a more restful sleep. Here are some ways you can engage your ears:

· Listen To Music

Studies have found that music has positive effects on sleep quality, so turn on an excellent playlist and let it lull you into peacefulness. Just make sure you’re not picking head-banging tunes or any songs that evoke strong emotions in you, and keep the volume low instead of loud. It can help make a specific playlist for sleep, as you’ll get to curate it that way. Plus, the more often you use it, the more your brain will associate it with sleepiness.

· Play An Audiobook

The wonderful world of fiction is a fantastic place to escape to so you can quiet your mind. Choose something that’s not too exciting or thrilling and let yourself get lost in fantasy worlds.

· Listen To A Podcast

Like an audiobook, a podcast can give you another world to escape to, or it can lull you to sleep with nonfiction and calming voices. Once again, you’ll want to avoid overly exciting, thrilling, or upsetting topics, and if you tend to get heated about specific issues, avoid those, too.

· Use Noises

Sound therapy and recorded ambient sounds may help get you to sleep. Find calming sounds that you like, such as the sounds of waves or even white noise, and play them on repeat. This is especially helpful if your lack of restfulness is caused by missing a specific environment. The environment created by a little specially chosen noise can set the right tone for sleep and quiet your mind as you relax.

5. Use Relaxation Methods to Promote a Restful Night

It goes without saying that sometimes the best way to quiet the mind is to use common and scientifically-backed relaxation techniques. A little calming activity can help the brain finally chill out, bringing the necessary tranquility for sleep. Here are some common methods to try:

· The 4-7-8 Breathing Method

This technique involves a breathing exercise that can have positive effects on overall stress levels. To do it, you inhale for four counts, hold the breath for a count of seven, and then do eight counts of inhalation. This should be done a minimum of five times, and your heart will relax as your pulse slows in calmness as a result.

· Meditate

Meditation refers to the act of focusing on your breathing, clearing your mind, and staying present in the current moment. Find something to focus on, whether a mantra, your breathing, or even a visualization of your happy place, and keep your concentration on them. If you’re not used to it, it can be tough to sit with an empty mind, but with practice, you’ll get to reap the positive benefits of relaxation for sleep.

· Try Progressive Muscle Relaxation

This kind of exercise involves pretty much what its title entails – you progressively relax your body’s muscles one at a time, beginning with the toes and working your way up every muscle group until you get to the top of your head. Research has found that this is good for sleep because it directs attention to your physical body instead of to any loudness of thought in your mind.

· Do Some Yoga

It would be best if you didn’t do a complicated exercise right before bed, but some simple yoga stretches and positions can result in relaxation, according to studies. The child’s pose is all you need. This pose involves kneeling on the ground with your toes together, knees apart at hip-width.

Then, you bring your chest down towards your thighs and touch your forehead to the floor. You can also opt for the easier corpse pose, ideal for those with knee or hip pain. You need to lie on your back with your limbs relaxed, then feel yourself breathe as you sink into the floor beneath. Whichever pose you choose, remain in it for up to five minutes!

6. Express Yourself

If your sleeping troubles come from emotional turmoil and anxiety, expressing those feelings can be beneficial in quieting your mind. When the brain is abuzz with worries, stress, and clutter, it may be best to expel them to be more restful. Here are some ways you may try doing this:

· Call Out The Thoughts

Don’t repress or push back what you feel. Address them directly and point them out one by one, then see what they do. Spot any irrationalities and inconsistencies and acknowledge each feeling. Then, tell them that you respect them and will reflect on them tomorrow. Some of those emotions will no longer matter to you when you wake up, and those that do will be waiting to be dealt with the following day instead of plaguing you at night.

· Write In A Journal

Journals are a great way to express yourself, as you know it’s a private diary that no one else would see. Even quickly scribbling on any written medium works similarly, as it helps your brain to get out its most pressing thoughts and emotions in a positive way. This may even allow you to address more severe matters productively the next day since you’ve written them down and won’t forget them!

· Talk it Out

If you have serious concerns, you can ask to vent to a friend or loved one, whether in person, over the phone, or via text. But you don’t have to speak to someone in particular actively! Talking to yourself, to a wall, or even to a stuffed animal lets you process your emotions out loud in a private and safe space, and it can help quiet your brain.

Final Thoughts On Some Ways To Quiet The Mind For Restful Sleep

Many people struggle with restful sleep at night, but learning to quiet your mind can allow slumber to overtake you more quickly and with better results. If you have a lot of trouble sleeping and often wind up unable to get sufficient rest, speak to a relevant doctor for advice and assistance as you may have a sleep disorder.

Researchers Reveal Sugar Impairs Brain Development

April 16, 2021 by Kristen Lawrence

A new study from the University of Georgia found that sugar negatively impacts brain development in children. Kids consume sugar more than any other age group, despite warnings about high-sugar diets leading to health problems like obesity. Food companies directly target children in their ads and create sugary products to entice them. While parents could buy other foods for their children, processed foods’ affordability and convenience often outweigh the negatives.

Most people know that high sugar consumption can lead to obesity, heart disease, or diabetes, among other health problems. However, researchers have done few studies on how high-sugar diets in childhood impact brain development. The team wanted to focus their investigation on how sugar affected the hippocampus, a crucial area for learning and memory.

About the study

A University of Georgia faculty member led the research along with a University of Southern California research group. In a rodent model, the study showed that consuming sugary beverages daily during adolescence impairs learning and memory during adulthood. The team also found that changes in gut bacteria could be the culprit behind memory and learning difficulties. The study was published in the journal Translational Psychiatry on March 31.

They found that mice given the bacteria, called Parabacteroides, began to have memory problems during the study. This occurred even if they had never consumed sugar previously.

“Early life sugar increased Parabacteroides levels, and the higher the levels of Parabacteroides, the worse the animals did in the task,” said Emily Noble, assistant professor in the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences and first author of the study. “We found that the bacteria alone was sufficient to impair memory in the same way as sugar, but it also impaired other types of memory functions as well.”

How high sugar consumption impairs brain functioning and alters gut bacteria

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, set by the USDA and U.S. Health and Human Services recommend limiting sugar. It proposes keeping sugar consumption at 10 percent or less of daily calories. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that Americans aged 9-18 greatly surpass this guideline. The majority of their daily calories come from sugary beverages, unfortunately.

The hippocampus helps with many cognitive functions and doesn’t develop fully until late adolescence. Because of this, researchers wanted to understand better how sugary diets could impact brain development and the gut microbiome.

What the study on high sugar diets and brain health revealed

Juvenile rats consumed their regular diet and an 11% sugar solution, identical to commercially sold sugary drinks. Then, the research team had the rats perform a memory task heavily dependent on the hippocampus. The task specifically measured episodic contextual memory. This is the ability to remember the context where the rats had previously seen a familiar object.

Not surprisingly, the rats given the sugar solution had a more difficult time completing the task.

“We found that rats that consumed sugar in early life had an impaired capacity to discriminate that an object was novel to a specific context, a task the rats that were not given sugar were able to do,” Noble said.

Researchers then had the rats perform another memory task that measured immediate recognition memory. This task didn’t involve the hippocampus and measured the rats’ ability to recognize something they had seen before. In this case, sugar didn’t impact the rats’ recognition memory.

“Early life sugar consumption seems to selectively impair their hippocampal learning and memory,” Noble said.

How a high sugar diet altered gut bacteria in the mice

Further investigation discovered that consuming large amounts of sugar resulted in more Parabacteroides in the gut microbiome. Over 100 trillion microorganisms live in the gastrointestinal tract and have a considerable impact on health.

Researchers wanted to identify exactly how the bacteria impacted memory and learning. To accomplish this, they increased levels of Parabacteroides in the microbiome of rats that had never consumed sugar. These rats showed difficulty completing both hippocampal-dependent and hippocampal-independent memory tasks.

“(The bacteria) induced some cognitive deficits on its own,” Noble said. He said that future research would focus on which specific pathways are involved in gut-brain signaling.

“The question now is how do these populations of bacteria in the gut alter the development of the brain?” Noble said. “Identifying how the bacteria in the gut are impacting brain development will tell us about what sort of internal environment the brain needs in order to grow in a healthy way.”

Other harmful effects of eating too many sweets

In addition to impacting brain development and altering gut bacteria, eating sweets can cause many other health problems.

Leads to weight gain. Sugary beverages and snacks contain a lot of empty calories. According to Harvard University, the average American consumes about 22 teaspoons of added sugar daily, which equates to 350 calories. Foods with tons of sugar, like desserts, usually don’t have a lot of nutrients. By eating a more balanced diet and watching your calories, losing weight will become a lot easier.
It can cause high blood pressure and metabolic disease. Those who consume 25% or more calories from added sugars daily have a threefold increased risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.
Promotes moodiness. One study of 93,676 postmenopausal women found that diets high in sugar increased the risk of depression and mood disorders. Sugar can cause blood sugar dips and spikes, which may explain the results of this study.

Final Thoughts: University of GA study proves how sugar impairs brain development in kids

This rodent study found that juvenile rats who consumed sugar daily showed brain impairments even in adulthood. As young children get the majority of their calories from sugar, this is deeply concerning. The study revealed that rats given sugar in their typical diets had difficulty completing tasks associated with memory. They also had altered gut bacteria, though researchers still don’t know exactly how it affected their cognition.

However, experts around the world have sounded the alarm on sugar for decades because of its health dangers. Hopefully, companies will start making healthier alternatives so that children won’t be plagued with health problems in the future.

12 Ways to Build Trust In A Relationship

April 16, 2021 by Power of Positivity

The foundation of all good relationships is trust. Without it, you won’t have a healthy connection, and it can cause you great pain in the future. While you know it’s essential, few know the steps you need to take to build trust.

Additionally, what do you do when you need to rebuild trust once it’s been broken? There’s nothing as exciting as a new relationship. Everything seems lovely in the beginning when you’re fascinated with one another.

However, as things progress, you will learn that you must have a solid foundation to sustain yourself. What makes up this secure foundation, you ask? Well, you need to have honesty, trust, faithfulness, kindness, understanding, and support.

Remember the story of the three little pigs? The first little pig built his house with straw, and the second pig builds his home with twigs. By all accounts, they took the lazy way around the building project. However, it was the third little pig that took his time.

He used brick, and he built a substantial house with a good foundation. As the story goes, when the big bad wolf came huffing and puffing to blow their homes down, he was unable to destroy the one built with bricks. Your relationship will go through ups and downs, and there will be situations that parallel to the big bad wolf.

Things that come to destroy you won’t because if you take the time and build a good, solid foundation, your relationship will be steadfast.

Twelve Effective Ways to Build Trust

You’ve met the person of your dreams, and you think this could be the one you spend forever loving. So, you want to make sure that you have that foundation that stands the test of time, but you’re unsure what you need to do. Start by building trust.

Here are a few simple ways that you can cultivate a trusting relationship with one another.

1. Never Keep Secrets

Secrets will destroy any relationship. This doesn’t mean that you must tell your partner everything you know; it just means you need to keep them informed on the big stuff. Even if you think it’s something that will make them mad, you must remember they will be even more upset when they find out you lied or concealed something.

2. Always Do What You Say

Another essential part of trust is doing what you say you will do. If you tell your spouse you will be home from a night with your friends by 11 pm, then you should be home by that time. If something occurs that causes you to miss your deadline, you must remember to call out of courtesy.

You want your partner to know that they can trust you to do what you say you will do without hesitation. This helps to establish a good rapport with one another.

3. Tell the Truth

There’s nothing worse than a liar. Even if you feel that you’re justified in telling a little white lie, you must remember that a half-truth is still a whole lie. When you tell one tale that isn’t true, you must tell many more to cover that original one.

Sadly, your lies will snowball until even you can’t keep up with them all, and you may find that you tell the story so well you believe it. Lying is one way to destroy trust and not help to build it. If your partner is always second-guessing what you say to see if it’s truthful, then it’s no kind of relationship.

4. Learn Communication

It would help if you talked about stuff every day: the good things, the bad things, and even the very personal and scary things. Communication is the key to keeping your union together. You want to make sure that your partner is not only your lover but your friend.

How well do relationships work when you hardly talk to one another? Everyone has those friends who only pop in and out of your life when you need them. You can sleep next to one another and not even know what happened in their life that day.

If you want to build trust, then you must share your life with this person. This means you’ve got to talk about the challenging things and let them know how your day was at work.

5. Stand by Your Principles

You’ve probably been told that if you didn’t stand for something, you would fall for anything. Your partner will admire your principles and the stand you take on the things you believe in. Taking a stand means you don’t cave no matter how many times they ask.

For instance, if your partner smokes cigarettes but you have made a stand against tobacco products, you won’t be swayed to smoke a couple with him in a moment of weakness. When you have firm beliefs and principles, you’re like a tree planted by the waters that cannot be moved. He or she will admire you for these qualities because if you’re this way with one principle, you will be this way with most or all of them.

6. Be There When They Need You

There’s nothing worse than a one-sided relationship. If you expect your partner to be there when you need them, then you should be willing to do the same in return. Toxic and self-absorbed people often have one-sided relationships.

According to the National Library of Medicine, narcissists are usually not good with relationships. They are out to use people for their advantage, so often, relationships struggle. If you see any signs that someone has these toxic tendencies, it’s time to move on.

7. Be Vulnerable

Choosing someone for your partner requires you to take down all the walls you’ve built and be vulnerable. This person will see you at your best and your worst, and they will love you through it all. Assume you were hurt badly in a previous relationship, and you’re afraid to trust.

Every time this person isn’t home when they say they will be, your mind automatically thinks they’re cheating. Rather than blaming them, you need to sit down and tell them why you feel this way. Sure, it’s painful to open up the past and let them see your hurts, but it’s what will help you heal.

8. Define Boundaries

Everyone has boundaries, even in a relationship. Your partner should know upfront your limits and why. It would be best if you never waited until they cross one of them and upset you before saying anything.

There’s nothing wrong with clearly defined limits from the beginning, and it’s healthy to start on the same page.

9. Show Respect

There will be times when you are so angry that you want to call them every name in the book. However, because you love them and don’t want to say things in the heat of the moment, you must show respect. Respect can mean many things, but you have an understanding that no matter how upset you get with one another, you won’t cross that line into being disrespectful.

10. Take Care of Their Needs

When you’re in love with someone, part of building trust means that you put their needs above yours. Sure, you might have to cancel a night out with friends, or you may need to take a day off work to help them when they’re sick.

However, they learn that you will be there for them when they need you most, even if it means you must rearrange your schedule to accommodate.

11. Be Consistent

Consistency is hard for some folks. Relationships can become quite monotonous. You will feel like you’re doing the same thing over and over.

However, it’s the consistency that forms a bond because the other person knows they can depend on you. A steadfast person who is mature enough to stay when things are slightly boring is someone you can trust.

12. Stay Faithful

It’s hard to stay faithful when things are going bad. If you’ve decided to be exclusive, you need to be sure you can handle that commitment. Being together means that you won’t let your eyes wander, and this includes the internet too.

It’s effortless to have an affair these days, but if you want to build trust and not break it, then you will remain faithful.

Final Thoughts on Building Trust with Your New Partner

Everyone has issues, and many people have problems trusting others. However, you can’t let other relationships’ difficulties carry over into your current partnership, as it’s not fair. The National Institute of Health states that all relationships range from good to bad, and trust is a key factor.

Having good communication, remaining faithful, showing your vulnerable side, and doing what you say you will do will help you build a strong foundation. Remember that James Halliwell-Phillipps‘ nursery rhyme about the three little pigs, be like the intelligent piggy that took the time to build his house right.

The foundation of your relationship means everything. If you start by making the core strong, then you can stand the test of time.

Volunteers Save Thousands of Sea Turtles from Winter Storm in Texas

April 15, 2021 by Kristen Lawrence

The winter storm in February in Texas didn’t just endanger humans; cold temperatures also threatened thousands of sea turtles. The nonprofit organization Sea Turtle, Inc in South Padre Island, Texas, and volunteers helped rescue the animals. They took in over 5,000 cold-stunned turtles and eventually released over 2,200 after rehabilitating them.

Sea turtles use the normally warm waters in south Texas to regulate their body temperature since they’re cold-blooded. The sudden drop in temperatures can lead to “cold stunning,” which knocks the creatures unconscious in the water below 50° Fahrenheit. This can lead to deaths due to hypothermia or drowning.

Once the temperatures started dropping, Sea Turtle Inc called for help to rescue the sea turtles. People all over south Texas started showing up, offering to do whatever they could to save the helpless creatures. Last Monday, the nonprofit reached capacity due to the influx of turtles, sending overflow to the island’s convention center. By the next day, over 1,700 turtles had been rescued.

Volunteers placed them in rows on tarps and filled kiddie pools with water to warm them up. Out in the Gulf, Texas game wardens used their patrol boats to rescue hundreds of turtles. Because of the frigid temperatures, the sea turtles lost the function of their flippers. Volunteers used nets to scoop them up, and by the end of the day, the convention center housed 3,500 turtles.

People went out in recreational boats, fishing vessels, and even dinner cruise ships to rescue the turtles. The tide pushed many turtles ashore, so volunteers walked along the beach as well to pick up the stranded creatures. They transported the turtles to the nearby facility using trucks and trailers. Without the community’s support, the huge rescue effort couldn’t have taken place.

SpaceX employees and Texas Game Wardens also helped save the turtles.

Texas Game Wardens assigned to Cameron County rescued 141 sea turtles from the Brownsville Ship Channel and nearby bays. According to an update by Wendy Knight, the nonprofit’s executive director, one of the turtles weighed 400 pounds! Six people had to help move the giant turtle under heating lamps. They estimated he was over 150 years old.

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Wendy was greatly moved by the outpouring of generosity from the local community.

“The love and support of people who just want to help things that can’t help themselves are overwhelming,” Knight told NPR.

The massive power outages on the island presented another challenge. Volunteers struggled to keep the turtles warm as temperatures continued to fall. The power went out at 2 AM on Valentine’s Day, and the turtle’s tanks began to cool. They moved the turtles to tarps and kiddie pools temporarily but worried about caring for them with no power.

Just when they thought it couldn’t get any worse, SpaceX employees came to save the day. Representatives from the Boca Chica launch facility nearby visited last Tuesday night. They brought a huge commercial generator to the nonprofit organization to help them heat their tanks and equipment.

Knight said on Facebook, “This kind of reach out from our community sponsors at SpaceX. There are no words to explain the gratitude we have. They came to us in our darkest hour of need and got us a generator that was complex to find and even more complex to wire into our system.”

SpaceX employees even rescued nearly 1,000 sea turtles by themselves.

Wendy said Sea Turtle, Inc has collaborated with SpaceX for years on research and turtle conservation training. On Monday, officials from the company reached out and asked how they could help. Without the enormous generator, the turtles may not have survived much longer.

Thanks to the community’s support, thousands of turtles got to go back home.

Thankfully, the organization could release over 2,200 rehabilitated turtles back into the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday. They worked tirelessly for over 24 hours to get the sea turtles ready for release. They still have plenty of work ahead with the remaining turtles but have been thrilled with recovery efforts thus far. The team hopes to release many more over the coming weeks.

The turtles have endured the largest cold-stunning event ever recorded. Wendy called it “the Armageddon of all cold stuns,” saying that the power outage greatly exacerbated the event. She also said that they prepare each year for cold stuns but not for long-term power outages simultaneously.

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With the help of SpaceX and the massive generator, the power came back last Wednesday morning. However, Knight quickly discovered that the winter storm had caused damage to all of their heaters and coolers. These ensure a comfortable climate for the turtles in the large community tanks. Sea Turtle Inc started a fundraiser to make necessary repairs, raising over 25% of their goal so far.

The sudden cold snap sent shockwaves throughout Texas, impacting both humans and animals. At Sea Turtle, Inc, the health and safety of the turtles remained their priority. All five sea turtle species in Texas are threatened or endangered, which only heightened the urgency of the situation. Volunteers who didn’t even have running water or power at their homes showed up to help.

It took a collaboration of engineers, volunteers, and coordinators to pull off the massive rescue. Wendy Knight says she will continue to update Facebook about the remaining turtles’ recovery.

Final thoughts: Thousands of cold-stunned sea turtles rescued from frigid waters in Texas

The recent winter storm that hit Texas knocked out water and power for millions. It also made it dangerous for animals, who had little shelter from the harsh conditions. The sea turtles in south Texas became cold-stunned due to the sudden drop in water temperatures. The nonprofit organization Sea Turtle Inc, located on South Padre Island, enlisted the help of volunteers to save the turtles.

The huge collaborative effort greatly paid off, saving thousands of sea turtles from hypothermia. On Sunday, after the gulf started warming up, nearly half of the rescued turtles got to return home.

Featured image credit: Sea Turtles Inc | Facebook

Mercy Chefs Served Thousands of Hot Meals to Texans During Storms

April 15, 2021 by Kristen Lawrence

Mercy Chefs, a non-profit organization based in Virginia, headed to Texas to serve warm meals amidst bitter temperatures. The storm left many Texans trapped in their homes without power or water. What began as an inconvenience quickly turned into a deadly situation. Many had to weather the storm in sub-freezing temperatures, going without food for days.

Mercy Chefs serves warm meals to citizens throughout the country who have recently faced disasters. Before coming to Dallas, Texas, they provided disaster relief in Alabama after a devastating tornado struck the suburbs of Birmingham. In the past, they’ve also helped communities recover after hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters.

Who’s Behind Mercy Chefs?

The nonprofit began in 2006 when founder Gary LeBlanc witnessed the destruction in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He said while volunteering in New Orleans, he noticed the widespread and intense devastation throughout the city. The storm had left the city in ruins, and Gary felt compelled to help somehow. He knew hot meals could make a huge difference, but felt “outraged by the quality of food being served.”

However, after working in the hospitality industry for 35 years, he had plenty of experience serving food. He combined his expertise with the strong desire to help people, and Mercy Chefs came to life. To date, they’ve served over 10 million meals, reaching the milestone earlier this month. The chefs now have three mobile kitchens and two refrigerated trailers.

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The team serves restaurant-quality food cooked by chefs to citizens and first responders after natural disasters. They’ve responded to 134 disasters thus far in 27 states and 10 countries. Since the pandemic began last March, Mercy Chefs has prepared over 7 million meals.

After the winter storm devastated Texas, they didn’t think twice about helping out.

Mercy Chefs heads to Texas to ‘feed body and soul’ after the destructive storm

On their website, the organization said: “This is a natural disaster as severe as any hurricane, tornado, or wildfire. In some ways, a weather event like this is even more destructive, leaving millions without electricity, water, food, and other vital resources for an extended period of time and causing widespread damage to homes, businesses, and community infrastructures. Approximately 10 million Americans in Texas alone are suffering—and even dying—from the cold.”

“When our friends at Gateway Church called to ask for our help, we immediately said “yes.” They requested all the support we could muster because conditions are so desperate in Texas. Mercy Chefs is on the way with delicious hot meals to feed body and soul. We’re bringing everything we can to bless the people of Texas. We’ll be serving our first meals by Friday (2/19).”

They began serving hot meals from a large mobile kitchen at Gateway Church North Fort Worth Campus last week. The team served both lunch and dinner to the community, distributing food from multiple locations. Mercy Chefs utilized several kitchens in order to prepare meals to distribute to citizens. They also have been working to provide clean drinking water to those who need it throughout Texas.

“While our USDA Farmers to Families grocery box distributions and community kitchen programs continue throughout the country to bring winter storm relief nationwide, we’re now transporting our commercial-grade resources, including industrial power generators and water filtration systems, to serve the residents of the Dallas/Fort Worth area as they recover from this vicious winter storm.”

Gary says they’ve never seen such a need for warm meals and disaster relief before, not even after Hurricane Katrina. By last Wednesday, Mercy Chefs had received 20 requests for help from Dallas all the way to Oklahoma. They have kept getting requests throughout the week and will answer as many as they can.

The Texas winter storm left people without access to food and hot meals

Mercy Chefs served over 40,000 meals in the aftermath of the winter storm

According to their Facebook page, the volunteers served the last of their chef-prepared meals on February 24. With the aid of 700 new volunteers, the team prepared over 40,000 meals for Texans in need. As the state’s water and power came back on, citizens felt a sense of normalcy returning. Before Mercy Chefs left, however, they made sure to stock up their storehouses with essentials for those still struggling.

They also purchased grocery boxes for distribution by church partners throughout the state. The team saw volunteers of all ages coming out to help, from children to older adults.

Photo credit: Facebook

Here are some of the heartwarming posts from their Facebook about lives they’ve touched during the crisis:

“Update from Chef Gary at an assisted care facility in Keller, TX. These seniors were without power for four days in this extreme cold, and tonight they’re still without clean water. Tonight, we delivered our hot, chef-prepared meals and drinking water and a little bit of hope and sense of normalcy.”
“Yesterday alone we served well over 10,000 hot, handcrafted meals made with love. From elderly care facilities to a mile-long distribution drive-thru line, we have seen great need here. Today, we worked to expand our outreach in hopes of making a greater impact to serve as many people across the Dallas/Ft. Worth area as we could.”
“Yesterday, Christian Center in Fort Worth reached out asking for meals to distribute at their church. We delivered a thousand Mercy Chefs meals to them, and within just one hour, all of them had been served! Although the weather has warmed, the need has not let up in Texas. Thank you to all of our volunteers and partners who have stepped up to help us serve.”

Final thoughts: non-profit organization Mercy Chefs delivers hot meals and hope to weary Texans

Without the kindness and love of organizations like Mercy Chefs, millions of people would’ve been without food. The team of chefs risked their own lives traveling on icy roads to help those in need. Throughout the week, they served thousands of people all across the state.

However, without your support, they couldn’t continue to serve. If you’d like to donate to their organization, you can do so here.

Featured image: Facebook

These Illustrations Perfectly Capture What It’s like to Be A Woman

April 15, 2021 by Power of Positivity

Being a woman is a wonderful thing: we get the privilege to bear children, change our outfits multiple times while running late and not feel guilty about it, wear makeup, and nurture those around us with love and acceptance. Women are known for being more sensitive than men, and in the past we have been known as the “weaker” sex because of this. However, in today’s society, having feelings and being a caring, loving person is seen as a strength rather than a weakness. We’ve certainly come a long way as women over the years.

However, being a woman isn’t always easy! The illustrations by Bloome Comics show the reality of what’s it like to be a woman, and we can definitely relate.

“A woman is like a tea bag – you never know how strong it is until it’s in hot water.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

These Illustrations Perfectly Capture What It’s Like to Be A Woman

1. Beauty routines don’t always go as planned as a woman, but we can improvise!

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A post shared by BLOOME SPACE ? GRLS PWR (@bloome_comics) on Feb 19, 2020 at 3:51am PST

2. If you’re a woman, you know how true this is!

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A post shared by BLOOME SPACE ? GRLS PWR (@bloome_comics) on Jan 30, 2020 at 12:26pm PST

3. As a woman, choosing the right outfit is a job in itself!

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A post shared by BLOOME SPACE ? GRLS PWR (@bloome_comics) on Dec 18, 2019 at 3:39am PST

Society seems to judge women more harshly for our bodies, but we hope you know that you’re beautiful no matter what size or shape you are! Every woman is beautiful in her own unique way.

4. Because sometimes, we just need a day to ourselves to recharge. We still love our friends, but being a woman requires a lot of energy!

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A post shared by BLOOME SPACE ? GRLS PWR (@bloome_comics) on Nov 30, 2019 at 2:02am PST

5. This is definitely a bad habit of ours, and we’ll be the first to admit it.

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A post shared by BLOOME SPACE ? GRLS PWR (@bloome_comics) on Jan 16, 2020 at 3:30am PST

6. Everyone knows that women go by their own time clocks, and it’s about time society learns to just accept it.

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A post shared by BLOOME SPACE ? GRLS PWR (@bloome_comics) on Jan 2, 2020 at 4:51am PST

7. Our fuzzy friends look at us like we’re crazy, but we’re used to it by now.

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A post shared by BLOOME SPACE ? GRLS PWR (@bloome_comics) on Jan 3, 2020 at 12:48am PST

8. Yeah, it’s like that sometimes, and we are not ashamed.

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A post shared by BLOOME SPACE ? GRLS PWR (@bloome_comics) on Nov 25, 2019 at 2:08am PST

Which of these illustrations did you relate to the most? Let us know in the comments!

Kindhearted Woman Surprises a Deserving Student with a New Car

April 15, 2021 by Kristen Lawrence

When a kindhearted woman crossed paths with a young man walking to work, she immediately wanted to help. Jayden Sutton, an 18-year-old high school senior from Georgia, walked 7 miles to and from work each day. He hoped he could eventually save enough to buy a car. However, Lavonda Wright Myers intervened and started a fundraiser so he could get his car.

Jayden met her at the local Honda dealership one day, where Lavonda presented him with his new vehicle. The Atlanta resident told Fox News that she first saw the teenager walking to work in the rain last December. Ever since that day, she felt determined to find a way to help him buy a car. Myers said her husband was very supportive in helping her pick out a car for him as well. People who are also in the market for high-quality and affordable vehicles may explore these used cars in fort myers.

After the touching story of Jayden Sutton’s journey to receive his new car, the next crucial step is ensuring that it remains in excellent condition. Owning a vehicle is not just about having transportation; it’s also about maintaining it properly to ensure its longevity and reliability.

Regular maintenance and timely repairs are essential to keep a new car running smoothly and to prevent unexpected breakdowns. For Jayden, and for any new car owner, finding a trusted auto repair service is key to preserving the value of the vehicle and ensuring a trouble-free driving experience.

Rush Automotive, with its reputation for outstanding service and expertise, becomes an invaluable resource for maintaining Jayden’s new car. Their comprehensive range of services, from routine maintenance to more complex repairs, ensures that vehicles are well cared for and remain in peak condition. As Jayden embarks on his new chapter with his car, having a reliable partner to handle all his automotive needs will help him enjoy his new ride with peace of mind and confidence.

She said that the world needs more love, and she wants to help, one person at a time. If we all thought this way, hate wouldn’t stand a chance.

As stories like Jayden Sutton’s inspire acts of kindness and generosity, they also highlight the pivotal role of car dealerships in facilitating such heartwarming gestures.

Dealerships like Swansway Garages recognize the profound impact a reliable mode of transportation can have on someone’s life, and they strive to be more than just a place to purchase vehicles. With a commitment to their community, dealerships like Swansway Garages actively engage in initiatives to support individuals like Jayden in achieving their mobility goals.

In addition to offering new vehicles, dealerships like Swansway Garages also play a vital role in providing access to quality used cars, including options like used byd cars for sale. By offering a diverse selection of vehicles at different price points, these dealerships ensure that individuals from all walks of life have the opportunity to find a suitable vehicle that fits their needs and budget.

Through partnerships and initiatives that prioritize community well-being, car dealerships continue to serve as beacons of hope and support for individuals striving to overcome transportation challenges.

While Swansway Garages exemplifies the importance of accessible transportation, for Tesla owners, the focus shifts to enhancing the ownership experience.

Tesla vehicles themselves are marvels of innovation, but a range of tesla accessories can further elevate your enjoyment and utility. These accessories cater to a variety of needs, from protecting your investment with a custom car cover to maximizing comfort with all-weather floor mats.

Whether you’re looking for a sleek phone charger that integrates seamlessly with your center console or a cargo organizer to keep your groceries from rolling around, there’s a Tesla accessory designed to streamline your life on the road.

By investing in these enhancements, you can personalize your Tesla and transform it into a true extension of yourself.

Myers said that on Dec. 10, she saw Sutton walking to work on the side of the road on her way to Powder Springs. She offered to give him a ride to work, and he agreed.

While talking with him, she found out he walked 7 miles to and from work each day. He couldn’t afford Uber rides, so he had to get to work somehow. Walking seemed like his only option until he could save enough money from his paychecks for a car.

After she dropped Jayden off at work, she said his determination and strength brought tears to her eyes. He told her with a huge smile on his face that he walks because he has to. After he said that, she felt a calling to help him with his dream of purchasing a car. She told Fox News that “that’s a child worth blessing.”

The kindhearted woman made good on her promise.

Immediately after their encounter, Myers started a GoFundMe page and shared Jayden’s story. After just two days, $6,365 had been raised toward the purchase of his car. Only a month after Jayden and Myers crossed paths, his dream came true, all because of the kindhearted woman.

She then surprised Jayden with a car at Nalley Honda in Union City, purchasing it with a $7,000 check. Myers added $635 out of her own pocket to pay for the car. The dealership’s general manager agreed to negotiate with her, dropping the price of the car from $7,800.

The local news station in Atlanta was at the dealership to record the special surprise for Jayden. He was totally oblivious to the blessing he was about to receive that day at Nalley Honda. After Myers presented him with his new car, he told her he loved her for the kindhearted gesture. He said, “I just want to thank you so much; you don’t even understand how much.”

Before getting the car, Jayden would get home from school around 3:30 pm each day and then walk straight to work. He worked for 6 to 7-hour shifts at a local restaurant and then walked 7 miles back home. However, he didn’t let it phase him. He told Fox if that’s what it took to buy a car, he was going to do it.

His positive attitude is part of the reason Myers wanted to help him. He walked all that way each day with a smile on his face and love in his heart. Myers also said that the blessing couldn’t have come at a better time for his family. She found out that his mom recently had an accident that totaled her car. Because of the unfortunate situation, Jayden had to walk to work.

It’s heartwarming to hear about Jayden’s resilience and positive spirit despite facing such challenges. His dedication and positivity are truly admirable. However, the recent accident that totaled his mom’s car has added another layer of difficulty to their situation. In times like these, having the support of a compassionate Santa Rosa Personal Injury Lawyer could make a significant difference. Such a lawyer could help navigate the complexities of insurance claims, ensuring that Jayden’s mom receives fair compensation for her car and any associated medical expenses or lost wages.

A kindhearted woman says the family deserves a blessing.

In the caption on one of the pictures captured when Jayden got his car, Myers had this to say:

“God did it y’all. Please know God provides. Jayden, no more walking 7 miles to work after school, young man. God bless everyone that is donating. Entrusting me and God with your seed, I declare a 100 fold return. On Dec. 10, I passed a 12th-grade stranger walking in light rain at the speed of lightning headed to work after school.

“After working a 7-hour shift, he would walk miles back in the cold, arriving home around 11:30 at night with this same smile! I gave him a ride to work on Dec 10th, and I told him in bold faith, ‘the next time you see me, it’ll be with a car the Lord’s going to bless you with.’ We prayed together on the steps of his job and activated our faith! This child, nor his family, never asked me for a penny – it was all God.

I sowed my seed first on Dec 11th, created GoFundMe on Dec 12th with a goal of $4,000 and within 30 days, God demonstrated his love, power and ability to provide over and above my goal with a $7,000 miracle in the middle of a pandemic. Thank you Jesus for an ear to hear, a heart for your people and the obedience to be a blessing in this world.

“His mom’s car was recently totaled, and she was laid off from work. If you’d like to be a blessing to her as well, you can give on the GoFundMe link on my Facebook page posted on Dec 12th.

“I definitely heard God clearly concerning this family. She said this act of kindness from a genuine heart expecting nothing in return has blown her mind. She thanks me daily by text, and tears of gratefulness is her sentiments to God and everyone that gave.

“Everyone from around the world that donated, believed, and prayed with me, thank you for trusting me with every penny, and I bless God for your sacrifice. I declare it returns to you 100 fold.”

Jayden wants everyone to know that if you’re trying to reach a goal, don’t give up. You may get a helping hand when you least expect it.

Two Adopted Women Become BFFs, Discover They’re Long Lost Sisters

April 15, 2021 by Kristen Lawrence

When two coworkers discovered they were long-lost sisters, it sounded like something out of a movie. They had an instant connection when they met and quickly became best friends. However, they wouldn’t learn about being sisters until eight years later.

Julia Tinetti and Cassandra Madison met in 2013 while working at the Russian Lady Bar in New Haven, Connecticut. They both had tattoos of the Dominican Republic flag and had both been born and adopted from that country. After bonding over their similarities, the coworkers started hanging out all the time outside of work. They would go out for drinks and dinner and even started dressing alike!

An instant connection

They both just hit it off, and the connection seemed very natural. Their coworkers would even joke about them looking like sisters.

But, when Tinetti and Madison compared adoption papers, they were disappointed that they didn’t match. Tinetti said that they were from two different cities according to the papers and had different last names. Their mothers’ names on the paperwork also were not the same.

Even though the papers said they weren’t related, they both felt an overwhelming connection with each other. Not only did they look similar, but their birth dates and backgrounds were uncannily alike. Tinetti was born in the Dominican Republic in 1989 and adopted shortly after. Madison also was adopted shortly after being born in 1988 in the DR.

Madison told Good Morning America she strongly felt she and Tinetti were long-lost sisters. However, the discrepancies in the adoption papers made her have doubts.

When Madison moved to Virginia Beach in 2015, the two remained close, often talking on social media. Madison couldn’t shake the feeling about she and Tinetti being related and wanted to dig deeper into her ancestry. She got her to wish in 2018 when her adoptive mom bought her a 23andMe DNA genetic testing kit for Christmas. Through the results, she was actually able to find several distant relatives.

How a friend connects the dots, confirming they’re long lost sisters

Molly Sapadin, a childhood friend of Tinetti, helped solve the mystery about the two coworkers’ relationship. Sapadin had been adopted from the Dominican Republic as well in 1990, shortly after her birth. Sapadin and Tinetti’s adoptive moms had been friends while the two girls grew up in New Haven.

Because of this connection, Sapadin and Madison compared their adoption papers. Sapadin thought they could perhaps be half-sisters since their last names matched. According to the paperwork, they also had the same birth mother. All three women believe that since Sapadin and Tinetti got adopted on the same day, their papers must’ve gotten switched.

Sapadin said a DNA test revealed that Madison is actually her third cousin, not her half-sister. However, she still felt excited to learn more about her biological family. According to Good Morning America, Tinetti and Sapadin have the same mom listed on their adoption papers. However, they want to do more DNA testing to confirm whether the woman is their biological mom.

Putting all the pieces of the puzzle together

Madison ended up connecting with a first cousin who helped her find her biological father, Adriano Luna Collado. He still lives in the Dominican Republic, but sadly, her mom Yulianna Collado died in 2015 of a heart attack.

However, through genetic testing, Madison found that she had many other relatives in the DR. In 2018, she flew to her home country to meet her seven siblings and biological father. While there, she asked her dad if he had ever given up another baby for adoption.

He said he had, only because one of Madison’s brothers had a serious illness at the time. They couldn’t care for the other child and look after her brother, so they had to make a tough decision. During this conversation, Madison just knew that it was Tinetti who he had given up for adoption. On January 28, a DNA test Tinetti took finally confirmed their hunch – they were actually long-lost sisters!

Happy news, but with awkward timing

They were thrilled with the news, but the whole family has had a lot to process.

“Still processing the magnitude of the situation,” she told Good Morning America. “This is the type of thing you see on TV. Finding my biological family just wasn’t a thing for me. I grew up with a great family, so I just kind of left it to what it was.”

However, after the pandemic eases, she hopes to fly down to meet her family in person. They’ve been video chatting to get to know each other.

Thank goodness for modern DNA testing, which put together the pieces of a very complicated puzzle. The DNA tests showed that the adoption agency had accidentally switched Sapadin’s and Tinetti’s papers. Because of this, it took eight years for Madison and Tinetti to make sense of their deep connection. They aren’t just best friends – they are long lost sisters – now reunited forever.

DNA tests also revealed that Sapadin has a twin with whom she hopes to connect with.

This story had a happy ending, but not all adopted children share the sentiment about finding their biological family. Madison advises anyone looking for their birth family.

“Be prepared. They may not want to meet you and may have closed that chapter of their life,” Madison also said on Good Morning America. “For me, it’s always been, ‘I’m going to find these people if it’s the last thing I do.’ I was going to die trying.”

Final Thoughts: Two coworkers who became best friends realized they’re actually long-lost sisters

This story is nothing short of a divine miracle. Tinetti and Madison never would’ve imagined that their friendship would lead to them finding out they’re sisters. Through DNA testing, they even found out that Tinetti’s childhood friend is their cousin! Hopefully, the whole family can soon have a big, happy reunion and make up for the lost time.

Do you know anyone who found out they were actually long-lost sisters? Please share your stories in the comments!

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