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10 Reasons Why Some Friends Refuse To Accept Support

January 20, 2021 by Lakeisha Ethans

Have you ever noticed a friend struggling a lot with something and reached out to offer support or help? In most cases, a friend is often grateful that you’ve noticed an issue and will take you up on the offer. They may even promise to have your back when you need it next time.

But in some cases, a friend will turn you down. You can clearly see that they need your assistance, and yet they’re acting as if they very strongly do not want it. They continue to struggle and turn down the offers for support from everyone who tries to bring it up, and they may even get angry at these offers.

If you’ve ever seen that occur, then you might have been pretty confused, as it doesn’t seem to make that much sense. Someone who desperately and obviously – to you at least – needs help is turning it down, even though you’re a friend who they trust! It can be quite confusing and bewildering, and it may even significantly concern you as you worry about their wellbeing.

So, why does this happen? What would cause someone to rebuff and reject assistance at every turn, even if they look like it would be beneficial to them? Is there any way for you to break through that rebuttal? Here are 10 reasons why some friends refuse to accept your support.

1. They Don’t Want To Be Vulnerable

The act of accepting help from others requires someone to be open to being vulnerable. For your friends, this means:

Allowing someone to see them at low points
Risking being hurt or rejected by you after you see their flaws
Opening themself up to the possibility of being judged

Vulnerability is scary for most people, even when it doesn’t make logical sense for that vulnerability to be a problem. Don’t take it personally – even if someone trusts you, it’s natural for them to want to stay as secure and safe as possible, which means remaining closed off in their time of distress.

2. They Don’t Perceive It As Necessary

Different people have different limits and boundaries. To you, what your friend is going through may seem like it obviously requires assistance, but to them, it may seem like no big deal at all.

Most people are somewhat capable of distinguishing when they truly need help, and when they don’t. If you’re concerned that your friend isn’t thinking clearly, express your concerns about them. Try to frame it in a way that is genuine and honest but not offensive. Basically, state why you’re worried that they may need help and offer what you can. If they still say they don’t need help, respect that.

3. They Don’t Want To Be Obligated To Reciprocate

Social norms dictate that the proper, positive thing to do when someone helps you is to be ready to reciprocate. This value is what society was founded on, with cooperation among communities of the earliest human beings.

If your friend doesn’t feel up to returning favors or reciprocating, they may turn down help to prevent that issue from arising. They may:

Feel like all forms of assistance basically come with a price tag
Feel as if their freedom and autonomy are threatened by impending obligation
Not want to be at a disadvantage later if you ask something of them.

Even if you try to tell your friend that you don’t expect anything in return, be prepared for them to continue to rebuff you. They might not feel right about accepting a favor they don’t want to return.

4. They Cannot Reciprocate

In a similar vein to simply not wanting to reciprocate, some friends may lack the ability to repay you at all. This is especially true for bigger forms of help that can be seen as huge favors from you to them.

Even if you try to convince someone that you don’t want repayment, many people will continue to turn down help offers if they know they won’t properly repay you. It’s a personal decision often based on a personal code of honor or set of values.

5. They Have A Lot Of Pride

Pride is one of the most common reasons that someone may refuse to accept support. After all, everyone has a sense of dignity, and some find that theirs would be more easily lowered when they can’t do things by themselves. A friend who has a lot of pride might feel that:

It is their duty to complete tasks on their own with no assistance, lest it is akin to admitting defeat
Being helped means that they are inferior, deficient, or inadequate compared to their helper
Accepting assistance would mean admitting that they have weaknesses or shortcomings
An offer of help somehow implies that they are not capable of handling something on their own
They are being treated like a charity case or being offered assistance out of pity

6. They Have Negative Past Experiences From Accepting Help

Trust issues are often made a joke in the media, but they’re genuine and can be debilitating. If your friend has been in a position before accepting help led to negative consequences, they may turn you down on a reflex to protect themselves. Examples of negative past experiences include:

An acceptance of the help that led to that support being used as a bargaining chip against them
Someone in the past acting entitled to favor from them after helping them out
Manipulation by someone who claimed to be helping but was actually trying to take advantage of them
Past demands of repayment from someone who helped them
Being guilt-tripped after accepting help to the point where they regret accepting in the first place
Severe past trauma from abuse

7. They Don’t Like How It’s Being Offered

Before you start accusing your friend of being unreasonable, look at yourself first. Are you offering help in a way that your friends are comfortable accepting? Someone is less likely to accept any support from you if you do the following:

Act patronizing as if you know better than them that they need help
Act as if you are above them and therefore helping because you can do a better job
Imply that you don’t believe they are capable of doing things themselves for highly negative reasons
Aren’t the right person to offer such a thing, and they know it
Act as if you know all the solutions and aren’t listening to their perspectives or input
Have ulterior motives

It’s important to make sure that you’re approaching this situation helpfully and beneficially. If your approach isn’t positive, you can’t expect to have your offers accepted!

8. They Don’t Feel Like They Deserve Help

Some people refuse offers for support simply because they think they aren’t worthy of it. It’s certainly a harmful thought pattern to participate in, but many people don’t know how to control it or overcome it.

Think about your friend’s background. What do you know about them that may tell you why they’re behaving this way? Consider, for example, that they may:

Have grown up in an abusive home where they felt as though they were undeserving of anything
Believe that asking for anything at all is selfish, and something not to be done.
Think they don’t have any right to accept offered help
Feel that they need to earn your assistance and that they have not done so yet
Retain old trauma that tells them they may be punished for accepting any help from you or others
Feel guilty if they accept your help

9. They Don’t Want To Trouble Or Burden You

Many people fear the act of putting a burden on the shoulders of the people they care about. Your friend may not want to trouble you with their difficulties and messes. They may feel as though they are carrying a burden of some kind and don’t want you to suffer with them.

If you’re up to the emotional, physical, and mental labor of assisting, you can try to reassure your friend that this is of no trouble to you. You can also add a statement saying that you will inform them the second you need to step away for your wellbeing if it applies.

10. They Have A Disorder That Dysregulates Their Perception

A huge number of mental disorders can affect the way someone perceives others. If your friend is diagnosed with certain conditions, they might have more trouble accepting your help, seeing it as genuine, or even realizing that they need help.

In this type of scenario, it may be best to consult a mental health professional about this, speak to someone closer to them, know them intimately first, or do your own research about the disorder before going forward.

Final Thoughts On Reasons Why Some Friends Refuse To Accept Your Support

It can be difficult watching a friend struggle but turn down all forms of support. At the end of the day, though, they get the final say on who can help them and who can’t. It is their right to refuse even the most reasonable offers. You have to respect their wishes, even if you leave an open offer or continue to check on them.

If you are anxious, it may be a good idea to sit down and have an honest conversation with your friend. Express your concerns in a clear, non-confrontational manner and ask if anything is preventing them from accepting your support. Sometimes, showing your genuine desire to help may be enough to override whatever is causing the refusal.

At the end of the day, though, there will always be people who have trouble accepting others’ support. It’s not as easy to overcome these feelings as it seems. You have to use positive thinking and try your best not to take it personally!

If you want to, you have the option of leaving the door open for support in the future. You can do so by ensuring that your friend knows you will be more than happy to help as soon as they say the word. This way, you respect their decision while extending a helping hand, and who knows? One day, your friend may take you up on it!

20 Short Quotes on Strength from Within

January 19, 2021 by Sarah Barkley

Being strong isn’t only a physical characteristic, as these quotes on strength will explain. Inner-strength comes from within and has nothing to do with how much you can physically carry.

With strength from within, you will find that you can do anything you set your mind to. You will be able to overcome any obstacle or hardship, and you will find success in life, too.

As these quotes on strength will remind you, looking for strength from within is what will get you through life. The strength is always there, you just have to remember to always look for it.

Twenty Quotes on Strength from Within

As you tap into your inner-strength, you will only become stronger and better equipped to handle whatever comes your way.

1. “I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence, but it comes from within. It is there all the time.” – Anna Freud

You won’t find true strength on the outside. Instead, you have to look within when you need to be strong. Your strength is always there, but you have to know where to look for it.

2. “Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” – Maya Angelou

If you have inner-strength, nothing can take that away from you. Allow your strength to guide you and nothing will be able to hold you back.

3. “By meditation we develop that strength within us, so automatically we start solving the problem.” – Nirmala Srivastava

You have to take the time to reflect and think about what is within you. When you take this quiet time, you are well on your way to getting through the problem. This is when you will see what truly needs to happen and what you have to do to accomplish it.

4. “He knows not his own strength that hath not met adversity.” – Ben Jonson

When you go through hard times, you’ll see just how strong you are. You can get through anything, and your strength will shine through when you need it.

5. “You have power over your mind―not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” – Marcus Aurelius

You can’t control what goes on in the world around you, but you can control your mind. When you can change your thoughts from negative ones to positive ones, you’ll realize your inner strength. You can control your thoughts, and the minute you do, you will see what you are capable of overcoming.

6. “Physical strength is measured by what we carry. Inner strength is measured by what we can bear.” – Unknown

Being able to carry heavy things in everyday life says nothing about what you can bear internally. What you can bear internally is the thing that determines your inner strength. Think of all that you have been through so far and all that you have had to bear, and you’ll remember how strong you are.

7. “The adversity gives opportunity to discover inner strength. Inner strength is derived from self-belief and indomitable will.” – Anil Sinha

Don’t dread hardship or give up when obstacles are placed in your life. This is when you can prove how strong you are. Use the hard times as an opportunity for growth and self-discovery as you tap into your inner strength to get through.

8. “We acquire the strength we have overcome.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Each time you overcome a hardship you will get stronger. As Emerson explains, you mentally obtain all the things you have overcome and they build your inner-strength.

9. “It is worth remembering that the time of greatest gain in terms of wisdom and inner strength is often that of greatest difficulty.” – Dalai Lama

The harder the obstacle, the more strength you will gain. Through hardships, you will become wiser and stronger. Without those opportunities, you would never see how strong you are and you would never be able to become stronger.

10. “Look well into yourself, there is a source of strength which will always spring up if you will always look there.” – Marcus Aurelius

As long as you look within, you will find the strength you need to get through anything. No matter the situation, the strength is always there if you look for it.

11. “In solitude the mind gains strength and learns to lean upon itself.” – Laurence Sterne

Enjoy moments when you are alone and allow yourself to look within. Reflect on who you are and who you want to be, and draw strength from that. Learn to appreciate who you are and to always lean on yourself for support.

12. “The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core of strength within you survives all hurt.” – Max Lerner

No matter how badly you are hurting, you can survive and get through it. You are strong enough to bear anything life throws your way. When you realize this, you will know that you have truly grown up.

13. “Few men during their lifetime come anywhere near exhausting the resources dwelling within them. There are deep wells of strength that are never used.” – Richard E. Byrd

There is more strength within you than you can ever realize. No matter how hard life gets, you are strong enough to keep going and your strength won’t run out. It is limitless, as long as you know to look within.

14. “The task ahead is never greater than the strength within you.” – Unknown

You can accomplish anything, and you shouldn’t let anything that you are facing hold you back. The strength you have within is more than enough to get you through any task. Keep moving forward and using that inner-strength to reach your goals.

15. “We are living in a time of uncertainty, anxiety, fear, and despair. It is essential that you become aware of the light, power, and strength within each of you, and that you learn to use those inner resources in service of your own and others’ growth.” – Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Life is never perfect, and there will always be uncertain times. You will feel anxious, fearful, and sad at times, but you are strong enough to get through. Acknowledge the power that you hold over your mind, and let that inner-strength shine through as you grow and help others.

16. “People who are fortunate to find their inner strength find that it gives them direction, a purpose, and fulfillment in living.” – John Cong Nguyen

When you realize how strong you truly are inside, you will know that you can do anything. You will determine which direction you want to take in life, and it will give you a purpose. As you work toward that goal, you’ll find fulfillment, too, as Nguyen explains.

17. “Go within every day and find the inner strength so that the world will not blow your candle out.” – Katherine Dunham

Give your best every day, and show the world who you truly are. Don’t let anything dull your flame or put out your fire.

Somedays, this will be easier than others. On the harder days, go within, as Dunham suggests, and find your inner strength.

18. “She was powerful, not because she wasn’t scared but because she went on so strongly, despite the fear.” – Atticus

There will be times in your life when you are scared of what is coming or how you have to get to the next point. That is normal, and only the powerful can overcome that fear. Those who can overcome it are the ones who look within and find their inner strength.

19. “Your inner strength is your outer foundation.” – Allan Rufus

Without inner strength, it will be hard to build up the person that you are. Everything that you are and hope to be is based on how strong you are inside. Make sure you look within and allow your inner-strength to work for you.

20. “You really have to look inside yourself and find your own inner strength, and say, ‘I’m proud of what I am and who I am.’” – Mariah Carey

Stop being hard on yourself and instead, appreciate who you are and what you have done. You can do this by looking within and finding your strength. When you realize how strong you are, you will truly appreciate the person that you are.

Final thoughts on Short Quotes on Strength from Within

Everyone has inner-strength, as these quotes on strength explain. You simply have to look within to see how strong you truly are, and then you can do anything. It has nothing to do with how much you can physically carry, but only how much you can emotionally bear.

With inner-strength comes resilience, direction, and purpose in life. Plus, strength from within will get you through all of the hard times you will inevitably go through. When times get tough, remember these quotes on strength from within and they will help you get through.

15 Quotes on Depression to Give You Perspective

January 18, 2021 by Sarah Barkley

Depression is a hard mental illness to explain to people. Unless someone has struggled with depression themselves, they’ll never truly understand how it feels or what it is like. These quotes on depression can give you perspective and help you understand.

Having an understanding and a realistic perspective can help you or someone you love to keep fighting. Since it is an impossible illness to explain, these quotes on depression are the best way to do so.

As you will learn from these quotes on depression, depression is different than being sad. It causes those who battle with depression to feel hopeless, empty, and alone. This feeling doesn’t just go away like sadness does, either, and it doesn’t get better over time.

Fifteen Quotes on Depression

Understanding depression is important, especially if you or someone you love battles it. Remember these quotes on depression to give you perspective.

1. “I wanted to write down exactly what I felt, but somehow the paper stayed empty, and I could not have described it any better.” – Unknown

Depression leaves those who battle it feeling empty inside. It can be hard to describe the feelings because they are so uncertain.

A person who battles with depression also battles identifying what is going on in their heart and mind. Remember to give them some grace if they can’t explain what is wrong or tell you why they are down.

2. “You might feel so exhausted and overwhelmed from everything in life that you describe yourself as being ‘tired’ constantly. Not even resting or sleeping may help you fix this feeling.” – Unknown

Being depressed causes a constant feeling of exhaustion. No matter how much sleep a depressed person gets, they will likely always feel tired.

This is because life becomes overwhelming for them, and it uses all of the energy on little things. Plus, depression can cause insomnia, making a depressed person tired all of the time.

3. “Depression makes you isolated. It’s very hard to think of other people when you’re wrapped in a prickly blanket of sadness, and all you can think about is your own pain.” – Unknown

Depression is all-consuming, and it can cause someone not to consider the feelings of others. As depression causes someone to wallow, mope, and isolate themselves, it can cause damage to their relationships.

Keep this in mind if you know someone battling depression and continues being there for them, even if it seems they don’t think about you. It isn’t because they don’t love you or care about you. Instead, it is just that their depression has completely consumed their thoughts and feelings.

4. “Sometimes I wonder if I will ever be happy with myself. I worry that if I can’t be happy with myself, then nobody will ever be happy with me.” – Unknown

With depression comes negative self-talk and thoughts, causing the person to be unhappy with who they are. These thoughts and feelings then lead to assuming no one is happy with them and never will be.

5. “Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden. It is easier to say, ‘My tooth is aching’ than to say ‘My heart is broken.’” – C.S. Lewis

While you can’t see mental pain the way you see physical pain, it is still excruciating. Concealing the pain only makes it worse, but that’s what happens for most who battle depression. Since everyone can relate to physical pain, it’s easier to express that type of pain.

6. “The absence of hope. That very deadened feeling, which is so very different from feeling sad. Sad hurts, but it’s a healthy feeling. It’s a necessary thing to feel. Depression is very different.” – J.K. Rowling

Depression takes away hope for the future. It causes those who battle depression to feel empty, which is different than what it is like to feel sad. Feeling sadness is a natural, healthy feeling, but depression goes much beyond that.

Depression interferes with a person’s life and causes them to isolate themselves and give up on their future. They won’t see something to look forward to or that things will ever get better. Sadness causes pain, but it doesn’t cause this extreme loss of hope.

7. “No one realizes how strong someone with depression has to be just to do daily stuff like shower, brush hair or get out of bed.” – Unknown

Many people with depression can’t get the motivation to take care of themselves. They will think that there is no point in it or too tired to do it. If getting out of bed, taking a shower, and doing their hair is the only thing they did, it might be a bigger accomplishment than you realize.

8. “One swallow does not make a summer, neither does one fine day; similarly, one day or brief time of happiness does not make a person entirely happy.” – Aristotle

Just because someone has a good or happy day occasionally doesn’t mean they aren’t struggling. You may see someone smiling or laughing, but inside they are struggling with depression. Don’t assume someone has gotten better just because they are having a good day.

9. “You look happy, but you don’t feel happy. That’s what depression does to you.” – Unknown

Those who struggle with depression tend to hide their struggle. They become good at appearing happy and fine as they go about their daily routine, but inside they feel empty. So, seeing someone look happy doesn’t necessarily mean they are truly happy.

10. “There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.” – Laurell K. Hamilton

Even though you can’t see the pain, those with depression are hurting more than you could imagine. This feeling goes deep for them, and it seems there is nothing that can make it feel better.

11. “When depression takes over, and I can’t push through it, I have to close my door and shut the world out. It’s the only way I know how to survive.” – Unknown

Depression causes those who battle it to isolate themselves often. When things get too much for them, they will withdraw from others and spend their time alone. It’s nothing personal. It is just the way they handle the overwhelming depression.

12. “If you know someone who’s depressed, please resolve never to ask them why. Depression isn’t a straightforward response to a bad situation; depression just is, like the weather.” – Stephen Fry

Asking someone why they are depressed won’t give you any answers. If they could tell you why they would be able to fix the mental illness. Plus, it isn’t as simple as figuring out why it is just something that happens.

13. “When you suffer from depression, ‘I’m tired’ means a permanent state of exhaustion that sleep doesn’t fix.” – Unknown

As many of these quotes on depression explain, depression causes exhaustion. Even if the person battling depression takes naps or sleeps through the night, they may still be tired. It isn’t that they are lazy, but they are depressed, and life gets to be too much.

14. “When you’re surrounded by all these people, it can be lonelier than when you’re by yourself. You can be in a huge crowd, but if you don’t feel like you can trust anyone or talk to anybody, you feel like you’re really alone.” – Fiona Apple

Depression can make it seem like someone is alone, even when people surround them. Even worse, the more people there are, the more alone they will feel. This feeling is because depression can make them think they can’t trust or count on anyone, making them always feel isolated.

15. “That’s the thing about depression: A human being can survive almost anything, as long as she sees the end in sight. But depression is so insidious, and it compounds daily, that it’s impossible to ever see the end.” – Elizabeth Wurtzel

Depression makes it seem like there is no end to the pain and suffering. It will seem like things will always be bad and that there is no hope for the future.

Final Thoughts on Quotes on Depression to Give You Perspective

Depression is hard to deal with, but it’s even harder to understand. Those who don’t battle depression can’t truly know what it is like, but these quotes on depression can give you perspective. It isn’t something that people choose or can control. Instead, it is just something that happens.

No matter the reason, depression causes people to feel alone, empty, and like there is no hope. It can be debilitating and interfere with relationships, jobs, and even getting ready for the day. Remember these quotes on depression to give you a perspective on the illness.

15 Happy Quotes About Children and Family

January 18, 2021 by Sarah Barkley

Children and family can bring you the most happiness, as these happy quotes will explain. The love that comes with having a family will always give you something to be thankful for. These are the people who will love you no matter what and the people who will be there through it all.

Your family members are the ones who know you best. They will be there for the big moments, as well as for the small memories you will cherish forever. With this close bond, you know you will always have them in your life.

If you need a positive boost for your mood, these happy quotes will help you remind you of what is important. On the other hand, if you want a reminder of how great your family is, these quotes will still help you. No matter the reason for reading these happy quotes, you’ll find them beneficial to your well-being and overall happiness.

Happy Quotes About Children and Family

As you go through your day, remember these happy quotes about children and family. These quotes are the perfect reminder of the reasons that family and children are so important in your life. Plus, they’ll bring a smile to your face as you realize how true the quotes are.

1. “Do you ever look at your child and just smile? Not because your child did something amazing, just smiling because you know how blessed you really are.” – Unknown

Being around children makes you realize that the world is full of beauty. The innocence of children and simply watching them learn to navigate the world will overfill your heart.

Watching a child do seemingly mundane things can even bring a smile to your face. As they learn and grow, your happiness will grow, too, because the blessing is so evident. Children are truly a blessing, and they can make any moment a happy one.

2. “To me, there is no picture so beautiful as smiling, bright-eyed, happy children; no music so sweet as their clear and ringing laughter.” – P. T. Barnum

Seeing a child happy and smiling can bring a feeling of peacefulness to those around them. Their pure, genuine happiness is sweet and beautiful. You can’t help but be a little happier in the presence of a happy child.

This happy quote about children reminds you of the happiness that comes along with children. As you picture the way their smile lights up a room and their music sounds like laughter, you’re sure to feel a little happier, too.

3. “Families are the compass that guides us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter.” – Brad Henry

Your family influences every part of your life. They are the ones who inspire you to be better, and they are always there when things don’t work out. Even when things aren’t perfect with your family, they are the ones who give you direction.

4. “Children will not remember you for the material things you provided but for the feeling that you cherished them.” – Richard L. Evans

Don’t worry about the things you can’t give to your child. Instead, make them feel loved, wanted, and cherished always. This feeling is what they will remember, and they will forget all of the things you bought.

With that being the case, make sure to spend more time playing with your child. Let them know just how much you truly cherish them, as Evans advises.

5. “Motherhood qualified me to let the child within come out and play.” – Christy Borgeld

One of the happiest things about children and family is that children give adults a reason to play again. Not only will the child be happy, but you’ll find that you are a little happier, too. Plus, there is no better time than this to let go of your worries for a while.

6. “Children are not things to be molded, but are people to be unfolded.” – Jess Lair

E Each child is different, and every one of them has a unique personality. As their personality develops, you will see the kind of person the child is to become. Help them become the best of that person instead of trying to mold them into a different person.

7. “Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones that would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what.” – Unknown

If you don’t have any blood relatives in your life, it doesn’t mean you don’t have a family. Your family members are the ones who love you no matter what and who want to be in your life. If you have a group of people who accept you, love you, and want to see you happy, then you have a family.

8. “It’s not only children who grow. Parents do too.” – Joyce Maynard

As you raise a child, you will find that you grow, too. The lessons that you teach them will sometimes also be lessons for you.

Plus, your children will cause many previously unknown feelings and situations to occur in your life. It requires you to learn and grow as an adult because you are the one who has to figure things out. This happy quote reminds you that it is never too late because you are always growing.

9. “Being a family means you are a part of something very wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life.” – Lisa Weed

Even during the hard times, your family will love you. You can count on them even when you are angry at each other because they will always love you. Having a family means you will always have someone to turn to, and love will never run out.

10. “The potential possibilities of any child are the most intriguing and stimulating in all creation.” – Ray L. Wilbur

When you need to feel happy, think of all the possibilities there are when it comes to children. The children in your life will inspire you, and if you tap into that, it’ll bring pure happiness. It is a nice reminder that life is full of endless possibilities if you keep your mind and heart open.

11. “Give a little love to a child, and you get a great deal back.” – John Ruskin

This reminder will help you appreciate the loved ones in your life a little more. Loving your family means you’ll receive even more love in return. If this doesn’t indicate happiness, then nothing will. Use this happy quote as a reminder to show your child love in every moment.

12. “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” – Fred Rogers

This happy quote is a good reminder that if all your children did today was play. Then you did something right. Don’t beat yourself up if you think you aren’t teaching your child enough. By allowing them time to play, you give them the best opportunity for learning and growth, as Mr. Rogers explains.

13. “Our family is a circle of strength of love. With every birth and every union, the circle grows. Every joy shared adds more love. Every crisis faced together makes the circle stronger.” – Unknown

Family is a continually growing circle that is always a part of your life. As it grows, the love grows, too. You will become stronger together as life goes on, and you will always have them by your side.

14. “In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

Because you all love one another, things will always be okay. That family love will ease the hard times, make you closer, and make you happy, as Nietzsche explains. Love doesn’t run out, no matter what happens in life.

15. “A parent’s love is whole no matter how many times divided.” – Robert Brault

If you are a parent to multiple children, then you know how true this happy quote is. You can have any number of children, and you will love them all fully. You can love each kid immensely, and rest easy knowing that the love is complete.

Final Thoughts on Happy Quotes About Children and Family

Inevitably, you will face some hardships in life, and sometimes you will feel a little down. Life isn’t always perfect, and there are bound to be trying situations that interfere with your happiness. Luckily, many happy quotes about children and family can bring a smile to your face.

With the love of family, you can get through anything positively. As these happy quotes remind you, there is always something to be joyful about if you have family surrounding you. The love that you feel when you think of your family is something that won’t run out.

Embrace your family and show them how much they mean to you whenever you can. Let them know that you love and appreciate them. The more you do that, the more love you will feel in return and the happier you will be.

15 Best Quotes on Friendship You’ll Ever Read

January 16, 2021 by Sarah Barkley

Friends are some of the most important people in our lives and for an excellent reason. These best quotes on friendship explain how dear friends are and why they are so important.

When you find good friends, make sure they know how much they mean to you. Friends are the ones who will make your life meaningful, fulfilling, and happy. Plus, they are the ones who will remind you of who you truly are and will lift you when you need it.

You will make some of your best memories with friends, and they’ll become an integral part of your life.

Fifteen Best Quotes on Friendship

Please share some of these best quotes on friendships with your friends so that they can be reminded, too. The quotes will surely bring a smile to both of your faces.

1. “Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” – Anais Nin

Your friendships will change your life. They will awaken in you something that wouldn’t have been otherwise. You will create memories that never would have happened without that person.

Each friend that comes into your life will bring something new. You will experience something new, learn something you use for the rest of your life, or create a memory that will last forever. These are things to cherish, so cherish every friendship you have.

2. “I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let’s face it, friends make life a lot more fun.” – Charles R. Swindoll

Think about your happiest, most joyful moments in life and take note of who you were with. You were likely with friends because it seems to be easiest to let loose with friends. They make life fun and give it meaning while helping you forget about all of your problems.

3. “Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It’s not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.” – Muhammad Ali

There is no textbook explanation of what friendship is and how to achieve it, as Ali explains. You can only figure it out by talking to people and getting to know them. Being a friend is only learned and strengthened by putting it into action.

4. “Every friendship goes through ups and downs. Dysfunctional patterns set in; external situations cause internal friction; you grow apart and then bounce back together.” – Mariella Frostrup

Like any relationship in life, friendship is never perfect. There will be hard times when you don’t spend as much time together as you used to.

Even though this happens, the good in this is that the friendship will return to normal pretty quickly after. Don’t ruin a friendship when you notice this happening. Instead, ride it out and wait for things to return to normal.

5. “There are no rules for friendship. It must be left to itself. We cannot force it any more than love.” – William Hazlitt

Much like love, your friendships require a deep connection and a certain level of understanding. It is not something that can be forced because friends are comfortable and at ease with one another. When you try to force a friendship, it will never seem quite right.

Something will always seem off, and you won’t be able to let your guard down. You have to be able to be yourself if you want a friendship to work truly.

6. “Some people arrive and make such a beautiful impact on your life, you can barely remember what life was like without them.” – Anna Taylor

When you have an amazing friend, you won’t be able to remember what you felt like before they came along. All you will know is that you never want the friendship to end and have a friend for life.

7. “Friendship is the source of the greatest pleasures, and without friends even the most agreeable pursuits become tedious.” – Thomas Aquinas

It can be hard to enjoy even the easiest things if you don’t have a friend to do it with. Even sharing things with your friend after they happen can make the tasks more enjoyable. Knowing that you have someone to talk to at the end of the day can help give life pleasure, and meaning.

8. “There is one friend in the life of each of us who seems not a separate person, however dear and beloved, but an expansion, an interpretation, of one’s self, the very meaning of one’s soul.” – Edith Wharton

Sometimes you will meet a person who seems to be just like you, as Wharton explains. They will be so much like you that your souls seem to align. Through this friend, you’ll be able to see yourself clearly, too.

9. “In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” – Albert Schweitzer

Your friends will never let you forget who you are. They will always be there to bring you back and to light the fire again. You will always be able to count on there to help you when you feel like you are in a funk.

10. “Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you; spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.” -Amy Poehler

Your friends should be people you feel safe and comfortable with and people you can be yourself around. They should also be people who challenge you and inspire you, as Poehler explains. When you find these people, spend as much time as possible with them so you can grow and develop positively.

11. “Friendship is a strong and habitual inclination in two persons to promote the good and happiness of one another.” – Eustace Budgell

Friends don’t try to hurt one another or make the other feel bad about themselves. True friends want to see one another do well. They will help each other and build each other up, all with the desire to see the other happy.

12. “A good friend is a connection to life — a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world.” – Lois Wyse

Friends will always keep you grounded and connected to life. They will be a part of your past and present, and they will likely play a role in your future. Plus, they are the ones you will turn to when things seem to be out of control.

13. “In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, for in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” – Khalil Gibran

When there is dew on the grass in the morning, it gives a sense of freshness and starting anew. This is how friendship should be, and the laughter is the dew that makes everything fresh. Keep this type of friendship in your life so that you can always get that bit of freshness when you need it.

14. “Growing apart doesn’t change the fact that for a long time, we grew side by side; our roots will always be tangled. I’m glad for that.” – Ally Condie

Just because you have grown away from a friend doesn’t mean that relationship doesn’t matter anymore. Each friendship you have will change your life in some way, and your lives become forever entangled. It would help if you always were happy and thankful that for a time in your life, you were able to spend time and grow alongside that person.

15. “One measure of friendship consists not in the number of things friends can discuss but in the number of things they need no longer mention.” – Clifton Fadiman

With just a look, a friend may know exactly what you are thinking. There is no need to speak in these instances because a good friend will get it. Plus, they know secrets about you and understand who you are without having to ask.

Friends get to know one another on a deep level and can sense how the other is feeling. The better your connection with your friend, the less you will need to mention.

Final Thoughts on Best Quotes on Friendship You’ll Ever Read.

As these best quotes on friendship explain, friendship is precious and dear. You should cherish your friends and hold them close because they are a part of who you are. Never let your friends forget how much they mean to you.

If you thought of any of your friends while reading these best quotes on friendships, make sure to share them. Your friend will love to know that you were thinking of them, and the quote will be sure to put a smile on their face.

15 Famous Quotes About Living Life to the Fullest

January 15, 2021 by Sarah Barkley

With your busy life getting in the way of fun, you may feel like you aren’t living life to the fullest. You may become so caught up in your daily routine that you forget to do anything meaningful. To avoid getting stuck in this rut, use these famous quotes about living life to the fullest to inspire you.

Life is meant to be fulfilling and meaningful, but it is up to you to make it that way. Doing the same things every day and never striving for something more will leave you feeling empty. Make a change and live a life that you are happy with and excited about, instead.

You must keep trying and learning new things and look for adventure in every moment. Enjoy the small parts of life, and always look for the positive in each experience. Bask in the world around you, and enjoy all the things that life has to offer.

Famous Quotes About Living Life to the Fullest

You will inevitably get caught up in the mundane sometimes, and that is where these famous quotes will come in handy. Inspiration for living your life to the fullest is always helpful and can remind you of all the opportunities out there.

1. “Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” Robert Brault

Don’t hold back, and don’t miss out on even the seemingly little moments of life. Live in the moment and look for all the joy and happiness you can find. When you look back, these moments are the ones you will remember.

2. “Open your eyes, look within. Are you satisfied with the life you’re living?” – Bob Marley

The best way to know if you live your life to the fullest is to look within, as Marley explains. If there are things, you wish you could change or do, then get started. Make the life you love and one that you will be satisfied with when it is over.

3. “Success is loving life and daring to live it.” – Maya Angelou

Most people define success as achieving goals in their career, but that isn’t entirely true. As Angelou explains, you can be successful just by living your life. Make it the best life you can, and when you love your life, you have reached true success.

4. “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” – Mae West

Since you only get one shot at life, you should make it great. Don’t allow yourself to have regrets as you near the end of your life. Spend your time now doing things you love and making memories with the people you love.

5. “Live life to the fullest. You have to color outside the lines once in a while if you want to make your life a masterpiece. Laugh some every day. Keep growing, keep dreaming, keep following your heart. The important thing is not to stop questioning.” – Albert Einstein

You can’t do the same thing every day and expect life to be miraculous. Switching things up once in a while is essential to living life to the fullest. Laugh, grow, dream, always follow your heart, and keep questioning what else is out there.

6. “Don’t you ever get the feeling that all your life is going by and you’re not taking advantage of it? Do you realize you’ve lived nearly half the time you have to live already?” – Ernest Hemingway

The time goes by no matter what you do, so you might as well make the most of it. Please don’t waste the years by not making them meaningful. No one knows how much time they have left to live, so you should live each day to the fullest.

7. “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller

Step out of your comfort zone and try new things. Even a little of the unknown can be an adventure and can even lead to more. Experience all that life has to offer so that you can truly live. If you don’t take the time to do this, your life could become meaningless.

Meet ten people who overcame adversity and beat the odds.

8. “The big lesson in life, baby, is never be scared of anyone or anything.” – Frank Sinatra

You can do big things, and nothing should make you afraid to keep moving forward. Take risks, explore, and make memories along the way. When you leave fear behind, you will have learned a big life lesson and be able to live life fully.

9. “You have to find what sparks a light in you so that you in your own way can illuminate the world.” – Oprah Winfrey

Don’t follow the crowd, or you will never find your spark. Follow your heart and do what you are passionate about. Make your life meaningful and fulfilling to you, and then you will be able to light up the world.

10. “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people just exist.” – Oscar Wilde

If you look around and aren’t satisfied with doing what everyone else is doing, don’t feel bad. This only means that you want to live life and do exciting things that make you happy. If you go along with the crowd instead of following your passion, you’ll be merely existing instead of living.

11. “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” – Steve Jobs

Living life fully means living it in a meaningful way to you, not to anyone else. Chase your dreams and do what means the most to you. Spend your time with the people you love and in the places that make you feel most like yourself.

Be true to yourself and never change for someone else. If you live by someone else’s rules, you’ll never be living your life to the fullest.

12. “Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The world around you is beautiful and full of adventure, so take advantage and soak it all in. Bask in the sunshine whenever it’s there, submerges yourself in the ocean, and breathe the fresh air. Live in this world while you have the chance, and feel your life and soul with meaning.

13. “Saying it is impossible to live without failing at something is impossible. Unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default.” – J.K. Rowling

Everyone fails in life, as long as they are trying to succeed and do more. Things don’t always go as planned, and you will sometimes have to create a new plan or overcome obstacles. If you haven’t experienced failure, you are likely not living life fully.

To live life to the fullest, you have to try new things, never stop learning, and always strive for something more. This doesn’t mean you can’t be content with what you already have. It simply means there is always more out there for you to explore.

14. “Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die today.” – James Dean

Never stop dreaming and never stop living. You could die at any time, without warning, so to live as if you have forever will only hinder your dreams.

If you always have a dream, you’ll always have something meaningful to work towards. It will keep you moving and doing all the things that will bring you happiness and fulfillment. You only have to remember to live each day like it was your last to not miss any opportunities.

15. “You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.” – William Faulkner

Settling for the same, easy thing every single day won’t get you any farther in life. You have to get out there and figure out new things. Keep learning and discovering, and don’t let the safety of the mundane hold you back from living your life fully.

Final Thoughts on Famous Quotes About Living Life to the Fullest

These famous quotes about living life to the fullest can give you the inspiration you need to get out there. Try new things, learn something that will help you grow, and love the world around you. Spend time doing things you love and with people, you love, and never miss an opportunity to make memories.

Your life is meant to be lived fully, so never settle for anything less than joy and excitement in life. Put yourself out there whenever you can, and your life will be filled with meaning and opportunity.

If you find yourself slipping, remember these famous quotes about living life to the fullest. They will give you the motivation to get back out there and live your life.

7 Smartphone Injuries You Probably Never Heard About Until Now

January 15, 2021 by Power of Positivity

You use your smartphone every day, all day. A smartphone seems safe enough, but using your phone too much can cause injury. Smartphone injury may sound weird, but it’s a growing problem. Here are 7 of the most common smartphone injuries and how to avoid them to help you understand more about these injuries.

Your smartphone is your lifeline.

Your smartphone is more than just a phone. It’s like a lifeline to the world. Over the years, as smartphones have gotten smarter, their everyday use has increased. Like most people, you probably use your smartphone every day in all kinds of ways, such as the following things:

An alarm
To communicate with friends and family.
Reading the news
To check work emails.
Listen to music
Take pictures
Navigate to a destination
Audiobooks or reading a book
Stock exchange
Fitness such as step counting

What is the difference between carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel?

Overuse of your smartphone can cause two common injuries: cubital tunnel or carpal tunnel. These two conditions are similar because in both cases, there is pressure on your nerves.

Cubital tunnel

When the ulnar nerve inside the cubital tunnel, the tunnel the incorporates your muscles, ligaments, and bones inside your elbow, gets inflamed or irritated. The cubital tunnel’s pain is like when you hit your funny bone because it’s the nerve is inflamed.

Carpal tunnel

Carpal tunnel begins when you have pressure on your median nerve. The carpal tunnel is the small passageway near the bones and ligaments. When the median nerve is pressed, you’ll feel tingling and numbness in your thumb and fingers, plus weakness in your hand and arm. Repeated hand movements cause carpal tunnel syndrome.

7 Common smartphone injuries

Many people use a smartphone without ever getting hurt. But some people are more prone to smartphone injuries such as these.

1 – Smartphone elbow

Keeping your elbow at a 90-degree angle for long periods of time may cause pain in your elbow. When you’re on an extended phone call, you may hold your cell phone up to your ear with your elbow bent at an angle. This puts pressure on the nerves, which decreases the blood flow and causes inflammation. Smartphone elbow causes numbness and tingling. Try to change the way you hold your phone while you’re on a call. Avoid holding the phone at a 90-degree angle. You may want to purchase a hands-free device so you can talk on the phone without holding it.

2 – Smartphone pinky finger

Your poor pinky finger works hard when you’re on your phone. It bears much of the weight of the smartphone, sometimes for hours at a time. This is called smartphone pinky. This condition sounds funny, but the condition is no laughing matter since it’s very painful. The good news is that this injury isn’t permanent. Try taking a break from your smartphone to ease the pain in your little pinky. Try some stretching exercises periodically to stimulate the blood flow and relax your fingers.

3 – Posture problems

You probably check your emails, texts and catch up on your favorite sports team’s scores throughout the day. When you’re checking your smartphone, if you sit or stand with your head bent down and your shoulders hunched over as you look at your smartphone, it can cause posture problems. Hunching your shoulders or funnily bending your neck puts a strain on your muscles. Try these good posture methods.

Avoid hunching your shoulders.
Sit straight and tall.
Keep your phone at eye level.
Take frequent breaks from your smartphone.
Stand tall and if you notice you’re slumping, correct your posture.
Don’t arch your back.
Relax your body when you’re talking on the phone

4 – Wrist pain

Your smartphone is a great tool to stay connected with your friends and family, stay up to date at work, and check the latest news. Like so many good things, a smartphone has some negatives. The constant scrolling, swiping, and tapping may cause injury to your wrist and hand. A recent study found that wrist pain is a common complaint of smartphone users. Overuse of your phone creates a repetitive movement that causes this pain and can result in an actual disability in your wrist joint.

5 – Texting thumb pain

Touch screens make it easy to communicate via texting. But texting gives your thumb a real workout since you use your thumbs to text. The tendon in your thumb may get inflamed from the repeated movement of texting. The inflammation can lead to pain in your thumb and a clicking sound when you bend your thumb. It’s best to give your thumbs a break. Try to use other fingers to text. If the pain persists, talk to your doctor. They can give you a thumb splint that provides support for your thumb to ease the pain.

6 – Eyestrain

Overuse of your smartphone can strain your eyes. Eye strain can result in other problems, such as

Less blinking: You need to blink your eyes to keep your eyeballs moist. Blinking is a natural protection from exposure to dust and sunlight. When you use your smartphone, you stare at the phone without blinking with gives your eyes less time to recover so you can develop dry eyes.
Squinting: When you read small text on your phone, you are apt to squint. This puts a strain on your eyeballs and can blur your vision.
Glare: Smartphones have glare. Looking at a glaring screen too long causes eye strain.

How to avoid strain while using your smartphone

Blink a lot to keep your eyes moist.
Buy anti-glare film screen protectors for your phone to lower glare.
Take frequent breaks from your smartphone. Your eyes need a break from the up-close reading.
Adjust the brightness of your smartphone. Set your screen on a less bright setting to protect your eyes.
Adjust the text size to give your eyes a break and make reading easier on your smartphone.
Keep your screen clean. Wipe off the screen to keep it fingerprint and dust-free. This improves the readability of your screen.
Hold your smartphone farther away from your face. Try holding your phone at least 16 to 18 inches from your face. This lowers the strain on your eyes.

7 – Germs

You take your smartphone with you everywhere, such as the store, the gym, and even the bathroom. It’s easy to forget that germs you encounter in these places are getting transferred to your smartphone. One study found that smartphones are crawling with bacteria. These bacteria colonizations are capable of spreading disease. Some pretty awful bacteria are living on your smartphone. So, what nasty bacteria are living on your smartphone?

e. Coli

If you take your smartphone with you when you go to the bathroom, there is a good chance that E. coli will get on the phone. These bacteria live in your intestines and get transferred to fecal matter. E. coli causes diarrhea, food poisoning, and other gastro issues. Don’t take your phone with you to the bathroom. It’s tempting, but it’s too risky. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and warm water every time you use the bathroom. Dry your hands on a clean towel or paper towel.

Streptococcus

This is another common bacteria found on smartphones. It causes strep throat in kids, but it can also cause scarlet fever, necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease, or toxic shock syndrome.

Influenza

The flu virus can live on your smartphone for up to 24 hours. Keep your phone clean to avoid getting the flu.

Staphylococcus

This common bacteria can live on smartphones. Certain strains of these bacteria are more dangerous than others. Skin infections are common, easily treated with antibiotics, but staph also causes MRSA, a more serious staph bacteria life-threatening. It can lead to pneumonia and bloodstream infections.

Wipe your smartphone every day to remove bacteria and germs. Use disinfectant wipes with at least 70% isopropyl alcohol. Use a soft cloth to wipe it off. Please don’t get it too wet since it can damage your phone.

How to avoid smartphone injuries?

Overuse of your smartphone can cause injury. To avoid these injuries, there are some things you can do every day. Most smartphone injuries can be avoided simply by not overuse. There are other suggestions to reduce injury.

Use a hands-free device.
Use earbuds (if you don’t lose and try to find airpod case every day like me)
Change your position throughout the day.
Use a headset while you’re on your smartphone.
Try stretching throughout the day.
Use warm or cold packs to ease the pain.
Don’t wait for pain. Take a break before you feel pain.
Change your hands when you talk on the phone.
Bigger phones are better since your fingers can spread out better. The downside is that bigger phones are heavier. The extra weight could cause injury.

Final thoughts on avoiding cell phone injury

Smartphones make your life easier, but you may be susceptible to injuries if you use your smartphone in the wrong way or too much. Not everyone experiences these injuries, but overuse may lead to neck, shoulder, or hand pain. Your thumb and fingers get a workout when you text, scroll, and swipe all day. Smartphone overuse can also cause wrist pain, eye strain, or posture problems. Besides these injuries, your smartphone harbors lots of germs.

Bacteria such as strep, staff infections, and E. coli are common bacteria found on smartphones. To avoid smartphone injuries, try stretching, changing your position throughout the day, and taking a break from your phone. Smartphones are wonderful conveniences, but be sure to care for yourself to not end up with a long term painful injury.

5 Ways People Helped Each Other Survive The Polar Vortex That Will Warm Even A Frozen Heart

January 15, 2021 by Kristen Lawrence

A polar vortex that affected the Northeast and Midwestern areas of the United States brought frigid temperatures and feet of snowfall in 2019. Roughly 65 million Americans were affected by the storm; temperatures dropped well below zero in many places. Homeless people and animals were especially vulnerable during the polar vortex.

But fortunately, some people came to their rescue and showed kindness and generosity when they needed it the most.

Here are some of the heartwarming stories about how humanity came together and helped one another brave the storm.

5 Ways People Helped Each Other Survive The Polar Vortex

1. A police officer rescued and adopted a black kitten after finding it stuck in the snow in a ditch.

https://www.facebook.com/1792138754366178/photos/pcb.2248579365388779/2248578932055489/?type=3&theater

Aren’t they adorable together?! Wisconsin saw some pretty brutal weather during the polar vortex; if it wasn’t for this police officer, this kitten would have likely met a terrible fate. Officer Froiseth heard meowing coming from a ditch covered in snow and then discovered the kitten buried underneath it. He brought the kitten back to his squad car where the little guy immediately curled up next to him and didn’t leave his side.

2. In Cleveland, Ohio, people left numerous bags full of winter items for people in need.

W 117th & Madison… a beautiful act of kindness in action in the midst of the #PolarVortex2019! Doesn’t take a lot to make a huge difference! #MakeClevelandBetter #BeTheChange #DifferenceMaker pic.twitter.com/oMkOMLgz1y

— S.U.T Cleveland (@SUTCle216) January 30, 2019

Holly Jackson, a resident of Cleveland, Ohio, said she had lived in a homeless shelter in the area 25 years ago. Now, she wants to pay it forward and donate items to those less fortunate. She created the “Wall of Love” and hosts events where she and other Cleveland citizens place care packages along fences of local businesses across the city. Some of the items are donated while others are handmade. During the polar vortex, these items were much-needed and greatly appreciated by those who couldn’t survive without them.

3. Firefighters in Iowa responded to a woman in labor and helped her deliver the baby. They stuck around to shovel her driveway, too!

https://www.facebook.com/cedarrapidsfiredepartment/posts/2080466968665566

While some people got to stay warm in their homes and shelter themselves from the brutal weather, firefighters and other emergency responders had to keep working. We’re sure the woman who made the call was very grateful for the help!

4. This generous woman bought 70 homeless people a hotel room for the night in Chicago when temperatures dropped to 20 below zero.

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A post shared by Candice Payne (@candicepayne_) on Feb 6, 2019 at 1:11pm PST

We need more people like this woman; she didn’t care about the cost. She simply cared that people who would otherwise have no place to stay could survive the night during the polar vortex.

5. A man in Toronto shoveled a major road by himself so that cars could keep driving.

The polar vortex brought a storm that chilled the northern part of North America, but the kindness of these humans brought a little warmth during tough times. Which of the stories was your favorite? Do you have any to share with us? Please leave your comments below and join in the discussion!

(We hope another polar vortex won’t come to visit for quite a while!)

Cop Connects with Youth Doing Basketball Trick Shots

January 14, 2021 by Kristen Lawrence

In recent years, people have grown distrustful of police, but one cop found a unique way to connect with youth in his area. Arius George, a sergeant with the L.A. Police Department, calls himself the “trick shot cop” because of his impressive basketball skills. He uses this as a way to break the ice with young people in his area. Arius hopes to gain the trust of his community and remind people that cops are human too.

He first discovered his talent when he was playing basketball with his brother one day. Before they left the court, Arius threw a basketball at the wall not thinking anything of it, and it almost hit the rim. As soon as he saw that, he told his brother he thought he could make the shot. So, he practiced a couple more times and ended up making it on the third try!

Arius George’s incredible journey from a casual basketball shot to a local sensation highlights how basketball can serve as a tool to build community trust. Just as Arius practices to perfect his trick shots, maintaining basketball courts to ensure they are safe and playable is equally important.

A well-maintained court enhances not just the game itself but the connection between the community and its spaces. When it comes to basketball court installation or resurfacing, the quality of the materials used plays a vital role in the durability and safety of the surface.

For long-lasting, high-performance basketball courts, many contractors rely on companies like Buffalo River Plastics for their specialized court surfacing products. They provide high-quality materials for the installation of courts, including basketball cove base, which not only adds a professional finish but also helps extend the life of the court. With the right materials and expertise, courts can become more than just places to play—they become vital community hubs, like the one Arius George is working to foster with his remarkable trick shots.

Says Sargeant George,

“It became more and more fun, and it just developed from there. I want to say the most rewarding thing is to interact with individuals.”

He says that many people he connects with seem surprised once they notice his cop uniform. They never thought of a police officer doing cool things like basketball tricks. So, the youth on the court get to see a different side of cops because of Arius’ example. They bond over their shared interest in basketball, and this helps Arius bridge the growing gap between cops and average citizens.

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A post shared by Trick Shot Cop (@trickshotcop)

One of his most popular tricks is making the shot while standing backwards, sometimes from halfway across the court! He also does his original trick of bouncing the basketball off the wall and into the rim. Other trick shots include slam dunks, spinning the ball on one finger, and making a shot even while sitting down! He enjoys adding new tricks to his routine as often as possible.

The basketball trick shots take him all over the city

“Being creative is probably the most difficult part about doing trick shots,” he says. “Sometimes I get inspired by dunkers, or sometimes I’ll just go into a gym or park and I’ll just stand there and look at my surroundings, and see what I can come up with.”

He’s even gotten to practice his backward half court trick shot on the L.A. Lakers court! When he’s not in the gyms or big arenas, he enjoys exploring the city and going to new parks. On his YouTube channel, you can see him adventuring to new neighborhoods and connecting with many people through his art.

“I hope to continue what I’m doing, and allow it to grow more and more and reach more people,” he says.

Arius hopes his trick shots continue to show the community that cops genuinely care about and want to protect people. He never imagined that his love for basketball would allow him to connect with so many people throughout his city. Not only does he meet his community on the court; he checks on them at their homes as well.

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A post shared by Trick Shot Cop (@trickshotcop)

He takes his basketball move to Instagram.

On his Instagram, he posted videos of him and the squad buying pizza and a basketball goal for a grandmother and her five grandkids she’s raising. In another video, they showed up at a 93 year old woman’s home to mow her lawn for her during the stay-at-home order. In another video, he crashed a kids’ summer camp to do a trick shot for them, and it made their day!

Arius hopes his positive influence on the community will help heal the growing divide between cops and people. In this past year especially, the tensions between the police force and citizens have been at an all-time high. Unfortunately, the media often paints a one-sided picture of cops by reporting on police brutality and racial profiling. While these issues need to be addressed, the reality is that most cops out there are for the people.

Why we need good cops in our society

There will always be a few bad apples in any area of society, most people genuinely want to help and have good hearts. This is also true of police, but they are held to a higher standard because of the power they possess. The protests this year were completely justified, as police brutality toward any race needs to be eradicated. We can’t have a peaceful world while certain people continue to abuse their power.

However, without cops, we would have no one to check on the community and respond to emergency calls. Society would devolve into chaos because no one would be there to enforce the laws. If someone broke into your house and stole something, for example, you’d have no one to turn to. Not only do cops respond to 911 calls, they also help the community in smaller ways.

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If your car breaks down on the side of the road, a cop passing by will help if they have the time. They’ve helped people change flat tires, jump their car, and even make repairs depending on the cop. They give food and clothes to the homeless, help people look in their neighborhood for lost pets, and buy gifts for needy families for Christmas.

Most police just want a happy, crime-free society, and do whatever they can to help. Some go above and beyond to make sure their community is safe and looked after.

Final thoughts: Cops connect with their communities in many ways, sometimes even with basketball!

Not all cops are created equal. Some work their normal shifts and go home after work, but others like Arius have a mission. He wants to show people that cops truly care about their communities, and are for the people. He shows up at parks and gyms throughout LA to bond with people over basketball.

His trick shots have helped him make new friends and connections throughout the city, and he hopes it will keep growing. As he bonds with people over their shared love of basketball, he’s also helping heal hearts. He wants people to know they can trust cops, and we should look at them as friends rather than enemies.

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