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15 Reasons Why You Should Live With Intention

December 25, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Are you living life to your potential, or are you merely existing? You should know that there’s a big difference between the two. When you learn to live with intention, you’ll see the many beautiful things you’ve been missing.

What is Purposeful Living?

The definition of being alive is that you are breathing, your heart is beating, and you have a body temperature of at least 98.7 degrees. Unfortunately, many people go through their given years with this necessary proof of life. Instead of being active and thriving, they feel as their life is dust in the wind.

Does that sound familiar to you? Everyone searches for a purpose in life. Have you discovered why you’re in this world and what is your destiny? Finding goals and meaning for your life may seem too complicated, but you can do it with purposeful living.

When you live with intention, every day is a new adventure. You refuse to be a victim of circumstance. It doesn’t mean that you’ll never have stress or unforeseen problems, nor does it mean you control everything. However, purposeful living allows you to choose how you will respond to situations.

1. Your Sense of Clarity will be Stronger

Do you know what you want in life? What are the things that are most important to you? Purposeful living can give you the clarity to know these things for sure. When you have a clearer vision, you will know areas that need improvement in your life.

2. You’ll Find a Sense of Calm and Inner Peace

Did you know that peace is not the absence of turmoil? Instead, it is finding an inner calmness regardless of the situations around you. While you can’t avoid all stress in your life, you can learn to manage it.

Countless studies show that too much stress can lead to mental illness, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, cancer, and premature death. When you live with intention, you gain the strength and inner peace to keep your stress levels at a minimum.

3. You Can Keep Things in Proper Perspective

Have you ever been a person who jumps to conclusions when unexpected things happen? Not only does this keep your body overflowing with stress hormones, but it creates a negative attitude. With a life plan of intent, you remember what’s most important to you, and it helps you keep things in their right perspective.

4. You May Achieve Your Goals Quicker

Do you have goals for your life? Unless you do, you will wander with no feeling of satisfaction. With better clarity and perspective, it can be easier for you to make decisions. As you focus on your goals and are aware of your actions, you can progress toward the things you want.

5. You Can Be a More Positive Person

Nothing dampens the mood more than a person who has negative attitudes. No matter how cheerful others try to be, these “Negative Nellies” can always complain and find fault. Most likely, these people are miserable because they haven’t discovered their life’s purpose.

A purposeful life creates a positive attitude that affects the people around you. Even when situations aren’t going your way, you intend to work them out and remain positive. Having positive intentions can attract optimistic outcomes.

6. You Have More Gratitude

People can usually tell those who live with purpose by the gratitude they show. Such a person was Rabbi Hyman Schachtel, who said that “happiness isn’t having what you want but rather enjoying what you have.” When you live purposefully, you already know what you want, and your heart is filled with gratitude.

Grateful people know how to treat others the way they want to be treated. They make it a habit to use good manners and say “please,” “thank you,” and “you’re welcome.” You can never expect more in your life until you are grateful for what you have.

7. Your Life can be Passionate

You are more apt to do something when you are passionate about it. When you live with purpose, you identify the most precious things to you and what you want to achieve. A life without passion and emotion is dull, empty, and meaningless.

Some of the most outstanding leaders made changes in the world because they believed in what they were doing. Consider people like Dr. Martin Luther King, Eleanor Roosevelt, Nelson Mandela, and countless other people who realized their destiny. Nothing ever happens without a dream and a purpose.

8. You Can Have More Trust

While it’s wise to learn people’s character before you fully trust them, chronic skepticism and mistrust only breed contempt. Do you find it easy to trust people, or are you always looking over your shoulder? Even the most mindful people can be taken occasionally, but not often.

When you’ve discovered your purpose, you easily connect with others who are on the same path. You learn more about who they are, and you know who is in your corner. Trust is a precious gift that must be given judiciously and with purpose.

9. You Have a Life of Integrity

Someone once said that you are only as good as your word. Since it’s impossible to separate you from your word, integrity is of the utmost importance. Knowing your life’s purpose helps keep you true to your promises and gives you a reputation of honor and trustworthiness.

In your purpose for living, you strive to help others with their life goals. Dishonesty and backbiting have no place in your goal chart. You will get along well with most people, and they will look up to you as an honest person.

10. You Will Learn to Forgive

Are you holding a grudge against someone who’s hurt you? It’s time that you forgive them. Bitterness does nothing but tears down your joy and wastes precious time. It can also stand between you and your life’s goals.

When you forgive people, you’re not excusing or forgetting the offense. It doesn’t even mean you want or need them back in your life. Forgiveness frees you to move on with your life and gives you the ability to continue with your purpose.

11. You Can Go with the Flow

Have you ever been around people who get in a frenzy when the unexpected happens? Just because you live purposely doesn’t mean that you won’t encounter road bumps on the journey. You learn to take life as it comes and deflect the negative to make it into something positive.

12. Purposeful Living Defines Your Values

There’s a difference between the things you believe and the things you know to be true. You can “believe” that you can drive, but you’ll only know it’s true when you get behind the wheel. A life of intention helps define your morals and separates them from your “preferences.”

You will also respect people for their system of beliefs and practices. While you have a clear map of your destination, you realize that there are many paths beside your own. You cling to what you know to be accurate and where you’re going in life.

13. You Will Have More Fun

It’s a wise person who can balance work and play. Just because you’ve set essential goals for your life doesn’t mean you have to work 24/7. Balancing the two is healthy so that you learn life isn’t all about taking things so seriously.

Numerous medical studies show that people who have a good sense of humor often have less stress, fewer diseases, and may live longer. If you intend to have joy in your life, know when to relax, laugh, and have fun. Good-natured humor also does much to create a positive atmosphere in a group.

14. You Can Be More Courageous

On your path to purposeful living, you’ll encounter things that may scare you. Being courageous doesn’t mean you aren’t afraid. It means that you know what you want, and you’ll step out with confidence. You will be more willing to ask for that raise at work, change careers, or ask a special person out on a date.

When you know your purpose, it’s as if you are reading the back of your life’s book. Now, it’s up to you to fill in the preceding chapters with actions that will fulfill your intentions. It takes courage, but you will be up to the challenge.

15. You Will Cope with Failures

If you are afraid of failing, then you’ll never accomplish your life’s goals. As you lay out your intentions, things won’t always go as planned. When you have been unable, you learn to get back up and try again.

Some of the most successful people in the world learned from their failures. Colonel Sanders’ famous chicken recipe was rejected at least 1,000 times before he met the right person. A producer told Oprah Winfrey early in her career that she’d never make it on television, and now she’s a media titan. The list of famous people who didn’t let failures get in the way of their goals is extensive.

Final Thoughts on Purposeful Living

You have the power to set the course for the rest of your life. When you have goals and work purposely on them each day, you’ll see changes. Your destiny is up to you, and it all starts with living with intention.

11 Ways to Give Pancakes a Healthy Makeover

December 25, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Pancakes are so delicious, but so unhealthy, right? Wrong. These healthy pancake make-overs aren’t your mother’s white flour pancakes. They’re packed with healthy goodness, so you can still enjoy pancakes for breakfast, lunch, or dinner without feeling guilty.

Make your pancakes healthier by trying these tips:

People enjoy pancakes all around the world. But they have different names across the globe. In the United States, we might call them flapjacks. Australians call them pikelets/ The French enjoy a thinner cake, crepes. To create a pancake, you need flour, a liquid, and some leavening agent. They’re cooked in a pan or on a griddle and flipped to cook them on both sides.

Once you understand how the ingredients in pancakes work together, it’s easy to substitute alternative flours and ingredients in the batter. Whether you’re mixing up savory pancakes or fruity ones, the possibilities are endless.

1 – Flour substitutes

Binding agents hold your pancakes together. Flour and eggs are traditional binders. The flour also adds taste, texture, and volume to your recipe. Flour, whole grain flours, and gluten-free flours are packed with proteins. Also, starch is essential to give your pancakes structure and fats for flavor.

Flours that are low in protein have less gluten, while flours with high protein have more. If you’re making pancakes without wheat, you’ll need to use a mixture of high- and low-level protein flours. So, gluten-free flour blends should be around 70% high protein flour to 30% lower protein or a high starch flour. You can also add extra eggs to the pancake recipe to help give your pancakes more structure. If you add extra eggs, be sure to reduce the liquid a bit, say by two tablespoons.

2 – Almond flour

Almond flour doesn’t have gluten, so you’ll need to add extra eggs if you use this kind of flour in your pancake recipe.

3 – Amaranth flour

Amaranth flour is also a healthy flour substitute. It has more protein than most gluten-free flour and even more than whole wheat flour. It has a nutty flavor. In a pancake recipe, combine it with another flour in a 1 part amaranth flour to 3 parts other flour. You can substitute 1 cup of amaranth flour to replace 1 cup of wheat flour.

4 – Oat flour

Oat flour doesn’t contain gluten. It makes your pancakes moist and tender. Because oat flour is dense, it’s important to combine it with another flour so the pancakes will rise.

5 – Binder and leavening agents

If you’re making gluten-free pancakes, you’ll need to add xanthan or guar gum for binding, structure, and elasticity in your pancakes. Another good binder is eggs. Besides giving structure and being a binder to your pancake batter, eggs also act as a leavening when they’re beaten with sugar and butter.

If you don’t eat eggs, you can use mashed bananas to replace them. Baking powder and baking soda are also good leavening agents for your pancake batter. Use 1 teaspoon of baking powder or 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda to leaven one cup of flour in your pancake recipe.

6 – Buttermilk or yogurt

Buttermilk and yogurt are acidic ingredients that help pancakes stay moist and tender. These ingredients also add some leavening to your pancakes. Baking soda and buttermilk do well together but don’t substitute buttermilk for regular milk. It will flatten out your pancakes.

7 – Plant-based milk

Plant-based milk is a perfect substitute for regular cow milk. You can use the same amount of plant-based milk in your pancake recipes as you would regular milk. You can use rice, almond, soy, or cashew milk in your pancake recipes for added nutrition and taste. Just be aware that some plant-based milk will add extra flavor. You can create buttermilk using plant-based milk.

Plant-based buttermilk: To make 1 cup of soy milk, add 1 or 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or white vinegar. Stir and let stand for five minutes. Then add to your pancake batter.

Nutritionists refuse to eat these thirty things.

8 – Healthy fruit toppings for your pancakes

What is a pancake without some toppings? These healthy topping ideas fill the bill, giving you good nutrition, but without compromising flavor.

Any fresh, organic fruit adds extra nutrition to your pancakes. The list is endless, but these are especially tasty and good for you.

Blueberries, raspberries
Sliced bananas
Strawberries
Oranges
Cherries
Cranberries
Apples
Pomegranate
Mango

9 – Dark chocolate

Yep, dark chocolate is the real deal to boost your pancake makeover. Dark chocolate helps fight inflammation, balance your blood sugar, and increases the blood supply to your brain. Eating dark chocolate is thought to lower stress and help improve your memory so you can better focus.

10 – Turkey bacon

Leaner than pork bacon, turkey bacon is also lower in calories and fat. But, because it’s an animal product, you still get important vitamins and minerals such as zinc, selenium, and B vitamins. Cook the bacon, crumble it and add it to your pancake batter.

11 – Add nuts and seeds

Nuts and seeds are packed with protein, fiber, magnesium, Vitamin E, phosphorus, and selenium. They’re packed with antioxidants that boost your immune system. They’re high in fat, but it’s the healthy kind of fat that helps lower your cholesterol. Chop, saute or process into healthy nut butter for pancake toppings.

Walnuts
Almonds
Pine nuts
Cashews
Brazil nuts
Flaxseeds

12 – All-natural, organic maple syrup

Maple syrup gets a bad rap. This is mostly due to the fake maple syrup sold at many grocery stores that amount to nothing but sugar boiled in water. But a 2017 study found that dark-color maple syrup actually inhibits gastrointestinal cancer growth.

Following ancient tradition, maple syrup is made by boiling the sap collected from sugar maple trees. Maple trees have been used for centuries by Native Americans as traditional medicines and tonics.

Maple syrup contains phenolic compounds that work as antioxidants, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. Eating maple syrup hinders the growth of cancer cells.

Look for real, organic dark maple syrup at the grocery. Many fake maple syrups are made from dark corn syrup or brown sugar, which aren’t as healthy and don’t taste as good.

13 – Honey

Honey is a natural product produced by bees. Studies show that honey contains flavonoids and polyphenols, both antioxidants that can help treat conditions and diseases like diabetes, respiratory infection, gastrointestinal illness, and cancers. Be sure to buy real honey. There are some fake kinds of honey on the market made out of corn syrup. There are over 300 types of honey in the United States.

The flavor and color come from the nectar source the bees visited. Here’s a short list of some different kinds of honey you can buy.

Acacia
Alfalfa
Avocado
Beechwood
Blueberry
Clover
Dandelion
Healthier
Macadamia
Orange blossom
Pinetree
Sage

14 – Make crepes instead of pancakes (they’re lighter!)

Crepes are traditionally thinner than pancakes. You usually create a filling for the inside of the crepe and then roll it up to eat. Crepes can be savory or sweet, depending upon your preference. Try these crepe filling ideas.

Crepe fillings:

Spinach, feta cheese, and egg: Saute spinach in olive oil. Layer spinach, feta in the crepe, and top with an egg fried in olive oil. Delicious!
Cheese, egg, and bacon: Stick with tradition and create an egg, cheese, and turkey bacon filling for your crepe.
Vegetarian crepe filling: Saute spinach leaves, add parmesan cheese and walnuts. So yummy.
Sweet crepe filling: Saute cranberries, apple slices, lemon juice, and cinnamon for several minutes in a skillet with a teaspoon of plant butter. Pour the warm mixture onto your crepe and top with a little mascarpone. Yummy!
Fruit jam and ricotta: Mix any fruit jam with 1 cup of ricotta. Top with toasted almonds.

Weird but healthy pancake toppings

Maybe you’re a think outside of the box type of person when it comes to cooking. If so, you’ll love these crazy but genius pancake toppings ideas.

Sauteed mushrooms, shredded fresh Parmesan, and caramelized onions: Carmelize your onions, then sautee some mushrooms. Layer them onto your homemade pancake and top with fresh shredded Parmesan.
Homemade chili and grated Monterey jack cheese: Prepare your chili following any recipe you want. Pour a ½ cup of homemade chili onto your homemade crepe or pancake. Top with grated cheddar cheese.
Rotisserie chicken, cheese, and Granny Smith apples: Buy a rotisserie chicken at the grocery. Shred the meat and warm in a skillet. Layer the shredded chicken onto your homemade pancake or crepe, then top with shredded cheddar cheese and diced Granny Smith apples.
Hawaiian flare: Top your homemade pancakes with crushed pineapples, diced macadamia nuts, and shredded coconut. Aloha!
Salmon and cream cheese: Buy ready to eat smoked salmon. Spread a tablespoon of cream cheese or alternative cream cheese on top of your homemade pancake or crepe. Layer pieces of warmed smoked salmon on top. Amazing!

Final Thoughts on Giving a Healthier Twist to Traditional Pancakes

Pancakes can be as healthy as you make them. Find a recipe you love, then top your amazing pancakes with super healthy toppings. If you like your pancakes thinner, cook up some crepes, and add delicious fillings. Or if you want to try zany pancake toppings, try one of the weird toppings, or make up your own. There’s no right or wrong way to create a healthy pancake makeover.

Strong People Do These 10 Things During The Pandemic Without Realizing It

December 24, 2020 by Power of Positivity

The Covid-19 global pandemic will go down in history as one of the most devastating, both physically and mentally. Learning a new reality is challenging as your daily life is altered with social distancing, masks, and constant stressors to the invisible threat lurking nearby. The financial stress from job loss is devastating. Still, strong people adapted.

Is it any wonder that people are anxious, depressed, and dealing with various mental health issues? This isn’t the first crisis in American history, but it will be one that will be remembered for the lives lost and the financial devastation it’s caused. Other horrific events include the 9-11 terrorist attacks and the SARS outbreak.

Americans learn to cope and move on, but how you respond to a crisis comes from your core strength. A mentally strong person can handle these adverse experiences better than someone who isn’t as resilient. It’s possible to come out of this nightmare with post-traumatic growth rather than post-traumatic stress.

You are not alone if you’ve never heard the term post-traumatic growth. When you go through a stressful experience, you make positive psychological changes rather than negative ones. You have the power within you to rise to a higher level of functioning, even though the world is in the middle of a major crisis.

Things Strong People Do to Protect Their Mental Health

When this pandemic ends, and it will, you can be stronger than you were before it started. However, your actions dictate how you will be on the other side. If you want to ensure that you are mentally unscathed, then here are some proven things strong people do to avoid long term mental health issues.

1. They Learn How to Control Their Emotions

You should know that you’re not alone if you find yourself a little sad and weepy at times during this pandemic. A healthy person doesn’t avoid their emotional self. Rather, they learn how to keep it in control. According to Dr. Marsha Linehan, the creator of DBT therapy, you have three states of mind, and they are:

•Emotional – This is the location where your emotional declarations govern.

•Rational – Both logic and facts abound here.

•Logical- Here, you blend your emotional and rational mind to develop a reasonable opinion.

You can dwell in logic when you learn how to reel in your emotions and use a rational mind to govern them. Your feelings are all over the place, especially in a pandemic. Your emotional mind may tell you that you’re going to be one of those who die from the coronavirus, but your rational mind steps in to give you the statistics you learned.

More people recover than perish, so you learn to be logical about your emotions. It’s easy to engage in catastrophizing behaviors, but you must learn to use logic to keep your sanity.

2. They Don’t Beat Themselves Up Over A Loss of Concentration

It’s challenging to be productive when the entire world is in chaos. While working at home may seem like a better way to get more done, many people find it quite challenging. It’s normal to have concentration issues and to feel completely overwhelmed with homeschooling and your new role.

When your safety is threatened, you must realize that you’re doing your best to survive. Practice self-care to help cleanse the body and mind, and don’t be so hard on yourself. Take the day off if you cannot focus or concentrate on a particular day.

Strong people accept their flaws and realize when they’re at their breaking point. It’s okay not to be okay; you can give yourself time to deflect from the stressors around you.

3. They Understand That What They’re Feeling Is Normal

Embrace your feelings, and don’t try to bury them where they will fester. To be resilient, you must know that anger, fear, sadness, and anxiety are part of such a challenging event. There will be things that take you days to process because it’s so overwhelming to take it all in at once.

In 2013, Adjustment Disorder was added to the American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic manual as a mental illness. Whenever you go through a major life stressor, even within the previous 90 days, it can cause great mental distress as you try to process and cope. Anyone going through this pandemic is in jeopardy of suffering from this mental strain.

Societal changes have taken their toll, such as homeschooling children, working from home, job loss, and the death of friends and loved ones. The key is to accept what you’re feeling, process those feelings, and move on. Don’t ruminate and become mentally overwhelmed.

4. They Choose Carefully Who They Follow

Strong people avoid negative people and are careful about who they follow. When it comes to fact-based data, don’t rely on social media. Avoid those who challenge public health efforts to handle the global pandemic.

Not only is it unhealthy to watch people banter about things that officials are doing to help you, but it’s psychologically harmful to hear something that may or may not be relevant. Listen to officials such as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control to get fact-based data.

Mentally strong people will understand that you can’t believe everything you read or hear on television, social media, or the radio. When you use trusted new sources, you can cut down on false reports and the mental strain caused by inaccurate information.

5. They Learn to Meditate

Meditation has many benefits as it helps to release negativity from the body. People who regularly meditate can return to a calm state even during the most stressful conditions.

Meditation is proven to reduce stress levels, and anxiety, help with depression, and enhance your overall emotional health. Some say that it helps to improve concentration and bring them back to a healthy baseline.

6. They Limit Media and News Exposure

One of the best ways that strong person protects themselves during a pandemic is to avoid how much news they consume. Have you ever heard of compassion fatigue? Nothing is uplifting on the news these days, and when you ingest all that negativity, it adversely affects you.

Hearing one devastating report after another can put your body under traumatic stress. Your body will release cortisol and adrenaline to put you into fight or flight mode. It’s common to utilize doomscrolling to get the current events, but you only need to know what affects you.

If you limit your exposure and choose reliable media, you can encourage mental stability.

7. They Avoid Negative People

Easy ways to avoid negative people include turning off the news and stopping doomscrolling on social media. Although, what about the people you encounter every day? While you must accept their flaws, you don’t have to listen to or engage in their toxic behaviors.

Avoid those who lie, gossip, and are self-centered, as it can affect your mental health.

8. They Focus on Self-Care

Strong people know that to make it through such a devastating pandemic, they must take care of themselves. Reducing exposure is essential, such as getting plenty of exercises, eating right, sleeping the recommended amounts, and connecting on zoom with family and friends.

While the pandemic has put much distance between you and those you love, you can still connect on zoom for the social interaction you need. Since so many gyms have closed, why not do a workout over the internet with some friends? Exercise helps to keep your positive energy flowing and can help build your immunity.

9. They Know Themselves and What They Need

Strong people know what they need to make it. If they are introverted, they prefer smaller groups anyway, as larger ones exhaust them. They find that being alone charges them.

The extrovert needs other people and activities to feel mentally strong. They will use ways to connect virtually and keep their social life strong no matter what’s going on. Knowing what you need and getting it regardless of new restrictions and mandates is part of being healthy.

10. They Respect Other People

A healthy person learns that you never know what another person is going through, so you must always be kind. You didn’t realize that the grumpy worker at the drive-thru this morning just got bad news about a loved one. She probably didn’t even feel like being at work, but she had bills to pay.

The man that took your parking spot at the mall was in a hurry and didn’t even see you. You didn’t know he was there to get his wife a soft robe. See, she’s in the hospital fighting for her life from Covid-19. The strongest respect other people because they realize that what you see or hear outside is usually a reflection of what’s going on inside.

Final Thoughts on Strong People (and how they seem to sail through rough waters)

Living through a pandemic takes a lot of strength. There will be good days and bad days, but you must practice self-care to ensure that you stay mentally intact. Find your support among positive people, and remember that it’s okay not to be okay.

A strong person can endure a horrific situation and have post-traumatic growth rather than post-traumatic stress. The choice is up to you.

10 Canine Behaviors to Help You Understand Your Dog

December 24, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Your dog may not be able to talk to you, but canine behavior sends clear signals to the world. Sometimes it’s hard to figure out what your pup is trying to tell you. Here are ten common doggie type behaviors you may have seen in your dog. Check out what vets say your dog is trying to say to you from these behaviors.

Whether you love when your furry buddy smiles at you or how he curls up at your feet each evening, it surely melts your heart. Still, would it not be nice to know what he says to you? Let’s unravel the mystery of dog messages together today.

These Ten Canine Behaviors Send Clear Messages to You

Check out the meaning behind these canine behaviors.

1 – A toothy smile is proof that your dog really is your best friend

Has your dog ever given you a big toothy grimace when you get home from work? It’s almost scary when you see it for the first time, but it’s standard behavior in some breeds that have a more submissive nature. Your dog may immediately roll over on their back for you to scratch their tummy. This action, too, is an indication they’re submitting to you as their pack leader. Your dog might also smile when they’re playing with you.

They may have a relaxed, open mouth kind of smile, which almost looks like they’re laughing. Whatever your pup says to you with their toothy grin, you know they love being with you.

2 – Chases their tail

If your dog chases her tail, it could mean that she is bored. Some breeds require lots of activity, and you may notice your dog chase her tail on days when she didn’t get a usual walk.
Another possibility is that your dog has parasites. The tail chasing is a reaction to itching from them.
Some dogs that chase their tail suffer from an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). When they’re feeling anxious or stressed out, they chase their tail for relief.
Long story short–if your dog chases her tail once in a while, you may need to increase their exercise. Dog accessories can be used to aid in increasing your dog’s exercise. But if you notice your dog chasing her tail a lot, talk with your vet to get to the root cause.

3 – Licks your feet or face

Dogs love to lick. They especially like to lick the face and feet of their doggie parent. It’s a standard way for them to show you their affection for you. Other times, your dog licks your face or feet because they’re trying to get your attention because they want to go outside and play.

Early in their life, a dog licks their dog parent’s feet to figure out your taste. Dogs also do this with children or visitors who come into your house. It’s their way of checking out the person to see if they are friendly.

4 – Love to chase a ball

Call it an obsession. Dogs love to chase balls. Just saying the word “ball” can send your dog into an excited state of jumping, twirling, and whining. Dogs love to play with their doggie parents because it’s their way of connecting with you.

Plus, canines instinctively love to chase. Your dog’s ancestor, the wolf, chased rabbits for food. Your dog’s love of the sport of chasing the ball replicates his past. Playing catch also makes them happy because, in a sense, they’re bringing you the “game they found.” Playing this game is a sure sign your dog loves playing with you.

5 – Canine instinct means they love to shake their toys

Speaking of their ancestors, dogs instinctively shake their toys, much like their canine relatives shook their prey thousands of years ago. When your dog shakes toys, energetically it’s a reaction to the hunting instinct within them. Your dog may also love the toy’s noise when they shake it.

So they shake it as they walk around the house, in their bed, and maybe even when they go outside until the noise drives you crazy and you hide the toy from sight. Dogs owners can relate. The shaking is cute at first but needs to take a rest at some point.

6 – Turns around several times before they lay down

Dogs have some strange behavior, and one of the most curious actions is their turning around several times before they lay down. Dog behaviorists suggest this bedtime habit comes from their ancestors. In the wild, wolves turned in circles before laying down as a way to prevent getting attacked. It’s believed that wolves sleep in a way that points their noise towards the wind so they can pick up the scent of a potential predator.

Even though your dog doesn’t need to worry about predators anymore, they turn around instinctively. Your dog also circles his bed because he wants to “mark” it as his own. Or, like you, your dog may turn around several times to check out the napping spot to see if it’s comfortable.

Learn about a person who reunited with their dog after seeing his photo on a beer can.

7 – Twitch and yelping in their sleep

When your dog sleeps, have you seen your pooch twitch or heard yelping or growling? You may wonder what’s going on and if this is normal canine behavior. When your dog falls asleep, they move quickly into the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep. This cycle causes them to dream. While dreaming, they may have a spasm that looks like running. They may wake themselves up by barking.

Don’t worry. It’s normal for your dog to do this while dreaming. Who knows, maybe they’re dreaming of playing and running with you?

8 – Dog’s leg moves when you scratch their tummy

It’s like clockwork. When you scratch your dog’s belly, their back leg twitches. Your dog isn’t trying to impress you with a new skill. It’s just an involuntary reaction to the belly scratch. It’s called your dog’s “scratch reflex.” When you scratch your dog’s belly, it’s an automatic response.

The scratching activates nerves under the skin connected to the spinal cord. A message is sent to the leg muscles to twitch to eliminate whatever is touching the nerves in that area. The twitching doesn’t bother your dog, he’s just along for the ride, and a belly scratch is always a good thing.

9 – Sleeps at your feet

Is there anything cuter than seeing your dog sleeping all cuddled up at your feet? Sitting close to you is your pup’s way of being close to their pack leader, which is you. Your dog is also showing their affection for you by sticking close to you. And if you have visitors in the house when your dog does this, it could be a subtle way to show that your dog does not want to share their territory with anyone.

Once in a while, your dog may just need to get your attention, especially if you’re busy with work. They sit down almost on top of you as if to say, “Would you please pay attention to me?” Whatever the reason, your dog stays so close. It’s a sweet way they show you that they need you.

10 – Tilting their head

When your dog tilts its head, doesn’t it make your heart melt? Perhaps you thought how smart your dog was to look so curious. It could be that your dog is brilliant, or it could be that your puppy is just trying to hear what you’re saying. According to the experts at the AKC, a dog has excellent hearing but sometimes can’t tell the direction a sound emits from. Thus, he or she will move their head for a clearer sound. That cute head tilt probably isn’t their rapt attention at your words, but just a practical maneuver to hear.

Some breeds are more social, and they do this to encourage their doggie parent to keep paying attention to them. So, before you sign your dog up for the prize of the smartest dog ever, just know that your pup’s sweet head tilt is just their way of turning up the volume.

Four cool canine facts that you may not know

1 – Your dog is guilt-free

Your dog may drop his eyes and look guilty after chewing your new sofa, but in truth, it’s just your pup’s reaction to your scolding. Guilt isn’t emotion dogs can experience. Lucky them.

2 – Your canine sees in color

It’s an old wives tale that says dogs see only in black and white. They see some colors, usually blues and yellows, but red and green look similar to them. Your canine has better night vision than you, and your dog can assimilate information quicker than you, which is why your dog can catch a tennis ball at the speed of light.

3 – Beware a wagging tail

You probably thought that when your dog wags its tail, it was a friendly gesture. But notice which way your dog’s tail is wagging. If your dog’s tail wags to the right, they are happy. But if they wag their tail to the left, it’s a sign your doggie is scared. A low to the ground wag means they feel insecure, and a quick wag with tense body muscles is a sure sign of aggression. So, learn to read your dog’s tail wags so you can interpret what is going on and how you should respond.

4 – Your dog can smell disease

Dogs have the incredible ability to smell the organic compositions of the human body. They can smell diseases like cancer, diabetes, and early signs of epilepsy.

5 – Your dog gets jealous

You knew already that your dog gets jealous. Researchers agree. They put a group of dogs together and noticed that dogs didn’t like it when their doggie parents ignored them or showed attention to another dog. They became aggressive, snarling, and snapping at the invader of their territory.

Final Thoughts on the Messages Behind Canine Behaviors

Dogs are fun to have around, but sometimes it’s hard to understand them. Hopefully, these explanations will help you know your dog better. Canine behaviors fascinate us, and now you have a better idea of what your pup is trying to tell you.

Woman Loses Weight Through Dedication and Determination

December 24, 2020 by Kristen Lawrence

When someone loses weight, they go through a huge transformation not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. The process of weight loss involves shedding many layers, and digging deep to uncover your true potential. One woman’s desire for this transformation led to her shedding over 135 pounds naturally! Now, she uses social media to inspire others with fitness and health tips.

Alyssa set a goal and stuck to it

Alyssa Cross started her journey in May 2019 weighing around 450 pounds, determined to get her health in order. She says that being able to do more things with her daughter gave her the motivation to keep going. Becoming a new mom changed her perspective and made her want better for herself. In just 18 months, she lost nearly 140 pounds, giving her newfound freedom and more opportunities for she and her daughter.

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“I wanted to be able to ride on rollercoasters or take my daughter ice skating in the winter. I just had a goal in mind and I knew I needed to change my life.”

While Alyssa knew she’d face many struggles, she decided to take the plunge anyway. She realized that by improving her health, other areas of her life would start to change as well. Plus, she wanted to challenge herself by creating goals and reaching them with determination and willpower.

“I really wanted to prove to myself that I could do it, and with time, I actually started to get better at the moves,” she said. “That kind of pushed me forward to keep going.”

“I was really able to see my results. I was so so proud,” Alyssa said. And rightfully so! “I had a goal of losing 100 pounds by 1 year of exercise. When I got to a year, I actually lost 10 pounds more than my goal, which was 100 pounds. But, I lost 110 pounds in 12 months, which was insane on its own.”

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Here is Alyssa’s advice for anyone wanting to get in shape:

“Take the step – little steps even if you have to do it – it doesn’t matter. And it doesn’t matter how long it takes,” she says. “One step a day. Literally, you crawl before you walk and you walk before you run. So, do not discourage yourself and always just take the step.”

When someone loses weight, it always feels so good to look back on how far they’ve come! Oftentimes, taking that first little step can feel so daunting, but it gives you momentum to keep up your new routine. Many people who start a weight loss journey say that they start to look forward to exercising. It just takes overcoming the mental barriers which try to keep you in the comfort zone.

According to an article in Harvard Health Publishing, losing just 5% of your body weight improves your health dramatically. So, if you weigh 150 pounds, that would amount to losing 7.5 pounds. If you lose the recommended one to two pounds per week, you could easily reach that goal in a month or two.

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When a person loses weight, they often experience the following benefits over time:

Reduced heartburn.

When you lose weight, it relieves pressure around your stomach, which reduces heartburn. Carrying extra pounds puts pressure on your abdomen, which often causes stomach acid to move back up the esophagus. This uncomfortable feeling is known as acid reflux, or heartburn.

Less pressure on your joints.

Being overweight puts a lot of pressure on your joints as well. According to the article, each extra pound you weigh puts around 4 pounds of stress on your knee joints. So, if a 150-pound person should actually weigh 140 pounds, they have 40 pounds of added pressure on their knees. If that person lost 5% of their weight, they would eliminate 30 pounds of pressure.

Lower blood pressure.

The risk of having high blood pressure triples for an obese or overweight person. However, by losing just one pound, you can lower your blood pressure by one point. So, if the 150 pound person in our example lost 5% of their weight, that would equate to a decreased of 8 points.

Reduced diabetes risk.

When you gain weight, it increases your risk of developing diabetes because your body can’t process insulin correctly. Fat stores calories as well as chemicals called adipokines, which cause inflammation and can affect insulin sensitivity. So, the more fat you have, the more of these chemicals your body will store. When someone loses weight, however, it reduces these chemicals, improving insulin sensitivity and lowering diabetes risk.

Improved sleep.

Many people report having disruptive or poor sleep if they carry extra weight. Losing weight optimizes your sleep, so you’ll need less to feel rejuvenated. Having excess weight means your body requires more energy to recover, so you’ll need more sleep.

Extra energy.

As we said above, the more you weigh, the more energy your body needs to function. Losing weight frees up your energy, allowing you to accomplish more and have a clearer mindset while doing so.

Improved self-worth.

Not only will you feel better physically, but your self-image will likely improve as well. When we look good, we feel good, and you may notice this positive benefit of weight loss right away.

Final thoughts: Take baby steps if you have to, but never give up on your weight loss goals

Alyssa’s story proves that no matter where you find yourself in life, you can change the narrative. You can always choose something better for yourself and use your willpower to follow through with your goals. Losing weight will transform your life, mindset, and physical health.

When someone loses weight, they start feeling empowered and strong when they once felt hopeless and weak. Your mental health improves because your body releases endorphins during each workout, increasing dopamine and serotonin. Your physical health gets better because you’re eliminating toxins, toning your muscles and burning fat. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by starting a fitness journey, so why not start today?

Psychologists Explain Why Children Are Shy

December 23, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Were you a shy kid growing up? Did you have trouble making or keeping friends, and when you went to a new school or home, it took you forever to warm up to the place? Shyness in children is a common thing that they can learn coping skills to handle over the years.

It’s called social anxiety, but psychologists believe that shyness can indicate an underlying anxiety issue or fear. When you mention anxiety, most people think of an adult that’s afraid to give a presentation at work or someone who tends to melt into the background rather than being the center of attention.

Anxiety is all those things, but it’s also so much more than what even experts imagined. It’s estimated that about nine percent of children suffer from social anxiety, roughly one out of every ten kids. The numbers show it’s a growing problem that needs to be addressed.

Social anxiety or shyness?

Social anxiety and shyness in children only morph into a full-blown disorder without treatment, and the same problems they had in their youth will follow them into adulthood. The kid who couldn’t make friends will be the adult that sits home alone on a Friday night.

A family can have two children, and they may be opposites. One may be outgoing, loves to meet new people, and can make friends every time they go to the park. However, the other one may suffer. Going out to eat or to the park is not a fun task for this child because their anxiety kicks into overdrive.

A child cannot explain a panic attack or an overabundance of anxiety-like an adult. They don’t have the ability to articulate how they feel. They may experience headaches, an upset stomach, jitters, dizziness, and it can come out as hyperactivity.

Parents need to know how to raise children who present with social anxiety because even a local supermarket trip can be a sensory processing nightmare for the shy one.

Temperament Can Dictate Why Children Are Shy

Why are some children fearful to the point of being terrified in new environments and others so outgoing they know no stranger? Children are shy, and kids can be friendly, but since each child is different, the reasons for why they respond to their environment comes down to their temperament.

• Coping Skills Start Early In Life

Your personality and temperament are what directs you to respond to stressors. Assume that you have two children. Sadly, you get into a car accident on the way home from the store. One child is crying and screaming because they’re scared of what’s going on, but the other is more annoyed because dinner is late.

Since each of your children has different personalities, they look at things through different lenses. One sees the accident as an inconvenience to their supper, while the other is terrified of death and being hurt. You must comfort both kids, but the methods you use will be different based on their temperament.

• Can Psychologists Determine A Shy Kid At Four Months Of Age?

Your child will develop methods to respond to what’s going on in their environment. Dr. Vanessa LoBue confirms that these patterns are formed as early as four months of age. A test to help with infant temperaments can be conducted using a mobile that hangs over the crib.

Is it possible to say that children are shy from the cradle up? At four months, a child may love the mobile above their bed or hate it. However, the children that are entirely distressed by the movements and sounds coming from this toy are almost always the ones that have issues with being shy as they grow. It’s because the children are sensitive to their environment.

It’s also been observed that these babies are the ones that get terribly upset and off-kilter if their routine is disrupted. Even something as small as the doorbell ringing can send them into a tailspin. Now, the infants that responded positively to the toy were more social and outgoing.

• Is Shyness Biological?

One study studied the electrical signals of the brains of toddlers to learn why children are shy. By looking at the brain of a shy child versus outgoing, they noticed apparent differences. Could it be that children are shy because there is a biological basis for it?

There is also evidence that personality forms from birth. If you look at this theory, you would conclude that the environment has no bearing on a child’s personality because it’s something they are born with. Research suggests that a baby’s temperament indicates how their adult personality will look.

Studies suggest that children are shy because it’s part of their personality. It should be mentioned that not all reserved or reticent people suffer from social anxiety or another phobia. So why is being shy such a big deal to psychologists?

• Changes Are Inevitable

The temperament and biological factors both come into play in a child’s personality. Still, it doesn’t mean that their personality in infancy will be the same at age 25. Sure, there’s a strong probability, but it’s not set in stone. Some kids need to come out of their shells.

People, especially children, change as they age. The adverse reactions that a child at four months had to the mobile can slowly change. While they didn’t like it at that time, there’s nothing to say that they won’t love it when they reach eight months.

The reactions to stressors alter as the body changes and grows. Plus, being shy is not always a bad thing. Some people need a little bit of time to warm up and adjust before they can jump in.

Being a bit shy won’t dictate your ability to do a good job at work, or it won’t change your capabilities to be a good mother or father.

Reticent Children Need Professional Guidance

A television show on The Learning Channel is an excellent example of why some children are shy and reserved. The Busby family on Out Daughtered has quintuplets that have taken the world by storm.

These girls have unique personality characteristics that make them who they are. Hazel has suffered from nystagmus and has had surgery to correct the defect. In the past season, it was Parker who got much attention due to her reticent nature.

It became very apparent that she was reserved, where the others were outgoing. It took her time to warm up when they would go to a fun center or anywhere else. She was often in the corner, crying when there were changes in the home, and she didn’t do well out of her element or routine.

Anytime there was anything new or different, this child shut down. The Busby family decided to seek help. It’s good that they didn’t brush it under the rug and got support for the child. This show plays out on television and is there for all to see, but the same things should be done in real life.

An occupational therapist worked with Parker to help her adjust and develop good coping skills. Children are shy because they often don’t know how to regulate their emotions. Thankfully, this child has a supportive family unit that can buffer her anxiety.

While the jury is still out as to whether or not Parker will grow up with any lingering social anxiety as she grows, getting the help she needs will make all the difference in the world.

Adjusting Parenting Styles For Shy Kids

Parenting styles are essential as you attempt to maneuver the emotions of the shy child. It’s during the formative years that children develop a conscience. A child who is timid and reserved will likely be the type that doesn’t require much discipline.

These kids usually burst into tears at the first hint of a reprimand. Psychologists warn that parents must learn how to utilize gentle and fair forms of discipline, so they don’t feel any guilt for their wrongdoings. On the other hand, outgoing and social kids usually don’t respond to gentle correction.

They require more attention when they do something wrong and a “stronger hand” in the discipline. Since no two kids are the same, no parenting methods can be exactly alike either.

Final Thoughts on Understanding the Reasons Why Children Are Shy

Using research and studies from psychologists on why children are shy, it’s easy to conclude that it has biological and environmental factors. Additionally, just because an infant show sensitivity to their surroundings doesn’t mean that they are destined to be a socially anxious child for life.

Kids grow and change and learn how to adapt. Though being shy, maybe in someone’s genes, it’s not guaranteed that a person will turn out the same. A parent can have identical-looking children, like the Busby family on Out Daughtered, and still, each child will have a unique personality.

Looking at the famous quintuplets, there’s the shy one, one that is rambunctious, one that’s fearless, and one that tends to be more anxious. The important thing to remember is that you need to adjust your parenting style to accommodate the emotional needs of the individual child, especially if that child is dealing with social anxiety that triggers shyness.

Man Who Was an Obese Kid Becomes Super Fit

December 23, 2020 by Kristen Lawrence

When you transform from an obese kid to a fit firefighter, you naturally want to share your story with the world. Chase Knight went through this amazing transformation himself, and we hope his story will inspire you.

Chase started working out during his freshman year of high school in 2003 when he played baseball. He says he weighed around 200 pounds at only 5 feet tall and wore a size 40 in pants. So he knew he had to make some changes in order to safeguard his health and have improved energy levels. The formerly self-described obese kid says:

“I’m a full-time firefighter, and I do try to train when I’m on shift, but those workouts are usually kind of slowed down a bit just because you don’t know when the next call is going to be.”

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He goes on to say he sometimes gets a call in the middle of the workout as that’s the nature of the job. However, he enjoys using any spare time to get a workout in, even at work!

“As I get older, I realize that you have to know what works best for you,” he says. “At the end of the day, as long as you’re moving, and moving safely, you’re going to get fitter, and that’s just the nature of it.”

Even if you only have time for a 15-minute jog around your neighborhood after work, for example, consistency will pay off. If you keep at it, you will start to notice improvements in your fitness levels. Most people want to see results quickly and succumb to crash diets or fad workouts. However, slow and steady tends to pay off more in the end since your body will have more time to adapt.

“Being fit has allowed me to excel in my careers and has allowed me to gain leadership positions and roles,” Chase said. In turn, this gave him the experience he needed in order to help other people, which is important and rewarding for him.

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A transformation from obese kid to super-fit firefighter

If you want to begin your own fitness journey, Chase offers some wisdom he’s gained along the way.

“What I would tell someone if you’re going to start, is just start. You only get one body, you only get one life and that’s it,” he says. “At the end of the day, the question is: What are you gonna do with it?”

Chase says he wants to enjoy this life as long as he possibly can, and knows that being in shape will allow him to do so. He says that staying fit will give him more time to make an impact on the world and help others. Since he went from an obese kid to someone who takes fitness seriously, he wants to share the knowledge he gained.

Of course, you don’t have to take up weightlifting or intense forms of exercise like Chase. Find what you enjoy, and keep at it as much as you can. That way, you’ll stick with it and find fulfillment in the process! While everyone takes a different path, we all have been given bodies that we have to maintain.

How you decide to take care of yourself remains a personal decision, but no matter what, it takes effort and willpower. As long as you have the motivation and drive to reach your goals, you will get there in time. Focus less on the scale and more on how your body feels, and it won’t seem so difficult to keep at it.

Chase gives a little more motivational advice on his Instagram, which can apply to many aspects of life:

“It’s ok to not know who you are. It’s take many of us years to figure that out. But what’s not ok is to grow stagnant in the lack of effort in the pursuit of who are are.

I don’t believe in not pushing your life forward. There’s nothing wrong with slowing down a bit to appreciate the here and the now. But my issue is that it’s a miracle that we get to breathe on this earth. Out of all the kids our parents could have had, it’s us. The statistics of us being born is one in 400 Trillion. 400 Trillion! How can you not believe you were destined for something when those were the odds stacked against you?”

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No matter whether you have fitness goals or something else you’d like to achieve, you can do it. Or, even if you have no goals right now, make sure to fill your days with things that challenge you. Aim to learn something new or perfect a skill you have that makes you unique. Everyone comes to this Earth with an innate talent, something which can inspire or help others. Don’t stop looking until you find yours.

5 Pictures of Children to Avoid Posting on Social Media

December 23, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Do you share pictures of your children on social media sites? If so, you might want to watch what type of images you put in this virtual world. Not everyone that is on these sites is there for entertainment.

Social media is a great platform to connect with folks both near and far. It allows you to share your life with your family and friends who you don’t see often. While there are so many great things about putting your life out there on display for others, there are also some caveats that you must be wary of.

When you share pictures and stories about your children on these social networks, you expose the most precious and intimate side of yourself. You make the conscious choice to post things, but your child isn’t having a say or a choice in the matter. You must be careful who you allow to view your “wall” or add to your friend list. Not everyone who you classify as a friend has your best interests at heart.

The History of Social Hangouts

The first social media site was created back in 1997, and it was called Six Degrees. Soon after the launch of this site came Bolt.com. More have been added to the list as technology has evolved. Today, there are more than 200 of these sites that cater to people from all walks of life.

The most popular sites remain Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can share your life and your family photos with anyone you allow on your friend list on these platforms. Now, if you look at the people you call friends, you probably have hundreds. How well do you really know the people on that list, and do you trust them with your children?

Predators seek out sites like this in hopes of finding their next victim. Are you giving them ample information to become another statistic?

Why Social Media Is Scary?

When you post pictures of your children on sites like Facebook, anyone on your friend list can easily download those images to their computer or smart device? These pictures can easily be shared and altered by anyone who has the slightest bit of computer knowledge.

What’s scary is that in this country, roughly 15,000 to 50,000 women and children are abducted to be used in the modern-day slavery market. Human trafficking is a real problem, and you could be setting yourself and your children up as an easy target. The operators of these rings are master manipulators as they look for people they can control physically, psychologically, or emotionally.

Putting yourself and your children out on these social media sites makes you an open target. Most people feel that it’s the little girls they must watch, but boys are often taken to work for slave labor. Not all human trafficking is about sex. So many rings and operations encompass other criminal enterprises, as well.

When it comes to predators, they like using Craigslist, Facebook, and MocoSpace as they are effortless to find new victims. The worst mistake you can make is to think that your immune from this crime. Predators look for any demographic, gender, or nationality, and the easy target is the ones they track.

Your Pictures of Children May Fall into The Wrong Hands

Consider social media sites like Facebook. You can set your privacy and your parameters. Let’s assume that you only allow people on your friend’s list to view your photos. However, there’s another little button that people often miss.

You can allow friends of your friends also to view your posts. While that might be useful if you’re trying to sell a product, it’s not so good if you have pictures of your children online. It means that people you don’t know and have never laid eyes on can see your kids.

Take, for instance, a mastermind behind child pornography online, Geoffrey Portway. This Massachusetts man was arrested for having pornographic pictures in his possession. He was part of a massive ring that was busted by Homeland Security, but what shocked investigators were that there were 4,500 exchanges of child pornography on his computer. How easily could it have been photos of your children or your friend’s children?

This case went down as one of the worst in history, but many other cases go undetected each year. Every time you post photos on the internet, you take a risk that someone out there watching.

Pictures to Avoid Posting on Social Media

You may think your little Johnny or Suzie looks so cute, and you want to share them with the world, but the world may be looking for you or your children to make their next target. Here are five types of pictures that you should never post on the internet as they’re dangerous.

1. Bath Time Photos

There’s nothing cuter than a little one frolicking about in a bubble bath with their toys. However, these pictures show an intimate look at your child without clothes. While you may do your best to cover up their private areas with a washcloth, you’ve already overexposed for a human trafficker to become interested.

2. Pics That Show Private Details

Aw, your children look so cute in their Halloween costumes. You want to put a picture on the internet to show all your friends. Suppose you do not realize that your address is also shown in that picture as you took these photos outside.

You don’t think anything of it, but with social media location services and your address now visual, you’ve just invited someone to your home unintentionally.

3. Controversial Photos

Many people love to see a naked bottom on a baby. It’s not pornographic–this is a classic baby pic you find in many a baby book. Many portrait studios won’t allow such pictures anymore. But that doesn’t stop parents from taking a few shots.

Sure, there’s nothing wrong with remembering your child as an infant, but not only can these pictures land you in the hot seat, they can also expose your child to the world. Pictures of babies with naked butts aren’t cute anymore, especially in the society of today.

4. Pictures and Posts That Show Weakness

How many times have you posted pictures of your children making a mess or doing something crazy? If you write on the internet how frustrated you are with being a parent, you show weakness that someone on the hunt will notice.

They know you’re frustrated, and your child is a handful, so they will play on those emotions to find an easy way to slip into your life. Don’t ever show any weakness on a public site as it could be a disaster.

5. Other People’s Kids

While you want to share cute pictures of your niece or nephew with the world, you are overstepping when you take another child’s security into your hands. The parameters you set on your social media accounts are not the same as their parent sets. Additionally, some people refuse to post any such pictures.

Don’t even put a friend or relative in a position to make their child vulnerable to human trafficking or online perverts without their approval.

There are over 800,000 children reported missing in the United States each year, and more than 2,000 reports come in every day. Shockingly, 36 percent of these abducted children will be taken from their own home or yard, and 44 percent will be under the age of six years old.

The sex trade is becoming more commonplace, and experts believe the sale of people will exceed the sale of illegal drugs within the next few years. The industry makes more than $32 billion annually, and it’s occurring in every state in this country. Though children from ages 1 through 18 are abducted, those over 14 are targeted or sexual crimes.

Final Thoughts on Pictures of Children on Social Media

There are a few things that you can do to keep your children safe from those that are sick and twisted in this world; they are:

Please don’t allow your children to have social media accounts until they reach adulthood.
Only send pictures of your kids in private messages to family and friends, and you should never put them on a social media wall.
Be careful of allowing children in chat rooms of video games as many unscrupulous people use these sites to lure victims.
Never allow schools to use your children’s photos for any media.

While the times are undoubtedly scary when it comes to human trafficking, there are things you can do to decrease your chances of being a victim. Don’t put pictures of your children on your social media walls for all to see, as you’re just asking for trouble. Do you want to take the chance of someone using their photos for child pornography or as a target for human trafficking?

Life Coaches Reveal 4 Powerful Ways To Break Bad Habits

December 23, 2020 by Lakeisha Ethans

Everyone has their fair share of flaws and bad habits. Not everyone desires to change them for the better, but if you do, congratulations! You can now begin on an empowering journey to bettering yourself and building good habits.

Of course, that’s much easier said than done. Habits tend to stick to you, and sometimes it might almost feel like they’re performed on reflex. To help you out, here’s how a life coach reveals 4 powerful ways to break free from bad habits.

1. Define

It sounds silly, but when solving any problem, you need not only to admit that you have that problem but to specifically define what it is. The brain benefits significantly from having something concrete and easily understandable to grasp. Here are some ways you can define a bad habit:

· Acknowledge Your Bad Habit

The first step to solving any problems is to acknowledge that the problem exists actively. The website of Confidence and Emotional Well-Being coach Nicky Massyn makes the point that you need to acknowledge something before you can work on fixing it, and he’s right! You can’t fix something that you won’t admit is there in the first place. If you feel ashamed about the bad habit, remember with positive thinking that this act of acknowledgment is a breakthrough in your self-improvement.

· Concretely Define The Problematic Habit

It’s easy to say, “I need to sleep more,” but that’s not concrete enough to define your bad habits. Author and licensed clinical social worker with specializations in supervision and therapy training, Robert Taibbi, states that you’ll find it harder to grasp onto the habits and change them if you don’t name specific behaviors. For example, instead of saying, “I need to sleep more,” say, “I need to stop going to watch TV after eating dinner.” This is clear and concrete, with no way to misunderstand your own meaning.

· Identify Triggers

What are the things that commonly cause you to engage in bad habits? Taibbi recommends identifying each trigger so you can prepare for them and offer resistance when they begin to attack. For example, anxiety might trigger your desire to smoke, or seeing a pack of potato chips will make you eat the entire bag. Being aware of triggers is also a kind of mindfulness, as it makes you take note of your actions in the present in a positive way, allowing you to be more in touch with yourself and your mind. Better yet, mindfulness has been proven to work in addiction recovery, so identifying triggers has multiple benefits in this effort.

· Determine Why You Want Change

If you want to keep your motivation for achieving change in your bad habits, then you need to know why you’re doing it in the first place. It’s much easier to alter habits when you perceive a possible change as positive, beneficial, or valuable somehow. So list down all the reasons that this change is necessary for you and add to that list as time goes on. You can even keep the list with you at all times to better maintain motivation, and it’s a good way to keep your priorities fresh and at the forefront of your mind.

2. Envision Success

Visualization is actually so powerful that it can be just as successful as physical practice when achieving certain standards or goals. Studies have found that you can gain strength and ability through strong visualization in rather surprising ways.

This is why envisioning success can be so important and can be the best kind of self-fulfilling prophecy. Here are some ways to properly incorporate the envisioning of success into your life:

· Visualize Your Good Habits

Imagine putting your good habits into practice. Imagine their amazing effects on your life and world. Now imagine how much better you’ll feel once they’re in action. This kind of visualization can work wonders, says Massyn’s website. You have to be consistent with it, though. Spend a short amount of time every day with your eyes closed, imagining the results of your success and your actions to achieve that success. The mind is a powerful thing and can be used in this manner to spur you on!

· Develop Powerful Intrinsic Motivation

Social and Affective Neuroscience Lab director Elliot Berkman, director of the University of Oregon’s Social and Affective Neuroscience Lab, says that many bad habits, when replaced with good ones, will retain a stronger influence over you than their positive replacements. This is because the bad habits have stronger, more tangible rewards for the brain while their replacements will be mere weak substitutes. This is why seeking stronger intrinsic motivation and visualizing it well can help you. Instead of thinking about how nicotine gum is healthier for you than cigarettes, think instead of the many additional years you’ll get to spend with your loved ones if you keep your lungs healthy. That kind of intrinsic motivation is significantly more effective than theoretical assumptions.

· Be Patient Through Visualization

It’s easy to feel discouraged when results don’t come up as quickly as you would like them to. In these situations, it’s important not to lose hope. Continually visualizing your success is a great way to fulfill some of that desire within you, and it reminds you of what you’re working towards. Taibbi adds that you shouldn’t beat yourself up for slip-ups and mistakes in your quest to break bad habits, either – take things one step at a time. Remember, the study that says it takes 21 days to break a habit was referring to the act of getting used to a new appearance. Changing a bad habit actively is likely to take longer than that!

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3. Plan and Make Goals

Breaking bad habits is a very, very huge undertaking. It can seem overwhelming, which is why you should break down your aims into clear and concise goals. Each goal should be specific, detailed, and easy to follow, ultimately leading you to your “endgame” long-term goal. Here are some tips for this process:

· Develop Healthy Schedules and Expectations

Your goals to break your bad habits should be clear and actionable. You should have a schedule for when you want to achieve certain milestones in those goals. Each “deadline” and expectation attached should be challenging but realistic, allowing you to push yourself to the best of your abilities without forcing you to aim for lofty, unachievable goals.

· Leave Reminders

When you start trying to break and replace a habit, it’s easy to forget that you’re supposed to be making changes. That’s why leaving reminders can be a great way to help you get into the swing of things at the beginning of your efforts. Leave a sticky note on doors to remind you to turn off lights you forget about. Set alarms on your phone when it’s time to turn off devices, go to bed, or head to the gym. Adding reminders to your early plans for improvement is a positive way to ensure that you are well-equipped to challenge your new habits.

· Track Your Progress

Develop a measurable way to track your improvement in your efforts towards breaking bad habits. It can be tougher to track this clearly because this is a more abstract goal, but it’s certainly doable. If you want to break a smoking habit, note down every day how many days clean you are. And if you’re trying to break a bad food habit, keep track of your meals. If you’re trying to learn to change a lack of gratitude, note down things you feel grateful for and other notable things you’ve done each day. Tracking your progress gives you a clear peek into your progress, motivating you with the steps forward you make and show you that what you’re doing is paying off.

4. Give Yourself The Support You Need

There’s one thing you may forget about in your equation for breaking bad habits – that you deserve support in finding your way through this hurdle. You are worthy of receiving that support, even if it’s just from you.

Without support, you’re likely to feel unmotivated and uninspired to keep going, and you may even feel guilty or think negatively about your progress. Worse still, you may wind up completely burning out.

· Use Positive Affirmations

In encouraging yourself to reach your goals, try to use positive statements to motivate yourself. Instead of discouraging and engaging in negative aspects of self-talk, be kind to yourself, and affirm yourself through positive words. Things like “I rise above bad habits,” “I eat healthily,” and “I am strong and capable” can all change your mindset and help you get through the most difficult times.

· Use Rewards As Motivation – And Follow Through

Sometimes, giving yourself rewards for little achievements can help motivate you to keep going. That little promise of something good and boost your positive thinking just enough to get you to your next milestone. Rewards don’t have to be large or expensive. They can be little treats that you’ll enjoy, like buying a nice dessert or a new book or spending an evening soaking in a nice bath. Licensed professional counselor Erika Myers recommends that you celebrate all your wins – even the smallest ones. You don’t have to run an entire marathon completely to celebrate being able to run a mile!

· Seek Support Externally

You don’t have to do everything alone. Suppose you find yourself struggling—rope in a friend to work on goals with you. You can share stories and inspire each other to work towards better habits. Of course, you can also opt for more professional forms of help, like speaking to a therapist or similar mental health expert, says Taibbi. If this is something you have access to, it can make a huge difference and give you unbiased advice and perspectives.

Final Thoughts On Some Powerful Ways To Break Free From Bad Habits

Bad habits can be tough to break. But if you want to override the negative with the positive successfully, you need to begin finding methods to do so. These powerful ways can help you make great progress towards breaking free from your worst habits. Harness them, and you’ll feel empowered and motivated to make good changes in your life!

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