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Experts Reveal the 15 Best Relationship Hints

October 22, 2020 by Power of Positivity

What does it take to cultivate the best relationships in life? Good friends are indeed one of life’s most valued treasures. At times, these people know you better than you know yourself. But today, it’s easy to confuse online friends with authentic, in-person interactions. Our experts reveal the best relationship hints to help you overcome that hurdle.

They use gentle honesty, as they support and guide you through this crazy thing called life. They’re there to share in your laughter as well as wipe your tears. Their company reminds you that you’re never alone on your journey.

If you’re lucky enough to have found even one such person, then you are blessed beyond measure. People have tried to substitute real friendships with virtual ones, and it’s not the same thing.

Virtual Friends Aren’t the Same

How many people do you have following you on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Snap Chat? Counting your friends on social media outlets and those who you see and interact with in-person is drastically different. The best relationship hints we share today will address how to help your personal friendships flourish.

Look at your friend, count on Facebook. If you have 700 friends on your wall, it doesn’t mean that they’re real friends. Honestly, you probably only know about one percent of those people.

While emails, text messaging, and social media are great ways to keep in contact with your friends and family, there are some people on your list that are nothing more than acquaintances. Technology cannot replace authentic in-person relationships where you are physically present with another human being, according to Alejandro Jadad of the University Health Network in Toronto.

Fifteen Best Relationship Hints, from the Experts

Your parents probably taught you all sorts of things about having and being a friend. One thing they probably didn’t tell you is about the impact relationships can have on your mental and physical health. A good friend can help to boost your confidence and be there to calm you down when your anxiety is too high.

Did you know that genuine friendships will shape your life if you prefer to be around people who are upbeat, positive, headed in the right direction, and those who value themselves, as well as others?

Are there any requirements to consider when looking for a good friend? How many times did your parents chastise you and say, “You are the company you keep”? This adage rings true to this day.

However, there were a few things about relationships that your parents probably didn’t mention, and here are 15 that you should know.

1. Communication is Key

If you want to have a good relationship with both friends and lovers, you will learn the fine art of communication. Check-in with each other and make sure the other one is okay. Part of being a friend is being there in good times and bad.

How will you know if your friend needs you if you don’t communicate effectively with each other?

2. Be Willing to Forgive

When you forgive others for their wrongdoings, then you release positive energy into the universe. So, when it comes time for you to be forgiven, karma will pay you back.

Always be eager to forgive even when the things done to you hurt deeply. Forgiveness is just as much for you as it is for them. NIH experts suggest that the ability to forgive someone is a sign of a strong person.

3. Accept People for Who They Are

When it comes to friends or lovers, never change people to be what you think they need to be. Rather, the best friendships are those where you both accept each other for who you are, which includes faults and all. Of all the best relationship hints, this one can be the most challenging to accept.

4. Encourage Them to Be All They Can Be

Being a good friend means that you have someone behind you, pushing you to be all you can be. It’s someone that makes you feel better when life is rough, and they give you the little boost you need to try new things. No one wants a Negative Nelly as their friend, so you need to be an encourager.

5. Compliments Go A Long Way

If you want to have the best relationship with your friend, then you will remember that a little compliment can go a long way. Pay attention to things like new outfits, a change in hairstyle, or a new cologne or perfume. Notice the little things and compliment them as it helps to build their esteem.

6. Be Honest – Even When it Hurts

The old adage that honesty is the best policy still rings true. Don’t tell someone what they want to hear; rather, you need to tell them the truth. If you disagree with them, it’s okay to have a difference of opinion.

If everyone had the same thoughts and theories in this life, it would be quite a boring place to be.

7. Respect Their Values, Religion, and Family

Today, respect for values, religion, political association, and family is essential. Learning to agree to disagree is one of the best relationship tips anyone can offer you.

Respect doesn’t mean that you agree or want to live the way that they do. It just means that you respect their individuality and accept them as they are. A study in American Psychology reminds us that cultural diversity is all around you and you must be respectful of others and their differences.

These ten signs reveal that you can trust your partner.

8. Don’t Make Promises You Can’t Keep

It’s easy to overextend yourself when trying to help others. However, the best relationships are the ones where you both know your boundaries and can say “no” when you can’t handle anymore.

A true friend will respect your limitations and understand when you’ve reached your limit. It’s better than the alternative of making a commitment and canceling at the last minute or being a “no show.”

9. Make Time Even When You Don’t Have Any

Your life is jam-packed with things from family to work. You may wonder how you will even have time for a friend. Thankfully, the best relationships are those who make time for each other even when there is no time left.

You will move appointments around, text on your lunch hour, and find ways to stay in touch. Relationships, like flowers in the garden, need constant care, and nourishment. It would help if you found time to spend together for your friendship to thrive.

10. Share Your Values and Secrets

It would help if you were careful when starting new friendships that you don’t divulge too much too fast. However, the best relationships are the ones where you can tell someone anything, and you know they have your back.

They wouldn’t tell or use what they know against you. They respect your values and keep your secrets. A friend that doesn’t talk about you behind your back or gossip is truly a gem.

11. Trust is Important (the best relationship hint)

One of the foundations of any friendship is trust. If there is no trust in your relationship, then is there any connection? You don’t want to be with someone that you always must second guess their motives.

Having a good friend is someone that you know what they are telling you is the truth and that you don’t even need to question their word.

12. Do Crazy Things Together

Life can be mundane with work and family responsibilities. The best relationships are those where you can throw caution to the wind and do something that’s crazy fun. Perhaps you hop a flight and spend the night in a big city exploring. Do something, anything spur of the moment just because you can.

Life would be boring if you did the same things all the time, and the best relationships are those who can have fun and make life an adventure.

13. Be Faithful and Devoted

Of course, your spouse and family must come first, but to be a good friend, you must have devotion towards one another. Though you often hear the terms love and dedication when talking about romantic relationships, they can also be used when it comes to friendships too.

14. Don’t Take Your Friendship for Granted

It’s easy to take a relationship for granted. Do you automatically assume that someone will be there for you because they always have been? If your friend babysits your children, don’t just expect this kind behavior as part of your friendship duties.

If they didn’t do this favor for you, who would your kids stay with? You should notice any act of kindness they do towards you, no matter how small. While they may not take money for watching your kids, you can get them a gift card or a candle. At the very least, a card will say how much you appreciate them.

15. Genuine Friends are Hard to Find

Real friends, the ones that stick by you through thick and thin, are hard to find. If you have found someone that is there to lift your head when the burdens of life are too much and is a shoulder to cry on, then you have found a precious gem. Friendships take a lot of work, but they are so worth the effort.

Final Thoughts on Taking These Best Relationship Hints to Heart

Friendship is one of the most essential things in life, and a person can never have too many friends. While your life may be chaotic, stressful, and downright devastating at times, they make things better.

Thankfully, it’s good to know that it’s a little less challenging when you have a good friend by your side. The best relationships are those that honor your difference and enjoy the similarities.

15 Habits That Reduce Early Mental Decline

October 22, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Wouldn’t it be amazing if you stayed young and mentally sharp forever? Unfortunately, the time has a way of robbing us of our vibrancy with each passing moment. There’s no such thing as a Fountain of Youth, but you can try these 15 helpful hacks to delay premature aging and mental decline.

15 Healthy Habits to Help Reduce the Odds of Early Mental Decline

These good habits can help avoid cognitive decline.

1. Drink Enough Water for Hydration

Did you know that your brain is composed of about 75 percent water? It only stands to reason that you should drink enough water to keep your body and mind hydrated for optimal health. If you stay in constant brain fog, you may not be getting enough to drink.

Health experts recommend that you consume at least 6-8 glasses of water daily. You may need to drink a little more when you are especially active. When you drink enough water for hydration, your brain can stay healthy, and you can prevent mental decline.

2. Practice Yoga

The practice of yoga goes back thousands of years to ancient India, where early Hindu practitioners created a philosophical system that included body, mind, and spirit. Gentle yogic poses and mindful breathing not only can strengthen your body, but it can supply more oxygen to your brain and reduce tension.

3. Try Aerobic Exercise

Aerobic exercise increases your heart rate and floods your body with oxygen-rich blood. Not only does this form of exercise help you burn fat more efficiently, but it also nourishes your brain. The extra blood and oxygen keep your brain healthy and can protect your cognitive functions and memory.

A brisk walk can provide enough aerobic activity to benefit you’re your entire body. You don’t have to work out for hours in a gym. Talk to a licensed fitness trainer to find other aerobic exercises that are best for you.

4. Attend Social Events

If you want to prevent mental decline as you get older, avoid keeping yourself isolated from family and friends. Your brain thrives on socialization and stimulating conversation. When you attend social events, you often meet new people and learn new ideas to expand your understanding.

Studies show that people who self-isolate too often deal with depression. It’s a downward spiral as the depression can lead to a reduction in your mental capabilities. Make it a point to spend time with family and friends for outings and other exciting events.

If you live alone and have a small circle of friends, you can always go to social events to meet others. Spend time in the library, go to museums, concerts, and other places that pique your interests. The social interaction will keep your brain busy and happy.

5. Practice Meditation

Meditation is an ideal way to ease your mind and calm your body from stress. Like yogic practice, it is an ancient technique used to reduce stress and bring harmony to your body, mind, and spirit. When you meditate, you breathe mindfully and allow your brain to focus on a higher power.

All you need is a comfortable and quiet place to meditate for 10-15 minutes. At first, it may feel a little silly, and your thoughts will go haywire. With practice, you can let your thoughts pass without judgment, and you’ll be able to do it effectively.

You can give your mind a rest from a barrage of thoughts when you meditate. It may minimize mental decline and bring clarity to your thought processes. Try to meditate a few minutes each day and see how it can benefit you.

6. Enjoy Brain Teasers

You can’t get a healthy body that is toned and fit without work. It requires a proper diet and a daily exercise regime, including cardio and weight training. If you keep a sedentary lifestyle without exercise, your health and body condition will deteriorate.

Your brain needs the same stimulation. To maintain good brain health and prevent mental decline, it needs to be challenged and exercised daily. Remember the old saying that warns if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it?

Instead of spending mindless hours watching television, enjoy a few puzzles and brain teasers to boost your deductive reasoning and critical thinking skills. Work crossword puzzles, Sudoku, or any other fun games that challenge you. Answering trivia questions can also get your mind working.

7. Get Enough Sleep

According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in every three Americans don’t get enough rest each night. If you are among the sleepless crowd, you know how miserable it makes you feel and how insomnia clouds your thinking and perception. Sleep deprivation can cause a host of health and mental conditions, including eventual mental decline.

Although medical experts recommend that you get between six to eight hours of rest a day, some people need a little more and some a little less. If you aren’t getting enough rest and feel its effects, the reasons could be physical or environmental. Talk to your healthcare provider to find ways to help you get sufficient rest.

8. Eating a high-protein diet

The Ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus once noted that we are whatever we eat. If you consider your current diet routine, you may not be happy with the outcome. A recent study shows that approximately 36.6 percent of Americans eat high-calorie fast food every day.

With alarming statistics like these, no wonder America is battling an obesity epidemic, especially among young people and children. Obesity contributes to many deadly ailments like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, strokes, and cancers.

Research indicates a positive correlation between a healthy high-protein diet and the prevention of mental declines like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Other studies also suggest a decline in brain function for people who chronically consume junk food. A balanced diet is the best route to take if you want your body and mind to stay strong and healthy.

Daily recommendations for protein intake are between 5-6 ounces. Enjoy lean portions of poultry, beef, and pork. Other rich sources of protein include nuts, eggs, fish, and dark leafy greens.

9. Consume Organic Vegetables

Do you know what you are eating when you buy regular fruits and vegetables at the grocery store? Most produce found in supermarkets across America have been treated with chemical pesticides and fertilizers hazardous to your health. Many of these chemicals can cause cancer.

It’s worth the extra cost to buy certified organic vegetables and fruit. Many people are avoiding the middleman and growing their own produce. While studies show no difference between the nutritional value of regular produce and organic, organic produce still has higher levels of antioxidants.

Here are some compelling reasons why so doctors recommend organic foods.

10. Increase Your Antioxidants

These powerful antioxidants fight free radicals in your bloodstream that can damage cells. Protecting your cells with antioxidants may delay the aging process for your skin, your internal systems, and your brain. As you age, damaged brain cells aren’t replenished as quickly, and that’s why many seniors experience mental decline.

A diet rich in a variety of organic vegetables and fruit may improve your cognition in the long run. They also provide brain-healthy vitamins and minerals and rough fiber for proper digestion. The USDA recommends that you get at least five servings of vegetables a day and four fruit servings.

11. Reduce Stress

Whether you’re a commoner who works every day, a celebrity, or royalty, you should realize that everyone deals with pressure. Your stress may be different from movie stars, but everyone’s bodies will react negatively to chronic strain. You may not be able to eliminate all your stress, but you can reduce it.

Your body is hardwired to protect itself with an automatic survival instinct. When your brain feels threatened, it pumps stress hormones called cortisol and adrenaline into your blood to prepare you for a fight, flight, freezing, or fainting. Since your brain doesn’t differentiate between dangerous threats and aggravation, you can live in a state of chronic stress that can wreak havoc on your health.

12. Stop Smoking

Smoking tobacco can destroy your entire body, including your brain. Not only can the plethora of hazardous chemicals affect your brain cells, but they can also contribute to mental health problems.

13. Reduce Your Alcohol Consumption

You know what overconsumption of alcohol can do to your liver, but do you also know that it can cause brain damage. If you experience blackouts due to heavy drinking over time, it can destroy brain cells that can’t be replaced. Keep alcohol consumption to a minimum.

14. Get Treated for Depression

Medical experts believe that depression is caused by a mixture of genetic and environmental factors. When you have a chemical imbalance in your brain, it can affect your memory and cognitive functions. Consult a mental health professional for depression treatment.

15. Practice Positivity

Have you ever noticed how weak your body feels when you stay in a negative funk? Be kind to your brain, and you must learn to be positive. Surround yourself with other positive people, and you will see how your mental health will flourish.

Final Thoughts on Preventing Early Mental Decline

Although it is normal for your memory and cognition to slip a bit as you get older, you needn’t experience a complete mental decline.

If you keep your body strong and healthy with proper diet and exercise, you may lower your risks of disease, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. Make sure you eat a high-protein diet and avoiding fast food and sweet treats. Food is meant to nourish the body and provide fuel, not just to please your palate.

When you take good care of yourself with body, mind, and spirit, it will serve you well into your golden years. And that commitment to self-care can help prevent early mental decline.

15 Things You Can Do to Adopt A Positive Mindset Right Now

October 22, 2020 by Sarah Barkley

Living a more joyful lifestyle is beneficial to all aspects of your life. It’s easier than you think, too, as it simply takes adopting a positive mindset.

While it may be hard to remember all the tips for positivity right away, they will quickly become a habit. You’ll notice an improvement in your mood, stress levels, and productivity almost immediately.

Living life with a positive mindset is about more than just seeming happy all the time. It is beneficial to your home life, work-life, and your health. Use these tips to adopt a positive mindset to change your life for the better today.

Things You Can Do to Adopt A Positive Mindset

Try making these fifteen changes to multiply your positive thoughts.

1. Begin Your Day with a Positive Affirmation

Think about the times you’ve woken up late and had to rush and panic to get to work on time (or late). You tend to have a rough day the rest of the day when things like this happen. This is because your morning sets the tone for the day, so make sure to bring positivity into your mornings.

If you start your day positively, you’re more likely to keep a positive mindset all day long. Choose some positive affirmations to repeat to yourself in the morning, and it will help you set a positive tone.

2. Find the Good in Every Moment

Even in moments that don’t seem to be going well, you can find something good if you look for it. Focus on any benefit, no matter how small. This could be hearing your favorite song during your drive home from work or that the sun is shining.

If you have to find a new plan because something didn’t work out, think of it as a learning opportunity. You will either try something new or learn something, so there’s a benefit in that, as well.

Even in the hardest times, finding something good can bring a little light to your life. It will help you refocus your thoughts and start being positive.

3. Learn from Every Mistake or Failure

As stated before, when things don’t go as planned, it will be a learning opportunity somehow. Mistakes and failures happen, and they are only to be expected on the path to success.

When this happens to you, focus on what you can do next instead of what went wrong. While you have to think about what not to do next time, don’t fixate on the issue. Once you’ve determined the area that didn’t work out, you have to create a plan next time.

Use those hardships and obstacles as stepping stones to the right path. Come up with a new plan using the new knowledge you have. You now know what didn’t work, so it’s time to learn what will work.

4. Avoid Negative Self-Talk and Practice Positive Self-Talk

Sometimes you’ll have negative self-talk without even realizing it. Your thoughts will be a continuous stream of negativity, and you’ll bring yourself down. Over time, these thoughts will cause you to have a decreased sense of self-worth, which can interfere with your life.

Make a conscious effort to check your thought processes if you realize you often have negative self-talk. When you find your thoughts are negative, replace them with something positive.

Tell yourself that you are learning when things go wrong, rather than telling yourself how bad you are. When you didn’t succeed at something, tell yourself that next time you’ll do better. When you can replace the negative self-talk with positive, you’ll notice a significant difference in your life.

Also, avoid constantly thinking about or talking about what you want. When you are always reminding yourself of what you don’t have, it’s a form of negative self-talk. Instead, remind yourself of what you do have and express your gratitude for those things.

5. Surround Yourself with Positive People>

By surrounding yourself with positive people, you’ll be able to adopt a more positive mindset. You’ll hear nothing but positivity from them, which will quickly benefit you. It can change your mindset, your words, and your actions for the better.

It is important to note that this works oppositely, as well. If you surround yourself with negative people, you’ll begin adopting their negative mindset and outlook. It may be necessary to eliminate certain people from your life if you see that this is a problem.

However, if you can’t remove them from your life, try to limit your time spent with them. When their negativity becomes too much, remove yourself from their presence for a while.

6. Write in a Gratitude Journal Daily

There is no better way to be positive than to count your blessings as often as you can. Each day, write down a couple of things you are grateful for in a journal. It’ll help remind you of all that you have and all the great things in your life.

The things you write down can be small events, such as seeing a butterfly or having a cup of coffee. Or, they can be huge things like getting a promotion or seeing a friend from out of town. No matter what you write, you’ll be able to reflect positively if you do this daily.

Writing in a gratitude journal daily can help develop a positive thinking habit. It can change your entire way of thinking. Plus, when you’re having a particularly bad day, you can read over the previous days and remember it all.

7. Stop Complaining

Complaining is a sure way to breed negativity. When you’re thinking of these complaints internally, it is detrimental to you. Speaking them out loud, however, will be detrimental to those around you, too.

When you complain, it also affects your productivity, which could cause unnecessary stress. Even listening to people’s complaints can have this effect, so it’s important to avoid complaints altogether.

8. Force a Smile

Even when you don’t feel like smiling, force yourself to do so. By forcing yourself to smile, you will be reducing stress and fostering a positive mindset and emotions.

Plus, research shows that receiving a smile can boost your mood. When you smile at others, they will likely smile back at you, creating a circle of positivity.

By performing an action that is generally associated with happiness, it will make you feel happier. Then, smiling at others and receiving a smile in return will only increase the positive effect. You can’t lose when it comes to smiling.

9. Focus on the Current Moment

This doesn’t mean to think about this morning or any other time of this day. It means to only think about the moment you are in right now. Forget anything that happened to upset you early in the day or even earlier in the hour.

The same goes for things that might happen later in the day. Please do not focus on those, and try not to even think about them unless they bring you positivity. Instead, focus on only what is happening right this very second.

Remind yourself that at this very moment, nothing bad is happening. Don’t let memories or potential situations ruin the way you feel right now. Take a deep breath and look around for something to brighten your spirits.

10. Make Time for Self-Care

This tip is heard so often that it is generally ignored, but it is essential for adopting a positive mindset. It directly affects your mental and emotional health, and ignoring it can cause you to feel overwhelmed and negative.

You have to make time for self-care so that you can recover from all of life’s twists and turns. There is no right or wrong way to spend this time, as long as you disconnect and take some time for you.

11. Avoid Gossip

While gossip may be entertaining and an easy way to pass the time, it causes negativity. No matter if you are listening to it or engaging in it yourself, it is unhealthy and will cause problems.

When you have no choice but to be there, try to tune it out as best you can. If someone tries to pull you into it, say that you would rather not get into it. They may be put off at first, and you may feel uncomfortable, but it will be for the best.

Another benefit is that if you aren’t participating in gossip, other people won’t be as likely to gossip about you. This will further reduce your stress while allowing you the relief of not knowing secrets about those around you.

12. Tell Jokes and Find Things to Laugh About

Laughing and telling jokes is a sure way to make you feel more positive. Laughing will increase the endorphins in your body, which are known to make you feel good. Plus, it will help reduce stress and relieve tension.

Overtime, laughing often can even release neuropeptides, which help fight stress and can reduce your risk of serious illness. It’ll help you cope better and make you feel happier in general. Overall, laughing promotes a positive mindset and make your life better in all ways.

13. Take Breaks and Utilize Them Well

Sometimes, it may seem like a good idea to skip your breaks at work. Even when you take them, it can be hard to stop thinking about work and relax for a few minutes. However, it’s important to find a way to do that because otherwise, you’ll quickly become irritated and negative.

14. Always Find Something to Look Forward to After Work

If you have nothing else to look forward to, make a plan to eat your favorite snack, and watch TV. Even something simple like that can help you stay positive throughout the day. It will help you find a balance to life and something to always look forward to.

15. Meditate Regularly

Meditation can help reduce stress and anxiety and promote positivity. Taking five minutes a day to meditate can help drastically, and this can even count as self-care. You’ll notice a difference immediately when you begin implementing meditation.

Final Thoughts on Things You Can Do to Adopt A Positive Mindset

Adopting a positive mindset is life-changing and can help you lead a better life. You will be more productive and have a greater sense of well-being. It can be hard to stop negativity, but developing positive habits will help reverse the negativity. Remember these tips for adopting a positive mindset so you can work on it every day.

United Nations Urges Humankind to End the “War on Nature”

October 22, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Recently, the United Nations held the first summit on the climate change crisis. Scientists warned that high temperatures, rising sea levels, and numerous chemicals in the air cause an imbalance in nature. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reminded world leaders that they promised to help save the environment a decade ago. But they have failed to step up their efforts.

Guterres said that diseases like HIV, Ebola, and viral infections continue to spread due to the influences of the following?

Climate change
Deforestation
Food production

He also warned that as many as one million species face extinction.

Guterres made the following plea:

“Humanity is waging war on nature. And we need to rebuild our relationship with it. Degradation of nature is not purely an environmental issue–it spans economics, health, social justice, and human rights.”

He urged the heads of state who were turning in via video link or in-person to stop the assault on the environment to save the Earth. He reminded them that they committed themselves to save the Earth decades ago but did nothing. A number of other world leaders echoed Guterres’s words, saying that 2021 should be their year of action to save the Earth’s environment.

Another well-known proponent of conservation, Sir David Attenborough, an English broadcaster and natural historian, is also outspoken about the need to save the environment. He recently suggested earmarking $500 billion for the earth’s conservation every year due to its serious needs.

Climate change concerns continue to rise.

Proponents suggest that forest fires and the Arctic ice levels are signs of the earth’s pending demise.

Attenborough has definitely become a celebrity. He recently went on Instagram to share his concerns, and after six days of being on social media, he had five million followers.

He said that years ago, he sensed that global warming was occurring in the 70s. According to Attenborough, he knew that it was a life and death issue when he saw a dead coral reef on the Barrier Reef in the 1970s.

Sir David suggests that it’s very simple to solve the world’s environmental problem. “I think there are two things you could do: One, it’s perfectly simple, don’t waste. Don’t waste power, don’t waste paper, don’t waste food, don’t waste time,” said Attenborough. “The second thing is, convince the man or woman who represents you politically of what you’re concerned about in whatever political system you live in.”

Producer, Alastair Fothergill, agrees with Sir David Attenborough that saving the Earth is a simple fix. He said, “It really depends on your lifestyle, and this is the difficulty in talking about the solutions; we have to always talk about what the human race needs to do as a whole because everyone’s lifestyles are different. You know you could already be vegetarian or maybe you walk to work.”

Alastair’s newest film about the environment, “A Life On Our Planet,” came out in theaters in the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Ireland, Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Australia, and New Zealand. You can watch it on Netflix.

A film that serves as a wake-up call

The film “A Life On Our Planet” depicts the growing environmental destruction through the decades in the eyes and career of Sir David Attenborough. The film’s goal was to help people relate to the topic, so it was less abstract or disconnected from real life. Attenborough warns that as wildlife declines, our own destruction isn’t far behind. He addresses each decade of his life, explaining how the natural world’s decline is near and any vestiges of wildlife face certain doom. It’s a scary film. But most reviewers were infatuated with Attenborough calling him much loved and respected. In his native United Kingdom, he is, indeed, a national treasure.

The film has gotten high reviews for the emotional appeal and somber mood. Many people who believe the film’s claims wonder if the much loved and respected Attenborough’s urgent appeal is enough to make the changes needed.

Interestingly enough, in an interview in 2018, Sir David Attenborough suggested that giving dire warnings about devastating environmental issues was a “turn off.” He said that emphasizing this type of warnings about the planet would be acting like an “alarmist” and would be like “proselytizing.”

It would seem from watching “A Life On Our Planet,” that he’s changed his mind on being an alarmist. Most who watch the film said the film is horrifying until the last 30 minutes when Attenborough offers a glimmer of hope only if everyone on the planet completely changes the way they live.

Interestingly enough, there are no disagreements with Attenborough and his film’s assessment of the earth’s condition. Typically, on controversial issues, there are many opinions. But on this issue, if there are opposing sides, they are either quiet or not allowed to share their disagreement.

Learn about the algae power plants could help to reduce emissions.

The climate change controversy

Today, one of the most polarizing scientific debates related to the environment is climate change. It’s as controversial for the public and for scientists as well. Although there are a growing number of people who adamantly disagree with climate change, you don’t hear about it very much. For the most part, the public believes most scientists support the idea that climate change is human-made. The public also hears messaging that a catastrophe on the earth is shortly due to climate change.

But like other scientific debates, an oversimplification occurs. People begin to mistrust science so that people either decide that climate change is an absolute real problem or they decide it’s a complete hoax. In reality, scientists rarely agree on any scientific issue.

Geoffrey C Kabat, in his scientific article, “Taking Distrust of Science Seriously,” said the following:

“To overcome public distrust in science, scientists need to stop pretending that there is a scientific consensus on controversial issues when there is not.”

Telling the public that 97% of scientists believe something is a political and confuses the public. Many people have far less, if any, scientific knowledge. These scare tactics emphasize catastrophic situations. Scientists call those who view things in this nuanced way deniers of the truth. The fact is that climate change is very untestable and very complex. There are many missing pieces of the puzzle.

Scientists have few controlled studies on climate change. They have measurements of temperatures and atmospheric CO2 levels. The idea of greenhouse gas isn’t new; researchers discovered it over a hundred years ago. Scientists have some specific points of disagreement about climate change. What they know and what remains unknown puzzles most. Regardless, the public is led to believe that scientists understand everything about climate change.

This oversimplifying or politicizing the climate change issue for research funding or career gain puts scientific studies on climate change at risk. Science is rarely as neat and tidy as politicians or media would suggest.

Final thoughts on the United Nations warning and trusting the world’s scientists

You must decide how you can help the environment. Of course, it’s unrealistic to believe that everyone on the planet will contribute to the cause of saving the environment. But for those who take these issues seriously, they will make the necessary life changes. Regardless of the warning signs, many people wonder if the earth is in such a decline as the United Nations warns.

So far, it’s hard to find anyone who denies that we are polluting the planet. Some controversial scientific debates continue over climate change–that’s how science evolves. You must attempt to understand both arguments before making a judgment call. And we must each do our part to save the planet.

12 Red Flags Someone Is Too Assertive

October 22, 2020 by Power of Positivity

The world is full of assertive people that have made their stamp in life. Sadly, these people are often misunderstood, or others feel that they have bad intentions. Just because someone speaks their mind and has moxie, it doesn’t make them a bad person.

How do you know if you’re a bit too assertive? Having a bit of force and self-confidence goes a long way, but you might need to tone it down since many misunderstand you. Here are some signs that you need to watch your self-assertive nature a bit.

Here Are Twelve Signs That Someone Might Be Too Assertive

Be honest. Do you exhibit these behaviors?

1. Assertive People Are Not Afraid to Speak Their Mind

It’s okay to speak your mind and let people know where you stand. What isn’t okay is saying things that are hurtful towards others. Even if you don’t like the dress or suit they’re wearing, some opinions need to be kept to yourself.

Evaluate your statements before you speak. If anything you say might be misunderstood or hurtful towards someone, then bite your tongue.

2. You Scare Some People

Do people fear you because they don’t know what you will say or do? Do others tiptoe on eggshells when you walk into a room? While it’s good to have a commanding presence and others’ respect, you don’t want people to be afraid of you.

People who fly off the handle and have rage might be assertive, and it could be an underlying medical condition and not self-confidence. If you find yourself being aggressive with your assertion, then it’s time to reevaluate yourself.

3. People Listen When You Talk

It’s a good thing when you talk that people listen. However, do they listen because they value what you say as a coworker or family member, or do people look like they’re afraid if they utter a word, you might slaughter them?

Make sure that people want to hear what you say because you’re engaging and not threatening. There is a big difference in why people draw crowds, and it’s not always good ones.

4. You Use Your Clout to Make Things Happen

Are you guilty of using your position to get things done? While there is certainly nothing wrong with dropping names or calling in favors from others to accomplish tasks, you should avoid blackmail and other unscrupulous methods. You want to be a mover and shaker and not someone underhanded like a mob boss.

5. You’ve Been Called Names a Time or Two

Assertive people are often misunderstood, and while some people want to be just like you, others hate the ground you walk on. It’s not uncommon for people with strong personalities to be called names. Even with the best of intentions, you can still ruffle a few feathers.

The real problem comes into play when you people have more hate than like for you. Being assertive and getting the job done is all well and good, but life sure is lonely if people misunderstand you so much that they don’t want to be around you.

6. Assertive People Rarely Ever Sugar Coat or Beat Around the Bush

Have you ever told someone to “Give it to me straight?” You’re not one that likes to beat around the bush or sugarcoat the truth. You will openly say what needs to be said without fear of any backlash.

The good thing about people that “shoot from the hip” is that you always know where you stand with them. The bad thing about people who are so straightforward is that they offend many people along the way. If your assertive nature is more offensive than helpful, then tone it back a bit.

A good rule of thumb to live by is that you should never tell people things they already know. They know the things they need to work on and what’s wrong in their lives. They don’t need you to point it out and offer unsolicited advice.

7. You’re Always a Leader

Have you been a leader since childhood? You would never dream of following someone else’s lead as you always have a clear-cut path to victory. While being a leader is an integral part of society, you need to learn when to step back and let someone else be in charge.

Do you often seem to take over a group of people no matter what the situation? You may even step in and try to control things over someone else that has already been designated as in charge.

Your assertive nature is good for leadership, but you can’t always be the leader. Learn when to follow sometimes too.

8. Your Passion and Opinions Are Often Misunderstood

Do you often feel like people misunderstand your motives or passions?

Let’s look at a real-world example of this.

Imagine this. You are a manager at your workplace and developed a strict policy about not allowing people to take time off, other than for vacation or illness. You cannot fathom workers who want to take their pets to the vet or want bereavement time for a loss is not acceptable.

To others, it may come across that you only care about work and the bottom line rather than your employees. Others view animals as members of the family. The loss of a dog or cat is a painful ordeal. Sadly, what many people don’t know is that you once loved pets. You just got your heart broken when your dog of 15 years died. You vowed you would never have another pet again.

While you’re passionate about the acceptable reasons people call off, you must allow a little leniency for individuality. You must remember that you can have an iron fist as a ruler, but you must still have a big heart.

9. Success is Not an Option

You decide that you want to do something, and you won’t stop until your dream comes to fruition. In your world, success is not an option but a destination. There’s nothing wrong with being goal-driven, and it’s easy to pour yourself 100 percent into your endeavors.

What’s not okay is to step on everyone else on the way to your goal. You can’t use people, play dirty, and even resort to blackmail tactics to get what you want. Sometimes people want something so bad because they cannot have it.

However, once they get the item they longed for, they realize they didn’t want it anyway. How many times has that happened to you with unrequited love? You pine after a man or woman so much that you can hardly sleep or eat.

You may go months or even years in the pursuit of this particular person. You’ve played things up in your mind to the point where you will die if you don’t have them for your own. Then, once you get them, you realize it wasn’t all that you made it up to be in your mind.

Be careful of what you consider a success in your life. Watch the people you must step on to reach your goal.

10. Your Confidence Intimidates Others

Do you find yourself intimidating? Have you ever heard someone has an “icy beauty” but is unapproachable? While the world acknowledges that this person is beautiful, they also want to point out that they are cold as ice on the inside.

Do you want to be so intimidating? True, people don’t climb their way to the top of the corporate ladder by being nice, but you should make friends on your way up and not enemies. Being assertive and self-confident is essential, but you don’t want others to think you’re a bully.

11. You Ask More Questions Than a Reporter

Assertive people often tend to be a bit nosy. Do you find yourself always asking tons of questions? Inquiring minds want to know, but what are you doing with the information that you’ve learned?

Many leaders know that one day they will need the information they have learned to benefit them. So if every conversation you engage in goes filed for later use, you may be too forceful in life. It’s okay to have everyday conversations for no reason but to engage with others.

12. Assertive People Take No Crap, and Everyone Knows It

People wouldn’t dare cross you because they know that you won’t put up with it. They fear what you might do in return. It’s okay for people to have a bit of respect for you that you won’t put up with their garbage, but they shouldn’t fear for their job or life if they are at odds with you.

Final Thoughts on Being Overly Assertive

There are all kinds of people in this world, and variety is the spice of life. However, there are strong personalities, and you or someone you love might be one of them. It’s perfectly acceptable to have a strong character and to be a commanding presence.

What’s not okay is resorting to name-calling, blackmailing, or methods of violence to get what you want. It would help if you never used someone else as part of your master plan to get where you want to be in life. Are you too assertive, or do you have just enough grit to get you where you want to go?

Elon Musk Provides Broadband Internet Access to Native American Tribe

October 22, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Across the United States, there is a large gap in the availability of reliable internet services. The COVID pandemic only exacerbated this problem, as schools and jobs suddenly relied heavily upon computers and internet service. The urgent need to connect families in most rural areas became apparent. Perhaps the best solution to accommodate all these needs is satellite broadband.

Before the COVID shutdown, Elon Musk, a well-known entrepreneur and CEO of Telsa, planned to build a satellite broadband service called Starlink. His space transportation service company, SpaceX, would manufacture an entire constellation of these Starlink satellites. These satellites will launch into Earth’s low orbit to provide broadband internet services, like the ones from the business phone and broadband deals, in many of these hard to reach areas of the United States. Those who would like to boost their online privacy when connected to their phone’s internet should buy Mobile proxies.

Recently, Musk announced the launch of 60 new Starlink satellites. He announced on October 6, 2020, in the following Tweet:

“Once these satellites reach their target position, we will be able to roll out a fairly wide public beta in (the) northern US & hopefully southern Canada.” he wrote on Twitter. “Other countries to follow as soon as we receive regulatory approval.”

What is SpaceX?

Space Exploration Technologies Corporation or SpaceX is a privately funded rocket company created by Musk. The company’s goal is to create a reusable rocket and launch system that lowers the cost of space flight for transportation services in the future. SpaceX made history by launching a spacecraft from low-Earth orbit, and in 2020 the Dragon spacecraft, a liquid propellant rocket, became the first commercial spacecraft when it delivered a load of cargo to the International Space Station.

In February 2018, SpaceX made history again when it sent a Tesla electric sports car operated by a mannequin named Starman dressed in a spacesuit sitting in the driver’s seat. The Roadster sports car with Starman at the helm sat upon the Falcon Heavy rocket. The goal was to have the roadster orbit around the sun. Not only was the launch successful, but the roadster is still orbiting the sun as if it was a planet. Starman and his electric sports car have been in space for over 600 days and will continue its orbit for hundreds of years.

Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX, leads America back into the stars.

What is a satellite broadband internet service?

Satellite internet service isn’t a new concept. It’s been around for decades. Broadband internet delivers into a location through a satellite. You may remember the satellite television that was so popular in the 90s. Satellite companies sent an internet connection to the satellite dish in your yard at high speeds so you could watch a variety of tv shows. Today’s broadband speeds are even faster. As of 2020, two major companies provide satellite broadband services. You’ve used one broadband service connection through a company called Viasat if you ever used the WiFi on an airplane or a cruise ship.

SpaceX is using low-Earth orbit constellations like Starlink because they’re closer to the ground. Thus, the information doesn’t travel as far, causing less lag time in the internet service.

Why is Starlink better than traditional satellite internet?

Starlink goes beyond all other traditional satellite internet services. SpaceX says that Starlink satellites will provide services 10 to 40 times faster than traditional internet services. Plus, Starlink will be more affordable than other services and provide fewer signal dropouts than traditional internet services. SpaceX says that the installation of Starlink internet will be less difficult than regular satellite services of old. So, instead of a large satellite dish sitting in your yard or on top of your house, the Starlink’s dish is much smaller, 20 inches in diameter. Buyers should be able to install the dish themselves.

What does the launch of Starlink satellites mean?

Starlink could be the cutting edge technology we need to provide internet to thousands of people. “The COVID-19 crisis has significantly accelerated attention to and investment in satellite technology,” says Babak Beheshti, a professor at the New York Institute of Technology and Dean of the College of Engineering and Computing Sciences. “Why? Because schools, local governments, and others suddenly needed to have broadband internet access in areas where there was really no infrastructure in place.”

Musk is determined to make the Starlink satellite broad services available to those with poor internet services.

Native American Tribe first to receive Starlink

The Hoh Tribe has lived on the Pacific coast of the Olympic Peninsula area of Washington state for decades. The tribe had been experiencing extremely slow internet and poor connection for many years. As a result, the Washington State Commerce Department, knowing their needs, arranged for the tribal to be introduced to SpaceX’s Starlink satellite team, who connected them to Starlink satellite service. Using the Starlink service has completely changed the way the tribe uses the internet.

Overnight, the tribe went from little to no connectivity to high-speed internet. Starlink is opening the door for this tribe to have access to remote learning and better healthcare. This grateful community is excited to be some of the first recipients of SpaceX’s new space-based internet service.

The Hoh Tribe acknowledged their appreciation to Musk and SpaceX by tweeting the following statement on October 7, 2020:

“What a difference high-speed internet can make! Our children can participate in remote learning, residents can access. We felt like we’d been paddling up-river with a spoon on this. Starlink made it happen overnight.”

In the not too far off future, SpaceX hopes to provide Starlink satellite-based internet services to other communities who struggle to get internet services.

The Starlink constellation keeps growing.

Musk says that currently, there are 770 Starlink satellites in orbit. SpaceX hopes to launch another 2,000 to add to the Starlink constellation by the end of 2021. Long term, SpaceX plans to launch up to 12,000 satellites all approved by Congress. Moreover, because the company does things a big way, they applied to Congress to launch another 30,000 satellites in 2019.

When is blast off?

It’s only a matter of time before Starlink’s broadband internet service is launched. SpaceX says the launch of its new broadband network in North America is just around the corner with greater capacity to reach people at faster speeds with the internet than ever before.

SpaceX’s ultimate goal is to provide broadband internet that’s reliable, inexpensive, and easily available. In the United States, beta testing is beginning in various parts of the country that have poor internet service. In September, people began signing up to be participants in the beta tests. This groundbreaking service will no doubt launch major competition between other internet providers.

Final thoughts on the delivery of broadband services to rural communities

SpaceX’s Starlink has dreams of dominating the satellite broadband internet industry. They boast that their internet service will outperform all the other satellite companies. Starlink will cost less, have higher speeds, and be more reliable. Such goals may seem unrealistic. But with a growing need for more reliable internet for online learning and remote jobs during the pandemic, many people hope they accomplish their goals. The urgent need to get people broadband service reinforces the idea that SpaceX and Musk may indeed be on to something that will change how we and the entire world use the internet.

France Joins Other EU Countries in Banning Circus Animals

October 22, 2020 by Power of Positivity

In September of 2020, France gave an official nod to ban circus animals. This comes on the heels of a growing number of other European Union (EU) countries banning the use of wild animals in traveling circuses. It’s a historic move for France.

Over the next few years, elephants, bears, lions, and other wild animals will no longer serve as entertainment attractions within the country.

“Our attitude to wild animals has changed,” said France’s Ecology Minister, Barbara Pompili, during a press conference where the ban was announced. ‘It is time that our ancestral fascination with these wild beings no longer translates into situations where their captivity is favored over their welfare.”

When will these changes occur?

France gives no exact timeline for how or when these changes will occur, but it’s thought it could take years for all animals to be removed from all the countries’ traveling circuses. The ecology minister also banned breeding and raising of mink for fur. She also announced that an immediate change would occur in the marine parks. They are now forbidden to breed or hold captive dolphins or orcas. There is talk of creating a sanctuary for retired circus animals being held in captivity since they can’t return to the wild. These restrictions do not apply to zoos since they are permanent attractions.

What was the first country to ban circus animals?

In 2009, Bolivia banned the use of wild and domesticated animals for traveling circuses. Bolivia’s congress passed the 4040 Law of Circuses without Animals bill stating, “the use of animals in circuses constitutes up an act of cruelty.” Bolivia distinguished itself as the first country to ban circus animal use. The nation led the way for other countries to follow suit in the banning of animals in circuses.

Countries against the use of circus animals

Today, there is a growing long list of other countries that have banned or restricted animals’ use in the circus. This listing include the following nations:

Austria
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Colombia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
El Salvador
England
Estonia
Finland
Greece
Guatemala
Hungary
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Luxenberg
Latvia
Lebanon
Macedonia
Malta
Mexico
The Netherlands
Norway
Paraguay
Peru
Romania
Scotland
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Taiwan
Ukraine
Wales

These countries took seriously the need to protect animals from the cruelty of circus life.

United States’ ban on circus animals

In the United States, the decades-long controversy over wild animals’ circus use subsided in 2016 when Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus elephants performed for the last time. Studies show that controversy about the welfare of animals being used by humans is nothing new. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), an animal rights organization founded in 1980. They fought the use of animals in research laboratories and businesses like fishing. Animal use for human entertainment is changing. Critics suggest where in the past, animals performing in the circus accepted by the public. Today circus animal performances are viewed as inhumane and cruel by the general population.

Life for animals in the circus

Animals in their natural habitat enjoy walking, swimming, and exploring. In contrast, circus animals lead lives confined in cages or trailers while being transported across thousands of miles. From city to city, the animals endured long hours without exercise, adequate water, food, or preventative care. They have little to no social interactions with their own kind, leading them to boredom and lack of mental stimulation. It forced them to perform tricks under stressful conditions or punishment. Chained to tents or held in small holding areas added to the animal’s daily cruel environment. Unusual behaviors were common among the animals, such as pacing, chewing their legs, repetitive head-shaking, and agitation. The cruelty the animals experienced often led to an early death.

Those against animal use in circuses suggest these five major reasons for banning the practice:

1 – These creatures spend far too much time caged

Some activists suggest that these creatures spend as much as 96% of their lives in cages. Sometimes caged up to 26 hours, they force these animals to endure almost their entire life alone behind bars.

2 – Weaned from their mothers too early

Keepers separate new babies from their mothers almost immediately after birth. In their natural habitat, elephants, in particular, are very social–they thrive in packs. But in the circus, keepers force them to live in isolation, removed from their mother far too early. The babies become stressed, depressed, and anxious.

Among all species, the mothers also suffer from cruel mental torture. These mother animals can become agitated from wanting to find their baby. This often leads to punishment and abuse.

3 – Physical punishment by unkind handlers

Investigations into circus animal training have revealed physical abuse, such as the use of tight collars, whips, electric prods, and bullhooks. Often, the circus animals have deformities of their legs, joints, ord backs from the repeated beatings.

4 – They develop physical disabilities as a result of neglect and cruelty

Many circus animals have physical disabilities because of severe physical punishment, poor nutrition, and dehydration. Captive wild animals, in general, live shorter lives, mental problems, and long-term physical pain.

5 – Nutrition and water deprivation

The training of circus animals sometimes involves food and water deprivation. Cruel trainers punished the performers by not giving them food or water because they didn’t perform well in the show. Because it took so long to feed all the animals, the animals endured dehydration and near starvation.

Retired elephants find a new home.

In her announcement, France’s ecology minister also emphasized that they cannot simply release these magnificent creatures into the wild. Since the circus held them in captivity for such a long time, the animals can’t function in the wild. They must find a safe sanctuary where they can live in natural surroundings while receiving much-needed protection.

One circus animal relocation success story involves moving 35 retired Asian elephants to a new spacious new home in central Florida. These 35 elephants, formerly used in performances by the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, got sold to White Oak Conservation five years ago when the circus’s phased out animals in their shows. The elephants’ 2,500 acre home is still under construction, hoping to welcome the new residents next year. The former circus animals will enjoy a landscape of wetlands, woodlands, and grasslands. There are eleven waterholes for drinking and bathing.

Dan Ashe, the President of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), made the following statement:

“AZA strongly supports White Oak Conservation’s efforts on behalf of elephants. By providing these elephants the space to explore, to interact with one another, and to engage in natural behaviors, they are being given a key element in animal welfare and wellness — choice.”

Final thoughts on discontinuing the use of circus animals

France’s decision to ban circus animals puts them in line with other European countries and other countries around the world. Animals used for entertaining were popular at one time, but today people realize it’s a form of cruelty. Aware that this new ban adds a burden for circuses, France’s commitment extends beyond the circus animals. “We’re asking the circuses to reinvent themselves, this is going to be a period when they will need support, and the state is going to be at their side,” said Pompili. That transition will spread over several years because it will change the lives of many people and creatures.

Plastic Straws and Stirrers Now Banned in UK (Will the USA Follow?)

October 20, 2020 by Kristen Lawrence

A law prohibiting single-use plastic straws, stirrers, and cotton buds went into effect earlier this month in the UK. The legislation makes it illegal for businesses to sell or distribute these plastic items. April was the original deadline for the ban to go into effect. However, the government postponed it due to the pandemic. Due to disruptions in the supply chain, it would’ve caused even more upheaval to enact the ban at the height of the virus.

In almost all circumstances, businesses are now prohibited from using or selling the single-use plastics listed above. However, exceptions exist to allow hospitals, bars, and restaurants to provide plastic straws to disabled people or those with certain medical conditions.

Even though the legislation had been postponed, Environment Secretary George Eustice says the government is “firmly committed to tackling” the plastic pollution issue. He says the ban on single-use plastics marks a big first step in the battle against plastics in the environment. Protecting the oceans and planet for future generations begins with eliminating harmful waste items from distribution, including single-use plastics.

Other environmentally-friendly policies that started in the UK

He goes on to say that the UK leads the way in the global fight against plastic pollution. In fact, beginning in 2015, the government enforced a policy that would allow supermarkets to charge for single-use plastic bags. They will double in price from five-pence to ten starting next spring.

So far, Eustice says that sales of plastic bags in the main supermarkets have decreased by 95% due to the policy. They estimate that nine billion bags have been taken out of circulation.

In addition to the ban on single-use plastics and the decision to charge people for bags, microbeads have been banned as well. Two years ago, the government prohibited the sale of all products containing microbeads, which are tiny pieces of plastic. You can often find them in cosmetics and personal care products such as soaps, face washes, and toothpaste. Because they don’t dissolve in water, they make great exfoliants and can effectively scrub away dirt or oils built up on the skin. However, due to their durability, they wreak havoc on the environment and threaten wildlife.

“The effect is similar to grinding up plastic water bottles, other products of concern to environmentalists, and pumping them into oceans and lakes,” The New York Times wrote.

What makes microbeads so harmful?

Microbeads measure less than 1 millimeter in length. The tiny size makes it easy for them to pass through filtration systems at water treatment plants. This means trillions of microbeads seep into waterways, harming marine life and humans who drink the water. In the U.S., 808 trillion microbeads get washed down the drain each day, according to a study published in Environmental Science & Technology by the American Chemical Society.

Experts estimate that around 8 trillion microbeads enter directly into rivers and lakes at the wastewater treatment plant. That equates to covering 300 tennis courts every day with microbeads and then dumping the waste into waterways. The other 800 trillion beads end up in sludge, which later becomes a part of fertilizers used on grass and soil. Those microbeads may enter into water sources via runoff.

Just one shower can result in 100,000 microbeads being released into the ocean, British MPs said. The US passed a law banning plastic microbeads in soap, toothpaste, and body washes beginning in 2015.

Plastic bottle deposit program

The UK government also plans on tackling the single-use water bottle pollution problem. They want to introduce a deposit return scheme to reduce the number of bottles in circulation and increase recycling rates. In the UK alone, consumers buy around 13 billion plastic drink bottles per year. More than three billion get incinerated, sent to landfills, or end up polluting the environment.

To deal with this problem, the government wants to try a program that would pay people for returning their bottles. They would use ‘reverse vending machines’ where consumers insert a can or bottle, and the machine returns the money. Once the bottle gets returned, then businesses make sure they get recycled. In Germany, this has led to a 97% recycling rate, and Denmark and Sweden have similar programs as well.

How does the UK program work?

In those countries, consumers pay an up-front deposit when they purchase a drink, ranging from 8-pence in Sweden to a hefty 22-pence in Germany. They get the money back when they return their drink; the UK government wants to enforce a similar program. Although, they discussed doing away with the deposit and just giving out cash rewards for returning bottles.

It seems that Europe leads the way when it comes to enforcing environmentally friendly policies. In the UK, the government sees the most recent ban as another important step toward a cleaner planet. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said the UK went through around 5 billion straws, 316 million plastic stirrers, and 1.8 billion cotton buds yearly.

While the government sees the ban as a huge success, activists like John Read, founder of Clean Up Britain, say much more needs to get done. He says the government deserves credit for getting people to clean up their act. But he also notes that people will have to change their behavior, ultimately.

He says a national behavioral change campaign needs to really question their actions and how they coexist with the environment. Finally, he goes on to say that people need to understand that they pollute the environment every time they buy single-use plastics. Since we can never truly throw things “away,” we should ultimately consume less or choose more environmentally friendly products.

A new challenge emerges.

Unfortunately, the pandemic has shed light on another problem: disposable PPE. All around the world, people have been taking pictures of masks that end up in waterways or on city streets. In the UK, the RSPCA’s Head of Wildlife Adam Grogan says they’ve been getting calls about animals getting caught up in masks.

“We are seeing an increase in numbers of animals getting caught up in things like masks… they’ve got their legs or other parts of their bodies entangled in things like the elastic bands that go over the ears.”

He says that the ban on single-use plastics should bring attention to the problem of disposable PPE in light of the pandemic. Grogan says that we should try to use washable masks when possible, as this will greatly cut down on PPE pollution.

Plastic bans–coming to the USA?

While the plastic pollution problem may take decades to solve, it’s promising that many countries have started to take action. These policies will help people become more aware of their consumption habits and perhaps cause them to question their lifestyles. Banning straws, cotton buds, and stirrers in the UK will eliminate trillions of unnecessary plastics from waterways and streets.

In the U.S., some places have already banned plastic straws, including the following:

California
Seattle, WA and Edmonds, WA
Washington, D.C.
Monmouth Beach, New Jersey
Miami Beach, FL and Fort Myers, FL
New York City and Hawaii have pending straw ban legislation

Plastic straw alternative products:

However, in a world where many people enjoy eating out and getting take-out beverages, we need to think about alternatives. According to the Plastic Pollution Coalition, a global alliance of more than 1,200 organizations, here are some alternatives to plastic straws:

glass straws
metal straws
collapsable plastic-free straws
bamboo straws
sustainable disposable straws (made of paper, grass, seaweed, etc.)
heritage grain straws
pasta straws (who knew you could make straws this way?!)

If you click the link above, you can get some more ideas. But it’s good to know that so many eco-friendly alternatives to plastic exist. A little human creativity and ingenuity can go a long way in eliminating waste on our planet. Everything we do can either help or harm our environment; we just have to remember our connection to the bigger picture.

Much of the plastic we use ends up as waste in landfills, the ocean, and in the stomachs of wildlife. It also ends up inside of us, from the food and drinks we consume daily. If we want a cleaner future, we must act now and make more sustainable choices for ourselves and future generations.

Final thoughts on the plastic straw and stirrer ban in the UK

The UK government recently enforced a ban on plastic straws, stirrers, and cotton buds. This will eliminate trillions of plastic items from the environment and serves as an important step in creating a better future. The UK also banned selling products containing microbeads a couple of years ago and plans to create a deposit return scheme for water bottles.

Hopefully, the U.S. will follow suit on the plastic straw ban. So far, California and several cities across the U.S. already ban plastic straws. While straws make up only a small portion of plastic pollution, banning them will help us transition to a more eco-friendly world.

15 Quotes on Motivation to Remember When the Going Gets Tough

October 20, 2020 by Sarah Barkley

Life gets tough sometimes, but you can’t give up when it does. These quotes on motivation are ones you should remember when things get hard. They will remind you of why you need to keep moving forward and can give you the motivation to do it.

Success can happen at any time, and the only thing that will stop you is giving up. Stay motivated and find a way through all of your troubles. Then, you’ll be able to look back and be proud of how far you have come.

These quotes on motivation are from those who have reached great success themselves. They offer their insight and experiences into staying motivated during the tough times. This can help you get through tough times, too.

Fifteen Useful Quotes on Motivation

We all face tough times. When the road ahead looks too long to keep driving it, read these quotes on motivation.

1. “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Confucius

Life gets tough no matter how much we prepare. Unexpected obstacles and hardships happen all the time, but you can always get through them.

If things don’t go as planned, it doesn’t mean you have failed. As long as you get up and try again, you are still on the right path. This is where your greatest glory lies; in all the times you kept trying and pushed through.

2. “Every adversity, every failure, and every heartache carries with it the seed of an equivalent or a greater benefit.” – Napoleon Hill

Each time your life gets tough, remember that you will receive an equal amount of good in return. Oftentimes, the benefits you get in return are even greater than the hardships you went through. You may not see it now, but things will work out.

3. “Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” – Joshua J. Marine

If life was always easy, it would get boring pretty quickly. You wouldn’t be very motivated to learn and grow if everything was quickly achieved.

While challenges are hard and often unpleasant, they make life worthwhile. You wouldn’t realize how great the good times are if you never experienced tough times. Plus, you wouldn’t ever realize what you are capable of if you never faced challenges.

4. “A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.” – David Brinkley

There will always be people who try to bring you down. Whether by words or other actions, they may not want to see you succeed. When this happens, remember that they can’t hinder your progress unless you let them.

Use their words and actions in a way that benefits you. When their words and actions make you feel bad, put all of your energy into moving toward your goal. Then, you’ll be letting that negative energy out but doing so in a way that benefits you.

5. “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” – Dale Carnegie

You never know how close you are to success, so never give up. Even when it seems hopeless and like you are making no progress, keep trying.

Most successful people have felt the same way you are right now but they kept working toward the goal anyway. Remember that the next time you feel like giving up.

6. “You gain strength, courage and, confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

When life gets tough, it doesn’t have to be a completely bad situation. Remember that you learn from all of these situations. You grow and develop strength, courage, and confidence, as Roosevelt explains.

Each time you face a new hardship, you are being prepared for the next one to come. As you become stronger, you’ll be able to take on many things you thought you’d never be able to.

7. “The pain you feel today is the strength you feel tomorrow. For every challenge encountered, there is opportunity for growth.” – Unknown

Hardships and obstacles are the situations that you grow the most in. As stated before, you will become stronger and better able to handle the tough times. Don’t let them keep you down, you have to keep moving forward.

8. “I am not judged by the number of times I fail, but by the number of times I succeed: and the number of times I succeed is in direct proportion to the number of times I fail and keep trying.” – Tom Hopkins

Failure happens to everyone, even the most successful people. This isn’t what determines their success, however. What determines their success is the number of times they kept trying until they achieved something great.

Success isn’t easy and you have to keep fighting for it. Giving up isn’t an option, and no one will judge you for failure. Instead, they will judge you for the success you achieve once you’ve reached the goal.

9. “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” – Maya Angelou

You wouldn’t be able to learn or grow if you never experienced new situations. If you didn’t have to figure things out and make new plans, you’d never use your mind any differently, either. Use the tough times to learn who you are and what you are capable of.

10. “You can’t be brave if you’ve only had wonderful things happen to you.” – Mary Tyler Moore

If you never experience new situations and tough times, you’d never know how to be brave. When bad things never happen, you aren’t able to develop in that way, as Moore explains. To be brave, you have to fight through tough times and learn how to overcome them.

11. “Don’t let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.” – Earl Nightingale

Just because something will take a while to achieve doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. In five years, think of where you will be in life and what you will be doing.

That time will pass no matter how you spend it, so you might as well work toward your goals. Be the person who looks back all those years later and is proud of themselves for achieving so much.

12. “There is neither happiness nor unhappiness in this world; there is merely the comparison of one state to the other. Only a man who has felt ultimate despair is capable of feeling ultimate bliss.” – Alexandre Dumas

If there was no comparison between happiness or unhappiness, you wouldn’t ever know what true happiness was like. You have to experience the hard times to understand the good times. Think of the tough times as situations that will improve the good times.

13. “The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.” – Randy Pausch

Remember this quote when you encounter an obstacle because the hardships are there for a reason. They are there to stop those who don’t want to reach the goal badly enough.

This is your chance to show the world just how much you want to achieve. If you can stick it out and get through the tough times, you’ll reach your goal and feel success. Keep going and create a new plan to get around the obstacles.

14. “Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.” – John Quincy Adams

If you can be patient and keep pushing through the hard times, they’ll seem to disappear. You won’t know exactly when the tough times are going to end, but they will. Remember that as you push through so that you aren’t tempted to give up.

15. “When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this: you haven’t.” – Thomas Edison

There is always a way to get through the tough times. If you think you have tried everything, you have to keep thinking and trying to figure it out. There is always a way through, you just have to keep trying.

Final Thoughts on Quotes on Motivation to Remember When the Going Gets Tough

These quotes on motivation will help you get through the tough times. Remember that you have to keep trying because success can happen at any moment. The only time you won’t reach your goals is if you give up.

Keep pushing through and looking for other ways to achieve your goals. There is always a way, you just have to find it. Think of these quotes on motivation the next time you’re in a tough situation and you’ll be able to persevere.

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