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11 Ways Emotional Trauma May Harm Your Health

October 11, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Have you experienced emotional trauma? Traumatic events happen to everyone in life. Whether it be the tragic loss of a loved one or a cheating spouse, it’s hard to get over being hurt.

In many instances, trauma causes physical problems like a broken arm or leg, but physical issues will heal. It’s the emotional and psychological problems that can take a lifetime to get over. Trauma imprints itself into your mind, and it can affect your physical well-being.

Many of the scars you have might have come from a rocky childhood. You may replay the events like a video loop that never stops. The constant strain and anxiety that these images create can devastate your mental and physical health.

How do you change from a victim’s role to a victor over the things that have happened to you? It’s not easy, but it can be done.

What Is An ACE?

ACE stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences. If you were in the foster care system, suffered from physical, sexual, or verbal abuse, as well as any other horrific event, it can leave a lasting impression on your brain. Did you know that people who have experienced childhood trauma are more likely to develop a substance abuse issue?

Your childhood experiences have a significant impact on your future. Mental health professionals score a person on the ACE table to see their risk of future issues. Those who score really high on this test are the ones who are in danger of violence and perpetration, while those that score lower may have depression and anxiety.

Anything traumatic that happens to you before you reach the age of 18 is an ACE, and it can affect your future. Things like teenage pregnancy, serious injuries, attempted suicides, sex trafficking, and being sexually deviant can all have a severe impact on your psyche.

When the Past Won’t Release Its Hold on Your Future

Have you ever heard someone tell their life’s story? It’s the part of their past that they allow you to experience. However, for everything they tell you, there are many more hurtful things that they do not say.

There are things that each person has been through that they bury so deep that they don’t tell anyone. These are often referred to as “skeletons in the closet.” The only problem with these issues is that they sit in the corners of your mind, and they fester.

Most people don’t like going to the dentist’s office. You dread the needles coming close to your tender gums and the irritating noise created from the drill. However, when you have a cavity causing the nagging pain, you will do anything to stop the hurt.

You build the experience up in your mind till you’re almost in a full-blown panic attack by the time you reach the dentist’s chair. Thankfully, there is a moment when that rotten tooth is extracted that the pain suddenly stops. You feel that all the struggle to get to this point was worth it because you had a resolution.

Your past experiences are much like that to you. You’ve magnified them and went over them time and again until you’ve almost driven yourself crazy. Then, there’s the time when you learn to let them go.

The relief you feel when you no longer allow the past to dictate your tomorrow is a remarkable feeling, but it doesn’t happen overnight. Walk into any substance abuse rehabilitation center across the country, and you will be stunned by the stories you hear. These people don’t want to live this kind of life.

They want help with the inner pain they feel. Most of these individuals are trying to self-medicate to make the emotional turmoil and internal pain stop.

11 Ways Emotional Pain Causes Physical Issues

Your mental well-being is essential. Whether you’ve witnessed a violent crime, suffered through a natural disaster, or were bullied every day you were in school, it can cause you a lifetime of pain. Do you know that it can be responsible for the physical ailments you have too? Here are the top health problems caused by emotional trouble.

1. Anxiety

There are 40 million people in this country between the ages of 18-54 that suffer from anxiety. Anxiety comes in various degrees, from mild to debilitating. A car accident can give a person such bad stress that they fear getting behind the wheel again. Anxiety is an unrealistic fear of things that probably won’t occur.

2. Obesity

While some people medicate their troubles with drugs or alcohol, others will use food. Your emotional trauma gives you a greater risk of gaining weight. More than 40 percent of the population in this country is obese, and at the crux of much of this is an underlying emotional trauma.

3. Heart Problems

Heart disease is the number one killer. While the American Heart Association doesn’t list obesity as the problem, it’s the most common cause of heart disease. If you’re overeating to help your mental well-being, then it can kill you.

Never ignore these ten hidden signs someone is suffering from mental abuse.

4. Substance Abuse Disorders

Did you know that 75 percent of individuals who have survived abuse or violent trauma will have issues with substance abuse? The numbers are staggering when you consider how full the treatment centers are across the country.

5. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

You’ve probably heard of PTSD from soldiers who fought in a war. They often see things so horrible that they can’t get them out of their mind. The diagnosis of this anxiety-related disorder became increasingly popular after Vietnam.

PTSD causes a person to have flashbacks and relive the trauma time and again. You don’t have to go to war to have PTSD, as you can have it from being in a car accident or a victim of a violent crime.

6. Depression

Depression is an epidemic these days, and the emotional trauma that many people experience makes them more susceptible. There are more than 350 million people in this world that suffer from depression, and many of them are suffering from emotional distress.

7. Diabetes

Diabetes can be genetic, or it can be caused by a poor diet. Obesity, heart disease, and diabetes all run together when someone is trying to self-medicate with food. Emotional trauma can cause you to eat massive amounts, or you may starve yourself. There’s no rhyme or reason as to why the body does certain things.

8. Personality Disorders

There are currently ten personality disorders recognized by the American Psychiatric Association. These disorders often stem from deep emotional trauma suffered as a child. They can cause instability in moods, violent behavior, poor self-image, and problems functioning in everyday life.

9. Strokes

Ruminating about emotional traumas can cause your blood pressure to rise. While stress and trauma won’t directly cause a stroke, it can indirectly cause the issues that can lead to one. Any self-medication such as smoking, drinking, overeating, or taking illegal drugs also increases your chance of a stroke.

10. Sleep Disturbances – Night Terrors

Another problem that can come about with trauma is issues with sleep. Take, for instance, a child that was sexually abused at night. Even in their adult years, they may be unable to sleep well at night for fear of what might happen.

The risk of abuse repeating itself is long gone, but the traumatic experience is forever notched in the brain.

11. Muscle Aches and Pains

When you’re under stress, your body can feel the pain of the inner turmoil. Your muscles store energy, whether good or bad. Have you ever been to a chiropractor because your back kept slipping out of place? Stress is a significant part of your body’s inability to function normally.

How many times do you get headaches or neck pain when you are under stress? Emotional trauma can put you in a state of constant pressure, and your body can feel the effects of the higher cortisol levels.

Final Thoughts on Recovering from Emotional Trauma

While it’s easy to see that there are many ways that any emotional trauma you have suffered can cause you pain. But it is also nice to know you don’t have to live that way. Therapy can give you the keys you need to lose the chains of trauma that bind you.

You don’t have to be a victim anymore. You can overcome the events of the past so that they do not hold you back from a bright future anymore. Your mental well-being is counting on you to take the first step towards healing.

Trainers Reveal 6 Calf Stretches to Reduce Knee Pain

October 11, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Don’t your muscles feel great after a healthy stretch? You probably focus on your arms, back, and the bigger muscles in your legs to relieve tension and pain. Have you tried the benefits of calf stretches to ease pain in your knees?

Your calves do a lot of work each day that you may not even notice. The Ancient Greeks and later the Romans thought the muscle in the back of the leg resembled a stomach, so it was named the gastrocnemius. Together with the soleus muscle, it creates what you call your calves.

These muscles surround the lower leg bone, the tibia. Sometimes, you don’t think about your calf muscles until you wake up with an aching Charlie horse, or your knees are giving you problems. If you don’t do something at the onset, it can lead to chronic pain issues.

Did you know that calf issues can cause other parts of your body to have pain? You may notice problems in your ankles, shins, and feet. Some lower back issues stem from poor calf mobility.

Why Should Care About Your Calves?

Did you know that your calves can absorb nearly 12 times your body weight when you are stopping or changing directions quickly while sprinting? Your calves are responsible for slowing your body during a run. Keeping them toned and healthy helps you avoid injury.

It would help if you also had muscular calves to stabilize your knees and other leg joints. When you are doing jumping exercises, you can get hurt if your knees aren’t supported properly.

Healthy calves allow you to make quick motions, like sprints, squats, and high jumps. Your primary calf muscle, the gastrocnemius, is made of fast-twitch muscle fibers that make these movements possible. The more you stretch and exercise your calves, the greater your ability to do these power-boosting exercises.

Since both of your gastrocnemius and soleus play a pivotal role in knee and foot movement, it makes sense that any issues with your calf would affect these. Also, you have a thin membrane called fascia that keeps your calf muscles together, and it runs from your upper leg to the base of your foot.

Fascial tension can cause your pain when you walk, stand, or squat and negatively affect other muscles.

Calf Stretches Can Help Relieve Muscle Cramps

Have you ever awoken from a sound sleep with a stabbing cramp in your calf? These acute attacks may make you feel like you are dying of pain, but they are harmless and usually don’t last long.

Leg cramps, or Charley horses, are common in people who have overexerted themselves or are kids with growing pains. They usually happen when you are lying down, especially at night. The calf muscles often go into tight, painful spasms that may have you jump out of bed for relief.

Experts say that these cramps can affect you if your electrolytes are low. They recommend a sip of pickle juice to replenish your electrolytes and relieve the cramps. You can also get rid of a painful Charley horse instantly by standing up straight and stretching your calves by raising your toes toward your body.

Regularly stretching your calf muscles can prevent these leg cramps. Usually, they are sporadic and will go away quickly. However, if you have chronic cramps in your calves, you should discuss it with your primary healthcare provider.

How to Create an Effective Calf Exercise Routine

Good calf stretches and traditional massage techniques can help you relieve tension and pain before it becomes an issue. You can do them at home, and you don’t need a bunch of expensive equipment. Here are six beneficial calf stretches and massage techniques to add to your daily exercise regimen.

You want your calves to be smooth and relaxed to receive the optimal benefits of calf stretches. When these muscles are relaxed, they are easier to stretch and lengthen. Try a few simple lunges or squats with body weights to test your range of motion after stretching.

One of the many benefits of regular stretching exercises is that it affects your brain and your body. As you achieve new ranges of motion safely, it signals your brain to set them as a standard. Your warmup exercises may help you have more energy during the day and increase your mobility.

1. Warmup Calf Massage with a Tennis Ball

What You Need:

•A standard tennisball

•Foam yoga block (optional)

How To:

•Sit comfortably on your exercise mat with your legs resting straight ahead. Put the softball right above your ankle at the base of your left calf.

•Roll the softball gently from side to side as you gradually work it up toward the top of your calf. You will probably notice some tender spots as you keep massaging. If so, keep the softball in that spot while you roll your left foot to the right and the left for about 15-20 seconds.

•For a little more pressure during your massage, use a yoga block to elevate your leg while rolling the softball. You’ll also have more room to rotate your ankle. When you have completed the massage on your left calf, repeat the same steps on your right calf.

2. Soleus Massage

What You Need:

•Foam Roller

How To:

•Place your foam roller flat on your exercise mat. Sit on the roller comfortably with your feet stretched out in front of you.

•Now, rock slowly side-to-side as you work the foam roller down your calves. If you notice any sore spots, keep the roller in place for 15-20 breaths and feel the tension and pain release.

•Do 2-3 repetitions and pay close attention to tension or tenderness in your calves, glutes, and hamstrings.

The first two massage exercises should have your calves smooth, relaxed, and ready for stretches. If not, continue massages until they are ready. For optimal benefits, go straight into the stretches.

3. Downward Facing Dog Stretch

If you are a yoga enthusiast, you will probably recognize this basic yoga pose. It’s a superb stretch that benefits your calves, shoulders, hamstrings, and even your ankles.

How To:

• Get down on your hands and knees comfortably on your exercise mat. Position your knees beneath your hips and your wrists beneath your shoulders.

• Push your hand against the mat while you smoothly raise your rear into the air and move your head between your elbows. Use your heels to hold your position.

• Stay in the position for 30-60 breaths while rocking your feet from time to time.

4. Heel Stretches

Your calves are connected to your Achilles tendon in your heels so that these unique calf stretches can stretch and strengthen them.

What You Need:

• Foam or wooden yoga block (or a step or stair)

How To:

• Take your yoga block and place it on your exercise mat. You can also do this stretch on an elevated surface like a low-rising stair.

• Position both your feet on the block or stair and have your left heel over the edge.

• Gently lower your left heel to the floor or ground, using most of your body weight. Hold this position for 20-30 breaths. Now, use your right heel and repeat the steps. You can bend your legs a little if you want to stretch other parts of your calves.

• For more muscular calf stretches, try the same steps while using both heels. Use the balls of your feet to raise your heels from the ground and hold for 20-30 breaths.

5. Resistance Band Calf Stretches

What You Need

• A sturdy resistance band or a rope

How To

• Sit comfortably on your exercise mat with your legs straight ahead.

• Arrange the resistance band around the ball of your left foot. Bend your toes toward your body, and you stretch the band. As you push your right heel away from yourself, you will feel your calf muscles stretch more.

• Hold this position for 30-60 breaths, then repeat the steps for your right leg.

6. Wall Stretches

This is a convenient calf stretch that you can do at home or on break at work.

How To

•Stand naturally about two feet from a sturdy wall. Take a step forward with your left foot and place the ball of your foot against the wall. Your right heel should stay firmly against the floor.

•If you need extra support or balance, place your hands flat against the wall at your sides. If you use your right foot to press against the floor as your hips move forward, you can intensify the stretch.

•Hold this position for 30-60 breaths, then return to the starting position. Repeat the same steps for your right leg.

Final Thoughts on How Calf Stretches Can Provide Knee Pain Reduction

Before you try these stretches or any other exercise, talk to your primary healthcare provider or a certified fitness trainer. So if you keep your calves in excellent shape, you can help reduce knee pain. That’s because when your calves are strong, they will continue to support your knees–and the rest of your body for years to come. Consider adding these massages and stretches to your regular exercise routine.

15 Life-changing Quotes About Positivity

October 10, 2020 by Sarah Barkley

Many quotes about positivity can help you develop a positive mindset. They explain how important and life-changing it is to be positive. Plus, they offer suggestions for how you can become a more positive person.

When you feel discouraged, it is hard to bounce back, which is when quotes about positivity will be most beneficial. You have to remember that there is always a way around any problem. If you can remember this and know that things will work out, you’ll find the right solution.

These quotes about positivity can remind you of all the positivity around you. You’ll be able to think of the blessings in your life and figure out positive ways to handle unexpected situations. With positivity, you can change your life for the better and continue bringing positive opportunities to your life.

Life-changing Quotes About Positivity

1. “What is the difference between an obstacle and an opportunity? Our attitude toward it. Every opportunity has a difficulty, and every difficulty has an opportunity.” – J. Sidlow Baxter

Every moment in your life is dictated by your attitude toward it. If you view unexpected challenges as an opportunity instead of an obstacle, you’ll be able to get through it. Use it as a learning opportunity and find a new way to accomplish your goal.

Remember that there is an opportunity in every difficulty, and you can’t succeed without encountering some difficultly. The two go together, and you have to choose which mindset to take on.

2. “You can’t make positive choices for the rest of your life without an environment that makes those choices easy, natural, and enjoyable.” – Deepak Chopra

Surrounding yourself with positive people and things is the only way to ensure personal positivity. If you want to make positive choices, you have to have positivity around you. Then, it will be natural for you to choose positivity.

3. “Optimism is the most important human trait because it allows us to evolve our ideas, to improve our situation, and to hope for a better tomorrow.” – Seth Godin

When you are optimistic, you will be able to change your way of thinking. Your ideas can evolve based on many factors, and this may just improve your life. When you encounter an unexpected problem, you’ll be able to quickly adapt and move forward.

With this way of thinking and living, you’ll be able to remain hopeful about life. Difficulties won’t seem so disastrous, and you’ll know that tomorrow is a new chance to try again.

4. “A positive attitude causes a chain of reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results.” – Wade Boggs

With a positive attitude, you’ll have positive thoughts, as Boggs explains. This attitude will also lead to positive opportunities and situations. By simply changing your attitude, you can change your entire life for the better.

5. “Cultivate an optimistic mind, use your imagination, always consider alternatives, and dare to believe that you can make possible what others think is impossible.” – Rodolfo Costa

With a positive and optimistic mindset, you’ll be able to achieve what seems impossible to others. Think positively and know that things will work out if you simply consider other options.

Sometimes you have to think outside the box to find a solution. Only then will you be able to do what no one else can do.

6. “Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful.” – Buddha

Even if the day didn’t go perfectly, you should still think positively. Remember that it could always be much worse, so find the good in each day. Even if the only good thing you can think of is being alive, at least it’s not the worst-case scenario.

This quote isn’t to downplay anything bad that happened. Instead, it is intended to remind you that you are alive and life will keep moving. You have a chance to try again, and that is always worth being happy about.

7. “I think it’s important to get your surroundings as well as yourself into a positive state – meaning surround yourself with positive people, not the kind who are negative and jealous of everything you do.” – Heidi Klum

You can’t be positive if you are surrounded by negativity. You have to put yourself in positive situations around positive people.

Don’t allow those who are jealous of you or always thinking negatively impact your wellbeing. It’s best to not spend much time around people like this, so you may have to adjust your environment. Positive people will want the best for you and will be happy to see you succeed.

8. “If you see the world and yourself through a lens smudged by negativity, then you’ll find much misery. If you look outwards and inwards through lens brightened by positivity, you’ll find much to be happy and appreciative about.” – Henrik Edberg

Your world is what you make it, so it’s important to keep your view clear of negativity. When you are feeling negative vibes, consider your mindset at that time.

Make a conscious decision to change your thoughts, and you’ll start to view your life positively. Then, you’ll be able to see all that you have to be grateful for.

9. “When you are joyful, when you say yes to life and have fun and project positivity all around you, you become a sun in the center of every constellation, and people want to be near you.” – Shannon L. Alder

If you radiate positivity, positive people will be drawn to you. Enjoy life and find things to be happy about. You’ll feel better while becoming the person others want to be around.

10. “While you’re going through this process of trying to find the satisfaction in your work, pretend you feel satisfied. Tell yourself you had a good day. Walk through the corridors with a smile rather than a scowl. Your positive energy will radiate. If you act like you’re having fun, you’ll find you are having fun.” – Jean Chatzky

Instead of struggling to find satisfaction, just pretend to be happy and satisfied with how things are already. Tell yourself that you are happy and enjoying the day, and exhibit positivity always. If you do this, you’ll find that you are feeling better and that things seem to have improved.

11. “The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.” – Christopher McCandless

When life changes, embrace the change. Think of it as a new opportunity rather than the end of a piece of your life. This positive mindset will change your life and help you get through anything.

12. “If you work hard enough and assert yourself, and use your mind and imagination, you can shape the world to your desires.” – Malcolm Gladwell

You are the only one who can determine where your life will take you. Work hard, do your best, and use your mind to its full ability. If you do these things, you’ll be able to make your world exactly how you wanted it.

13. “It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.” – Germany Kent

Life will suddenly become better if you start counting your blessings daily. Filling your thoughts with all the great parts of your life will leave little room for negativity.

14. “No exact recipe for today. Gather all available ingredients and whip yourself up something delicious.” – Lin-Manuel Miranda

There are no set instructions for how to live your life today. Like each day, you are winging it as you go along. Work with what you have and make something amazing out of it.

15. “Surround yourself with the dreamers, and the doers, the believers, and thinkers, but most of all, surround yourself with those who see the greatness within you, even when you don’t see it yourself.” – Edmund Lee

By surrounding yourself with people like Lee describes, you’ll open doors for positivity to fill your life. You’ll become a better person, become more successful, and think more positively. Even when you aren’t seeing how amazing you are, they will see it.

Final Thoughts on Life-changing Quotes About Positivity

These quotes about positivity can help you remember why you should always be positive. Plus, they’ll give you tips on how to change your mindset to be more positive.

Remember that there is always a way to accomplish your goals, you just have to stay positive. If you can stay positive, the good things will come to you. Remember these quotes about positivity next time you’re feeling discouraged and it’ll help you get through.

15 Quotes About Being Happy Even When Facing Challenges

October 10, 2020 by Sarah Barkley

These quotes about being happy can help you find joy even during challenging times. In life, we inevitably face hardships and obstacles along the way. Finding a way to be happy during these hard times can significantly improve your life and overall wellbeing.

Being happy will allow you to live a fulfilling life that you love. You will enjoy what you do each day and be less stressed. Plus, studies published by the National Institutes of Health show that happiness leads to a longer life.

When you can learn to be happy during challenging times, your life will change for the better. You will become more resilient and better able to handle stress. This will also allow you to make better decisions and think more clearly.

Fifteen Uplifting Quotes About Being Happy During Challenging Times

Your happiness affects all areas of your life, from your health to your mental abilities. Remember these quotes about being happy even when facing challenges, and you’re sure to notice the difference.

1. “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

Don’t view challenges as an inconvenience. Instead, think of them the way that Pausch does. The obstacles are there to weed out those who don’t truly want to reach the goal. Those obstacles, or brick walls, stop the people who aren’t willing to work hard. This is what will set you apart from the other people. You were the one willing to find a way around the obstacle.

2. “When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.” – Helen Keller

There is always something in life to be happy about. If something bad happens, look away and find the other door. By embracing the good that is coming, you’ll always be happy.

Always think of one thing you are looking forward to. If you don’t have anything big planned, you could look forward to a hot shower at the end of your day. You can find happiness by simply looking for the open door of happiness, even if you have to open it yourself.

3. “We can’t control the world. We can only (barely) control our own reactions to it. Happiness is largely a choice, not a right or entitlement.” – David C. Hill

As Hill explains, you can control the world or what happens in it. You can only control yourself and your reactions, and sometimes even that is hard. So, instead of feeling negative, decide to be happy in all moments. Look for the good in seemingly bad moments, and count your blessings as often as you can.

4. “In our daily lives, we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but the gratefulness that makes us happy.” – Albert Clarke

Happiness must come from gratefulness. Be thankful for what you have and show your love for those who are important to you. When you do this all of the time, you’ll find happiness.

5. “It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed. The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties.” – Abigail Adams

Every great person has to go through challenges to become who they are. These hardships will help develop your character and make you stronger as you go through it. Remember this, and it will help you stay happy as you work through the challenge.

6. “The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature, and God. As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, then there will be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be.” – Anne Frank

Fresh air and nature are sure ways to boost your spirits. When you are going through a hard time, spend more time outside in a quiet place. Bask in the world around you, and you will find comfort and joy.

7. “Focused will is incredible. If you have a dream and you don’t give up no matter what obstacles come up, then life’s problems will fall away, and you will get what you want. It happens. It works.” – Yanni

You can’t give up in the face of an obstacle or hardship. Keep pushing and working toward your goals. When you do this, the challenges will disappear, and you’ll be happier.

8. “There is only one way to happiness, and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.” – Epictetus

When you can’t change something, stop worrying about it. If you continue to stress and worry over things you have no control of, you won’t be able to find happiness. Learn to let go and move on so you can be happy.

9. “Our very survival depends on our ability to stay awake, to adjust to new ideas, to remain vigilant and to face the challenge of change.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

If you want to be happy, you have to be willing to adapt. You have to stay alert and notice what is going on around you, and you have to live with an open mind. Being happy means, you have to be open to change and learning new things unexpectedly.

10. “In our lives, change is unavoidable, loss is unavoidable. In the adaptability and ease with which we experience change, lies our happiness and freedom.” – Buddha

Bad things happen, and changes occur unexpectedly. Even so, you must learn to adapt easily and move forward so that you can be happy.

11. “Expect obstacles and face them head-on. They are going to come up, so the way you handle them is what makes all the difference.” – Lance Dale

As stated before, challenges in life are unavoidable. The only thing that makes a difference is how you approach and handle the challenge. If you handle it positively, you’ll be happy.

12. “We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” – Frederick Keonig

You can’t become happy by getting something new. Instead, you can only be happy when you are grateful for what you already have. Acknowledge the good things in your life and show your gratitude as often as you can.

13. “Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It’s not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it’s a day you’ve had everything to do, and you’ve done it.” – Margaret Thatcher

While spending a day relaxing is always welcomed, it’s not going to make you happy if you do it often. The days that make you happy are the ones where you were doing things and moving forward. So, even when you feel down and like giving up, you have to keep moving to be happy.

14. “Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. It is far better to take things as they come along with patience and equanimity.” – Carl Jung

Bad things happen to everyone, and it’s necessary to deal with if you want to experience happiness. If you never encountered hardship, you would never know how great the good things are. Only with this comparison can you recognize true happiness.

15. “Smiling is a wonderful way to get a boost of happiness. The next time life presents you with a challenging situation, take a deep breath and smile.” – Morris Pratt

When you smile, your mood will improve. Whether it is a fake smile or a real one, it can make you happier.

When you encounter a challenge, put a smile on your face and keep it there. It’ll help you get through the problem without losing your happiness.

Final Thoughts on Quotes About Being Happy Even When Facing Challenges

Challenges are expected in life, but these quotes about being happy even when facing a challenge can help. It is possible to remain happy when things are going the way you had hoped. Life can’t always be perfect, so you have to roll with these hard times and keep your wellbeing intact.

The next time you are facing a challenge, remember these quotes about being happy. Keep a smile on your face and look for the good in each moment. Show your gratitude for what you have, and be thankful always.

If you take the advice given in these quotes about being happy, you can get through the challenge positively. You deserve to live a happy life, so stay positive as you face hardships.

15 Fun Quotes About Friends and Family

October 10, 2020 by Sarah Barkley

Friends and family often create joy in our lives, so it’s fitting that there are fun quotes about them. These quotes will remind you of the fun times you’ve had with your friends and the memories that were created. The fun quotes will help you feel gratitude for your loved ones and help you realize how lucky you are.

Your close friends and family are important, and they have helped you become the person you are. No matter what distance lies between you, they are there in your heart and soul. As you grew together, you became permanently entwined in one another’s lives.

Those who you see often are still contributing to the person you are yet becoming. The length of the friendship won’t matter, because all close friends and family are important and dear.

Close friends and family are special because no matter what happens, they want to see you smile. Your happiness is just as important to them as their own, and you’ll know who these people are. These fun quotes about friends and family will bring your loved ones to mind and a smile to your face.

Fun Quotes About Friends and Family

1. “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” – C.S. Lewis

When you realize that you have something in common with another person, it forms a bond. If the thing you have in common is unusual, the bond will be even tighter. Friendships form over people having things in common, and this fun quote explains just how that happens.

2. “The real test of friendship is can you literally do nothing with the other person? Can you enjoy those moments of life that are utterly simple?” – Eugene Kennedy

With a true friend, you will be able to enjoy your time when you are doing nothing. Simply spending time relaxing with them will be enough, because the companionship is what’s important. When you can enjoy time like this with a friend, you will know that they are real friends.

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

When you have a family, it means you always have someone to turn to. You are part of something that can’t be broken, and you will always have someone who loves you. Remember that even when times get hard between you, they will still be there when you need them.

4. “Family members can be your best friends, you know. And best friends, whether or not they are related to you, can be your family.” – Trenton Lee Stewart

Friends and family are very similar because they both love you unconditionally and want the best for you. They will be there in your times of need and during times of peace. You will always be able to count on them.

With that being said, remember that your family can also be your best friends, as Stewart explains. Likewise, you can consider your best friends to be family regardless of the lack of blood relation.

5. “It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

You don’t always have to be serious or professional around your friends. Be silly, laugh, and be yourself. With a friend, it’s encouraged.

Friends are the people you feel comfortable being yourself around. You should feel comfortable and be able to let your true colors show.

6. “Real friendship is when your friend comes over to your house, and you both just want to take a nap.” – Unknown

You don’t always have to be doing something fun when you’re with a friend. If you’re tired and want to lay around, have the companionship is enough. When you have someone that you are comfortable enough in their presence to take a nap, keep them around.

7. “I don’t need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.” – Plutarch

Life wouldn’t be much fun if your friends were just like you. They should make things different. So, be yourself and let them be who they are, too.

You need someone in your life who has different ideas from your own. They should bring new insight into your life and cause you to see things you wouldn’t have seen otherwise. This is a good thing because you don’t need a second shadow.

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

Your family is often your inspiration to reach your goals. Plus, they are where you go for comfort when you’re feeling down. They are there for the good and the bad, remaining steady as they guide you.

9. “Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.” – Oprah Winfrey

Your true friends and family will be there when things aren’t great. They won’t only show up for the excitement and fun, as Winfrey explains. The ones who stick around when life gets hard are the ones you should keep close.

10. “The single most important factor in our long-term happiness is the relationships we have with our family and close friends.” – Clayton M. Christensen

Even being successful and having materialist things can’t make you happy. Having good relationships with friends and family can, however. This is the only way to reach long-term happiness because momentary happiness can’t replace that.

11. “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” – Marcel Proust

Your loved ones help create who you are. They bring happiness that leads to all the other amazing things about you. When you have them in your life, show them you are grateful for what they bring to your soul.

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

Friends can be family, too. The people who are there for you through everything and want to be in your life are your family. Whether they are blood or not, your family will want you to be happy and feel loved all the time.

13. “You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach because you do not just live in a world, but a world lives in you.” – Frederick Buechner

If your friends and family are far away from you, remember that you still have them inside you. They will always be there in your heart and mind because your memories and emotions are there. When you are missing them, look inside yourself, and you’ll find a little piece of them there.

14. “The family – that dear octopus from whose tentacles we never quite escape, nor, in our inmost hearts, ever quite wish to.” – Dodie Smith

No matter how far away you go or how often you see one another, your family is always with you. All the memories that you have shared and all the times you grew together are there. You can’t escape it, as it’s always going to be a part of you.

15. “You can always tell a real friend: when you’ve made a fool of yourself, he doesn’t feel you’ve done a permanent job.” – Laurence J. Peter

The way to recognize a friend is by telling them when you’ve done something dumb. Once you’ve told them, a true friend’s opinion of you won’t change. They will continue loving you the same as they did before, and they will still realize how amazing you are.

Final Thoughts on Fun Quotes About Friends and Family

Certain people in your life likely came to mind as you read these fun quotes about friends and family. If so, be sure to share the quote with them, so they know you were thinking of them.

Close friendships and family connections are important, so be sure to nurture the relationships and show that you are grateful. These are the people who contribute the most to your life, and that want to see you happy.

Friends and family help you grow and are there for you when you’re down. They are there for the good times and the bad, and you can always count on them. Remember these fun quotes about friends and family so you can share them with your loved ones.

Rescue Dog With a Hilarious Obsession With Sticks

October 9, 2020 by Kristen Lawrence

Snoop, aka The Big Snoop Dog, is best known on the Internet for having a strange obsession with sticks, big or small. Snoop is full of personality and has a loving home, but it wasn’t always this way. His owner Elliott first came across him back in October 2015 when he was living on the streets with a homeless man. He was very underweight and tied to a metal gate when Elliott first saw this rescue dog.

He said the homeless man was shouting, “Anyone got a home for a dog?!” Elliott knew then that he had to take Snoop home with him. He went up to the man and told him he’d take Snoop, and the rest is history. His breed is a boxer crossed with Bullmastiff, with a little bit of Staff in the mix as well. Elliott says the dog has made a big positive impact on his life.

“He makes me laugh every single day, cause whenever we go out for walks, he carries the biggest sticks you can imagine,” Elliot says. “They’re basically tree branches, not sticks. He’s also a really loving, calm and gentle dog.”

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Snoop is a homebody

He adds that when Snoop is home, he sleeps quite a bit. In his sleep, you can tell he’s chasing rabbits or carrying big sticks because his feet are constantly moving! Elliott said his favorite memory of him and Snoop was their first day together. His girlfriend had no idea he was bringing home a dog that day, and he wanted to surprise her.

He put Snoop in the living room and shut the door, and then went to find his girlfriend, Abby. When she opened the door, she instantly fell in love with Snoop. And, she

Elliott says his advice is that if you’re looking to get a pet, you should think about adopting rather than buying one. “There are millions of pets out there, similar to Snoop that aren’t so fortunate and need to be given a better life.”

Luckily, Snoop found an amazing new home and has loving owners who enjoy every memory they make with him. If you look at his Instagram, it seems like he has a stick in his mouth during every outdoor adventure. His reputation for picking up huge sticks as large as tree branches definitely gets some laughs out of Elliott, Abby, and anyone else passing by!

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Self-care, rescue dog style

He also really enjoys mud baths, jumping in any muddy puddle that crosses his path. Sure, it may make bath time a little longer and more tedious, but his owners love seeing him happy, so they don’t mind. Getting him into the tub is a whole ordeal, though! (He doesn’t seem to like regular baths too much, only mud ones).

It’s amazing to see how much this dog has grown since his days on the streets. Snoop is an active, happy, friendly dog who loves going on adventures with Abby and Elliott. Based on his pictures, he seems to really love days at the beach and hikes in the woods where he can find some tree branches to run around with. It seems tons of other people like keeping up with his adventures because he now has almost 40k followers on Instagram.

About the breed

Boxer enthusiasts boast of their favorite breed as being upbeat, playful, and gentle dogs. Males usually weigh around 65-80 pounds, and females weigh around 15 pounds less. They are one of the most popular dog breeds for their loyal, affectionate, loving demeanor. Bullmastiffs are much bigger dogs, usually weighing around 100-130 pounds. Despite their large size, they make great family pets and protectors. Finally, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier weighs anywhere from 40-70 pounds and are known for being good-natured and confident. They are loyal, highly trainable, and have a beautiful glossy coat.

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A post shared by THE BIG SNOOP DOG (@thebigsnoopdog) on Jul 30, 2020 at 1:52am PDT

Final thoughts on living with a rescue dog

So, Snoop has a mix of all these breeds, but you can easily see the boxer and bullmastiff in him. Now that he’s off the streets, his coat looks healthy and shiny, and he’s gained a good amount of weight. He’s average-sized for a boxer, but definitely not as large as a purebred Bullmastiff. He’s simply adorable, and his owners think so, too!

If you’ve been thinking about getting a dog, all three of these make wonderful pets. However, a boxer and Staffordshire Terrier are probably easier to care for than a Bullmastiff due to its size. Remember, no matter what dog you decide on, try to adopt it instead of going to a breeder. Many dogs are at shelters or out on the streets just waiting for someone to come along and take them home.

He’s been featured on popular sites such as The Dodo, Lad Bible, VT, and of course, us! We hope you have enjoyed reading about this beautiful dog who got a second chance at life. Have you ever gotten a rescue dog? Please share your story with us in the comments!

20 Cute Quotes About Being in Love

October 9, 2020 by Sarah Barkley

Being in love is indescribable, but these cute quotes come close to explaining it. These quotes will make you smile and think of the person you love if you aren’t already.

When you are in love, you’ll find yourself constantly thinking of the person you’re in love with. You’ll want to share each moment of your life with them. If this is how you are feeling, you’ll be able to relate to these quotes.

Remember these cute quotes about being in love and share them with your partner. Sometimes, it can be difficult to find the right words, but love quotes can help. Use them to make yourself smile, and share them to make your loved one smile.

Twenty Cute Quotes About Being in Love

1. “I swear I couldn’t love you more than I do right now, and yet I know I will tomorrow.” – Leo Christopher

When you are in love, you know that you will love your person more tomorrow. With each day, your love grows stronger, your bond develops more, and you grow more attached. So, even when it seems you’ve reached your limit on giving love, it’ll only grow more.

2. “I could not tell you if I loved you the first moment I saw you, or if it was the second or third or fourth. But I remember the first moment I looked at you walking toward me and realized that somehow the rest of the world seemed to vanish when I was with you.” – Cassandra Clare

Sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment you fell in love. You will realize one day that your person has become much more to you than they used to be. As Clare explains, there will be a moment when it seems they are the only other person in the world.

3. “I saw that you were perfect, and so I loved you. Then I saw that you were not perfect and I loved you even more.” – Angelita Lim

When you first meet someone and first fall in love, they will seem perfect to you. This is what will help you fall in love. Eventually, however, you will see the imperfections and love them even more because of it.

4. “It’s like my life isn’t even real to me unless you’re there and you’re in it, and I’m sharing it with you.” – Luke Danes

If it ever seems like what you’re experiencing isn’t real because your partner isn’t there, you are in love. You’ll want to share every moment with them. So, it may be hard to engage when they aren’t present, and you’ll find yourself wishing they were there.

5. “You are the last thought in my mind before I drift off to sleep and the first thought when I wake up each morning.” – Unknown

Being in love will have you thinking of someone nonstop. You’ll fall asleep thinking of them and wake up doing the same. They’ll be on your mind as you work, drive, relax, or do anything else during the day.

6. “You are the finest, loveliest, tenderest, and most beautiful person I have ever known—and even that is an understatement.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

It’s hard to describe your feelings for someone when you are in love. They are so amazing to you, and even the most beautiful words can’t explain it. It will always seem like you aren’t saying enough.

7. “I will love you always. When this red hair is white, I will still love you. When the smooth softness of youth is replaced by the delicate softness of age, I will still want to touch your skin. When your face is full of the lines of every smile you have ever smiled, of every surprise I have seen flash through your eyes when every tear you have ever cried has left its mark upon your face, I will treasure you all the more because I was there to see it all.” – Laurell K. Hamilton

As you get old, you’ll still be in love with this person. Your hair will become gray, and your face will wrinkle, but you will still love them through it all.

8. “Everywhere I look I am reminded of your love. You are my world.” – Unknown

Every sight will remind you of someone you deeply love. Even things that seem unrelated to them or your relationship will bring them to mind. The new, unrelated things will only remind you that you want to share it with them.

9. “I would rather spend one lifetime with you, than face all the ages of this world alone.” – J.R.R. Tolkien

Living many lifetimes wouldn’t be worth it if you couldn’t spend just one lifetime with the person you love. Tolkien explains this perfectly here, as time spent with a loved one is better than greater time alone.

10. “We are made of particles that existed since the moment the universe began. I like to think those atoms traveled 14 billion years through time and space to create us so that we could be together and make each other whole.” – Leonard Hofstadter

Sometimes it seems that the universe intended for you to be with someone. It seems that since the beginning of time, you and your partner were destined to complete one another. The world wouldn’t seem right if you hadn’t begun this relationship, so it must be natural.

11. “I realized I was thinking of you, and I began to wonder how long you’d been on my mind. Then it occurred to me: Since I met you, you’ve never left.” – Unknown

When someone hasn’t left your mind since you met them, it’s easy to know that you love them. You may constantly think about them and what they are doing. Or, you may want to share each moment of your day with them.

12. “I know that somehow, every step I took since the moment I could walk was a step towards finding you.” – Nicholas Sparks

It sometimes seems like each moment of your life has led you to the person you love, almost like everything that happened was for that reason alone. Sometimes the universe aligns this way, and you end up finding your true love.

13. “I choose you. And I’ll choose you over and over and over. Without pause, without a doubt, in a heartbeat. I’ll keep choosing you.” – Unknown

When you love someone, you’ll want to choose them all the time. You won’t put anyone or anything else before them. Without hesitation, you will choose them over all else.

14. “I love that you are my person and I am yours, that whatever door we come to, we will open it together.” – A.R. Asher

It’s a nice feeling to know that you always have someone walking along beside you. You won’t ever have to be lonely or scared to do things alone, because they will be there with you.

15. “In a sea of people, my eyes will always be searching for you.” – Unknown

You may find yourself continually searching a crowd until your sight lands on the person you love. Or, your eyes will constantly flicker to the door, waiting for them to walk in. When you notice yourself doing this, it’s a cute sign of being in love.

16. “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” – Maya Angelou

True love can last through anything. Through all of life’s hardships and struggles, your relationship will remain strong and bounce back each time.

17. “If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you.” – A. A. Milne

You will never want to live without the person that you love. Just imagining the pain of them leaving this earth can be painful. This cute quote explains that perfectly.

18. “Grow old with me. Let’s count each other’s wrinkles as the years pass by. Let’s see who losses all of the teeth and who will need the help of the walking stick first.” – Unknown

Being in love will have you dreaming of growing old with someone. You’ll want to spend all of those years together, watching one another get older.

19. “You don’t love someone for their looks, or their clothes, or for their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear.” – Unknown

No materialistic things can make you love someone. The only thing that can lead to love is having a connection no one else can see or understand.

20. “And eventually you realize that real love comes down to feeling safe enough to be vulnerable.” – J.M. Storm

When you feel safe enough to let your guard down and be yourself, you’ll know that you are in love. You will feel safe expressing yourself, and you won’t be afraid for them to see all parts of you.

Final Thoughts on Cute Quotes About Being in Love

These cute quotes on being in love can help you describe the way you feel about your person. If these cute quotes made you smile, you are probably in love.

Make sure to share these cute quotes with the person you love. It’ll bring a smile to their face to know that you are thinking of them. Plus, it will get them thinking of you, too, if they are already.

Maryland Becomes 1st State to Ban Styrofoam Takeout Boxes

October 6, 2020 by Kristen Lawrence

Last week, Maryland became the first state in the USA to ban the use of styrofoam takeout containers. The law went into effect on October 1, 2020, and was first approved during the 2019 state legislative session. The ban includes items such as carryout containers, trays, plates, and cups. It will affect food service as well as other industries and businesses which utilize styrofoam, including schools.

The original deadline to stop using styrofoam was July 1, but on June 11, legislators pushed it back due to Covid-19. Several counties in Maryland have already banned foam containers, including Montgomery and Prince George’s. When the bill passed in 2019, Democratic Delegate Brooke Lierman told CNN that single-use plastics like styrofoam containers are taking over the neighborhoods, bays, and oceans. She was the primary sponsor of the House bill.

Lierman said that the state needed to take significant steps toward cutting back on the use of single-use plastics so that future generations can have a clean, safe planet. She had proposed the bill twice previously but believes that the public finally recognizes the urgency of the plastic dilemma.

This bill did not pass without opposition.

While the public strongly agrees with the bill, the American Chemistry Council voiced their opposition to the ban. They are an industry trade association for American chemical companies.

“Polystyrene foam packaging and containers provide business owners and consumers with a cost-effective and environmentally preferable choice that is ideal for protecting food and preventing food waste, particularly when used for food service. Foam packaging is generally more than 90 percent air and has a lighter environmental impact than alternatives,” the council said in a statement.

Critics of the ban on styrofoam say that alternatives to the material have higher costs, and the ban would increase expenses for farmers, small businesses, and nonprofits. County officials can issue fines of up to $250 for noncompliance. The ban excludes products packaged outside Maryland, such as cups of ramen noodles. Foam products for packaging raw or butchered meat and foam products for non-food items are also exempt.

The bill also gained much support

Supporters of the bill say that you can’t easily recycle foam products, and they don’t break down in the environment. A garbage collector at the Inner Harbor in Maryland has collected more than 1 million bits of polystyrene foam since its launch in 2014.

However, foodservice businesses and schools may apply for a waiver for up to one year. If the Maryland Department of the Environment finds that following the law would “present an undue hardship or a practical difficulty” for the business, it may exempt them.

Maine has also signed a bill into law, which bans styrofoam containers beginning in 2021, and New York will become pnly the third state to do so when the ban goes into effect in 2022. New York City already banned styrofoam in July 2019, making it the largest US city to ban the material. Other cities with enacted styrofoam bans include Seattle, Miami Beach, Washington DC, and San Diego.

What is styrofoam?

This is the trademark name for a chemical compound called polystyrene. Polystyrene is a petroleum-based plastic made from styrene monomers as well as other chemicals like benzene and dioxins. It’s lightweight and is up to 95% air, serving as sound insulation for food and beverage products. According to OSHA, prolonged exposure to styrene in factories can lead to dizziness, confusion, headaches, feelings of intoxication, and other health effects.

Not to mention, the World Health Organization upgraded it from “possibly carcinogenic” to “probably carcinogenic” for humans two years ago. Another study found a fivefold increase in the type of nasal cancer following styrene exposure. Benzene, listed as a human carcinogen by the EPA, can seep into groundwater and contaminate water supplies. Dioxins can cause hormone and immune problems in workers exposed to it.

Scientists sound the alarm about a plastic waste crisis in America.

What makes styrofoam so bad for the environment?

Styrofoam doesn’t break down. Some experts believe it could take up to 500 years for it to decompose. Plastics make up around 25-30% of landfills, and styrofoam is a massive part of this. It also is one of the main components of marine debris, heavily polluting coastlines and waterways worldwide.
It breaks up into tiny pieces, and land or aquatic animals who eat them may die or suffer intestinal problems while digesting the foam.
Styrofoam can leech into food, harming human health and affecting reproductive systems. When heated especially, the styrofoam releases toxic chemicals such as benzene and styrene, which transfer to the food we eat.
In 1986, the Environmental Protection Agency did a study on styrene residues and found it in all the human fat tissue samples taken. Most of the pieces were in small amounts; however, for people whose jobs involve styrofoam or who live near landfills, it could be much more significant.
Styrofoam can only be destroyed if it is incinerated at extremely high temperatures. This creates a small amount of water and carbon as by-products. However, if it’s burned in a typical fire instead of a special incinerator, it releases pollutants such as carbon black and carbon monoxide. Countries outside the US may not have proper disposal procedures for styrofoam, which can pose a significant health risk.
When exposed to sunlight, styrofoam can create harmful air pollutants, contaminating landfills, and areas where people litter. It can also deplete the ozone layer.
Each day, around 1,370 tons of styrofoam get thrown into landfills.
During the manufacturing process, around 57 chemical by-products are released during the combustion of polystyrene foam. Workers exposed to these for long hours may have adverse effects.

Alternatives to styrofoam

Because of the cheap cost and relatively easy manufacturing process, many industries and companies don’t want to switch to alternatives. However, if we want a cleaner, safer planet, we must do our part in reducing waste from styrofoam. Here are a few other options:

A company called Ecovative Design has created a line of products made from a combination of fungi, recycled paper, and agricultural waste. The products are lightweight and well-insulated, like styrofoam, but much better for the environment.
Use biodegradable products such as paper, bamboo, hemp, or corn plastic. These are also renewable resources, making them environmentally friendly as well. Because consumers can recycle paper, it’s an attractive alternative to polystyrene products.
Sugarcane-based products offer another alternative to foam products. The pulp from unused sugarcane stalks forms a paper-like product called Bagasse, which has a high heat tolerance and can hold liquid and grease. Because it can keep food products and provides excellent insulation, it can easily be an alternative to styrofoam.
Products made from cornstarch are another option. Cornstarch can replace petroleum-based styrofoam products quite easily because of its durability.
You could bring reusable containers to work or school for lunches and snacks. Many of these come from safe plastics or bamboo, which won’t leech into foods. If you do take out from restaurants, ask for paper when possible. At coffee shops, ask for paper cups instead of foam. Or, bring your mug or cup when possible (some places offer a discount when you bring your own).

Other recycling facts

In 1995, 40% of all US paper was recycled, including 32.6 million tons of paper & paperboard., according to the EPA. Every ton of 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper products you buy saves:

12 trees
1,087 pounds of solid waste
1,560 kilowatts of energy (2 months of electric power required by the average US home)
1,196 gallons of water
1,976 lbs. of greenhouse gases (1,600 miles traveled in the average US car)
Three cubic yards of landfill space
9 pounds of HAPs, VOCs, and AOXs combined
390 gallons of oil

Final thoughts about Maryland banning styrofoam takeout boxes

As several US states have made a move to ban harmful styrofoam containers, hopefully, other states will get on board as well. Styrofoam affects not only the environment, but it can cause ill health in humans and animals. Some marine and land animals who accidentally eat pieces of styrofoam can choke or even die because of intestinal complications. We owe it to them and Mother Earth to live more sustainably so we can all thrive.

The law in Maryland went into effect on October 1 and included takeout boxes, containers, plates, and cups. Maine will start banning these products in 2021, and New York in 2022. While there has been some pushback from companies and industries that use styrofoam, most people fully support the move to more environmentally friendly products. More than half of Maryland residents already lived in areas with foam bans in place, so most people won’t have difficulty adjusting to it.

You may be wondering what businesses will replace their foam containers with. Montgomery County in Maryland has already compiled a spreadsheet of more than 8,000 recyclable or compostable alternatives. Some are compostable materials such as the sugarcane as mentioned earlier pulp (Bagasse), and others are just plastic. While styrofoam is a form of plastic, it’s one of the hardest on the environment, so this is a big step in the right direction.

20 Positivity Quotes to Brighten Your Day

October 6, 2020 by Sarah Barkley

Sometimes you might need some positivity quotes to help turn your day around. It’s a great way to remind yourself of all the positive parts of your life, despite obstacles along the way.

These positivity quotes can help you refocus and change your thought process. Often, if you can change your negative thoughts, you will cheer up and have an easier time. When you are positive, good things seem to happen more often, and you will attract positive people.

Most of the positivity quotes are from positive people who know how to brighten a day that starts gloomy. Others are from people who have been in your position before and overcame. Either way, they offer helpful and positive insight into how you can brighten your day.

Twenty Positivity Quotes to Brighten Your Day

Feel a little bit down? These quotes will cheer you.

1. “In every day, there are 1,440 minutes. That means we have 1,440 daily opportunities to make a positive impact.” – Les Brown

It would help if you didn’t let a few unpleasant minutes ruin your entire day. Make a choice each minute to be positive or spread positivity. Use each minute in a way that will have a positive impact, as Brown explains.

2. “We can change our lives. We can do, have, and be exactly what we wish.” – Tony Robbins

If you want a change in your life, go for it. You can change whatever you need to so that you can have the experience that you wish for. Set your goals to accommodate what you want to do, have, and be.

3. “The struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you need tomorrow.” – Robert Tew (click to tweet)

If you feel like you are struggling today, stay positive. Remember that you are getting more robust with each moment and that it is helping you to have a better tomorrow.

4. “Feed your inner person encouraging things that build you up and cause you to be positive, hopeful and, inspired.” – Joel Osteen

Allow yourself to take in things that make you happy and inspired. The items you take in are what will determine your happiness and positivity. So, spend some time each day watching, doing, or listening to positive things.

5. “You’re off to great places, today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way.” – Dr. Seuss

Each day is a new opportunity and a fresh start. You can accomplish anything you set your mind to, so get started as soon as you can.

6. “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.” – Abraham Lincoln

Don’t let anything stop you from becoming successful. No one should be able to doubt your ability, and you have to keep moving despite any setbacks or criticism. As long as you have this resolution in mind, you will be able to push through.

7. “Virtually nothing is impossible in this world if you just put your mind to it and maintain a positive attitude.” – Lou Holtz

You can do anything you want if you set your mind to it, as Holtz explains. Maintaining positivity is essential, as well. If you can be positive and determined, you will succeed.

8. “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” – Dolly Parton

A rainbow wouldn’t be so beautiful if you were used to them all the time. You have to have something to compare it to. Likewise, you have to have hardships in your life to make the happy times more special.

9. “You’re braver than you believe and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” – A.A. Milne

Positivity quotes should reinforce that you should never underestimate yourself. Give yourself all the credit you deserve and acknowledge your bravery, strengths, and wisdom.

10. “Sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us.” – Unknown

Remember that when something terrible happens, good things can come as a result. While that doesn’t change the hardship, it does set you on the right path to something great.

11. “Never let your head hang down. Never give up and sit down and grieve. Find another way. And don’t pray when it rains if you don’t pray when the sun shines.” – Leroy Satchel Paige

Keep working toward what you want because there is always another way when your first plan doesn’t work out. You can’t give up because life will always offer you something better.

12. “Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.” – Rabindranath Tagore

Bad times come into your life, but they only make beautiful parts more special. Don’t think of hardships and obstacles as something coming to ruin the day. Instead, think of it as something that will help you better appreciate the little things.

13. “It always seems impossible until it is done.” – Nelson Mandela

Cheer up and remember that anything bringing you down will be done eventually. You will get through it, so take on the task with a positive attitude.

14. “Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.” – Mary Kay Ash

When you think you can’t do something, you are only holding yourself back. You can do anything you set your mind to. So, if you believe you can do it, you will get it done.

15. “Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive good things and good people will be drawn to you.” – Mary Lou Retton

When you are continually positive, positive people will be drawn to you. Likewise, good things will come to you, as well. These positivity quotes will remind you to keep being positive so that you can attract the energy you want.

16. “You have the power to be excellent. To inspire everyone who intersects your path, to innovate and make things better than ever before, to wow customers. And to stand for the best. Will you?” – Robin Sharma

You are capable of so much more than you give yourself credit for. Don’t prevent yourself from being an inspiration to others and to make the world better than it was yesterday. Do the best that you can and remind yourself that you are doing great things.

17. “Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.” – Willie Nelson

Clear your head of all the negative thoughts you’re experiencing. You’ll find that when you do, you begin to have more positive moments. If you get in a positive mindset, you will be able to have positive results.

18. “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford

Life isn’t always as easy as you hope it could be. Just keep in mind that sometimes getting started or getting through is supposed to be tough. Like an airplane taking off against the wind, you may be starting rough, but it will even out.

19. “Stay positive. Forgive others. Invest in yourself. Trust your instincts. Lead with an open heart. Don’t let others ruin your day. Do things that bring you joy. Be of service to humanity. Find your soul tribe. Love yourself.” – Lewis Howes

Always be positive, even in the most challenging situations. Trust yourself and spread positivity as you go through life. Don’t let anyone bring you down and do what makes you happy.

If you can do these things, you will be able to have good days. Plus, all of these things will lead to loving yourself.

20. “We need to accept that we won’t always make the right decisions, that we’ll screw up royally sometimes – understanding that failure is not the opposite of success, it’s part of success.” – Arianna Huffington

If you can accept your mistakes, you can be happy even when things don’t go as planned. Even when you fail, you shouldn’t give up. Accept the failure and learn from it. Then, you will see that mistakes and failures are all a part of becoming successful.

Final Thoughts on 20 Positivity Quotes to Brighten Your Day

Everyone has a bad day sometimes, but it’s essential to get out of the funk so you can be at your best. Remember that if a day starts bad, it doesn’t have to end that way. You can re-read these positivity quotes to help brighten your day when you can’t pull yourself out of it.

You are capable of anything you set your mind to, and the hardships will pass. Be positive and focus on the good that will be coming to your life instead of on the difficulty at hand. You can have a great day as long as you can hone in on your positive thought process. Sometimes all it will take to change your thoughts is reading positivity quotes.

Weekly tips, affirmations, and small actions to feel your best.

Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!