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21 Tips You Must Know To Live Frugally

April 17, 2020 by Power of Positivity

The importance of living frugally is a major concern in every household. Even if you make a comfortable living, saving for the future is wise. Popular books, magazines, and websites admire the benefits of thriftiness.

Have you ever read cookbooks or watched shows hosted by the late Jeff Smith, The Frugal Gourmet? Smith was quick to emphasize that being frugal does not mean cheap. It involves stretching your dollars to buy the best quality your budget allows.

If you imagine being thrifty makes you one of the extreme examples from a popular reality show about cheapskates, you needn’t be. You can manage your spending habits wisely while still enjoying an abundant life. How is that possible?

With careful planning, research, and reevaluating your priorities, frugal living is possible for your family or anyone else. Along the way, you may meet others who have success with thriftiness and will share pointers with you. Here are twenty-one tips that give you some helpful suggestions.

21 Actionable Tips to Live Frugally

1. Establish a Household Budget

No doubt you have worked from a budget for years. Has it helped you pay bills while providing money for savings? If not, consider revising your budget to reflect what you earn and how you can eliminate unnecessary items.

2. Keep a Spending Journal

It’s easy to whip out cash or card all day and not realize how much you are spending. If you keep a journal, you may be shocked at how these little changes add up. Even more sobering is that many of these could be impulse buys you don’t need.

3. Reevaluate Your Family’s Spending Priorities

Some bills, like mortgage/rent, transportation, utilities, and other basic needs, are inevitable. However, you have some financial wiggle room to monitor these needs closely. Study your spending journal and see where you can eliminate frivolous items or reduce the cost.

4. Reduce or Eliminate Your Debt

Did you know that most Americans are seriously in debt? Has society’s mandate to “keep up with the Jones family” kept your bank accounts in the red? Unfortunately, interest and late charges can compound and leave you destitute for years.

If you are struggling with debt, seek a qualified debt counselor to learn how you can reduce, and eventually eliminate it. Your counselor can advise you on how to pay off high-interest credit cards and loans, usually without resorting to bankruptcy. With a clean slate, you can better manage your money and avoid the pitfalls of debt.

5. Shop Smart with Coupons

When you pitch those store circulars and coupon packs from the Sunday paper into the recycling bin, you may be throwing out cash. Clipping coupons is still a reliable way to save on your grocery bills. You can also sign up for free coupon exchanges online.

Pay attention to local store circulars advertising sales. Correlate the deals and coupons with your grocery list for optimal savings. Remember, don’t buy things you don’t need just because they are on sale or you have a coupon.

If you want to save on the cost of the Sunday paper, you can also install couponing apps on your smartphone.

6. Live Frugally by Shopping Online

Before you purchase an item at a store, you should look it up online. You may find it on the company’s website for a lower price, and many of them offer free shipping. Some offer impressive online sales that aren’t available in stores.

Online auctions and buy/sell websites are another excellent source for purchasing things inexpensively. Auction houses in South Carolina also offer great opportunities to find unique and valuable items, often with rich historical significance. While most items are gently used, you can often find new ones in their original package. Be sure to read all item descriptions, shipping information, and guarantees before buying. For those specifically interested in unique and historical pieces, GA antique auctions provide a valuable opportunity to discover rare items at competitive prices.

7. Discover the Joy of Thrifting

Thrift stores were reusing and upcycling things long before it became popular. If you can find something in good shape that you need at a high price, why buy new? Also, you are kinder to the environment.

You can find almost anything you can imagine in a thrift store. You can also scout out local garage sales to buy great stuff for pennies on the dollar. Check out your local thrift store before buying new.

8. Learn to Upcycle at Home

Use a creative eye around your house to reuse things you already have. Before you pitch or recycle something, ask yourself if you can repurpose it. Kids enjoy learning how to upcycle old stuff into other useful items.

For example, you can cut up worn out towels and soft clothes and turn them into free cleaning rags. Clean food jars and lids to turn into handy storage containers. These are just a few of the countless ideas you can try for frugality around the house.

9. Visit Your Local Library to Live Frugally But Still Read the Latest Releases

Have you noticed the astronomical prices of new books and periodicals in the bookstores? Don’t spend your hard-earned cash for something you will probably read once. Instead, borrow them for free from your local library.

Modern libraries are a treasure trove of books, periodicals, and other media material that is available with your free library card. For your copies, consider joining a local book/magazine exchange group and stay well-read without breaking your piggy bank.

10. Eat at Home More Often

It’s shocking how much you can spend on fast food, and it’s also impressive how much weight it can add to your waistline. While dining on the go is convenient when you’re pushed for time, it’s seldom economical. The same offerings at your local restaurant would be a fraction of the cost if made at home.

Plan your meals each week and resolve to minimize restaurant visits. Try nutritious recipes that your family will love for meals or snacks. Homemade food is usually tastier and healthier, plus you spend more quality time with your loved ones at home.

11. Grow a Victory Garden

Long before the farm-to-table movement, our ancestors knew how to grow and preserve their food. No paltry produce in the grocery store can compare to the taste and quality of something homegrown.

Consider cultivating a small vegetable patch in your back yard with your favorite ones. Don’t have a yard? You can quickly grow tomatoes, strawberries, and other tasty produce in pots on a sunny patio.

12. Keep Your Wardrobe to a Minimum

Is your closet bursting to the seams with clothes you hardly ever wear? Purge your wardrobe and keep a minimum of quality clothes that look attractive to you. Shop thrift stores for beautiful clothes and accessories and avoid trendy items that won’t match several things you already have.

13. Live Frugally by Firing Your Cable TV Provider

Your cable television bill probably bites a big chunk of your income each month. Not only is it usually a waste of money, but too much television is an unhealthy waste of time. Nix the cable and opt for streaming channels on your computer or smartphone.

14. Try Homemade Cleaning Products

With some of the potentially hazardous ingredients in many household cleaning products, mixing your own makes sense. The Internet is full of free recipes for everyday cleaning products. Most use natural ingredients, clean just as well, and are a fraction of the cost.

15. Start a Bartering System in Your Neighborhood

Recruit some like-minded neighbors to start a money-saving bartering group. Trade quality items you no longer need to your group for things you can use. You can also do the bartering system with homegrown produce and handcrafted items.

16. Walk for Health and To Save Cash

Health experts say that walking is one of the best exercises. Instead of driving short distances, consider walking. You save fuel and wear on your car, plus you are doing your body a favor. The environment will also thank you for reducing your carbon footprint.

17. Learn How to Do Things Yourself

Do you watch the popular DIY reality shows with envy? With time and practice, you can learn to do many of the same things around your house. While some more complicated things require a professional, you can watch online tutorials and learn how easy it’s to make simple home repairs and updates.

18. Dry Your Clothes Free and Naturally

Clothes dryers use a lot of expensive energy to run. With a simple clothesline and a couple of poles, you can hang your clothes to dry outside as your grandparents did. There’s nothing like the delightful fragrance of wind and sunshine from line-dried clothes.

19. Conserve on Your Water Usage

Water is another expensive utility that can be minimalized. Consider using timers for shorter showers and use stored rainwater for your garden and lawn. Replace faucet washers that drip and waste your water by the gallon.

20. Practice Frugal Giving

Frugal giving does not mean you turn into the Grinch. Learn to buy or make gifts that show you put thought into them. A gift lovingly made by hand will be cherished long after the department store afterthought is gone.

21. Learn to Entertain on a Budget

When your friends or loved ones come to visit, spending time with you is more important to them than an extravagant meal. Find recipes for delicious appetizers and dinners that are delicious and don’t cost a fortune.

Final Thoughts: You Can Live Frugally But Still Enjoy Life

Living abundantly doesn’t have to bankrupt you. A frugal lifestyle can keep your debt minimalized while maximizing your joy. You will have more time to enjoy things money can’t buy when you live frugally.

10 Ways to Release Stress from the Pandemic

April 16, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Dealing with a global pandemic is quite challenging. Many people are experiencing problems with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues due to the quarantine requirements. The stress of such a situation can undoubtedly weigh heavily on an individual as well as their entire family. It’s vital that you develop a coping mechanism to help you release stress during these days.

10 Helpful Ways to Release Stress

If you’re feeling the pangs of shelter-in-place orders, then you need to know that there are ways to release the stress you’re feeling. Here are ten simple methods to keep your mind busy and ease excessive tension and strain.

1. Get Your Body Moving

The relationship between exercise and the improvement of mental illness has been well studied. During times of a pandemic, when you are quarantined to your home, it’s easy to skip workouts because the gyms are closed. However, you need to keep your body moving.

You may be tempted to eat more and move less. Developing a couch potato persona is not going to help you. Eating excessive amounts of sugar and other carbohydrate-laden foods will do more harm than good. When you are exercising, you are helping to raise levels of vital neurotransmitters in the brain.

Your brain depends on serotonin to help you feel good. If you are not exercising, then your levels of this hormone may not be optimal. Did you know that many people who suffer from depression and continual angst have helped their symptoms by merely incorporating a workout routine in their life?

The answer to making you feel better, maybe within the power of your control. Just get up, get out, and get moving. You’ll release stress and get fitter for your effort.

2. Don’t Gorge on Junk Food

It’s difficult to stay on a healthy eating plan when you are cooped up in your home. During a pandemic, many people stress-eat, or they eat because they are bored. Don’t fall into this trap as it can be detrimental.

While most people don’t sit on the couch and binge on carrots and broccoli, it’s really a better choice. Avoid snack cakes, potato chips, sweet popcorns, and other junk food items. You can’t expect to feel good when you’re packing on the pounds from poor eating habits.

Remember, this pandemic will end, and you will need to contend with all the weight gain. Do yourself a favor and skip the snacking by trying to only eat meals from the table. It will help you to make better choices and avoid binge eating. Plus, your children are watching and eating alongside you.

3. Stick to A Daily Routine

If you have children, then you know the importance of a daily routine. When your schedule becomes disheveled, it can make you feel horrible. Have you ever slept too late on a Saturday morning and had a headache due to oversleeping?

Your body only needs 6-8 hours of sleep, and anything more than that can be counterproductive. While it may feel good initially to get that ten hours of shut-eye, it can cause you to feel miserable for the rest of the day. Try to stick to a schedule so that you can keep some normality in your days.

Additionally, if you have children in the home, you will appreciate keeping their schedule. It’s quite challenging to reprogram them once they have become accustomed to staying up late and sleeping the morning away. No matter how much you don’t want to get up, make sure you trade the pajamas for clothes, brush your teeth, wash your face, and put on your bravest smile as you face another day.

4. Get Out in The Sunshine

Being inside is good on cold and dreary days, but you need to get outside and enjoy Mother Nature as much as possible. There’s something about being in the fresh air and seeing all the beautiful creations that will help to heal mental angst.

If you are outside for just 20 minutes, it can help to boost your mood and your vitamin D levels. You were made for being outside among the gentle breezes and beautiful trees. If you want to keep depression at bay for you and your entire household, then get out from behind those four walls.

5. Take Some You Time to Release Stress

Everyone has specific things that help them to calm their mind and body. Is your special treat a bubble bath with candles all around, or do you prefer to sit on the bank casting a fishing line in the water? You need to make sure you have some time to be alone in the silence. Those tranquil moments will give you the ability to keep going.

When you live in a chaotic household that’s full of the hustle and bustle, you need to carve out a small space of time for your needs. Try to allow at least an hour a day for you to have alone time. It will help you to refocus and renew your mind, body, and soul.

6. Help Someone in Need

During a pandemic, there are all sorts of people that need help. You may have an elderly neighbor that can’t get out and go to the grocery store. They may be in a precarious position if they go out into the world with the threat of a virus looming.

You can forget about your agitation and anxiety when you do something beautiful for others. While you still need to practice safety measures, you should extend a hand to someone in need. You will find that your kind gesture will make you feel good, and it will be so welcomed to someone who truly needs help.

7. Reduce Your Caffeine Intake

Does your diet include drinks that are laden with sugar and caffeine? Soft drinks and coffee have high caffeine content, and they can make you feel worse than you already do. Caffeine is a drug that travels the same pathways in your brain as cocaine.

Unfortunately, caffeine speeds up your heart and can increase feelings of angst rather than making you feel better. If you must have these drinks, then try to limit them or switch to a noncaffeinated variety.

8. Turn on Those Tunes

Music has motivated the masses for centuries. Have you ever seen a snake handler playing the flute before they handle the snake? Music calms the reptile enough so that it can be handled.

When you play music, it can instantly change your entire mood. Put on some jamming tunes and dance. If you have children in the home, then have them join in on the dance party. It’s challenging to be glum when you’re rocking to your favorite tunes.

9. Meditate

Meditation is an ancient art that has been used for thousands of years. It’s an Eastern tradition that helps a person to balance their tension. When you are meditating, you have slowed your breathing and are in control of your thoughts. You teach your body how to deal with the tension of the day.

When you control your breathing, you slow your heart rate, stop your racing mind, and ease your angst. Many people can gain control of their mental dilemmas by merely meditating for about ten minutes each day. Whenever you feel yourself start to get to an unhealthy place with your strain and tension, you should go to your quiet spot and meditate until you feel a peaceful calm.

10. Phone a Friend

During these uncertain times of the global pandemic, you can’t meet your friends for drinks or dinner. However, you can always pick up the phone and call someone to voice your frustrations. Most people have a person they can go to when the world seems cruel and unfair.

It’s going to take every ounce of strength you have to get through these times of isolation. It seems as if these shelter-in-place orders will never end. Having a robust support system will be the key to getting through this mentally unscathed.

If you prefer to have your connections in person more than over the phone, then you can use video chat or some other apps to connect face-to-face. Make the best of the technological resources you have to ensure you protect your sanity.

Final Thoughts: Release Stress During This Time in Your Life

Anxiety is a problem that affects more than forty million Americans suffer from each day. When you add the uncertainty of a global pandemic and isolation to the mix, it can take you to a dark place very quickly. You don’t have to live in a state of gloom and doom and feel controlled by your emotions.

You have the power to pick yourself up and control your angst. Did you know that stress first begins in your perceptions? You can stop your body from going into that “fight-or-flight” response by using techniques to redirect your mind.

Everyone is struggling with the things going on in the world, but you can take charge of yourself and make it out of this trial unscathed. Perhaps, you might even learn a few things along the way.

10 Signs That Someone Needs an Intervention

April 16, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Do you fear that someone you know or love is in dire need of an intervention? If so, know that you do not stand alone in this.

Drug addiction has become an epidemic in our society. Most users try to self-medicate their physical or emotional pain away. Sadly, they end up making the situation worse by adding addiction to the mix. Shockingly, more than 10 percent of all Americans will suffer from a drug or alcohol dependency at one time in their life.

Substance abuse issues can happen to anyone at any time. No one is safe from the clutches of addiction. You will see a very public struggle from high-profile celebrities, but it can also affect local government and even medical professionals. When the pain of life gets to be too much to handle, many turn to drugs to ease their pain.

Unfortunately, once a person starts down the road of alcohol or drug abuse, it can cause untimely death. Famous stars such as Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Amy Winehouse, and Anna Nicole Smith, are just a few celebrities that have passed from addiction. What can friends or family members do to help?

There are many substances that a person can find they’ve developed an addiction too. The most used drugs are heroin, cocaine, alcohol, and prescription medications. It’s often difficult for you to see an addiction until it has gone to a dangerous level.

Sadly, someone who has been involved in drug or alcohol abuse often becomes a master at hiding their addiction. As the substance abuse issue progresses, these people can become combative, aggressive, and hostile towards anyone who questions their actions. Regardless, they still need the help of those who love them.

Signs You Need to Plan an Intervention and Save a Life

If you feel that your friend or loved one is struggling with drug abuse, then here are ten signs that they need an intervention.

1. Their Judgement Has Become Drastically Impaired

When a person is involved in drug or alcohol addiction, then they may begin to engage in atypical behavior. Is your friend or loved one using poor judgment? Those with addiction seem to do a 180-degree turn in their actions overnight.

It’s essential to keep a close eye on someone whom you suspect is caught in the clutches of addiction. Their fixations may cause them problems with the law and even land them in jail. The drastic turn of events is a loud alarm that something is going on that needs to be investigated.

2. They Prefer to Isolate Rather Than Be with Family/Friends

When your friend or loved one is dealing with alcohol abuse, they may want to close themselves off from the rest of the world. It’s not that they don’t love you and want to be around you; it’s that their addiction is making them separate from those who might catch on to their actions.

One of the first signs that someone needs help is they begin to isolate themselves from others. If they were once a social person and now seem to be absent from their inner circle, then it can be a sign they need an intervention. As the clutches of addiction grows more substantial, the person’s primary goal will be to find their next fix.

Have you noticed that they are ignoring your invitations to family get-togethers or missing grand celebrations? It’s time to step in and try to help.

3. They Have Violent Mood Swings

Addicts can be very unpredictable in their behavior. It’s important to understand that these swings are caused by the drug affecting the brain. One minute they may be having a nice conversation with you and all smiles. However, they can quickly change their entire demeanor.

Dealing with those who are involved with drugs or alcohol can be difficult as they are so unpredictable. It’s essential to keep in mind that they are not choosing to act this way. Instead, the drugs are making them have these negative moods.

When you see a constant shift in the highs and lows of someone’s mood, it needs to be further investigated as it can be a mental illness problem, drug addiction, or both.

4. They Mentally Struggle to Keep Things Straight

Have you seen any signs of cognitive impairment? When someone is involved with drug or alcohol abuse, they may begin to have periods where they cannot recall certain things. It’s a sign that the addiction has become serious as the drugs or alcohol is messing with their brain function.

It’s important to stage an intervention immediately. Since there is cognitive impairment, it means the addiction is severe and warrants professional help.

5. They’ve Become Very Irresponsible

When dealing with addiction, the person is fixated on getting their next dose. Priorities that once took center stage in their lives slowly begin to fade away. They may start calling off work often, forget to pick their children up from school, and avoid paying household bills.

If you see them doing anything that can affect a child’s safety, then you must step in and help right away. While it might involve an intervention, it probably also warrants a call to the child protective services agency in your area. Many children die at the hands of a drug or alcohol-addicted parent.

6. They’re Always Sick

Many addicts will try to kick the habit without professional help. If they are strong, they may be able to pull it off. However, you may see them experience something like:

•Increased Anxiety
•Migraine Headaches
•Excessive Sweating
•Fatigue
•Nausea and Vomiting

It’s easy to brush off these things like the flu or another illness. However, you need to keep a close eye on them as these could be the signs of a debilitating withdrawal. There can be both psychological and physical dependency on a drug, and you need to watch for the signs that they need help.

7. They’re Always Hurting Themselves

Some people are more accident-prone than others. However, if you notice that your friend or loved one is having an increased number of accidents or injuries, then it could indicate that they have an addiction issue. Since drugs in the opiate family numb pain and bodily sensations, they may not be able to feel their injuries like the typical person.

Alcohol and drugs both will dull the senses, so they are more prone to becoming injured. They should never get behind the wheel of a car when they are in this state. Not only is their life in danger, but they can put others in danger too.

Additionally, a person with constant accidents may avoid going to the doctor even if it’s necessary. They will do anything that helps to keep their secret hidden. If you notice that they are always getting hurt, then you need to investigate the matter.

8. Their Appearance is Unkempt

There aren’t many visible signs of addiction. However, as substance abuse progresses, you may see that their outward appearance becomes a bit disheveled. They may have greasy hair, haven’t showered in days, and you might see their teeth begin to rot away.

If a person was especially kempt in their appearance and suddenly begins to have issues with hygiene, then it’s a sign that you may need to do an intervention. Keep in mind that one of the hallmarks of mental illness is that personal hygiene seems to fall by the way. If your loved one always looks like they have just crawled out of bed, then it’s time to find out what’s going on.

9. They’ve Started Hanging with a Rough Crowd

There’s an old saying that states that “birds of a feather flock together.” When you have a friend or relative that is into bad things, they will look for people with like interests. They will avoid those who are don’t agree with their substance abuse issues.

One of the hallmark signs of addiction is that a person will ditch their faithful friends for those who are kindred spirits. In many instances, the people they hang with are drug dealers and other addicts who share their burdens. Sadly, these relationships only worsen the addiction and show the need for an intervention.

10. Their Tolerance for Drugs or Alcohol Increases

When a person takes their first sips of alcohol in life, they will find that it quickly gives them a buzz. However, as time goes by, they will need more alcohol to give them the same feelings. You may notice that a friend you have drinks with can drink way more than they once required to feel good.

If they are taking more pills because that nagging headache won’t go away, then it’s a sign that they have developed a tolerance and need more to get the same effects. Additionally, these behaviors scream there is an underlying addiction at play.

Adult behaviors in someone who had addicted parents.

Final Thoughts: Staging an Intervention

If you want to confront your friend or loved one about the things you have observed out of the ordinary, then it’s always best to do so with help. Get other friends and relatives together and ask a mediator to help.

Remember, the person in trouble must admit that they have a problem, or you won’t get anywhere with them. You need to have definitive proof and make sure that you tell them all your concerns. The goal is for them to admit they need help.

People with addictions can be quite remarkable at defending their actions. Having a therapist or someone who specializes in these types of interventions is often necessary as it may save their life. The key is to seek the assistance of a professional trained in intervention quickly.

11 Amazing Things That Happen When You Start Loving Yourself

April 16, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Have you discovered the amazing things that happen when you start loving yourself? It places you on the path you were destined to travel. There’s no better time than the present to start healing yourself with love.

When we talk about self-love, it’s not narcissism or arrogance. When you practice loving yourself, you extend the same compassion and mercy you would show to others. How long has it been since you looked in the mirror and told yourself, “I love you just as you are?”

Learning to show yourself love may not come easy for you. Maybe you were taught that this kind of affection is selfish and unacceptable. Did you grow up believing that you were unworthy of love, even from yourself?

If you are ready to take a stand and allow love to radiate throughout your being, then you will notice remarkable changes. Are you ready to embrace yourself in compassion and acceptance? You may see these eleven tremendous changes happen in your life when self-love becomes a habit.

1. Anger Will Minimize

Some people say that anger is the most natural emotion, especially when you aren’t sure how you feel. There are a time and place for righteous anger when you see injustices and cruelty in your world. However, stored-up rage can stagnate in your heart and create soul-debilitating bitterness.

As you practice love for yourself, you can see beyond the anger and watch it dissipate. Perhaps your anger was displaced, and you were more upset with yourself than the situation. As love spreads throughout your soul, you discover that you no longer have room for hostile, self-destructive emotions.

2. You Will Finally Forgive and Be Forgiven

Have you ever held on to a petty grudge and justified it by saying you cannot forgive a trespass? The real issue is you won’t forgive, but you have the capability within yourself. Are there grudges in the past that you refuse to relinquish?

Many people have a skewed definition of forgiveness and consider it a weakness or admission of defeat. The person who forgives shows more strength and character than the one who infringes.

Loving yourself turns on a light within and lets you see the icicles of unforgiveness weighing down your soul. Letting go of these burdens is a gift of love you deserve. It may take time, but you can do it.

It would help if you learned to forgive the hurts for self-freedom. It does not excuse or forget the wrong or wrongdoer. Instead, forgiveness removes the self-inflicted shackles so that you can go on with your life.

If you are the wrongdoer, loving yourself can make you want to be a better person. Apologizing and making amends also allows you the freedom to move into the future. Even if the other person does not forgive you, you have done your part.

3. You’ll Find Acceptance

No matter who you are or how much money you make, we all want acceptance. It’s a basic need that must be fulfilled. However, we are often more accepting of others than we are of ourselves.

Listen to your self-talk and notice the tone. Are you offering kindness and compassion or constant criticism of yourself? Refusing to accept you can be the root of many problems you’ve faced in the past, present, and future if you don’t change things.

Loving yourself comes with the acceptance of your life and circumstances. As you learn to foster this wholistic love, you begin to accept yourself as the beautiful soul. Additionally, your heart will be more open to receiving others, flaws, and all.

4. You May Start to Feel Better

Folks who practice self-love radiate with assurance and feel at ease. When you are boiling with inner conflict and self-loathing, you can have anxiety and other health issues. A poor self-image can wear you down, making you prone to illness.

Many people who have learned to love themselves often claim that they feel better. While the love of self is not a cure for a disease, it can strengthen your body to help ward them off. Maybe your first step in physical, mental, and spiritual healing is to shower yourself with love.

5. You Learn to Show Gratitude

Gratitude and contentment go hand-in-hand. The more you foster a love for yourself, the easier it is to be grateful and content. If you have no self-worth, then nothing will make you happy. Have you ever wondered why so many rich and famous people never find true fulfillment?

As you expel the negativity of self-loathing and replace it with real love, it overflows from your soul into your environment. This loving gratitude is not greed or materialism but contentment for what you have.

When you accept yourself with perfect love, you realize that you don’t need “stuff” to make you happy. You start to see the beauty and simplicity of yourself. Society’s urge to buy bigger, better, and more, will no longer affect you.

6. You’ll Throw Away the Gavel of Judgment

Aside from the courts of law, we were not born into this world to judge others. True, we must consider others’ characters and actions, but we are ultimately not their judge.

Have you slammed the gavel down on people over the years and felt the weight of a judgmental attitude? Maybe you have even judged yourself too harshly. Finding love for yourself eliminates your need to decide as you replace it with compassion and mercy.

7. Creativity Blossoms

Have you ever declared that you are not a creative person? The good news is that all of us are imaginative to a certain point. While you may not be a Leonardo da Vinci or Picasso, you may discover you can be a decent painter with practice and some encouragement for your abilities.

Low self-esteem hinders creativity at its source, and it can cause depression. When you feel bad about yourself and make self-defeating statements, it blocks the positive energy within you. This is the energy that allows you to imagine and create things you never thought possible.

Try building self-respect and love, and watch how your creativity will flow like water from a broken dam. Your heart, mind, and soul will be free of self-defeating sludge, and you will gain a fresh perspective and inspiration.

8. You’ll Energize Your Body, Mind, and Soul

Who among us couldn’t use a little more energy? Even with the constant perks of modern technology, our lives often seem busier than ever. When you juggle a family, career, and social obligations, it’s no wonder you deplete your reservoir every day.

Some of the energy sag and emotional drain may come from a lack of love and not respecting yourself. Do you often overextend your time and resources to please others? When do you give yourself the same courtesies?

Love is the guiding force of the universe, and it can energize your whole being. You learn from loving and respecting yourself that your needs are also essential. Sometimes you must say “no.” Dropping the weight of low self-esteem can empower you with more energy, confidence, and physical stamina.

9. You Will Become More Comfortable with Change

Someone once said that the only thing concrete in this life is that nothing is concrete. Does your self-confidence depend on everything staying the same? Are you afraid to take risks because you fear change and would hate yourself if you failed?

An increase in love can give you the grace to accept change. If you are unhappy with things in your life, love can encourage you to make changes that you have always wanted to make. In the ups and downs of living, your love for yourself will keep sustain you.

10. True Love May Find You

Have you ever been around people who constantly apologize and put themselves down? While humility is a virtue, excessive self-deprecation is a turn-off to most people. If you have longed to find your soulmate, listen to how you talk and see how much love you are showing yourself.

People who practice loving themselves effervesce with the confidence that others find attractive. When you respect yourself the way you deserve, it is easier to love someone else. If you already have your real love, it can revive your relationship.

11. You Can Find Joy

Although we use the terms interchangeably, happiness and joy are not synonyms. Happiness is temporary and depends on your circumstances. With love for yourself comes joy, a state of well-being regardless of what you have or what you are experiencing.

Like love, joy is not an emotion. Instead, it is a choice. As you choose to love and respect yourself as a worthy person, you can also choose joy. These are accompanied by peace, patience, and esteem for your life.

Final Thoughts: Start Loving Yourself Today

Why not decide today to increase the love and respect for yourself? It may be the thing that provides the joy and abundance you deserve. Walk into your destiny with your head up and your heart and mind open. The world is your oyster if you only look at it through the eyes of love.

10 Mental Health Tips to Stay Positive During Quarantine

April 16, 2020 by Power of Positivity

There are few things worse than being under quarantine. You want to provide safety for you and your family, which means utilizing shelter-in-place protocols. However, while you may shield yourself from outside exposures to various viruses and toxins, you must stay positive. By keeping a positive mindset, you will protect your mental health too.

10 Tips for Stay Positive and Protect Your Mental Health

If you ask any mental health professional, they will tell you that if you want to avoid depression, then you need to get out from behind four walls. When you’re under quarantine, you can’t do that as easily. Thankfully, here are ten tips to help you ride out the storm and keep your sanity.

1. Get Plenty of Time Outside to Help Stay Positive

Nothing can give you a better boost in your mood than sunshine. The sun provides ample doses of Vitamin D, which is something your body desperately needs. There’s no reason to stay inside when the weather is beautiful outside.

The key to being outside is to maintain your distance between other folks, while still allowing everyone to enjoy parks and other public spaces. During social distancing, you always want to observe the rules of the quarantine. However, you can play ball, walk hiking trails, and enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer.

2. Tackle Household Projects

Do you have tons of little projects around your house that you’ve never got around to doing? Well, being off during the quarantine offers you plenty of downtimes. Why not paint the stairwell or the master bedroom, or can you build that deck you’ve wanted for years?

When the world opens back up and is going at an accelerated speed, you will appreciate all the time you had to work on these projects. Most hardware stores are open for your home repair needs. Head over to the paint department and see what new hue you can splash on your walls.

3. Dive into Spring Cleaning

The adage states that a clean home is a happy home. You’ll be able to stay positive after the restrictions lift by having a better-organized household. Since you want to ensure your family’s health anyway, why not tear out all those closets and wash the curtains? Spring cleaning can be something you get the whole family involved in doing.

Remember to pull out the stove and refrigerator and clean behind those significant appliances. It might be a great time also to have the carpets shampooed and give your abode a deep clean.

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4. Engage in an Excellent Novel

When it comes to mental health, there are few things as beneficial as a good book. You can transport yourself to another time and place by simply reading a captivating story. If you want to be anywhere but stuck at home, why not join an adventurous story that will engage your mind.

If you have children at home, then you should encourage them to read. Why not have a family book night where you all read a novel a few chapters at a time? You can have some really engaging conversation when you’re all excited and hearing a story come to life.

5. Catch up with Friends and Family

While you may not be able to see your friends and family during quarantine, you can still communicate. Thanks to the power of technology, you can use apps that allow you to have video phone calls.

Since you can’t be there in person, then a video call is the next best thing. Catch up with siblings and relatives both near and far. Technology can bridge the gaps between you and your loved ones, and you can find out all the happenings in their life.

6. Join an Online Support Group to Feel Less Isolated During Quarantine

Some people handle being in lockdown better than others. If you feel that you are on edge and about to have a break, then it’s best to reach out to others for support. The internet is full of people that are experiencing the same emotions as you, and they can be a great source of comfort.

You must remember that your feelings are not abnormal and that many people are having a hard time with sheltering-in-place. Online support groups using apps like Zoom can make you feel as if you are attending a meeting. Seeing all the other faces and hearing their stories can make you think that you’re not alone, and you have someone’s shoulder to cry on.

7. Use Humor as Much as Possible

Much research has gone into the effects of humor on the body’s health. It’s hard to stay blue if you’re laughing. Many people are using Tik Tok to create funny videos.

Could you be the next great chef, or would you like to create a hilarious video using your children and their abilities? You can create anything you want and share it with the world. When you’re laughing and smiling, it helps to pass the time.

Also, your videos can help someone else who may be going through a difficult time right now. Sign up for a daily joke and watch some of the hilarious videos that have gone viral because of their great content.

8. Turn Off the News and Put Down the Phone

In times of uncertainty, it’s important that we only get the right amount of news. You don’t want to burden yourself with all the negativity. Rather, you need to focus on the things that are important for you and your family.

It’s also of supreme importance that you limit your children’s interaction with social media. While video games and watching YouTube are all great things, there should be limits placed on them for mental wellness.

You and your children need to be spending time together playing board games, running in the wind, and cooking dinner together. Putting so much negativity into your spirit can really start to cause issues for your psyche. It’s okay to leave the TV off for a day and have everyone put their cell phones in a box.

9. Stay Positive by Establishing a Comfortable Routine

Daily habits are there because they are important. During quarantine periods, things get all mixed up, and your schedule gets off. However, if your timetable is really off, then it can really mess with your mental wellness.

No matter how hard it is to get out of bed, you must get up at a decent hour. Sleeping in should be no later than 9 am. Also, you and your children should get dressed, brush your teeth and hair, and be presentable for each day. Not only will you look better, but you will feel better when you are up and have completed your daily routine.

When it comes to your children, you must have some patience and understanding when dealing with them. They don’t comprehend what’s going on and why they are at home so much. They will have behavioral issues, and they will not be perfect angels.

Be sure that you react with kindness and understanding. While everyone needs to follow the rules, you can extend some leniency due to the circumstances. Just keep reminding yourself and your family that this will all soon be over.

10. Stay Positive by Finding a Safe Retreat

All this togetherness is sometimes overwhelming. You can and should spend as much time with your children as you can. Those little moments playing a board game or watching them learning to ride a bike will be precious to you one day. However, there are times when you need a little solace.

Do you have a sacred space where you can go and meditate for a while? Meditation should be one of your new daily habits during the shelter-in-place orders. Many studies show how beneficial meditation can be for your mind, body, and soul. Plus, during these sessions, you can learn to get rid of negative feelings and channel positive ones.

If you don’t have a designated space where you can go to escape the world, then you need to go outside and take a walk. Don’t ever underestimate the power of sunshine, fresh air, peace, and quiet. It’s healing beyond measure. Make sure you get at least a half-hour of uninterrupted me time each day.

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Final Thoughts: Stay Positive and Make the Best of a Tough Situation

It’s important to remember that your children are looking to you during this time of uncertainty. If you are anxious and upset, then they will copy your emotions. However, if you use this time for something good, like spending lots of time together, then they will be happy and playful.

Being under quarantine is not easy for the strongest person. If you feel that you are getting to a point where you need help, then reach out to your doctor or a therapist. There are extra resources in place to help people who struggle with depression and anxiety, as well as other mental illnesses.

The only way to get through a difficult time is by doing things that you love most. So make that gourmet meal, go for a ride on your bike, and by all means, take a nap to rejuvenate yourself. Whatever it is that makes you happy–just stay positive.

10 Signs of Reincarnation That Reveal You’ve Been Here Before

April 16, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Do you ever feel like you’ve been here before? Do you have flashes of a previous life that make you believe in reincarnation? Have you ever experienced the sensation that the French call déjà vu?

Could all these feelings be in your head, or is there something more to it? If you have ever experienced deja vu, then you’re in good company. Almost everyone around the world confesses they have felt it at least once in their lives.

There’s something mystical about visiting a place you’ve never been, and suddenly, everything seems strangely familiar. While many people may brush one instance off as a coincidence, when it continues to happen, then it’s worth investigating.

Is it possible that your eerie feelings of déjà vu are flashbacks of former lives, or is it merely the power of suggestion? The belief in reincarnation or transmigration is not a new-age trend as it’s been around for centuries.

Reincarnation has been a religious principle of Hinduism and other cultures for thousands of years. Could it be based on reality, and did you walk this earth as another human being in a different time?

10 Signs of Reincarnation

Ten signs your soul was here in a past life.

Whether or not you believe that you have lived before, you must admit that déjà vu can convince even the most skeptical person. Are you experiencing sights and events from a former life? Here are ten signs of reincarnation for your consideration.

1. Constant Feelings That You’ve Been Here or Done This Before

People who believe that they have been reincarnated often visit unfamiliar places and a sense that they have been there before. Does this sound like you? Perhaps, it’s a sense in your life that resonates with your memory as a repeated experience?

For some, the sense of déjà vu is so overpowering. They can navigate a foreign place by intuition. Many of them have described characteristics within the area with stunning accuracy. If this is you, perhaps your past is opening a window to your previous lives, and you have a glimpse inside.

2. You Feel Strange in Your Body

According to Hinduism, as well as several other religions, we live a succession of lifetimes to cleanse and strengthen our souls. Some may only reincarnate a few times until they achieve enlightenment, while others may experience thousands or more lives.

It is no surprise to believers that being uncomfortable in your body is one of the signs of reincarnation. Have you ever wondered why you sometimes feel strange sensations or relate to another person intimately?

Believers say that when you reincarnate, you can come back as another race or gender. Your rebirth depends on what is best for your soul plan. These sensations may explain why some people feel an affinity for a specific period or culture.

While medical science is baffled with sexual identification and transgenderism, it makes perfect sense to those who believe in past lives. Since many of your past lives may have been the opposite gender, it stands to reason that your soul would retain the collective experiences and emotions.

3. You’re an Old Soul

One of the symptoms of reincarnation is an unexplainable knowledge and passion for the past. Maybe you’ve always felt that you belonged to a different era or was “born out of your time.” These feelings may translate into enthusiasm for a certain historical period or culture, not your own.

Are you instinctively drawn to a place in time so much that just a mention of it transports your mind there? Could your obsession reflect the incarnation you were during that time? How else could you explain such passion and familiarity?

4. You Dream About Past Lives Vividly

Sure, we all have crazy dreams because of natural explanations. However, do you often have reoccurring dreams that stay in your mind? Some of these dreams can be so lucid; you wonder if they were past experiences through reincarnation.

For believers of reincarnation, your dreams are like stored videos of your past lives. Hindu belief explains that during transmigration, your soul is gradually moving to higher spiritual plains. Your dreams record your history and often replay as a reminder while you sleep.

5. You’re Plagued with Unexplainable Coincidences

It has been said that time and chance happen to everyone. Who hasn’t had a baffling episode in their lives that wasn’t chalked up to coincidence? You may call it serendipity if it happens occasionally, but what if unexplainable coincidences are normal for you?

Have you ever been in a situation and knew the outcome before it happened? Sometimes these odd coincidences work in your favor, other times not. If you have lived before, maybe you’ve experienced similar episodes, and they are not happenstances at all.

The Hindus and other transmigration believers say that what may seem a coincidence in your life may be the result of karma. Thoughts and actions in each incarnation are paid back in the next life, be they good or evil. This karmic cycle continues, they believe, until you are transformed onto a higher spiritual level.

6. You Have Unexplainable Abilities

It’s only human to be imaginative and transport ourselves in a “Walter Mitty way.” You might daydream of being a patron in the Library of Alexandria. However, what if your longings are so vivid that you can “see” yourself in the library and can almost read the parchments?

Have you ever had a strange word appear in your mind, and you are shocked to find it is a real word in a foreign language? There are documented cases around the world of people who started speaking languages they never knew or studied. You never know what culture you were in a past life, and you might be channeling some of that energy in this life.

7. Challenged by Irrational Fears

It’s not uncommon to have at least one phobia. No matter how small it may be, you may have things or situations in your life that you avoid at all costs. People spend millions of dollars each year working with therapists to overcome their fears.

While a traumatic event in early childhood can explain some phobias, others can’t be so easily identified. For example, you might have a paralyzing fear of water, which is known as hydrophobia. If you drowned in a past life, it might well explain why these residual fears crossed over in your present incarnation.

8. You Are Intuitive and Have A 6th Sense

Sensitivity to the spirit world means more than just being easily unnerved by strange occurrences. You may find that you rely on these intuitive feelings or sensitive nature to get through life. Some say that you are going by your gut feelings, but it’s way more than that.

Many people who go into helping careers are sensitive and highly empathetic. When they help others who are struggling, they readily identify with the emotions. Often, those who claim psychic abilities attribute them to their past life sensitivity.

9. You Have A Familiar Face or Feel as If You’ve Met Strangers Before

It’s easy for extroverts to meet new people and find common grounds for friendship. For some, the connection feels deeper, as if they had known the person previously. Is this your experience?

Maybe you knew or were related to the newly introduced person, and the meeting triggered memories of past lives. Many people experience an instant rapport with strangers and share stories that are eerily similar.

Those who believe in reincarnation say that this phenomenon occurs because you are often surrounded by the same people as your lives progress. Whether these people are in a different incarnation or not, your souls identify with your persistent link.

10. You Believe You Walked This Earth Before

Award-winning actress, Shirley McClain, has been an outspoken supporter of transmigration, regardless of how skeptics mock her. She has written several best-selling books about reincarnation, and she has been candid about discovering her past lives.

You don’t need to be a celebrity or belong to any specific religion to believe in transmigration. These matters of the heart transcend believing, and only you know whether or not it’s true.

For you, the knowledge of your past lives is inherent, and like McClain, you won’t be swayed from your belief in reincarnation. Such a deep-rooted conviction may not be coincidental. In the progression of your lives and karmic plights, you may have known the truth all along.

Final Thoughts: Making Peace with The Past in Your Present Reincarnation

Have you experienced a few or all these symptoms of reincarnation and always had a hunch it was real? Through past life regression with a trained practitioner, you may discover fascinating lives you lived in the past.

Your past lives may answer many of the questions and problems you are experiencing in the present. If you are experiencing signs of reincarnation, then you should speak with an expert to help them delve into the mystery and uncover your truths.

20 Friendly Quotes to Share with Someone You Like

April 16, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Friendly quotes can be shared with everyone in your life, especially your friends. These quotes should be shared with someone you like, a person who can appreciate them.

From motivation to humor, there are quotes for everyone and every situation. You know what your friends need to read, so be sure to pass along the relevant ones.

These friendly quotes are intended to inspire and bring a smile to someone’s face.

Friendly Quotes to Share with Someone You Like

Share these friendly quotes with co-workers or friends when they need some encouragement.

1. “The best kind of friendships are fierce lady friendships where you aggressively believe in each other, defend each other, and think the other deserves the world.” – Unknown

When you consider yourself a friend to someone else, you do what you can to support them. This may mean defending them, empowering them and fully believing that they deserve greatness.

2. “…successful creations grow most predictably when they tap into a small network of people who do not see themselves as mainstream, but rather bound by an idea or commonality that they consider special. People have all day to talk about what makes them ordinary. It turns out that they want to share what makes them weird.” – Derek Thompson, in Hit Makers: The Science of Popularity in an Age of Distraction

When people are alike, they tend to have some of the same unique characteristics. This is what brings them together. So, to find people that you vibe well with, find those who share the same ideas as you. As Thompson said, people want to talk about what makes them unique.

3. “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” –Dale Carnegie

By being friendly with others and showing interest in them, you can find yourself surrounded by great people. Otherwise, if you only try to get them to show interest in you, they’ll quickly lose interest.

4. “There are two types of people who will tell you that you cannot make a difference in this world: those who are afraid to try and those who are afraid you will succeed.” – Ray Goforth

Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t make a difference. Each person can make an impact. The only thing that can stand in the way is fear.

5. “When you can’t look on the bright side, I will sit with you in the dark.” – Unknown

Find a person who will be there for you no matter how bad things get. Then, in return, make sure that you do the same in return when the time comes. There is no better way to be friendly than to be there in the hard times.

6. “Practice sharing the fullness of your being, your best self, your enthusiasm, your vitality, your spirit, your trust, your openness, above all, your presence. Share it with yourself, with your family, with the world.” – Jon Kabat-Zinn, in Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life

All that you are is important and perfect. Everyone is different, and that’s what makes life so exciting.Don’t hide who you are. Instead, share those unique parts of yourself with everyone you meet.

7. “View your life from your funeral: Looking back at your life experiences, what have you accomplished? What would you have wanted to accomplish but didn’t? What were the happy moments? What were the sad? What would you do again, and what wouldn’t you do?” – Victor Frankl

If you choose to view your life this way, you’ll find yourself living with fewer regrets. By reflecting on your past, you may be able to figure out what makes you happy and who matters the most.

8. “We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindnesses there is at least one which makes the heart run over.” – James Boswell

Each time you are kind to a person, you’re stepping closer to friendship. By being continually friendly, you’re starting the process that leads to a deeper connection.

9. Surround yourself with people who make you happy. People who make you laugh, who help you when you’re in need. People who genuinely care. They are the ones worth keeping in your life. Everyone else is just passing through. – Karl Marx

Focus on those who matter and those who care. Anyone else shouldn’t affect your well-being.

10. “Life is kind of like a party. You invite a lot of people … a few who stay to help you clean up the mess … they are the only ones who matter.” – Unknown

Take a mental note of those who will have fun with you and then help with the aftermath. Those are the people who truly care about you. The ones who left after the fun was over should not affect your life or happiness.

11. Your work isn’t to change who you are; it’s to find people who are able to give you the connection you need. Because despite what you feel, you are not too much. You are not too sensitive or too needy. You are thoughtful and empathetic. You are compassionate and kind. And with or without anyone’s acknowledgment or affection, you are enough. – Daniell Koepke

Rather than change to fit with those around you, find people who understand you are enough as you are. You need a real connection, not a false connection from a person who only wishes you were different. Once you find friendly people who accept you as you are, you will know where you belong.

12. “Share your love, share your happiness, care for others; your wealth will be endless.” – Debasish Mridha

Don’t hold back. Love others, spread happiness, and look out for the well-being of others. With all of this, you’ll feel incredibly prosperous.

13. “Each and everyone of us is powerful because we all have the ability to contribute with our little grain of sand to help heal the world.” – Unknown

Everyone is important. You can make a difference, no matter how small.

14. We need people in our lives with whom we can be as open as possible. To have real conversations with people may seem like such a simple, obvious suggestion, but it involves courage and risk. – Thomas Moore

Having someone to tell your thoughts and concerns can make all the difference. You’ll always feel alone if you don’t find someone you can be open with.

15. “Some talk to you in their free time and some free their time to talk to you. Learn the difference.” – Unknown

It can be hard giving your all to every relationship in your life. Remember that just because you are friendly with someone doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice for that relationship.
Think of all of those you are friendly with and consider if they talk to you whenever they can. Otherwise, they likely only reach out when they have a moment.
Some relationships are best when both parties are equal. So, show the same level of friendliness, but don’t sacrifice for those who don’t free their time for you.

16. “Power isn’t control at all – power is strength, and giving that strength to others. A leader isn’t someone who forces others to make him stronger; a leader is someone willing to give his strength to others that they may have the strength to stand on their own.” – Beth Revis

Be strong for others, and show them that they can be strong on their own, too. As Revis said, the best way to be a friend who leads is to teach them to stand strong.

17. “One of the most important things you can do on this earth is to let people know they are not alone.” – Shannon L. Alder

Never let those you care about feel like they are alone. Everyone needs a friend, so if you see a need, fill it. Being friendly to everyone can make the world a better place. This is one of the most necessary friendly quotes to keep hand when you need to cheer up a pal.

18. “Think of what you have rather than of what you lack. Of the things you have, select the best and then reflect how eagerly you would have sought them if you did not have them.” – Marcus Aurelius

Sometimes, it’s necessary to think about all of the things you have and what you would be without them. If you had to go without some of the things you have now, think about if you would work hard to get them back. It can help you understand how blessed you already are.

19. “Do not leave any fruits in your tree of life, extend your hand and take everything that belongs to you, if you end up with extra share with someone that is in need.” – Unknown

Don’t let things go to waste. If there is too much for you, give it to someone in need. There will always be someone who can use what you have plenty of.

20. “Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes.” – Henry David Thoreau

Having friends across the globe helps to realize how big the world is. They’re what makes the world what it is for you.

Final Thoughts On Friendly Quotes to Share with Someone You Like

As you read these quotes, you likely had some specific friends in mind. Instead of simply thinking of them, make sure to share these friendly quotes.

20 Positiveness Quotes Everyone Needs to Read Today

April 15, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Everyone can use some help with positive thinking once in a while. Luckily, there are plenty of positiveness quotes in existence to help with that.

No matter the state of the world, mental funks happen. You’ll find yourself thinking negatively and struggle to snap out of it.

That’s where these positiveness quotes come into play. They’ll help to lift you and encourage positive thinking in no time.

Positiveness Quotes Everyone Needs to Read

1. “The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude”. – Oprah Winfrey

If you don’t like the direction your life is going, reflect on your attitude. It can make all the difference when wanting to change your path.

By having a positive attitude, you’ll find more positivity coming your way. This will likely lead to more success, a happier life, and just more positive thoughts and feelings overall.

2. “Discipline your mind to think positively. Discipline your mind to see the good in every situation and look on the best side of every event.” – Roy T. Bennett

Even when things don’t go the way you’d hoped, look for the positive in the situation. By training yourself to think this way, you’ll never be let down. You can find good in everything if you just look.

3. “Positive thinking is more than just a tagline. It changes the way we behave. And I firmly believe that when I am positive, it not only makes me better, but it also makes those around me better.” – Harvey Mackay

With positive thinking, you’ll quickly find yourself exhibiting more happiness and optimism. Others will notice because it truly changed you. Not only will they notice, but they’ll likely be showing more positivity, too, the more they are around you.

4. “Love yourself. It is important to stay positive because beauty comes from the inside out.” – Jenn Proske

By being positive, you’re showing yourself love. With that, you’ll also be showing your inner beauty. Positivity has a way of doing that to a person. Of all the positiveness quotes, this might be the one most of us need to hear.

5. We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses. – Abraham Lincoln

It is all about the way you choose to look at the situation. Looking at it one way can lead to disappointment, but looking at it positively is different. Positivity can help you see the good rather than the bad.

6. “Having a positive mental attitude is asking how something can be done rather than saying it can’t be done.” – Bo Bennett

There is always a way, no matter how impossible it may seem. When you run into a problem, think positively to figure out how to accomplish it.

Don’t give up, because with a positive attitude, anything is possible.

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

Remember that each minute is a new chance to change your attitude. If you find yourself being negative, turn it around, and be positive in the next minute. It’s easy to change your mindset, and your mindset can change everything.

8. “Natural ability is important, but you can go far without it if you have the focus, drive, desire, and positive attitude.” – Kirsten Sweetland

As Sweetland says, while natural talent is important, it is also important to have a positive attitude. With positivity, focus, drive, and some natural ability, success is yours.

Even the most talented people will be held back if they are missing any of those things. Success is dependent on more than just ability.

9. “If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” – Vincent Van Gogh

This can be applied to anything in life, not just painting. If you hear an inner voice saying you can’t do something, then do it anyway.

It’s the only way to stop that negative voice in your head. Use this chance to do what you’re telling yourself can’t be done. It’ll foster positive thinking next time.

10. “If you have a positive attitude and constantly strive to give your best effort; eventually you will overcome your immediate problems and find you are ready for greater challenges.” – Pat Riley

Tackling problems with a positive attitude can make all the difference in working them out. By being positive and trying your best, you’ll get through the struggle and be ready to face what’s next.

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

The only way to know for sure is to give it a try. Train yourself to think positively and see how quickly the results change.

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

Positivity is noticed by others, and other people want that in their lives, too. This is what makes them drawn to it. You’ll be blessed with good things, and people who also want to be positive will want to be in your life.

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

Your mindset can control everything in your life. If you’re always having negative thoughts, life and everything in it will seem bad. With positive thoughts, however, you’ll begin to see the good.

14. “Life is about accepting the challenges along the way, choosing to keep moving forward, and savoring the journey.” – Roy T. Bennett

You can accept any challenge if you have a positive mindset. Those who think this way know that there is always a way through. Continuing to move forward is the only thing that can be done, so enjoy every bit of it.

15. “Being positive is like going up a mountain. Being negative is like sliding down a hill. A lot of times, people want to take the easy way out, because it’s basically what they’ve understood throughout their lives.” – Chuck D

It’s not always easy being positive in tough situations. Negativity may seem like the easier option. Unfortunately, you’ll never get to see what could have happened if you take the easy way out.

16. “Positive energy knows no boundaries. If everyone were to spread positive energy on the Internet, the world would be a much better place.” – Lu Wei

The positivity of one can spread to another. If this happened on a large scale, like on the internet, the entire world could be reached.

17. “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

Positivity is hard to achieve when surrounded by negativity. If your environment doesn’t allow you to enjoy being positive, it’s time to change your environment. Once you do that, positive thinking should come easily and naturally, as Chopra stated.

18. “Live your days on the positive side of life, in tune with your most treasured values. And in each moment, you’ll have much to live for.” – Ralph Marston

If you continually think of the positive things you truly love and care about, you’ll be happier all the time. This will help you see how blessed you are.

19. “Commitment, belief, and positive attitude are all important if you’re going to be a success, whether you’re in sports, in business, or, as in my case, anthropology.” – Donald Johanson

It doesn’t matter the field that you’re looking for success in. The things that do matter are having a positive attitude and staying committed. Once you focus on that, you’ll find yourself reaching your goals, at least getting closer to them.

20. “Positiveness means; More smiling, less worrying, more compassion, less judgment, more blessed, less stressed, more love, less hate. More faith, less fear.” – Roy Bennett

When you think of it this way, positivity sounds like the best mindset to be in. You’ll experience less worry, judgment, stress, hate, and fear. In return, you’ll also smile more, be more compassionate and blessed, and experience more love.

With these extreme differences, it makes the change from negativity to positivity so much easier. Stop living in a negative mindset and bask in the benefits of positivity.

Final Thoughts on Positiveness Quotes Everyone Needs to Read Today

Positivity can be achieved by anyone, as long as they are willing to change their mindset. Switching from a negative mindset to a positive one can be as simple as changing your environment. If changing your environment doesn’t help, then training yourself to think differently will.

These positiveness quotes can help with that. They can help you see the benefits of the mindset change, and they can get you some encouragement.

By focusing on positive thinking, you’ll likely notice that all areas of your life change for the better.

10 Dangers of Elderly People and Loneliness (and how you can help)

April 15, 2020 by Power of Positivity

As people begin to age, they become lonely due to social isolation and losing loved ones and friends. Being alone for long periods and isolated from the outside world can cause depression, anxiety, and other severe medical concerns. Yet, it’s estimated that one-fourth of elderly people over the age of 65 feel socially isolated and lonely.

You don’t have to be in a specific age group to feel lonely. People in their 40’s or 50’s can experience loneliness along with teenagers. It just seems that the older crowd experiences it more so due to retirement, loss of a spouse, and the inability to do the things they once loved.

The Dangers of Loneliness

There are both mental and physical health dangers to those who are lonely. Thankfully, there are ways that family and friends can help. Here are ten threats that can occur when elderly people become lonely.

1. Increased Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke

You’ve heard a million times that stress can affect your body. When a person feels lonely or isolated from the world, it’s stressful. They can feel like an animal trapped in a cage longing for some social interaction and company.

The chance of a stroke increases by up to 32 percent, while the chances of developing a heart condition increase by 29 percent when a person is faced with chronic loneliness. It’s proof that you can die of a broken heart.

• How to Help

The easiest way to help in these situations is to make sure that your friends or loved ones frequently receive calls and visits. They should also have routine examinations at the doctor to make sure their health is in good shape.

2. Depression

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses among elderly people. During periods of social isolation, it’s not uncommon for these folks to avoid getting out of bed, as they see no need to start another day. When they’ve lost a spouse and the children are all grown, they may feel like they’re not needed anymore.

• How to Help

Make sure that your friends or family members feel needed. Pets often help give them a reason to get out of bed and something to nurture when the kids are all raised. Additionally, any signs of mental illness need to be addressed by a medical professional.

3. Suicide

If you thought that suicide only happened to teenagers and young adults, you would be sad to learn that it’s commonplace in elderly people too. The problem is that it’s not always caught.

Fewer autopsies are done on the elderly because they feel that the cause of death is related to old age or medical problems. Many older people can easily overdose, and no one is the wiser.

• How to Help

Be vigilant and notice the signs of depression, and don’t let it go untreated. Suicide is common among all age groups and the tenth major cause of death in the United States.

4. Premature Death

Born into each person is the will to live. You must want to live, or you can give up on living. Have you seen a cancer patient that fights with everything they have in them because they have a family that loves them? Then there are the people that just give up, and their life slips away.

Elderly people can quickly lose their will to live if they don’t feel they have a purpose anymore.

• How to Help

Everyone needs to have friends and a purpose no matter their age. Get your friends and family members involved in community events and other groups to keep them active. The more engaged they are, the longer and happier their life.

5. Decreased Memory

Elderly people are at a greater risk of developing dementia. However, those who are lonely and socially isolated have even more substantial risks. When an individual is isolated and alone, it’s common for them to forget things and take a drastic downturn mentally.

• How to Help

Make sure that you help your friends or relatives keep their minds sharp. Word games and puzzles are an excellent option to help them stay focused. You’re never too old to learn new and exciting things. If you quit learning, then you no longer thrive.

6. Antisocial Behaviors

Agoraphobia is an anxiety-based disorder that affects more than nine percent of the population. When anxiety levels rise to severe heights, then a person may feel comfortable in staying at home. Going to the grocery store or social functions becomes unbearable due to the high anxiety associated with agoraphobia.

• How To Help

Don’t let a loved one sit in the house for days or weeks at a time. It’s essential for them to get outside in the sunshine and to breathe in the fresh air. Mother Nature can be very healing, and they need the Vitamin D from the sun. If this doesn’t help, then they need to see a mental health professional.

7. Alcoholism and Drug Abuse

Many people are surprised to learn that alcohol and drug abuse are just as common among the older crowd as teenagers. People who have inner struggles and feel lonely often try to medicate by using whatever they can get their hands on. When you’re drunk or high, then you won’t feel the pangs of isolation.

• How to Help

If you notice that your loved one is drunk or high, question them about the matter. Professional assistance may be needed. Yes, even the elderly can go to rehab too.

8. Poor Decision-Making

Have you ever heard the saying that “An idle mind is the devil’s playground?” Anyone who experiences feelings of loneliness and sadness can do things in the spur of the moment they regret later. They will do anything to make the inner pain feel better, and sometimes, these feelings cause them to do crazy and even illegal things.

• How to Help

Someone of advanced age must have someone help them with their financial matters as well as medical ones. They need someone overseeing their daily activities to make sure they don’t make careless decisions, especially financial ones geared towards self-medicating.

9. Increased Risks of Cancer

It’s challenging to think that being lonely can bring on such major health issues as cancer. However, a recent study conducted by the University of Surrey and Brunel University London found that people who experience isolation and loneliness are at an increase for inflammation. Inflammation in the body is one of the leading causes of cancer.

Your mental health has a profound effect on your physical wellbeing. Both aspects must be observed. Many elderly folks don’t see the issue until it’s too late.

• How to Help

Regular checkups at the doctor are essential when you’re at an advanced age. Routine bloodwork should be done at least two times per year. Many tumor markers can be identified in the blood and help catch cancer or other medical problems sooner. These tests save lives.

10. Poor Sleep Quality

We all need beauty sleep and plenty of it. It’s recommended that a person get between 6-7 hours of rest each night. It’s a common fact that people sleep less as they get older. However, when they’re dealing with stress, anxiety, medical issues, and loneliness, then their sleep cycle can be even further disrupted.

When a person doesn’t get sufficient rest, it can take a toll on their health. One problem with insufficient sleep levels is it lowers your body’s immunity, which makes you more susceptible to disease and illness.

• How to Help

Ask your elderly person often about their sleep health. If they’re not getting sufficient rest, then you need to get to the bottom of it. Taking a natural sleep aid like melatonin may be the answer, or they may need to have a sleep study to ensure there’s nothing like sleep apnea or another sleep disturbance occurring.

The Takeaway on Loneliness and the Elderly

While you don’t have to be elderly to be lonely, it’s apparent that people over the age of 65 years are more at risk. Retirement, children’s growth, and enjoying free time all seem like amazing things until there’s nothing to do. If a retired person sits around the house day in and day out, then they will pass quicker than someone who maintains an active lifestyle long beyond their working years.

It’s important to socialize, have friends, stay active in the community, and have something to look forward to each day. A pet is an excellent option for someone who feels isolated and alone. If someone is physically able to care for a pet, animals are a great companion and can help to fill the void felt by the elderly population.

Many people are so busy in their life that they forget about the elderly people in their family. It’s essential to take time out of your day and week to make sure they have what they need and know they’re loved. Sending cards in the mail, phone calls, surprise visits, and dinner dates are all necessary to keep their mental and physical health in check.

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

Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!