THANKFUL: THE GRATITUDE CHALLENGE!
September 13, 2024Written By: Serene Grace
Finally, we’ve entered fall, a season of renewal and an opportunity to embrace gratitude for the abundance in our lives. In 2024, we’ve experienced peaks and valleys, navigating challenges on many levels. Now is the time to ground ourselves with faith and hope as we work through these obstacles. Sometimes, life gives us dry spells or long pauses, allowing us to be still, plant seeds of abundance, and eventually reap the harvest. Just like the changing seasons, life has its cycles. In this publication, I want to challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and embark on a gratitude challenge....
What is a Gratitude Challenge?
People who actively cultivate and practice gratitude tend to be more patient, make better decisions, develop stronger relationships, and feel more positive and optimistic about their lives. If you’re looking for ways to bring more joy into your life, a 21-day gratitude challenge (or longer if you choose) is a great starting point. The gratitude challenge encourages us to recognize and appreciate all the good in our lives and to express that gratitude regularly.
The idea is simple. For three weeks, focus each day on the things or people you are grateful for, and then express that gratitude. If practicing gratitude is new to you, a structured challenge can guide you through the initial uncertainty and help you start paying closer attention to the world around you. The challenge fosters mindfulness and appreciation for the simple things, even in the most demanding situations.
Tips for Starting Your Gratitude Challenge....
We all know how the stresses of daily life can overshadow our ability to recognize and express gratitude. It’s easy to forget to pause and appreciate the things we’re thankful for. While cultivating gratitude is a journey that takes time, these tips will help you set up your own personal gratitude challenge and stay focused along the way.
Start with a Morning Ritual: The early hours are when our minds are freshest before the day’s tasks take over. Introduce a morning gratitude ritual to begin your day grounded in thankfulness. This could be as simple as spending a few moments reflecting on what you’re grateful for today.
Practice Mindfulness: Develop a mindfulness routine to help you stay present. Focus on the positive aspects of your life right now instead of worrying about the future. Visualize these positives and fully immerse yourself in the feeling of gratitude.
Celebrate the Small Things: Gratitude isn’t about the big milestones. Create a unique list that reflects your current life situation, including family, friends, health, your community, and even the weather. Appreciating the little things can significantly boost your overall sense of gratitude.
Use a Gratitude App: There are numerous apps designed to support your gratitude journey. These apps can help you stay focused, record your moments of appreciation, and send reminders to encourage your gratitude practice.
Acknowledge Both Good and Bad: While the gratitude challenge emphasizes positive experiences, reflecting on difficult situations can enhance your appreciation for the good moments. Recognizing the lessons learned from challenges can deepen your sense of gratitude.
End Your Day with a Recap Before Bed: Take some time to write down the things you’re grateful for. Keeping a gratitude journal helps you track the positive aspects of your life and provides a collection of uplifting thoughts to revisit whenever you need a boost.
Follow a Gratitude Calendar: A gratitude challenge calendar can offer daily prompts to help you recognize and appreciate things you might otherwise overlook. These prompts can guide your focus and make it easier to incorporate gratitude into your daily routine.
Before I end this publication, I like to present these sparkling podcasts that can enlighten more of a gratitude mindset into the fall, such as, "Creating Better Abundance with Your Inner Light," and "Raising Your Higher Consciousness!" Most importantly, by incorporating these tips into your daily life, you can create a meaningful and effective gratitude challenge that enhances your overall well-being and helps you cultivate a more positive outlook. Blessings with love and light!
Let’s Get Fit: Strength, Flexibility, or Mobility!
September 13, 2024Written By: Sarah Jean
Being fit and healthy comes down to three categories: strength, mobility, and flexibility. Which category is most important for a healthy lifestyle? Not one category is more important than the other. All three categories are needed to live life happily, and fully.
While many people think flexibility is the same as mobility, and while they do go together, they are different from each other. Flexibility involves the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. When focusing on flexibility, you are actively stretching and elongating your muscles. It also involves coordination, and control of muscles. Think about how ballerinas dance so gracefully and stretch their limbs far for poses.
Mobility is the ability of the body to move freely and in full range of motion. Think about how you squat or bend over to pick up something. That is your body being mobile. Let’s go back to the ballerina reference. A ballerina needs to be flexible to stretch their arms and legs into beautiful poses, but they also need to be able to move and bend freely. In general, all humans need to be able to do that, but it is a requirement to be a phenomenal dancer, especially a ballerina. If a ballet dancer does not have great hip or shoulder mobility, then the dance would look less graceful and stiffer.
Strength is something everyone needs to live a healthy and active life. It is not enough to be flexible, and mobile. Strength does not only equate to having large muscles, or a toned-looking physique; it also involves our bones. Back to the ballerina, strength is focused on just as much as flexibility and mobility. While having big muscles isn’t common in ballet dancers, you can bet they are still extraordinarily strong. Have you ever seen the male dancers lift the female dancers with ease, and grace? Couldn’t do that without being strong.
Likewise, try holding your leg in the air for more than 30 seconds without it hurting. Strong bones and muscles are vital for longevity. We’ve all heard of how it’s common to break your hip when you are an elder. Why is that? Is it because of weak muscles? Well partly, but mainly because it’s a result of weak bones. How do you make them stronger? Move your body and put some resistance on it. Lift weights, do body weight exercises, do some cardio. When you put pressure on your bones, it helps to keep them strong. Just don’t go overboard and lift too heavy too soon or run for a longer time than you know you can or should. Remember that recovery is when you repair your body. So, add in resistance, but don’t forget to rest too.
So go for a simple walk in your neighborhood or park, do some daily stretches, or do your squats. You will thank me later when you can hike without pain, or actively play on the floor with your grandkids or pets. Happy Fall ya!
Simple Guidelines on Becoming Financially Savvy!
September 13, 2024Written By: Serene Grace
Blessings with Abundance!
In today's world of financial unpredictability, developing financial savvy is essential not just for survival but for thriving amidst the competition. Cultivating smart financial habits can lead to a more fulfilling life, freeing you from debts, high interest rates, and restrictive lifestyles. With the right approach, you'll make decisions driven by choice rather than necessity. Here are some key skills to help you become more financially astute:
Self-Awareness....
Self-awareness forms the foundation of a growth-oriented mindset. It prevents you from falling into repetitive patterns and making the same financial mistakes repeatedly. But how does it work? Being self-aware means understanding your behaviors, recognizing your strengths and weaknesses, and identifying opportunities to improve your financial decisions. In the context of finances, this involves being fully aware of your assets, spending habits, and liabilities.
For instance, if you know that you tend to overspend when you're stressed, you can take proactive measures like using apps or browser extensions to temporarily block access to online shopping sites during those times. Additionally, you might choose to carry limited cash when going out if you know you're prone to impulsive spending.
Self-awareness also helps you pinpoint specific financial areas that need improvement, such as:. Increasing and stabilizing your income streams. Enhancing your savings. Making informed investment decisions. Paying off existing debts
By understanding what needs attention, you can consistently monitor your progress and implement strategies to achieve better financial health.
How to Start Paying Off Your Debt....
As the saying goes, "A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step." In your journey to pay off debt, this first step involves three crucial actions:
Assess Your Debt: Begin by determining exactly how much you owe. While this might feel overwhelming, knowing your total debt is empowering—it gives you a clear starting point. Pay attention not only to the amounts owed but also to:. Loan interest rates. Minimum monthly payments. Payment due dates
Analyze Your Spending: Once you’ve assessed your debt, shift your focus to your other expenses. Calculate your monthly “must-have” costs—like housing, utilities, transportation, and food—against your income. What’s left is your discretionary income for non-essential items.
To accelerate debt repayment, consider cutting back on these extras. Areas to reconsider might include:. Buying premium brands at the grocery store. Dining out frequently. Purchasing daily coffee shop beverages. Paying for streaming services or gym memberships
By scrutinizing your spending, you can free up more money to put toward your debt.
Create a Budget: With a clear understanding of your debt and spending, build a budget that covers all your necessary expenses while maximizing the amount you can allocate to debt repayment. Budgeting is one of the most effective and straightforward skills you can adopt to enhance your financial literacy. It demands commitment but is relatively easy to learn and apply.
In essence, budgeting is a proactive strategy for managing your finances, ensuring you can consistently meet your needs while avoiding debt accumulation. If you’re already dealing with debt, a well-structured budget can help you systematically and efficiently pay it off.
I strongly recommend consulting with your local accountant or financial advisor for guidance on your future financial and investment decisions. As we approach 2025, it's a good idea to establish new spending and saving habits to better prepare for any unforeseen events. Finally, here’s something special for you: my latest podcast, “Creating Better Abundance with Your Inner Light.” In this episode, I dive into cultivating a more abundant mindset in today’s world. Ultimately, it’s about self-awareness and making smarter financial decisions. It’s not too late—you have everything to gain.
Beauty Trends: Asian Beauty Vs. Western Beauty!
September 13, 2024Written By: Sarah Jean
Happy Fall ya! When it comes to Korean skincare, it couldn’t be more different than what you commonly see in Western skincare. In Asia, it is all about being proactive with skincare, to prevent skin aging. Whereas in the United States and parts of Europe, its more common to treat signs of skin aging, than to prevent them from happening.
In the United States, applying actives is heavily advised, and done more to target skin concerns. Often the formulas will be a high percentage of vitamin C, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and so on. While Korean and Japanese skincare strongly focus on hydrating and calming the skin. Common ingredients found in products in Asia are centella asiatica, madecassoside, and heartleaf. All three of these popular ingredients provide skin with nourishment, and hydration, while brightening the skin for a youthful glow. While not everyone in Korea may practice it, the seven step skincare method is extremely popular. This involves layering your skincare. Multiple toners, and serums are used in this method to provide extra hydration, and gentle active ingredients to combat and prevent skin aging concerns.
Even sunscreen is different. In contrast to the thicker and chalkier looking sunscreen that you typically see in the U.S. and even Australia, Asian sunscreens are more serum like, and come in either a matte finish, tone up finish, or glowy finish. Healthy glowing skin is a typical Korean and Japanese beauty standard, as well as fair skin. Tone up sunscreens provide the wearer with protection, and a glowing and mildly fair appearance to the skin. The downside to many Asian sunscreens is that unlike Western sunscreens, they usually are not sweat or water resistant. Mainly because applying and reapplying sunscreen, is a healthy skin practice that is followed by everyone, including men. Many women also carry a parasol, and or wear a hat to further protect themselves from the damaging UVA and UVB rays of the sun. Clothing with built-in sun protection is also commonly worn as an extra layer of protection.
Most Western sunscreens are water and sweat resistant mainly because the routine of reapplying or even applying sunscreen daily, is not as commonly practiced where it is sold. Many Westerners actively stay outside in the sun more than avoiding it. Being tan is seen as more beautiful in Western culture than in Asian culture. Though there is a slight shift happening in Asia these days, and being less fair is also seen as beautiful now.
Beauty isn’t all about skincare though, and in Asian culture they learn this at an early age. In Asia, especially in Korea, and Japan, the diet is all about whole foods, and natural ingredients. Fermented foods such as Kimchi, and Natto are popular side dishes that accompany meals. This helps to balance the gut by feeding it natural pre and probiotics. While the West has adopted the concept of taking care of the gut we typically do so with pills, instead of with foods. When talking about food for health, and youthfulness it won’t be right of me to not mention a common favorite drink you can buy everywhere in Korea, and Japan. Green tea is a go to beverage in Korea and Japan, whether it is served hot or cold. It is drunk by people for antioxidant benefits, vitamin C, and many believe it has fat burning effects to help them stay slender. In the U.S. we all know the saying, you are what you eat but rarely do we practice this. It is more common to choose a cola drink and high calorie, low nutrient meal unless you are actively trying to lose weight. We even have larger meal and drink portions compared to Asia, and the rest of the world.
So, there you have it, those are the main differences between Asian, and Western beauty practices. Will you be adopting any into your daily life? Last, please enjoy my most recent podcast, "Beauty Secrets: Aging Gracefully," on Bold Brave TV where I talk about the diverse ways to age gracefully while speaking on Korean skincare.
Disclaimer: I am not a dermatologist. I am a friendly and knowledgeable beauty obsessed consumer. Please refer all questions you have to your physicians.
NO-BRAINER: WHAT IS CHIARI?
September 13, 2024Written By: Serene Grace
Blessings of peace and good health to you! Today, I’m sharing a deeply personal story about a health condition I’ve lived with my entire life, which ultimately led to brain surgery in October 2010. I’ve touched on this topic in my previous intuitive and etiquette publications, as well as on my podcast show, "Your Inner Light with Serene Grace." In this special publication, I’ll explain what Arnold-Chiari Malformation Type 1 is, revealing a very vulnerable side of my journey. It’s important to note that this condition affects many others worldwide. Let’s begin this conversation.
In October 2010, I underwent brain surgery at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland, to treat a congenital condition called Arnold-Chiari Malformation Type 1. This condition, which I unknowingly lived with for most of my life, was only discovered after a routine MRI in my late twenties. This diagnosis explained the learning adversity I faced as a child and provided clarity on my unique cognitive patterns. Interestingly, rather than impairing my psychic abilities, this condition seemed to enhance them more after surgery, earning me the affectionate nickname of the “Bionic Psychic.”
I want to emphasize that for most of my life, my condition was largely asymptomatic, causing only minor issues. However, a freak accident in August 2009, during a spin class, triggered more severe symptoms. A spinning bike mysteriously flipped, hitting me at the back of my head. By June 2010, I was experiencing increased intracranial pressure, and my symptoms worsened, eventually leading to the surgery. Miraculously, I walked out of the hospital with an 80% improvement within two days. I took the necessary time to recover and returned to work within two months. Now, nearly 17 years later, I continue to live a full, healthy life, always mindful of taking care of myself.
What is Arnold-Chiari Malformation Type 1?
Arnold-Chiari Malformation Type 1 is a structural defect where brain tissue extends into the spinal canal due to a misshapen or smaller-than-normal skull. This puts pressure on the brain, pushing it downward. The condition primarily affects the cerebellum, which controls movement and coordination. In Chiari Malformation Type 1, the lower part of the cerebellum descends into the spinal canal. This can lead to symptoms such as pain, fatigue, memory issues, and other neurological effects. It is the most common form of Chiari Malformation, and symptoms can appear in either childhood or adulthood—or not at all.
Facts About Arnold-Chiari Malformation (also known as Chiari Malformation):
• Chiari Malformation (kee-AH-ree mal-for-MAY-shun) is being diagnosed more frequently due to advancements in imaging technology.
• The condition is estimated to occur in 1 out of every 1,000 births.
• It affects females three times more often than males.
• The condition is grouped into five types based on how much brain tissue is pushed into the spinal canal and whether there are related developmental changes in the brain or spine.
Types of Chiari Malformation:
• Type 0 is present when there are little to no parts of the cerebellum in the hole at the base of the skull (foramen magnum) but there is crowding at that level. Also, with Type 0, there are usually no symptoms.
• Type 1 develops as the skull and brain grow, and symptoms may not appear until later in life as in childhood or adulthood.
• Type 2 and Type 3 are present at birth, with Type 2 often occurring alongside a form of Spina Bifida called Myelomeningocele.
• Type 4 is rare and happens when your cerebellum itself is underdeveloped or has parts missing. This type is severe and usually life-threatening in infants.
Treatment options depend on the type and severity of symptoms, ranging from regular monitoring and medication to surgery.
Symptoms of Chiari Malformation Type 1:
Chiari Malformation Type 1 symptoms typically appear in late childhood or adulthood. Some of the more common symptoms include:
• Severe headaches, especially after coughing, sneezing, or straining• Neck pain• Balance issues and unsteady walking• Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet• Difficulty swallowing, sometimes accompanied by choking• Speech changes, such as hoarseness
Other symptoms may include:
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)• Weakness• Slower heart rhythm• Scoliosis, related to spinal cord compression• Central sleep apnea, where breathing temporarily stops during sleep• There are other symptoms not mentioned in this list.
Surgery for Chiari Malformation:
In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to relieve pressure on the brain and spinal cord. The procedure typically involves removing a portion of the skull and the first cervical bone to create more room. During my surgery, a synthetic dura patch was placed to expand the space for cerebrospinal fluid flow, and a Chiari Plate was installed for added protection. Surgery is generally safe and effective, although all surgeries carry risks, such as bleeding or infection. Most people return to normal activities within a few months post-surgery.
Can Chiari Malformation Be Prevented?
Chiari Malformations are congenital conditions, meaning they develop during fetal development and are not preventable. However, it’s recommended that women who are pregnant or planning to conceive take folic acid to reduce the risk of associated conditions like Spina Bifida.
Is Chiari Malformation Serious?
Chiari Malformations vary in severity. Many people with Type 1 live their entire lives without requiring treatment. Others may need surgery if their symptoms become severe, or if complications like a syrinx (a fluid-filled cyst in the spinal cord) develop. Before my surgery, I was developing a syrinx, which made the surgery essential. For patients with Types 2, 3, and the rarer Type 4, surgery is usually required early in life, often immediately after birth.
Arnold-Chiari Malformation is not something to be taken lightly, but with advances in medical research and treatment options, those affected have more hope than ever before. Early diagnosis and the right support are crucial in managing this condition effectively.
If you’d like to learn more about Chiari Malformation, here are some resources to explore...
conquerchiari.org
chiarifund.org
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6008-chiari-malformation
empower: How to be uNSTOPPABLE in today's world!
June 15, 2024Written By: Serene Grace
Happy Blessed Summer! This year has been a whirlwind, full of highs and lows, and recent world events have been particularly challenging. It can feel dark and fearful at times, with people often resorting to a lower vibration just to get by. However, we must not let fear paralyze us or fill us with hate. Instead, we must strive to remain positive and proactive.
So, how do you become “UNSTOPPABLE?” How do you stay fearless, bold, and brave, especially in today’s world? To be unstoppable, you need a positive mindset that fosters constructive habits, keeps you centered, and empowers you to move forward with your goals.
Creating One Priority Habit That Works for You: It's great to have a set of healthy habits to boost productivity and help reach your goals. However, there are days when it’s impossible to do everything we promised ourselves. On those days, focus on one habit that is non-negotiable—your "priority habit."
For example, if you work out for 30 minutes daily, write an article, read self-improvement content for 20 minutes, and write a gratitude list, but your most important goal is losing weight, then working out becomes your priority habit on busy days. This approach simplifies life and positively influences your belief system, reinforcing you can stick to your most important habits even on the busiest days.
Let’s Work Out: Working out is one of the healthiest habits you can adopt. It not only helps with weight loss and boosts metabolism but also improves mental health and mood, enhances energy levels, and benefits overall health. Morning workouts have several advantages:
• The endorphins produced can elevate your mood throughout the day.
• Exercising on an empty stomach might help burn more fat.
• Morning workouts improve productivity, energy levels, alertness, focus, and decision-making.
Your Circle of Influence: Focus on what you can control and let go of what you can't. This approach conserves energy and directs efforts toward what truly matters, leading you towards your most important goals. Examples of things you can control include your daily habits, beliefs, choices, and diet.
Write Everything Down: Our minds are meant to generate ideas, not hold them. Writing things down can prevent mental exhaustion, disorganization, and forgetfulness. Benefits include:
• Reduced stress.• Improved mental health.• Increased productivity.• Better organization.
Other Inspiring Suggestions for Becoming Unstoppable:
• Don’t think—act.• Be prepared to act on instinct.• Don’t be motivated by external rewards.• Never be satisfied—always strive for more.• Stay in control and be true to yourself.• Keep active and don’t fear failure.• Compete with yourself, not others.• Continue learning.• Set clear goals.• Respond immediately instead of stalling.• Choose simplicity over complication.• Support others and don’t envy their accomplishments.• Take bold chances.• Focus on the process, not just the results.• Believe in your vision of success.• Allow time for recovery.• Give yourself permission to succeed.• Go with the flow to receive abundance.• Make time for rejuvenation.• Trust yourself and take action.
For more encouragement and insights, check out my recent podcast, “Unstoppable: Embracing Transformation!” Remember, everything you need to succeed is already within you. Trust yourself and act. Are you UNSTOPPABLE?
Blessings with love and light!
Handling Job Layoffs & Firings: Guidance for Tough Economic Times!
June 15, 2024Written By: Serene Grace
Current Situation: From May into June, the world is witnessing another surge of massive job layoffs. High inflation rates are prompting governments and companies to cut expenses, leading to layoffs.
Additionally, increased operational costs are causing some companies to shut down or merge to survive. Unfortunately, these sudden layoffs have caught the public off guard, leaving many unprepared and facing reduced work hours.
Economic Hardships: Finding new employment during these tough economic times can be particularly challenging due to a tough and limited job market. This puts additional financial strain on those seeking new opportunities.
Job Interview Guidance: When facing an interview after being laid off or fired, it's crucial to handle the situation thoughtfully and strategically.
Here's how to address your job loss….
If You Were Laid Off: Prospective employers tend to be more understanding of layoffs, especially when they are part of broader company-wide cuts. Here’s how to frame your response:
• Explain the Context: "My team was impacted by the mass layoffs, and my role was unfortunately eliminated as part of the company's resource and hiring adjustments."
• Mention Your Position: If you were a recent hire or held a junior position, include this in your explanation, as it can help contextualize your layoff without reflecting poorly on you.
• Highlight Previous Layoff Rounds: If you survived earlier layoffs before being let go, mention it. For instance, "The company went through multiple rounds of layoffs. My boss made significant efforts to retain me as long as possible, but I was ultimately part of one of the later rounds."
Handling a firing requires careful navigation. Here are some steps....
• Negotiate the Terms of Your Departure: Upon being fired, try to negotiate with HR about how your departure will be communicated to future employers. Aim for a mutual decision narrative if possible.
• Request a Reference Letter: Get a reference letter that clearly states the agreed-upon reason for your departure to use during your job search.
• Frame the Departure Positively: In an interview, describe the firing as a mutual decision or a result of a poor fit. For example, "It was a mutual decision to part ways," or "It wasn't the right fit for either of us."
General Tips for Addressing Job Loss in Interviews:
• Keep it Brief: Address the departure succinctly and steer the conversation back to why you're a great fit for the new role. You can say, "I left my previous company in May and am now seeking a role that aligns with my strengths in X, Y, and Z, which is why this position at your company is appealing to me."
• Focus on the Positive: Emphasize what you are looking for in your next role and how your skills and experiences make you a great candidate.
Conclusion: Being laid off or fired does not define your worth or abilities as a professional. The key is to manage the narrative positively and focus on finding the right next step for your career based on your skills, experiences, and career aspirations. Good luck!
The Simple Art of Interviewing: How to Successfully Improve your Job Interview Skills!
May 30, 2024
Written By: Serene Grace
Who finds it harder today when it comes to interviewing for a job opportunity? Plus, it seems like the old rules of interviewing has changed with different trends in our modern society. However as humans, we are social creatures where we still need to improve our soft skills in how we interact personally and professionally in a working environment.
You ask yourself, what are soft skills? Soft skills are your personal attributes. They directly relate to how well you can work with and interact with others. Also, soft skills are abilities that include communication, teamwork, and various interpersonal skills.
Employers highly value candidates with strong soft skills because these are difficult to teach and crucial for long-term success. Unlike hard skills, which are technical and specific to a particular job, soft skills are more about your approach to work and collaboration.
Moving forward, let's simply talk about the art of interviewing for a new job opportunity. As a business coach, here are some successful steps for interviewing based on my personal experience. Preparing for the big day can make a significant difference.
Preparation Before the Interview:
Give yourself some time the night before or a couple of days prior to the interview to do the following:
1. Research the Company: Whether it’s a private company, an organization, or a government agency (state or federal), knowledge is power. Being well-informed makes you look prepared.
2. Dress Appropriately: Choose your best professional attire suitable for the office or the specific interview setting, such as a construction site. Be prepared for any specific dress code instructions from the interviewer.
3. Reflect on Your Motivations: Think about why you applied for the position. Was it for the money, career growth, benefits, or the company’s culture and community involvement?
4. Prepare for Common Questions: Be ready to explain why you are job searching. Be specific, honest, and keep it positive. Clearly state your reasons for wanting to make a move.
5. Highlight Your Accomplishments: Consider how you can set yourself apart from your achievements. Why should the interviewer choose you? What makes you unique?
6. Know Your Resume: Familiarize yourself with your resume. Bring extra copies to give to the interviewer, which show you are prepared and make a good first impression.
The Big Day-Approaching the Interview with Confidence:
1. Introduce Yourself Politely: Start with a polite introduction and let the interviewer lead with questions. When responding, briefly and clearly describe your work history.
2. Express Your Interest in the Company: Be ready to explain why you are interested in the company. Mention a couple of reasons and demonstrate your knowledge of the company. This shows you’ve done your homework.
3. Stay Calm Under Pressure: If you can’t answer a question, stay calm and honest. Ask for clarification if needed. This shows your thought process and problem-solving skills.
4. Ask Insightful Questions: When it's your turn to ask questions, opt for opinion-based ones like, "What is your favorite part about working at this company?" This demonstrates your interest and helps you evaluate the company.
5. Show Confidence: Convince the interviewer that you are the best candidate. Show your enthusiasm and confidence in your ability to do the job.
Post-Interview Tips:
1. Don’t Ask for Immediate Feedback: Avoid asking for feedback right away. Be patient and give yourself credit for completing the interview gracefully.
2. Thank the Interviewer: Always thank the interviewer (remember their name) at the end of the interview. This shows attention to detail and respect.
3. Be Patient: After the interview, wait patiently for a response. Don’t put all your hopes into one job and avoid appearing desperate.
4. Follow Up: Send a thank-you email to the interviewer to show your appreciation. This gesture goes a long way, even if you don’t get the position.
Final Thoughts:
Be upfront and use clear language during the interview. Stay positive and focus on what you can offer the company with your background and skills. Highlighting how your skills, especially your soft skills can benefit the employer, which shows that you are considerate of their needs. Good luck!
EXTRA, EXTRA: INSIGHTFUL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS TO ASK!
May 30, 2024Written By: Serene Grace
Ever had a moment of not knowing what to ask in a job interview? Usually, if you don’t come prepared, then your mind goes blank. When you go into an interview, here are some clever questions to ask that will get an interviewer’s attention and respect for the applicant.
With these questions in mind, it shows a willingness of preparedness and confidence of wanting to be hired….
Company Culture: The first question I always recommend asking is about the company culture. This is crucial because enjoying your job is heavily influenced by the work environment. Understanding the company culture helps you gauge whether you'll fit in and be happy there. If you're miserable at your job, it sets you up for failure. So, don't hesitate to ask about the company culture to ensure it aligns with your values and work style.
Insights on My Predecessor: Another important question is, "What did the person who held this role before me do that was appreciated but not required based on the job description?" This question positions you as someone already envisioning themselves in the role. It's a great tactic to sell yourself during the interview.
Meeting Colleagues' Needs: Next, ask, "How can I best suit the needs of my direct counterparts?" This question is essential for understanding the team dynamics you'll be entering. It helps you identify how you can contribute effectively and integrate smoothly with your future colleagues. Discovering these details early can prevent unpleasant surprises and help you decide if the team environment is right for you.
Assessing Team Success: Another vital question is about the current state of the department: "What is the current state of the department in reference to the bottom line?" This includes asking about sales or performance metrics to understand if you're joining a thriving team or one that needs a turnaround. You need to know if they expect you to reverse a downward trend or if they're experiencing growth and need more hands-on deck. Understanding the department's health will help you gauge the challenges and opportunities you'll face.
Company’s Future Plans: Finally, ask about the company's future: "What are the company's three-year, five-year, and ten-year plans?" This question shows that you're thinking long-term and are interested in the company's growth and stability. It demonstrates that you're not just looking for a paycheck but are eager to contribute to and grow with the company. This mindset is crucial for anyone looking to advance beyond entry-level positions.
Conclusion:
While you might not have time to ask all these questions, even one can make a significant impression. Some might think asking multiple questions is excessive, but just using one of these questions can start a valuable conversation and impress your interviewer. These questions are designed to help you nail the interview by providing insights and demonstrating your proactive attitude. Good luck!
EMPLOYERS: HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY INTERVIEW FUTURE APPLICANTS!
May 30, 2024Written By: Serene Grace
It's time again to engage in one of the most important activities in the business world: interviewing. Whether you love it or dread it, interviewing is a critical skill. As a life coach specializing in business etiquette, I’d like to offer some insights on how to conduct interviews with potential new employees, whether you decide to hire them or not. Before we dive into the dos and don’ts, let's approach this with an open mind.
Understanding the Applicant's Perspective:
First, remember that applicants today are often more nervous than ever because they need a job, especially as the job market remains stressful and unpredictable after the pandemic. Also, the interview process has never been easy, which is why many turn to staffing agencies to alleviate some of the burden.
Second, consider that long-term job seekers are often weary from the constant interviewing. It can feel like a full-time job, draining their energy and leaving them feeling defeated. For these applicants, getting an interview can feel like receiving a Christmas bonus.
The Dos:
1. Greet Warmly: When an applicant arrives, always greet them with a friendly hello, a firm handshake, and a respectful introduction. This creates a positive first impression, making the applicant feel comfortable and respected.
2. Prepare Thoroughly: Before the interview, prepare your questions and review the applicants' resumes. This demonstrates your leadership and preparedness, which helps set a positive tone for the interview. A well-prepared interviewer creates a smooth flow, allowing the applicant to respond confidently.
3. Maintain Positivity and Professionalism: Always stay in a good mood, remain positive, and uphold professionalism. Applicants will remember those who treated them kindly and respectfully. Your reputation is on the line, so showing connectedness and respect is crucial, especially with potential new employees.
The Don’ts:
1. Avoid Condescension: Never make applicants feel inferior or submissive. This is unprofessional and demonstrates poor business etiquette. Avoid raising your voice or displaying a negative attitude, as this indicates poor temperament and makes you seem difficult to work with.
2. Don't Speak Negatively About Employees: Never badmouth your employees or co-workers during an interview. This leaves a negative impression of the workplace and suggests low morale, gossip, and drama. Discussing plans to fire someone who hasn't been informed yet is particularly unprofessional and legally risky.
3. Respect Applicants' Time: Don’t give applicants the impression that you're not seriously hiring or that you're just testing the waters. Be honest about the details of the open positions, including salary, leave, and insurance. Showing uncertainty or dishonesty about why you're interviewing reflects poor management and communication skills. Respect the applicant’s time and effort in their job search.
Conclusion:
I've provided these insights to help you reflect on your interviewing techniques. Even if you already know these points, they serve as valuable reminders. Everyone deserves a good interview experience. Good luck!
How to Recognize Miracles in Life!
April 21, 2024Written By: Serene Grace
Do you believe in MIRACLES?
Do you live your life every day as a miracle? Everyone who is living and breathing has experienced some form of what a miracle is if you are a believer or not. When it comes to believing in miracles, some people have a very spiritual perception of them, while others are more logical in thinking.
So, what defines miracles? When it comes to miracles, they are extraordinary events manifesting divine intervention into human affairs. As humans, we look forward to them, especially as they give us hope and peace while facing everyday adversities and challenges in our world. The true miracles lie in recognizing our alignment with the divine in our lives. Most importantly, when we believe in miracles, it connects us to a higher source that we call God, Spirit, or Oneness (the list goes on depending on a person’s beliefs).
Now, let’s shift gears. Scientistic studies have highlighted the efficacy of prayer, demonstrating its potential equivalence to medicinal interventions. This burgeoning body of scientific research illuminates why the combination of prayer and medicine forms a formidable alliance, unveiling groundbreaking insights into perplexing medical conundrums.
As scientists amass evidence of prayer's healing potency, instances of its efficacy are increasingly documented. Prayer not only enhances individual well-being but intriguingly, even prayers offered for individuals unaware of them have been associated with significant improvements in both physical and emotional health. Nonetheless, while these miracles, whether wrought by prayer or science, offer temporary reprieve, they nonetheless underscore the profound impact of holistic approaches to healing.
So, there’s another important question to ask ourselves. How do we learn to recognize miracles in our lives in a spiritual and logical way? As an intuitive empath and life coach, here are my insightful reflections…. Being STILL: Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, it's essential to hit the brakes. In a culture that celebrates busyness, where technology, work, and competition dominate our existence, it's crucial to find moments of stillness. Let the phrase "Be still" echo in your mind and surroundings—a gentle reminder to stay present. Cherish your family, relish the moments that unfold like miracles. Acknowledging BLESSINGS: Seek out those subtle blessings, those tender mercies bestowed upon us by a higher power. They aren't random chances but rather tailored gifts of strength, protection, guidance, and love. Recognizing these tender mercies is a marvel. Take a moment today to acknowledge them. Just BELIEVE: Believe in the miracles already interwoven into your life's tapestry. Whether it's the intricacy of a spider's web or the innocence of a baby's smile, miracles abound in the simplest of moments. Let them stir feelings of wonder and thankfulness. Practice GRATITUDE: Cultivate awareness of these miracles through the practices of gratitude and prayer. A heart full of gratitude, coupled with earnest prayers, reveals blessings that might otherwise slip by unnoticed. Often, a simple prayer of thanks can serve as a gateway to recognizing miracles. Documenting MIRACLES: Capture these moments of wonder in a gratitude or tender mercy journal. By deliberately seeking them out and documenting them, their significance becomes clearer and more enduring. Miracles are all around us, intricately woven into the fabric of our lives. Rather than dissecting each occurrence, learn to embrace and celebrate them in small and grand ways. When it comes to miracles, they happen all the time. We just simply must learn to recognize them. Please check out this guided meditation on “Manifest Miracles-Open the Portal of Infinite Abundance,” along with this spiritual podcast from my fellow writer, Phillip Nguyen-Wisdom of the Master, “The Symphony of God, Part 2 - Heart & Mind = Full Divinity.” As we coast through life, just know we are miracles, as well, where we experience the gifts of peace, hope, joy, and of course, love. At the end, we just need to observe what the synchronicities are when life happens around us as miracles. Blessings with love and light!
So, there’s another important question to ask ourselves. How do we learn to recognize miracles in our lives in a spiritual and logical way? As an intuitive empath and life coach, here are my insightful reflections…. Being STILL: Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, it's essential to hit the brakes. In a culture that celebrates busyness, where technology, work, and competition dominate our existence, it's crucial to find moments of stillness. Let the phrase "Be still" echo in your mind and surroundings—a gentle reminder to stay present. Cherish your family, relish the moments that unfold like miracles. Acknowledging BLESSINGS: Seek out those subtle blessings, those tender mercies bestowed upon us by a higher power. They aren't random chances but rather tailored gifts of strength, protection, guidance, and love. Recognizing these tender mercies is a marvel. Take a moment today to acknowledge them. Just BELIEVE: Believe in the miracles already interwoven into your life's tapestry. Whether it's the intricacy of a spider's web or the innocence of a baby's smile, miracles abound in the simplest of moments. Let them stir feelings of wonder and thankfulness. Practice GRATITUDE: Cultivate awareness of these miracles through the practices of gratitude and prayer. A heart full of gratitude, coupled with earnest prayers, reveals blessings that might otherwise slip by unnoticed. Often, a simple prayer of thanks can serve as a gateway to recognizing miracles. Documenting MIRACLES: Capture these moments of wonder in a gratitude or tender mercy journal. By deliberately seeking them out and documenting them, their significance becomes clearer and more enduring. Miracles are all around us, intricately woven into the fabric of our lives. Rather than dissecting each occurrence, learn to embrace and celebrate them in small and grand ways. When it comes to miracles, they happen all the time. We just simply must learn to recognize them. Please check out this guided meditation on “Manifest Miracles-Open the Portal of Infinite Abundance,” along with this spiritual podcast from my fellow writer, Phillip Nguyen-Wisdom of the Master, “The Symphony of God, Part 2 - Heart & Mind = Full Divinity.” As we coast through life, just know we are miracles, as well, where we experience the gifts of peace, hope, joy, and of course, love. At the end, we just need to observe what the synchronicities are when life happens around us as miracles. Blessings with love and light!
How to Unleash the BEST Version of YOU!
March 21, 2024Written By: Serene Grace
Kiss, Kiss! Above is a last year Christmas picture of me wanting me to give a few holidays kisses. Well, I was just being my jolly, Aries self for kicks before a Christmas dance, which was fun.
On a more serious note, ever wonder how to be the BEST version of YOU? As Brendon Burchard said it so eloquently, “Be more intentional about who you want to become. Have a vision beyond your current circumstances. Imagine your best future self and start acting like that person today.” When it comes to being the future YOU, you need to have a vision of how to give yourself the structure with positive direction and goals. You are creating an internal compass of guidance within YOU.
But you ask HOW?
As a life coach, I have always given guidance and tools to people on how to find themselves, especially with bringing you back to your higher, authentic self. Most importantly, I want to lead people on HOW to put accountability back into their hands and be motivated to do the work. When you do your own inner work, you create a new sense of freedom and confidence within YOU as your personal foundation.
Here are my inspiring tips on the HOW….
Envision Your Future Self: First, reflect how you want to look, speak, think, and engage with others. Define this vision with measurable and achievable adjectives. Write down these qualities and review them regularly to stay focused. Prioritize these attributes and work on them one at a time. Writing a letter from your future self's perspective can also help you visualize your journey and personality development.
Pursue Short-Term Goals First: Begin with short-term goals to build confidence and momentum. As you integrate new habits into your life, you'll move closer to realizing your best self. Each completed goal fuels motivation for the next, even those that require months or years of effort.
Align Goals with Purpose: Regularly assess whether your goals align with your values and life purpose. Adjust them as needed to ensure they reflect your evolving priorities.
Cultivate Self-Compassion: Embrace self-love without judgment or criticism, accepting your current circumstances wholeheartedly. This unconditional love enables you to step out of your comfort zone and navigate setbacks with resilience. Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, becoming your own greatest supporter and ally.
Confront Fear: Failure is a natural part of growth and success. Overcome the fear of failure by analyzing potential outcomes, maintaining a positive mindset, and setting realistic goals. Learn from setbacks, recognizing them as opportunities for valuable insights and personal development.
Overcome Procrastination: Combat procrastination by avoiding perfectionism and establishing accountability. Break down goals into smaller, manageable tasks and take precise, calculated actions to stay focused and productive.
Break Free from People-Pleasing: Release the urge to constantly seek approval from others and prioritize your own needs and opinions. Stop sacrificing your authenticity to please others and assert yourself confidently.
Refrain from Criticism and Judgment: Avoid criticizing and judging others, recognizing that negative energy only perpetuates negativity. Practice empathy and refrain from making assumptions, striving to understand different perspectives without prejudice.
Challenge Negative Self-Talk: Combat negative self-talk by replacing irrational thoughts with positive affirmations. Eliminate negative vocabulary and embrace a mindset of self-belief and empowerment. Reframe challenges as opportunities for growth, echoing Yoda's wisdom: "Do or do not. There is no try."
As you learn to be the BEST version of YOU, it will become second nature of feeling more confident in your own skin and making inspiring choices that will outline your path to greatness. Plus, practice makes perfect as you live, and “Be the best YOU that you can be!” – Christine Rice Blessings with love and light!
Pursue Short-Term Goals First: Begin with short-term goals to build confidence and momentum. As you integrate new habits into your life, you'll move closer to realizing your best self. Each completed goal fuels motivation for the next, even those that require months or years of effort.
Align Goals with Purpose: Regularly assess whether your goals align with your values and life purpose. Adjust them as needed to ensure they reflect your evolving priorities.
Cultivate Self-Compassion: Embrace self-love without judgment or criticism, accepting your current circumstances wholeheartedly. This unconditional love enables you to step out of your comfort zone and navigate setbacks with resilience. Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, becoming your own greatest supporter and ally.
Confront Fear: Failure is a natural part of growth and success. Overcome the fear of failure by analyzing potential outcomes, maintaining a positive mindset, and setting realistic goals. Learn from setbacks, recognizing them as opportunities for valuable insights and personal development.
Overcome Procrastination: Combat procrastination by avoiding perfectionism and establishing accountability. Break down goals into smaller, manageable tasks and take precise, calculated actions to stay focused and productive.
Break Free from People-Pleasing: Release the urge to constantly seek approval from others and prioritize your own needs and opinions. Stop sacrificing your authenticity to please others and assert yourself confidently.
Refrain from Criticism and Judgment: Avoid criticizing and judging others, recognizing that negative energy only perpetuates negativity. Practice empathy and refrain from making assumptions, striving to understand different perspectives without prejudice.
Challenge Negative Self-Talk: Combat negative self-talk by replacing irrational thoughts with positive affirmations. Eliminate negative vocabulary and embrace a mindset of self-belief and empowerment. Reframe challenges as opportunities for growth, echoing Yoda's wisdom: "Do or do not. There is no try."
As you learn to be the BEST version of YOU, it will become second nature of feeling more confident in your own skin and making inspiring choices that will outline your path to greatness. Plus, practice makes perfect as you live, and “Be the best YOU that you can be!” – Christine Rice Blessings with love and light!
MY BOLD INSPIRATION: The Inspiring Peacock Post!
March 21, 2024Written By: Serene Grace
As I compose this piece, I'm immersed in the uplifting rhythms of Whitney Houston's, "I'm Every Woman." March marks Women’s History Month, a time to honor the courageous trailblazers who have propelled movements for women's empowerment and recognition. It's a moment to celebrate the multifaceted achievements of women across social, economic, cultural, and political spheres. As we commemorate these strides, it's crucial to remember the ongoing journey and the battles we continue to fight.
Personally, I embody the spirit of a natural trailblazer, fearlessly embracing challenges that have shaped my path. Each hurdle has served as a steppingstone, guiding me to where I stand today. In 2019, I embarked on the creative endeavor of "Shining Bright with Serene Grace," laying the foundation for my holistic website, serenegrace13.com. This venture evolved into an intuitive life coaching platform in 2020, where I utilize my empathic abilities and empowerment coaching to aid others in areas ranging from love and career to spirituality and self-confidence.
Expanding my horizons further, I ventured into the realm of etiquette expertise in 2020, launching "The Inspiring Peacock Post" amidst the pandemic. This platform, adorned with articles imbued with "Etiquette with Perspective," serves as a testament to the importance of manners in our interconnected world. Inspired by the legacy of Emily Post, whose profound influence resonates with me, I've endeavored to infuse consideration and respect into every interaction.
In March 2023, I consolidated my various endeavors into the unified platform of shiningbrightwserenegrace.com, amplifying my intuitive insights, etiquette publications, podcasts, and event updates. "The Inspiring Peacock Post" found its new home here, continuing to evolve with a diverse range of contributors dedicated to spreading positivity and most importantly, their sparkling advice.
Reflecting on Emily Post's impactful legacy, I am reminded of the transformative power of consideration and respect. Her influence has not only shaped my writing and editorial style but has also instilled in me the confidence to embrace my unique journey, including overcoming significant health challenges, such as brain surgery.
Also, under her influence, I gained confidence as an entrepreneur and embraced myself more fully, particularly after undergoing brain surgery 15 years ago. Yes, you heard right—brain surgery. In October 2010, I underwent a significant procedure to address a congenital condition known as Arnold Chiari Malformation. The surgery, known as Decompressive Craniectomy, involved a Duraplasty and the placement of a Chiari Plate in my brain. Interestingly, I believe Emily Post also underwent brain surgery, establishing an unexpected connection between us.
It's worth noting that I lived with this brain condition my entire life, unaware of it until a routine MRI scan for a research study in my late twenties revealed it. This revelation was shocking yet enlightening, as it provided clarity regarding the learning challenges I faced during childhood, particularly in areas like reading and writing. My unique brain processes information differently, yet it also gifts me with the ability to serve as a spiritual medium, connecting with departed loved ones, pets, angels, and spirit guides.
Life with me is never dull; it's an ongoing adventure filled with exciting learning curves. Overall, I credit Emily Post for contributing to my growth as a writer and for empowering me to navigate life's challenges with resilience and grace. Thank you, Emily, for your enduring inspiration.
As you're aware, last year I decided to experiment by incorporating my own love advice column, "Charm by Serene Grace," and my co-editor’s beauty reviews, titled "Beautybells Shop & Brand Reviews." Surprisingly, these additions have garnered significant attention, adding an extra layer of intrigue and engagement to the platform.
Looking ahead, I am excited to introduce new features to "The Inspiring Peacock Post," including a health blog, "WisLovZen," where I will document my journey towards improved fitness and well-being. Additionally, "Letters to Serene" will provide a platform for readers to seek advice on various aspects of life, fostering an interactive community rooted in support and empathy.
As my 47th birthday approaches in April, I eagerly anticipate the blessings and opportunities that the future holds, committed to expanding "The Inspiring Peacock Post" with even more vibrant contributions and enriching content.
Let's love, hope, & sparkle more!
Let's Be Bold & Brave: 2024 Women's History month!
March 7, 2024Written By: Serene Grace
Ever want to learn how to be bolder and braver in today’s world? Within the last two years, women rights and places in the world have become more REPRESSED than expected. What went wrong? It is not an easy answer to explain, except there are many elements as to why we are not where we should be in the PRESENT. We, as women, need to relearn how to uplift one another more than ever as we embrace and evolve into our FUTURE.
When I hear the word, “BOLD,” I often think of bravery and fearlessness, and there is the word “BRAVE,” which is having moral strength and courage to face danger, fear, and difficulty. And when it comes to history, we had many BOLD and BRAVE women who made significant impacts and achievements on society.
From political leaders and activists to athletes and artists, women throughout history have shown incredible courage in breaking down barriers and fighting for equality, such as: Michelle Obama, Coco Chanel, Wangari Maathai, Mother Theresa, Helen Keller, Miriam Makeba, Oprah, Grace Lee Boggs, Ellen DeGeneres, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Aretha Franklin, Sonia Sotomayor, Betty White, Rosa Parks, Mary McLeod Bethune, Emmeline Pankhurst, Victoria Woodhull, Malala Yousafzai, Anne Frank, Mae Jemison, Cher, Audrey Hepburn, Catherine: Duchess of Cambridge, Gabby Douglas, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Emily Post, Alice Ball, Katherine Johnson, and the list goes on.
Currently, how can women (especially the younger generations) learn how to be more courageous and trailblazing like the women in history? Well, there’s no manual on how to be bolder and braver, except it comes from the core of our spirits to learn how to be empowered to transform into our higher, authentic selves. Shall we begin this conversation….
Encouraging Boldness and Courage: Embracing boldness involves the willingness to take risks and stand up for one's convictions, even in challenging or unpopular situations. This entails being brave and having the courage to overcome fears and doubts while pursuing goals with determination. Throughout history, societal expectations have constrained women to be quiet and submissive. However, when women assert themselves in their aspirations, they challenge antiquated gender norms, contributing to a more egalitarian society. Their assertiveness can inspire others to be courageous, address injustices, and foster positive changes.
Developing boldness and bravery requires practice and patience. Women can begin by setting small goals and progressively tackling more significant challenges. Surrounding themselves with supportive friends and mentors who encourage risk-taking enhances this journey.
Additionally, women can defy gender stereotypes and endorse initiatives promoting gender equality and women's empowerment. Men, too, play a pivotal role by advocating for gender equality, condemning sexism, and addressing discrimination.
It's crucial to acknowledge that women face diverse challenges on the path to boldness and bravery. Women of color, LGBTQ+ women, and women with disabilities encounter unique barriers in expressing their voices and pursuing their goals. To advance gender equality comprehensively, an intersectional approach is vital, recognizing and addressing the varied experiences and needs of all women.
Here are some suggestions to help validate women to be bolder and braver while supporting one another in society…. • Validate women's self-expression more. • Compliment women’s mind and soul, but not just her body. • Offer support to all women, including the "strong" ones. • Reminding women to prioritize solitude and self-care. • Always be ready to signal-boost other women. • Bolster networks that benefit women. • Invest in women-run businesses. • Disagree without dismissing topics that are important to women. • Bring women into important conversations that impact our places in society. • Directly thank women for their gestures, however small. • Talk about sex and their reproductive rights openly in a safe, nonjudgmental, and objective space. • Encourage each other to accept sincere compliments. • Prioritize women of color, trans women, disabled women, and all the most disenfranchised among us. • Do not get competitive with other women. • Support mothers dealing with their kids in public, especially in schools. • Call attention to other women's suffering, even when you're not among them. • Go out of your way to make women feel good. • Speak up about gender issues whenever possible. • Support women's work in the arts, music, science, medicine, education, business, etc. • Help women take time for themselves. • When women support you, return the favor.
Most importantly, International Women’s Day is on March 8th, which is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. Please check out this year's RADICAL theme, “Inspire Inclusion,” on internationalwomensday.com, so we continue to inspire and uplift women from around the world.
When it comes to being bolder and braver, we have an obligation to continue fighting and uplifting one another to have our place recognized in the PRESENT. It will not be an easy task, but it’s something for us to embrace while continuing to evolve stronger into our FUTURE.
Here are some suggestions to help validate women to be bolder and braver while supporting one another in society…. • Validate women's self-expression more. • Compliment women’s mind and soul, but not just her body. • Offer support to all women, including the "strong" ones. • Reminding women to prioritize solitude and self-care. • Always be ready to signal-boost other women. • Bolster networks that benefit women. • Invest in women-run businesses. • Disagree without dismissing topics that are important to women. • Bring women into important conversations that impact our places in society. • Directly thank women for their gestures, however small. • Talk about sex and their reproductive rights openly in a safe, nonjudgmental, and objective space. • Encourage each other to accept sincere compliments. • Prioritize women of color, trans women, disabled women, and all the most disenfranchised among us. • Do not get competitive with other women. • Support mothers dealing with their kids in public, especially in schools. • Call attention to other women's suffering, even when you're not among them. • Go out of your way to make women feel good. • Speak up about gender issues whenever possible. • Support women's work in the arts, music, science, medicine, education, business, etc. • Help women take time for themselves. • When women support you, return the favor.
Most importantly, International Women’s Day is on March 8th, which is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. Please check out this year's RADICAL theme, “Inspire Inclusion,” on internationalwomensday.com, so we continue to inspire and uplift women from around the world.
When it comes to being bolder and braver, we have an obligation to continue fighting and uplifting one another to have our place recognized in the PRESENT. It will not be an easy task, but it’s something for us to embrace while continuing to evolve stronger into our FUTURE.
Stand Tall, Stay Strong, & Yell Loud!
March 7, 2024Written By: Sarah Jean
March is the month when we celebrate women all over the world. Many of our cultural avatars have told us that it’s women who run the world, but right now even in America that just doesn’t seem to be the case. In fact, with the reversal of Roe Vs. Wade, it seems that instead of moving toward the future, we are taking a trip to the past. Back to the days of when women and girls were looked at as property and objects. In the past year, we have gone from having rights over our bodies to having them stripped away, leaving us feeling helpless, frightened, and naked.
Roe Vs. Wade was put in place to ensure women had not only the right to do with our bodies what we want, but also access to all forms of contraception. Recently, many states in America, the land of the free have decided that abortion is immoral and murder. Along with abortion came the political conclusion that miscarriage is also murder. The last thing put in place so far that is part of the clear reversal of gender equality is that IVF embryos are considered children, and clinics can be held liable if embryos are lost. This has put a pause on many couples being able to have a family of their own. If the politicians want to declare IVF embryos as children, then I say we have the right to claim them as dependents on our taxes. If that notion is balked at then they have a much different opinion on what a child is. No matter your stance on these issues, we can all agree as women that we deserve to be the governors of our own bodies, not the politicians.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg worked as an associate of justice on the Supreme Court from 1993 till 2020. As an advocate for gender equality, she worked hard, and fought for women to have as many rights as possible, and she knew that with her ailing health, that those rights would be hanging by a thread once she was no longer around, given the circumstances our country was and is still experiencing. She would be appalled at what is currently happening in America.
Now is the time to band together as women, stand tall, stay strong, and yell as loud as we can “It’s my life, and it’s my right to live it how I want to.” Please don’t forget to vote, even if you feel helpless right now, remember that every vote counts, “After every storm, again we see sunshine,”-unknown.
Roe Vs. Wade was put in place to ensure women had not only the right to do with our bodies what we want, but also access to all forms of contraception. Recently, many states in America, the land of the free have decided that abortion is immoral and murder. Along with abortion came the political conclusion that miscarriage is also murder. The last thing put in place so far that is part of the clear reversal of gender equality is that IVF embryos are considered children, and clinics can be held liable if embryos are lost. This has put a pause on many couples being able to have a family of their own. If the politicians want to declare IVF embryos as children, then I say we have the right to claim them as dependents on our taxes. If that notion is balked at then they have a much different opinion on what a child is. No matter your stance on these issues, we can all agree as women that we deserve to be the governors of our own bodies, not the politicians.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg worked as an associate of justice on the Supreme Court from 1993 till 2020. As an advocate for gender equality, she worked hard, and fought for women to have as many rights as possible, and she knew that with her ailing health, that those rights would be hanging by a thread once she was no longer around, given the circumstances our country was and is still experiencing. She would be appalled at what is currently happening in America.
Now is the time to band together as women, stand tall, stay strong, and yell as loud as we can “It’s my life, and it’s my right to live it how I want to.” Please don’t forget to vote, even if you feel helpless right now, remember that every vote counts, “After every storm, again we see sunshine,”-unknown.
Return of the Sacred Feminine
March 7, 2024Written By: Phillip NguyenWisdom Of The Master
Greetings everyone, In Lak’ech, which means “I am another you.” This is a beautiful way of saying hello in honor of God Almighty in the Mayan language, as you and I are from the same source, same place from the Heavens. We are an expression of the Original Holy Trinity, thereby God the Father, God the Mother, and God the Son. Most human beings on this planet are born from God the Son, no matter if you are a man or a woman. Even so, as someone who was born from God the Mother, I feel privileged to a high degree that I am here today to give a tribute to the graceful yet so powerful feminine energy making a comeback from over 6,000 years ago.
In our so-called modern age, we have long forgotten what this world looked and felt like when our civilization was led by leaders who were women, from government and religion to science and technology–all enveloped by a very spiritual culture in music, visual arts, and literature. It was a world governed by the guiding force of our beloved Cosmic Mother.
I love that time period, with all my heart, in a way that words can only describe a small portion of its tremendous splendor. The architecture of the cities was exquisitely built, most obvious was the curvature of grace as if it were part of nature itself with the not-so-hidden symbolism that always celebrated the wisdom and love of God. The crystalline temples were used as energy conductors that broadcasted the abundance force of Mana, Prana, or the natural free energy in nature, transformed into what is known in our present time as electricity. Furthermore, the mysteries of living a very long life until ascension or salvation was achieved and great peace among nations was ever-present.
Yes, you read that correctly. History teachers don’t begin to understand how advanced our culture was back then. Because of the cataclysm that you may have heard about, we had to start over. Although humanity survived such a devastating turn of events due to leadership from a small group, some human and others who were more divinely inspired, we continued the progression of our evolution to this time into more of a male-dominated society. Like anything in life, this was no accident either. This is so the collective human consciousness would realize the difference between the feminine and masculine energies of leadership. Remember that the Divine Feminine is your Heart, while the Divine Masculine is your Mind, which means Love and Intellect, respectively. So, as you see how our society transpires, then you will notice the significance of which side of the coin is currently in the seat of governance. The history of Earth is much more than meets the eye; hence without denial, the future is just as fascinating.
I will now open the curtain to present to you what is to come. It has been in development for the past century. Now, you will see the fruits of a revolution that is coming within the next decade, no longer a subtle thing but an incredible shift into the Age of the Sacred Feminine–a time that is a mirror of what I have revealed to you throughout this article. God the Mother unveiled this to me, not so long ago, in a vision of the new Earth of nothing but a spectacle of beauty and love. Please put your hands together and embrace the Return of the Sacred Feminine in this wondrous time as we celebrate women from all around the globe.
In our so-called modern age, we have long forgotten what this world looked and felt like when our civilization was led by leaders who were women, from government and religion to science and technology–all enveloped by a very spiritual culture in music, visual arts, and literature. It was a world governed by the guiding force of our beloved Cosmic Mother.
I love that time period, with all my heart, in a way that words can only describe a small portion of its tremendous splendor. The architecture of the cities was exquisitely built, most obvious was the curvature of grace as if it were part of nature itself with the not-so-hidden symbolism that always celebrated the wisdom and love of God. The crystalline temples were used as energy conductors that broadcasted the abundance force of Mana, Prana, or the natural free energy in nature, transformed into what is known in our present time as electricity. Furthermore, the mysteries of living a very long life until ascension or salvation was achieved and great peace among nations was ever-present.
Yes, you read that correctly. History teachers don’t begin to understand how advanced our culture was back then. Because of the cataclysm that you may have heard about, we had to start over. Although humanity survived such a devastating turn of events due to leadership from a small group, some human and others who were more divinely inspired, we continued the progression of our evolution to this time into more of a male-dominated society. Like anything in life, this was no accident either. This is so the collective human consciousness would realize the difference between the feminine and masculine energies of leadership. Remember that the Divine Feminine is your Heart, while the Divine Masculine is your Mind, which means Love and Intellect, respectively. So, as you see how our society transpires, then you will notice the significance of which side of the coin is currently in the seat of governance. The history of Earth is much more than meets the eye; hence without denial, the future is just as fascinating.
I will now open the curtain to present to you what is to come. It has been in development for the past century. Now, you will see the fruits of a revolution that is coming within the next decade, no longer a subtle thing but an incredible shift into the Age of the Sacred Feminine–a time that is a mirror of what I have revealed to you throughout this article. God the Mother unveiled this to me, not so long ago, in a vision of the new Earth of nothing but a spectacle of beauty and love. Please put your hands together and embrace the Return of the Sacred Feminine in this wondrous time as we celebrate women from all around the globe.
My 2024 Beauty Goals!
February 2, 2024Written By: Sarah Jean
Are you ready to embrace your self-esteem and skincare goals? If you don’t understand that self-esteem is linked to beauty, then I applaud you for not knowing the connection. For those of you who do understand the connection, I am here to help you make 2024 the BEST YEAR of YOU.
My personal goal is to not only shine on the outside, but also from within. I have wrapped up my student era, and I am entering a new chapter of my life now that I have graduated with my Masters in Elementary Education. To keep myself positive, and self-esteem up, I will be paying attention to my stress levels, as I venture into my new career. Also, I will be paying more attention to my physical health by eating better, exercising regularly, and keeping up on physicals and specialty appointments.
I will also be aware of my social media usage and avoid doom scrolling. If you are not familiar with doom scrolling, let me enlighten you. Doom scrolling is when you scroll through social media platforms, and become consumed with reading negative, depressing, or worrying information. This is something we are seeing an increase in right now with all the news outlets focusing on being a negative information outlet rather than a positive one. I also will stop comparing myself to others and stealing the joy out of being me. Lastly, I plan to start two procedures that I have been wanting to get done for quite a few years.
To increase my level of self-esteem, and overall happiness in life I will
be embarking on a journey to Invisalign, and Lasik. I don’t particularly dislike my teeth, but I suffer from migraines, and my dentist recommended fixing the crowding in my teeth to decrease or even eliminate them. Since I have been thinking of getting my teeth more aligned, I figured this is a two for one benefit I can’t pass up.
I also must constantly change my glasses from indoors to outdoors because I wear regular prescription glasses, and prescription sunglasses. I cannot see well in the dark, or far away and my mom had Lasik done years ago when it was brand new, and she can see much better now. Since I am into fashion, not being able to wear different sunglasses is a major bummer for me, so I will be stocking up on fashionable glasses as soon as I am able to.
I am turning thirty-five (35) this year and will be focusing more on skincare devices for my 2024 beauty goals. I have absolutely no problem with surgical procedures, fillers, etc. You DO you, but they just aren’t for me. I prefer using noninvasive methods for clearing skin and graceful aging. I will be focusing more on IPL (Intense Pulse Light) Infrared Light, High-Frequency, and Ultrasound Therapy for my skin. All these skincare options have shown proven clinical results for decreasing fine lines, wrinkles, and stimulating collagen. Remember that is always easier to prevent, than fix when it comes to skin.
Please join me in making 2024 the BEST YEAR of YOU, a positive year, and do whatever you need to do, to create overall happiness in your life. Embrace change, stop the comparisons, and keep the CROWN straight because this year I want you to hold your head high. Blessings with love and grace!
I am turning thirty-five (35) this year and will be focusing more on skincare devices for my 2024 beauty goals. I have absolutely no problem with surgical procedures, fillers, etc. You DO you, but they just aren’t for me. I prefer using noninvasive methods for clearing skin and graceful aging. I will be focusing more on IPL (Intense Pulse Light) Infrared Light, High-Frequency, and Ultrasound Therapy for my skin. All these skincare options have shown proven clinical results for decreasing fine lines, wrinkles, and stimulating collagen. Remember that is always easier to prevent, than fix when it comes to skin.
Please join me in making 2024 the BEST YEAR of YOU, a positive year, and do whatever you need to do, to create overall happiness in your life. Embrace change, stop the comparisons, and keep the CROWN straight because this year I want you to hold your head high. Blessings with love and grace!
Winter Tips: How Does Skincare Work & Why Skin Type Matters!
February 2, 2024Written By: Sarah Jean
Skincare works by penetration. To simplify, we have three layers to our skin. We have the epidermis, which is visible, second the dermis, and lastly subcutaneous tissue (fat). The epidermis is the visible layer of skin. The dermis is what helps give our skin structure, and where collagen elastin resides. Hair follicles are also present in the dermis. This is when peels, micro needling, and laser therapy come in to play.
The subcutaneous tissue connects the dermis to your bones, and muscles, and protects the skeletal system. The only way to heal or alter your facial structure is by seeing a surgeon for plastic surgery, as they are the only ones who can get down to our deepest skin layer. For a superficial quick way injectables also work, but they are temporary, unlike plastic surgery that is permanent. Skincare works based on molecular size, and PH. Below I have categorized which layer of skin our routine parts help.
Cleansing: This step focuses on the epidermis. Think of it as a broom sweeping the floor. It gets rid of visual residue. Cleansers have a larger or medium sized molecular structure that gets rid of dirt and oil, so our other products have a better chance of penetration, instead of resting on top of our epidermis. Cleansers can have oil soluble ingredients making them able to treat dermal problems, such as comedones and pustules but most are water soluble and therefore only treat the epidermis.
Exfoliating: The type of exfoliant you use will depend on if you reach the dermis or not. Physical exfoliation (scrubs, microdermabrasion) removes dead skin from the epidermis. Chemical exfoliants remove dead skin from the top layer but can also penetrate to the dermis, for added skin benefits. The most common chemical exfoliant is salicylic acid.
Toner: Epidermis wins again. Toners are used to help get rid of any cleanser residue left from cleansing our skin. They also rid our face of dirt and oil. Toners, unlike cleansers, stay on the skin, allowing the ingredients to penetrate further down into two other layers of the epidermis called the stratum lucidum and the stratum granulosum.
Serum: This part of the routine is when skincare starts to immediately do its job. Serums are made with ingredients of the smallest molecular structure to be well absorbed into the skin. Typically, water based, and are created to treat a specific skin problem. Whether it be a hydrating or resurfacing serum that is acid based, it’s always the powerhouse of our skin routine because the molecular structure allows ingredients to reach the dermis. Retinol and Retinal are also in this category.
Moisturizer: Can be occlusive or permeable. Occlusive products sit on top of the outermost layer (epidermis) to trap in active ingredients, and water to keep our skin healthy, and hydrated; they do not penetrate the skin layers. Think of old school when Vaseline was the hot product, or a product that’s made of wax like lip balm. On the other end, you have emollients which are permeable. Think of creams, lotions, and gels. Being that this is typically the last step in a routine for most people this product will take the longest time to penetrate the skin.
Take away? We have three sectional layers to our skin called the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis) Permeability of skincare products depend on molecular structure and if it is water or oil soluble. Think cleansers, vs salicylic acid.
Blessings with love and sparkles!
Disclaimer: I am not a dermatologist. I am a friendly and knowledgeable beauty obsessed consumer. Please refer all questions you have to your physicians.
Skincare works by penetration. To simplify, we have three layers to our skin. We have the epidermis, which is visible, second the dermis, and lastly subcutaneous tissue (fat). The epidermis is the visible layer of skin. The dermis is what helps give our skin structure, and where collagen elastin resides. Hair follicles are also present in the dermis. This is when peels, micro needling, and laser therapy come in to play.
The subcutaneous tissue connects the dermis to your bones, and muscles, and protects the skeletal system. The only way to heal or alter your facial structure is by seeing a surgeon for plastic surgery, as they are the only ones who can get down to our deepest skin layer. For a superficial quick way injectables also work, but they are temporary, unlike plastic surgery that is permanent. Skincare works based on molecular size, and PH. Below I have categorized which layer of skin our routine parts help.
Cleansing: This step focuses on the epidermis. Think of it as a broom sweeping the floor. It gets rid of visual residue. Cleansers have a larger or medium sized molecular structure that gets rid of dirt and oil, so our other products have a better chance of penetration, instead of resting on top of our epidermis. Cleansers can have oil soluble ingredients making them able to treat dermal problems, such as comedones and pustules but most are water soluble and therefore only treat the epidermis.
Exfoliating: The type of exfoliant you use will depend on if you reach the dermis or not. Physical exfoliation (scrubs, microdermabrasion) removes dead skin from the epidermis. Chemical exfoliants remove dead skin from the top layer but can also penetrate to the dermis, for added skin benefits. The most common chemical exfoliant is salicylic acid.
Toner: Epidermis wins again. Toners are used to help get rid of any cleanser residue left from cleansing our skin. They also rid our face of dirt and oil. Toners, unlike cleansers, stay on the skin, allowing the ingredients to penetrate further down into two other layers of the epidermis called the stratum lucidum and the stratum granulosum.
Serum: This part of the routine is when skincare starts to immediately do its job. Serums are made with ingredients of the smallest molecular structure to be well absorbed into the skin. Typically, water based, and are created to treat a specific skin problem. Whether it be a hydrating or resurfacing serum that is acid based, it’s always the powerhouse of our skin routine because the molecular structure allows ingredients to reach the dermis. Retinol and Retinal are also in this category.
Moisturizer: Can be occlusive or permeable. Occlusive products sit on top of the outermost layer (epidermis) to trap in active ingredients, and water to keep our skin healthy, and hydrated; they do not penetrate the skin layers. Think of old school when Vaseline was the hot product, or a product that’s made of wax like lip balm. On the other end, you have emollients which are permeable. Think of creams, lotions, and gels. Being that this is typically the last step in a routine for most people this product will take the longest time to penetrate the skin.
Take away? We have three sectional layers to our skin called the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis) Permeability of skincare products depend on molecular structure and if it is water or oil soluble. Think cleansers, vs salicylic acid.
Blessings with love and sparkles!
Disclaimer: I am not a dermatologist. I am a friendly and knowledgeable beauty obsessed consumer. Please refer all questions you have to your physicians.
Learning MINDFULNESS!
January 28, 2024Written By: Serene Grace
Hello 2024! Never wondering how to be more still and have more peace of mind? Guess what! The mind isn’t going to stop thinking. The goal of MINDFULNESS isn’t to suppress thinking, but to surpass it. The KEY is how you react to your thoughts. However, when you want to have more calmness with your thoughts, you need to learn how to release your emotional attachment to them.
Being MINDFUL means being present and centered in the NOW. Once you learn how to be more still, PRESENT in the NOW, then you feel the calmness of your thoughts. Then you ask yourself, how do I become MINDFUL?
Being MINDFUL is when you practice MINDFULNESS. Here is an exercise to try….
GET INTO A GOOD POSITION: Take a deep breath and sigh it out. Sit comfortably and relax your body as much as you can.
GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR BREATHING: Close your eyes and find the place in your body where you feel your breath most prominently. It could be your abdomen, diaphragm, or under your nostrils. Start to focus your attention on a gentle way through your breathing, which is the anchor point.
DETACH FROM YOUR THOUGHTS: Within a few seconds, distractions like thoughts, body sensations, or images will start to bubble up. Realize that this is normal and gently return to the anchor point. Continue this for eight minutes. To keep track of the time and set the tone. People find that the morning is a quiet and convenient time of day to meditate, while others do it before bed, to help them sleep. You also could meditate during your lunch break or any other time that works for you. Just remember to practice consistency when you do this exercise.
Now, here are some other suggestions with having more MINDFULNESS that creates a calmer YOU….
• Create a mindfulness mantra.
• Remind yourself you’re not your thoughts.
• Accept that thoughts arise naturally.
• Thank someone in any way you can.
• Smile at a stranger.
• Go for a nature walk.
• Keep a daily gratitude habit.
• Leave your phone silent all day.
• Eat slowly.
• Drink tea.
• Take a bath.
• Listen to instrumental music.
• Tackle one of the most stressful things on your to-do list.
• Have a deep conversation with somebody you know.
• Watch your favorite show.
• Do a word puzzle.
• Stare at a piece of art you love.
• Pet a dog or cat.
Practicing MINDFULNESS is a way to balance out your emotions. Trying some of these suggestions is a great start into 2024, especially to bring in more peace of mind while being more in the NOW.
Blessings with love and light.
YOUR INNER LIGHT!
January 28, 2024Written By: Serene Grace
We made it into 2024! I feel great excitement for this year, but it’s how we make the most of it. Regardless of any challenges that we may stumble upon, it doesn’t mean this year will turn out bad. We must channel a positive mindset into our souls to make the best of what we have and pioneer with being fearless and bold. We must rise to the occasion to see our inner light, while living our best lives ever. Life itself continues to evolve and keeps moving forward.
As I refer to the words, “INNER LIGHT,” it means seeing your worth, seeing your love, seeing your potential, and seeing your higher purpose in this world. Everyone has this light from within their souls. We must realize that it’s there and learn how to channel it wisely and properly. Another word that I use regularly is “SPARKLE,” which refers to your divine light (or spark) connected to God or your higher self in the universe. We are all miracles of love and light, along with being co-creators of this mysterious universe. Most importantly, I do know we all resonate with the same, higher vibration called LOVE.
In this reality on Earth, how do we bring out more of our “INNER LIGHT,” that creates the "SPARKLE,” in all of us? Here are my suggestions on how….
Share your talent to the world: What is your “SPARKLE?” What makes you happy? Are you good enough? Do you know your self-worth? The answers are “YES.” You have a gift to the world. You make the world a better place. Everyone has a talent in them to connect to his/her higher purpose. You have confidence to gain by getting out there and pioneering without fear to create your best life ever.
You ask yourself how to do I share? Well, it could be taking a leap of faith with the following:
• Give yourself a life assessment and find what makes you feel strong.
• How balanced is your life? How do I share more of who I am?
• Asking your friends what your best and worst qualities are.
• Writing in a possibilities journal of manifesting your goals.
• Looking for talent in others to share along your talent in helping the community with a noble cause.
• What are you grateful for in life? Also, remember what you have been thanked for.
• Being open to change with an open heart and mind as you share your time and energies with people.
• Selecting your talents while upgrading into your higher purpose in how you share them with the world. Acknowledgement leads to appreciation: Spreading positivity is wonderful and everyone should do it. It would make the world a brighter place. However, our minds always think negative first before being positive. Our brains are hard-wired that way for some odd reason. Good news! Within our survival to grow into higher vibrational beings, we can shift our energies into being more positive and compassionate. How does this concept look? It starts out by practicing acknowledgement which leads to appreciation with people that are closest around you. See, we get into such a routine in life that we forget how to be grateful for people around us. Plus, practicing gratitude towards people makes us feel better about ourselves and makes the world a more loving place to live in. It could be people we overlook, such as, our mom, dad, best friend, spouse, or co-worker, etc. Make it count whenever you can! It could be a smile, hug, or compliment. It is good to find something that speaks positive about a person around you. Hopefully, your positive act will inspire others to do the same. Nothing wrong with appreciating other people’s sparkles. New friends and new scenes: It’s always good to bring new, positive energy into your life to give you new perspectives. Take a class or join a club. Stay connected with the people you click with. Creating new connections broadens your horizon in your life circle. Don’t be afraid to make change when new people who are like-minded enter your life and notice your sparkle from within. Taking care of yourself; nurturing your sparkle outside and inside: There are many things you can do to up your self-care for who you are. It is important to learn how to love yourself first before helping others. I always believe that having ME time is an essential element to improve that shine to your inner light more. Here are some examples…. 1. Read a book or a magazine. 2. Walk in nature. 3. Meditate. 4. Sleep in on the weekend. 5. Watch the clouds. 6. Unplug from social media. 7. Color in, draw, or paint. 8. Do yoga. 9. Breathe. 10. Exercise. 11. Listen to music or a nature soundscape. 12. Dance. 13. Spend quality time with a loved one. 14. Look at the stars. 15. Pray. 16. Create a vision board. 17. Watch the sunrise or sunset. 18. Get out into the garden. 19. Light a candle. 20. Go to bed early. 21. Call a friend that makes you laugh. 22. Stretch. 23. Take a nap. 24. Go for a swim at your local beach. 25. Start a gratitude journal. 26. Write a bucket list. 27. Watch a comedian on YouTube. 28. Take a bath. 29. Switch off your smartphone for 24 hours. 30. Write a list of compliments to yourself. 31. Do a jigsaw puzzle. 32. Declutter your social media. 33. Eat healthily. 34. Set goals and priorities. 35. Focus on positivity. 36. Stay connected.
Please check out my first podcast on, “How To Never Let Anyone Dull Your Sparkle” which will give you guidance on bringing back your sparkle. Just remember, we all have that SPARKLE within us. Importantly, we must learn to channel our INNER LIGHT with a positive mindset. Let 2024 be that sparkling year. Blessings with love and light.
• How balanced is your life? How do I share more of who I am?
• Asking your friends what your best and worst qualities are.
• Writing in a possibilities journal of manifesting your goals.
• Looking for talent in others to share along your talent in helping the community with a noble cause.
• What are you grateful for in life? Also, remember what you have been thanked for.
• Being open to change with an open heart and mind as you share your time and energies with people.
• Selecting your talents while upgrading into your higher purpose in how you share them with the world. Acknowledgement leads to appreciation: Spreading positivity is wonderful and everyone should do it. It would make the world a brighter place. However, our minds always think negative first before being positive. Our brains are hard-wired that way for some odd reason. Good news! Within our survival to grow into higher vibrational beings, we can shift our energies into being more positive and compassionate. How does this concept look? It starts out by practicing acknowledgement which leads to appreciation with people that are closest around you. See, we get into such a routine in life that we forget how to be grateful for people around us. Plus, practicing gratitude towards people makes us feel better about ourselves and makes the world a more loving place to live in. It could be people we overlook, such as, our mom, dad, best friend, spouse, or co-worker, etc. Make it count whenever you can! It could be a smile, hug, or compliment. It is good to find something that speaks positive about a person around you. Hopefully, your positive act will inspire others to do the same. Nothing wrong with appreciating other people’s sparkles. New friends and new scenes: It’s always good to bring new, positive energy into your life to give you new perspectives. Take a class or join a club. Stay connected with the people you click with. Creating new connections broadens your horizon in your life circle. Don’t be afraid to make change when new people who are like-minded enter your life and notice your sparkle from within. Taking care of yourself; nurturing your sparkle outside and inside: There are many things you can do to up your self-care for who you are. It is important to learn how to love yourself first before helping others. I always believe that having ME time is an essential element to improve that shine to your inner light more. Here are some examples…. 1. Read a book or a magazine. 2. Walk in nature. 3. Meditate. 4. Sleep in on the weekend. 5. Watch the clouds. 6. Unplug from social media. 7. Color in, draw, or paint. 8. Do yoga. 9. Breathe. 10. Exercise. 11. Listen to music or a nature soundscape. 12. Dance. 13. Spend quality time with a loved one. 14. Look at the stars. 15. Pray. 16. Create a vision board. 17. Watch the sunrise or sunset. 18. Get out into the garden. 19. Light a candle. 20. Go to bed early. 21. Call a friend that makes you laugh. 22. Stretch. 23. Take a nap. 24. Go for a swim at your local beach. 25. Start a gratitude journal. 26. Write a bucket list. 27. Watch a comedian on YouTube. 28. Take a bath. 29. Switch off your smartphone for 24 hours. 30. Write a list of compliments to yourself. 31. Do a jigsaw puzzle. 32. Declutter your social media. 33. Eat healthily. 34. Set goals and priorities. 35. Focus on positivity. 36. Stay connected.
Please check out my first podcast on, “How To Never Let Anyone Dull Your Sparkle” which will give you guidance on bringing back your sparkle. Just remember, we all have that SPARKLE within us. Importantly, we must learn to channel our INNER LIGHT with a positive mindset. Let 2024 be that sparkling year. Blessings with love and light.
being a compassionate sound board!
January 28, 2024Written By: Serene Grace
As a life coach, I have been doing more grieving coaching for people that lost loved ones, especially in the last three years. I have been a busy bee with a huge calling. With that said, it’s important to mention how to be more compassionate towards people that have lost loved ones. Here are some of my reminders….
Consistently staying connected is valuable, regardless of the circumstances. Checking in on family, friends, or colleagues holds significant meaning, whether through a brief call, a mailed card, or an invitation for coffee or lunch. These small gestures effortlessly convey support.
Support can also manifest in practical ways, leaving a lasting impact on how individuals recall your assistance during challenging times. Consider these helpful suggestions:
a) Running errands, sending flowers, or offering gift cards. b) Tackling household chores, doing laundry, or preparing meals. c) Assisting with bill management or childcare. d) Remembering important dates, such as birthdays and anniversaries.
During times of grief, less talking and more listening can be profoundly comforting. It's challenging to find the right words, and sometimes, saying the wrong thing can exacerbate the situation. Providing a supportive presence and allowing the grieving person to express their feelings can be more beneficial. If questions arise, approach them with respect, asking how they are feeling to demonstrate attentive care and compassion.
Avoid diminishing grief and refrain from drawing comparisons to personal experiences unless appropriate. Phrases like "You'll get over it soon," "You'll be fine," or "Let it go" can be dismissive. Instead, acknowledge the depth of grief as a powerful sign of respect, especially when someone has lost a loved one. Honor their true feelings by simply asking how they are and attentively listening without feeling the need to provide all the answers. Kindness and compassion go a long way in offering meaningful support. A Hopeful Prayer to Comfort a Grieving Friend.... Dear God, I lift up my friend who is mourning the loss of a loved one. I pray that you bring them comfort amidst this painful event. We hold on to your promise of walking with us through the darkest valleys of our lives, and I know we are not alone, especially during this difficult time. With this condolence prayer, I pray that my dear friend’s heart is soothed as they find strength in you. Please watch over them and take away their anguish, so that they may see your light at the end of the tunnel. I pray that they do not lose hope as they grieve, for you have great plans for them amidst all this pain. Protect their heart and mind with your peace, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Prayer for Grieving Family.... Dear God, you see this family who is hurting right now because of losing a loved one. I pray for you to comfort and carry these precious people in their pain, loss, and sadness. Cover them with your love and peace. Their hearts and minds are weary, so humbly I pray that you can provide them with the peace and rest their hearts seek. I offer this prayer for healing their hearts as they learn to navigate life without their loved ones. Let them find serenity in you, knowing their loved one is at peace in your arms. I pray they take comfort in knowing that their loved one is already in a better place. In your most holy name, I pray. Amen. Lastly, here is a guided meditation, “Guided Meditation for Grief & Healing” for anyone who is grieving and healing from a loss of a loved one. At the end, being a compassionate sound board is wonderful when helping a person grieve properly, along with performing small acts of kindness that will always be remembered. Think about it! It may BE you one day. Blessings with love and light.
Prayers from: christian.net
Support can also manifest in practical ways, leaving a lasting impact on how individuals recall your assistance during challenging times. Consider these helpful suggestions:
a) Running errands, sending flowers, or offering gift cards. b) Tackling household chores, doing laundry, or preparing meals. c) Assisting with bill management or childcare. d) Remembering important dates, such as birthdays and anniversaries.
During times of grief, less talking and more listening can be profoundly comforting. It's challenging to find the right words, and sometimes, saying the wrong thing can exacerbate the situation. Providing a supportive presence and allowing the grieving person to express their feelings can be more beneficial. If questions arise, approach them with respect, asking how they are feeling to demonstrate attentive care and compassion.
Avoid diminishing grief and refrain from drawing comparisons to personal experiences unless appropriate. Phrases like "You'll get over it soon," "You'll be fine," or "Let it go" can be dismissive. Instead, acknowledge the depth of grief as a powerful sign of respect, especially when someone has lost a loved one. Honor their true feelings by simply asking how they are and attentively listening without feeling the need to provide all the answers. Kindness and compassion go a long way in offering meaningful support. A Hopeful Prayer to Comfort a Grieving Friend.... Dear God, I lift up my friend who is mourning the loss of a loved one. I pray that you bring them comfort amidst this painful event. We hold on to your promise of walking with us through the darkest valleys of our lives, and I know we are not alone, especially during this difficult time. With this condolence prayer, I pray that my dear friend’s heart is soothed as they find strength in you. Please watch over them and take away their anguish, so that they may see your light at the end of the tunnel. I pray that they do not lose hope as they grieve, for you have great plans for them amidst all this pain. Protect their heart and mind with your peace, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Prayer for Grieving Family.... Dear God, you see this family who is hurting right now because of losing a loved one. I pray for you to comfort and carry these precious people in their pain, loss, and sadness. Cover them with your love and peace. Their hearts and minds are weary, so humbly I pray that you can provide them with the peace and rest their hearts seek. I offer this prayer for healing their hearts as they learn to navigate life without their loved ones. Let them find serenity in you, knowing their loved one is at peace in your arms. I pray they take comfort in knowing that their loved one is already in a better place. In your most holy name, I pray. Amen. Lastly, here is a guided meditation, “Guided Meditation for Grief & Healing” for anyone who is grieving and healing from a loss of a loved one. At the end, being a compassionate sound board is wonderful when helping a person grieve properly, along with performing small acts of kindness that will always be remembered. Think about it! It may BE you one day. Blessings with love and light.
Prayers from: christian.net
LET'S BE BOLD!
December 13, 2023Written By: Serene Grace
Blessings with love and light! 2023 has been such a transitional year for me, especially (NOW) when I am coming up for air to breathe and release from what doesn’t serve my higher purpose.
With my previous Christmas publication, “Let’s Love, Hope, and Sparkle,” I mentioned that 2023 was my “Trinity Year of Great Movement.” Interestingly, there was a lot of great movement with unexpected changes for the better and surprises in my life. Some changes were not planned. I was able to complete some of my 2023 intentions with a few detours and others are still in progress.
I like to outline the changes and lessons I learned in 2023, which will carry over into 2024. Most importantly, I also like to mention that 2024 will be my “BOLD YEAR,” while being more gracious, sassier, and sparkling. Two of my favorite sayings while writing my publications are “Shall we begin,” or “Shall we get this conversation started.” You pick!
For 2023, my first intention was to continue growing my life coaching business. Currently, I continue to work globally as a life coach (independent contractor with different outlets) while infusing healing modalities into my coaching.
Through the years, I experimented with my style of coaching where I adventured into different forms of coaching, especially in areas of love, career, business, etiquette, spirituality, empowerment, confident building, grieving, and overcoming fears.
From 2019 into 2022, I created two websites (serenegrace13.com and theinspiringpeacockpost.com) as special projects that launched my second career as a life coach, which I have to say I am proud of myself for those achievements.
Unfortunately, in March 2023, one of my websites was destroyed unexpectedly. I was frustrated when it happened because I put so much creative energy into my website to build my business.
However, the unseen benefit was to create a third website to combine both of my old websites together into one which carried over my intuitive insights and etiquette publications, along with my podcasts and any upcoming events:
SHININGBRIGHTWSERENEGRACE.COM
Talk about going back to the drawing board AGAIN while loving the learning curve. Now, wait a minute, there’s additional good news! Also, in March 2023, I got my business name and logo trademarked as "Shining Bright with Serene Grace" which is something for me to be proud of and is now a part of my new website. So, check it out! In 2021, I became a wedding officiant, and with that opportunity, I learned to marry couples from different backgrounds. On a special note, I got to marry one of my best friends in June 2023, which was a special honor. Also, in 2023, I started a love advice column (CALLED: Charm by Serene Grace) on my new website, which features monthly love publications on different topics. You will find it on my new website, and you will not be disappointed.
Presently, I’m working on Season Two for my podcast/radio show called "Shining Bright with Serene Grace," on the Voice America Internet Talk Radio. Last year, I had a successful pilot season producing over seventeen (17) episodes, which brought empowerment, etiquette, and spirituality to the world.
Now, here’s a great announcement. In May 2023, I was given another opportunity to do my own talk show on Bold Brave TV, and I will be starting production around spring 2024 to create twenty-four (24) episodes. More details to come!
Oh yes, in October 2023, I also moved into a new apartment where I have a new studio to work out of, which is very exciting. For the record, I had my old apartment for four years and loved it while it served its purpose during the pandemic. Unfortunately, I had to leave it because God wanted to plant me somewhere else to thrive while growing my business and producing my shows into 2024. Part of my mission in life is to promote more hope, love, and sparkle for people to see their INNER LIGHT.
Another 2023 intention was to become an author or magazine producer in the future. With my new shows being produced in 2024, I hope it will give me the positive publicity to promote books on modern etiquette and empowerment later on. And yes, I am an etiquette expert who always said that I will be the next Emily Post or Dear Abby, but with my own style and crown of success. At the end, I am a great manifestor for my dreams to become true realities.
Let’s backtrack for a second. In March 2023, I also lost 30 lbs. which helped me with controlling my pre-diabetes and perimenopause. Since then, I have maintained my weight loss. However, after my cruise in June 2023, I ended up tearing my hip muscle which took three months to heal (that’s another story). But my 2023 intention is to enter body building in the future, and my wish is still to enter a competition when I turn before or after fifty (50).
As to my spiritual journey, 2023 was filled with unexpected changes, such as seeing the world on fire, experiencing inflation with my business, getting to move into a new apartment, being a witness to a lot of my friends and relatives’ personal changes before my eyes (which I didn’t like nor approve), having people challenge my boundaries with such offensive and disturbing behavior, and grieving the loss of an important friendship that passed away from suicide.
OMG! As a life coach, thank God I had a life coach to help me along and be that compassionate soundboard. It was a lot of changes that ruffled my spiritual beliefs and motivated me to do shadow work for more healing of past wounds that were triggered by events in my life. Talk about molding an old shell like a crab and allowing yourself to be vulnerable to respond, awaken, and accept the changes that were needed for stronger spiritual growth. Nothing like being crabby!
As to traveling, I participated in a wonderful, holistic event in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in April 2023. I also did a spiritual mediumship workshop at the event, which was a fantastic success. I guess you can compare me to the Long Island Medium, Theresa Caputo.
I do plan to participate in more holistic events and workshops into 2024. It seems like 2023 had many major distractions to learn and get through. On a positve note, I feel my flow for traveling will pick back up later.
Last, I still have my final intention of creating a foundation and institute that promotes etiquette (the art of relating) and spirituality at the same time. And maybe a peace movement for women and the world , too.
Only time will tell when this idea manifests itself into the creation that it’s meant to be. I made a joke that I will become a multi-millionaire within 2 years from today. But then again, I feel if I believe in the laws of attraction, then anything is possible for great abundance to happen. I also like to focus on the youth as we embrace upcoming changes to raise humanity's awareness and vibrations for more harmony and peace.
Finally, here are my last words for 2023. It has been a momentous year of transition, but with too much change that I didn’t expect to happen. You never know what life throws at you. It will either make or break you. However, it has made me stronger, wiser, and sassier than ever. As I approach 2024, I look forward to having more discernment, empowerment, and grace for my abundance to come in with more sparkles.
Lastly, I look forward to more love in finding a soul partner (right person with the alignment that understands my love and spiritual language) and having a new furry baby in my life. Nothing wrong with manifesting some new love that comes packaged in wonderful ways. Lookout 2024, this is my "BOLD YEAR" with being more gracious, sassier, and sparkling.
Yes, one more sparkle, here is my first podcast, “How to Never Let Anyone Dull Your Sparkle,” for your enjoyment as I discuss how to always aim for balance with your sparkles in life. Please know I have come a long way in learning how to be a host for my own show and will continue to make more shows as the opportunities come up in 2024. So, lookout. I like to wish everyone a SPARKLING CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Thank you again for supporting my work and reading my publications. See you next year with more sparkles!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year with love, hope, & more sparkles!
2024 is my BOLD YEAR; JUST LOOKOUT!
Holiday Self-care Routine
December 13, 2023Written By: Sarah Jean
It’s the holiday season, and that means it’s the time when everyone starts giving just a little bit more to others, and themselves. It’s the perfect time to create a selfcare routine or add onto the one you already have. Maybe, you do have a routine in your mind, but you just never get around to implementing it. Don’t fret, your favorite beauty fairy has you covered!
I always say that beauty comes from within and is reflected on the outside. Now you may have heard this before and think yeah yeah…. I know that it’s what inside that matters the most, and yes, I full heartedly believe that but that isn’t what I mean. What I am getting at is that what you eat, and drink is what you should focus on. You also need to prioritize your mental health, because when you feel happy, you always look your best. Poor diet, stress, depression, it all shows in not only our attitudes but our skin, too. I am not saying you must eat nothing but vegetables, chicken, and drink only water. You can indulge yourself in the pleasures of sugary foods, drinks, and alcohol but it’s best to limit the amount you do partake in them. 80/20 is a good rule to live by for a healthy skin and mind diet. Eat healthy 80% of the time, indulge yourself 20% of the time.
Now, let’s get to the good stuff. Skincare doesn’t need to be complicated like all the social media stars make you think it is. In fact, you only need a cleanser, exfoliant, serum, moisturizer, and SPF. You can add in other things if you like but they aren’t really needed. Just grab a gentler cleanser, a chemical or physical exfoliant, a serum to target skin concerns, and a moisturizer for your skin type. Sun protection is not negotiable, if you aren’t chasing after the fountain of youth, remember that skin cancer isn’t picky about who it chooses. Diving into skincare and selfcare is one of the best parts of the holiday. Stores are having skincare sales like crazy; spas are giving out discounts on treatments, and theirs plenty of robes, and comfortable socks to keep you warm and happy for a cozy night in. My favorite way to add in some holiday fun to my skincare/self-care routine is to swap out my jazz music during my bubble bath for holiday music. Or while I am masking, I watch a Christmas movie and drink some peppermint hot cocoa. Whatever you decide to add to your self-care routine, make sure it is something that you enjoy doing or else it just feels forced or like a chore.
Check out these holiday deals of some of my favorite BRANDS to keep your skin happy and create that holiday glam look. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
I always say that beauty comes from within and is reflected on the outside. Now you may have heard this before and think yeah yeah…. I know that it’s what inside that matters the most, and yes, I full heartedly believe that but that isn’t what I mean. What I am getting at is that what you eat, and drink is what you should focus on. You also need to prioritize your mental health, because when you feel happy, you always look your best. Poor diet, stress, depression, it all shows in not only our attitudes but our skin, too. I am not saying you must eat nothing but vegetables, chicken, and drink only water. You can indulge yourself in the pleasures of sugary foods, drinks, and alcohol but it’s best to limit the amount you do partake in them. 80/20 is a good rule to live by for a healthy skin and mind diet. Eat healthy 80% of the time, indulge yourself 20% of the time.
Now, let’s get to the good stuff. Skincare doesn’t need to be complicated like all the social media stars make you think it is. In fact, you only need a cleanser, exfoliant, serum, moisturizer, and SPF. You can add in other things if you like but they aren’t really needed. Just grab a gentler cleanser, a chemical or physical exfoliant, a serum to target skin concerns, and a moisturizer for your skin type. Sun protection is not negotiable, if you aren’t chasing after the fountain of youth, remember that skin cancer isn’t picky about who it chooses. Diving into skincare and selfcare is one of the best parts of the holiday. Stores are having skincare sales like crazy; spas are giving out discounts on treatments, and theirs plenty of robes, and comfortable socks to keep you warm and happy for a cozy night in. My favorite way to add in some holiday fun to my skincare/self-care routine is to swap out my jazz music during my bubble bath for holiday music. Or while I am masking, I watch a Christmas movie and drink some peppermint hot cocoa. Whatever you decide to add to your self-care routine, make sure it is something that you enjoy doing or else it just feels forced or like a chore.
Check out these holiday deals of some of my favorite BRANDS to keep your skin happy and create that holiday glam look. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
The Face of Divine Health
December 13, 2023Written By: Phillip Nguyen
Wisdom Of The Master
When I look at your glowing heart and smiling face, I see God Almighty. Hi everyone, Namho Adish, as I always greet you with the most powerful Divine Personality in the Universe. Today during the holidays (Holy Days) of happiness, I am going to give you a dazzling gift that you can use for not just in this life, but also for the future as your journey continues onward beyond the physical. And this gift is how to look at the sparkling face of health for your mind, body, and soul at the level of Divine Health.
This means there is nothing, and I mean nothing, can ever disturb your perfect state of being ever again, both in the body and mind. I will help you see, as the fragment of God, why you should and must walk in everyday life with health so extraordinary that will make doctors scratch their heads and your Guardian Angel so very proud.
Let's begin with your physical body as people call the Holy Temple of God, which I happen to delightfully agree with. Please look at the picture of my water filter pitcher that I cleaned moments before writing this article. I take pride in the little and big things in life, making sure they are so clean, even a bunny rabbit will take a break from chewing on carrots and pose with my things. Your body is the same way as my water pitcher. Your vehicle in this physical world should always be cleaned and taken care of with tender loving care, never even think of putting anything in it that may corrupt your human vessel. Yes, an abundance of sleep, healthy food intake, enough vitamin D from the Sun and not overindulgence, and staying clean like taking off your shoes before entering the Holy Temple are the beginnings of rising from being a victim of an unhealthy lifestyle. But it gets much deeper than that as I roll into the connection with your mind in just a moment.
Remember balance is supremely important as you well know. Did you know that your body keeps its true energy in reserve until you stop eating food? It is very resilient, preparing for the worst just in case. This is why it's important to turn on your reserved energy as often as possible, promoting a cleansing process inside your body that turns on like an oil change in your car. You turn on this reserve energy by fasting for at least 20 hours. If you continually eat, your body will not only never take a break from the digestion process, but it will also never flush your system from the excess toxins leftover from food. It gets tired from overworking and increases its wear and tear with accompanying diseases thereafter, so give it a break. You may feel tired initially, but I promise you will become a brand-new person in just a few short weeks with daily fasting with superior physical and mental strength, feeling like a million bucks.
Next, I am going to show you the Universal Mirror of your mind. Your mind and body work like a hand and glove. While your body is a Holy Temple, your mind is the Holy Altar, precious and beautiful with a crystalline mirror that reflects your thoughts and feelings. It is your Holy Altar, also remember not to put anything in it that is unclean. Are you not the image of the Creator? Then, you need to perfectly realize that one of the greatest lessons in life is to know you are God in the physical world. You see, God doesn't get sick nor get injured. Dis-ease is just a huge distraction from your true goals of ascending your Soul, thereby you must navigate the school of life with this wisdom. With this perception solidified in your consciousness, you will be a pure example of how a human being can overcome downfalls of health with just a mere shift of your mind, because you are Divine Being in physical form. Your mind can transform and change reality, including your own body. The physical reality is just a small fraction of God's imagination, nothing is impossible.
Now, the time has come for what you have been waiting for after reading to this point. Have you ever seen your own Soul--the Fractal of Divinity? I have seen it myself. It's glorious like a song sung by an orchestra of Angels, gives you peace with a love that flows with everlasting, joyous grace, and feels like home sweet home in the Heavens. With its spectacular, bluish-white light, it is a storehouse of all your experiences in life and beyond, including the Wisdom of the Tri-Flame of God that is in your heart. This is the Holy Consciousness of God, which is the third aspect of your individual essence, therein lies everything you need to know about having perfect health and so much more. Don't ever let anybody tell you that they are a better teacher about life than yourself. That soft voice that comes from your Soul is God, close your eyes and allow it to merge with your super ego mind (not the ego and id), then you will see your body and mind transform into a rapturous light as one, The Face of Divine Health.
With Light and Love, Happy Holidays, everyone! Namaste.
Let's begin with your physical body as people call the Holy Temple of God, which I happen to delightfully agree with. Please look at the picture of my water filter pitcher that I cleaned moments before writing this article. I take pride in the little and big things in life, making sure they are so clean, even a bunny rabbit will take a break from chewing on carrots and pose with my things. Your body is the same way as my water pitcher. Your vehicle in this physical world should always be cleaned and taken care of with tender loving care, never even think of putting anything in it that may corrupt your human vessel. Yes, an abundance of sleep, healthy food intake, enough vitamin D from the Sun and not overindulgence, and staying clean like taking off your shoes before entering the Holy Temple are the beginnings of rising from being a victim of an unhealthy lifestyle. But it gets much deeper than that as I roll into the connection with your mind in just a moment.
Remember balance is supremely important as you well know. Did you know that your body keeps its true energy in reserve until you stop eating food? It is very resilient, preparing for the worst just in case. This is why it's important to turn on your reserved energy as often as possible, promoting a cleansing process inside your body that turns on like an oil change in your car. You turn on this reserve energy by fasting for at least 20 hours. If you continually eat, your body will not only never take a break from the digestion process, but it will also never flush your system from the excess toxins leftover from food. It gets tired from overworking and increases its wear and tear with accompanying diseases thereafter, so give it a break. You may feel tired initially, but I promise you will become a brand-new person in just a few short weeks with daily fasting with superior physical and mental strength, feeling like a million bucks.
Next, I am going to show you the Universal Mirror of your mind. Your mind and body work like a hand and glove. While your body is a Holy Temple, your mind is the Holy Altar, precious and beautiful with a crystalline mirror that reflects your thoughts and feelings. It is your Holy Altar, also remember not to put anything in it that is unclean. Are you not the image of the Creator? Then, you need to perfectly realize that one of the greatest lessons in life is to know you are God in the physical world. You see, God doesn't get sick nor get injured. Dis-ease is just a huge distraction from your true goals of ascending your Soul, thereby you must navigate the school of life with this wisdom. With this perception solidified in your consciousness, you will be a pure example of how a human being can overcome downfalls of health with just a mere shift of your mind, because you are Divine Being in physical form. Your mind can transform and change reality, including your own body. The physical reality is just a small fraction of God's imagination, nothing is impossible.
Now, the time has come for what you have been waiting for after reading to this point. Have you ever seen your own Soul--the Fractal of Divinity? I have seen it myself. It's glorious like a song sung by an orchestra of Angels, gives you peace with a love that flows with everlasting, joyous grace, and feels like home sweet home in the Heavens. With its spectacular, bluish-white light, it is a storehouse of all your experiences in life and beyond, including the Wisdom of the Tri-Flame of God that is in your heart. This is the Holy Consciousness of God, which is the third aspect of your individual essence, therein lies everything you need to know about having perfect health and so much more. Don't ever let anybody tell you that they are a better teacher about life than yourself. That soft voice that comes from your Soul is God, close your eyes and allow it to merge with your super ego mind (not the ego and id), then you will see your body and mind transform into a rapturous light as one, The Face of Divine Health.
With Light and Love, Happy Holidays, everyone! Namaste.
ATTRACTING ABUNDANCE DURING THE HOLIDAYS!
December 13, 2023Written By: Serene Grace
Who wants more ABUNDANCE in life? Who doesn’t? I know I do! Is it possible to manifest abundance the way you want it? Well, it takes a little shift in thinking and determination to persist in that thinking NO MATTER WHAT.
When it comes to abundance, the law of attraction shows up in the process. It is the fourth law within the “Spiritual Laws of the Universe.” The law of attraction is often used for manifestation, but it is also the law of vibration in action. You raise your vibrations to the level of that which you are seeking, and you must honestly believe what you are seeking is possible to obtain. In spiritual metaphysics, the most important thing to remember is like attracts like. Also, you must raise your vibrational level to attract positivity; believe that good things are coming to you and that you deserve them.
When using the law of attraction, here are some guidelines….
Having Gratitude: Naturally, be thankful for what you already have and see the miracles that come from this one simple act. It’s time to challenge yourself with this tip. Think of more ideas than you need and share them with others. This is called “fruitfulness with abundance.” Producing more than you need for yourself will bring in more blessings to others and successful satisfaction in your life. This is how abundance starts to come in and you become incredibly productive to help yourself and share your blessings with others in amazing ways.
Dreaming While Altering Your Mindset: Every great achievement begins in the mind of a person that has heart and soul to believe in something that is bold and important. Dared to dream. Believe what you want to be possible. Take some time to allow yourself to ask, “What if?” Don’t allow negative thinking to discourage you. BE THAT DREAMER! If you have a dream, embrace, and love it. Fan the flames. Life is too short to let it go. Fulfilled people live in a world of abundance. Others live in a world of limitations.
Empowering Reality While Attracting Opportunities: You’re creating your reality right NOW. Chances are you’re not being very intentional about the reality that you’re creating. For really! Reality is subjective. If you realize that it’s a construct, if you realize that you are choosing to believe something, then you can choose to believe that you can do something about it.
Basically, write down your beliefs, dreams, or goals that you have about yourself, along with the things that demotivate you, too. Now, empower YOU and move YOU forward. Having the confidence, courage and audacity will create your true reality that you have been wanting to manifest. So, go for it, EMPOWER YOU. You have nothing to lose. Last, opportunities and success are not something you go after necessarily but something you attract by becoming an attractive person. You will attract opportunities with your positive vibrations. Stay focused on those opportunities, and they will seek you out, as well.
Committing to Living Those Dreams: Here are some ultimate thoughts on this concept. Nothing becomes impossible to you. Whatever you want quickly becomes yours because you see what most people don’t. Now that you can see it everywhere, you are determined to pioneer and achieve your goals. You are more powerful than you know. You are that DREAMER! Commit to your dreams, and they will manifest into abundance.
Remember Queen Latifah’s Christmas movie, “Last Holiday,” where she created a book of possibilities? This is one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time. In this uplifting movie, it talks about a store clerk named Georgia Byrd (Queen Latifah) who lived in New Orleans, and one day, she was crushing on her co-worker who she really wanted to marry (LL Cool J's character). Then she gets distracted and hits her head at work, which results in a big bump on her head.
At the store’s medical clinic (her store was a hybrid between JC Penney’s and Costos) this mysterious brain condition came up during a faulty MRI scan (it was discovered later), and this anxious doctor only gave her three weeks to live. Of course, she was devastated and plus, she received the worst news of her life before Christmas. However, a light bulb went off during a church recital where she was singing on Christmas Day. She came to realize that she was living her whole life in a box and taking care of other people’s needs before hers.
Later, she took her life situation and turned it into something positive. She said screw it and took her book of possibilities (with all her dreams in it) and made that leap of faith to make them come true by being bold and daring to believe in herself and most importantly, live life to the fullest, especially when she only had three weeks to live.
So, here’s the moral of the story. It’s a wonderful idea to create a book of your own possibilities. Writing down your ideas is like creating a vision board or journal to reflect on those unique, endless possibilities that come from within you. Remember that when you work on improving yourself, you’re adding to the youth, vitality, and beauty of your mind, body, and spirit to reflect your inner sparkle and create the best version of YOU and to share with the world.
Here is some additional law of attraction tips….
• Ban feelings of self-doubt, guilt, and shame from your life forever. They don’t have to be part of your internal world if you don’t want to let them. • Know that people who have never made mistakes have rarely ever achieved very much. Your so-called “mistakes” are valuable learning experiences that are setting you on the path to abundance. • Expect it to happen, and it will. • Every day do at least one thing that makes you feel blissful. Also, small steps will be what gets you to your desired destination. Commit to making a 1% positive shift every day and stick with it.
• Free yourself from caring about those who try to bring you down. Their judgments are about their own anxieties and failings, not yours.
• Act like you already have everything you want and notice how much more quickly the things you wanted to begin to appear in your life.
• Throw all your emotional and physical energy into everything you do. The universe will love you for it, returning your enthusiasm tenfold! When you change your attitude, the world changes around you to match your expectations and emotions.
• When you start to shine at your brightest as an energetic being, you become a magnet for abundance.
• Be good to others every day and watch how that goodness comes back to you.
• Your happiness is under your control. Consider your accomplishments, your blessings, and choose to be happy.
• Live your way, not the way that friends, partners, colleagues, or your parents told you that you must.
• Play every day and stay connected to the childlike part of you. Remember that children manifest their intentions better than most adults!
• Give your imagination a workout every day, constantly using it to visualize amazing new, rich scenarios in which abundance is already yours.
• Figure out where your personal boundaries are and enforce them rigidly against people who try to sap your positive energy.
• Choose happiness every morning when you wake up.
• You don’t need anyone’s permission to claim your power.
Last, I would like to leave this Money-Abundance Prayer (distributed by Pubco.ca) for people who are trying to attract a better flow of money into their lives. I have used this prayer in my life and miraculously, it has brought abundance to me. Here’s the prayer: Know, visualize, and sense the amount of money you would like to receive. Act as though you already have it, and your needs have all been fulfilled. I declare and decide that money is constantly flowing in my life and there is always a little extra available to satisfy my every need. Money comes to me in abundance. Money comes to me easily and effortlessly. I have the power to create all the money I want, thereby improving all aspects of my life. I like to wish everyone an abundant Christmas filled with love, light, and sparkles.
• Ban feelings of self-doubt, guilt, and shame from your life forever. They don’t have to be part of your internal world if you don’t want to let them. • Know that people who have never made mistakes have rarely ever achieved very much. Your so-called “mistakes” are valuable learning experiences that are setting you on the path to abundance. • Expect it to happen, and it will. • Every day do at least one thing that makes you feel blissful. Also, small steps will be what gets you to your desired destination. Commit to making a 1% positive shift every day and stick with it.
• Free yourself from caring about those who try to bring you down. Their judgments are about their own anxieties and failings, not yours.
• Act like you already have everything you want and notice how much more quickly the things you wanted to begin to appear in your life.
• Throw all your emotional and physical energy into everything you do. The universe will love you for it, returning your enthusiasm tenfold! When you change your attitude, the world changes around you to match your expectations and emotions.
• When you start to shine at your brightest as an energetic being, you become a magnet for abundance.
• Be good to others every day and watch how that goodness comes back to you.
• Your happiness is under your control. Consider your accomplishments, your blessings, and choose to be happy.
• Live your way, not the way that friends, partners, colleagues, or your parents told you that you must.
• Play every day and stay connected to the childlike part of you. Remember that children manifest their intentions better than most adults!
• Give your imagination a workout every day, constantly using it to visualize amazing new, rich scenarios in which abundance is already yours.
• Figure out where your personal boundaries are and enforce them rigidly against people who try to sap your positive energy.
• Choose happiness every morning when you wake up.
• You don’t need anyone’s permission to claim your power.
Last, I would like to leave this Money-Abundance Prayer (distributed by Pubco.ca) for people who are trying to attract a better flow of money into their lives. I have used this prayer in my life and miraculously, it has brought abundance to me. Here’s the prayer: Know, visualize, and sense the amount of money you would like to receive. Act as though you already have it, and your needs have all been fulfilled. I declare and decide that money is constantly flowing in my life and there is always a little extra available to satisfy my every need. Money comes to me in abundance. Money comes to me easily and effortlessly. I have the power to create all the money I want, thereby improving all aspects of my life. I like to wish everyone an abundant Christmas filled with love, light, and sparkles.
Holiday Bliss: Manifesting Sparkling LOVE!
December 13, 2023Written By: Serene Grace
Happy Holidays! When it comes to 2023, it has been a whirl-wind year filled with shocking events. However, one thing is for sure. You want to have that special, love connection by the end of this year.
Whether you're looking for a new love interest or want to strengthen your current relationship, here are a few tips that can help YOU along the way….
Deciding What You Want First: Most importantly, you need to DECIDE what your ideal relationship looks like. Take the time to really consider what you’re currently looking for in a partner or trying to improve in a current relationship. This is the planting seed phase you need to consider with your vibrations. Remember to stay in a vibrational match to what you wish to see, while not overthinking how every detail will go down, but leave that up to the universe.
Visualizing: Now, here is a neat step to really try with your imagination. Dreaming that special person up in your mind and allowing yourself to get excited about it! Interestingly, you are creating this matching vibration of what you wish to attract into your life or improve in a current relationship. So, take the time to envision what you desire. What qualities do you hope this special person has or, within a current relationship, to improve in?
Even write down the qualities of the person and say a prayer when you put it away. Later, come back to it and reflect on those qualities as you are VIZUALIZING your future with this person. Nothing wrong with dreaming and believing it.
Embodying & Aligning: Be bold and embrace the concept of embodying the person that already has this love for you in the universe somewhere or in a current connection. You function as if your dream person has already manifested, or your current relationship is healing. EMBODY the version of you in that relationship. It’s important to not overthink or obsess with every detail. Just go with the flow in life while staying focused on YOU. Keep doing YOU while you align your vibrations out in the universe for the special person or improvements in a current connection to come in at the right place and timing. When it comes to ALIGNING with your intentions to the right person, you never want to look for love in the WRONG places nor rush into something for the WRONG reasons. Just don’t entertain or pursue someone who doesn’t match what you genuinely want. Remember your time and energy is valuable to who you invest in. Keep praying to God for the kind of person you want while remembering what you attract around you more and discern with your intuition. Surrendering & Releasing: Again, let go and let God. SURRENDERING AND RELEASING YOUR WILL TO THE UNIVERSE. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind for healthy expectations when manifesting that special connection. The love that you attract might not look how you imagined, so be very prepared for some surprises along the way. SURRENDERING is simply allowing love into your life without attachment to one specific outcome or person.
When you are open to different possibilities for love, the universe may surprise you and you’ll meet someone unexpectedly. At the end, it is not what you control, it is how you respond when RELEASING all expectations and letting God bring blessings to you.
There's no time limit on love. It can happen at any given point after you decide that you are inviting love into your life and aligning your thoughts and actions with it. Plus, here is a sparkling gift to all, please check out my podcast, “Those Ruby Slippers: Manifesting Sparkling Bliss & Love!” which has a guided meditation to help with manifesting that special connection for the holidays. Enjoy!
Blessings with love and light!
Visualizing: Now, here is a neat step to really try with your imagination. Dreaming that special person up in your mind and allowing yourself to get excited about it! Interestingly, you are creating this matching vibration of what you wish to attract into your life or improve in a current relationship. So, take the time to envision what you desire. What qualities do you hope this special person has or, within a current relationship, to improve in?
Even write down the qualities of the person and say a prayer when you put it away. Later, come back to it and reflect on those qualities as you are VIZUALIZING your future with this person. Nothing wrong with dreaming and believing it.
Embodying & Aligning: Be bold and embrace the concept of embodying the person that already has this love for you in the universe somewhere or in a current connection. You function as if your dream person has already manifested, or your current relationship is healing. EMBODY the version of you in that relationship. It’s important to not overthink or obsess with every detail. Just go with the flow in life while staying focused on YOU. Keep doing YOU while you align your vibrations out in the universe for the special person or improvements in a current connection to come in at the right place and timing. When it comes to ALIGNING with your intentions to the right person, you never want to look for love in the WRONG places nor rush into something for the WRONG reasons. Just don’t entertain or pursue someone who doesn’t match what you genuinely want. Remember your time and energy is valuable to who you invest in. Keep praying to God for the kind of person you want while remembering what you attract around you more and discern with your intuition. Surrendering & Releasing: Again, let go and let God. SURRENDERING AND RELEASING YOUR WILL TO THE UNIVERSE. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind for healthy expectations when manifesting that special connection. The love that you attract might not look how you imagined, so be very prepared for some surprises along the way. SURRENDERING is simply allowing love into your life without attachment to one specific outcome or person.
When you are open to different possibilities for love, the universe may surprise you and you’ll meet someone unexpectedly. At the end, it is not what you control, it is how you respond when RELEASING all expectations and letting God bring blessings to you.
There's no time limit on love. It can happen at any given point after you decide that you are inviting love into your life and aligning your thoughts and actions with it. Plus, here is a sparkling gift to all, please check out my podcast, “Those Ruby Slippers: Manifesting Sparkling Bliss & Love!” which has a guided meditation to help with manifesting that special connection for the holidays. Enjoy!
Blessings with love and light!
SUICIDE PREVENTION FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
December 13, 2023Written By: Serene Grace
The word SUICIDE scares a lot of people, especially in our modern world. Suicide is a serious public health problem that can have lasting harmful effects on individuals, families, and communities.
A few months ago, I experienced a good friend of mine that committed suicide unexpectedly. It also was a shock to my community. Presently, I will not reveal all the facts of my friend’s suicide, especially out of respect for his family and privacy towards healing from this event. Regarding my friend, all I can say is that I lost my brother (I don’t have siblings) who protected me as a sister and was a loyal friend. On a side note, I spoke with my friend a week before his death, and he was in a good place in his life.
However, the week of his death, he was severely accused of something that never was proven nor evidence to show fault (even months after his death). Overall, as a life coach (with intuitive abilities, which my friend knew), I wish he would have come to me to discuss his situation. Sadly, it’s a long story where a life is now gone, but without any really answers to the unusual circumstances of his death. Intuitively, his despondence drove him to such a dark hopelessness of taking his life. Like I said, there is more to this story, but I need to let his spirit rest in peace now.
As we approach the holiday season, let’s try to be more compassionate towards others that have it harder in life than you. Sometimes, the holidays can be more triggering for those that become lonelier and more depressed with life itself. You never know what a person is going through unless you walk in his/her shoes, especially if comes to mental illness, substance abuse, trauma, homelessness, and accusations, etc. Sometimes, we will never know. Who gives us the right to judge or we will be judged. The universe has that give and receive effect when it comes to judgment.
Within this important publication, I am going to discuss the importance of SUICIDE PREVENTION, along with suggestions of being there for people that lost loved ones to suicide. Shall we begin this conversation….
Suicide is death caused by injuring oneself with the intent to die. A suicide attempt is when someone harms themselves with any intent to end their life, but they do not die because of their actions. There are many factors that contribute to suicide. Suicide and suicide attempts cause serious emotional, physical, and economic impacts. People who attempt suicide and survive may experience serious injuries that can have long-term effects on their health. They may also experience depression and other mental health concerns.
Many factors can increase the risk for suicide. Suicide is connected to other forms of injury and violence. For example, people who have experienced violence, including child abuse, bullying (even digital bullying), or sexual violence have a higher suicide risk.
Also, there are factors that lead to suicide, such as, substance abuse, financial constraints (gambling), social pressures, homelessness, crimes committed against you, natural disasters, unemployment, isolation, divorce/relationship break-ups, criminal accusations, slander of character, other medical conditions (like cancer), war, and much more. It also can be a combination of those things I mentioned and can push a person to the edge of being extremely hopeless without any recourse.
When people commit suicide or have suicide attempts, these acts have such a chain reaction of affecting the health and well-being of friends, loved ones, co-workers, and the community. When people die by suicide, their surviving family and friends may experience prolonged grief, shock, anger, guilt, symptoms of depression or anxiety, and even thoughts of suicide themselves.
From my perspective, I had such an extreme shock and grief over my friend’s death, a few months ago. I loved my friend dearly, and again, he was my brother at heart. I also never knew how my friend’s death would affect me so badly and left me heartbroken. When you really love a person, it makes an enormous difference. Plus, you now carry the scars of needing to heal after a person’s suicide. It’s just a fact.
Here are some additional facts on suicide….
Suicide Affects People of All Ages: Currently, suicide was among the top 9 leading causes of death for people ages 10-64. Suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 20-34.
Some Groups Have Higher Suicide Rates Than Others: Suicide rates vary by race/ethnicity, age, and other factors, such as where someone lives. By race/ethnicity, the groups with the highest rates are non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native people followed by non-Hispanic White people.
Other Americans with higher-than-average rates of suicide are veterans, people who live in rural areas, and workers in certain industries and occupations like mining and construction. Young people who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual have higher prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behavior compared to their peers who identify as heterosexual.
Other Facts of Suicide Before and After the Pandemic:
• An estimated 703, 000 people die by suicide worldwide each year. Over one in every 100 deaths (1.3%) in 2019 was the result of suicide.
• The global suicide rate is over twice as high among men than women.
• Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. • An estimated 12.3 million adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.5 million made a plan, and 1.7 million attempted suicides. • Suicide deaths increased by 2.6% between 2021-2022. Goals of Suicide Prevention…. When it comes to reducing suicide, as a community, we need to increase factors that promote resilience, safety, privacy, understanding, and compassion. Being connected to family and community support, along with having easy access to healthcare can decrease suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Suicide is preventable and everyone has a role to play to save lives and create healthy and strong individuals, families, and communities. Suicide prevention requires a comprehensive public health approach and community access to affordable, support programs: • Cover mental health conditions in health insurance policies. • Increase provider availability in underserved areas. • Provide rapid and remote access to help. • Create safer suicide care through systems change. • Reduce access to lethal means among persons at risk of suicide. • Create healthy organizational policies and culture. • Reduce substance use through community-based policies/practices. • Improve household financial security. • Stabilize housing. • Promote healthy peer norms. • Engage community members in shared activities. • Train gatekeepers. • Respond to crises. • Plan for safety and follow-up after an attempt. • Provide therapeutic approaches. • Intervene after a suicide (postvention). • Report and message about suicide safely.
Compassionate Guidelines for People Who Lost Loved Ones to Suicide or Attempted Suicide…. Consistently staying connected is valuable, regardless of the circumstances. Checking in on family, friends, or colleagues holds significant meaning, whether through a brief call, a mailed card, or an invitation for coffee or lunch. These small gestures effortlessly convey support. Support can also manifest in practical ways, leaving a lasting impact on how individuals recall your assistance during challenging times. Consider these helpful suggestions: a) Running errands, sending flowers, or offering gift cards. b) Tackling household chores, doing laundry, or preparing meals. c) Assisting with bill management or childcare. d) Remembering important dates, such as birthdays and anniversaries. During times of grief, less talking and more listening can be profoundly comforting. It's challenging to find the right words, and sometimes, saying the wrong thing can exacerbate the situation. Providing a supportive presence and allowing the grieving person to express their feelings can be more beneficial. If questions arise, approach them with respect, asking how they are feeling to demonstrate attentive care and compassion. Avoid diminishing grief and refrain from drawing comparisons to personal experiences unless appropriate. Phrases like "You'll get over it soon," "You'll be fine," or "Let it go" can be dismissive. Instead, acknowledge the depth of grief as a powerful sign of respect, especially when someone has lost a loved one. Honor their true feelings by simply asking how they are and attentively listening without feeling the need to provide all the answers. Kindness and compassion go a long way in offering meaningful support. Here is some valuable information with these help resources when you know a person is leaning towards suicide or needing a soundboard on any other life crisis:
SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) OR DIAL/Text 988. Visit the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for more information at 988lifeline.org
VETERAN CRISIS LINE: 1-800-273-8255 PRESS 1 OR DIAL/Text 988. Confidential crisis chat: text 838255. WEBSITE: VeteranCrisisLine.net
NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: 1-800-799-7233. WEBSITE: nrcdv.org.
RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). WEBSITE: rainn.org
NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text "START" to 88788. WEBSITE: thehotline.org
NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS: WEBSITE FOR RESOURCES: nami.org/findsupport
SUBSTANCE ABUSE MENTAL SERVICES ADMINSTRATION: 1-800-662-HELP (4357). WEBSITE: samhsa.gov ADDITIONAL FACTS: Suicide facts and help resources on: cdc.gov
When it comes to SUICIDE PREVENTION, it is wise to be more educated with the facts of knowing where to guide people who are leaning towards suicide or a person who lost a loved one to suicide to the right resources. As a community, we must start somewhere with the understanding of how to respond better and be more compassionate when help is needed, especially during the holiday season. Blessings with love and light! Information and facts on this topic came from these websites mentioned in this publication. Thank you.
• The global suicide rate is over twice as high among men than women.
• Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. • An estimated 12.3 million adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.5 million made a plan, and 1.7 million attempted suicides. • Suicide deaths increased by 2.6% between 2021-2022. Goals of Suicide Prevention…. When it comes to reducing suicide, as a community, we need to increase factors that promote resilience, safety, privacy, understanding, and compassion. Being connected to family and community support, along with having easy access to healthcare can decrease suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Suicide is preventable and everyone has a role to play to save lives and create healthy and strong individuals, families, and communities. Suicide prevention requires a comprehensive public health approach and community access to affordable, support programs: • Cover mental health conditions in health insurance policies. • Increase provider availability in underserved areas. • Provide rapid and remote access to help. • Create safer suicide care through systems change. • Reduce access to lethal means among persons at risk of suicide. • Create healthy organizational policies and culture. • Reduce substance use through community-based policies/practices. • Improve household financial security. • Stabilize housing. • Promote healthy peer norms. • Engage community members in shared activities. • Train gatekeepers. • Respond to crises. • Plan for safety and follow-up after an attempt. • Provide therapeutic approaches. • Intervene after a suicide (postvention). • Report and message about suicide safely.
Compassionate Guidelines for People Who Lost Loved Ones to Suicide or Attempted Suicide…. Consistently staying connected is valuable, regardless of the circumstances. Checking in on family, friends, or colleagues holds significant meaning, whether through a brief call, a mailed card, or an invitation for coffee or lunch. These small gestures effortlessly convey support. Support can also manifest in practical ways, leaving a lasting impact on how individuals recall your assistance during challenging times. Consider these helpful suggestions: a) Running errands, sending flowers, or offering gift cards. b) Tackling household chores, doing laundry, or preparing meals. c) Assisting with bill management or childcare. d) Remembering important dates, such as birthdays and anniversaries. During times of grief, less talking and more listening can be profoundly comforting. It's challenging to find the right words, and sometimes, saying the wrong thing can exacerbate the situation. Providing a supportive presence and allowing the grieving person to express their feelings can be more beneficial. If questions arise, approach them with respect, asking how they are feeling to demonstrate attentive care and compassion. Avoid diminishing grief and refrain from drawing comparisons to personal experiences unless appropriate. Phrases like "You'll get over it soon," "You'll be fine," or "Let it go" can be dismissive. Instead, acknowledge the depth of grief as a powerful sign of respect, especially when someone has lost a loved one. Honor their true feelings by simply asking how they are and attentively listening without feeling the need to provide all the answers. Kindness and compassion go a long way in offering meaningful support. Here is some valuable information with these help resources when you know a person is leaning towards suicide or needing a soundboard on any other life crisis:
SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) OR DIAL/Text 988. Visit the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for more information at 988lifeline.org
VETERAN CRISIS LINE: 1-800-273-8255 PRESS 1 OR DIAL/Text 988. Confidential crisis chat: text 838255. WEBSITE: VeteranCrisisLine.net
NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: 1-800-799-7233. WEBSITE: nrcdv.org.
RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). WEBSITE: rainn.org
NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text "START" to 88788. WEBSITE: thehotline.org
NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS: WEBSITE FOR RESOURCES: nami.org/findsupport
SUBSTANCE ABUSE MENTAL SERVICES ADMINSTRATION: 1-800-662-HELP (4357). WEBSITE: samhsa.gov ADDITIONAL FACTS: Suicide facts and help resources on: cdc.gov
When it comes to SUICIDE PREVENTION, it is wise to be more educated with the facts of knowing where to guide people who are leaning towards suicide or a person who lost a loved one to suicide to the right resources. As a community, we must start somewhere with the understanding of how to respond better and be more compassionate when help is needed, especially during the holiday season. Blessings with love and light! Information and facts on this topic came from these websites mentioned in this publication. Thank you.
A Merry "Misfits" Christmas: Unusual World Traditions!
December 13, 2023Written By: Serene Grace
We, the editors of "The Inspiring Peacock Post" have a saying with ourselves, “We're a Couple of Misfits.” My co-editor, Sarah Jean is my cousin and soul sister in this lifetime. We act more like sisters than cousins.
However, we have been through so much together within this lifetime, even though, there is a twelve year difference. We are truly fortunate to have each other.
We are the MISFITS of our family. We are so different from our relatives, but it’s funny that we mesh so well together, especially when we have style, sass, and sparkles. We know how to wear our crowns with success and be our authentic selves. We are the MERRY MISFITS.
Christmas is our favorite time, and we have our theme song that describe us so perfectly and humorously:
“We’re a Couple of Misfits”Source: LyricFindSongwriters: J. MarksWe're A Couple of Misfits lyrics © ST. Nicholas Music Inc., Word Collections Publishing
We're a couple of misfitsWe're a couple of misfitsWhat's the matter with misfitsThat's where we fit in!We're not daffy and dillyDon't go 'round willy nillySeems to us kinda sillyThat we don't fit in.We may be different from the restWho decides the testOf what is really best?We're a couple of misfitsWe're a couple of misfitsWhat's the matter with misfitsThat's where we fit in!Why am I such a misfit?I am not just a nit wit!I'm an adorable reindeerWhy don't I fit in?Why am I such a misfit?I am not just a nit wit!They can't fire me.I quit!Seems I don't fit inWe may be different from the restWho decides the testOf what is really best?We're a couple of misfitsWe're a couple of misfitsWhat's the matter with misfitsThat's where we fit in!
When it comes to my cousin and I, we love to celebrate Christmas together. Last year, we did a Christmas Special, “Holiday Cheer with Your Merry Misfits,” on my podcast show, “Shining Bright with Serene Grace,” where we enjoyed some sparkling cheer and laughter as we went over some fabulous holiday traditions and discussed the concepts of self-care. Also, we diversified the conversation with our holiday traditions that we knew and loved when growing up. We also came from very diverse backgrounds, especially being part Italian and German, etc.
As I write this publication with a misfit smile, we are going to talk more about the diverse cultural traditions that are unusual and up to no good from around the world. Shall we begin….
Brooms and Mops: In Norway, Christmas means hiding your mops and brooms not because people don’t want to clean, but because Norwegians are a little superstitious and want to prevent evil spirits, who return to Earth that night, from stealing the brooms and going on joyrides in the Christmas sky. Christmas Spiders: Believe it or not, there is such a thing as a Christmas spider. In Ukraine, the Christmas trees are decorated with spider webs, so don’t freak out, they are ornaments that look like spider webs, which are said to bring good luck. The tale goes all the way back to a poor woman who couldn’t afford ornaments to decorate her tree with. The next morning, she woke up and her tree was covered with spider webs that looked all sparkly and beautiful in the sunlight. Other countries, like Poland or Germany, consider it good luck if they find a spider or spider web in the Christmas tree. Donald Duck: An important Swedish tradition is the Christmas “Donald Duck Special.” This hour-long TV show airs on Christmas Eve at 3 p.m., and all the festivities are planned around it, so that the families can watch the show together. Lucky Numbers: Since the late 19th century, the Spanish National Lottery has been giving out the biggest amount of money of the year: “El Gordo” or “The Fat One.” It has become a huge social event, usually on December 22nd, and people get together with dozens of lottery tickets each, in high hopes of being one of the lucky winners. The lottery numbers are traditionally sung by a choir of twenty-two schoolchildren, and the whole country stands still in hopes for the Christmas present of a lifetime. Christmas Monsters: Christmas, in all its festive and joyous glory, also seems to be the time for monsters that remind the kids to be nice and behave for at least one month of the year. One of the more surprising members of this “Christmas Police” is Jólakötturinn, the Icelandic Christmas cat. Sounds cute, but, just like a certain log, it’s not what it seems: Jólakötturinn eats children namely the children who didn’t do their chores and, therefore, didn’t get new clothes for Christmas. Meowry Christmas!
Christmas Pickle: Pickles should be your favorite Christmas decoration because they mean that you get an extra present. In many countries, an ornament in the shape of a pickle is hidden somewhere in the Christmas tree and the person who finds it will get an extra present or just a whole lot of good fortune. Christmas Pudding: In Slovakia and parts of Ukraine, pudding does not only warm the heart, but it can also predict the future. The oldest male member of the family takes a spoonful or of loksa pudding and throws it at the ceiling. The more pudding sticks, the more luck you’ll have. Simple as that. Roller Skating: The award for Coolest Mode of Christmas Transportation goes to Venezuela’s capital, Caracas. People don’t just walk to Christmas mass, no, they roller-skate. Parts of the city are even blocked off, so everyone can safely skate to church. Fried Caterpillars: In South Africa, however, it's the creepy crawlies that local children look forward to. Festive fried caterpillars may seem like one of the more unusual Christmas traditions, but these caterpillars aren't just the run-of-the-mill variety you find in the garden. The Pine Tree Emperor Moth, or Christmas caterpillar, is covered in a very festive hue, giving all who swallow a little extra luck in the coming year. Shoes by the Fire: Every year in the days leading up to 25th December, Dutch children eagerly place their shoes by the fire in the hopes that Sinterklaas will fill them with small gifts and treats in the night. Traditionally, carrots are left in the shoes for Sinterklaas' faithful steed, a white horse named Amerigo. In the olden days, naughty children would receive a potato in lieu of gifts, but potato punishment is no longer considered an appropriate scare tactic. These unusual traditions put a smile on my face because it shows that you don’t have to be traditional (stay in the box) to enjoy Christmas. You can still be creative and bold with the Christmas spirit and live life to the fullest. Being different is enriching and makes the world merrier with more uniqueness and being a MISFIT. I like to wish everyone a very Merry "Misfits" Christmas with love, light, and sparkles.
As I write this publication with a misfit smile, we are going to talk more about the diverse cultural traditions that are unusual and up to no good from around the world. Shall we begin….
Brooms and Mops: In Norway, Christmas means hiding your mops and brooms not because people don’t want to clean, but because Norwegians are a little superstitious and want to prevent evil spirits, who return to Earth that night, from stealing the brooms and going on joyrides in the Christmas sky. Christmas Spiders: Believe it or not, there is such a thing as a Christmas spider. In Ukraine, the Christmas trees are decorated with spider webs, so don’t freak out, they are ornaments that look like spider webs, which are said to bring good luck. The tale goes all the way back to a poor woman who couldn’t afford ornaments to decorate her tree with. The next morning, she woke up and her tree was covered with spider webs that looked all sparkly and beautiful in the sunlight. Other countries, like Poland or Germany, consider it good luck if they find a spider or spider web in the Christmas tree. Donald Duck: An important Swedish tradition is the Christmas “Donald Duck Special.” This hour-long TV show airs on Christmas Eve at 3 p.m., and all the festivities are planned around it, so that the families can watch the show together. Lucky Numbers: Since the late 19th century, the Spanish National Lottery has been giving out the biggest amount of money of the year: “El Gordo” or “The Fat One.” It has become a huge social event, usually on December 22nd, and people get together with dozens of lottery tickets each, in high hopes of being one of the lucky winners. The lottery numbers are traditionally sung by a choir of twenty-two schoolchildren, and the whole country stands still in hopes for the Christmas present of a lifetime. Christmas Monsters: Christmas, in all its festive and joyous glory, also seems to be the time for monsters that remind the kids to be nice and behave for at least one month of the year. One of the more surprising members of this “Christmas Police” is Jólakötturinn, the Icelandic Christmas cat. Sounds cute, but, just like a certain log, it’s not what it seems: Jólakötturinn eats children namely the children who didn’t do their chores and, therefore, didn’t get new clothes for Christmas. Meowry Christmas!
Christmas Pickle: Pickles should be your favorite Christmas decoration because they mean that you get an extra present. In many countries, an ornament in the shape of a pickle is hidden somewhere in the Christmas tree and the person who finds it will get an extra present or just a whole lot of good fortune. Christmas Pudding: In Slovakia and parts of Ukraine, pudding does not only warm the heart, but it can also predict the future. The oldest male member of the family takes a spoonful or of loksa pudding and throws it at the ceiling. The more pudding sticks, the more luck you’ll have. Simple as that. Roller Skating: The award for Coolest Mode of Christmas Transportation goes to Venezuela’s capital, Caracas. People don’t just walk to Christmas mass, no, they roller-skate. Parts of the city are even blocked off, so everyone can safely skate to church. Fried Caterpillars: In South Africa, however, it's the creepy crawlies that local children look forward to. Festive fried caterpillars may seem like one of the more unusual Christmas traditions, but these caterpillars aren't just the run-of-the-mill variety you find in the garden. The Pine Tree Emperor Moth, or Christmas caterpillar, is covered in a very festive hue, giving all who swallow a little extra luck in the coming year. Shoes by the Fire: Every year in the days leading up to 25th December, Dutch children eagerly place their shoes by the fire in the hopes that Sinterklaas will fill them with small gifts and treats in the night. Traditionally, carrots are left in the shoes for Sinterklaas' faithful steed, a white horse named Amerigo. In the olden days, naughty children would receive a potato in lieu of gifts, but potato punishment is no longer considered an appropriate scare tactic. These unusual traditions put a smile on my face because it shows that you don’t have to be traditional (stay in the box) to enjoy Christmas. You can still be creative and bold with the Christmas spirit and live life to the fullest. Being different is enriching and makes the world merrier with more uniqueness and being a MISFIT. I like to wish everyone a very Merry "Misfits" Christmas with love, light, and sparkles.
LET’S TALK PART 2: COMMUNICATION WITHOUT BEING DEFENSIVE AND HAVING MORE COMPASSION TOWARDS A PERSON!
November 11, 2023Written By: Serene Grace
OMG! 2023 is another year with twists and turns! Talk about survival of the fittest. Since the pandemic, the world is more on fire than ever before. Also, 2023 has become a very chaotic year in the United States and in other parts of the world. Lately, a trend has taken place more to speaking our minds, while using our freedom of speech and assembly to make an evolutionary impact for greater change.
While this movement for change has become very overwhelming and powerful, it comes with much responsibility as to how we relate and treat one another with respect and dignity, while making sure that our opinions, views, and facts are heard and not overlooked. With that said, it seems these days that people must take a side or else there will be grave consequences for not doing so.
Just to put it bluntly! People just forgot how to communicate and to be more considerate and compassionate at the same time. Plus, technology has not helped our society to communicate better, except having a sense of entitlement and being more judgmental to react quicker more THAN EVER. A few years ago, I wrote a publication on communication, and I felt it was time again to discuss how to have a decent conversation with a person more THAN EVER today.
Before I begin this discussion, I want to put an emphasis on some of my most recent experiences that would make your heads turn, while not being that surprised nor shocked of how the times have changed (shaking my head as I write my thoughts out). Here are my most recent experiences….
• In August 2023, I decided to go to this local Italian restaurant in my hometown. I loved to go there to enjoy a nice meal with a glass of Chianti wine. While I was there, I placed my order and waited over 30-45 minutes to receive it. Now, I did get my wine, but on the stem of the glass it had a person’s hair on it. I know, I sent it back. While I got a new glass of wine, I later asked when my meal will come out.
On a side note, I was there to eat at the restaurant. However, the waiter brought out my meal all wrapped up in a paper bag. I looked at the waiter and asked why, while mentioning that I ordered something to eat at the restaurant. The waiter had a blank face.
After that, I asked for the check. When I got it, it had an unexplainable charge on it. When I inquired about it, the waiter said so bluntly, my manager is not going to take it off the bill, so don’t ask. I was shocked when the waiter said it. At the end, the experience left me in disbelief because there was so much miscommunication and rudeness that this person had towards me. I never went back there again. Also, the management changed, and the place has gone downhill since then, which is a shame.
• In September 2023, I had a source (the messenger) that messaged me from FB messenger to announce a person’s death. The way the messenger came across felt very blunt and matter of fact without compassion nor respect towards me that was receiving the message. The person that died was a close friend of mine (he was like a brother), who took his with suicide.
First, when I received the information from the messenger, I thought it was a joke because I was sent an article and podcasts on my friend’s death. Apparently, it was the real deal. I had to read the article and listen to those podcasts to find out my friend’s death. I went into emotional shock for the loss of my friend. It was so confusing and complicated as to why he died, which I will not elaborate on.
It took me over a month to grieve and come to terms of his death. Before he passed, I talked with him two weeks prior, and he was in a happy place in his life. I wished he would have come to me sooner. It’s just a long story. However, the messenger thought there was humor to make fun of my friend’s death and tried to solicit and exploit me to give out more information on my friend.
At the end, NEVER EVER tell a person (who is close to a friend, relative, or coworker etc.) that another person committed suicide over FB messenger. Plus, NEVER EVER be without compassion when explaining a death of a person to another. If you are going to be heartless, don’t bother announcing any news for a reaction or to cause drama because you don’t care. Just remember, karma will hit your ass later.
• In October 2023, I went to a home good store (without giving out any store names) to get a few items for my new home. When I was ready to check out, there were a few of us in line where we saw this female manager coming up towards a register which we thought she was going to help us out.
Surprisedly, she looked at us in the line and started to complain about her job and not wanting to be here. After complaining, she turned around and walked away. We were shocked by her professional behavior. As time went on, she came back to help, but with an incredibly, nervous demeanor.
When she got to me, I had two items to check out. One of my items was not scanning properly, so the manager decided to manually type it in the register. However, she turned to me and wanted me to read out the numbers on the barcode. I said that is okay, and I won’t get the item. Bottom line, she heavily insisted that I read the barcode. For me, I went silent, but mentioned to her that her tone was making me feel nervous around her. At the end, I bought my items and left the store with a headache.
With these incidents, it shows a lot of miscommunications and inconsistent behavior of not treating a person (like myself) with any respect, dignity, nor compassion. Currently, there are more people in our world that are resorting to dehumanizing others because of their inflated egos and lack of empathy. Ever since we came out of the pandemic, people haven’t found their footing back into society.
Everyone is more reactive and easily triggered to start an argument, be ignorant or more dramatic, and cave to chaotic energies on a whim to be just heard or just to make a statement that carries severe consequences. Today, people don't know how to have “thick skin” anymore (an ability to keep from getting upset or offended by the things other people say and do) nor be empathic towards others. Words are like swords. Don’t forget that. Plus, there’s so much a human being can take from negative behavior when communicating in a defensive manner. So, what can we do to change the tone of having a decent conversation, especially today without being silent or being put down, just because? To have a decent conversation with a person close to you (even with a stranger), here are some simple reminders that I will share again and, add some extra two cents from me….
Letting go of the EGO and being SECURE in who you are: Nothing wrong with self-confidence, which comes with some practice. Being secure in your own skin is healthy. To be secure within yourself, you must let go of ego and realize you are not perfect. Also, being secure, you will be less likely to get defensive or hurt over something that means a lot to you. Plus, you become more flexible when dealing with people.
Being confident helps with harsh criticisms, broken promises, or miscommunications. You will be less likely to jump to conclusions and to calmly talk things out. Overall, the world is never going to agree with you entirely, especially when you see things differently with right and wrong.
Learn to LISTEN and STOP retaliating in conversations: This goes back to my concept of compassionately listening and responding. Better to listen than to keep talking. It gives you a clue to how people perceive you and how you make them feel heard and important. If you have a different opinion than someone, just listen to what is being said, you never know if there is valuable information that can be beneficial in the future. Even if you are wrong about something, just take the opportunity to explain yourself without getting defensive. Having a conversation is a two-way street if you think about it.
It is OKAY to use the “I” statements: Using “I” in your conversations is healthy. Do not let people tell you differently. When you get defensive in a conversation, it is wise to use “I,” so it allows you to stay focused on your feelings and prevent unfair accusations. Plus, it gives people an open window to comprehend your emotions better.
Think LONG-TERM in your emotions: Let’s be careful of not being impulsive in conversations. There are those sayings, “Think before you talk,” or “Think before you act.” In a debate, take a deep breath and give yourself some space to pay close attention to your emotions and how you choose your responses with people. “Don't put your foot in your mouth,” with your emotions in the moment. Do not be quick to judge others. Never be the one to “Cast the first stone.” It doesn’t have to be ugly without compromising yourself. However, overall, your emotions can have a lasting effect. Emotions can help or deter people’s thinking. Always be mindful of the influence that your emotions have over others.
Learn to RECEIVE criticism: Ever had moments where you received harsh criticism when you did not want it? Receiving criticism is never an easy task. Again, we are human, and we try to find fault with everything. When people give negative feedback, just take the time to listen and observe. Ask why they feel the way they do. Information is knowledge. Knowledge is power. It is wiser to learn to be the bigger person with people and know when to walk away. It is better to take a situation from being negative and turning it into something positive.
Admitting that you were WRONG: No one can be right all the time. When debating with people, it is always good to give yourself and others permission to be wrong and being more accepting of not getting everything right. It is not failure, except an opportunity to learn and grow.
Being more COMPASSIONATE, CONSIDERATE, and CONSISTENT with your words and how you use them: When you have any conversation with a person, be mindful of how your words come across. People do hear, see, and feel. There's also a saying, "It's not what you say, but it's how you say it and make the other person feel." Plus, people don't forget words and actions. Most importantly, it doesn’t matter if a person is your relative, friend, co-worker, or a stranger, be mindful of your audience. Coming across with malice, hate, or bad humor, along with being apathetic, or just purely ignorant and disconnected from another person’s feelings is no excuse; even though, people do it more often today without any accountability. It is like people see things as one-sided. There are no more filters, boundaries, or manners since we came out of the pandemic. We lost it all from my observations as an etiquette expert and life coach.
Plus, social media has partially destroyed our awareness in our physical and digital realities of how to treat a human properly. Interestingly, when you want to be heard, you would want compassion, consideration, and consistency from another person on the receiving end to relate positively towards you. We have lost the art of how to relate better as humans. However, I’m still hoping for humanity to awaken and start seeing their ways before the trend of bad communication continues to harm the fabric of our societies. Plus, I advocate for our children to take communication (for interpersonal/intrapersonal skills and professional development) classes while in middle/high schools and colleges, especially as we prepare our youth to enter the world as we know it today.
Lastly, I highly recommend this motivating book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey on how to relate better to others while building healthy, positive habits to use in your personal and professional lives. It’s a must read, so check it out. You will not be disappointed.
AGAIN, AGAIN, & AGAIN, (three times a charm) communication is a two-way street. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it comes down to making the best effort to relate while having harmony between others. At the end, everyone wants to be heard. It is all about having balance in your conversations without getting defensive, while exhibiting compassion towards others. Also, it comes down to being a community again. Don’t forget a little extra patience and consideration goes a long way. NOW, LET'S TALK!
While this movement for change has become very overwhelming and powerful, it comes with much responsibility as to how we relate and treat one another with respect and dignity, while making sure that our opinions, views, and facts are heard and not overlooked. With that said, it seems these days that people must take a side or else there will be grave consequences for not doing so.
Just to put it bluntly! People just forgot how to communicate and to be more considerate and compassionate at the same time. Plus, technology has not helped our society to communicate better, except having a sense of entitlement and being more judgmental to react quicker more THAN EVER. A few years ago, I wrote a publication on communication, and I felt it was time again to discuss how to have a decent conversation with a person more THAN EVER today.
Before I begin this discussion, I want to put an emphasis on some of my most recent experiences that would make your heads turn, while not being that surprised nor shocked of how the times have changed (shaking my head as I write my thoughts out). Here are my most recent experiences….
• In August 2023, I decided to go to this local Italian restaurant in my hometown. I loved to go there to enjoy a nice meal with a glass of Chianti wine. While I was there, I placed my order and waited over 30-45 minutes to receive it. Now, I did get my wine, but on the stem of the glass it had a person’s hair on it. I know, I sent it back. While I got a new glass of wine, I later asked when my meal will come out.
On a side note, I was there to eat at the restaurant. However, the waiter brought out my meal all wrapped up in a paper bag. I looked at the waiter and asked why, while mentioning that I ordered something to eat at the restaurant. The waiter had a blank face.
After that, I asked for the check. When I got it, it had an unexplainable charge on it. When I inquired about it, the waiter said so bluntly, my manager is not going to take it off the bill, so don’t ask. I was shocked when the waiter said it. At the end, the experience left me in disbelief because there was so much miscommunication and rudeness that this person had towards me. I never went back there again. Also, the management changed, and the place has gone downhill since then, which is a shame.
• In September 2023, I had a source (the messenger) that messaged me from FB messenger to announce a person’s death. The way the messenger came across felt very blunt and matter of fact without compassion nor respect towards me that was receiving the message. The person that died was a close friend of mine (he was like a brother), who took his with suicide.
First, when I received the information from the messenger, I thought it was a joke because I was sent an article and podcasts on my friend’s death. Apparently, it was the real deal. I had to read the article and listen to those podcasts to find out my friend’s death. I went into emotional shock for the loss of my friend. It was so confusing and complicated as to why he died, which I will not elaborate on.
It took me over a month to grieve and come to terms of his death. Before he passed, I talked with him two weeks prior, and he was in a happy place in his life. I wished he would have come to me sooner. It’s just a long story. However, the messenger thought there was humor to make fun of my friend’s death and tried to solicit and exploit me to give out more information on my friend.
At the end, NEVER EVER tell a person (who is close to a friend, relative, or coworker etc.) that another person committed suicide over FB messenger. Plus, NEVER EVER be without compassion when explaining a death of a person to another. If you are going to be heartless, don’t bother announcing any news for a reaction or to cause drama because you don’t care. Just remember, karma will hit your ass later.
• In October 2023, I went to a home good store (without giving out any store names) to get a few items for my new home. When I was ready to check out, there were a few of us in line where we saw this female manager coming up towards a register which we thought she was going to help us out.
Surprisedly, she looked at us in the line and started to complain about her job and not wanting to be here. After complaining, she turned around and walked away. We were shocked by her professional behavior. As time went on, she came back to help, but with an incredibly, nervous demeanor.
When she got to me, I had two items to check out. One of my items was not scanning properly, so the manager decided to manually type it in the register. However, she turned to me and wanted me to read out the numbers on the barcode. I said that is okay, and I won’t get the item. Bottom line, she heavily insisted that I read the barcode. For me, I went silent, but mentioned to her that her tone was making me feel nervous around her. At the end, I bought my items and left the store with a headache.
With these incidents, it shows a lot of miscommunications and inconsistent behavior of not treating a person (like myself) with any respect, dignity, nor compassion. Currently, there are more people in our world that are resorting to dehumanizing others because of their inflated egos and lack of empathy. Ever since we came out of the pandemic, people haven’t found their footing back into society.
Everyone is more reactive and easily triggered to start an argument, be ignorant or more dramatic, and cave to chaotic energies on a whim to be just heard or just to make a statement that carries severe consequences. Today, people don't know how to have “thick skin” anymore (an ability to keep from getting upset or offended by the things other people say and do) nor be empathic towards others. Words are like swords. Don’t forget that. Plus, there’s so much a human being can take from negative behavior when communicating in a defensive manner. So, what can we do to change the tone of having a decent conversation, especially today without being silent or being put down, just because? To have a decent conversation with a person close to you (even with a stranger), here are some simple reminders that I will share again and, add some extra two cents from me….
Letting go of the EGO and being SECURE in who you are: Nothing wrong with self-confidence, which comes with some practice. Being secure in your own skin is healthy. To be secure within yourself, you must let go of ego and realize you are not perfect. Also, being secure, you will be less likely to get defensive or hurt over something that means a lot to you. Plus, you become more flexible when dealing with people.
Being confident helps with harsh criticisms, broken promises, or miscommunications. You will be less likely to jump to conclusions and to calmly talk things out. Overall, the world is never going to agree with you entirely, especially when you see things differently with right and wrong.
Learn to LISTEN and STOP retaliating in conversations: This goes back to my concept of compassionately listening and responding. Better to listen than to keep talking. It gives you a clue to how people perceive you and how you make them feel heard and important. If you have a different opinion than someone, just listen to what is being said, you never know if there is valuable information that can be beneficial in the future. Even if you are wrong about something, just take the opportunity to explain yourself without getting defensive. Having a conversation is a two-way street if you think about it.
It is OKAY to use the “I” statements: Using “I” in your conversations is healthy. Do not let people tell you differently. When you get defensive in a conversation, it is wise to use “I,” so it allows you to stay focused on your feelings and prevent unfair accusations. Plus, it gives people an open window to comprehend your emotions better.
Think LONG-TERM in your emotions: Let’s be careful of not being impulsive in conversations. There are those sayings, “Think before you talk,” or “Think before you act.” In a debate, take a deep breath and give yourself some space to pay close attention to your emotions and how you choose your responses with people. “Don't put your foot in your mouth,” with your emotions in the moment. Do not be quick to judge others. Never be the one to “Cast the first stone.” It doesn’t have to be ugly without compromising yourself. However, overall, your emotions can have a lasting effect. Emotions can help or deter people’s thinking. Always be mindful of the influence that your emotions have over others.
Learn to RECEIVE criticism: Ever had moments where you received harsh criticism when you did not want it? Receiving criticism is never an easy task. Again, we are human, and we try to find fault with everything. When people give negative feedback, just take the time to listen and observe. Ask why they feel the way they do. Information is knowledge. Knowledge is power. It is wiser to learn to be the bigger person with people and know when to walk away. It is better to take a situation from being negative and turning it into something positive.
Admitting that you were WRONG: No one can be right all the time. When debating with people, it is always good to give yourself and others permission to be wrong and being more accepting of not getting everything right. It is not failure, except an opportunity to learn and grow.
Being more COMPASSIONATE, CONSIDERATE, and CONSISTENT with your words and how you use them: When you have any conversation with a person, be mindful of how your words come across. People do hear, see, and feel. There's also a saying, "It's not what you say, but it's how you say it and make the other person feel." Plus, people don't forget words and actions. Most importantly, it doesn’t matter if a person is your relative, friend, co-worker, or a stranger, be mindful of your audience. Coming across with malice, hate, or bad humor, along with being apathetic, or just purely ignorant and disconnected from another person’s feelings is no excuse; even though, people do it more often today without any accountability. It is like people see things as one-sided. There are no more filters, boundaries, or manners since we came out of the pandemic. We lost it all from my observations as an etiquette expert and life coach.
Plus, social media has partially destroyed our awareness in our physical and digital realities of how to treat a human properly. Interestingly, when you want to be heard, you would want compassion, consideration, and consistency from another person on the receiving end to relate positively towards you. We have lost the art of how to relate better as humans. However, I’m still hoping for humanity to awaken and start seeing their ways before the trend of bad communication continues to harm the fabric of our societies. Plus, I advocate for our children to take communication (for interpersonal/intrapersonal skills and professional development) classes while in middle/high schools and colleges, especially as we prepare our youth to enter the world as we know it today.
Lastly, I highly recommend this motivating book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey on how to relate better to others while building healthy, positive habits to use in your personal and professional lives. It’s a must read, so check it out. You will not be disappointed.
AGAIN, AGAIN, & AGAIN, (three times a charm) communication is a two-way street. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it comes down to making the best effort to relate while having harmony between others. At the end, everyone wants to be heard. It is all about having balance in your conversations without getting defensive, while exhibiting compassion towards others. Also, it comes down to being a community again. Don’t forget a little extra patience and consideration goes a long way. NOW, LET'S TALK!
The Golden Sea of Life
November 3, 2023Written By: Phillip Nguyen, Wisdom of the MasterSocial Media: youtube.com/@wisdomofthemaster
I greet you today in the name of God Almighty. There is something you must know. As human beings with origins of beautiful Souls who came into this world to experience the wonders of this reality, there is something ingrained deeply in our multidimensional minds from the very beginning. Please watch this carefully. It is your intrinsic and endless desire to enhance your life. These desires are there for a reason, nothing ever is an accident. You see, the desire to be filled with an abundance of health, wealth, and happiness is necessary for you to experience everything possible in life, both physically and spiritually.
Why? Here is the key you must remember throughout your days. It is God’s way of knowing what it is like to be a person in the physical world–all of it, since The Presence (God’s highest form) cannot walk in this reality like you can with a form that has the power to collapse space and time in a blink of an eye. Therefore, when you see why you are here and having all these desires, you are realizing with all your senses that God has a desire too. You are on an incredible quest to fulfill the longing to experience all the richness of life’s ups and downs, either in a graceful fashion or in a chaotic, perplexing world of mazes you designed.
Now, let me introduce you to the Universe’s Golden Sea of Life. After reading my article today, you will have a clearer vision of why there is more than enough to go around, including you. When people go out and steal from others, it is pure ignorance, not to mention signs of a younger Soul. This Golden Sea of Life is not what you think. You have a metaphysical veil over your eyes. You can’t see other realities with you in it. There are hundreds of other realities going on at this moment with you being poor, wealthy, somewhere in between, dying from a disease, never married, a princess of a kingdom, a monk living in the mountains, or a farmer raising chickens and pigs.
To the eyes of God, these realities are gorgeous. All these stories that you are writing are unbelievably inspirational, superbly scribed with a sense of adventure, action, style, passion, love, death, honor, and drama that can bring smiles in an instant but also tears raining down an innocent face without question. It is indeed a sea of life, a library of human experience and some not so human, stretching way beyond what the eyes can see. And I am only talking about one person, just imagine the number of lives cascading throughout the Universe in time and places without time.
I am going to clue you in on the key to life to becoming successful in fulfilling your desires of abundance in all things. That means superior health, no longer worries of money, and happiness in love that is a crucial part of you. After all, you want to make God happy, right? It doesn’t matter because agreeing to be human is happiness for everyone throughout the cosmos. I just gave you the key without you realizing it. That is joy and happiness. I will show you why in a moment.
Here is another thing you must know. Going with the sea of life explanation earlier, everything that has been written or created already exists right now (time is an illusion). There is nothing new under the sun. So, there is a reality that exists concurrently with you having great bounties of wealth, whether it be love or money. Using the Law of Vibration, your happiness attracts this reality into your life. Every day, different layers of realities merge all the time in people’s lives based on their thoughts, actions, reactions, and emotions. This is one of the reasons why mastering your mind is supremely important.
So, at this minute and forthcoming days, be happier than you have ever been because you have reached great prosperity in your life. Yes, you must live in the result of becoming the person you desire to be. Then, the parallel reality that is reflective of your state of mind will become real. Remember that you are living in the Mind of God. Everything that you can imagine already exists. You have this desire and thoughts of success flow through your mind because it was put there for the reasons I discussed earlier. Once you are in this joyful mindset, live your life as if it has already happened. Why would you be unhappy if it were already in your life? When you are inspired to do so, go take that action because it is your Godly Soul telling you it’s part of your journey to incredible abundance that you delightfully deserve.
Why? Here is the key you must remember throughout your days. It is God’s way of knowing what it is like to be a person in the physical world–all of it, since The Presence (God’s highest form) cannot walk in this reality like you can with a form that has the power to collapse space and time in a blink of an eye. Therefore, when you see why you are here and having all these desires, you are realizing with all your senses that God has a desire too. You are on an incredible quest to fulfill the longing to experience all the richness of life’s ups and downs, either in a graceful fashion or in a chaotic, perplexing world of mazes you designed.
Now, let me introduce you to the Universe’s Golden Sea of Life. After reading my article today, you will have a clearer vision of why there is more than enough to go around, including you. When people go out and steal from others, it is pure ignorance, not to mention signs of a younger Soul. This Golden Sea of Life is not what you think. You have a metaphysical veil over your eyes. You can’t see other realities with you in it. There are hundreds of other realities going on at this moment with you being poor, wealthy, somewhere in between, dying from a disease, never married, a princess of a kingdom, a monk living in the mountains, or a farmer raising chickens and pigs.
To the eyes of God, these realities are gorgeous. All these stories that you are writing are unbelievably inspirational, superbly scribed with a sense of adventure, action, style, passion, love, death, honor, and drama that can bring smiles in an instant but also tears raining down an innocent face without question. It is indeed a sea of life, a library of human experience and some not so human, stretching way beyond what the eyes can see. And I am only talking about one person, just imagine the number of lives cascading throughout the Universe in time and places without time.
I am going to clue you in on the key to life to becoming successful in fulfilling your desires of abundance in all things. That means superior health, no longer worries of money, and happiness in love that is a crucial part of you. After all, you want to make God happy, right? It doesn’t matter because agreeing to be human is happiness for everyone throughout the cosmos. I just gave you the key without you realizing it. That is joy and happiness. I will show you why in a moment.
Here is another thing you must know. Going with the sea of life explanation earlier, everything that has been written or created already exists right now (time is an illusion). There is nothing new under the sun. So, there is a reality that exists concurrently with you having great bounties of wealth, whether it be love or money. Using the Law of Vibration, your happiness attracts this reality into your life. Every day, different layers of realities merge all the time in people’s lives based on their thoughts, actions, reactions, and emotions. This is one of the reasons why mastering your mind is supremely important.
So, at this minute and forthcoming days, be happier than you have ever been because you have reached great prosperity in your life. Yes, you must live in the result of becoming the person you desire to be. Then, the parallel reality that is reflective of your state of mind will become real. Remember that you are living in the Mind of God. Everything that you can imagine already exists. You have this desire and thoughts of success flow through your mind because it was put there for the reasons I discussed earlier. Once you are in this joyful mindset, live your life as if it has already happened. Why would you be unhappy if it were already in your life? When you are inspired to do so, go take that action because it is your Godly Soul telling you it’s part of your journey to incredible abundance that you delightfully deserve.
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Manners are Stylish!
September 8, 2023Written By: Serene Grace
Why are manners so important today? The answer is that it makes a society alive with respect, loyalty, and gratitude along with attributing to a good social structure. Kinda boring, right?
Wait a minute, hold the press! Good manners affect us all on an individual and social level, which makes us all interconnected. Manners create a cause and effect in all of our actions which affect us in our physical world and believe it or not, our digital lives.
Emily post said it perfectly, "Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use."
Emily Post was the queen of etiquette back in her time. She was the founder of the Emily Post Institute where she left a beautiful legacy behind that had a different perspective on how etiquette played a role in our society and even today, her influence still has a positive impact on all of us. Plus, her legacy was so powerful that her family still follows in her footsteps today to promote etiquette and run her institute.
So, here is another million-dollar question. How does having manners benefit YOU?
By practicing good manners, we are showing those around us that we respect them, and their boundaries and feelings. There is an adage: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This wisdom is so ingrained in our life lessons, it has become known as, “The Golden Rule.”
Here are some examples of how manners affect us…. Manners show awareness: Good or bad manners talk volumes about you and your upbringing. Overall, manners show politeness and demonstrate an awareness of self-worth, respect for others, and a desire to fit in. You only have seconds to make a good impression when meeting a person for the first time. Just keep it simple while making it positive. Remember to have a firm handshake, give your undivided attention, look him or her in the eye when you’re speaking, and listen till they’re finished before responding.
Giving yourself and exhibiting trustworthiness: Manners shift the attention from you toward others, while showing gratitude, displaying respect, and demonstrating kindness. It is also a strong indication of how you’ll behave in the future, especially if you’re dependable, reliable, and selfless. These are critical elements in building trust in our personal and business relationships.
Setting an example today: Again, manners can set you apart from the crowd. It also can be an important factor in achieving success and respect. If you’re a parent, teacher, coach, religious leader, or manager, you influence people every day with a conscious effort to be a good role model. Most importantly, we need more role models to not be afraid to make a positive difference, especially with today’s youth.
Here is another important reminder: When it comes to good manners, it can manifest in small and large actions that create rewards and recognition. But certain manners can also make or break crucial relationships and be the difference between harmony and conflict at home, at work, or even between countries and cultures on the world stage. Always remember that manners are actions with positive or negative effects, which can have long-lasting results in people's lives. With that said, it comes down to accountability for them, too.
Manners and Mindfulness….
Manners can create a certain mindfulness, while achieving peace within yourself and others around you. When we exhibit manners, we show empathy towards others. Empathy is another important building block for having healthy relationships and treating others with kindness, along with being able to understand how someone feels and having a spirit of generosity.
Meditation can be a great training tool for mindfulness, especially when you expand to become more compassionate. When you meditate, you practice being more present in the moment and then develop the ability to use these skills in our day-to-day lives, and that's living mindfully with good will first onto ourselves, and then to others. With meditation, it also helps with letting go of any judgment and hostility.
Please check out this guided meditation, “Healing Insights On Holding Space & Healthy Boundaries!” to help with your mindfulness to learn how to hold space for yourself and others while creating healthy boundaries.
With manners, it creates stronger backbones in our character and well-being of who we are to thrive in a society. Remember not to forget we are all interconnected, especially on an individual and social level. At the end, manners bring a higher awareness of empathy and the understanding of how others relate.
Manners are stylish! They can be the bridge to bring back peace and unity within all of us. Plus, it doesn’t matter what fork you use either. Emily Post understood this concept. Can we? Blessings with love and light!
Here are some examples of how manners affect us…. Manners show awareness: Good or bad manners talk volumes about you and your upbringing. Overall, manners show politeness and demonstrate an awareness of self-worth, respect for others, and a desire to fit in. You only have seconds to make a good impression when meeting a person for the first time. Just keep it simple while making it positive. Remember to have a firm handshake, give your undivided attention, look him or her in the eye when you’re speaking, and listen till they’re finished before responding.
Giving yourself and exhibiting trustworthiness: Manners shift the attention from you toward others, while showing gratitude, displaying respect, and demonstrating kindness. It is also a strong indication of how you’ll behave in the future, especially if you’re dependable, reliable, and selfless. These are critical elements in building trust in our personal and business relationships.
Setting an example today: Again, manners can set you apart from the crowd. It also can be an important factor in achieving success and respect. If you’re a parent, teacher, coach, religious leader, or manager, you influence people every day with a conscious effort to be a good role model. Most importantly, we need more role models to not be afraid to make a positive difference, especially with today’s youth.
Here is another important reminder: When it comes to good manners, it can manifest in small and large actions that create rewards and recognition. But certain manners can also make or break crucial relationships and be the difference between harmony and conflict at home, at work, or even between countries and cultures on the world stage. Always remember that manners are actions with positive or negative effects, which can have long-lasting results in people's lives. With that said, it comes down to accountability for them, too.
Manners and Mindfulness….
Manners can create a certain mindfulness, while achieving peace within yourself and others around you. When we exhibit manners, we show empathy towards others. Empathy is another important building block for having healthy relationships and treating others with kindness, along with being able to understand how someone feels and having a spirit of generosity.
Meditation can be a great training tool for mindfulness, especially when you expand to become more compassionate. When you meditate, you practice being more present in the moment and then develop the ability to use these skills in our day-to-day lives, and that's living mindfully with good will first onto ourselves, and then to others. With meditation, it also helps with letting go of any judgment and hostility.
Please check out this guided meditation, “Healing Insights On Holding Space & Healthy Boundaries!” to help with your mindfulness to learn how to hold space for yourself and others while creating healthy boundaries.
With manners, it creates stronger backbones in our character and well-being of who we are to thrive in a society. Remember not to forget we are all interconnected, especially on an individual and social level. At the end, manners bring a higher awareness of empathy and the understanding of how others relate.
Manners are stylish! They can be the bridge to bring back peace and unity within all of us. Plus, it doesn’t matter what fork you use either. Emily Post understood this concept. Can we? Blessings with love and light!
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Simple Reminders to stay strong in today's world!
August 27, 2023Written By: Serene Grace
Bob Marley said it so beautifully, “You never know how strong you are, until being strong is the only choice you have.” In today’s world, there is so much struggle and uncertainty since the pandemic, war in Ukraine, global economy, climate change, inflation, job losses, and the list goes on and ON.
We ask ourselves how much more change can we bear and process all at the same time. It seems the changes are happening faster than ever before. One of the factors that makes it harder is social media that dominates our way of living, thinking, and breathing with every hour, minute, and second. As much as we want to have a fast-paced society, it seems we have forgotten to nurture the human element which helps us be resilient and cope with sudden changes.
HOW do we become stronger within ourselves? HOW do we cope with the worries, stresses, and unexpected events in today’s world? HOW do we learn to create a stronger backbone and have healthier boundaries? As a life coach, this is where I come in and give everyone some HOPE and guidelines in the HOW. Let’s begin!
What is MENTAL TOUGHNESS and WHY it’s important?
Mental toughness is a personality trait that determines your ability to perform consistently under stress and pressure, and is closely related to qualities such as character, resilience, grit, and perseverance. Guess what? We all have this built-in trait that can be awakened and nurtured to help us cope with adversity. With that said, we also have the personality trait to be compassionate towards ourselves and others around us. However, it seems these traits are deactivated in us more because of our egos and entitlement lifestyles that have blinded us, especially in today’s world. We can all learn to be more resilient and mentally tough. It's all about being in the ideal psychological, physical, emotional, and spiritual state.
So, here are some examples of mental toughness with a nurturing twist…. • Accepting that some situations are beyond your control, it’s how you respond.
• Allowing yourself time to grieve and feel all the feelings. It is important to make sure to have that support from others while giving yourself that time to heal and have a soundboard. • Never be afraid to ask for help. Sometimes, we need others to help us along our paths and learn to be of community. Also, whenever possible, offer help to those in need in return. It’s about learning the balance of giving and receiving with healthy boundaries.
• Taking joy where life offers it. You have to learn how to give back to yourself with self-love and compassion.
• Reframing your negative thoughts. Learning to train your mind to work through emotions that hold you down with certain resources and skills that work for you.
• Learning from the past, living in the moment, and preparing for the future. Here are some ideas to help you become more resilient…. Having faith in a higher power and yourself: Every problem that comes in front of you makes you realize that you have the skill, talent, and ability to come out of it. Well, we like to believe in that. However, you can be in a fog and don’t know how or where to turn. Sometimes, you do need that higher power of believing in God/the universe/or whatever makes you stronger with some faith, hope, and trust.
Also, you cannot forget to believe in yourself as well because you uncover your true potential. To believe in YOU is a blessing in disguise, and that nothing is permanent in life. You train your mind that having tough times will pass with patience and positivity. One thing at a time.
Broadening your perspective and becoming detached from negativity: Life is a combination of good times and tough times, and of happiness and pain. Remember that though pain is inevitable; suffering is optional. Life gives you the strength to move forward through painful times. Remember you are very much needed in this world. Again, YOU and your life is a gift, for it can become a fountain of joy and happiness not just for yourself but for many others, as well.
Also, remember with any setback in life, you get to choose to come out stronger (most times). Just remember that's it's not all about you. Don't take things personally or waste time wondering, “Why me?” Don’t get in self-pity traps. Instead, focus on what you can control. Again, whatever you cannot control, it’s how you respond to life situations around you. Most importantly, if it’s out of your hands, it deserves freedom from your mind, too.
Nothing wrong with smiling and laughing: The strength of a smile helps uplift adverse situations. Think about it! When life is good, you smile. If you can smile through any situation or event, it’s a sign of maturity, strength, and intelligence. Also, if you don’t feel like smiling, just fake it until you make it. Smiling makes you relax and feel more confident within you.
Now, let’s talk about laughing. When times get tough, it’s the best time to laugh or find something to laugh about. Humor is the best medicine for all, even when you don’t want to laugh at something. Laughing helps our emotional state, but also our physical and spiritual being. Mentally tough people believe that happiness is a state of mind. They consciously practice being happy and know it is up to them to make it happen.
Trying meditation and learning to breathe to let go: People need to understand that meditation is not a way of making your mind quiet but learning how to be more still and calm while listening to yourself (your intuition). Also, mental toughness is harnessing the power of silence to control our emotions, thoughts, and behavior in ways that will set us up for success and freedom. The silence space experienced by meditation is a form of intelligence and is one of the most empowering tools we can use to impact all areas in life. Also, learning how to practice breathing is a positive way to help circulate your energies and let go of any stresses, worries, or fears that are building up within you.
In addition, you can incorporate within any mediation by saying some spiritual prayers, affirmations, or chants to help you with what needs to be more focused in life, while practicing breathing to let go of what does not serve you and your higher purpose. Sometimes, we need to let go and let God in.
Here is an extra bonus, please check these meditations that I put together in my previous podcasts to inspire some sparkle back into your life, “Healing Insights on Holding Space and Healthy Boundaries,” “Pearls of Wisdom: Let's Love, Hope, and Sparkle,” and “Healing Your Shadows: Finding Peace & Love Within Yourself!”
Finally, mental toughness is a personality trait that determines your ability to perform consistently under stress and pressure, and is closely related to qualities such as character, resilience, grit, and perseverance. We all have them. Sometimes, we need to be more aware of them and learn how to activate or awaken them within ourselves. Today, it’s about STAYING STRONG during these tough times that we are experiencing; even though, we don’t have all the answers. It also comes down to living more in the moment and having some gratitude, especially as we process all of the current changes in our world. Lastly, don’t forget, “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” - Friedrich Nietzsche
So, here are some examples of mental toughness with a nurturing twist…. • Accepting that some situations are beyond your control, it’s how you respond.
• Allowing yourself time to grieve and feel all the feelings. It is important to make sure to have that support from others while giving yourself that time to heal and have a soundboard. • Never be afraid to ask for help. Sometimes, we need others to help us along our paths and learn to be of community. Also, whenever possible, offer help to those in need in return. It’s about learning the balance of giving and receiving with healthy boundaries.
• Taking joy where life offers it. You have to learn how to give back to yourself with self-love and compassion.
• Reframing your negative thoughts. Learning to train your mind to work through emotions that hold you down with certain resources and skills that work for you.
• Learning from the past, living in the moment, and preparing for the future. Here are some ideas to help you become more resilient…. Having faith in a higher power and yourself: Every problem that comes in front of you makes you realize that you have the skill, talent, and ability to come out of it. Well, we like to believe in that. However, you can be in a fog and don’t know how or where to turn. Sometimes, you do need that higher power of believing in God/the universe/or whatever makes you stronger with some faith, hope, and trust.
Also, you cannot forget to believe in yourself as well because you uncover your true potential. To believe in YOU is a blessing in disguise, and that nothing is permanent in life. You train your mind that having tough times will pass with patience and positivity. One thing at a time.
Broadening your perspective and becoming detached from negativity: Life is a combination of good times and tough times, and of happiness and pain. Remember that though pain is inevitable; suffering is optional. Life gives you the strength to move forward through painful times. Remember you are very much needed in this world. Again, YOU and your life is a gift, for it can become a fountain of joy and happiness not just for yourself but for many others, as well.
Also, remember with any setback in life, you get to choose to come out stronger (most times). Just remember that's it's not all about you. Don't take things personally or waste time wondering, “Why me?” Don’t get in self-pity traps. Instead, focus on what you can control. Again, whatever you cannot control, it’s how you respond to life situations around you. Most importantly, if it’s out of your hands, it deserves freedom from your mind, too.
Nothing wrong with smiling and laughing: The strength of a smile helps uplift adverse situations. Think about it! When life is good, you smile. If you can smile through any situation or event, it’s a sign of maturity, strength, and intelligence. Also, if you don’t feel like smiling, just fake it until you make it. Smiling makes you relax and feel more confident within you.
Now, let’s talk about laughing. When times get tough, it’s the best time to laugh or find something to laugh about. Humor is the best medicine for all, even when you don’t want to laugh at something. Laughing helps our emotional state, but also our physical and spiritual being. Mentally tough people believe that happiness is a state of mind. They consciously practice being happy and know it is up to them to make it happen.
Trying meditation and learning to breathe to let go: People need to understand that meditation is not a way of making your mind quiet but learning how to be more still and calm while listening to yourself (your intuition). Also, mental toughness is harnessing the power of silence to control our emotions, thoughts, and behavior in ways that will set us up for success and freedom. The silence space experienced by meditation is a form of intelligence and is one of the most empowering tools we can use to impact all areas in life. Also, learning how to practice breathing is a positive way to help circulate your energies and let go of any stresses, worries, or fears that are building up within you.
In addition, you can incorporate within any mediation by saying some spiritual prayers, affirmations, or chants to help you with what needs to be more focused in life, while practicing breathing to let go of what does not serve you and your higher purpose. Sometimes, we need to let go and let God in.
Here is an extra bonus, please check these meditations that I put together in my previous podcasts to inspire some sparkle back into your life, “Healing Insights on Holding Space and Healthy Boundaries,” “Pearls of Wisdom: Let's Love, Hope, and Sparkle,” and “Healing Your Shadows: Finding Peace & Love Within Yourself!”
Finally, mental toughness is a personality trait that determines your ability to perform consistently under stress and pressure, and is closely related to qualities such as character, resilience, grit, and perseverance. We all have them. Sometimes, we need to be more aware of them and learn how to activate or awaken them within ourselves. Today, it’s about STAYING STRONG during these tough times that we are experiencing; even though, we don’t have all the answers. It also comes down to living more in the moment and having some gratitude, especially as we process all of the current changes in our world. Lastly, don’t forget, “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” - Friedrich Nietzsche
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Barbie is Everything!
August 1, 2023
Written By: Sarah Jean
Unless you have been living under a rock, then you know this summer has been all about Barbie. Recently, I went to see the Barbie Movie, and it was better than anything I imagined. And yes, I loved everything about it. Firstly, let me give you some background information on the creation of Barbie, and then you will have a reason to see the movie. Ruth Handler created Barbie after she saw her daughter playing with paper dolls that were fashioned after grown women. She wanted her daughter to have a doll that allowed her daughter to role play and envision herself as more than a mother and housewife. Barbara Millicent Roberts (Barbie) made her debut in 1959 with the company called Mattel, which Ruth co-founded with her husband Elliot. While there was much apprehension and concern over Barbie’s adult womanly physique, she quickly became the most popular toy, and stores couldn’t keep her on their shelves. Credited with going against the 1950’s gender roles, Barbie was able to be anything she wanted but Mattel did not make a version of Barbie that portrayed her as a mother; instead, the company created Babysitter Barbie in the late 60’s. It was important to Mattel that they kept to the initial reason for the creation of Barbie. In 1961, Barbie got her biggest accessory yet. It was Ken who was created to be Barbie’s boyfriend, but never husband because Barbie is a self-sufficient, independent, and happy woman. Over the years, Barbie has changed, and there are now, African American, Muslim, Hispanic, and other nationalities, along with being curvy and petite, having disabilities, and so much more to ensure the brand be inclusive. The message was truly clear when you watched the 2023 Barbie Movie, starring Margot Robbie, and Ryan Gosling. In the movie, several actresses played, diversified, and empowered into the different Barbie roles. Importantly, Issa Rae played President Barbie. You also see in Barbie Land; women overseeing the Supreme Court, especially, when Ana Cruz Kayne plays Supreme Court Justice Barbie. Amazingly, Hari Nef played Doctor Barbie, along with other wonderful actresses protraying other important roles. Unfortunately, this movie was not met without criticism, while many men were outraged at how the Kens were treated. The whole purpose of Barbie is to show girls that they can be anything they want to be in life. To me, it made sense that this movie portrayed that. I thought it was very clever how Greta Gerwig was able to slip in the current problems that women are still facing today. Lastly, there was a speech delivered by America Ferrera in the movie. She explained how it’s exhausting to be a woman because we must be so many things to be liked and accepted, and how men stereotypically treat women and put them in certain roles. What I really enjoyed about this movie was the message later seen when Ken has his mental realization that he is “Kenough,” and then how Barbie realizes being perfect isn’t always the best thing. Yes, the movie was girly, pink, and glittery, but really it's so much more, and the cast couldn’t have been more perfect. Cheers and let’s have a Barbie week.
Unless you have been living under a rock, then you know this summer has been all about Barbie. Recently, I went to see the Barbie Movie, and it was better than anything I imagined. And yes, I loved everything about it. Firstly, let me give you some background information on the creation of Barbie, and then you will have a reason to see the movie. Ruth Handler created Barbie after she saw her daughter playing with paper dolls that were fashioned after grown women. She wanted her daughter to have a doll that allowed her daughter to role play and envision herself as more than a mother and housewife. Barbara Millicent Roberts (Barbie) made her debut in 1959 with the company called Mattel, which Ruth co-founded with her husband Elliot. While there was much apprehension and concern over Barbie’s adult womanly physique, she quickly became the most popular toy, and stores couldn’t keep her on their shelves. Credited with going against the 1950’s gender roles, Barbie was able to be anything she wanted but Mattel did not make a version of Barbie that portrayed her as a mother; instead, the company created Babysitter Barbie in the late 60’s. It was important to Mattel that they kept to the initial reason for the creation of Barbie. In 1961, Barbie got her biggest accessory yet. It was Ken who was created to be Barbie’s boyfriend, but never husband because Barbie is a self-sufficient, independent, and happy woman. Over the years, Barbie has changed, and there are now, African American, Muslim, Hispanic, and other nationalities, along with being curvy and petite, having disabilities, and so much more to ensure the brand be inclusive. The message was truly clear when you watched the 2023 Barbie Movie, starring Margot Robbie, and Ryan Gosling. In the movie, several actresses played, diversified, and empowered into the different Barbie roles. Importantly, Issa Rae played President Barbie. You also see in Barbie Land; women overseeing the Supreme Court, especially, when Ana Cruz Kayne plays Supreme Court Justice Barbie. Amazingly, Hari Nef played Doctor Barbie, along with other wonderful actresses protraying other important roles. Unfortunately, this movie was not met without criticism, while many men were outraged at how the Kens were treated. The whole purpose of Barbie is to show girls that they can be anything they want to be in life. To me, it made sense that this movie portrayed that. I thought it was very clever how Greta Gerwig was able to slip in the current problems that women are still facing today. Lastly, there was a speech delivered by America Ferrera in the movie. She explained how it’s exhausting to be a woman because we must be so many things to be liked and accepted, and how men stereotypically treat women and put them in certain roles. What I really enjoyed about this movie was the message later seen when Ken has his mental realization that he is “Kenough,” and then how Barbie realizes being perfect isn’t always the best thing. Yes, the movie was girly, pink, and glittery, but really it's so much more, and the cast couldn’t have been more perfect. Cheers and let’s have a Barbie week.
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Our DADs: as the world celebrates Father's Day!
June 13, 2023Written By: Serene Grace
Father's Day is around the corner and will be celebrated and observed on Sunday, June 18, 2023. The holiday is observed on the third Sunday of June. It honors all fathers, grandfathers, great-grandfathers, and father figures for their contribution. The Day was created to complement Mother's Day.
Internationally, fathers are honored on different days and with unique customs that are different than in the United States, Canada, and UK. Let’s explore some of them….
Brazil-Dia dos Pais: Brazilian Father's Day is observed on the second Sunday in August in honor of St. Joachim, the father of the Virgin Mary in the Christian tradition. This day, known as “Dia dos Pais,” began in the mid-1950s. Children spend the day writing Father's Day cards and letters with words of thanks to their dads and father figures. They also often make a gift to honor their fathers in school. Some schools will also put on special concerts or ceremonies. A large lunch is often prepared, and families often participate in one of the many outings.
Germany–Vatertag: In Germany, fathers get the day off work to drink beer and enjoy little to no responsibility. Known as Vatertag (or Männertag), this fun-filled day for men, lands on the fortieth day after Easter, on a Thursday in May.
Since the Friday after Vatertag is usually a Brückentag (bridge day), this gives fathers a four-day weekend.
The holiday first started in the Middle Ages as a religious ceremony honoring Gott, den Vater (God, the father). It wasn’t until the 1700s, the day transformed into Vatertag, a family day honoring the fathers of each household.
The father with the most children in the village would receive a reward, often a ham. Although Vatertag fizzled out for some time, it made a strong comeback in the 19th century, being labeled as Männertag, transitioning to more of a “boys’ day out.”
Some of the most popular ways to spend this day include:• Pub tours.• Heavy indulgence in food and drink.• Beer bike or wagon tours.• Park gatherings to grill, play games, and drink.
Many other countries also celebrate Father’s Day, but the date often varies:• Norway – “Farsdag” is celebrated on the second Sunday in November.• France – “Fête des Pères” is celebrated on the third Sunday in June.• Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji celebrates on the first Sunday of September.• Italy – “Festa del Papà” is celebrated on March 19th, along with Spain and Portugal.• Iceland – “Feðradagurinn” is celebrated on the second Sunday in November.
Now, if you live in the US (or another part of the world), you may be asking yourself what you would do for your father this year. Talk about getting creative! Well, here are some goodies that you could try out on Father’s Day….
Take a historical site tour or museum: Hello history buffs! Take your father to historic sites that offer tours. This gives him an experience to enjoy history for a day and learn something new with favorite leaders and events. Plus, you can take him to a museum of his choice as another option. Overall, it’s a way to bond over history and make it into a special moment.
Take him to a food festival or try a demonstration cooking class: Get your tastebuds ready. Whether its food trucks, a BBQ battle, or Smorgasburg, a food festival or market is the perfect activity for any foodie. Also, your dad can enjoy taking a demonstration cooking class to learn a new recipe (or two) or his choice of his favorite cuisine. Talk about good food and company.
Take him to see live music: Whether he loves jazz, country music, or rock & roll, it would be fun to take him to a live performance as a surprise.
Break things at a rage room: Omg. This is a great activity to let out stress with your dad. Actually, this cathartic exercise of breaking things at a rage room is great for anyone. By the time your dad finishes ripping through the room of various items, he will more relaxed.
Try out axe throwing: Bullseye! Take your dad axe throwing, which is the new trend in the US. If you want to create an impressive experience, both can take turns seeing who can hit the target. Another great exercise to let out some energy.
Take a road trip: Nothing run with a taking a spontaneous road trip where you can crank up the tunes and take the scenic route. Whether your destination is the beach or your dad's favorite national park, this trip will create a lasting memory.
Once a year, we have an opportunity to honor our fathers around the world on Father’s Day. With that said, here is a prayer that sums it up, “Strength of a Mountain:”
God took the strength of a mountain,The majesty of a tree,The warmth of a summer sun,The calm of a quiet sea,The generous soul of nature,The comforting arm of night,The wisdom of the Dad -The power of the eagle's flight,The joy of a morning in spring,The faith of a mustard seed,The patience of eternity,The depth of a family need,Then God combined these qualities,When there was nothing more to add,He knew His masterpiece was complete,And so, He called it ... Dad - Author Unknown
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The Sun Has Risen
June 13, 2023Written By: Phillip Nguyen, Wisdom of the MasterSocial Media: youtube.com/@wisdomofthemaster
As I woke up this morning, I saw the beams of light casting through the window behind my bed. I thought to myself, “Why is the Sun so reliable? Why does he keep life going every single day for over four billion years? Now that’s simply incredible. His warmth glows on my skin as though he is embracing me so softly; yet his power is supremely magnificent, my human brain can’t possibly comprehend the limits of his mighty authority over the ever-flourishing lives we have together on this most wondrous, beautiful day. It’s beautiful because our Sun has Risen once again.”
Hi, everyone. I greet you in the Name of God Almighty, the Name of the Most High. So, I say Namho Adish. I love the Sun as I love my Father who is in Heaven. Thereby, I love my father on Earth who embodies the micro version of all there is in the Universe.
Do you hear it? Do you hear the birds chirping, the wind blowing and caressing the flowers skyward and the people rising from their slumber to begin their day just as the Sun is glowing above the clouds? It is the sound of love we can’t live without. It is the fatherly figure to protect, nurture, give us comfort, teach us, guide us, carry us on his shoulders when we need help, and bring us a life so abundant, we can’t help but be thankful more than words can say. He is so strong yet so tender. He can move mountains for us but can also clothe us with his thoughts and actions that make us feel like a warm, summer day. Though he symbolically and evanescently shifts away at night, we all collectively know that he is still there in the Heavens and will always return for his children, sharing the glory with the Moon, our lovely, sacred mother.
If you are a father or will become one someday, then let’s learn to rise every day like the Sun to match his supreme brilliance and reliability for our beloved children. Within your heart, there is a God Spark that has a paternal love that transcends time and space, even beyond this illusory imagination we call the Mind of God. Can you truly realize the significance of this splendor? This love I speak of goes from reading a bedtime story for your little one so that she can sleep like an innocent lamb and giving butterfly kisses on her forehead to teaching him about the evils of this world in a way that he respectfully comes back to you every time and showing him the ways of becoming like you–a divinely-inspired father.
Even when she becomes an adult, your love for her increases by the day. Being a father never ends, just like the Sun never, ever stops rising for us. You must cherish every single moment in life when she is with or away from you. You, being her father, will always remain in her heart no matter how close you are to being a perfect male figure or far from it. So therefore, you must be with her throughout all the peaceful times but most especially during the trials and tribulations of life, keeping her presence in your heart even if it is the end of the world. This is the true strength of a father, which is an undying, unwavering flame of love for your children just like the Rays of the Sun.
Happy Father’s Day on this most amazing, beautiful day, for our Sun has Risen.
As I woke up this morning, I saw the beams of light casting through the window behind my bed. I thought to myself, “Why is the Sun so reliable? Why does he keep life going every single day for over four billion years? Now that’s simply incredible. His warmth glows on my skin as though he is embracing me so softly; yet his power is supremely magnificent, my human brain can’t possibly comprehend the limits of his mighty authority over the ever-flourishing lives we have together on this most wondrous, beautiful day. It’s beautiful because our Sun has Risen once again.”
Hi, everyone. I greet you in the Name of God Almighty, the Name of the Most High. So, I say Namho Adish. I love the Sun as I love my Father who is in Heaven. Thereby, I love my father on Earth who embodies the micro version of all there is in the Universe.
Do you hear it? Do you hear the birds chirping, the wind blowing and caressing the flowers skyward and the people rising from their slumber to begin their day just as the Sun is glowing above the clouds? It is the sound of love we can’t live without. It is the fatherly figure to protect, nurture, give us comfort, teach us, guide us, carry us on his shoulders when we need help, and bring us a life so abundant, we can’t help but be thankful more than words can say. He is so strong yet so tender. He can move mountains for us but can also clothe us with his thoughts and actions that make us feel like a warm, summer day. Though he symbolically and evanescently shifts away at night, we all collectively know that he is still there in the Heavens and will always return for his children, sharing the glory with the Moon, our lovely, sacred mother.
If you are a father or will become one someday, then let’s learn to rise every day like the Sun to match his supreme brilliance and reliability for our beloved children. Within your heart, there is a God Spark that has a paternal love that transcends time and space, even beyond this illusory imagination we call the Mind of God. Can you truly realize the significance of this splendor? This love I speak of goes from reading a bedtime story for your little one so that she can sleep like an innocent lamb and giving butterfly kisses on her forehead to teaching him about the evils of this world in a way that he respectfully comes back to you every time and showing him the ways of becoming like you–a divinely-inspired father.
Even when she becomes an adult, your love for her increases by the day. Being a father never ends, just like the Sun never, ever stops rising for us. You must cherish every single moment in life when she is with or away from you. You, being her father, will always remain in her heart no matter how close you are to being a perfect male figure or far from it. So therefore, you must be with her throughout all the peaceful times but most especially during the trials and tribulations of life, keeping her presence in your heart even if it is the end of the world. This is the true strength of a father, which is an undying, unwavering flame of love for your children just like the Rays of the Sun.
Happy Father’s Day on this most amazing, beautiful day, for our Sun has Risen.
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Let's Be HAPPY: Habits of Happiness
June 13, 2023Written By: Serene Grace
Ever had moments where you search for greatness within your soul? In life, we all have moments of being very content with what makes ourselves happy. However, as humans, we get bored or unsatisfied with what we have and take things for granted. Then we have the regular challenges of what life throws at us which takes away from our flow to enjoy our happiness and peace of mind.
Sometimes, people have more adversity than others. Every person on Earth has their own path to follow with free will and choices, even though, there is destiny that plays a part in our lives. With that said, how do we bring out the inner light within ourselves to become happier?
I always believe that being happy is a state of being that comes with practice every day of how you live life and being more in the NOW. Bottom line, happy people form habits of happiness, here are some examples….
Being Optimistic: The definition of being optimistic is to see the positive side of things. They expect things to turn out well. They believe they have the skill and ability to make good things happen. Usually, being optimistic can be born in us (sometimes, stronger than others), but most of the time it’s learned as a habit by being around others who exhibit this trait. Some people are naturally optimistic, and science has even proved that optimistic women have healthier hearts.
Being a natural optimist, it doesn't mean you always carry a positive attitude. Sometimes, you must try to be positive and do it deliberately, even when there are negative situations to manage in life. An optimistic outlook is imperative to emotional wellness, quality of life, and even the outcome of some situations. Try to put some effort into being positive and encourage others to be positive as well. It becomes very contagious when you are positive, and the rest follows. Talk about raising your vibrations and making the world a merrier place. At the end, living with a positive outlook and seeing the best in every situation is something we can choose.
Prioritizing Mindfulness & Putting Yourself First: Happy people have trained themselves to align their choices, intentions, and actions with the highest priorities of love, happiness, and health. They put joy, love, health, and passion first; the rest follows. Talk about keeping that flow in check with your happy self.
Also, happy people focus on what is aligned with the life they truly desire and freely let the rest fall away without guilt. You can train your mind to do this, and you'll notice yourself not caring about or being bothered by the little stuff that used to annoy you. Most importantly, your thoughts, time, and energy are too valuable to be spent on those things nor serve your higher purpose. If you do this, everything else falls into place. Life becomes much easier and more peaceful.
Now, the Wisdom of the Master sums it up perfectly with this video, “The Magic of Manifesting Your Desires in Life,” here you learn the concepts of consciousness, which affects your process of manifesting all the people, circumstances, and events that come into your life. It is about having a balanced perspective on mindfulness too.
Most importantly, putting yourself first is an art of being. The happiest people frequently tune in to their own needs and make their own happiness a top priority. Lastly, taking care of yourself first is a strong step to take care of others around you which matters.
Resources To Create A Positive Uplift: Happy people are highly aware of the specific things that lift them up, especially for a physical or emotional boost (both). Everyone needs spirit-lifters that make us feel lighter, happier, and more energized. It is wonderful to create a list of resources that truly cost little or nothing at all, but they provide noticeable results. It could be taking walks, doing a wine tasting, having a spa day (manicure and pedicure), taking a dance/paint class, hanging out with friends, or volunteering for a worthy cause. Your list can be as creative as you want it to be. Another suggestion is to create a vision board with your goals, hopes, or dreams that you desire to feel motivated about and have a good visual to reflect on when needed. Again, it's about forming happy habits with creative resources that bring positive uplifts with an extra boost.
When it comes to being happy, it’s a daily practice to be in a state of happiness. Everyone can do it, but you must be willing to put in the work, even when you have down days. It’s all about putting on an optimistic smile and embracing life while being in the moment.
Blessings with love and light!
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How Does Skincare Work & Why Skin Type Matters
June 13, 2023
Written By: Sarah Jean
Skincare works by penetration. To simplify, we have three layers to our skin. We have the epidermis, which is visible, second the dermis, and lastly subcutaneous tissue (fat). The epidermis is the visible layer of skin. The dermis is what helps give our skin structure, and where collagen elastin resides. Hair follicles are also present in the dermis. This is when peels, micro needling, and laser therapy come in to play.
The subcutaneous tissue connects the dermis to your bones, and muscles, and protects the skeletal system. The only way to heal or alter your facial structure is by seeing a surgeon for plastic surgery, as they are the only ones who can get down to our deepest skin layer. For a superficial quick way injectables also work, but they are temporary, unlike plastic surgery that is permanent. Skincare works based on molecular size, and PH. Below I have categorized which layer of skin our routine parts help.
Cleansing: This step focuses on the epidermis. Think of it as a broom sweeping the floor. It gets rid of visual residue. Cleansers have a larger or medium sized molecular structure that gets rid of dirt and oil, so our other products have a better chance of penetration, instead of resting on top of our epidermis. Cleansers can have oil soluble ingredients making them able to treat dermal problems, such as comedones and pustules but most are water soluble and therefore only treat the epidermis.
Exfoliating: The type of exfoliant you use will depend on if you reach the dermis or not. Physical exfoliation (scrubs, microdermabrasion) removes dead skin from the epidermis. Chemical exfoliants remove dead skin from the top layer but can also penetrate to the dermis, for added skin benefits. The most common chemical exfoliant is salicylic acid.
Toner: Epidermis wins again. Toners are used to help get rid of any cleanser residue left from cleansing our skin. They also rid our face of dirt and oil. Toners, unlike cleansers, stay on the skin, allowing the ingredients to penetrate further down into two other layers of the epidermis called the stratum lucidum and the stratum granulosum.
Serum: This part of the routine is when skincare starts to immediately do its job. Serums are made with ingredients of the smallest molecular structure to be well absorbed into the skin. Typically, water based, and are created to treat a specific skin problem. Whether it be a hydrating or resurfacing serum that is acid based, it’s always the powerhouse of our skin routine because the molecular structure allows ingredients to reach the dermis. Retinol and Retinal are also in this category.
Moisturizer: Can be occlusive or permeable. Occlusive products sit on top of the outermost layer (epidermis) to trap in active ingredients, and water to keep our skin healthy, and hydrated; they do not penetrate the skin layers. Think of old school when Vaseline was the hot product, or a product that’s made of wax like lip balm. On the other end, you have emollients which are permeable. Think of creams, lotions, and gels. Being that this is typically the last step in a routine for most people this product will take the longest time to penetrate the skin.
Take away? We have three sectional layers to our skin called the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis) Permeability of skincare products depend on molecular structure and if it is water or oil soluble. Think cleansers, vs salicylic acid.
Blessings with love and sparkles!
Disclaimer: I am not a dermatologist. I am a friendly and knowledgeable beauty obsessed consumer. Please refer all questions you have to your physicians.
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creating habits of forgiveness
June 13, 2023
Written By: Serene Grace
Who hasn't been hurt by the words or actions of another? Wake-up call! Well, with everyday living (especially in today’s world), we encounter these feelings of hurt from people closest to our hearts, personally and professionally or it can be from a random stranger. With that said, hurt feelings can be from a parent that constantly criticized you growing up, a colleague sabotaging a project, a child not listening to your rules, a close friend having miscommunication with you, or a partner having an affair. What about having a traumatic experience, such as being physically or emotionally abused by someone, which leaves scars of mistrust and insecurities underneath your inner core? Hurt feelings take on many different forms.
At the end, hurtful words can be like swords, along with wrongful actions being heavy crosses to bear, which leaves lasting feelings of resentment, bitterness, and anger, sometimes even hatred. It is not what you say or do, but it is how you make the other person feel. To be honest, people don’t forget certain words or actions because it leaves an ever-lasting impression that could affect a person in a negative way for a short or long season and sometimes, a lifetime.
Here is another truth! People hold onto pain from previous hurts and don’t know how to let go to heal properly. The good news is there is a way to start healing by learning to embrace forgiveness.
What Is Forgiveness? Forgiveness involves an intentional decision to let go of resentment and anger. Working on forgiveness can lessen the pain or an emotional hold, while setting yourself free from the control of the person who harmed you. Also, forgiveness can lead to feelings of understanding, empathy, and compassion for the one who hurt you, which can be a miracle.
Bottom line, forgiveness should be a two-way street, however; it can be a one-way for others. Forgiveness doesn't mean forgetting or excusing the harm done to you. It also doesn't necessarily mean making up with the person who caused the harm. Forgiveness brings a kind of peace that allows you to focus on yourself and helps you go on with life by forgiving yourself first.
Forgiving someone can lead to many positive results….• Healthier relationships.• Improved mental health.• Less anxiety, stress, and hostility.• Fewer symptoms of depression.• Lower blood pressure.• A stronger immune system.• Improved heart health.
Ever tried the 5 Steps to Forgiveness? Licensed clinical psychologist Everett L. Worthington Jr. and author of Five Steps to Forgiveness: The Art and Science of Forgiving developed these techniques called REACH Forgiveness Techniques for forgiving others in five steps. Let check them out…. “R = Recall the hurt. Make up your mind not to be nasty and hurtful in return, not to hold a grudge, not to treat yourself like a victim and not to treat your partner as a jerk. Decide to forgive — not pursuing payback but instead treating the person as a valuable person. E = Empathize with your partner. Pretend the other person is in an empty chair across from you. Pour your heart out. When you’ve had your say, sit in the chair, and talk back to the imaginary you as the other person might. This builds empathy. Even if you can’t empathize, you might feel more sympathy, compassion, or love, which may help you heal from hurt. A = Altruistic gift. Give forgiveness as an unselfish, altruistic gift — one that the offender does not deserve. We all can remember when we wronged someone — a parent, teacher or friend — and the person forgave us. We felt light and free. We didn’t want to disappoint that person by being hurtful again. By forgiving unselfishly, you can give that same gift to the one who hurt you. C = Commit. After you’ve forgiven, write a note to yourself — something as simple as “Today I forgave [person’s name] for hurting me.” That will help your forgiveness last. H = Hold on to forgiveness. We write such notes because we will almost surely be tempted to doubt that we really forgave. When we doubt our forgiveness, we can reread our note. We did forgive.” When it comes to forgiveness, it is the ultimate, first step towards restoring peace and hope with others and most importantly, within yourself. Forgiveness can lead you down the path of physical, emotional, and spiritual healing, which all you have to do is just REACH for it. Blessings with love and light.
Adapted from: Five Steps to Forgiveness: The Art and Science of Forgiving (2001), by Everett Worthington, Ph.D.
Ever tried the 5 Steps to Forgiveness? Licensed clinical psychologist Everett L. Worthington Jr. and author of Five Steps to Forgiveness: The Art and Science of Forgiving developed these techniques called REACH Forgiveness Techniques for forgiving others in five steps. Let check them out…. “R = Recall the hurt. Make up your mind not to be nasty and hurtful in return, not to hold a grudge, not to treat yourself like a victim and not to treat your partner as a jerk. Decide to forgive — not pursuing payback but instead treating the person as a valuable person. E = Empathize with your partner. Pretend the other person is in an empty chair across from you. Pour your heart out. When you’ve had your say, sit in the chair, and talk back to the imaginary you as the other person might. This builds empathy. Even if you can’t empathize, you might feel more sympathy, compassion, or love, which may help you heal from hurt. A = Altruistic gift. Give forgiveness as an unselfish, altruistic gift — one that the offender does not deserve. We all can remember when we wronged someone — a parent, teacher or friend — and the person forgave us. We felt light and free. We didn’t want to disappoint that person by being hurtful again. By forgiving unselfishly, you can give that same gift to the one who hurt you. C = Commit. After you’ve forgiven, write a note to yourself — something as simple as “Today I forgave [person’s name] for hurting me.” That will help your forgiveness last. H = Hold on to forgiveness. We write such notes because we will almost surely be tempted to doubt that we really forgave. When we doubt our forgiveness, we can reread our note. We did forgive.” When it comes to forgiveness, it is the ultimate, first step towards restoring peace and hope with others and most importantly, within yourself. Forgiveness can lead you down the path of physical, emotional, and spiritual healing, which all you have to do is just REACH for it. Blessings with love and light.
Adapted from: Five Steps to Forgiveness: The Art and Science of Forgiving (2001), by Everett Worthington, Ph.D.
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Let’s Get Walking!
June 13, 2023
Written By: Serene Grace
Summertime is around the corner. It gives us the time to be more outdoors to explore or enjoy outside activities for fun. Whatever it may be, it gives up the opportunity to keep our energies circulating for good health reasons. Now, I would like to touch on how walking is a healthy choice to do more around the summer. With that said, if you are going to be outdoors more, please keep yourself hydrated, so you don’t overheat or get a heat stroke.
It is said that just 30 minutes every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. It can also reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and some cancers. It also boosts your immune system. Walking can help protect you during cold and flu season. And if you did get sick, it was for a shorter duration, and the symptoms were milder. Here is another cool fact. Harvard researchers looked at 32 obesity-promoting genes in over 12,000 people in a study to determine how much these genes contribute to body weight. They discovered that people who walked briskly for about 30 minutes or an hour a day, the effects of those genes were cut in half. Walking also tames a sweet tooth. It has shown that walking curbs cravings for chocolate and even reduces the amount of chocolate you eat in stressful situations. I said earlier that walking reduces the risk of developing some cancers, especially with breast cancer. There was an American Cancer Society study that zeroed in on walking which found that women who walked seven or more hours a week had a 14% lower risk of breast cancer than those who walked three hours or fewer per week. And walking provided this protection even for the women with breast cancer risk factors, such as being overweight or using supplemental hormones. It eases joint pain. Several studies have found that walking reduces arthritis-related pain, and that walking five to six miles a week can even prevent arthritis from forming in the first place. Walking protects the joints, especially the knees and hips, which are most susceptible to osteoarthritis by lubricating them and strengthening the muscles that support them. And yes, walking helps with the delay of the onset of varicose veins. Lastly, walking can improve your mood, boost your brainpower, enhance creativity, live longer, and of course, reduce stress. Walking has so many positive benefits, which are amazing and not hard to incorporate into our daily routine. So, let’s get walking and feeling our best this summer. Blessings with love and light.
Summertime is around the corner. It gives us the time to be more outdoors to explore or enjoy outside activities for fun. Whatever it may be, it gives up the opportunity to keep our energies circulating for good health reasons. Now, I would like to touch on how walking is a healthy choice to do more around the summer. With that said, if you are going to be outdoors more, please keep yourself hydrated, so you don’t overheat or get a heat stroke.
It is said that just 30 minutes every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. It can also reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and some cancers. It also boosts your immune system. Walking can help protect you during cold and flu season. And if you did get sick, it was for a shorter duration, and the symptoms were milder. Here is another cool fact. Harvard researchers looked at 32 obesity-promoting genes in over 12,000 people in a study to determine how much these genes contribute to body weight. They discovered that people who walked briskly for about 30 minutes or an hour a day, the effects of those genes were cut in half. Walking also tames a sweet tooth. It has shown that walking curbs cravings for chocolate and even reduces the amount of chocolate you eat in stressful situations. I said earlier that walking reduces the risk of developing some cancers, especially with breast cancer. There was an American Cancer Society study that zeroed in on walking which found that women who walked seven or more hours a week had a 14% lower risk of breast cancer than those who walked three hours or fewer per week. And walking provided this protection even for the women with breast cancer risk factors, such as being overweight or using supplemental hormones. It eases joint pain. Several studies have found that walking reduces arthritis-related pain, and that walking five to six miles a week can even prevent arthritis from forming in the first place. Walking protects the joints, especially the knees and hips, which are most susceptible to osteoarthritis by lubricating them and strengthening the muscles that support them. And yes, walking helps with the delay of the onset of varicose veins. Lastly, walking can improve your mood, boost your brainpower, enhance creativity, live longer, and of course, reduce stress. Walking has so many positive benefits, which are amazing and not hard to incorporate into our daily routine. So, let’s get walking and feeling our best this summer. Blessings with love and light.
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Spring 2023 Etiquette Publications!
Let's Put Some Sparkle Into Spring.
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happy Mother's day: How to pamper our mothers!
May 11, 2023Written By: Serene Grace
Blessings! Erma Bombeck said it so perfectly, “When your mother asks, ‘Do you want a piece of advice?’ It is a mere formality. It doesn’t matter if you answer yes or no. You’re going to get it any way.” Then Sophia Loren mentions, “When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.”
When it comes to our mothers in the world, they are the glue for our families and communities to remain strong and kept together. For those who are not mothers, but contribute love and guidance in unique ways, we honor you, as well. From working full-time jobs, being mothers or nurturing mentors, pursuing education and their dreams, owning businesses, making important discoveries and advancements in religion, science, art, and writing, along with caring for the elderly, fighting wars, and governing countries, we all can say that women play a major part of being the backbones of bringing peace and balance back into this world. With our mothers, there are different ways where we can honor them. I always say it is about pampering them on Mother’s Day or maybe for the entire month of May. However, there’s nothing wrong with celebrating and honoring your mother (who is a queen in her own right) all into May. So, here are my unique suggestions for honoring our mothers…. Pamper Her As A Queen: Sometimes, our mothers need a day to rejuvenate their inner beauty and relieve unnecessary worries and stresses. Book a spa session at a nearby salon. Get a spa package that offers a relaxing massage, refreshing facial, pedicure, and manicure or a gift certificate so she can choose a service for herself. This makes the perfect gift to pamper your mom as a queen. Plus, it gives her much-needed ME-TIME and makes her glow like a movie star.
Showtime-Trip To The Theatre: Take your mom to see a show at your local performing arts center. Every venue has a variety of performances, from bands to plays. Surprise her with a special evening at the theatre. This will add sparkles to her eyes. Want A Spot Of Tea-Afternoon Tea: Give your mother a reason to dress up in her Sunday best for an afternoon tea party, along with the excuse to pull out fabulous hats to wear for the special occasion. Take her somewhere where they serve afternoon high tea with a variety of different teas in dainty teacups, along with finger sandwiches, assorted pastries, and fresh flowers. Also, you can have a tea party at your home, which makes it more of a personal touch and special moment with your mom. You also could have the tea party outside of your home during very nice weather to enjoy spring or summer fresh air. Memory Book For Mom: Create a personalized memory book for your mom. You can create a digital book online that can be printed in a professional format or go old-school scrapbook style. Try to include photos from her childhood, grandkids, friends and family, or even little stories from her past. This would be a lifetime keepsake for her to share with everyone. Starting A New Tradition With Mom: Instead of breakfast in bed, flowers, and brunch, surprise your mom with an unexpected road trip together to make memories. Maybe do a beach trip or bed and breakfast for two. Make sure she doesn’t have to work harder and worry more because of the trip. Also, there are other ways to create a new tradition that can be doing a painting class, going for a picnic, or experiencing a wine tasting together. Get as creative as you want for your mother, especially when it comes from the heart. When it comes to pampering our mothers, they deserve our unconditional love, honor, and respect, along with plenty of sparkle to brighten their Mother’s Day and all into May. Remember, our mothers are queens and know how to wear their crowns with much love and light. Happy Mother's Day!
When it comes to our mothers in the world, they are the glue for our families and communities to remain strong and kept together. For those who are not mothers, but contribute love and guidance in unique ways, we honor you, as well. From working full-time jobs, being mothers or nurturing mentors, pursuing education and their dreams, owning businesses, making important discoveries and advancements in religion, science, art, and writing, along with caring for the elderly, fighting wars, and governing countries, we all can say that women play a major part of being the backbones of bringing peace and balance back into this world. With our mothers, there are different ways where we can honor them. I always say it is about pampering them on Mother’s Day or maybe for the entire month of May. However, there’s nothing wrong with celebrating and honoring your mother (who is a queen in her own right) all into May. So, here are my unique suggestions for honoring our mothers…. Pamper Her As A Queen: Sometimes, our mothers need a day to rejuvenate their inner beauty and relieve unnecessary worries and stresses. Book a spa session at a nearby salon. Get a spa package that offers a relaxing massage, refreshing facial, pedicure, and manicure or a gift certificate so she can choose a service for herself. This makes the perfect gift to pamper your mom as a queen. Plus, it gives her much-needed ME-TIME and makes her glow like a movie star.
Showtime-Trip To The Theatre: Take your mom to see a show at your local performing arts center. Every venue has a variety of performances, from bands to plays. Surprise her with a special evening at the theatre. This will add sparkles to her eyes. Want A Spot Of Tea-Afternoon Tea: Give your mother a reason to dress up in her Sunday best for an afternoon tea party, along with the excuse to pull out fabulous hats to wear for the special occasion. Take her somewhere where they serve afternoon high tea with a variety of different teas in dainty teacups, along with finger sandwiches, assorted pastries, and fresh flowers. Also, you can have a tea party at your home, which makes it more of a personal touch and special moment with your mom. You also could have the tea party outside of your home during very nice weather to enjoy spring or summer fresh air. Memory Book For Mom: Create a personalized memory book for your mom. You can create a digital book online that can be printed in a professional format or go old-school scrapbook style. Try to include photos from her childhood, grandkids, friends and family, or even little stories from her past. This would be a lifetime keepsake for her to share with everyone. Starting A New Tradition With Mom: Instead of breakfast in bed, flowers, and brunch, surprise your mom with an unexpected road trip together to make memories. Maybe do a beach trip or bed and breakfast for two. Make sure she doesn’t have to work harder and worry more because of the trip. Also, there are other ways to create a new tradition that can be doing a painting class, going for a picnic, or experiencing a wine tasting together. Get as creative as you want for your mother, especially when it comes from the heart. When it comes to pampering our mothers, they deserve our unconditional love, honor, and respect, along with plenty of sparkle to brighten their Mother’s Day and all into May. Remember, our mothers are queens and know how to wear their crowns with much love and light. Happy Mother's Day!
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Celebrating Mother's Day around the world!
May 8, 2023Written By: Serene Grace
Happy Blessed Mother’s Day to all of the wonderful mothers out there. Let this special day be filled with lots of joy, healing, love, peace, and much sparkles with your families and friends.
Last year, I talked about the history of how Mother’s Day became an official holiday and a tradition which was later celebrated on the second Sunday in May. Here a small recap of how Mother’s Day became a holiday honoring motherhood that is observed in different forms throughout the world. In the United States, Mother’s Day 2023 will occur on Sunday, May 14th. The American incarnation of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. Jarvis would later denounce the holiday’s commercialization and spent the latter part of her life trying to remove it from the calendar. While dates and celebrations vary, Mother’s Day traditionally involves presenting moms with flowers, cards and other gifts. However, when it comes to celebrating Mother’s Day around the world, there are unique customs in different countries, so let’s discover some of them… Italy-La Festa della Mamma:Mother’s day is known as La Festa della Mamma in Italy. Italian mamma is the most important person in the house. She is kind of celebrated throughout the year. But on Mother’s Day, she is definitely pampered and appreciated more. La Festa della Mamma is celebrated on the second Sunday of every May. Celebrations are simple. Family members try to get together and indulge their moms. If you cannot get home, you have to call. Small gifts, fresh flowers (often roses), and handwritten poetry are common. Cards are not that common in Italy. Mother’s day ends with a dessert, mostly a cake in the heart shape!
France-Medals For Mom:In 1920, the government of France began awarding medals to mothers of large families in gratitude for helping rebuild the population after so many lives were lost in World War I. After World War II, the government declared the last Sunday in May to be the Day of Mothers. The traditional gift is now a flower-shaped cake. Arab World:Arab countries in both Asia and Africa celebrate Mother’s Day on the 21st of March, the first day of spring when Mother Earth herself comes to life. It started in Egypt when a journalist tried to promote the idea of a day honoring the mothers of the country. The idea was initially ridiculed because it was a western concept. But then, slowly, it got accepted and spread to other Arab countries including Bahrain, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, and Iraq. In the Arab world, this day celebrates not only biological mothers but every other motherly figure. That is why teachers at school receive a lot of Mother’s Day cards. At home, it is common for the children to kiss their mothers’ hands as a sign of love and affection. Mothers receive cards, flowers, and other presents. Grandmoms and mothers-in-law also receive gifts. It is also traditional for the family to dedicate a song (usually women-centric) to the mothers in the family. Ethiopia-Antrosht:Mother’s Day in Ethiopia is celebrated for 3 long days instead of just one. It begins on the second Sunday of May like in other countries. Mother’s Day is a massive celebration in Ethiopia with families indulging in feasts and gatherings. The celebration is called “Antrosht.” This usually consists of a dish called “hash” made of lamb/bull, vegetables, and butter and a traditional Ethiopian drink called the Ethiopian punch. As we celebrate Mother’s Day, here is a A Prayer for all Mothers… Thank you, Lord, that you fill a mother’s heart with love, That you have instilled in her very being the need to protect her children if at all possible, Thank you for giving her the gift of nurturing her children, of teaching them, of comforting them, for feeding them and making a safe place for them. For guiding them to be all that God has created them to be. Fill every mother with love, wisdom and endurance, with strength and patience and joy. Give them ability to forgive again and again. Enable her to rely on You and call upon You, because You will give her all she needs. In Your precious and all powerful name, Amen Blessings with love and light!
Last year, I talked about the history of how Mother’s Day became an official holiday and a tradition which was later celebrated on the second Sunday in May. Here a small recap of how Mother’s Day became a holiday honoring motherhood that is observed in different forms throughout the world. In the United States, Mother’s Day 2023 will occur on Sunday, May 14th. The American incarnation of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. Jarvis would later denounce the holiday’s commercialization and spent the latter part of her life trying to remove it from the calendar. While dates and celebrations vary, Mother’s Day traditionally involves presenting moms with flowers, cards and other gifts. However, when it comes to celebrating Mother’s Day around the world, there are unique customs in different countries, so let’s discover some of them… Italy-La Festa della Mamma:Mother’s day is known as La Festa della Mamma in Italy. Italian mamma is the most important person in the house. She is kind of celebrated throughout the year. But on Mother’s Day, she is definitely pampered and appreciated more. La Festa della Mamma is celebrated on the second Sunday of every May. Celebrations are simple. Family members try to get together and indulge their moms. If you cannot get home, you have to call. Small gifts, fresh flowers (often roses), and handwritten poetry are common. Cards are not that common in Italy. Mother’s day ends with a dessert, mostly a cake in the heart shape!
France-Medals For Mom:In 1920, the government of France began awarding medals to mothers of large families in gratitude for helping rebuild the population after so many lives were lost in World War I. After World War II, the government declared the last Sunday in May to be the Day of Mothers. The traditional gift is now a flower-shaped cake. Arab World:Arab countries in both Asia and Africa celebrate Mother’s Day on the 21st of March, the first day of spring when Mother Earth herself comes to life. It started in Egypt when a journalist tried to promote the idea of a day honoring the mothers of the country. The idea was initially ridiculed because it was a western concept. But then, slowly, it got accepted and spread to other Arab countries including Bahrain, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, and Iraq. In the Arab world, this day celebrates not only biological mothers but every other motherly figure. That is why teachers at school receive a lot of Mother’s Day cards. At home, it is common for the children to kiss their mothers’ hands as a sign of love and affection. Mothers receive cards, flowers, and other presents. Grandmoms and mothers-in-law also receive gifts. It is also traditional for the family to dedicate a song (usually women-centric) to the mothers in the family. Ethiopia-Antrosht:Mother’s Day in Ethiopia is celebrated for 3 long days instead of just one. It begins on the second Sunday of May like in other countries. Mother’s Day is a massive celebration in Ethiopia with families indulging in feasts and gatherings. The celebration is called “Antrosht.” This usually consists of a dish called “hash” made of lamb/bull, vegetables, and butter and a traditional Ethiopian drink called the Ethiopian punch. As we celebrate Mother’s Day, here is a A Prayer for all Mothers… Thank you, Lord, that you fill a mother’s heart with love, That you have instilled in her very being the need to protect her children if at all possible, Thank you for giving her the gift of nurturing her children, of teaching them, of comforting them, for feeding them and making a safe place for them. For guiding them to be all that God has created them to be. Fill every mother with love, wisdom and endurance, with strength and patience and joy. Give them ability to forgive again and again. Enable her to rely on You and call upon You, because You will give her all she needs. In Your precious and all powerful name, Amen Blessings with love and light!
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Collagen, The Beauty Industries Biggest Scam
May 8, 2023Written By: Sarah Jean
If you have been searching for the fountain of youth, then you have likely heard of collagen and how it is basically an anti-aging miracle. While collagen is great to orally supplement, it does nothing for your skin when you apply it topically. All of those brands pushing for you to buy their collagen creams and serums are scamming you, and they know it. There is only one way to physically boost collagen production in your skin, and that is by irritating it. What I mean irritation is you have to physically damage your skin. Causing damage to the skin wakes up the (ATP) Adenosine Triphosphate. (ATP) is the powerhouse of your skin cells, and by sending signals to the skin that it has been damaged, it will then wakeup and realize that it needs to repair itself.
3 Popular Ways to stimulate collagen production and gain a more youthful appearance.... The most popular and easiest way to stimulate your skin to produce more collagen, is by microneedling. This can be done by a professional at a spa, or at home. Most people opt to use the at home devices available such as a dermaroller or a microchannel stamp. Microneedling works by using a tool with tiny spiky cones that punctures the skin without leaving a mark or having any recovery down time. By using a microneedling device, and then using your serums and actives; you allow them to penetrate the epidermis more easily and in turn the ingredients of your products will be able to reach the lower layers of your skin. While you can buy a microneedling tool for at home use, having this procedure done by a professional will be more beneficial for skin aging because medical estheticians have access to different sizes microneedles.
The second most popular way to stimulate collagen and get a more youthful appearance is through (IPL) Intensive pulse light therapy. This procedure is much more associated with removing hyperpigmentation but depending on the strength, (IPL) can help to promote collagen growth in the skin. (IPL) is the more advanced light therapy procedure to its sister light therapy procedure (LED) Light Emitting Diode which is non-invasive just like (IPL). Light therapy services done by a professional can greatly improve the appearance of signs of aging, like wrinkles, fine lines, and redness. (IPL) can be either ablative, or non ablative; with the latter being more gentle. If you are looking to see results faster then I suggest getting an ablative (IPL) treatment done. Keep in mind that with either type you have to be patient to see results. (IPL) is not the same as laser therapy because it does not use lasers, and instead releases multiple wave lengths of light to cover a larger surface area, while Laser (LED) focuses on using one specific wavelength.
The conditions that each laser treatment can address differ because of the strength being used.
Ablative (Erbium Yag Laser)Acne scarringSun damageMild to moderate wrinklesHyperpigmentationNon-melanoma skin cancersNon-Ablative( Neodymium Yag Laser)Vascular reductionHair RemovalVascular birthmarksTattoo removalMild hyperpigmentation(IPL) Intense Pulse LightPost inflammatory acne scarsBirthmarksHyperpigmentationSpider veinsRosaceaSun damageMelasmaDiscoloration of stretch marksChemical Peels The third way to stimulate collagen is by going to a medical spa or dermatologist to get a chemical peel service done. Chemical peels are used to exfoliate the skin and they greatly differ in strength and you often have to work your way up to stronger peels by first undergoing basic strength peels to build up a tolerance. More on chemical peels can be found in my article Microdermabrasion, peels, LED’s oh my!
Before undergoing any treatment please consult with your medical physician, preferably a dermatologist as they are more knowledgeable in how certain procedures can effect our bodies. It is important to do this because many anti-aging treatments and products come with contraindications.
Disclaimer:I am not a dermatologist. I am a friendly and knowledgeable beauty obsessed consumer. Please refer all questions you have to your physicians.
3 Popular Ways to stimulate collagen production and gain a more youthful appearance.... The most popular and easiest way to stimulate your skin to produce more collagen, is by microneedling. This can be done by a professional at a spa, or at home. Most people opt to use the at home devices available such as a dermaroller or a microchannel stamp. Microneedling works by using a tool with tiny spiky cones that punctures the skin without leaving a mark or having any recovery down time. By using a microneedling device, and then using your serums and actives; you allow them to penetrate the epidermis more easily and in turn the ingredients of your products will be able to reach the lower layers of your skin. While you can buy a microneedling tool for at home use, having this procedure done by a professional will be more beneficial for skin aging because medical estheticians have access to different sizes microneedles.
The second most popular way to stimulate collagen and get a more youthful appearance is through (IPL) Intensive pulse light therapy. This procedure is much more associated with removing hyperpigmentation but depending on the strength, (IPL) can help to promote collagen growth in the skin. (IPL) is the more advanced light therapy procedure to its sister light therapy procedure (LED) Light Emitting Diode which is non-invasive just like (IPL). Light therapy services done by a professional can greatly improve the appearance of signs of aging, like wrinkles, fine lines, and redness. (IPL) can be either ablative, or non ablative; with the latter being more gentle. If you are looking to see results faster then I suggest getting an ablative (IPL) treatment done. Keep in mind that with either type you have to be patient to see results. (IPL) is not the same as laser therapy because it does not use lasers, and instead releases multiple wave lengths of light to cover a larger surface area, while Laser (LED) focuses on using one specific wavelength.
The conditions that each laser treatment can address differ because of the strength being used.
Ablative (Erbium Yag Laser)Acne scarringSun damageMild to moderate wrinklesHyperpigmentationNon-melanoma skin cancersNon-Ablative( Neodymium Yag Laser)Vascular reductionHair RemovalVascular birthmarksTattoo removalMild hyperpigmentation(IPL) Intense Pulse LightPost inflammatory acne scarsBirthmarksHyperpigmentationSpider veinsRosaceaSun damageMelasmaDiscoloration of stretch marksChemical Peels The third way to stimulate collagen is by going to a medical spa or dermatologist to get a chemical peel service done. Chemical peels are used to exfoliate the skin and they greatly differ in strength and you often have to work your way up to stronger peels by first undergoing basic strength peels to build up a tolerance. More on chemical peels can be found in my article Microdermabrasion, peels, LED’s oh my!
Before undergoing any treatment please consult with your medical physician, preferably a dermatologist as they are more knowledgeable in how certain procedures can effect our bodies. It is important to do this because many anti-aging treatments and products come with contraindications.
Disclaimer:I am not a dermatologist. I am a friendly and knowledgeable beauty obsessed consumer. Please refer all questions you have to your physicians.
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leaving A little Sparkle Into today's world!
April 14, 2023
Written By: Serene Grace
Blessings! Time to put some sparkles into spring. For me, I just celebrated my 46th birthday in April. Talk about aging gracefully with a little sparkle and style. Personally, I love the metaphor of a ‘sparkle’ because it’s about standing out and reflecting the inner light of who you are in today’s world. It’s about being alive, energetic, interesting, and exciting to live your best life ever.
It’s also scarier to be who you are in today’s world and try to be at peace with everyone around you. It doesn’t matter where you come from or what lifestyle you have, the bigger challenge is allowing yourself to live your life while not having to deal with judgment, fear, hate, or stigma.
When it comes to dealing with critics, you must learn how to have healthy boundaries with those around you. It is wise to have boundaries, so it gives you the parameter to learn how to respond to people in your sacred space and vice versa for them to react towards you. It is a two-way street. At times, it is never perfect, but it takes practice when having boundaries.
When it comes to our sparkle, how can we shine brighter in today’s world without fear? Sometimes, we must remind people of their sparkles. Tell others what they can become and witness their enthusiasm from them. People wish to learn about their capabilities. They need you to remind them of their strengths and positive sparkles within themselves. They unconsciously search for an assurance that said, “Yes! You can do what you think!”
When you fuel them with your words of hope, faith, and trust, they find themselves capable of doing miracles. Having encouraging words can inspire people to tackle the impossible, confront their failures, and take risks. You’ll be surprised.
This is why I am a life coach and love to inspire people back to their sparkles with these special reminders:
• Anyone can be successful and needs to be reminded of those worthy qualities. Remember you are worthy and deserving of love.
• There is always the brighter side of things which a person can make an effort to turn things around in life. When there are lemons, we make lemonade. You learn to take a negative and turn into a positive. You get my point!
• Give a person a purpose to work on. It begins by you telling the person how important he or she is and brings positive change into the world. This will be more than enough to fill a person with optimism and feel the sparkle from within again.
Blessing with love and light!
Blessing with love and light!
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Let’s Celebrate Valentine’s Day With A Little History and Culture!
February 11, 2023 Written By: Serene Grace
Ever wondered how we got Valentine’s Day? Who is the mysterious Saint Valentine? Why is Valentine’s Day on February 14th? How does different countries celebrate it? Well, let’s explore some of the origins and traditions of Valentine’s Day. Shall we begin….
St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, how is Saint Valentine, associated with this ancient rite? The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. There was also Saint Valentine of Terni, a bishop, who was the true namesake of the holiday. He, too, was beheaded by Claudius II outside Rome.
There was a legend that suggested Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. According to the legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first “Valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl (possibly his jailor’s daughter) who visited him during his confinement.
Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still in used today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and most importantly, a romantic figure.
Pope Gelasius I decided to replace Lupercalia (a Roman Festival) with the Feast of the Purification. He changed the date from February 15th to February 14th and named the day in honor of St. Valentine, the patron saint of lovers, people with epilepsy, and beekeepers.
By the Middle Ages, Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in England and France. It also became common in those countries to celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14th, especially during the beginning of bird’s mating season.
Valentine’s day is celebrated worldwide regardless of its origins. Many countries celebrate this holiday in many unique customs and styles around the world…
Italy: Popular Day for CouplesOriginally, Italians celebrated Valentine’s Day as their spring festival. Another Italian Valentine’s Day tradition was for young, unmarried couples to wake up before dawn to spot their future husband. Today, Italians celebrate by exchanging gifts between lovers and romantic dinners.
Argentina: A Week of SweetnessArgentinians don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day in February, but “The Week of Sweetness” in July. It’s the day when lovers exchange kisses and receive chocolates and other sweets. In the country, the day actually started as a commercial invention but later became Valentine’s traditions.
France: Epicenter of RomanceIt is believed that the first-ever Valentine’s Day card was originated in France, when Charles, the Duke of Orleans, sent love letters to his wife from the prison in 1415. And the French village called “Valentine” turns into the epicenter of romance between 12th and 14th February. One can see the beautiful yards, trees, and homes decorated with love cards, roses, and proposals for marriage flakes. It probably is the most beautiful Valentine’s Day traditions in the world.
South Korea: A Unique Set of ExperienceThe romantic couples in South Korea celebrate the day of love on the 14th of each month. Yes, you read it right! “The Day of Roses” is celebrated in May. “The day of Kisses” is celebrated in June. “The day of Hugs” in December.” Also, single people celebrate “The Black Day” in April by eating black noodles.
Ghana: National Chocolate DayIn Ghana, February 14th is celebrated as the “National Chocolate Day.” It is a step that the Ghana government took in 2007 to increase tourism in the country. Ghana is among the largest cocoa-producing countries in the world. On February 14th, one can attend performances, music events, and restaurants that have themed menus for the special day.
Denmark: A Celebration of LoveAlthough Valentine’s Day is one of the new Denmark festivals, the country also celebrates the day of love and romance on February 14th with a twist. In Denmark, Valentine’s Day is not limited to roses and chocolates. Friends and lovers exchange handmade cards with pressed white flowers that are called snowdrops.
Bulgaria: Day of WinemakersBulgaria celebrates Valentine’s Day in its own style. On February 14th, San Trifon Zartan is celebrated in Bulgaria, which means “Day of Winemakers.” Young and old couples celebrate their love with a glass of wonderful local wine.
Brazil: Lovers Day“Dia dos Namorados” festival, which is also known as “Lovers Day,” is celebrated in Brazil. There’s an usual exchange of chocolates, cards, flowers, and one can witness music festivals and dance performances. Gifting is not reserved for couples during the festival, family dinners are common on the day.
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it’s good to enrich ourselves with a little history and culture, especially in knowing that the world celebrates it with such diversity and much love.
Ever wondered how we got Valentine’s Day? Who is the mysterious Saint Valentine? Why is Valentine’s Day on February 14th? How does different countries celebrate it? Well, let’s explore some of the origins and traditions of Valentine’s Day. Shall we begin….
St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, how is Saint Valentine, associated with this ancient rite? The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. There was also Saint Valentine of Terni, a bishop, who was the true namesake of the holiday. He, too, was beheaded by Claudius II outside Rome.
There was a legend that suggested Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. According to the legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first “Valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl (possibly his jailor’s daughter) who visited him during his confinement.
Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still in used today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and most importantly, a romantic figure.
Pope Gelasius I decided to replace Lupercalia (a Roman Festival) with the Feast of the Purification. He changed the date from February 15th to February 14th and named the day in honor of St. Valentine, the patron saint of lovers, people with epilepsy, and beekeepers.
By the Middle Ages, Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in England and France. It also became common in those countries to celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14th, especially during the beginning of bird’s mating season.
Valentine’s day is celebrated worldwide regardless of its origins. Many countries celebrate this holiday in many unique customs and styles around the world…
Italy: Popular Day for CouplesOriginally, Italians celebrated Valentine’s Day as their spring festival. Another Italian Valentine’s Day tradition was for young, unmarried couples to wake up before dawn to spot their future husband. Today, Italians celebrate by exchanging gifts between lovers and romantic dinners.
Argentina: A Week of SweetnessArgentinians don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day in February, but “The Week of Sweetness” in July. It’s the day when lovers exchange kisses and receive chocolates and other sweets. In the country, the day actually started as a commercial invention but later became Valentine’s traditions.
France: Epicenter of RomanceIt is believed that the first-ever Valentine’s Day card was originated in France, when Charles, the Duke of Orleans, sent love letters to his wife from the prison in 1415. And the French village called “Valentine” turns into the epicenter of romance between 12th and 14th February. One can see the beautiful yards, trees, and homes decorated with love cards, roses, and proposals for marriage flakes. It probably is the most beautiful Valentine’s Day traditions in the world.
South Korea: A Unique Set of ExperienceThe romantic couples in South Korea celebrate the day of love on the 14th of each month. Yes, you read it right! “The Day of Roses” is celebrated in May. “The day of Kisses” is celebrated in June. “The day of Hugs” in December.” Also, single people celebrate “The Black Day” in April by eating black noodles.
Ghana: National Chocolate DayIn Ghana, February 14th is celebrated as the “National Chocolate Day.” It is a step that the Ghana government took in 2007 to increase tourism in the country. Ghana is among the largest cocoa-producing countries in the world. On February 14th, one can attend performances, music events, and restaurants that have themed menus for the special day.
Denmark: A Celebration of LoveAlthough Valentine’s Day is one of the new Denmark festivals, the country also celebrates the day of love and romance on February 14th with a twist. In Denmark, Valentine’s Day is not limited to roses and chocolates. Friends and lovers exchange handmade cards with pressed white flowers that are called snowdrops.
Bulgaria: Day of WinemakersBulgaria celebrates Valentine’s Day in its own style. On February 14th, San Trifon Zartan is celebrated in Bulgaria, which means “Day of Winemakers.” Young and old couples celebrate their love with a glass of wonderful local wine.
Brazil: Lovers Day“Dia dos Namorados” festival, which is also known as “Lovers Day,” is celebrated in Brazil. There’s an usual exchange of chocolates, cards, flowers, and one can witness music festivals and dance performances. Gifting is not reserved for couples during the festival, family dinners are common on the day.
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it’s good to enrich ourselves with a little history and culture, especially in knowing that the world celebrates it with such diversity and much love.
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Diverse Ways To Celebrate Valentine’s Day With Everyone!
February 11, 2023Written By: Serene Grace
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Whether you are spending the day with a special someone or getting together with friends, here are some ways that you can do on a day that’s set aside for love with anyone....
A Day for Friends: Valentine’s Day is traditionally a way to celebrate the romance in your life, but it’s also a good way to show friends how much you value them. With some friends, you might give a card to say, “Happy Valentine’s Day,” while with others you might go out to a restaurant, a movie, a dance, or a play.
Express with Roses: Nothing wrong with giving a bouquet of red roses that said, "I love you." However, try to express your words with different color roses, such as, pink, orange, and yellow roses, which are viewed as admiration, excitement, and friendship respectively.
Spend Quality Time with Loved Ones: Make time for what’s important and spend quality time with your loved ones. The easiest way to spend quality time with loved ones is to involve them in your day. Go out to a nice restaurant or create a special dinner. Try to avoid distractions, such as surfing the internet, chatting on the phone, or deciding to do other things by yourself or with another group of people.
Sweets for Everyone: Chocolate is the super star to Valentine’s Day. If you are getting something for a parent, a friend, or a significant other, get a small box of chocolates or even better those sugary hearts with the little sayings on them. If you wish, you can bake a chocolate recipe and bring it to someone as a surprise on Valentine’s Day.
Make a Custom Card for Someone: The card will have more meaning to it if it’s created by you instead of buying a card from a store. Use your own words to describe the person you’re giving it to. Create a poem or a note of appreciation. This will not only show your appreciation but will also be cherished by them for a long time.
For this year, nothing wrong with discovering new diverse ways to enjoy Valentine’s Day. It is about getting a little creative and staying optimistic to enjoy some quality time with those you love. Blessings!
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Whether you are spending the day with a special someone or getting together with friends, here are some ways that you can do on a day that’s set aside for love with anyone....
A Day for Friends: Valentine’s Day is traditionally a way to celebrate the romance in your life, but it’s also a good way to show friends how much you value them. With some friends, you might give a card to say, “Happy Valentine’s Day,” while with others you might go out to a restaurant, a movie, a dance, or a play.
Express with Roses: Nothing wrong with giving a bouquet of red roses that said, "I love you." However, try to express your words with different color roses, such as, pink, orange, and yellow roses, which are viewed as admiration, excitement, and friendship respectively.
Spend Quality Time with Loved Ones: Make time for what’s important and spend quality time with your loved ones. The easiest way to spend quality time with loved ones is to involve them in your day. Go out to a nice restaurant or create a special dinner. Try to avoid distractions, such as surfing the internet, chatting on the phone, or deciding to do other things by yourself or with another group of people.
Sweets for Everyone: Chocolate is the super star to Valentine’s Day. If you are getting something for a parent, a friend, or a significant other, get a small box of chocolates or even better those sugary hearts with the little sayings on them. If you wish, you can bake a chocolate recipe and bring it to someone as a surprise on Valentine’s Day.
Make a Custom Card for Someone: The card will have more meaning to it if it’s created by you instead of buying a card from a store. Use your own words to describe the person you’re giving it to. Create a poem or a note of appreciation. This will not only show your appreciation but will also be cherished by them for a long time.
For this year, nothing wrong with discovering new diverse ways to enjoy Valentine’s Day. It is about getting a little creative and staying optimistic to enjoy some quality time with those you love. Blessings!
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Simple Ways To Strengthen Your Marriage, Partnership, or Relationship!
February 11, 2023Written By: Serene Grace
Ever wonder what simple ways can strengthen your marriage, partnership, or relationship? In life, you always need checks and balances, especially during a maintenance phase with your significant other. It always good to make the time to improve on things that matter. Also, this is called strengthening your foundation. Having a foundation build on love, respect, honesty, and trust is the bridge that makes any connection stronger and lasting. However, it "takes two to tango.” Let’s explore this concept more…. Improving on Communication: It’s easy to get distracted these days. You might find that you often go days without having a real conversation with your significant other. Communicating openly about your life, interests, dreams, frustrations, and feelings is an important way to foster intimacy in a relationship.
It’s also important that you listen to your significant other voice his/her thoughts. It can be helpful to set aside 30 minutes each day, especially away from distractions. Plus, practice makes perfect when it comes to learning how to listen and communicate your thoughts in a healthy manner. It’s a two-way street if you think about it.
Honor and Respect: Understanding, appreciating, and respecting is critical for any relationship. Start by making a list of your significant other’s best qualities to remind yourself of the wonderful person you have in life. This exercise will help you remember why you fell in love with the person in the first place.
Quality of Time and Space: One of the hardest things to balance in any connection is the right amount of time to spend together. Too much can feel like smothering while too little can be interpreted as inattentive. The key is to try to spend quality time together while also allowing each other the space to have the free time to be your own individual selves outside of a relationship.
Practicing Forgiveness: It’s not healthy to hold grudges (of any kind), especially when it can self-sabotage a relationship. Try to forgive your significant other as quickly as possible. Remember that forgiveness is just as much a gift you give to yourself. Holding a grudge takes up mental and emotional space and always impacts your health and stress levels. It is important to have boundaries in placed to express your feelings while practicing the art of forgiveness.
Forgiveness is also a two-way street. If you have wronged your significant other, sincerely apologize and ask for his/her forgiveness. Learn to listen to what your significant other has to say and try to understand why he/she is upset. Come to a compromise to work on things together. One step at a time. Again, it starts with forgiveness.
Most Importantly, Never Control Your Relationship: Don't try to monitor or control each other. Again, give your significant other the room to be the person he/she is in life. Let your significant other have the freedom to come and go without having to ask for permission. It is not healthy for a person to walk on eggshells around you (it goes both ways).
At the end, it "takes two to tango” when it comes to improving a foundation in a marriage, partnership, or relationship. It just takes a little effort to find simple ways to strengthen your love, respect, honesty, and trust with your significant other. It's all about growing a stronger connection that will last for a lifetime. Blessings!
Ever wonder what simple ways can strengthen your marriage, partnership, or relationship? In life, you always need checks and balances, especially during a maintenance phase with your significant other. It always good to make the time to improve on things that matter. Also, this is called strengthening your foundation. Having a foundation build on love, respect, honesty, and trust is the bridge that makes any connection stronger and lasting. However, it "takes two to tango.” Let’s explore this concept more…. Improving on Communication: It’s easy to get distracted these days. You might find that you often go days without having a real conversation with your significant other. Communicating openly about your life, interests, dreams, frustrations, and feelings is an important way to foster intimacy in a relationship.
It’s also important that you listen to your significant other voice his/her thoughts. It can be helpful to set aside 30 minutes each day, especially away from distractions. Plus, practice makes perfect when it comes to learning how to listen and communicate your thoughts in a healthy manner. It’s a two-way street if you think about it.
Honor and Respect: Understanding, appreciating, and respecting is critical for any relationship. Start by making a list of your significant other’s best qualities to remind yourself of the wonderful person you have in life. This exercise will help you remember why you fell in love with the person in the first place.
Quality of Time and Space: One of the hardest things to balance in any connection is the right amount of time to spend together. Too much can feel like smothering while too little can be interpreted as inattentive. The key is to try to spend quality time together while also allowing each other the space to have the free time to be your own individual selves outside of a relationship.
Practicing Forgiveness: It’s not healthy to hold grudges (of any kind), especially when it can self-sabotage a relationship. Try to forgive your significant other as quickly as possible. Remember that forgiveness is just as much a gift you give to yourself. Holding a grudge takes up mental and emotional space and always impacts your health and stress levels. It is important to have boundaries in placed to express your feelings while practicing the art of forgiveness.
Forgiveness is also a two-way street. If you have wronged your significant other, sincerely apologize and ask for his/her forgiveness. Learn to listen to what your significant other has to say and try to understand why he/she is upset. Come to a compromise to work on things together. One step at a time. Again, it starts with forgiveness.
Most Importantly, Never Control Your Relationship: Don't try to monitor or control each other. Again, give your significant other the room to be the person he/she is in life. Let your significant other have the freedom to come and go without having to ask for permission. It is not healthy for a person to walk on eggshells around you (it goes both ways).
At the end, it "takes two to tango” when it comes to improving a foundation in a marriage, partnership, or relationship. It just takes a little effort to find simple ways to strengthen your love, respect, honesty, and trust with your significant other. It's all about growing a stronger connection that will last for a lifetime. Blessings!
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HISTORICAL FACTS ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY & WOMEN'S RIGHTS!!!
MARCH 1, 2023WRITTEN BY: SERENE GRACE
On March 8, 2023, it will be International Women’s Day. It is a day where people have celebrated over a 100 years of how women fought for their rights and recognitions worldwide. The history is bold, radical, and fearless, and presently, women still continue to fight for their existence, especially in today's modern world. Ready for a little history lesson? You can find this timeline on internationalwomensday.com. Shall we begin this conversation....
1908 - Great unrest and critical debate was occurring amongst women. Women's oppression and inequality was spurring women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change. Then in 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.
February 28, 1909 - Originally, the idea of International Women’s Day was inspired by America’s National Women’s Day. It was declared by the Socialist Party of America. Historically, it was proposed by Theresa Malkiel and based on the urban legend commemorating a protest by women garment workers in New York City, on March 8, 1857.
March 19, 1911 - This influence continued to grow into Europe when it was officially marked and celebrated for the first time by one million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. The day gave women’s voices an opportunity to be heard for the right to vote, to fight against sex discrimination in the workplace, and to hold public office.
1913 - International Women’s Day continued to be recognized in Russia for the first time. It catapulted to become part of what led to the Russian Revolution in 1917. At that time, in St. Petersburg, women went on strike for “Bread and Peace” demanding the end to World War I, Czarism, and the shortage of food in Russia. It also resulted in Russian women being given the right to vote, and International Women’s Day was declared a non-working holiday. 1922 - Interesting enough, communist countries and organizations initially supported and celebrated International Women’s Day. The influence reached other countries where the demand for women’s rights continued to grow, gain, support, and shine light on the poor conditions under which too many women continued to live.
1949 - In China, March 8th was later declared an office “half-day of work” for women.
1967 - Women’s rights were taken up by the next generation of feminists who called for equal pay, equal economic opportunity, equal legal rights, reproductive rights, subsidized childcare, and the prevention of violence against women.
1975 - The United Nations began celebrating International Women’s Day and declared “International Women’s Year”.
1977 - The United Nations invited members to proclaim March 8th as the UN Day for Women’s Rights and World Peace. Afterwards, International Women’s Day continues to be celebrated worldwide on March 8th.
1996 - The UN announced their first annual theme "Celebrating the past, Planning for the Future" which was followed in 1997 with "Women at the Peace table," in 1998 with "Women and Human Rights," in 1999 with "World Free of Violence Against Women", and so on each year until the current.
2001 - The website called the internationalwomensday.com (IWD) platform was launched with the specific purpose of re-energizing the day and inviting mass participation a focus which continues to this day by celebrating and making visible the achievements of women, while continuing the call for accelerating gender parity.
The IWD website, which provides useful guidance and resources, adopts an annual campaign theme that is globally relevant for groups and organizations.
2011 - 2011 saw the 100 year centenary of International Women's Day. The first IWD event was held exactly 100 years ago in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.
In the United States, President Barack Obama proclaimed March 2011 to be "Women's History Month", calling Americans to mark IWD by reflecting on "the extraordinary accomplishments of women" in shaping the country's history.
2023 and beyond - The world has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women's and society's thoughts about women's equality and emancipation. Many from a younger generation may feel that 'all the battles have been won for women' while many feminists from the 1970's know only too well the longevity and ingrained complexity of patriarchy.
Also, IWD is an official holiday in many countries including Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal (for women only), Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Zambia.
The tradition sees men honoring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc. with flowers and small gifts. In some countries, IWD has the equivalent status of Mother's Day, where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.
On an important note, let’s talk about how women got the right to vote in the United States, and how that influence affected women’s rights worldwide. Here’s the timeline of events….
1848 - The first convention for women’s rights:
What started out as an idea over tea to hold a two-day meeting to discuss women’s rights turned into a convention attended by hundreds in Seneca Falls, New York. In total, 300 people attended the convention where 68 women and 32 men signed a “Declaration of Sentiments,” making the first formal demand in the U.S. for women to have the right to vote. However, this convention did not address the racism and oppression specifically faced by Black women.
1850 - The first National Woman’s Rights Convention:
Two years after the Seneca Falls Convention, more than 1,000 people, including abolitionists Lucy Stone, Lucretia Mott, and Abby Kelley attended a national conference in Worcester, Massachusetts to strategize ways to strengthen women’s rights. These annual conferences continued almost every year through 1860.
1866 - Suffragists send petition to Congress:
Suffragists garnered 10,000 signatures on a petition they prepared to send to Congress, requesting an amendment prohibiting disenfranchisement on the basis of sex. “We call your attention to the fact that we represent fifteen million people, one half the entire population of the country intelligent, virtuous, native-born American citizens; and yet stand outside the pale of political recognition,” the petition read.
1869 - The suffragists split:
Three years later, suffragists split into two separate organizations: the National Woman Suffrage Association and the American Woman Suffrage Association. The former focused on achieving voting rights through a constitutional amendment while the latter approached voting rights state-by-state. Splits were also fueled by disagreements regarding voting rights for minorities. The American Woman Suffrage Association endorsed the Fifteenth Amendment, which prohibited voter denial because of race. Members included Black men and women. 1872 - Susan B. Anthony votes anyway and is arrested:
In November of 1872, Susan B. Anthony, alongside 14 other women, casted a ballot and was arrested in New York. She eventually was tried and convicted for voting illegally, resulting in a $100 fine, which she later refused to pay.
1896 - The National Association of Colored Women is formed:
The group’s mission was to achieve equality for women of color. At the time, the National Association of Colored Women was hailed as the era’s largest organization of Black women. The group played an active role in decrying racial stereotypes projected onto Black women and was a pivotal advocate for change in the women’s suffrage movement.
1909 - The Woman Suffrage Party is founded:
The Woman Suffrage Party, a New York-based political group that centered around women’s voting rights, was founded in 1909. It served as a gateway for women to become more actively involved in politics. In its mission statement, the organization described its goal as to “secure the submission of a woman suffrage amendment to the State Constitution and its adoption at the polls.”
1910 - Suffrage parades begin:
The first women’s suffrage parade took place in New York City in the year of 1910. Within three years, the parade garnered around 10,000 participants along with hundreds of thousands of onlookers down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C.
1913 - The Alpha Suffrage Club of Chicago is formed:
Pioneering Black journalist and anti-lynching advocate Ida B. Wells established the Alpha Suffrage Club of Chicago to advocate for voting rights for Black women. The club helped secure the election of Chicago’s first Black alderman, Oscar DePriest.
1919 - The Nineteenth Amendment is signed into law:
After making it through the House and Senate — the latter by only two votes — the Nineteenth Amendment, granting women the right to vote, was sent to states for ratification. Months later, it was signed into law.
1920 - White women are able to vote:
White women were granted the right to vote in 1920 after the implementation of the Nineteenth Amendment. However, the restrictions that kept non-white men from voting ultimately carried over to non-white women. It would stay this way for years.
1924 - Native American women earn the right to vote:
Through the Indian Citizenship Act, Native Americans, including Native American women were technically granted citizenship and the right to vote. But individual states still blocked Indigenous residents from voting for many years through a combination of poll taxes, literacy tests, fraud, and intimidation.
1943 - Chinese women are able to vote:
Via the Magnuson Act, Chinese immigrants, including women were given the right to citizenship and in turn, the right to vote in 1943. Like other minority women, they faced steep barriers to actually being able to cast ballots.
1962 - New Mexico becomes the last state to officially grant the franchise to Native Americans:
The New Mexico Constitution held that Indigenous people “not taxed” could not vote because they didn’t pay property taxes on their land. The problematic provision disenfranchised many and, after gaining attention nationally and from the President’s Committee on Civil Rights, was finally overturned in 1962.
1965 - Black and Latinx women are able to vote:
In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law, prohibiting voting discrimination based on “race, color, or national origin.” After enduring the repression of Jim Crow laws for years, Black men and women were finally granted the right to vote, but voter discrimination against and disenfranchisement of Black and Latinx communities continues in earnest to this day.
1975 - The Voting Rights Act is amended to protect “language minority citizens:”
The landmark legislation was amended to include protections for Americans who had a “history of exclusion from the political process” because of the primary languages they spoke, including Native Americans and immigrants from Latin America and Asia.
1984 - The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act Law is passed:
To improve access for older voters and voters with disabilities, Congress passed a law requiring that polling sites for federally funded elections must be physically accessible for those experiencing any type of temporary or permanent disability. The law also required the provision of voting aids, such as printing ballot instructions in large font.
Present Day - The fight for voter access continues:
Across the country, politicians and activists alike continue to fight against harmful voter suppression tactics, such as voter ID laws, limited polling places resulting in long lines, and gerrymandering. These issues disproportionately affect Black voters and other people of color, and also make it difficult for young people to vote. Within the last few years, there have been more than 30 bills signed into law that create voting obstacles for people, making the fight for voter access more important than ever.
Globally, when it comes to women’s rights and our place in the world, we must continue to stand strong and empower each other to keep pioneering through today’s challenges. From the older generations to the younger generations, we must rise and evolve with continued strength, hope, peace, faith, and most importantly, believing in ourselves.
Amanda Gorman said it so perfectly, “Hear me as a woman./Have me as your sister./On purpled battlefield breaking day,/So I might say our victory is just beginning,/See me as change,/Say I am movement,/That I am the year,/and I am the era/of the women.”
Then there is G.D. Anderson, "Feminism isn't about making women stronger. Women are already strong; it's about changing the way the world perceives that strength."
Malala Yousafzai declared, “I raise up my voice—not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. … We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.”
God bless, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. … It shouldn't be that women are the exception.”
Finally, Maya Angelou reminds us that, "I am a woman / Phenomenally/ Phenomenal woman / That's me."
On March 8, 2023, it will be International Women’s Day. It is a day where people have celebrated over a 100 years of how women fought for their rights and recognitions worldwide. The history is bold, radical, and fearless, and presently, women still continue to fight for their existence, especially in today's modern world. Ready for a little history lesson? You can find this timeline on internationalwomensday.com. Shall we begin this conversation....
1908 - Great unrest and critical debate was occurring amongst women. Women's oppression and inequality was spurring women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change. Then in 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.
February 28, 1909 - Originally, the idea of International Women’s Day was inspired by America’s National Women’s Day. It was declared by the Socialist Party of America. Historically, it was proposed by Theresa Malkiel and based on the urban legend commemorating a protest by women garment workers in New York City, on March 8, 1857.
March 19, 1911 - This influence continued to grow into Europe when it was officially marked and celebrated for the first time by one million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. The day gave women’s voices an opportunity to be heard for the right to vote, to fight against sex discrimination in the workplace, and to hold public office.
1913 - International Women’s Day continued to be recognized in Russia for the first time. It catapulted to become part of what led to the Russian Revolution in 1917. At that time, in St. Petersburg, women went on strike for “Bread and Peace” demanding the end to World War I, Czarism, and the shortage of food in Russia. It also resulted in Russian women being given the right to vote, and International Women’s Day was declared a non-working holiday. 1922 - Interesting enough, communist countries and organizations initially supported and celebrated International Women’s Day. The influence reached other countries where the demand for women’s rights continued to grow, gain, support, and shine light on the poor conditions under which too many women continued to live.
1949 - In China, March 8th was later declared an office “half-day of work” for women.
1967 - Women’s rights were taken up by the next generation of feminists who called for equal pay, equal economic opportunity, equal legal rights, reproductive rights, subsidized childcare, and the prevention of violence against women.
1975 - The United Nations began celebrating International Women’s Day and declared “International Women’s Year”.
1977 - The United Nations invited members to proclaim March 8th as the UN Day for Women’s Rights and World Peace. Afterwards, International Women’s Day continues to be celebrated worldwide on March 8th.
1996 - The UN announced their first annual theme "Celebrating the past, Planning for the Future" which was followed in 1997 with "Women at the Peace table," in 1998 with "Women and Human Rights," in 1999 with "World Free of Violence Against Women", and so on each year until the current.
2001 - The website called the internationalwomensday.com (IWD) platform was launched with the specific purpose of re-energizing the day and inviting mass participation a focus which continues to this day by celebrating and making visible the achievements of women, while continuing the call for accelerating gender parity.
The IWD website, which provides useful guidance and resources, adopts an annual campaign theme that is globally relevant for groups and organizations.
2011 - 2011 saw the 100 year centenary of International Women's Day. The first IWD event was held exactly 100 years ago in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.
In the United States, President Barack Obama proclaimed March 2011 to be "Women's History Month", calling Americans to mark IWD by reflecting on "the extraordinary accomplishments of women" in shaping the country's history.
2023 and beyond - The world has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women's and society's thoughts about women's equality and emancipation. Many from a younger generation may feel that 'all the battles have been won for women' while many feminists from the 1970's know only too well the longevity and ingrained complexity of patriarchy.
Also, IWD is an official holiday in many countries including Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal (for women only), Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Zambia.
The tradition sees men honoring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc. with flowers and small gifts. In some countries, IWD has the equivalent status of Mother's Day, where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.
On an important note, let’s talk about how women got the right to vote in the United States, and how that influence affected women’s rights worldwide. Here’s the timeline of events….
1848 - The first convention for women’s rights:
What started out as an idea over tea to hold a two-day meeting to discuss women’s rights turned into a convention attended by hundreds in Seneca Falls, New York. In total, 300 people attended the convention where 68 women and 32 men signed a “Declaration of Sentiments,” making the first formal demand in the U.S. for women to have the right to vote. However, this convention did not address the racism and oppression specifically faced by Black women.
1850 - The first National Woman’s Rights Convention:
Two years after the Seneca Falls Convention, more than 1,000 people, including abolitionists Lucy Stone, Lucretia Mott, and Abby Kelley attended a national conference in Worcester, Massachusetts to strategize ways to strengthen women’s rights. These annual conferences continued almost every year through 1860.
1866 - Suffragists send petition to Congress:
Suffragists garnered 10,000 signatures on a petition they prepared to send to Congress, requesting an amendment prohibiting disenfranchisement on the basis of sex. “We call your attention to the fact that we represent fifteen million people, one half the entire population of the country intelligent, virtuous, native-born American citizens; and yet stand outside the pale of political recognition,” the petition read.
1869 - The suffragists split:
Three years later, suffragists split into two separate organizations: the National Woman Suffrage Association and the American Woman Suffrage Association. The former focused on achieving voting rights through a constitutional amendment while the latter approached voting rights state-by-state. Splits were also fueled by disagreements regarding voting rights for minorities. The American Woman Suffrage Association endorsed the Fifteenth Amendment, which prohibited voter denial because of race. Members included Black men and women. 1872 - Susan B. Anthony votes anyway and is arrested:
In November of 1872, Susan B. Anthony, alongside 14 other women, casted a ballot and was arrested in New York. She eventually was tried and convicted for voting illegally, resulting in a $100 fine, which she later refused to pay.
1896 - The National Association of Colored Women is formed:
The group’s mission was to achieve equality for women of color. At the time, the National Association of Colored Women was hailed as the era’s largest organization of Black women. The group played an active role in decrying racial stereotypes projected onto Black women and was a pivotal advocate for change in the women’s suffrage movement.
1909 - The Woman Suffrage Party is founded:
The Woman Suffrage Party, a New York-based political group that centered around women’s voting rights, was founded in 1909. It served as a gateway for women to become more actively involved in politics. In its mission statement, the organization described its goal as to “secure the submission of a woman suffrage amendment to the State Constitution and its adoption at the polls.”
1910 - Suffrage parades begin:
The first women’s suffrage parade took place in New York City in the year of 1910. Within three years, the parade garnered around 10,000 participants along with hundreds of thousands of onlookers down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C.
1913 - The Alpha Suffrage Club of Chicago is formed:
Pioneering Black journalist and anti-lynching advocate Ida B. Wells established the Alpha Suffrage Club of Chicago to advocate for voting rights for Black women. The club helped secure the election of Chicago’s first Black alderman, Oscar DePriest.
1919 - The Nineteenth Amendment is signed into law:
After making it through the House and Senate — the latter by only two votes — the Nineteenth Amendment, granting women the right to vote, was sent to states for ratification. Months later, it was signed into law.
1920 - White women are able to vote:
White women were granted the right to vote in 1920 after the implementation of the Nineteenth Amendment. However, the restrictions that kept non-white men from voting ultimately carried over to non-white women. It would stay this way for years.
1924 - Native American women earn the right to vote:
Through the Indian Citizenship Act, Native Americans, including Native American women were technically granted citizenship and the right to vote. But individual states still blocked Indigenous residents from voting for many years through a combination of poll taxes, literacy tests, fraud, and intimidation.
1943 - Chinese women are able to vote:
Via the Magnuson Act, Chinese immigrants, including women were given the right to citizenship and in turn, the right to vote in 1943. Like other minority women, they faced steep barriers to actually being able to cast ballots.
1962 - New Mexico becomes the last state to officially grant the franchise to Native Americans:
The New Mexico Constitution held that Indigenous people “not taxed” could not vote because they didn’t pay property taxes on their land. The problematic provision disenfranchised many and, after gaining attention nationally and from the President’s Committee on Civil Rights, was finally overturned in 1962.
1965 - Black and Latinx women are able to vote:
In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law, prohibiting voting discrimination based on “race, color, or national origin.” After enduring the repression of Jim Crow laws for years, Black men and women were finally granted the right to vote, but voter discrimination against and disenfranchisement of Black and Latinx communities continues in earnest to this day.
1975 - The Voting Rights Act is amended to protect “language minority citizens:”
The landmark legislation was amended to include protections for Americans who had a “history of exclusion from the political process” because of the primary languages they spoke, including Native Americans and immigrants from Latin America and Asia.
1984 - The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act Law is passed:
To improve access for older voters and voters with disabilities, Congress passed a law requiring that polling sites for federally funded elections must be physically accessible for those experiencing any type of temporary or permanent disability. The law also required the provision of voting aids, such as printing ballot instructions in large font.
Present Day - The fight for voter access continues:
Across the country, politicians and activists alike continue to fight against harmful voter suppression tactics, such as voter ID laws, limited polling places resulting in long lines, and gerrymandering. These issues disproportionately affect Black voters and other people of color, and also make it difficult for young people to vote. Within the last few years, there have been more than 30 bills signed into law that create voting obstacles for people, making the fight for voter access more important than ever.
Globally, when it comes to women’s rights and our place in the world, we must continue to stand strong and empower each other to keep pioneering through today’s challenges. From the older generations to the younger generations, we must rise and evolve with continued strength, hope, peace, faith, and most importantly, believing in ourselves.
Amanda Gorman said it so perfectly, “Hear me as a woman./Have me as your sister./On purpled battlefield breaking day,/So I might say our victory is just beginning,/See me as change,/Say I am movement,/That I am the year,/and I am the era/of the women.”
Then there is G.D. Anderson, "Feminism isn't about making women stronger. Women are already strong; it's about changing the way the world perceives that strength."
Malala Yousafzai declared, “I raise up my voice—not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. … We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.”
God bless, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. … It shouldn't be that women are the exception.”
Finally, Maya Angelou reminds us that, "I am a woman / Phenomenally/ Phenomenal woman / That's me."
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OBSERVING NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH!
REPOSTED: MARCH 1, 2023WRITTEN BY: SERENE GRACE
In the United States, March is recognized as National Women’s History Month. Also, on March 8, 2023, it's International Women’s Day.
As women, we have come a long way, but there is still more work to be done to have a stronger co-existence with everyone in today’s world. To live as a whole race (humanity altogether), we need harmony.
I say, “Our past is our anchor and teacher, our present is our motivator and liberator, and our future will be our victor and greatest witness for living in a brighter world.” So, let us get started with different ways to learn and observe National Women’s History Month.
Studying up on women’s history: Look for museums that have women’s exhibits, which are dedicated on accomplishments of women. Also, you can research for other venues that celebrate and provide history on National Women’s History Month.
Take the time to research on your favorite women that you are drawn, too, and can learn from their achievements. For instance, it can be Michelle Obama, Mother Theresa, Tina Turner, Jackie Kennedy, Helen Keller, Princess Diana, Oprah, Madeleine Albright, Anne Richards, Karen Carpenter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elaine Chao, Aretha Franklin, Sonia Sotomayor, Condoleezza Rice, Sarah Palin, Janet Reno, Mary McLeod Bethune, Gloria Estefan, Victoria Woodhull, and many more.
Get creative and write: Think of a woman that you admire. She can be someone personal and a public figure. Take the time to write a letter describing her impact that she had in your life and send it to her. A thoughtful gesture is a heartfelt and powerful statement of love, which would be highly appreciated and remembered.
Get together for a girls’ day: Grab your family members or your besties (whoever is important to you) to join you on a wonderful girls’ day out. Maybe catch up for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, but wait maybe do a high tea gathering or just a spa day. Take the time to reconnect and embrace the moment of being in each other’s presence, while sharing interesting stories and learning something that you never knew before. One-on-one time with ladies that you love is an honor and great memory to create.
The importance of having National Women’s History Month is the backbone to help us remember the past endeavors of how women fought for our rights and opportunities to be equal. Currently, women are still fighting on many levels to create a better world for us.
Also, women need to be given credit for the important discoveries and conquests that were made in history. Men wrote many historical documents for centuries. There is so much history to be discovered that showed how women played many roles throughout time.
What is fascinating is that women of history stood up for their rights and fought what they believed in. Women have the motivation to come together and become a force of nature to move mountains. Therefore, you hear the saying that women are “the backbone of society.”
With National Women’s History Month, let us take the opportunity to put a spotlight on all the wonderful things that women accomplished every day. From working full-time jobs, being mothers, pursuing education and our dreams, owning businesses, making important discoveries and advancements in religion, science, art, and writing etc., along with caring for the elderly, fighting wars, and governing countries, we all can say that women play a major part of being the backbones of bringing peace and balance back into this world.
Amen to being a woman, we all have something to celebrate and honor within ourselves. CHEERS TO US.
This information came from a March 8, 2021 publication which was posted on The Inspiring Peacock Post.
In the United States, March is recognized as National Women’s History Month. Also, on March 8, 2023, it's International Women’s Day.
As women, we have come a long way, but there is still more work to be done to have a stronger co-existence with everyone in today’s world. To live as a whole race (humanity altogether), we need harmony.
I say, “Our past is our anchor and teacher, our present is our motivator and liberator, and our future will be our victor and greatest witness for living in a brighter world.” So, let us get started with different ways to learn and observe National Women’s History Month.
Studying up on women’s history: Look for museums that have women’s exhibits, which are dedicated on accomplishments of women. Also, you can research for other venues that celebrate and provide history on National Women’s History Month.
Take the time to research on your favorite women that you are drawn, too, and can learn from their achievements. For instance, it can be Michelle Obama, Mother Theresa, Tina Turner, Jackie Kennedy, Helen Keller, Princess Diana, Oprah, Madeleine Albright, Anne Richards, Karen Carpenter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elaine Chao, Aretha Franklin, Sonia Sotomayor, Condoleezza Rice, Sarah Palin, Janet Reno, Mary McLeod Bethune, Gloria Estefan, Victoria Woodhull, and many more.
Get creative and write: Think of a woman that you admire. She can be someone personal and a public figure. Take the time to write a letter describing her impact that she had in your life and send it to her. A thoughtful gesture is a heartfelt and powerful statement of love, which would be highly appreciated and remembered.
Get together for a girls’ day: Grab your family members or your besties (whoever is important to you) to join you on a wonderful girls’ day out. Maybe catch up for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, but wait maybe do a high tea gathering or just a spa day. Take the time to reconnect and embrace the moment of being in each other’s presence, while sharing interesting stories and learning something that you never knew before. One-on-one time with ladies that you love is an honor and great memory to create.
The importance of having National Women’s History Month is the backbone to help us remember the past endeavors of how women fought for our rights and opportunities to be equal. Currently, women are still fighting on many levels to create a better world for us.
Also, women need to be given credit for the important discoveries and conquests that were made in history. Men wrote many historical documents for centuries. There is so much history to be discovered that showed how women played many roles throughout time.
What is fascinating is that women of history stood up for their rights and fought what they believed in. Women have the motivation to come together and become a force of nature to move mountains. Therefore, you hear the saying that women are “the backbone of society.”
With National Women’s History Month, let us take the opportunity to put a spotlight on all the wonderful things that women accomplished every day. From working full-time jobs, being mothers, pursuing education and our dreams, owning businesses, making important discoveries and advancements in religion, science, art, and writing etc., along with caring for the elderly, fighting wars, and governing countries, we all can say that women play a major part of being the backbones of bringing peace and balance back into this world.
Amen to being a woman, we all have something to celebrate and honor within ourselves. CHEERS TO US.
This information came from a March 8, 2021 publication which was posted on The Inspiring Peacock Post.
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PEARLS OF MY MOTHER'S WISDOM: Dedicated to my Mother, Florence M. Cropper
Reposted: March 1, 2023Written By: CJ PRATT
When I was growing up, my mother told me about, “Silence Is Golden.” If you speak your piece, people will know what you said, when you said it, and why you said it. People will judge you by your words and what you said. Instead by being silent, you appear wiser and can always walk away. People can make their own conclusions. The ones that hold their tongues and listen instead of talking, always appears to be more intelligent. I have used this concept my entire life. Sometimes, I would regret not having said something, but most of the time, it turned out that, “Silence is Golden.”
This information came from a May 8, 2021 publication which was posted on The Inspiring Peacock Post.
When I was growing up, my mother told me about, “Silence Is Golden.” If you speak your piece, people will know what you said, when you said it, and why you said it. People will judge you by your words and what you said. Instead by being silent, you appear wiser and can always walk away. People can make their own conclusions. The ones that hold their tongues and listen instead of talking, always appears to be more intelligent. I have used this concept my entire life. Sometimes, I would regret not having said something, but most of the time, it turned out that, “Silence is Golden.”
This information came from a May 8, 2021 publication which was posted on The Inspiring Peacock Post.
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ELIZABETH BLACKWELL: A WOMAN WHO WOULDN'T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!
REPOSTED: MARCH 1, 2023
WRITTEN BY: SARAH JEAN
I want to talk to you about a woman that helped change the medical profession from University to being a practicing physician. A woman who was on a different path and did not even want to read a medical book but discovered a passion and ran with it.
Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman to receive a medical degree in America. She moved from Bristol England with her family in 1832. She first became a teacher, as it was the most respected career for women. She turned to medicine after hearing from her dying friend that her suffering would have been less, if the physician were female. As a woman, I can relate with how her friend felt at the time. She became intrigued about medicine and asked many physicians if it was a good idea to go into medicine.
They all agreed that it would be, but also impossible. She said that “If it’s a good idea, then it is possible.” So, she decided to pursue medical studies. She applied to countless medical universities, and even got accepted into Geneva College as a joke, but that did not stop her from attending. She was ridiculed, separated from important lab work, but graduated first in her class.
She went back to Europe to continue training in London and Paris hospitals. She started to emphasize the importance of hygiene, as she noticed the doctors she worked under, did not wash their hands in between patients. Eventually, she returned to New York. She applied for a job as a physician in the Women’s Department of Large City Clinic but was rejected. From there she did not back down, and her passion pushed her forward.
She opened a clinic to treat poor women and later, she opened a New York infirmary with her sister, Dr. Emily Blackwell, to treat women and children. She not only wanted to help women and children who came from poverty, but she also wanted to create opportunities for women to practice and learn, who wanted to be physicians.
This information came from a March 8, 2021 publication which was posted on The Inspiring Peacock Post.
I want to talk to you about a woman that helped change the medical profession from University to being a practicing physician. A woman who was on a different path and did not even want to read a medical book but discovered a passion and ran with it.
Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman to receive a medical degree in America. She moved from Bristol England with her family in 1832. She first became a teacher, as it was the most respected career for women. She turned to medicine after hearing from her dying friend that her suffering would have been less, if the physician were female. As a woman, I can relate with how her friend felt at the time. She became intrigued about medicine and asked many physicians if it was a good idea to go into medicine.
They all agreed that it would be, but also impossible. She said that “If it’s a good idea, then it is possible.” So, she decided to pursue medical studies. She applied to countless medical universities, and even got accepted into Geneva College as a joke, but that did not stop her from attending. She was ridiculed, separated from important lab work, but graduated first in her class.
She went back to Europe to continue training in London and Paris hospitals. She started to emphasize the importance of hygiene, as she noticed the doctors she worked under, did not wash their hands in between patients. Eventually, she returned to New York. She applied for a job as a physician in the Women’s Department of Large City Clinic but was rejected. From there she did not back down, and her passion pushed her forward.
She opened a clinic to treat poor women and later, she opened a New York infirmary with her sister, Dr. Emily Blackwell, to treat women and children. She not only wanted to help women and children who came from poverty, but she also wanted to create opportunities for women to practice and learn, who wanted to be physicians.
This information came from a March 8, 2021 publication which was posted on The Inspiring Peacock Post.
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THE DIVINE FEMININE ENERGY WITHIN OUR SPIRITS-PART 1: IDENTIFYING
REPOSTED: MARCH 8, 2023WRITTEN BY: SERENE GRACE
Hello Ladies! Guess what, it is National Women’s History Month. All of March will be honoring the history of women’s accomplishments for equality and continue to fight in improving the future for the younger generations of girls. Still, so much work to be done!
Today, I am going to talk about the concept of Divine Feminine Energy. We, as women, all have masculine and feminine energy within all of us. However, in today’s world, we seem to always suppress the feminine energy of our spirits. There is a need to have a balance of both masculine and feminine energy together to co-exist. This co-existence is called duality. You cannot have one without the other.
Feminine energy comes from your heart or the gut. That is why you say, “Listen to your gut.” The energy makes it an interpersonal connection. It connects with empathy, sensuality, and receptivity. It also called your intuition.
Intuition embodies the feminine energy. It leads to the path of the most emotionally fulfilling side to us. It fosters strong, intimate, and nurturing bonds with people. Plus, it connects us to other living creatures, plants, and most importantly, Mother Earth.
Mother Earth has earned the title of being a living DIVINE FEMININE GODDESS. She is also called Gaia from Greek mythology.
Qualities of Divine Feminine Energy:• To be; not to do• Collaborative; not competitive• Flexibility; not strength• Internal energy; not external energy• Intuitive; not logical• Emotional driven; not purpose-driven• Create; being open
Now, I just went through the idea of what feminine energy is and how to identify it. It is an energy that has always been there, but social conditioning has caused us to have this amnesia of not tapping into our intuitive side naturally. It is like flexing a muscle with some practice. Practice makes perfect.
As women, when we embrace our feminine side more while competing in a very masculine world, it gives us that balance with being more confident within ourselves and making decisions with a softer flow of accuracy. That why women are considered “the backbone of society.”
Feminine energy is not weak in nature, but strong and compliments masculine energy within our spirits (men and women). It helps you fully inhabit your body to experience the present and feel a deeper connection to the universe.
As we celebrate women’s history in March, let us not forget the Divine Feminine Energy that resides in all of us. We, as women, are divine and need to give ourselves permission to be honor with peace, love, and respect. However, it starts individually from within. Intuitively, we know this.
We cannot be afraid to embrace the Divine Feminine because it connects us completely to our higher selves within the universe.
This information came from a March 5, 2021 publication from my first holistic website: serenegrace13.com.
Hello Ladies! Guess what, it is National Women’s History Month. All of March will be honoring the history of women’s accomplishments for equality and continue to fight in improving the future for the younger generations of girls. Still, so much work to be done!
Today, I am going to talk about the concept of Divine Feminine Energy. We, as women, all have masculine and feminine energy within all of us. However, in today’s world, we seem to always suppress the feminine energy of our spirits. There is a need to have a balance of both masculine and feminine energy together to co-exist. This co-existence is called duality. You cannot have one without the other.
Feminine energy comes from your heart or the gut. That is why you say, “Listen to your gut.” The energy makes it an interpersonal connection. It connects with empathy, sensuality, and receptivity. It also called your intuition.
Intuition embodies the feminine energy. It leads to the path of the most emotionally fulfilling side to us. It fosters strong, intimate, and nurturing bonds with people. Plus, it connects us to other living creatures, plants, and most importantly, Mother Earth.
Mother Earth has earned the title of being a living DIVINE FEMININE GODDESS. She is also called Gaia from Greek mythology.
Qualities of Divine Feminine Energy:• To be; not to do• Collaborative; not competitive• Flexibility; not strength• Internal energy; not external energy• Intuitive; not logical• Emotional driven; not purpose-driven• Create; being open
Now, I just went through the idea of what feminine energy is and how to identify it. It is an energy that has always been there, but social conditioning has caused us to have this amnesia of not tapping into our intuitive side naturally. It is like flexing a muscle with some practice. Practice makes perfect.
As women, when we embrace our feminine side more while competing in a very masculine world, it gives us that balance with being more confident within ourselves and making decisions with a softer flow of accuracy. That why women are considered “the backbone of society.”
Feminine energy is not weak in nature, but strong and compliments masculine energy within our spirits (men and women). It helps you fully inhabit your body to experience the present and feel a deeper connection to the universe.
As we celebrate women’s history in March, let us not forget the Divine Feminine Energy that resides in all of us. We, as women, are divine and need to give ourselves permission to be honor with peace, love, and respect. However, it starts individually from within. Intuitively, we know this.
We cannot be afraid to embrace the Divine Feminine because it connects us completely to our higher selves within the universe.
This information came from a March 5, 2021 publication from my first holistic website: serenegrace13.com.
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THE DIVINE FEMININE ENERGY WITHIN OUR SPIRITS-PART 2: CONNECTING
REPOSTED: MARCH 1, 2023WRITTEN BY: SERENE GRACE
Want to learn how to connect to the Divine Feminine Energy within your spirit? Let's begin this conversation with an open mind....
Connect with Movement: Feminine energy is an energetic, kinetic energy. Being a female, we have this kind of rhythm of knowing how to move our bodies. It helps us connect with our femininity.
Feminine energy is like the wind or the currents of the ocean. There is constant motion and things always keep evolving. To embrace the inner goddess from within, we can incorporate the following:
• Trying yoga. • Exercising or walking. • A form of dancing or movements that feels natural to you, just put on a piece of music that connects you to your emotions and close your eyes to start moving. Just be open-minded and just move with your spirit.
With our bodies, it has a certain way to response to the feminine energy. Just let yourself express with responsiveness, which you will be surprised of how you feel.
Connect with a Sacred Space: There are different ways in creating a sacred space to bring in clarity to connect with your feminine energy:
• Incorporating a form of meditation or prayer into your daily routine. • Doing deep breathing exercises. • Lighting a candle to bring in some visualization while taking a hot bath or having a quiet dinner with relaxing music. • Cleansing your space with Sage (smudge stick) or Palo Santo Stick. • Choose items in your space of living that resonate with you in a positive, spiritual way, such as, colors, plants, paintings, crystals, etc.
Connect with Self-Love: One of the most important lessons to feminine energy is having a healthy dose of self-love for yourself. (This applies to men and women.) With self-love, we must learn how to recognize our own self-worth and responding to unconditional love and value.
With that said, there is a balance of giving ourselves out emotionally to others and expecting others to recognize with respect in return of how to be treated right. With self-love, our feminine energy helps become a compass of practicing self-compassion and drawing healthy boundaries in our personal and professional relationships with others.
Also, it is good to say positive affirmations or prayers, which keeps your energy centered when dealing with life challenges. It is about a balance mindset.
Connect with Writing: Another way to connect with feminine energy is with different forms of writing:
• It can be happy, little letters to yourself as special reminders to stay focused or sending love notes to those that are dear to your heart. • Doing a form of journaling as a form of expressing your emotions and intuitions. • Writing articles on your own blog or other social media outlets that has an interesting concept that brings in connectedness with people. • Publishing your own poetry or books. • Creating your own music that has a creative edge in tapping into your soul.
Connect with Sexual Energy: Last, as women, we are told that we cannot be sexual or be ashamed of how we express ourselves with our bodies. Well, I hate to say it, but divine feminine energy is innately sensual. Women should never be ashamed of their bodies and how to move in seductive ways that are healthy to feel connect with sexual energy, especially within personal relationships.
In this world, women are suppressed as the inferior sex because we are female. However, that is a wrong perception. Throughout history, society has made women internalized that sexual energy is dirty. A lot of that conditioning is brought in when young girls are going up (depending on the culture or family structure) to be very mindful and held more accountable in how they express themselves with their bodies in private and in the public.
Overall, it is completely healthy to embrace sexual energy. In your sexual relationship with someone, you always tap into your feminine energy to show your partner what you want and need (which is acceptable), instead of always focusing to please. At the end, feminine energy brings in a balance of giving and receiving in personal relationships.
So, there you have it. The ways to connect to the Divine Feminine Energy with a better understanding. Never a dull moment! Just let the energy naturally flow, you would be surprised. Just surrender and release. The universe will unfold before your eyes. Blessings with peace and love!
This information came from a March 25, 2021 publication from my first holistic website: serenegrace13.com.
Want to learn how to connect to the Divine Feminine Energy within your spirit? Let's begin this conversation with an open mind....
Connect with Movement: Feminine energy is an energetic, kinetic energy. Being a female, we have this kind of rhythm of knowing how to move our bodies. It helps us connect with our femininity.
Feminine energy is like the wind or the currents of the ocean. There is constant motion and things always keep evolving. To embrace the inner goddess from within, we can incorporate the following:
• Trying yoga. • Exercising or walking. • A form of dancing or movements that feels natural to you, just put on a piece of music that connects you to your emotions and close your eyes to start moving. Just be open-minded and just move with your spirit.
With our bodies, it has a certain way to response to the feminine energy. Just let yourself express with responsiveness, which you will be surprised of how you feel.
Connect with a Sacred Space: There are different ways in creating a sacred space to bring in clarity to connect with your feminine energy:
• Incorporating a form of meditation or prayer into your daily routine. • Doing deep breathing exercises. • Lighting a candle to bring in some visualization while taking a hot bath or having a quiet dinner with relaxing music. • Cleansing your space with Sage (smudge stick) or Palo Santo Stick. • Choose items in your space of living that resonate with you in a positive, spiritual way, such as, colors, plants, paintings, crystals, etc.
Connect with Self-Love: One of the most important lessons to feminine energy is having a healthy dose of self-love for yourself. (This applies to men and women.) With self-love, we must learn how to recognize our own self-worth and responding to unconditional love and value.
With that said, there is a balance of giving ourselves out emotionally to others and expecting others to recognize with respect in return of how to be treated right. With self-love, our feminine energy helps become a compass of practicing self-compassion and drawing healthy boundaries in our personal and professional relationships with others.
Also, it is good to say positive affirmations or prayers, which keeps your energy centered when dealing with life challenges. It is about a balance mindset.
Connect with Writing: Another way to connect with feminine energy is with different forms of writing:
• It can be happy, little letters to yourself as special reminders to stay focused or sending love notes to those that are dear to your heart. • Doing a form of journaling as a form of expressing your emotions and intuitions. • Writing articles on your own blog or other social media outlets that has an interesting concept that brings in connectedness with people. • Publishing your own poetry or books. • Creating your own music that has a creative edge in tapping into your soul.
Connect with Sexual Energy: Last, as women, we are told that we cannot be sexual or be ashamed of how we express ourselves with our bodies. Well, I hate to say it, but divine feminine energy is innately sensual. Women should never be ashamed of their bodies and how to move in seductive ways that are healthy to feel connect with sexual energy, especially within personal relationships.
In this world, women are suppressed as the inferior sex because we are female. However, that is a wrong perception. Throughout history, society has made women internalized that sexual energy is dirty. A lot of that conditioning is brought in when young girls are going up (depending on the culture or family structure) to be very mindful and held more accountable in how they express themselves with their bodies in private and in the public.
Overall, it is completely healthy to embrace sexual energy. In your sexual relationship with someone, you always tap into your feminine energy to show your partner what you want and need (which is acceptable), instead of always focusing to please. At the end, feminine energy brings in a balance of giving and receiving in personal relationships.
So, there you have it. The ways to connect to the Divine Feminine Energy with a better understanding. Never a dull moment! Just let the energy naturally flow, you would be surprised. Just surrender and release. The universe will unfold before your eyes. Blessings with peace and love!
This information came from a March 25, 2021 publication from my first holistic website: serenegrace13.com.
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An Inspiring Author: Emily Post (Author of Etiquette)
Reposted: March 1, 2023Written By: Serene Grace
National Women's History Month is in March. We have a lot to celebrate on the history of women's accomplishments and advancements. The Inspiring Peacock Post will be posting many things in honor for women. To start with, I like to share again my favorite author, Emily Post and some of her inspiring history.
Emily Post lived from 1872 – 1960. She was born in Baltimore, Maryland and died in New York. She was the American authority on social behavior where she crafted her advice by applying good sense and thoughtfulness to basic human interactions. She believed, "Whenever two people's lives come together and affect one another. You have etiquette. Etiquette is not some rigid code of manners; it's simply how people's lives touch one another."
Her life started in the age of the horse and buggy, witnessed the beginning and end of the prohibition of alcohol, lived through the Great Depression, and ended with peace, love, and a legacy. She was known as a prominent New York society woman in the early 1900s and was the daughter of the famed architect named Bruce Price.
Her legacy grew into becoming famous for her practical and humorous advice on etiquette. Emily Post was a very modern woman. She divorced her husband at a young age and used her writing skills to support herself as a single mother of two boys. She supported many causes and loved to live life to the fullest. Her experiences gave her the courage to step into her power to write more about etiquette when she was 50.
In 1922, Emily Post’s book, "Etiquette," topped the nonfiction bestseller list. Later, the phrase “according to Emily Post” soon entered the American lexicon, as the last word on social conduct. Also, "Etiquette" ranked as the second book most likely to be stolen from public libraries, (the Bible ranking number one). Her book was 627 pages. "Etiquette" became more modernized with each edition (19 of them to date). Her focus and backbone were on consideration, respect, honesty, and practicality.
Before she died, Emily Post was liked by Americans as this elderly figure who made them laugh, gave people confidence, and enriched such a quality of consideration and awareness in etiquette that anyone from any background can be inspired.
Her legacy produced numerous books, a syndicated newspaper column, and a long running network radio program in Americans’ homes. At the end, she was a figure of national stature and importance throughout her life. Within her spirit, her mission was to make people’s lives more connected and create a bridge of how people could relate better to each other in society.
In 1946, The Emily Post Institute was founded. Today, the institute is now run by the 5th generation of the Post family. Her family continues to carry on her legacy. At the Institute, there are a large collections of books ranging in topics from children and parenting, wedding, business, entertaining, and as well as online learning programs and in-person seminars. Plus, there is so much more.
She said, “Good manners reflect something from inside an innate sense of consideration for others and respect for self.” Overall, consideration and respect can go a long way. To learn more about the Emily Post Institute, please visit emilypost.com.
This information came from a December 22, 2020 publication which was posted on The Inspiring Peacock Post to honor Emily Post. Blessings to her.
Emily Post lived from 1872 – 1960. She was born in Baltimore, Maryland and died in New York. She was the American authority on social behavior where she crafted her advice by applying good sense and thoughtfulness to basic human interactions. She believed, "Whenever two people's lives come together and affect one another. You have etiquette. Etiquette is not some rigid code of manners; it's simply how people's lives touch one another."
Her life started in the age of the horse and buggy, witnessed the beginning and end of the prohibition of alcohol, lived through the Great Depression, and ended with peace, love, and a legacy. She was known as a prominent New York society woman in the early 1900s and was the daughter of the famed architect named Bruce Price.
Her legacy grew into becoming famous for her practical and humorous advice on etiquette. Emily Post was a very modern woman. She divorced her husband at a young age and used her writing skills to support herself as a single mother of two boys. She supported many causes and loved to live life to the fullest. Her experiences gave her the courage to step into her power to write more about etiquette when she was 50.
In 1922, Emily Post’s book, "Etiquette," topped the nonfiction bestseller list. Later, the phrase “according to Emily Post” soon entered the American lexicon, as the last word on social conduct. Also, "Etiquette" ranked as the second book most likely to be stolen from public libraries, (the Bible ranking number one). Her book was 627 pages. "Etiquette" became more modernized with each edition (19 of them to date). Her focus and backbone were on consideration, respect, honesty, and practicality.
Before she died, Emily Post was liked by Americans as this elderly figure who made them laugh, gave people confidence, and enriched such a quality of consideration and awareness in etiquette that anyone from any background can be inspired.
Her legacy produced numerous books, a syndicated newspaper column, and a long running network radio program in Americans’ homes. At the end, she was a figure of national stature and importance throughout her life. Within her spirit, her mission was to make people’s lives more connected and create a bridge of how people could relate better to each other in society.
In 1946, The Emily Post Institute was founded. Today, the institute is now run by the 5th generation of the Post family. Her family continues to carry on her legacy. At the Institute, there are a large collections of books ranging in topics from children and parenting, wedding, business, entertaining, and as well as online learning programs and in-person seminars. Plus, there is so much more.
She said, “Good manners reflect something from inside an innate sense of consideration for others and respect for self.” Overall, consideration and respect can go a long way. To learn more about the Emily Post Institute, please visit emilypost.com.
This information came from a December 22, 2020 publication which was posted on The Inspiring Peacock Post to honor Emily Post. Blessings to her.
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My Mother’s Sacrifice for Her Children’s Future: Dedicated to my Mother, Cecilia Lina Pratt
Reposted: March 1, 2023Written By: C. Lynn
Mothers all over this world make sacrifices for their children. My mother was no exception. She sacrificed a lot to give my brother and me a good life and prepare us for adulthood. My mother, Cecilia Lina Pratt (Lind) was born and raised in Germany during the Nazi period, and she experienced the horror of war firsthand.
Our hometown, Hanau near Frankfurt, was bombed day and night as it was a military town. In addition, when her mother died, she was abandoned by her family and put into a home for undesirables. At one point, my mother and a girlfriend ran away from the home and after about a week, seeing there was nowhere to go, they returned to the home.
As it turned out, the Nazis were killing their own people that they considered undesirable by driving them into the woods and into the back of a paneled truck. Once in the woods, they fed a hose from the exhaust to the back where the girls were and gassed them to death. On the day, my mother ran away, she and her girlfriend were scheduled to be gassed. God had another purpose for my mother. After the end of the war, my mother ended up working for the Americans in their mess hall to feed and take care of my brother and me. Unfortunately, her family still disrespected her, and my brother ended up in a foster home after the state took him away from her. I was fortunate as my mother was able to pay her family to take care of me.
My mother met my stepfather, Thomas Vasil Pratt in the mess hall. I do not call him my stepfather as he earned more respect than that for raising two boys that were not his own. My mother married him to give us a father, and I am very thankful for her motherly love to consider us and marrying my father. Furthermore, my mother worked extremely hard to get my brother out of that home and back with his family. My mother and my father were raised Catholic, but because the Catholic Church would not allow my mother to marry an American soldier, she and my father changed their religion to Protestant.
The German people were not too kind to her for marrying an American. In 1957, we moved to the United States, and the American people looked down on her for being German and marrying an American. She had to endure hate in both countries.
However, she endured and in 1959, she became a citizen of the United States of America. My mother had the foresight to have my father naturalize my brother and me, although our natural birth fathers were German. Also, my father gave his last name to us when we got adopted by him.
Throughout my childhood, she was always there when I needed her. Both my mother and father raised me to be a loving and responsible adult and father. At my mother’s side, I learned how to cook, clean, and face the world with hope and love.
Thank you, Mom from your loving and appreciative son who will always remember the good life that you made possible for my brother and me.
This information came from a May 8, 2021 publication which posted on The Inspiring Peacock Post.
Mothers all over this world make sacrifices for their children. My mother was no exception. She sacrificed a lot to give my brother and me a good life and prepare us for adulthood. My mother, Cecilia Lina Pratt (Lind) was born and raised in Germany during the Nazi period, and she experienced the horror of war firsthand.
Our hometown, Hanau near Frankfurt, was bombed day and night as it was a military town. In addition, when her mother died, she was abandoned by her family and put into a home for undesirables. At one point, my mother and a girlfriend ran away from the home and after about a week, seeing there was nowhere to go, they returned to the home.
As it turned out, the Nazis were killing their own people that they considered undesirable by driving them into the woods and into the back of a paneled truck. Once in the woods, they fed a hose from the exhaust to the back where the girls were and gassed them to death. On the day, my mother ran away, she and her girlfriend were scheduled to be gassed. God had another purpose for my mother. After the end of the war, my mother ended up working for the Americans in their mess hall to feed and take care of my brother and me. Unfortunately, her family still disrespected her, and my brother ended up in a foster home after the state took him away from her. I was fortunate as my mother was able to pay her family to take care of me.
My mother met my stepfather, Thomas Vasil Pratt in the mess hall. I do not call him my stepfather as he earned more respect than that for raising two boys that were not his own. My mother married him to give us a father, and I am very thankful for her motherly love to consider us and marrying my father. Furthermore, my mother worked extremely hard to get my brother out of that home and back with his family. My mother and my father were raised Catholic, but because the Catholic Church would not allow my mother to marry an American soldier, she and my father changed their religion to Protestant.
The German people were not too kind to her for marrying an American. In 1957, we moved to the United States, and the American people looked down on her for being German and marrying an American. She had to endure hate in both countries.
However, she endured and in 1959, she became a citizen of the United States of America. My mother had the foresight to have my father naturalize my brother and me, although our natural birth fathers were German. Also, my father gave his last name to us when we got adopted by him.
Throughout my childhood, she was always there when I needed her. Both my mother and father raised me to be a loving and responsible adult and father. At my mother’s side, I learned how to cook, clean, and face the world with hope and love.
Thank you, Mom from your loving and appreciative son who will always remember the good life that you made possible for my brother and me.
This information came from a May 8, 2021 publication which posted on The Inspiring Peacock Post.
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Can’t Hold Us Down!!!
Reposted: March 1, 2023Written By: Sarah Jean
Ladies put your hands up if you are tired of everyone and everything going against you? The population of women to men in the world is roughly equal. Didn’t know that! Well, it is. Yet, we are still being told to do this and that, while being told not to do this and that.
It’s aggravating and demeaning. It’s just downright exhausting. What does it matter if we want to get pregnant, or not? It’s the woman’s body, so it’s her choice.
Men get to take their little blue pills. Why can’t we take our little pink or white ones, if we want too? NEWS FLASH!!! They help us in many other ways. Not everything goes as planned. In fact, most of the time it doesn’t for anyone but that’s how life goes, and plans change.
For those out there that think abortion is evil, let me challenge you by asking… why is a child who is yet to be born, more valuable than the life already existing? We grieve for children who have lost a parent, yet the majority want them to be born without one. That’s just mind boggling. To me that’s evil and unfair to the child, even if they do have a parent left to care for them.
We, women are tired of having all our choices made for us throughout our lives. We decide how to dress, what to eat, what to think, and most importantly, what we do with our bodies. “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” (Virginia Tech and Santayana, George). No saying could be truer for today but there’s a twist; we do remember, we just haven’t learned.
Women still get paid less than men, 83 cents for every dollar a man earns to be exact, but we are expected to pay more because of the pink tax. If you don’t know what that is, look it up.
Women must be strong, yet fragile, smart but not too smart, sexy but not promiscuous, homemakers and career women. For many people, all a man must be is a good worker, lover, and if a family is in the mix, a good father.
I seriously fear for the future, and hope we wake up before we time travel back to the fifties. Enough is enough, it’s time to stand up, and raise our voices because men can’t hold women down anymore!
History repeating. College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences | Virginia Tech. (2019, January 8). Retrieved July 25, 2022.
This information came from a July 26, 2022 publication which was posted on The Inspiring Peacock Post.
Ladies put your hands up if you are tired of everyone and everything going against you? The population of women to men in the world is roughly equal. Didn’t know that! Well, it is. Yet, we are still being told to do this and that, while being told not to do this and that.
It’s aggravating and demeaning. It’s just downright exhausting. What does it matter if we want to get pregnant, or not? It’s the woman’s body, so it’s her choice.
Men get to take their little blue pills. Why can’t we take our little pink or white ones, if we want too? NEWS FLASH!!! They help us in many other ways. Not everything goes as planned. In fact, most of the time it doesn’t for anyone but that’s how life goes, and plans change.
For those out there that think abortion is evil, let me challenge you by asking… why is a child who is yet to be born, more valuable than the life already existing? We grieve for children who have lost a parent, yet the majority want them to be born without one. That’s just mind boggling. To me that’s evil and unfair to the child, even if they do have a parent left to care for them.
We, women are tired of having all our choices made for us throughout our lives. We decide how to dress, what to eat, what to think, and most importantly, what we do with our bodies. “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” (Virginia Tech and Santayana, George). No saying could be truer for today but there’s a twist; we do remember, we just haven’t learned.
Women still get paid less than men, 83 cents for every dollar a man earns to be exact, but we are expected to pay more because of the pink tax. If you don’t know what that is, look it up.
Women must be strong, yet fragile, smart but not too smart, sexy but not promiscuous, homemakers and career women. For many people, all a man must be is a good worker, lover, and if a family is in the mix, a good father.
I seriously fear for the future, and hope we wake up before we time travel back to the fifties. Enough is enough, it’s time to stand up, and raise our voices because men can’t hold women down anymore!
History repeating. College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences | Virginia Tech. (2019, January 8). Retrieved July 25, 2022.
This information came from a July 26, 2022 publication which was posted on The Inspiring Peacock Post.
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Understanding SEXISM!!!!!
Reposted: March 1, 2023Written By: Serene Grace
Never had a moment of being discriminated based on your sex? Well, it is called sexism. Sexism is prejudice or discrimination against a person or group based on their sex or gender. It primarily affects women and girls, and it is the root cause of gender inequity worldwide.
Interesting enough, I was inspired to research this topic based on a recent event in my life where a person (won’t give a name out) tried to put me down for being a woman by using a discouraging attitude and treating me as though I had no intelligence. Intuitively, the energy exchange was too strong, which I couldn't ignore. Believe me, the situation was not pretty where it affected my income during a weekend. Long story, but a spark went off in me to counteract this form of behavior against me. Talk about flexing my feminine backbone!!! I hate to say I had to become a bitch to correct the situation, but I was more in the right to do so.
In today’s world, much of women’s rights and recognition are going backwards at a fast rate. Women need to wake up and smell the coffee. However, this publication is about understanding the different kinds of sexism that women could experience and learn how to recognize them.
Sexist acts include any that frame one sex or gender as inferior. Sexism can be conveyed in:• Behavior• Speech• Writing• Images• Gestures• Laws and policies• Practices and traditions
People categorize sexism in several ways. Sexism can be:• Hostile• Benevolent• Ambivalent
Sexism can operate on different levels in society. It can be:• Institutional• Interpersonal• Internalized
Hostile Sexism: This refers to beliefs and behaviors that are openly hostile toward a group of people based on their sex or gender. Misogyny, or the hatred of women, is an example of hostile sexism. People who hold views that are hostile, and sexist may view women as:• Manipulative• Deceitful• Capable of using seduction to control men.• Needing to be kept in their place.
These views may also apply to anyone with feminine traits and anyone who expresses their gender in a way that is associated with femininity.
People who perpetuate hostile sexism want to preserve men’s dominance over women and people of other marginalized genders. They typically oppose gender equality and may also oppose LGBTQIA+ rights, seeing these things as a threat to men and the systems that benefit them.
Examples of hostile sexism include: • Using sexist language or insults. • Making threatening or aggressive comments based on a person’s gender or sex. • Harassing or threatening someone for defying gender norms, online or offline. • Treating people as subordinates based on their sex or gender and punishing them when they “step out of line.” • Believing that some victims of sexual assault “ask for it” due to their behavior or clothing. • Engaging in physical or sexual assault.
Benevolent Sexism: It includes views and behaviors that frame women as:• Innocent• Pure• Caring and nurturing• Fragile and in need of protection• Beautiful
Some examples of benevolent sexism include: • Basing a woman’s value on her role as a mother, wife, or girlfriend. • Focusing attention and praise on someone’s appearance rather than their other attributes. • Believing that people should not do things for themselves, such as manage money or drive a car, because of their gender. • Assuming that a person is a nurse, assistant, or secretary — not a doctor, executive, or manager — based on their gender. • Supporting policies that make it difficult for women to work, have independence, or deviate from traditional gender roles.
Ambivalent Sexism: This is a combination of benevolent and hostile sexism. People who engage in ambivalent sexism may vary between seeing women as good, pure, and innocent and seeing them as manipulative or deceitful, depending on the situation.
Some examples of ambivalent sexism include: • Glorifying traditionally feminine behavior and demonizing “unladylike” behavior, in media coverage, for example. • Hiring someone because they are attractive, then firing them if they do not respond to sexual advances. • Differentiating between “good” women and “bad” women based on how they dress.
Institutional sexism: This refers to sexism that is entrenched in organizations and institutions, such as:• The government• The legal system• The education system• The healthcare system• Financial institutions• The media• Other workplaces
Interpersonal Sexism: This manifests during interactions with others. It can occur in the workplace, within relationships, among family members, and in interactions with strangers. Examples of interpersonal sexism include: • Telling someone to be more ladylike. • Judging someone for not fitting into stereotypes of femininity, such as by being caring or submissive. • Making inappropriate comments about someone’s appearance. • Talking down to someone based on assumptions about their gender. • Engaging in unwanted sexual attention or touching. • Justifying sexist behavior by saying “boys will be boys.”
Internalized Sexism: It refers to sexist beliefs that a person has about themselves. Usually, a person adopts these beliefs involuntarily because of exposure to sexist behavior or the opinions of others.
Internalized sexism may cause feelings of:• Incompetence• Self-doubt• Powerlessness• Shame
Some other examples of internalized sexism include: • Making self-deprecating jokes about one’s gender, such as “blonde jokes.” • Someone basing their self-worth on how desirable they are in the eyes of men. • Feeling ashamed of aspects of being female, such as having periods or female genitalia. • Feeling that it is essential to conform to gender ideals, even if this means harming oneself, through restrictive dieting, for example.
Importantly, it is crucial to understand how sexism manifests and then to challenge sexist attitudes and practices at all levels. Knowledge is the power to know the difference to stop sexism.
This information came from a July 26, 2022 publication which was posted on The Inspiring Peacock Post.
Never had a moment of being discriminated based on your sex? Well, it is called sexism. Sexism is prejudice or discrimination against a person or group based on their sex or gender. It primarily affects women and girls, and it is the root cause of gender inequity worldwide.
Interesting enough, I was inspired to research this topic based on a recent event in my life where a person (won’t give a name out) tried to put me down for being a woman by using a discouraging attitude and treating me as though I had no intelligence. Intuitively, the energy exchange was too strong, which I couldn't ignore. Believe me, the situation was not pretty where it affected my income during a weekend. Long story, but a spark went off in me to counteract this form of behavior against me. Talk about flexing my feminine backbone!!! I hate to say I had to become a bitch to correct the situation, but I was more in the right to do so.
In today’s world, much of women’s rights and recognition are going backwards at a fast rate. Women need to wake up and smell the coffee. However, this publication is about understanding the different kinds of sexism that women could experience and learn how to recognize them.
Sexist acts include any that frame one sex or gender as inferior. Sexism can be conveyed in:• Behavior• Speech• Writing• Images• Gestures• Laws and policies• Practices and traditions
People categorize sexism in several ways. Sexism can be:• Hostile• Benevolent• Ambivalent
Sexism can operate on different levels in society. It can be:• Institutional• Interpersonal• Internalized
Hostile Sexism: This refers to beliefs and behaviors that are openly hostile toward a group of people based on their sex or gender. Misogyny, or the hatred of women, is an example of hostile sexism. People who hold views that are hostile, and sexist may view women as:• Manipulative• Deceitful• Capable of using seduction to control men.• Needing to be kept in their place.
These views may also apply to anyone with feminine traits and anyone who expresses their gender in a way that is associated with femininity.
People who perpetuate hostile sexism want to preserve men’s dominance over women and people of other marginalized genders. They typically oppose gender equality and may also oppose LGBTQIA+ rights, seeing these things as a threat to men and the systems that benefit them.
Examples of hostile sexism include: • Using sexist language or insults. • Making threatening or aggressive comments based on a person’s gender or sex. • Harassing or threatening someone for defying gender norms, online or offline. • Treating people as subordinates based on their sex or gender and punishing them when they “step out of line.” • Believing that some victims of sexual assault “ask for it” due to their behavior or clothing. • Engaging in physical or sexual assault.
Benevolent Sexism: It includes views and behaviors that frame women as:• Innocent• Pure• Caring and nurturing• Fragile and in need of protection• Beautiful
Some examples of benevolent sexism include: • Basing a woman’s value on her role as a mother, wife, or girlfriend. • Focusing attention and praise on someone’s appearance rather than their other attributes. • Believing that people should not do things for themselves, such as manage money or drive a car, because of their gender. • Assuming that a person is a nurse, assistant, or secretary — not a doctor, executive, or manager — based on their gender. • Supporting policies that make it difficult for women to work, have independence, or deviate from traditional gender roles.
Ambivalent Sexism: This is a combination of benevolent and hostile sexism. People who engage in ambivalent sexism may vary between seeing women as good, pure, and innocent and seeing them as manipulative or deceitful, depending on the situation.
Some examples of ambivalent sexism include: • Glorifying traditionally feminine behavior and demonizing “unladylike” behavior, in media coverage, for example. • Hiring someone because they are attractive, then firing them if they do not respond to sexual advances. • Differentiating between “good” women and “bad” women based on how they dress.
Institutional sexism: This refers to sexism that is entrenched in organizations and institutions, such as:• The government• The legal system• The education system• The healthcare system• Financial institutions• The media• Other workplaces
Interpersonal Sexism: This manifests during interactions with others. It can occur in the workplace, within relationships, among family members, and in interactions with strangers. Examples of interpersonal sexism include: • Telling someone to be more ladylike. • Judging someone for not fitting into stereotypes of femininity, such as by being caring or submissive. • Making inappropriate comments about someone’s appearance. • Talking down to someone based on assumptions about their gender. • Engaging in unwanted sexual attention or touching. • Justifying sexist behavior by saying “boys will be boys.”
Internalized Sexism: It refers to sexist beliefs that a person has about themselves. Usually, a person adopts these beliefs involuntarily because of exposure to sexist behavior or the opinions of others.
Internalized sexism may cause feelings of:• Incompetence• Self-doubt• Powerlessness• Shame
Some other examples of internalized sexism include: • Making self-deprecating jokes about one’s gender, such as “blonde jokes.” • Someone basing their self-worth on how desirable they are in the eyes of men. • Feeling ashamed of aspects of being female, such as having periods or female genitalia. • Feeling that it is essential to conform to gender ideals, even if this means harming oneself, through restrictive dieting, for example.
Importantly, it is crucial to understand how sexism manifests and then to challenge sexist attitudes and practices at all levels. Knowledge is the power to know the difference to stop sexism.
This information came from a July 26, 2022 publication which was posted on The Inspiring Peacock Post.
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FEMALE POWER & AMERICAN POLITICS
REPOSTED: MARCH 1, 2023WRITTEN BY: SARAH JEAN
Over the years, we have seen an increase in the number of women taking on important political roles. For so long, women have been lesser than a man in the workforce, particularly in government positions. Not anymore! In fact, President-Elected Joe Biden, has recently created a senior communications team comprised entirely of women. Fifty-seven (57) women have served on the Senate, and currently, twenty-five (25) women hold seats. To go along with this, there are one hundred and one (101) women in the House of Representatives as of November 6, 2020. They represent thirty-four (34) states.
What is the big deal about women having important political roles, you ask? Well, this allows women to rightfully have a voice on important topics such as domestic violence and inequality in the workforce, along with the ongoing controversial Roe vs. Wade and contraception.
I think that in the years to come we will see even more women come into politics, and government positions because of this new acceptance. I greatly support and hope for this!
This information came from a December 22, 2020 publication which was posted on The Inspiring Peacock Post.
Over the years, we have seen an increase in the number of women taking on important political roles. For so long, women have been lesser than a man in the workforce, particularly in government positions. Not anymore! In fact, President-Elected Joe Biden, has recently created a senior communications team comprised entirely of women. Fifty-seven (57) women have served on the Senate, and currently, twenty-five (25) women hold seats. To go along with this, there are one hundred and one (101) women in the House of Representatives as of November 6, 2020. They represent thirty-four (34) states.
What is the big deal about women having important political roles, you ask? Well, this allows women to rightfully have a voice on important topics such as domestic violence and inequality in the workforce, along with the ongoing controversial Roe vs. Wade and contraception.
I think that in the years to come we will see even more women come into politics, and government positions because of this new acceptance. I greatly support and hope for this!
This information came from a December 22, 2020 publication which was posted on The Inspiring Peacock Post.