The Importance of Self-Perseverance in Overcoming Hurdles

The physical existence that the human experience is confined to is a path of absolute uncertainty and unexpectedness. At the end of the day, the reality is that no amount of preparation or foresight can prepare an individual human being for the ups and downs that they are bound to go through throughout the course of their relatively-short existence, and on top of that, nothing is constant – and nothing is for sure. How we perceive, react to, and overcome obstacles and roadblocks in our lives is among the definitive aspects of who we are as individual human beings, and is indicative of what we believe in and what we stand for in this particular spec of space in the universe at this exact time of our existence, which to us, matters. But what does this imply?

For one, it alludes to the fact that we all have our own foundation to stand on – a solid stronghold in which we base our morals, values, and pre-conceived notions on. For some, it may be the Judeo-Christian god of the bible, and for some it may be Allah. For others, it may be the love of self – ego, hedonism, and self-gratification – and for some, it may simply be nature or the intrinsic desire to continue existing. Whatever it may be (whether spiritual, religious, scientific, philosophical, logical, or mathematical in nature), we all have a special foothold grounded in some type of belief that allows us to perceive and rationalize the world around us, the way we act in relation to other humans that we associate with, and our individual significance in retrospect to the universe, in the context of our existence in this reality.

A suspense love story by Patricia Sims titled “A Major Hurdle”, which is a uniquely-crafted romance novel with a touch of courtroom drama and spiritual undertones, beautifully highlights the brightly-shining self-perseverance and strong spirituality of a remarkable human being on a journey of redemption, who, just like any single one of us at any given time, is just trying to get by – just another temporary visitor in this world among many who came before – another reiteration of the age-old dilemma of existence. She’s a fellow human being experiencing hurdles and hardships in her lifetime, simply trying to make the most of what cards reality has dealt her, but ultimately just a traveler passing through the fleeting vessel of existence as the flow of time continues to persist unrelentingly.

In this particular human’s story, she’s met with a terrible predicament. Picture it this way. Let’s put ourselves in the shoes of Catherine Adams, the protagonist of Patricia Sim’s critically-acclaimed book. We all know second-chances don’t come that often in a single life-time. Some of us aren’t even sure if there’s a life after this one, so the prospect of a second chance at anything is something deeply rewarding and fulfilling in nature – something highly sought-after, and something to cherish once received. This is what Catherine wants in her life. Another try at love, the second time around. In her pursuit of this goal, fate just so has it that her path becomes intertwined with the very thing she sought after – a certain Dr. Philip Cagney, the charming college professor who filled the void in her heart like the last piece of a broken puzzle, fitting snugly into place where the piece belongs.

As you’ve probably expected, this is the part where it all goes horribly wrong. When everything seemed to be going fine and dandy, the linear path of predictable romance cliché divulges into the realm of ominous uncertainty and sinister undertones as things slowly start to seem… off.  Something’s up with this new guy of hers – something deeply unsettling and uncanny in nature.

She fails to avoid some obvious red flags by ignoring their implications, and subsequently, she pays the ultimate price for it as she’s catapulted into a bizarre twist of fate that has her spiraling down the rabbit hole of a dramatic court case that unravels before her and the entire community college’s very own eyes like a vivid nightmare that just won’t end. As the investigation goes on, shocking information begins to unfold, only worsening her desperation at that point. With all eyes on her, she stands trial, accused of a grisly crime that she’s completely innocent of – her willpower and spirit challenged at every step of the way – a poor soul put to the test.

In this unfortunate situation, Catherine’s only stronghold is the Lord Jesus Christ, and that’s all she has left. Her undying spirituality and faith in God is what she clings to in order to overcome this hurdle, and in her darkest time of desperation, it’s what saved her. What redeems her from prosecution is nothing short of a miracle.

As seen in this well-paced and thought-provokingly unique romance thriller, humanity’s propensity to overcome hardships through the power of belief reminds us that we humans are capable of great achievements that have the physical potential to impact reality in a positive manner, no matter how insignificant it may seem in relation to the bigger picture. In our own little worlds, it means something to us – and maybe, just maybe, it might mean something to the universe.

Tips in Cultivating a Healthy Family Relationship

Family is the greatest treasure of a person. Sometimes it can either make or break you because they give and make you love so much that it is scary to lose any of them. Family is the most significant influence on kids, for they become the children’s role model and hero as they grow up. Hence, what you show to your younger family members can create a huge impact on their lives because they will take your actions as positive and acceptable. So, you should really be careful about keeping it real with them.

However, there are times that family becomes the weapon that scars you for some time in your life. Alternate Reality is a book that documents how the family made a great difference in the life of Steve Ross as he grows up; although, it is more of a dysfunctional family book instead of a functional good relationship book by Steve Ross. Hence, it will also make you appreciate your family better and empathize with those who, unluckily, haven’t had a great bond with their family.

How could one cultivate a healthy family relationship anyway? Here are some tips on how.

Do not forget to keep the communication running

Imagine living in a home where everyone is busy minding their own business and not bother talking at all. That is already a red flag that points out that there is already something wrong with your bond. Always strive to keep your communication open. Ask them how their day went when they get back home, share with them about your little progress on school or work, compliment them on the good that they do, and correct them on the bad things that they committed. Whether it is through random conversations during meals, little chitchats in the living room, casual messages via text, or occasional phone calls, the bottom line is that never forget to connect with them in any way that you can.

Allocate a day in your week to be spent on your family

You may have overlooked the value of quality time because you are busy working hard to give your family the best life. But, start clearing your schedule and allocate at least a day or more to be spent with your family. Set aside your work or studies and prioritize them. You’ll never know how big of a difference it can make. This is a great chance to strengthen the foundation of your relationship, make up for the times that you’ve grown apart, get to know their new passion, and support their goals. Having a bonding moment with your family also boosts their confidence and makes them have a positive outlook in life because they feel loved and cared.

Show them you love them using your love language

People are different in many ways, especially in showing their affection towards those that they love. There are those who express their love through words while there are others that are more comfortable in showing it through actions. Express your love to them using your love language, they will soon notice and understand it, which makes them appreciate you more. In that way, they will be motivated and dedicated to doing their tasks and errands knowing that there are people who care for them and giving them reasons to do better. This will surely make your family stronger and more connected to one another since love is an essential ingredient to a happy family.

Support them on the things that they are passionate about

Passion is intimate and a big deal for many individuals. Despite the fact that there are those who set aside their passion for practicality, that fire will never be put out and will continue burning inside. Your family members may have a passion that they are scared to pursue, such as dancing, art, literature, public speaking, and such. All you have to do is to show them your love and support to make them feel motivated and inspired. This will surely make them feel more comfortable to share their thoughts and struggles with you, which is a great opportunity to strengthen your relationship and keep a healthy family.

Inspiring Biographies of Brilliant Women for Your 2021 Reading List

Sometimes life can give us a bunch of lemons that can either make or break our lives. There are those who get beaten with all the lemons that are thrown at us by life, while there are others that make good lemonades out of them. To cope up with the ups and downs of life, some opt to write. Both good and bad experiences can be expressed through writing, which made this activity a good avenue for expression and learning.

These real and raw stories of bravery, happiness, heartache, victory, etc. can be turned into beautiful works of literature under the biography genre. In order for your story to become a biography, it should contain real records of your personal life. However, biographies don’t mandate you to solely write about yourself, because you can also write a biography of a person that you look up to, idolize, and such. In order for you to get better get some tips in writing these kinds of stories, here are the best biographies that you should read for inspiration and for your 2021 reading list.

Becoming by Michelle Obama

Photo source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38746485-becoming

This New York Times and Amazon bestselling nonfiction novel of the former First Lady of the United States shows how Michelle Obama became the strong and powerful woman that she is now. Becoming narrates her childhood experiences when she was living in the South Side of Chicago, her being a career woman and a mother, her becoming into a First Lady. With her genuineness and wit, Michelle expressed both her victories and downfalls in her book. Hence, Becoming is a very intimate book that contains the soul and essence of a remarkable woman who has firmly withstood all expectations and inspires readers to have the guts to do the same.

The Nine Lives of Curious Edith by Edith Vosefski

Photo source: http://edithvosefski.com/Books

In 2020, the book of etiquette expert, speaker, teacher, and author Edith Vosefski titled The Nine Lives of Curious Edith rather was published by Fig Factor Media. This promising biography tells the story of how the optimistic author from Downers Grove, Illinois is living a love-filled life. When she finished college, she became a housemother in a home for kids, an educator, a homemaker, a psychiatric hospital’s program admin, and Northern Illinois School of Etiquette’s founder. Moreover, in Vosefski books on The Nine Lives of Curious Edith, I mean in Vosefki’s book titled The Ninth Lives of Curious Edith; Edith shares how she shows her affection and care to others with a special sense of humor that shows life can be enjoyable and serious at the same time.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Photo source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13214.I_Know_Why_the_Caged_Bird_Sings

The notable Maya Angelou is the author of the 1969 popular biography titled I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Although this book is considered as an autobiography for it is based clearly on the life of the author, it was mixed with elements of fiction, making it a fusion of both fiction and nonfiction. The book narrates the experiences of Angelou when she was young. It follows Maya’s journey as a 3-year-old girl until she entered motherhood when she was 16 years old. This coming-of-age biography shows racism and trauma were conquered by the author through fortitude and passion for literature.

The Truths We Hold: An American Journey by Kamala Harris

Photo source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40861864-the-truths-we-hold

Published in 2019 by Penguin Press, Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris’ book titled The Truths We Hold: An American Journey is considered as one of the best nonfiction books today. It recounts her experiences as a child of immigrants who was raised in an area that cared so much about social justice, which is Oakland, California. Her parents met when they were Berkeley’s graduate students and activists during a campaign on civil rights. Hence, as Kamala grows u, she is really outspoken when it comes to her love for justice. She brought this passion as she continues to grow as the remarkable woman that she already is.

My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Mary Harnett, and Wendy W. William

Photo source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29868604-my-own-words

America’s Supreme Court Justice, the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote her biography called My Own Words along with Mary Hartnett and Wendy W. Williams. It contains the speeches and works of Bader Ginsburg when she was an 8th grader. Hence, it is her first book after being hailed as Supreme Court of Justice. My Own Words got multiple positive reviews from Kirkus Reviews, The New Republic, USA Today, and among others.

3 Things Every Christian Should Know About the Stations of the Cross

The symbolism of Jesus Christ’s path towards his Crucifixion and the events leading up to it are highly publicized and detailed in what modern Christians know as the Stations of the Cross. They are depictions of the Lord’s immense suffering, the insults and trials he endured, moments of support, and the unfathomable sacrifice the Christians believe the Lord offered in exchange for the freedom of all humankind from original sin and damnation.

The Stations of the Cross involve meditation and reflection on the significance of these individual scenes and events, portrayed in fourteen classic depictions of the age-old story reiterated in varying artistic styles and flavors, reproduced and reimagined by countless Christian artists and visionaries time and time again. With every new form that this symbolism takes on throughout the centuries, the significance and meaning it embodies genuine and spiritually rejuvenating for the reflections of a pious believer showing reverence to humankind’s salvation and the events that led up to the culmination of the event. 

The biblical sense of the Cross stations is always to illustrate the journey Jesus has traveled to ultimate human salvation. This journey was one in which he meets his mother and encounters Simon the Cyrene and Veronica on the way. It was three times he was weighted down by his physical fatigue. It encompasses his execution at the Crucifixion, to his burial and subsequent revival. It is in the of Stations of the Cross where the road to the divine paradise comes once people understand what Jesus has suffered – a call to action in their own lives. The book known as Stations of the Risen Christ by Frank Heelan explains this in extensive detail. 

In parishes, particularly during the Lent and anticipation of Easter, the Stations of the Cross that embraced the path of Jesus Christ from the praetorium of Pontius Pilate to the grave of Jesus Christ were a common dedication. This route was officially called Via Dolorosa (Sorrowful Way) in the 16th century or just the Way of the Cross or the Stations of the Cross. 

Over time, this dedication grew. Our Blessed Mother has historically visited the sights of the love for our Lord every day. This road was identified after the legalization of Christianity by Constantine in 313 AD. St Jerome (342-420), who spent the last part of his life in Bethlehem, demonstrated to the pilgrims from different nations who had visited these holy sites.

Here’s a few fun facts about The Stations of the Cross that all pious Christians should know. You might know the Stations in order by heart, but you might not know these rare facts about them: 

Prior to the 17th century, the Stations of the Cross were absent from churches  

It is because it was no longer convenient or feasible or possible to access religious locations that the Stations of the Cross came to be what we know them today. In the 1500s, the “reproductions” of the way of the cross began to be built by communities across Europe with miniature temples to honor the locations along the path in Jerusalem. 

These sanctuaries were gradually converted into the series of 14 stations, which we all recognized and are found in virtually every Catholic Church in the world. Depicting the events mentioned in the stations were rare in churches until Pope Innocent XI allowed the Franciscans to display this imagery in all of their churches as of 1686.

The trend picked up when pilgrims from all over the globe flocked to the Holy Land in the late 4th century

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher, constructed directly above Calvary and the Grave of Jesus by Emperor Constantine in 335 AD, was at the top of the sites that these pilgrims visited. The Muslim invasion of Palestine eventually saw the end of this practice.  

The reproductions of the holy places in Europe were built by the 7th century when Christians who had extreme difficulty accessing the sacred sites sought pilgrimage sites nearer home. If they weren’t going to head to Jerusalem, they’d have memories of Jerusalem nearby.

Every Good Friday, the Pope’s devotions to the Stations of the Cross is done publically at the Colosseum at Rome, which is a highly attractive pilgrimage for many pious practitioners. 

This practice dates back to the eighteenth century, during the papacy of Pope Benedict XIV, and was reinstated in 1964 by Pope Paul VI. This ritual, known as “Via Crucis,” involves a ceremonial pilgrimage of torchlights from the Colosseum to the Palatine Hill, with participants frequently bearing wooden crosses to each stop.

Enjoyable Indoor Activities to Bond with Kids

The world is already going through changes, but what seems to not change is the unvanquished pandemic. Although the situation is a lot better than the first few months of the outbreak, another Covid-19 variant is now here to once again threaten humankind. With that, it is still not safe to go out and enjoy the outdoors. You should be more careful now more than ever, never let your guard down until the pandemic is over and if the vaccines are proven to be effective.

Regardless of the negativities that this pandemic has brought, you can still spot some positive effects and opportunities that it provides. There are many activities that you can do to make your day more productive, as well as strengthen the bond that you have with the kids at your homes — such as your children, nephews, or nieces. That said, here are some of the brilliant activities to do at home with kids.

Making beautiful scrapbooks

Scrapbooking may seem to be a boring and old hobby. However, it is still a delightful activity that plays a big role in keeping the bond of people and a good medium for a trip down memory lane. On this DIY activity, you can gather the basic materials — which are the glitters, cardboards, scented papers, scissors, glues, and etc. This will surely increase your creativity and reduce your stress, as well as make your kids entertained and happy. With all the vibrant colors and moving memories that this project bring, you can genuinely love and treasure the experience.

Learning how to sew

Sewing is the activity that many often overlook the value. Some even see it as the thing done by the elders. Let us change this mentality and appreciate the art of sewing. Ensure to have your sewing kits ready, just be careful enough to not prick the children with the needles. Gather on a table and slowly demonstrate the basics to the children. However, you should be extra careful in teaching them this art because children can be messy sometimes. You can create some cute dresses out of your old clothes, repair those that have holes, put some patches on bags, and other cool stuff.

Reading good books

Reading is a good activity that promotes both learning and entertainment. Children’s literature is the perfect genre to read because it cannot only hit the interests of children but also magnet the attention of the adults that want to relive their childhood memories. There are many enjoyable book lessons for kids by Konieczka, that can be learned from Alana Konieczka’s book A Kid’s Life: Loving, Learning, Growing. Other wonderful books that you should never miss reading during your bonding with the kids are The Cat in The Hat by Dr. Seuss, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, Wonder by R.J. Palacio, Grandpa Nick’s Bump by Lynda Daniele, and Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren.

Baking delectable desserts

During the pandemic, there are many people who discovered brand-new skills and harnessed their strengths. Baking is one of the most fun, calming, and terrific activity that you can bond with the children at your home. Perhaps you can discover that this mere hobby can be your core strength, as well as uncover the talents of the kids for this activity. You can start off with some easy recipes and goods, such as cookies, cupcakes, brownies, cheesecakes, and more. Guide the kids on what ingredients to get and mix. You can use their help on the mixing process. If you want to involve them in putting the batter to the oven, make sure that it is under your guidance because they might get burn from the oven. You’ll never know how fun this activity is if you won’t try. Also, you can share the treats afterward.

Camping indoors

Camping is an outdoor activity that is usually done by the lake or forest. However, nobody said that you can’t do it indoors. So, set-up the tent, pillows, picnic mat, and other essentials for camping. Note that you are doing it in the comforts of your home. Hence, there will be no bonfire and fishing. All that there will be are comfort, laughter, and love. This is a good bonding activity because you can play with your kids, get along with them, and cherish the wonderful moment.

How The Caregiving Industry is Getting by Amidst the Pandemic

Many healthcare facilities were overwhelmed by the pandemic, since nobody saw it coming. Hospitals were full and medical staff was busy. With the ongoing battle with the Covid-19 virus, there were lives that were lost, economies that have fallen, and people that were losing hope. The caregiving industry is an integral part of the medical field. Without these brave caregivers, it would be too difficult to attend to the needs of our elderly and family members since we still have our responsibilities and jobs to handle.

There are many people who have experienced family caregiving. These amazing individuals have little to no background or know-how about the job, but they still continue to jump right into it so that they can take care of their loved on. Author Eleanor Gaccetta, for example, was a career woman whose life suddenly changed after her mother broke a hip and needs to be taken care of immediately. She utilized her almost10 years of caregiving experience to help those newbies in the field get to know the art of caregiving, as well as its challenges.

Among the typical individuals that can be tapped to perform some caregiving duties are family and friends. However, it can become both easy and difficult on their end because of the growing changes in the well-being of the person with an illness or disability. However, if you hire a caregiver from a trusted agency, everything will be easier yet you’ll never know how anxious and burnt out the expert will become — especially that there is an ongoing pandemic.

Amidst this unsolved Covid-19 virus, what could how do the caregiving industry is getting by, would their demand and field become bigger or smaller? During this health crisis that we have been facing for almost a year, the estimated worldwide market for Health Caregiving last year is 111.2 billion US dollars, which is forecasted to come to a reappraised size of 234.6 billion US dollars after 7 years. Hence, it was evaluated to have an 11.2% CAGR increase from 2020 to 2027.

According to the May 2020 research report by the AARP Family Caregiving, over 1 in 5 people in the US are caregivers. This is based on their duty at specific periods in the recent year to attend to the needs of either adult or kid that has no enough capacity to take care of him. It sums up to about 53 million American adults, which is higher than the approximated 43.5 million in 2015.

Various caregivers have felt that their work has bestowed them a sense of purpose and has given their lives meaning. However, the positive feelings felt by these 51% commonly exist together with stress and pressure. Most caregivers communicate their concerns and frustrations physically, mentally, financially, and emotionally. In fact, 2 in 10 caregivers report that they are feeling solitary. A lot of personal challenges influenced by work also emerge. There are were 21% who reported that they are experiencing poor well-being, and one in 4 caregivers voiced out that it is a struggle for him to attend to his fitness needs.

Caregiving, furthermore, creates a great impact on the economy. With its various effects on the workers and the working arrangements, the economy can be affected financially. At least one in every 5 caregivers is known to have high money resource strain, which is the outcome of the job, while 10 have gone through one financial effect that is also a product of caregiving. Additionally, 28% have ceased saving while 23% were recorded to have increased their debts in a span of 5 years. These statuses have long-lasting consequences in terms of the future financial stability of caregivers; especially that caregiving can go up for a long period of time.

In conclusion, the caregiving industry is still operating well in the middle of this pandemic. Even if there are a lot of societal and personal struggles that caregivers have been through these days, they are still doing their best on providing the best care that they can give. As seen in the studies and numbers above, there is truly an increase in the number of caregivers in a 5-6 year time difference.

Brilliant Christian Books to Read that Will Strengthen Your Faith

Faith is an integral part of Christianity. It addressed the basis of believing in God’s word, putting trust in His steadfastness, and depending on His character and selflessness to act. When the word “faith” is brought up in a random conversation, things like God, religion, and the Bible are the top three that come to mind. Hence, faith is truly an essential aspect of Christianity, especially in the development of our spirituality.

Apart from the word of God, there are other means that can help you strengthen your faith in Him — such as books. There are numerous Christian books present in the world of literature. They have different content and themes, but they all revolve around God and Christianity. So, we have here some brilliant Christian books to help every disciple and believer of the Lord to enhance their faith in Him.

The Three Keys to Our Relationship with God by Roslynn Bryant

This exceptional Christian book by Roslynn Bryant contains an insightful and authentic record of the development process of our relationship with our Heavenly Father, which is made possible by our faith in the Lord Jesus. This Father and child bond is strengthened as we add the three essentials of loving, trusting, and obeying our Heavenly Father. The Three Keys to Our Relationship with God also offers wisdom into the way the one and only begotten Son of God applied the same three keys of loving, trusting, and obeying, to His Father. Moreover, it provides us with practical usage that we can utilize in building our personal relationship with Him as God’s children. This book is a sincere and heartwarming interpretation that slowly guides us in finding delight in our relationship with God.

Come Climb Toward God: Are You Hungry For God? by Marianna Albritton

Published in 2013 by Xulon Press, Come Climb Toward God: Are You Hungry for God? is asking us if we are eager to create a relationship with the Lord. It is primarily written to help those who believe in the Lord to comprehend Christian development stages. There are various instances that a believer feels the demand to become closer to Him. Still, the individual cannot think of an idea on taking a step closer or the methods of understanding what he or she is feeling. In the entire Bible-teaching journey of the author, she has experienced teaching the “one.” Hence, she is creating this book for the person who is feeling the need to satisfy his or her hunger to comprehend the Father’s callings, as well as to build a better bond with God.

New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional by Paul David Tripp

New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional is recognized as the number 1 Amazon bestseller in the spiritual meditations category. This book by Paul David Tripp contains a year-worth of gospel-focused devotions that has sold more than half a million copies. It says that mornings can become difficult; hence, your good breakfast paired with a strong coffee is not sustainable. Trip desires to give you more energy with the most powerful motivation booster possible, which is the gospel. Whether it is the modification of actions or the aphorisms to feel good, you can forget all about them. The author realizes that an experience with God is what everyone needs. Afterward, we will all be ready to put our trust in His goodness, depend on His grace, and live for His honor every single day.

An Endless Quest for Spiritual Truth: A Practical Guide to Everyday Spirituality by Eric Chifunda

Eric Chifunda has written a Pinnacle Book Achievement Awardee book that serves as an analysis of the spiritual truth that lies behind God, love, and life in our everyday living that surpasses those that are basically known. Always remember that regardless of how good you already are, there is still an avenue to become better, smarter, stronger, and more content than you are now. The wisdom intertwined in An Endless Quest for Spiritual Truth: A Practical Guide to Everyday Spirituality, hopefully, is enough to provide you with a greater view on the way the spirit get through or entangled into our daily life, which will slowly lift us to become the better version of ourselves.

Inspiring Books that You Should Never Miss Reading

Literature is not just about stories that make generate your imagination. It is also not just about the paper and ink that were used to create books. Instead, it is a way of life that fuels every reader to become more than they are now. Literature is also a great source of inspiration to improve oneself, and use these developments to make a different in the society and the world.

Self-help is a nonfiction genre that houses a lot of inspiring books that ought to make people improvement and become the best version of them. So, discover the wonders of self-help by reading these amazing books that we have listed below.

Summit!: One Woman’s Mount Everest Climb Guides You to Success by Laurie Bagley

The remarkable woman Laurie Bagley is the author of Summit One Woman’s Mount Everest Climb Guides You to Success. This motivational book documents the moment when the author climbed Everest, Denali, Aconcagua, and Kilimanjaro’s peaks. Bagley has juggled her tasks by keeping on climbing part-time for she is a guide for Adventures International while attending her roles as both mom and businesswoman. Moreover, she competed in a top leading world-class adventure racing group for 5 years. In 2006, Laurie received the California Outdoor Hall of Fame Award in 2006. Hence, Summit is truly a promising book that has the opportunity to create a big change in the lives of the readers. The author definitely inspires everyone to recognize their real interests and talents so that they can create and achieve their own goals.

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg

In 2012, Random House published The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life by Charles Duhigg. This self-help book discusses the science behind the formation and reformation of habits. Hence, it contains subtopics, such as habit loop, the golden rule of habit change, keystone habits, and training. The author also showcased a brand-new approach to understanding the potential of human nature. It has already made it to The New York Times, Amazon, and USA Today bestseller lists. In the same year of publication, it was long-listed for the Book of the Year Award of Financial Times and McKinsey.

The Fitness Mindset: Eat for Energy, Train for Tension, Manage Your Mindset, Reap the Results by Brian Keane

The Fitness Mindset: Eat for Energy, Train for Tension, Manage Your Mindset, Reap the Results is among the best motivational self-help books of all-time. It raises multiple questions which are: how do you describe the experience if you would possess your dream body, massive energy increase, and the mentality to maintain them to eternity; Did you ever feel disappointed that you didn’t achieve the results you wanted?; Do you think that you are consuming the right food and conduct the correct exercises but your body doesn’t adjust as much as you desire; and more. This book provides you with all the essentials to achieve your dream body, increase your level of energy, and create a great mindset that you can keep for a long time.

No Sweat: How the Simple Science of Motivation Can Bring You a Lifetime of Fitness by Michelle Segar

The first edition of No Sweat: How the Simple Science of Motivation Can Bring You a Lifetime of Fitness by Michelle Segar was published by AMACOM. If you personally dislike doing an exercise and have difficulty following a workout, then think about the millions of individuals that have attempted but never succeeded. Perhaps the problem is not the people but the exercise itself. Hence, this book has transformed years of studies on exercise and encouragement into a simple design program that will motivate everyone to stop the cycle of workout failure. Readers will surely learn the reasons why they need to forget about the determination and avoid clenching their teeth by the exercises that they dislike. Instead, they should start to become more inspired and motivated to begin a desire for physical exercises. This book definitely makes workouts easier, funnier, and more enjoyable. Hence, every reader must prepare to start an active way of living that they will love.

Ways to Uplift Your Spirit as an In-home Caregiver

The pandemic has made caregiving a little more difficult. However, it has made in-home caregivers use the last ounce of their inspiration and positivity. Due to the health risk that Covid-19 has brought, these in-home caregivers were forced to literally stay at home. Hence, there are only left with limited activities to do and there is no outlet to relieve stress and anxiety.

The government has imposed some regulations to safeguard the health of every person, such as prohibiting gatherings, wearing of face masks, following the social distancing, and such. Some places had it worse because of the total lockdown. Almost a year into the pandemic, you probably think that it is already safe to enjoy the world beyond the four corners of your home. However, there is still no vaccine found; so, it is still not safe outside.

According to Human Resource Executive, one in three Americans turns into a caregiver in an instant and about 41.8 million are having a hard time coping up with the financial, emotional, and physical issues created by taking care of an aged loved one. That said, caregivers deserve your gratitude because of their hard work. Also, there is really a need for caregivers — especially those in-homes, to look for ways to uplift their spirit not just during this pandemic but in times that they feel drained. Listed below are the simple yet best methods on how:

Converse with the people

Sometimes when you are drained and anxious, you tend to push people away or isolate yourself. After you take care of your ill family member, you are probably headed to your room to rest. But, that rest has an indefinite time range because you’ll never know when your loved one will need you for assistance. One thing to help you cope up with the stress is to talk to people. You can start a conversation with your other family members or relatives in your free time. Communicating with others will help your release your baggage that you’ve bottled for so long, and finally be free from it. You can also benefit from this because your other relatives will understand you better and strengthen your bonds.

Eat on time

You probably might not believe how eating on time boosts your mood. There are times that you are so drained and will never bother eating. There are also moments that you skip meals due to a hectic schedule. Being irresponsible in consuming your meals will really keep you feeling down because you are not taking care of yourself well. But, if you start consuming your breakfast, lunch, and dinner on time with snacks in between — your digestive system will be in perfect shape. It will help you avoid having stomach problems, such as stomach ulcers, acid reflux, and bloating. This will have a positive effect on both your physical and mental health; and, will make you more energetic, motivated, inspired, and confident.

Do something new

Your daily routine as a caregiver right now might be repetitive. It is because your mind is too focused on work and at the four corners of your home. This is understandable considering the pandemic where going outside is not a good option. In order for you to feel positive and uplifted, you need to try doing something new that can be done within the vicinity of your residence. These activities may boost your creativity or develop your moods, such as painting, reading, planting, and cooking. You can also try baking if you want to try a brand-new skill because there are many who are comforted by it. Trying a new activity really depends on you, but just make sure that it will help you relieve stress and be more positive in life. These will also help you look on the brighter side of life and wait for better days no matter how long it takes.

Start exercising

Exercise — something that you might have taken for granted due to a busy schedule, unmotivated mindset, and drained body. Believe it or not, this activity will surely help you uplift your spirit and increase your drive. Although exercising is exhausting, this truly develops your overall well-being. Hence, try doing it in your free time and see the results. Also, if you feel like you need to clear your mind from bothering thoughts, you can exercise and see its amazing way of giving you clarity.

Activities to Do this Holiday Season

The snow has fallen, stores are now offering season discounts, playful lights are up, and snowmen are being created, which means that it is already the holiday season! December is really the month where everything turns white, cold, and exciting. There are so many things to look forward to because it is not just about Christmas, but also about the end of the year. It is the perfect time to reminisce the events that happened this year and start to list the things that you want to achieve in the following 365 days.

Are you still looking for ideas on what to do this coming holiday break apart from reading books and dusting shelves? Worry no more, because we have listed below the best activities for you to do this season.

Decorate your Christmas tree

One of the things that signify Christmas, the biggest holiday in December, is the Christmas tree. There are many who made the decorating of the Christmas tree an annual tradition, while there are also those who don’t put that much attention on their trees. The common trees use for this is an evergreen conifer, but there are also many replicas sold in the market for those who want to use artificial ones.

Hence, gather your last year’s decorations, as well as this year’s newly bought Christmas balls, lights, garlands, and stars. You can call your family members for help and start making that tree pretty and full of Christmas vibes. Don’t forget to put a star on the top!

Shop for presents

If you haven’t had the time to take advantage of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale, don’t worry because there are still some holiday sale that is happening — although they already have lesser discounts. What could make the holiday more amazing? Simple, the gifts! Start shopping for presents for your loved ones now. They don’t need to be expensive, because it is the thought that counts. For sure, the special people in your life will appreciate the thought more than the value of the item.

You can do the shopping either physically or online. Make sure that you are safe from the pandemic and following the health protocols during the shopping. Begin wrapping the presents afterward; just make sure the recipients won’t see them. You can place them under the Christmas tree when you are done wrapping them.

Bake some gingerbread cookies

To feel the spirit of the holiday, baking might be one of the best things to do. Gingerbread cookies are a must-try during these times. Check your pantry if you have all the ingredients so that you can have a smooth baking process. If not, then make sure to shop these items: all-purpose flour, ginger, nutmeg, baking soda, ground cinnamon, cloves, egg, and vanilla extract. This wonderful gingerbread cookie recipe is modifiable depending on your preference.

When you have all of the elements, mix them and shape them into gingerbread men, Christmas trees, stockings, and such. Bake them, and design them after. You can share these cookies with your family and friends. You can also eat them with either coffee, eggnog, or hot chocolate.

Take some time for yourself

The best part of the holiday is having a break from everything, such as work or school. You can have time to do the things that you are passionate about, such as writing. But, if you have finished the draft — then you may want to proceed with the editing process. You can opt to get the expertise of a professional editor, such as Greg Van Arsdale’s evaluation editing services. You can also choose to self-edit your work, although it will really require you to become attentive, observant, and accurate. This is to make sure that you can hand out a clean manuscript to your publisher.

Additionally, you can also do other stuff that relaxes you apart from writing. These activities include but not limited to getting a massage, bonding with your family, adopting a dog, learning a new skill, cooking delectable dishes, organizing a small gathering, reading a book, and drinking coffee. Just make sure that you are enjoying the holidays by doing the things that you love and that calm your mind.

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