Month: August 2017

Erin’s Things: August 13

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You’re reading Erin’s Things: August 13, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Hi Friends!

From a cool water bottle to an amazing podcast on Compassion – this week’s list will have you inspired, humbled and maybe just dancing a bit!

1. qUE water bottle – Water is life, and as such we need it often, every single day. Most of us either carry around a plastic water bottle (which isn’t helping the environment one iota), or we buy a heavy environmentally conscious bottle which weighs us down and takes up so much room in our bags. A solution has arrived and I am stoked. This kickstarter funded product, qUE water bottle, twists up and down to expand and contract, making it easy to store once you’ve had your H2o. It also works for hot liquids! I’m getting thirsty.

2. Crystal Kayak – Kayaking is cool. Kayaking in a transparent, clear kayak is just next level cool. Florida’s Crystal Kayak company ships the kayaks all over the world, they come complete with buffing pads, cleaning solution, transport trolley and more but they are not cheap, running you 1,499.00 in cost.  Made from the same material used in airplane windshields, you’re in no danger of damage from colliding with a rock.

3. The Aces – cool, four girl indie rock-pop band form Utah. Their debut single ‘Stuck’ is catchy enough to seriously stick in your head, in a good way. Recently signed to Red Bull Records, their 70’s, summery sounds are headed into heavy rotation on my playlist.

4. Option B – New book by acclaimed author of “Lean In’, Sheryl Sandberg’s latest offering is called ‘Option B’, on how to discover resilience and help other’s in crisis after suffering through major loss.  At some point in all our lives, Option a is not available to us, this is when we make the most of what we have and persevere.

5. The Science of Compassion, Podcast – Spreading compassion into the world, one small gesture at a time. This podcast touches on the acts of kindness either toward someone we know or a complete stranger and how it can impact and change our lives for the better. It’s a must listen for a refresher on how to interact with those around you with grace and generosity.

What has inspired you this week? Got any great suggestions? Leave your ideas in the comments below!

Be well,

Erin

You’ve read Erin’s Things: August 13, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

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You never know what you’ll see at Rocky Mountain National Park…

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You never know what you’ll see at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Emerging from cover after a storm, Ron Hazeloop chased a rainbow to Spruce Lake and just happened to catch a large bull moose standing in the water. Snapping the photo, he called it “a magical moment.” Photo by Ron Hazeloop (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

The City Strikes a Pose

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Jamel Shabazz is a kind of anti-Walker Evans. Born in Brooklyn in 1960, he has documented New York street life, largely in the city’s black neighborhoods, with a cheerful guilelessness. A new collection of his work from his beginnings in 1980 to the present, displays Shabazz’s wish to honor and flatter, to fashion touching tributes to a certain kind of black, urban life.

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August 12th

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Much of what was said did not matter, and that much of what mattered could not be said.

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How to Win in Life Every Day

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You’re reading How to Win in Life Every Day, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Do you know what it feels like to win every day?

How to Win at Life Every Day

Have you ever been so overwhelmed by the end of the day that you wonder how you even got anything done?

Most people go through life on auto-pilot without any thought as to what is happening.

Is that you?  Do you find yourself so wrapped up in a routine that you struggle to make progress on your goals?

If so, consider these tips, and start winning at life every day!

Tip#1: Win the morning.

Henry Ward Beecher once said, “The first hour is the rudder of the day – the Golden Hour.”

Be strategic in how you start your mornings.  If you wake up late, grab a cup of coffee, and race to get to work on time you have set a panicked tone for the day.

If a rudder steers a ship through its course, your first hour should help set the direction of your day.

Set several alarms if you need to wake up on time.  Get up slowly and take some time to feed yourself mentally and emotionally before starting your “work” day.

Tip#2: Celebrate the small wins.

No matter how full your day is with problem-solving, you must celebrate the small wins.

Did you wake up on time and make your bed before you left for work?  Win!

Did you finally figure out how to get that column to total correctly on your balance spreadsheet at work?  Win!

Did you stay under budget this week? Win!

There is so much that goes well during each week, so make sure to celebrate it!

Tip#3: Be fully present in each situation.

“We’re so busy watching out for what’s just ahead of us that we don’t take time to enjoy where we are.” – Bill Watterson

There is no other way to live except in the moment.

Too often we find ourselves looking ahead to the weekend, to the next month, to the next holiday, etc.  We anticipate exciting and disappointing things all the time.

Instead, let’s practice gratitude for each moment and learn to enjoy it to the fullest.  Take time to talk with your coworkers or your children.  Don’t let life’s small moments pass you by.

Don’t let life’s small moments pass you by.

Tip#4: Recap your day with highs and lows.

One strategy that has worked great for me is to invest 5-10 minutes each day to verbalize and write down my highs and lows.

When I’m tired or stressed, I tend to think that I have had a very boring or “bad” day. However, if I take the time to analyze my day, I find there are almost always more positive events that I have simply forgotten.

Even if there were some low times, I can meditate on those for a moment and see if there’s anything I can learn and grow from.

I don’t believe in coincidences, so start paying attention to everything that happens each day.

Tip#5: Unwind and relax at night.

How do you finish your day? If starting your day is important, so is finishing the day.

What is it that you enjoy most to relax and unwind?  Watching movies, reading a good book, taking a walk, playing with your children?  Pick one of those activities and try it out for a week to see how it makes you feel.

You want to choose things that allow your mind to escape from any worry and bring feelings of happiness and contentment.

I hope these tips help you to take control of your life and start winning every day!

I’m Johnny Miller, the founder of Finding Your Fit, a blog about finding margin and career direction in life.  Come check out my blog and see how you can begin designing a career roadmap that actually fits your life.    

You’ve read How to Win in Life Every Day, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

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How to Win in Life Every Day

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You’re reading How to Win in Life Every Day, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Do you know what it feels like to win every day?

How to Win at Life Every Day

Have you ever been so overwhelmed by the end of the day that you wonder how you even got anything done?

Most people go through life on auto-pilot without any thought as to what is happening.

Is that you?  Do you find yourself so wrapped up in a routine that you struggle to make progress on your goals?

If so, consider these tips, and start winning at life every day!

Tip#1: Win the morning.

Henry Ward Beecher once said, “The first hour is the rudder of the day – the Golden Hour.”

Be strategic in how you start your mornings.  If you wake up late, grab a cup of coffee, and race to get to work on time you have set a panicked tone for the day.

If a rudder steers a ship through its course, your first hour should help set the direction of your day.

Set several alarms if you need to wake up on time.  Get up slowly and take some time to feed yourself mentally and emotionally before starting your “work” day.

Tip#2: Celebrate the small wins.

No matter how full your day is with problem-solving, you must celebrate the small wins.

Did you wake up on time and make your bed before you left for work?  Win!

Did you finally figure out how to get that column to total correctly on your balance spreadsheet at work?  Win!

Did you stay under budget this week? Win!

There is so much that goes well during each week, so make sure to celebrate it!

Tip#3: Be fully present in each situation.

“We’re so busy watching out for what’s just ahead of us that we don’t take time to enjoy where we are.” – Bill Watterson

There is no other way to live except in the moment.

Too often we find ourselves looking ahead to the weekend, to the next month, to the next holiday, etc.  We anticipate exciting and disappointing things all the time.

Instead, let’s practice gratitude for each moment and learn to enjoy it to the fullest.  Take time to talk with your coworkers or your children.  Don’t let life’s small moments pass you by.

Don’t let life’s small moments pass you by.

Tip#4: Recap your day with highs and lows.

One strategy that has worked great for me is to invest 5-10 minutes each day to verbalize and write down my highs and lows.

When I’m tired or stressed, I tend to think that I have had a very boring or “bad” day. However, if I take the time to analyze my day, I find there are almost always more positive events that I have simply forgotten.

Even if there were some low times, I can meditate on those for a moment and see if there’s anything I can learn and grow from.

I don’t believe in coincidences, so start paying attention to everything that happens each day.

Tip#5: Unwind and relax at night.

How do you finish your day? If starting your day is important, so is finishing the day.

What is it that you enjoy most to relax and unwind?  Watching movies, reading a good book, taking a walk, playing with your children?  Pick one of those activities and try it out for a week to see how it makes you feel.

You want to choose things that allow your mind to escape from any worry and bring feelings of happiness and contentment.

I hope these tips help you to take control of your life and start winning every day!

I’m Johnny Miller, the founder of Finding Your Fit, a blog about finding margin and career direction in life.  Come check out my blog and see how you can begin designing a career roadmap that actually fits your life.    

You’ve read How to Win in Life Every Day, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

http://ift.tt/2vYHAXY

Trump’s Cruel Deportations

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A fair immigration system would consider family and community ties before ordering deportation, but US law generally ignores them, and Trump’s policies are taking this to new extremes. Congress also bears responsibility for its abject failure to reform a system that everyone agrees is broken. It should require a hearing before deportation—or better yet, find a way to regularize the status of people who deserve legal recognition.

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10 Essential Oils You Should Have at Home

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When an average person hears the words “essential oils”, he’d probably associate it with something that can improve the smell of a home. And though that is true, there’s more to essential oils than just bringing a pleasant fragrance.

So, if you are planning to get a new house, here’s an essential oils guide you might find useful.

Lavender

lavender oil

Widely used for its calming effects, lavender is, undoubtedly, one of the most popular essential oils. Of course, the reason is obvious. This oil brings a soothing effect when you’re stressed or irritated. Aside from that, it can also treat burns and relieve irritated skin.

To treat burns, simply put two drops of lavender oil on the affected area. In a few minutes, the swelling and pain will be relieved.

Peppermint

Having a hard time dealing with nausea? How about headaches? Do you want to improve energy levels?

You might need to have a bottle of peppermint essential oil at home. Massage a drop of this oil to your forehead and temples to relieve a headache. To relieve nausea, inhale straight from the bottle but be careful not to get it in the eyes.

Lemon

lemon oil

For those of you who have a congested chest or itchy throat, you will need several drops of lemon. When paired with honey, it can effectively soothe a sore throat!

If you want to use it in the kitchen, you can, too! Mix at least 5 drops of this essential oil with 4 ounces of an unscented liquid dish soap to get rid of grease in your kitchenware.

Eucalyptus

To add an antimicrobial effect to any DIY homemade cleaning recipe, make sure to add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil. Five drops of this oil added to 16 ounces of water can effectively inhibit the growth of mold. Also, 10 drops of this added to a bucket of water can help ease the job of cleaning the floor.

Frankincense

Although it is a bit expensive, frankincense essential oil can effectively get rid of stress and relieve headaches. It can even help make bath time extra relaxing!

After washing your body with soap, put a few drops of frankincense essential oil to your washcloth. Then, wipe it over your body while rinsing with warm water. The steam will instantly infuse with the oil, giving you the refreshing and relaxing feeling you need.

Oregano

Oregano might be a popular kitchen ingredient but it also has some other uses at home. It has antimicrobial properties that help the body combat illnesses. No wonder why it’s a must-have! To fight flu and illnesses, diffuse this oil in your favorite diffuser. It’s that easy!

Tea Tree

tea tree oil

Another powerful ingredient in homemade cleaners, tea tree essential oil deserves a spot in your home. Not only does it have soothing properties that heal rashes and itching, it also has properties that aid in stopping athlete’s foot.

Normally, this oil is diluted with a carrier oil, such as organic coconut oil, in a 1:1 ratio prior to applying to the skin.

Wild Orange

Apart from its pleasant smell, wild orange has got many good properties. It does not only work as a sedative, it can also be used for treating an upset stomach. Simply combine a tablespoon of coconut oil with a drop of wild orange essential oil for an instant massage oil.

Vanilla

Here’s something you might not be aware of: Vanilla essential oil has properties that can neutralize the free radicals present in your body. It can protect it against illnesses and diseases.

It also brings about a calming effect that makes it ideal for relieving restlessness and stress. Put a few drops of this oil into your bath or rub the oil on your temples for a quick relaxation.

Rosemary

If you are feeling confused or indecisive, you will need the fragrance of rosemary essential oil. It does a pretty good job at clearing your head and supporting digestive functions.

When combined with peppermint essential oil, it can improve one’s focus and insights, too! Just mix 3 drops of this oil with 3 drops of peppermint essential oil and rub on your upper neck. It should effectively improve your memory and keep you focused the whole day.

Actually, there are still lots of essential oils out there. These are only ten of them. Nonetheless, if you want your family to reap the benefits of these oils, then this essential oils guide can help you get started.

The post 10 Essential Oils You Should Have at Home appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Gifford Pinchot is often called the “Father of American…

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Gifford Pinchot is often called the “Father of American Forestry.” His life and legacy shaped American conservation and our public lands. Celebrate his birthday and check out his story https://on.doi.gov/Pinchot  Photo of Gifford Pinchot National Forest by Pat Di Geronimo (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

Dating Tips for Finding the Right Person

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The biggest challenge in dating is finding the right person.

Most of the time, dating is usually clouded with the wrong intentions. Some simply want to get laid while others want to see what happens next. These aren’t really wrong if those are what you intend.

But, if you are looking for the right match, you can easily get hurt if the other person has those intentions.

That is why it is important to make it clear what your intentions are, particularly at the start of the dating process. If you are dating to find the right person for you, then you have to be honest about it. Otherwise, you will get hurt if you play along and can become an easy prey to people who are just looking for fun.

Finding the right person takes time. Actually, it takes an enormous amount of time. Some people can be married, have kids and start a family only to realize that who they live with is not actually the right person for them. No wonder divorce rates are sky high.

Here are a few dating tips for finding the right person:

Eliminate Fear

Fear will always cause us to make the wrong decisions. Fear can easily convince us that who we are currently dating is the best we can have. At your very core, however, you know there is a mismatch in many of your characteristics and personality.

In other words, fear will make you blind to many unpleasant things and this can cause great issues in the long run.

It is best to date not because of fear, whether that is fear of loneliness or being single. Being single shouldn’t actually be feared at all since rushing into a bad relationship is actually worse than being alone.

Do not confuse being partnered with happiness, too. You can be happy alone and you’ll have a greater chance of finding the right person if you are complete on your own.

Take Time Before Committing

dating tips

Commitment brings a relationship to another level. Sometimes, the sweetness and the “high” felt at the beginning of a new relationship can convince you to commit to something even more serious.

Hold back a little and think about what you are getting into.

Not being bitter, but you have to consider many things. Think about your career, social life, and personal life. If the relationship you are committing to may be disruptive to any of this, it may not be worth it.

See Also: 7 Ways To Tell That You’ve Gone From Dating To A Relationship

The Right Person May Be Appear as Wrong

There are many relationships that flourished not because of initial attraction. In fact, some of those that truly lasted are people who may have known each other for a long time without being entirely in love. The right person may be the wrong person at first, so give your partner a fair chance.

Who you are craving for may be toxic and cause you problems and those you may consider toxic or perceive to be may just be the remedy you need to achieve and sustain happiness.

You’ll never know!

Establish a Sensible Foundation for a Relationship

date tips

Many of us sign up for a relationship as if it’s a promotion of an insurance company. We forget that any relationship requires a solid foundation as it gets established.

Before you go about committing to enter a relationship, have a clear sensible foundation. For example, list your own set of values that are most important for you and see if the other person can identify with them. If not, better look for another one. Otherwise, you’ll just create your biggest regret.

Don’t Let Lust be the Foundation

Lust and sex (as dirty as possible) is a requirement for a healthy relationship. No argument in that one. But, take note that it shouldn’t be the foundation of your relationship.

Sexual chemistry is great but it doesn’t mean you’d go blind over the bad behavior of the other person. Life isn’t about sex alone. Remember the many other aspects of life you need to keep intact.

See Also: 4 Dating Mistakes You Could Be Making (And What To Do With Them)

Conclusion

Have fun dating and don’t let bad experiences take away the possibilities of finding the right person.

Again, it takes a long time to find the right one. But, if you do not stumble upon the wrong ones, you would never get there. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes, but please learn from them and never allow them to hurt you. Appreciate the transience of people in your life and move on quickly!

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