Can Love Heal All?

 

The old saying “love heals all” has been used as a motivational mantra during hard times. This elusive idea that love, one of the most powerful emotions of them all, can bring about a sense of peace is overwhelming; in the best way possible.

 

Unfortunately, it takes a deep understanding of yourself and the world around you to grasp the concept that love really can heal a majority of the things we go through. Let’s consider how.

 

Love Is Supportive

 

It seems that during our darkest moments, the outpouring of love can come in various forms. Whether it’s a friendly text from a loving family member or a nice greeting from an unknowing stranger, love is expressive. This seemingly small display of affection can be the light an individual needs during an overwhelming time. 

 

Love Is Patient

 

When a person truly loves someone, they exercise patience. This means they’re open to overlooking simple flaws with the hopes that one day they’ll continue working on themselves. This is an essential quality to have when you’re in a romantic relationship. Sure, nobody is perfect. However, the more you continue to exercise patience, the more you’ll appreciate their growth. 

 

Love is Unconditional

 

Much like a mother who loves her child, true love is unconditional. This means it’s able to overlook physical and emotional imperfections. This is especially healing for individuals who are going through transformative stages. They may be on a weight loss journey or even pursuing a new career. Those in their circle who love them are able  to overlook this momentary lapse of “perfection” and exercise unconditional love. 

 

When people are going through certain things, they need this unconditional love to help them endure. By having this unconditional support from the ones around them, they’re able to continue their journey with strength. 

 

Love is Understanding

 

When a person feels misunderstood, they’re missing a strong aspect of love from others. They may feel like those around them aren’t trying hard enough to see their point of view. This could easily come off as unloving. 

 

However, individuals who love one another will go above and beyond to understand their counterparts. This means taking the time to listen and truly grasp the perspective of those around them. This is an essential characteristic for those in romantic relationships. 

 

Understanding is one of the foundations of love. In fact, many people end relationships because they felt their partner simply didn’t understand them. Since it’s so important, it’s vital for those to seek understanding as a means to showing love. 

 

Love is Expressive

 

When individuals are going through hard times, it’s good for those around them to express their love and support. This little boost of motivational confident is like medicine to a sick child. It just makes the pain tolerable and easy to endure. 

 

When an individual expresses not only their support, but also how they feel about a person, they’re letting them know that their live is real. This is especially important for individuals going through self-esteem issues. 

 

How Can You Show Love

 

Using love as a healing tool is an essential part of developing healthy relationships. One of the foremost ways you can implement this into your daily relationships is to let those around you know how you feel about them. 

 

Seek to practice understanding and patience as you deal with those going through hard times. In addition, never be afraid to express your love and support for them. Your kind words and consistency may be just what they need to endure. 

 

As you continue to practice love as a healing tool, understand that karma is real. What you put out will surely come back. Therefore, continue to place love at the forefront as it truly heals all. 

Follow Your Passions And You Will Be Happier!

 

Imagine having to clock into a job daily that you hate. The work is mundane, the commute is long, and your supervisors are careless. Would you enjoy waking up every morning?

 

While we all have to make money to survive, we all deserve to feel fulfilled after completing a hard day’s work. Sure, we may receive a paycheck at the end of the week, but does that really make up for all the unhappy moments? Surely, the answer to that question is a resounding no.

 

Many blogs, books and articles are dedicated towards helping people find their passion. In fact, the self-help community is worth billions of dollars. This statistic alone proves that people all over the globe are searching for a life of purpose. Individuals who are unhappy in their jobs are especially susceptible to soaking in as much information as they can on how to improve their life. 

 

In order to really live a life of fulfillment and walk in your truth, you must follow your passion. Although this sounds like a far-far-fetched idea, it’s actually quite attainable. All you need is a willing attitude, a bit of determination and a positive spirit. Those, along with consistent hard work will help you live a life of passion. Let’s consider how.

 

Determine Your Passion

 

Do you know what your passion is? If you want to start living a more fulfilled life, you must identify what drives you. Ask yourself, is there an activity that gives you excitement? Do you find yourself daydreaming about a particular field of interest? What motivates you to get up in the morning? 

 

The underlying answers to these questions will help you determine what your passion truly is. Once you uncover that, you’ll be able to make the necessary steps towards achieving it. 

 

Learn Your Passion

 

Maybe your passion is to become a chef. Before you blindly pick up the pots and pans, learn your craft. Study from the greats and imitate their actions. Read and soak up as much information as you can on your particular interest. 

 

This will help you improve your skills and train you to the be the best. Then, you’re more likely to find employment or start a business revolving around your passion. Remember, you can have a dream all you want, but it takes practice and hard work to turn it into a reality. 

 

Take Steps

 

After you’ve determined your passion and gathered enough information about the topic, now it’s time to put your work to the test. Take the necessary steps towards changing your current position and landing that dream job. 

 

Take up an internship or shadowing job. Perhaps change your resume to reflect your new venture. Then, begin applying for the jobs that’ll get you one step closer to your passion. When you put in the necessary work, it’s imperative that you get out of your comfort zone and really try to find your place. This will help you to lay the foundation for your future career.  

 

Following your passions will make you a happier and more fulfilled person. Although we’ve focused primarily on employment, developing your passion doesn’t have to be within a job. If your passion is to be a better artist, person or writer, then follow those dreams even if they’re just for your own personal development. 

 

One of the best pieces of advice one could hear is to do everything with passion. From the smallest gesture to the biggest action, acting with passion will make you stand out in the crowd. in turn, you’ll live a happier, more fulfilled life. 

Losing Weight With a High-Protein Diet

 

Eating more protein can help you in your weight loss efforts. Understanding how protein helps you lose weight, as well as how much protein you need, and high-quality sources of protein can all help you shed unwanted pounds and lose weight fast. Athletes already know the health benefits of a high-protein diet, and you can experience those same health benefits when you modify your diet to focus on protein.

 

Proteins Health and Weight Loss Benefits

 

How exactly does eating more protein help you lose weight? Here are the top three reasons you can enhance your weight loss efforts by eating a high-protein diet.

 

#1. Protein keeps you feeling fuller longer.

 

Proteins increase your sense of satiety, and when you include high-protein foods in your meals, you won’t get hungry as quickly after eating. When you feel fuller, you are less likely to overeat or snack later on. Also, feeling full means you won’t reach for other foods that may be higher in calories but lack the steady release of energy your body needs. Proteins are also broken down more slowly than carbohydrates, which means your blood sugar will not fluctuate as much, and you won’t get cravings for sweets and other high-calorie foods.

 

#2. Protein helps you build muscle, which can enhance your metabolism.

 

Your muscles need the amino acids in protein to build and become strong. When you have more muscle mass, you burn more calories, as well. Eating protein before and after working out can help your muscles repair faster, decreasing your recovery time and helping you feel strong and healthy. Having more lean muscle is a fitness goal that will definitely boost your weight loss efforts.

 

#3. Digesting protein burns more calories.

 

Proteins are harder for your body to process than carbohydrates or even fats. So, when you eat protein, you actually burn more calories digesting the food in your system. This process is known as thermogenesis. If you are trying to lose weight, this is good news, as your body must work harder to digest the more complex proteins than the simpler compounds found in carbohydrates.

 

When you add more protein to your diet, you can enjoy other benefits, including a healthier heart, brain, and bones. The amino acids in proteins are necessary for all metabolic functions in your body, so eating plenty of this important macro-nutrient is essential for good health.

 

How Much Protein Should I Eat?

 

Determining how much protein you need varies by your gender, age, body size, activity level, and health goals. The USDA recommends a minimum of 46 grams of protein per day for women and 56 grams of protein per day for men, but these are the recommended bare minimums your body needs to avoid deficiencies. These daily minimums are meant for a person of moderate activity level and average weight who is trying to maintain their status. 

If you are trying to lose weight, and especially if you are exercising regularly as a part of that weight loss strategy, then you will want to eat more protein than these minimum levels. To determine how much protein you need, start with your current body weight. Divide that by two. 

If you are very active and trying to build lean muscle while also losing weight, your answer is equal to the grams of protein you should be aiming to eat each day. If you are moderately active but trying to lose weight, multiply that number by 0.75 to determine your daily protein intake in grams. 

Therefore, someone who weighs 200 pounds would aim to eat a maximum of 100 grams of protein per day if they are very active, workout a lot, or are in training. That same person should only consume about 75 grams of protein per day if their activity level is more moderate. 

If you are not the kind of person who counts grams of anything, you may want to consider a different approach. For each meal or more substantial snack you eat, a good rule of thumb for high-protein weight loss is eat no more than 30 percent of your calories from protein, less than 25 percent from healthy fats, and the remainder of your calories should come from carbohydrates.

 

High-Protein Diets

 

Creating a whole-foods diet that is focused on higher levels of protein for weight loss can not only help you lose the extra weight but also benefit your health in many ways. A diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats is the foundation of a healthy body, no matter your fitness or weight loss goals.

4 Actions That Target Your Personal Growth

We all have areas where we want to improve; health, work, family, you name it. But reality sets in along with a busy schedule that doesn’t leave any space for quite time, let alone individual development. We also rarely have the willpower we need to see it through. Or maybe we just don’t know where or how to start.

 

Not being able to define your own long-term goals will end up in a life that’s devoid of meaning or direction. You start losing that spark and the motivation to get up each morning wanes.

 

Experts define personal growth plan as “the process of creating an action plan based on awareness, values, reflection, goal-setting and planning for personal development within the context of a career, education, relationship or for self-improvement.”

 

An individualized growth plan can help you achieve the vision you have of yourself. It’s something we need to consciously think about and strive toward. If you don’t plan your own development and growth, no one else will.

 

Here are 4 steps you can take for a well-developed, easy-to-implement, personalized plan.

 

1.     Know Thyself

 

In order to plan for the future, you have to reflect on your past experiences, your weaknesses and strengths; they’ve made you who you are today. You also have to clarify your own unique values, such as integrity, respect for others, leadership, honesty. Your values define your stance whether it’s at the workplace, with family and friends, and in your romantic relationships. Moreover, there are several important questions you have to ask yourself:

 

• What do I want to become in life?
• What are my achievements up until now?
• What are my personal goals?
• What are my career ambitions?
• What steps have I taken to pursue these goals and ambitions?

 

2.     Develop your vision

 

Once you’ve asked and answered these questions, you’ll have a clear vision of who you are and what you want out of life. This takes us to the second step; developing your vision. A smart tip is to provide yourself with several options to reach your next goal. 

 

That way, if something goes wrong or you face an obstacle, you can switch to another path. Be flexible in your planning because usually people tend to underestimate how long a certain project will take.

 

Another point people tend to not pay attention to is what they don’t want to do. If you’re at work, you can make a list of what-not-to-do, for example:

 

• Check emails as soon as they come in
• Keep too many tabs open at once
• Keep cell phone on your desk
• Check social media while you’re working

 

3.     Assess your present-day situation

 

Implementing your plan can be difficult at first. But with dedication and an eye on the prize, you’ll soon find that it becomes a daily habit. It was Jim Ryun who said, “Motivation is what get you started. Habit is what keeps you going.”

 

Putting your strengths to good use will harness your energy levels so that it’s utilized efficiently. You can set up milestones along the way because smaller goals give you the motivation and drive you need to get to the big ones. And each time you reach a milestone or achieve one of the small goals, reward yourself for your hard work.

 

4.     Review your progress

 

Each project needs to be reviewed and assess, and your exclusive growth plan is no different. You can do it on a monthly basis, or every couple of months, whatever feels comfortable for you. But it’s crucial that you take a step back and look at all the hard work you’ve accomplished. 

 

Check to see if you’ve left anything out or missed any deadlines. Or maybe the mini-goals you set up last time don’t fit your criteria any longer, they need tweaking or readjusting. Reflect on your experience and consider everything you’ve learned. This will ensure that you keep moving forward according with your long-term plan and the vision you’ve set up for yourself.

 

On a final note, you can draw up the perfect plan but if you don’t follow through, you won’t get anywhere. Everyone needs practice to develop and grow, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone. Having something to strive toward can renew your self-confidence and passion for life.

The Importance Of Your Mindset In Anything You Do In Life

Generally speaking, there are two very different approaches to one’s mentality and the results yielded from either one are usually going to be at opposite ends of the spectrum.  

 

One way of approaching things is known as a “fixed mindset”, and the other is referred to as a “growth mindset”, and overwhelmingly, those with a growth mindset are often more successful in whatever venture in which they choose to participate.  

 

Those with the “fixed mindset” frame of mind tend to feel that their skills, potential and abilities are pre-determined and are not able to be improved upon, whereas those with the latter mentality are open to the idea that there is always room for improvement if they are willing to work enough at it.  

 

Those in the “fixed” category tend to feel powerless over any ability to manipulate their pre-ordained, possibly genetic skills and talents while those in the growth category are far more optimistic about who is calling the shots concerning their own aptitude and competence. 

 

There are a few other significant differences in relation to these two attitudes toward the concept of mindset and how much control any given person has over their own lives.

 

The primary one being how a person views mistakes or obstacles and the attitude that they foster when the inevitable hindrances arise…. 

 

For example, those with a fixed mindset are apt to become easily discouraged by impediments and are far more likely to “throw in the towel” so to speak at the first setback, whereas those with a growth mindset are far more optimistic in their outlook and adopt more of an opportunistic approach to problems, meaning that they “make the best of it” and try to turn negativity into a chance to learn and hopefully grow from whatever hindrance they might encounter.

 

Given what is already understood about the two opposite approaches to mindset, clearly the fixed mindset does not leave much room for growth, learning or personal prosperity, while the growth mindset is the healthier, more positive option that is most likely to maximize an individual’s success and subsequent overall happiness in life. 

 

It is also important when discussing this particular topic to consider the ways in which our mindset can affect us other than in our ability to grow and prosper and be successful. 

 

For one, there is the knowledge that our mindset can have a major impact on our health and physical well-being, in that a person who tends to consistently be discouraged or depressed is far more likely to have that morose mentality suppress their immune system, which in turn means that those with a fixed mindset are more prone to illnesses and tend to take longer to recover from whatever ailment to which their defeated attitude has subjected them.  

 

People with a growth mindset tend to become sick less often and most certainly tend to be happier and healthier.

 

It is generally agreed upon among psychology and other professional experts on the subject that any person ultimately does have control over which mentality they choose to foster, meaning that simply because someone has been operating with the fixed mindset for any part or all of their lives, this in no way means that they can’t choose to make the transition to far more positive growth mindset, no matter what phase of their life they are in. 

 

That means that there is hopeful news for those who find themselves stuck in the pessimistic fixed mindset in that their fatalistic attitude toward their accomplishments and success need not be permanent and can always be improved upon.

Whole Food Vs Refined Food

 

When it comes to our diets and nutrition, the amount of information on which foods to eat, how much, and the endless parade of diet options has given us almost too much information on what is and isn’t a good food choice. Yet, while we all seem fairly aware at this point that spinach is likely a healthier food choice than potato chips, a new area of focus that has emerged in recent years has more to do with the quality of the food rather than which food to pick. 

 

Essentially, you’ve chosen to eat spinach over potato chips, but is it still good for you if it is canned, frozen, fresh, refined? This question has been a tricky one to answer and we will shine some light on this issue and specifically how to make good choices when it comes to our food choices.

 

To begin properly, we need to define what some of these key terms mean. A whole food is simply a food that has not been changed in any way from its natural state. This might refer to vegetables that are grown without any modification and would be the same as if you had picked them from the ground itself. 

 

This can also refer to grains or even meat in the sense that while these foods may have been prepared by being put into a package or cut and packaged, nothing has been done that alters the food such as chemicals or preservatives added or other processes. This can be harder to ascertain, but essentially the ideal whole food would be something home-grown, picked and eaten!

 

By contrast, a refined food is a food that has had some aspect of it removed or altered. This is not to be confused necessarily with processed foods. A processed food by contrast is a food that has been essentially prepared for some purpose but had nothing taken away, for example fresh orange juice that was prepared from fresh oranges, or flour from whole grain. Refined food by contrast has had a process undertaken that created a fundamental change, such as the difference that occurs when rice is converted from brown to white. 

 

One of the key qualities when considering refined foods, is that generally speaking refined does not refer to better or improved but is often a refining process that is removing key nutrients. For example, white flour that was made from whole grain initially undergoes a process that removes a great deal of the fiber content, thus it is not as nutritionally dense or healthy as brown rice flour, as an example.

 

Not all refined foods are bad, as dried fruits are processed as they’ve had water removed but are not necessarily bad for you. Just the same, plain popcorn is refined because the heat changes its structure, but it isn’t necessarily unhealthy.

 

One of the key takeaways then is to dig deeper into any food that may be refined or considered refined. There are many refined foods that do not deliver the nutritional benefit and have been fundamentally altered in the process such that they deliver a substantially compromised nutritional benefit. This includes products like white bread, white rice, or refined pasta as the grains used to create these products have been altered for taste and preservation and lost much of their original density. 

 

Another example would be fruit juices that have been processed so they can be preserved and have a longer shelf life or taste sweeter. Most of these juices, whether it be apple juice, cranberry juice or otherwise have been altered and lost most of the original benefits of the actual fruits. 

 

Thus, while you may think apple juice is just as good as eating apples, it is most certainly not. Of course, some examples would be much easier to identify, potato chips have clearly been altered from the original potato’s, just as fried chicken tenders are certainly refined from their original composition when they are still fresh.

 

In a perfect world of nutrition, we would only consume whole foods that straight from farm to table, and in any circumstance where this is possible that is the recommend choice. They are more nutritionally dense and will deliver the best taste and nutrition for your diet.

 

However, if you need to shop for refined foods, do your due diligence and determine if the refining process has fundamentally altered the food for the worse, and if so, do your best to avoid. As always, preparation equals success so do your research and eat the best food for you!

 

10 Ways to Positive Living

 

Your viewpoint on life can affect your physical and mental health as well as your emotions. It can also either raise or lower your blood pressure, cholesterol, and stress levels. If you feel negative about everything, then things usually become more difficult. You can get sick easily, find it difficult to face adversities and hardships in life.

 

Thinking in a negative light makes it harder for you to enjoy the little things in life. Whether it’s by focusing only on the negative, or by blaming everything that goes wrong only on yourself, making things seem even worse than they actually are, or seeing things in only black and white. If you do one or any of the above, then you’re setting yourself up for failure even before you start.

 

But anyone can infuse positivity into their lives. The power of positive thinking may seem a bit cliché, but it really does wonders for your self-esteem, overall mood and reduces the risk of chronic diseases.

 

Here are 10 ways to help you approach life with a more positive viewpoint.

 

1. Turn failures into lessons

Acknowledging that no one is perfect puts things into perspective. You’re going to make mistakes, but instead of focusing on your failure, break down what went wrong so you can learn from it, so you can use it to your advantage.

 

2. Find positive friends

Surrounding yourself with people who are grounded and upbeat helps you maintain a positive outlook. Positivity, as is negativity, is contagious. So, choose your friends wisely.

 

3. Be thankful

Each night before going to bed, write down 3 things you’re grateful for. It may be as small as a great cup of coffee or something bigger as getting your work done on time at work. Make it a habit and you’ll soon realize it’s become part of your daily routine.

 

4. Seek humor

Watch stand-up comedy routines or funny movies opens you up to laughter which signals the brain to release ‘feel good’ hormones. This reduces stress levels and allows you to see the silver lining, even in the most difficult of situations.

 

5. Assess what you’d like to change

This could be hard to do at first and may require several attempts, but it gets results and you’ll feel empowered. Maybe your job is ill-fitting and fills your life with negativity. You may want to do something else, but fear is holding you back. Maybe it’s your car, your apartment, the color of your walls - many things can be affecting the level of negativity in your life and once you put your finger on it, you can consciously change it for the better.

 

6. Start your day with positive affirmations

Begin your day on a high note by recognizing the good things that can happen throughout your day. Pessimists tend to start their day worrying and thinking about all that can go wrong. This makes you see everything in a negative light and causes a series of unfortunate events like a domino effect.

 

7. Stop the flow of negative thoughts

It might need lots of practice at first but be patient and make the effort. Observe your thought patterns. You can do this by taking down notes every time you focus on the negative. Each time you feel negative self-talk creeping up by being overly critical or judgmental, or focusing only on your failures, write down a positive affirmation to counter each negative thought.

 

8. Find something you love to do

Hobbies are something we don’t hear of too much these days since we’re all so busy. But taking the time to engage in something you’re good at and actually enjoy fills you with a sense of joy and fulfillment.

 

9. Live a healthy lifestyle

Eat right, exercise regularly and you’ll see a definite boost in your mood. Plus, you’ll feel more confident and this helps you see things in a brighter, more positive light.

 

10. Practice makes perfect

Reinforcing positive living requires practice. The more you do it, the better you’ll be at it. Then, one day when you’re in the midst of a crisis, you’ll find that the first thing that comes to your mind is not what can go wrong, but how can I use my strengths to overcome this adversity.

 

No one said life was easy and sometimes we get overwhelmed with what life throws our way. But it’s up to us to decide how we’ll come out the other end. You can decide whether you’ll have a positive perspective and make sweet, delicious lemonade, or you’ll be negative and be left with a batch of sour lemons.

 

6 Ways to Boost Productivity

 

Wouldn’t you love to end your workday with everything finished on time and handed in? Maybe even get a head start on tomorrow’s work? That probably sounds more of a fantasy than reality. But being more productive throughout the day means one of two things: either you have special powers and can add extra hours to the day, or you’re willing to learn how to manage your time wisely and efficiently.

 

Since you’re probably like the rest of us and want to know more about the latter, read on for some helpful tips.

 

1. Stay Organized

 

Keeping everything in its place will save a lot of time searching. It’s a greatly underrated productivity booster. It’ll save you time and energy wasted on looking for things. And it’ll make your workspace look neater and better to look at it which is a major stress-buster.

 

2. “5 Before 11”

 

In an effort to maintain a high level of productivity throughout the day, try picking 5 things you can get done before 11 am. Choose the things that will boost your sense of accomplishment and output. Breaking things down reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed and lost under files, memos and deadlines.

 

3. Go for a Walk

 

Instead of eating lunch at your desk, scrunched over more paperwork, go for a walk outside. Getting some fresh air will help you clear your head, give you some perspective and a more positive outlook. Plus, it’s great physical exercise, and a change of scenery will do wonders for your creative juices. If you absolutely can’t leave your work area, go for a walk indoors. Studies prove that going for a walk, even a short one, can boost efficiency by 60%.

 

4. Stop Multitasking

 

Some people think that juggling multiple things at once means they’re boosting their work rate. But, studies have found that multitasking could do more harm than good because you’re not giving each task the time and effort it deserves. Distractions like that impact negatively on the quality of your work, and leave you feeling drained and frazzled. Try giving each task enough time to complete it before moving onto something else.

 

5. Give yourself self-imposed deadlines

 

In general, the word ‘deadline’ is enough to give you heart palpitations, headaches, dizzy spells. But when you’re the one setting the deadline for yourself, you won’t feel the pressure in a negative way. But you will feel obligated to respect the deadline you’ve set. We’re creatures of habit, so go easy on yourself at first. The point is to acknowledge that you have a set time after which you’ll be held accountable for your work. When you do meet your deadline, give yourself a pat on the back and a reward for getting the job done on time.

 

6. Beautify your Surroundings

 

Attractive furniture and office decor, such as candles, plants, vases, can be pleasing to look at. Moreover, they turn a boring space into something beautiful and functional with an added personal touch. They can also help increase productivity, as studies show, by up to 15%. 

 

Choose whatever makes you feel happy and comfortable, as long as they meet office regulations. By surrounding yourself with things that are aesthetically pleasing, you’ll be boosting production rate, creative outlet, along with your ability to focus on the task at hand.

 

Boosting productivity means working smarter, not harder. So, try to resist the temptation to stuff your calendar with more work-related commitments or put in longer hours at the office.