Overcoming Self Sabotage: Stop Getting In Your Own Way

By: Sydni Hatley

Oftentimes, we have great ideas and aspirations for ourselves. It could be a dream to be the next President, join the NBA, or even be the next big superstar. There are “smaller” dreams we have too. Things like finally starting that business we’ve been sitting on for years, or going back to school---these become our wildest dreams because we dare to see ourselves in a position that we don’t believe could really be true. 

We waste so much time treating our dreams like they are untouchable because we simply don’t believe that we can achieve them in real life. What this does is stop our dreams before they can even begin. 

The worst part about self sabotage is that you don’t fully realize it is happening until you lose or miss something you didn’t have to. A lot of times the culprit of this distracting mentality isn’t anyone else but ourselves being consumed by fear and a lack of conviction. A lot of times people swear the reason they cannot or have not reached a certain level of success is because of the world or the people around them. 

The issues are that “no one sees their potential”, or “no one will give them a chance”, but most of the time these things aren’t always true. The biggest thing someone can do to achieve their dreams is believe in themselves and put themselves out there...no matter what. Most of the time half of the people that get that major job opportunity or chance to live their dream are the ones who believe within themselves and believe that they have what it takes to succeed. 

This attitude not only fools the people around you into thinking you always know what to do and how to do it, but it radiates a magnetic energy around you of positivity and opportunity. The energy you put into yourself is the energy you attract, so if you are pouring doubt and sabotage into yourself, you will sabotage yourself out of opportunities, and people will doubt your worth. Your shot at certain opportunities will already be determined for you because you did not believe in yourself enough to show the world why you deserve it. 

Ridding yourself of the plague that is self sabotage begins with watching how you talk to yourself. Every day you have to fight the habit of self doubt. It’s understood that it may not be intentional for you to talk down about your capabilities, but you have to realize the vicious cycle YOU are creating.

Once you understand the power of your own words, you can then use them for good. It’s simple. The minute you hear a voice in your head tell you that you can’t, interrupt it with “I can”. The moment a voice in your head says you won’t, interrupt with “I will”. A lot of people have been successful by confidence and self love alone. If they can do it, so can you!

---

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:

SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA

Master Cleanse Diet Review: Surviving The Lemonade Diet

By: Lauryn Bass

Everyone always participates in affirming a New Year’s resolution. It may not always come to fruition but #NewYearNewMe is definitely a trend. I shared a goal of healthiness with my family and together we decided to participate in the Master Cleanse Diet. I kept up with my progress by documenting our thoughts as tweets and would like to share what the process was like for those who may be interested.

day 1 #detox : so it’s been pretty easy. it’s a liquid mix of ingredients that boost immunity, metabolism, and cleanse your system—purging out toxins. it doesn’t taste bad but it DEFINITELY doesn’t replace food lol. excited to see if i can make it the entire week w/ the fam😭

— ya neighborhood redhead👩🏽‍🦰 (@lauriexoxo14) January 5, 2021

update: y'all I miss food. the hunger is like a lingering feeling but the juice ultimately just doesn't satisfy me like food lol. like I want a salad or something lmaoo. but at least mIade it through the first day. #proud

— ya neighborhood redhead👩🏽‍🦰 (@lauriexoxo14) January 5, 2021

Known also as the Lemonade Diet, with a co-signer as big as Beyonce (she participated to lose weight for her upcoming role in DreamGirls), it has proven to be a serious contender in the world of fad diets. It consists of fasting your meals and replacing them with a mixture of water, lemon juice, honey/maple syrup, and cayenne pepper for an entirety of 7-10 days. Some individuals will carry on past this and go up to 2 weeks as the famous singer says she did and results vary for up to 15 pounds lost! I personally saw weight loss as well--so it’s no joke! 

day 2 detox: my family is crumbling. folks wanna give up, others can’t do it alone. the juice is not satisfying. we wanna switch it to a 3-day cleanse because we’re so hungry. half of us are encouraged, the other half wants zaxby’s. i’ll check back in soon after our meeting😭 https://t.co/yjKsoqS3Jn

— ya neighborhood redhead👩🏽‍🦰 (@lauriexoxo14) January 5, 2021

When doing research about the effects of this cleanse, it definitely reboots your digestive system, boosts your metabolism, and cures cravings for sugar. With that being said, you get SUPER hungry after day two. But what I’ve learned is that once you’ve gained control of your mind, you can successfully gain results from this cleanse. It helps to do it as my family did and try it together so that no one is eating around the other throughout the duration of the cleanse. For the start of 2021, I suggest cleansing in some kind of way to make sure that you embark on the right foot towards your goals.

day 3 detox: we’ve decided that today will be our last day. we’ve learned a lot throughout this process about our minds and bodies and couldn’t be happier. i’m proud to have made it this far and maybe we can work our way up to a longer one next time but for our 1st time? #blessed https://t.co/hb53ViCj7W

— ya neighborhood redhead👩🏽‍🦰 (@lauriexoxo14) January 6, 2021

Takeaways: My family and I were able to complete 3 days of the challenge and we learned so much about ourselves and our bodies. I believe that starting small was the best idea for us to work up to retry for 5 days next time! #slowandsteady #babysteps. Do not continue if you begin to feel weak or if you’re on medication. Also, make sure to drink plenty of the concoction (at least 6 glasses) a day or you’re going to get dehydrated or begin to lose bone mass. You don’t want to take a step backwards. Make sure to do your research and find which cleanse works better for your needs. Document your progress and be sure to share your results with me! Good luck to all :)

---

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:

SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA

5 Amazing Benefits of Eucalyptus Leaves You Need To Know

By: Sydni Hatley

When it comes to healing of any kind, natural remedies have been the go-to since the dawn of time. Some people rely more on natural and holistic healing than they do Western medicine, having stated that it is healthier, more effective, and more beneficial in the long run. One specific plant is the Eucalyptus. Like many others, you can use the plant in its natural form for health benefits or even use it as an oil. Benefits of this plant are as follows: 

1. You Can Use Dry Eucalyptus Leaves As A Tea!

Being sure not to consume the oil (as that will negatively affect your health), this tea is high in antioxidants, which are great for protection against diseases. 

2. Congestion Assistance

Similar to the function of tea tree oil or peppermint, the scent of Eucalyptus helps open up your airways, allowing you to breathe better. It is said that for this, inhaling the scent of the oil is best BUT you cannot consume it because consumption of it is toxic to the body. 

3. Keeps Your Mouth Clean

Due to its antibacterial properties, eucalyptus is used in some mouthwash and dental operations. It fights bacteria within the mouth, and is also used in gum to do the same. 

4. Wound Healing

Because of its antibacterial, antibiotic nature, Eucalyptus is also used to help heal wounds and treat infections. 

5. Spiritual Healing

Seen as one of earth’s earliest healing plants, Eucalyptus is used spiritually to remove negative energy, laziness or fatigue, and promote concentration. It is also used to promote emotional balance. One way that is becoming more common to keep the power of influence around is by keeping it in your shower. It’s own powerful scent mixed with the stream's ability to open up your pores is said to be really therapeutic and refreshing, especially when the purpose of that shower is to refresh and recharge. 

All in all, it is safe to say that including Eucalyptus into your lifestyle would definitely add a lot of benefits. Like many things natural and organic, eucalyptus can heal you spiritually, physically, and every way in between. 

---

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:

SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA

Surviving School In A Pandemic: Best Tips For Organization And Sticking To Deadlines

It’s hard enough to be a student and work full time, but to be a student and work full time in the middle of a panny?? How are we even surviving right now and keeping up with our schoolwork while trying to maintain our sanity? The majority of us are distance learning and losing that campus experience, not being able to go to the library or stop into a professor’s office hours. It’s challenging and hard to handle, but it’s not impossible.

There are so many new distractions at home that there weren’t on campus; however, we can work around that. I have a few tips to share that have helped me maintain at least a little bit of my sanity! I’d like to start by saying, these tips are created from my personal experience and may not work for everyone, but if they can help at least one person, I’ll feel so much better! 

Let’s talk about the most crucial thing: deadlines! It’s hard to stick to them in between Netflix binge sessions, six-hour naps, and just being straight up overwhelmed by all of the work! (Is it just me, or does it seem like there’s soo much more work now?”) At first, I was all over the place with my schedule and finding time to meet my deadlines, but one day, I just sat down at my desk and spent a whole day getting myself together. (It’s okay if it takes you a full day too. You still accomplished something!)

What I did was print out some calendars and taped them to my desk. I also have a sticky notes app on my computer to keep track of assignments and deadlines. I had a monthly calendar and a weekly calendar in addition to the sticky note that I separated by day. I also had physical sticky notes that I stuck to my desk for non-work and school-related things and stuff coming up in the next month. All of this may seem extra as hell but hear me out!

The weekly calendar consisted of my work schedule and weekly meetings and classes that I had. Having a weekly calendar helped me to see where I had free time that could be used to complete assignments and schedule any interviews and such. I also wanted free time just to relax and paint my nails or something. Since my weekly schedule didn’t change, at least for long periods, I always knew when I was free and wouldn’t overbook myself. (I had issues with this, too, at the beginning. Luckily, people didn’t get too mad at me!)

You don’t have to color code things as I did, but it doesn’t hurt! I categorized mine as work/work-related, school/school-related, and non-work and non-school related. An example of something school-related would be an organization meeting. I am a member of my school’s TV station, and I categorize that as school-related because it’s part of school, but it’s not a class if that makes sense. “Work-related'“ would be something such as the American Sign Language courses my job offered. It’s not a work shift, but my work provided it. That’s how I managed my weekly calendar now; let me show you my monthly calendar and why I needed two.

I followed the same color-coding system as my weekly calendar in my monthly calendar. The main reason I have a separate calendar is, so I have enough space to write. Do you see those small boxes? There was no way  I would fit assignments and weekly scheduled things in those. In this calendar, I would write the due dates and the days before it that I had time to get it done. I would also write meetings that weren’t weekly scheduled items, so interviews, meetings with my mentor, things like that. Also, the highlighted cross marks on the dates? That’s not an accident. I like to use highlighters to cross out the dates just if I need to go back and see if there was anything I missed. I also would keep the calendar for a day or two before tossing it at the end of the month. As I said, this is not mandatory, but it doesn’t hurt. 

I started using the sticky notes app on my laptop when I had a mix of online courses and regular courses and wanted to keep track of which assignments needed to be turned in on paper and electronically. I continued using it during the pandemic, so I knew what I needed to do while on my computer.

The sticky note is a weekly calendar format. Still, I used the same schedule as my monthly calendar whereas, I would write down the deadlines and the days I could do them, so there would occasionally be repeats of assignments, but that helped me. It also helped to erase things as I finished them, which is so satisfying! I like to reserve my Sundays to do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, which also helped me keep track of where I was and determine if I would have to be at my desk on Sunday. 

One last tip that saved my butt was breaking up my assignments. I was no stranger to online courses, but taking many classes that required hours of work and being at my laptop for extended periods would hurt my head, back, and eyes (I gotta wear glasses now!) Breaking up my assignments helped with that also helps me not to hyper-focus on one task and forget all of the others that needed finishing.

For one of my final exams, I had to write a 10+ page paper consisting of multiple categories. I stared at it for a whole week before actually doing the work. I was like Spongebob when he had to write his paper for boating school! I finally created an outline, though, and I tackled each section separately. I got so focused on trying to do it from beginning to end that I panicked before I started it and then panicked some more because I was behind the schedule I set for myself. After doing all of the manageable sections first, the rest of it just flowed. The best tip is to just get out of your head and out of your way.

Don’t feel like you have to be as extra as I was with my multiple calendars and sticky notes to focus and meet deadlines. What works for me might not work for you, but maybe you take some bits and pieces and tailor it to yourself. A few more tips that help are taking frequent breaks, always having water next to me, and listening to music. I found that jazz without words helped me get in my zone! Working from home, it might be hard to find quiet but find a small area in your home, or just in your bedroom, and claim it as your workspace. Once you create a habit of only doing work there, it’ll be so much easier to focus. Happy studying, and good luck! I’m rooting for everybody black.

---

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:

SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA

4 Methods of Spiritual Cleansing and Removing Negative Energy

By: Sydni Hatley

We finally made it to 2021, and it is not too late to start purging your life of anything that should have been left in 2020. 2020 was already such a crazy year, and on so many levels people were tried to the point where the concept of reinventing themselves for the new year felt like a dire necessity.

Everyone has been talking more than ever about the need to leave negative things behind and make room for new blessings--Even though it is just a few days into the New Year, it’s okay to just be getting started on that process. Making room for blessings and purging bad energy heavily involves spiritual cleansing and setting meaningful intentions while doing so. There are various methods of cleansing out those negative vibrations, some of which are as follows: 

Saging/Smudging Your Home

This method is pretty straightforward and simple. You take a bundle of sage leaves and light them so they emit smoke. This smoke is meant to clear any negative energies from your space, and if you speak positive affirmations they can further serve as a form of blessing and protection over your area. A key note with smudging is to always have a door, window, or both open so the smoke and bad energies do not get trapped and circulate within your home. The point is to get rid of them, not keep them in! It is also helpful to note that different types of sage leaves have different functions and forms of protection---do your research on what kinds align most with your intentions, and make sure you are purchasing leaves from a VALID, earth-conscious source. 

Use Florida Water

Florida water is a form of Cologne Water and is very tonic/citrusy. It includes floral oils, spices, and herbs. People use this water for toning of the skin, to heal aching muscles and wounds, and so much more. When used to spiritually cleanse, some people mop their floors with the water (mixed with other cleaning soaps), or wear it on their body to help release tension, anxiety, and any other negativity they are holding on to. Florida Water is arguably at the top of the list of things you can use to cleanse yourself and your space of toxic energy, starting a fresh chapter. The best part is that with the right ingredients you can even make it yourself! 

Light Incense Throughout Your Space

Like sage, certain incenses have specific purposes. While incense is known for its potent scents and ability to relax a setting, it is also another form of spiritual cleansing. The scent of incense can help bring you to a calm state, perfectly fitting for prayer, meditation, and intention-setting. I personally like to light my incense when it has been a long day and I feel the need to re-center. The earthy scents bring me back to my core and usually are the first step before I go into prayer. 

Work With Crystals

Crystals are another grounding force that people use for spiritual cleansing and guidance. They have respective properties and uses that align with the seven chakras. You can use crystals in alot of ways when it comes to realigning your own energy and getting rid of negativity. You can meditate with specific crystals placed on the part of your body whose chakra they are aligned with, you can place them in various parts of your home by purpose and need, you can travel with them for protection, and you can even sleep with them nearby. A powerful aspect of crystals themselves is that like people, they too need recharging and cleansing after exposure to draining energy or being used for a lot of healing work. The beautiful thing is you can remember to reset your own vibrations with these stones, because like you they too can reach an overload of the wrong energy and become stagnant. 

These are just some of the main ways that you can begin to reclaim your energy and let go of the negative. These tools are from the earth but at the forefront of the energies they perpetuate are the thoughts and wants that you affirm when you put them to use. It all starts with you. Have faith and make time for these practices, and your blessings will overflow that much more. Always be aware of the energies you let into your space, your mind, and spirit. These methods of cleansing are there to help you reset and refocus--perfect for the new season we have just begun!

---

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:

SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA

Black Women Are Twice As Likely To Develop Fibroids, Why?

By: Emily-Ann

What Are Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are benign lumps that grow in the uterus or around it. Fibroids are more common in African American women and Afro-Caribbean women. This condition can cause heavy bleeding during menstruation, longer periods, passing blood clots during menstruation, anemia due to large amounts of blood loss during your period. Painful periods, stomachs can appear to be pregnant, depending on the size and severity of the fibroids and location.

While some experience no symptoms, others experience constipation, frequent urination, lower back back pain, painful intercourses, and severe PMS. Studies have shown a link to low levels of vitamin D. Commonly mistaken for a vitamin, it is a hormone produced in the body naturally when the sun penetrates the skin.

The Three Main Types of Fibroids

Subserosal fibroids: These are the most common fibroids. They can push outside of the uterus into the pelvis. 

Intramural fibroids: These fibroids develop in the muscular wall of the uterus. 

Submucosal fibroids: These fibroids are uncommon. 

Some women experience an interruption of daily activities and lifestyle due to the compilation of fibroids. Women of color specifically black women seem to develop fibroids at a much higher rate than their counterparts. Roughly around 80% of women will experience this condition. Most commonly will experience this diagnosis in their 30’s and childbearing years. Others will have little to no symptoms. 

Fibroids are responsible for more than half of hysterectomies in America and sadly women of color are having them at an alarming rate. For those of us who wish to start family planning, hearing this news can be daunting, and sometimes confusing. Like many, I suffered from painful periods that I would miss school lectures, work, and sometimes couldn’t move. I would be stuck in bed and crying because of pain. Even throwing up became something that I went through. It would happen every cycle and when it did, it was horrible. Like many, I assumed having a painful period was just another part of being a woman. 

Recently, I learned that periods are not supposed to be this painful, and if you do experience discomfort it should only be little to no pain. Anything greater than this, it was highly advised that I seek professional treatment. During my research and reading different articles, I found some interesting information that I thought I would share with you all. Having fibroids is not the end of the road. There is much scientific research that suggests that the body is estrogen dominant and with build-up of toxins, your hormone level may be imbalanced. It is worth getting a hormone test done by your doctor and coming up with a plan to return your hormone levels in check. 

Your body is letting you know you have too much estrogen in your body for your liver to effectively get rid of it. Most of the estrogen is synthetic and is foreign to your body. This can be due to our diet, makeup, perfumes, and hair Chemicals we use like, relaxers in the black community.

How to Rid Your Body of the Extra Estrogen Build Up?

Do a little research on what is the effective ways to rid the body of extra estrogen your body does not need. Keep in mind it will take some time to reverse this, and remember you didn’t get like this overnight. Most likely it took years, so reversing this will take time. I learned getting your cycle in sync again is part of that battle. Here is what I learned about reducing the amount of extra estrogen in your body.

1. Change your diet, get rid of white flour, white bread, white rice, and white sugar. Get more fruits and vegetables in your diet. Fiber is your best friend, and juicing is something to also look into.

2. DETOX your body, most importantly the liver, which is responsible for balancing hormones as well as so many other important things in the body. 

3. No soy products, as they may be filled with estrogen. Fibroids love estrogen and feed on that! 

4. No more drinking out of plastic bottles or eating out of plastic items. Opt for BPA free and glass containers and cups. 

5. Take inventory of skin products and do an overhaul where possible.

6. Look for more organic materials.

7. Remove all plastic cookware in your kitchen, which could be contributing to your condition. 

8. Lower your stress level, easier said than done I know. 

9. Get in enough exercise. Try doing Yoga and pilates that are geared toward fibroids. There are plenty of videos on exercises you can do at home.

10. Think about getting messages or acupuncture to help with the womb area. 

11. Reducing inflammation in the body can also help. Please, remember these are suggestions from my research,and any changes you make to your diet or normal activities related to your health should be consulted with your healthcare provider first. The best way to find out if you have fibroids is to have your doctor perform an ultrasound and pelvic exam. This can help determine the location, how many, and size the fibroid. There are different types of fibroids and an ultrasound can help identify them accurately. The diagram below shows the common fibroid location found in the female uterus.

Before you choose the many surgery options take a moment to look at alternative methods of pain management for decreasing or eliminating fibroids. Some natural pathetic doctors specialize in women’s reproductive health. These doctors address the whole body, not just the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. Did you know that black women between the ages of 18 and 30 have more fibroids, compared to only 6% of white women? This number increases by 60% by the age of 35, and Black women are two times more likely to have recurring fibroids, and complications related to this condition. 

Importance of Cycle Regulations 

The importance of having a regular cycle isn’t just about pregnancy, but also just to have a healthy cycle in general. Taking care of the womb, where you give birth and create the most precious gift of all is vital. It’s the place where you do the best creation in this lifetime. There are a few podcasts that I listen to for educational purposes. I have listed them below, listen to them on your preferred podcast platform. I use the Apple podcast.

• Fertility Friday Radio, hosted by Lisa Hendrickson

• Jack Food Heaven, hosted by Wendy Lopez, and Jessica Jones

• Practically Fertile, hosted Adrienne Wei 

• Get Pregnant Naturally, hosted Sarah Clark

There is still so much that we don't understand about fibroids, and educating ourselves on this issue can help us make better lifestyle choices. I will be doing part two of this post. I will discuss natural ways to address fibroids. This includes herbs and food to help heal the body. Surgery is not the only answer for addressing this problem. 

As black women we should take back our power to decide how we handle our relationship with our reproductive system and womb. It has become even more so imperative that we advocate for ourselves and loved ones. Let us know about your experiences with your period and if you’ve been diagnosed with Fibroids. We would love to hear your stories and have open discussion on the topic.

Disclaimer: I am not a health care professional, nor do I claim to be one. Please consult your doctor or health care provider before trying any of these suggestions as they know your medical history.

---

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:

SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA

21 Day Abundance Challenge: Going Within And Appreciating Life's Blessings

By: Sydni Hatley

When COVID-19 hit it took away our freedom. Staying preoccupied and grounded at home became more and more difficult each day. People found themselves bored, restless, and feeling almost useless because life as we knew it became extremely limited and restricted. We found ourselves staring at the same walls of our homes, communicating with the same people in them. It seemed great when it first began (not having to go anywhere, laying in the bed all day and wearing pajamas), but soon that excitement to stay home flatlined and the whole world was faced with themselves, their fridge, and a few (or many) family members at home. I myself got into this funk.

Being an only child, you would think I was used to having to find ways to entertain myself. Admittedly, I was a little rusty after being away at college and consistently being surrounded by people, so finding ways to constantly keep myself entertained was tough. I am a very spiritual person, and I realized that even though being in quarantine did suck because it left you alone with yourself, it still was an opportunity to either build and grow within, or sink with the parts of yourself that were still stagnant. It was a time for reflection and at 20 years old, I felt that reflection and growth during this time were in my best interest. 

One day on Twitter, as everyone was tweeting their newfound grievances about being quarantined, a girl tweeted that she wanted to be constructive during this time by deciding to do a 21 day guided abundance challenge. What caught my eye about this in particular was that you did not need to know the people in the group to begin.

The girl who tweeted started a group message full of people who were interested, and each day she would send us a sanskrit-based mantra, a task, and a guided meditation for the day. The man who started this challenge as a whole is named Deepak Chopra, and he is famous for his guided meditations, spiritual following, and his belief in consciousness and alternative medicine. He spread the challenge with the hopes that people would begin their own guided groups based on his teachings and become more grateful for the wonders of this life. 

I joined completely open minded with the want to challenge myself to stay consistent while I grow, and this DEFINITELY did that for me. The beginning part of the challenge was good. I started my days with the challenge and it gave me such a refreshing start. Overall I felt more grounded, centered, and ready to start my day.

Each mantra and task brought me closer to myself, while also reminding me of the beauty of life and everything I DO have despite the pandemic. The middle got a little hard because I got lazy some days and literally wanted to sleep all day, or simply get up and start my day with social media---that was not healthy though, and I knew pushing through would be so much better than being unproductive in my bed. So I pushed through, and was glad I did because each day unlocked a new quality to my spiritual life that I didn’t even know was missing.

One of the best parts of the challenge was the ability to pass it on by starting your own group. As I continued to grow myself I was also able to see people within the group I started begin to experience transformations from this challenge for themselves, and seeing that was extremely rewarding.

The 21 Day Abundance Challenge allowed me to slow down, go within myself, and appreciate all of the blessings that have come into my life. It made me realize just how easy it is to get caught up in what is happening around us, making us feel like we have little to nothing. The reality is that this is not the truth. To be alive is a blessing, to be healthy is a blessing, and so is having friends and family that love and support you, even if you cannot physically be with them. It is important to remember that we are blessed in our own ways, and to always appreciate the little things in life, no matter how small they may seem.

---

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:

SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA

Quarantine Christmas: 5 Tips For Staying Uplifted During This Holiday Season

By: Lauryn Bass

It’s that time of year again, The Holiday Season! 

Time for you to relax and have loved ones around you. Special time off of work gives you the opportunity to appreciate how far you’ve come and you can catch up on some rest. But this is during a pandemic. How can we still stay uplifted when things are so different? What can we do? Here are 5 ways that that you can stay uplifted during this Christmas season!

1. Virtual Family Dinner 

What a blessing to have the power of technology. Our electronics have evolved so much that even our cell phones are walking computers. With Zoom, Facetime, and other video conferencing platforms, you can still be around the ones you love. Would you normally have an itinerary? Keep it! Come up with a plan for everyone to stay engaged and finish the night with a screenshot of the gathering. 

2. Christmas Lights Drive-By 

This has always been a family tradition in my household. We love to go look at Christmas lights that others have decorated their houses with. This year, a lot of families are participating in this aspect of the holiday to continue to celebrate. So hop in the car and enjoy the view! Tip: Search up houses that have been doing the mega lights in your area!

3. Holiday Movie Marathon via Teleparty 

Netflix has given us the update of “Netflix party”, now known as Teleparty. This feature allows for you to connect with others through a link and you can watch movies and shows together in real time. Controls such as pause can be used by any user and it will pause the video for everyone and provides a chat room with cute character icons to use as profile pictures. Search up your favorite Hallmark movies and get your watch on! 

4. Switch up the Dinner Menu 

Things are different now. It’s the new-normal. Until it is safe to gather once again, why not try some new items for a change? Not used to cooking? Try it out for once! Some families love a good honey baked ham, but how about stuffed salmon this year? Look up new recipes and who knows, you might find a new addition to your holiday dinner. 

5. Stay hopeful for the future 

We need to make sure to stay focused on what the true meaning of Christmas is. Don’t lose sight of the purpose and get lost in what you don’t have. The gifts, decorations, games—none of that truly matters and they’ll be around next year, and the year after. Center yourself with positive thoughts of how you’re safe, spending time with people who love and care about you, and thank God for the good things he has done. This pandemic won’t last forever and soon, life will be back on track. 

Things don’t have to be too different to still enjoy the Christmas spirit and have some cheer. Just have to think outside the box so we can stay safe and see each other in-person again.

---

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:

SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA

Spirituality vs. Religion: Are They as Different as They Seem?

By: Sydni Hatley

People identifying themselves as “spiritual” rather than identifying with a specific religion is becoming more common. It sparks debates on what it means to be spiritual as opposed to religious, and if being spiritual is just as valid as following a religion. These questions are usually answered based on opinion, however what is missing in a lot of people’s assumptions is an understanding of exactly what it means to be spiritual, as well as an understanding of both the similarities and differences that exist between the two lifestyles. 

People forget that what connects religion and spirituality is that they are rooted in faith. The point of spirituality, like many religions, is to reach a form of enlightenment and become the best version of yourself that you can be. It is having faith in a force or being outside of yourself to help guide your journey, and believing that such intangible forces are what will divinely guide you throughout life.

In many ways they are almost the same things with very similar qualities, just called different names. The differences in religion and spirituality are that religion is an institution and depending on the kind, there are specific rules and practices that you must follow in order to be in line with your divine purpose and better yourself. With spirituality, it is not as black and white. Depending on the type of spirituality you align yourself with, there is no one specific practice that all “spiritualists” follow to achieve enlightenment.

The main thing that sets spiritual people apart from those who are religious is that a lot of the journey, practice, prayer, and end goals are focused and centered within. It is a very personal process and it normally focuses on the person’s relationship with God (Spirit, the Universe, a higher power, etc.) or within their highest selves. It usually involves a lot of meditation as well, because that is when you are the most alone and face to face with your most vulnerable self. That is where the personal journey may begin.

Another thing with spirituality as a personal journey is that a lot of the practices are self-motivated and self-executed. Because it is not an institution, it is up to the individual to find practices that give them a sense of personal release and balance. This is why a lot of people who identify as being spiritual have personal practices like yoga, mindfulness and meditation, deep breathing, and things of the like. It is the difference between a solely personal journey, done predominantly alone, vs. one predominantly influenced and practiced for/with a larger group of followers. The issue when people compare these two kinds of practices is that people get defensive of their faith, and judgemental of the other, creating divide. 

There are different types of spiritual faiths that exist as well; ones that serve as factions within the greater whole. There are spiritual people who believe in multiple Gods, just one God, or no God at all. Some believe God is not gendered while there are others who believe solely in the Universe. Some people who are spiritual believe they can co-create with the Universe through manifestation, while others believe it is solely the Universe or a God that controls their fate. The variations of these beliefs are practically endless, with there even being intersections between them. Overall it can be argued that the main quality of spirituality is the belief in the power of nature to influence life itself. 

There is even some intersectionality between certain religions and spiritual practices, where some people, like Christians for example, may believe in sageing or the power of incense to cleanse. They may also believe in the power of nature as well. The purpose in all of this is for there to be a newfound respect and understanding of the differences and similarities that exist between what it means to be spiritual and what it means to be religious. The most important thing is that both of these faiths are about becoming the best version of yourself and growing closer to your Divine Purpose. Everything is a journey, no matter what you call it, so it is important to have respect for the journey and process, no matter what label it has.

---

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:

SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA

What If Everyone Helped With Earth’s Conservation? | 12 Tips For Doing Your Part

By: Lauryn Bass

There is only one Earth. One place for us to inhabit. One place that provides us with the tools to our very existence. Only one place that we can truly call home. Yet, we’re destroying it. 

There are plenty of articles, case studies, and research that show us how the actions we are doing now are continuing the everlasting degradation of Earth’s surface and atmosphere. We can literally feel the heat from global warming keeping us from a true winter. Yet, no one believes that what they do individually can impact our future.

Plenty of companies will advertise their aid to Earth’s cause but we, as a people, have an even bigger impact. Just put it into perspective: Saving coins in a jar. If you were to put all of your loose change into a jar every day, it will surely fill up with dollar after dollar. It only takes 4 quarters to make a dollar. Imagine trash the same way. The more that pollution worsens on our land, the more it affects our waters, and eventually our air—it’s a domino effect. When in reverse, what if we all picked up trash? Or what if we all stopped using plastic water bottles and switched to refillable ones?

With more and more of us being more cognizant of our life choices and behaviors, we can stop fueling companies that are harmful to our beloved home planet.

We Need To Do Something Soon! 

It is estimated by scientists that if a major 180 doesn’t happen soon, human life as we know it will cease by the year 2050! That is cutting our lifespan in half! We just hit 2020, that is 30 years from now! Animals are facing extinction, weather conditions are worsening, you name it! The government will only start helping alongside the people if we make this a big deal and hit them where it hurts--their wallets! Changing our bad habits may not be something we can just quit cold-turkey, but once it is incorporated into our lifestyles, we will begin to see a difference.

A part of my environmental science class is that we must pledge a personal sustainability statement. Within this contract, you promise to do something helpful to the environment for the rest of the semester. For example, my professor bikes everywhere that is feasible for him. He also owns an electric car and no longer uses gasoline--a nonrenewable resource.

Some stores have added to this movement by no longer making plastic bags available for groceries. It only takes doing something 7 times until it is learned by the brain and becomes habitual. So by the end of the semester, it would be instilled into my daily routine. Isn’t my professor clever? So I extend this promise onto my readers and those who you share it with to switch things up for the better. 

Don’t have any ideas? Here’s a list of choices to get involved:

1. Use refillable bottles 

2. Stop using straws (My personal sustainability contract! #SaveTheTurtles)

3. Use cloth shopping bags 

4. Carpool or bike (Get that exercise girl!) 

5. Take shorter showers 

6. Don’t let the sink water run when brushing your teeth 

7. Switch to solar energy for power 

8. Turn all lights off before you leave 

9. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle 

10. Use real plates, cups, and silverware! 

11. Donate old food items to a local food bank 

12. Pick up any litter you see outside 

Any of these would be a perfect start to helping clean up the mess we have started. Do more to help this planet continue to provide for us so that life as we know it won’t end anytime soon. Do your own research on other ways to donate to helpful organizations as well as participate in the government to get things to change. Go to a march, protest, or even celebrate at an Earth-Day festival so that you can be surrounded by others who are like-minded and ready to save the world.

---

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:

SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA