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Meaningful Nonfiction Books Based on True Stories

Life is a paradox that many courageously attempt to ponder. There are many inconsistencies and contradictions, which may hinder an individual’s journey. But, despite the confusing aspects, it is still filled with things and opportunities waiting to be discovered.

Thus, many stories mirror the paradoxical quality of life. These tales become a reflection of a person’s drive, ambition, and way of living. At present, there are hundreds of thousands of books, typically under nonfiction, that tell true stories that bring so much meaning and enlightenment to others. That said, let us get to know some great books that are completely based on real events to inspire and bring out the best in you.

Know My Name: A Memoir by Chanel Miller

This award-winning book serves as a medium that helps people change their perceptions of sexual assault. Miller chronicled her personal experiences, from being assaulted by Brock Allen Turner while at Stanford to winning the fight by putting her abuser in jail. The trauma, oppression, and intense emotions that she felt after the horrible event was also illuminated in the book. Thus, Know My Name is a touching yet inspiring book that also calls into question the typical ideologies on acceptable things and reveals the truth to the thunderous reality of healing.

Real Prison Real Freedom by Rosser McDonald

Real Prison Real Freedom tells the anecdote of a notorious Texas inmate written by award-winning reporter Rosser Mcdonald. The author comprehensively wrote the biography of Rickie Smith, whom he had interviewed 30 years ago. It unravels how the most violent inmate converges with the despair and misery in the prison system and with their jail warden. Smith expressed his desire for freedom despite knowing it’s impossible and jail officials have told him that he will remain in prison. However, a shocking turn of events also surprises Smith.

Lessons in Surviving Suicide: A Letter to My Daughter by Vonne Solis

Author Vonne Solis put into writing her personal experiences of grief in this remarkable part memoir and part self-help book Lessons in Surviving Suicide: A Letter to My Daughter. After losing her beloved daughter to suicide, there were loads of questions with no concrete answers that swarmed her mind. But, as time goes by, answers, reflections, and acceptance start to emerge. Thus, this book becomes a guide to every bereaved parent on finding a way to manage the pain, accept the loss, and achieve healing.

Somebody’s Daughter: A Memoir by Ashley C. Ford

This bestselling book captures the heartfelt journey of searching for identity and purpose and dealing with complex familial love. Ashley C. Ford grew up aware of the absence of her father while dealing with her distressed relationship with her mother. With her difficult childhood and adolescence experiences, she sincerely desires another shoulder to lean on, specifically her father’s. However, he was imprisoned for the reason that Ashley didn’t know. Entering adolescence without knowing how to manage the changes in her life and her body, as well as how to better her relationship with her mom, she began to rebel. Ashley’s life takes an unfortunate turn and allowing her to discover why her father is imprisoned. And, the truth shook her down.

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

Crying in H Mart is a critically acclaimed book penned by Michelle Zauner. It revolves around her personal experiences growing up as a Korean-American in Oregon, as well as her thriving with the typical Asian parent expectations. She narrates how they temporarily lived and bonded in her grandmother’s little apartment in Seoul and how she gradually lost her “Koreanness” as she grew up. However, after her mother was diagnosed with cancer, she began to rekindle her whole identity as an Asian American and allowed her to reacquire the wonderful things bestowed by her mom.

Going There by Katie Couric

Katie Couric wrote a moving, raw, and humorous book containing her personal life story. Going There is an excellent anecdote of a modern woman that successfully touches the hearts and draws intense emotions from the readers. Her impressive journey to fame, success, and stardom was traced back to her humble beginnings as a daughter of a journalist that inspired her every step of the way.

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Must-read Nonfiction Books Before 2021 Ends

Reading is a great way of learning, and books are among the best tools for it. Whether you read for fun and enjoyment or because you’re required to, you still obtain loads of lessons that you can apply in life. Since literature is vast, it has been split into multiple categories to help readers choose their next reads. Nonfiction is one of the popular literary genres that offer facts, pieces of advice, lessons, and entertainment. And, if you are a fan of this genre and are currently looking for new titles to read before the year ends, then please refer to the list below.

Going… Going…: The Abduction of the Mind by Jack Weaver

Going… Going… : The Abduction of the Mind by Jack Weaver is a touching memoir about the story of a husband and his wife with dementia. It narrates how the author and his wife Janey fight Alzheimer’s disease with faith and love for fifteen years. The couple will bring you to a rollercoaster ride that will surely touch your hearts. Apart from that, you can see how they struggled, lied, cried, hoped, and dealt the disease with. An excerpt from the book goes, “The Alzheimer’s River that flowed between us has no bridges; it is cold and deep with a swift current that makes it impossible for either of us to cross over to the other; we are both very alone on our opposite shores.”

Late Bloomers: The Power of Patience in a World Obsessed with Early Achievement by Rich Karlgaard

The illustrated edition of this remarkable book by Rick Karlgaard was published by Currency in 2019. Late Bloomers impressively shows how discovering an individual’s path later in life can become a perk to lasting joy and success. It is backed by extensive studies, personal accounts, interviews with significant people at different points of their lives; this book definitely uncovers the ways and moments when everyone can bloom to the fullest.

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

This book reveals the personal experiences of the bestselling author Stephen King as he masters his craft, which is a great read for aspiring writers. The anniversary edition of the book was published in 2010 by Scribner. On Writing narrates the author’s childhood, challenging early career, terrible accident, and recovery. It also contains pieces of advice that inspire and empowers every reader. Thus, this is not only a memoir but also a master class that can help readers get a better grasp on Writing.

Belonging: A German Reckons with History and Home by Nora Krug

Belonging: A German Reckons with History and Home is an award-winning book penned by Nora Krug. It chronicled her journey of finding her way back home and looking deeper into her roots. The German author spent twelve years in America. However, being away from home extremely sparked her curiosity. Thus, she flew back to Germany and began to examine the concealed truth of her family’s history, especially during the war in Nazi Germany.

The Self-care Project: How to Let Go of Frazzle and Make Time for You by Jayne Hardy

This self-help book, published in 2019, is intended for individuals who have been feeling edgy for quite some time but still don’t know the reason behind the crankiness. The Self-care Project: How to Let Go of Frazzle and Make Time for You by Jayne Hardy gives everyone more profound information on the concept of self-care. It makes the readers discover the essence of taking care of oneself, dealing with your personal struggles, and practicing self-care in a practical way.

One Invisible Code: An Uncommon Formula to Breakthrough Mediocrity & Rise to the Next Level by Sharat Sharma

Sharat Sharma’s book titled One Invisible Code: An Uncommon Formula to Breakthrough Mediocrity & Rise to the Next Level is an inspiring book suitable for young and adult readers. It was published in 2020 by Notion Press. One Invisible Code encourages the readers to break away from normality, revitalize their hidden potential, and show amazing outputs. This book also presents an awesome step-by-step process that helps you properly forward both your career and personal achievements and successes.

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The Best Children’s Books That Hone the Skills of the Little Ones

As a parent, you already know that the early stages of development of your child are essential. It is a crucial time when they begin to mold and hone their skills. With the great demand of attention and effort in parenting, during those moments, it would be best to use different tools for help — like books. Every book features a story with strong messages that help kids further their physical, mental, social, and emotional skills.

There are, indeed, endless opportunities for growth and development that books bring. So, introduce and read stories together with your child to discover great stories, enhance the parent-child relationship, and hone various skills. Thus, refer to the list below of the best books that can fulfill your goals for your kid’s personal development.

Good Night by Natalia Padilla

A gifted 12-year old kid named Natalia Padilla authored and illustrated the classic picture book Good Night. The story helps both kids and adults learn about the vowels and consonants of the English language. Apart from that, Good Night also features several methods of developing the readers’ problem-skills, vocabulary, language, comprehension, and musical abilities. The book shows how music and reading can unlock the kids’ minds and open more doors for learning and creativity. Moreover, Natalia’s arts and books are proof that a child’s creativity and imagination can also teach and inspire others.

Round Like a Ball by Lisa Campbell Ernst

Blue Apple Books published the Nov. edition of Round Like a Ball by Lisa Campbell Ernst in 2008. It’s an interactive book that fully touches and enhances the inquisitiveness and observational skills of children. Also, it helps kids learn and identify shapes, colors, etc., and it promotes healthy parent-child communication. The book opens with the usual guessing game about something that’s round like a ball and is followed by offering several clues and visual hints for kids to actively engage with it. Furthermore, Ernst provides a gentle tribute to the Earth and a piece of advice to the readers to take care of and protect the planet.

Maybe Tomorrow by Charlotte Agell

Maybe Tomorrow by Charlotte Agell is a touching tale that helps kids develop their kindness, empathy, and social skills. It highlights the power of being a great friend during the darkest moments. Thus, this is the best book to help children understand the impact of losing a loved one and the value of putting themselves in others’ shoes. Agell didn’t fail to tackle the struggles of embracing a new environment, dealing with tight family situations, and handling another learning space. Maybe Tomorrow is definitely a timely story that allows kids to learn all those important things, especially during this world health crisis.

The Little Butterfly That Could by Ross Burach

Persistence is as vital as patience, and, The Little Butterfly That Could by Ross Burach successfully illuminates it. Being determined to pursue your goals and aspirations amidst uncertainties is essential in life that kids must learn and understand. The Little Butterfly That Could goes together with the author’s The Very Impatient Caterpillar and touches on how kids find it difficult to persist in the struggles that life throws at them. However, it also gives input on the biological factor in the migration of butterflies. With the vibrant colors, fun story, and engaging message, this book will surely motivate your kid to develop and hone their critical thinking and determination.

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen

This 2011 New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book awardee and Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor awardee was published in 2011 by Candlewick. I Want My Hat Back teaches the little ones how to be patient and polite amidst stressful situations. These values are shown after the bear courteously asks everyone that he encounters about his missing hat even after facing several nos. It also highlights the importance of memory and how vengeance can lead to mishaps, which were shown after a deer rekindled his memories.

Whether you intend to develop your children’s soft skills or technical skills, books are definitely the best and most convenient medium to use. These inanimate teachers can greatly hone your kids’ skills while offering fun and entertainment.

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How Your Story Significantly Inspire Others

Sometimes, the best source of inspiration is an intangible thing that has played a great role in a person’s life, like a story. And, sharing those tales can lead to a series of positive things that can impact how other people live their lives and see things. Thus, a simple tale can hugely affect, influence, and teach others.

At present, there are already millions of inspiring stories that have been published. The Beginning… The End… Anew! by Zedart Hodges, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou,  Make Your Bed by William H. McRaven, Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, and The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom are some of the books that have already inspired and moved the readers. Moreover, these works are often written with pure facts, but there are some that were mixed with fictional elements.

So, if you want to know the significant ways in how a story magically inspires others, then here are the things that can enlighten you.

It appeals to the human emotions

One of the best abilities of stories is their way of appealing to the feelings of its readers and listeners. When a tale is told, especially a real-life experience, it tends to evoke and stir up the emotions of the readers. Thus, there will be some that feel your pain, struggles, and misfortunes, while there will be others that feel happy and proud of how far you’ve gone and how much you’ve achieved.

After igniting a couple of strong feelings, your readers become compelled to make a move for reasons that are larger than you once pondered and realized. Thus, they become more inspired to take action because they have more fuel to do so.

It heightens curiosity

A great characteristic of a person is his innate hunger to know and discover things. Since everyone goes through different things at different moments, those who are still in their early stages of development might become more keen and curious about some aspects of the tale that’s being told.

Thus, readers who are entertained by your story will also be more intrigued by it. They will start to use their imaginations and other skills to better understand your tale. Moreover, with the questions brewing within them, they will be urged to look for answers. The answers that they will find will somehow become the means that will push them to continue learning, understanding, and acting.

It touches the hearts and minds

The heart and the mind are two of the most influential parts of the body. Little did everyone know, they do more than just their biological functions because they have the power to affect your emotions, thoughts, perspectives, and decisions. So, when you share your stories with the world, your readers and audience become more attached and impacted by those tales. Their hearts will be warmed, leading to the ignition of feelings of sympathy, compassion, and empathy. Their minds will also be influenced; as a result, they start to develop new outlooks, principles, and beliefs. These reflections and generalizations are inspired and are slowly being applied to their lives because of your stories that touched their minds and hearts.

It encourages and motivates

Motivation and encouragement are two of the most vital things in this lifetime. They act as the stimulant essential for people to perform at their optimum best. Unfortunately, there are moments that they become insufficient and or slowly wither due to multiple aspects. But with your story, you can boost your reader’s motivation levels and make them more enthusiastic to conquer their own struggles. Your tale will also remind them that they have the power and ability to make their own choices that will lead to a better and more enjoyable life. Thus, they will be more inspired and determined to face life each day.

It taps into the human experience

What makes stories connect to their readers is their capability to use the human experience to teach, motivate, and inspire. This particular factor makes your tale more relatable. There are many who have been and are still managing the same situation that you’ve experienced. The moment that you share your story with others, they will start to realize that they can also overcome every storm in their lives and can also live fully.

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Meaningful Christian Books for Your To-be-read List

In this day and age, reading has become more than just a leisure activity. Many tend to read books for reflection, meditation, learning, and self-development. Books instantly became all things at once, such as a teacher, a friend, an adviser, an entertainer, and more. With the power that books hold, readers are definitely more motivated and drawn to reading them. However, there are already millions of literary pieces that have been published. Thus, you have to identify what aspect you want to develop to know the kinds of books that you should be reading.

If you are looking into your spiritual development and desire to grow on that facet to be a better follower of God and have a stronger faith, then you must delve into Christian books. There are several Christian works that can supply your lacking areas. Hence, if you are searching for some good and meaningful books under Christian literature, then here are the titles that you might want to check out.

Stations of the Risen Christ: Resurrection Meditations by Frank Heelan

This Resurrection of Jesus Christ book by Heelan intends to encourage and motivate everyone to read and pray on the Scriptural passages linked to Jesus Christ’s resurrection and His appearances to more than 500 of His followers. Stations of the Risen Christ features a short meditation on each of the fourteen Scripture readings to inspire His followers to pray and obtain a more profound understanding of those diving mysteries. Through praying and meditating the Stations of the Risen Christ on Easter to go with the Stations of the Cross for the season of Lent, readers are viewing their belief in His resurrection, as well as in the belief that He will clothe every disciple in a resurrected body in the future.

The Invisible Hand: Do All Things Really Work for Good? by R.C. Sproul

The Invisible Hand: Do All Things Really Work for Good? is another Christian book written by the prolific author R.C. Sproul was published in 2003 by P & R Publishing. In this book, the readers will surely find themselves in deep admiration of God’s kindness, mercy, and loving nature; thus, they will deeply praise Him. Moreover, this book makes an attempt to give light to concerns and questions when it comes to God’s providence, especially when people wonder where He is during their darkest moments. 

The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer

In 2017, Fig published the inspiring Christian book by A.W. Tozer titled The Knowledge of the Holy. It is a book that has touched the hearts of every follower of Christ for more than a hundred years. Every section of the book centers on a single trait of God, such as His endlessness, grace, kindness, and more. The Knowledge of the Holy is probably among the most theologically abundant and easy to read Christian devotionals that have been published. Thus, it shows the readers the different ways to refresh their prayer life, conduct better meditations, get a better grasp of God, and feel His presence every single day.

Set Free to Live Free: Through the 7 Lies Women Tell Themselves by Saundra Dalton-Smith, M.D.

The first edition of Saundra Dalton-Smith’s Set Free to Live Free: Through the 7 Lies Women Tell Themselves was published in 2011. In this book, the author presents the methods to break bonds with the seven mental ties that keep and consumes your happiness. These mental ties often include the following: trying hard to be perfect, comparing oneself to other people, and showing an all-or-nothing trait. With the remarkable stories and encouraging pieces in this book, Dalton-Smith motivates the readers to be spontaneous, genuine, healthy, and harmonious in terms of living life.

Live No Lies: Recognize and Resist the Three Enemies That Sabotage Your Peace by John Mark Comer

Live No Lies: Recognize and Resist the Three Enemies That Sabotage Your Peace by John Mark Comer is a bestselling book that was published by WaterBrook in 2021. It is a thought-provoking and practical work that has mixed spiritual formation along with cultural realizations. This book also discusses particular ancient information for saints of the Way and interprets the three foes for the present era, along with secularism and perfection.

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The Role of Ideas in Achieving a Full Life

Ideas and concepts govern everything we do in this life, but only genuinely righteous and powerful can give us a life of meaning and true happiness. There are principles that govern life on Earth. All these are articulated and expressed in ideas or sets of ideas from physics to chemistry and biology. As for humans and human activity, everything we do revolves on ideas.

Without ideas, survival would not be possible. Without ideas, civilizations would not exist. Without ideas, there is no progress. Ideas made it possible to invent laws and commandments, communication, literature, and other concepts governing our lives and society. Ideas evolve just like human experience and time.

Today, ideas have become complex and, at times, improving basic concepts and philosophies, giving rise to other modern ideas. Ideas have enslaved generations, and in the modern era, ideas have become a commodity as well. Such is the power of ideas over our daily lives. But how do powerful ideas help us attain meaningful and prosperous lives?

The ideas we conceive and nurture become realities. Therefore, if we want to live a happier and meaningful life, we must first envision it in our minds.

Colossians: Verse by Verse is a book by Dr. Jack Hetzel, and in the book, he explains that every reality that we make comes from our visions, empowered by ideas we conceive. Every single thing begins with an idea, and we become what we imagine or envision. This fundamental relationship between ideas and actions is affirmed by psychologists, philosophers, scientists, and even those who study religion.

And while ideas will constantly be subjected to tangible factors and other elements, they will always persevere to become a reality. Inventions begin with a hypothesis based on an idea before it is subjected to experiment processes, evaluation, and eventually into an invention or product.

Our lives go through the same narrative arc. We live and then die, but each undergoes various processes, journeys, experiments, and challenges. How we fill in the years of our existence depends mainly on the ideas we encounter and embrace. If we want to live happy, successful, and meaningful lives, we must embrace and nurture ideas that will propel us to those realities.

Ideas that are grounded in God’s truth and righteousness are not only feasible but also empower us to live less complicated lives.

The path to living a full and meaningful life has to go through all four zones of existence: comfort zone, fear zone, learning zone, and growth zone. And in all these stages or zones, ideas play a vital role in navigating from one to the next. But that is just one aspect or category of living a full life and meaningful life. Aside from taking calculated risks, other aspects include:

  • Knowing your priorities.
  • Living in the moment.
  • Being kind to others.
  • Staying firm and true to your values.
  • Keeping an open mind.
  • Taking actions for the ideas thatyoutruly want to execute.

These general ideas are all grounded in righteousness and positivity.

Going back to Dr. Jack Hetzel, he explains that we must align and base our ideas on the Almighty Father’s dynamic truth to understand and validate the correctness of our ideas fully. This makes sense because the Lord’s truth and righteousness are present to guide us in attaining and enjoying a moral and blessed life, one that is free from actions that may lead us to suffer, regret, and be lonely.

Ideas that are grounded on moral truths are the ones that genuinely empower us as well as others to be responsible, kind-hearted, and happy human beings. It is easier to go through life if we are free of any unnecessary burden, contented, and free from anxiety, depression, and hatred.

Coming into this world, we are presented with existing concepts that will guide us in attaining a happy and contented life. There are principles, concepts, scriptures, commandments, and other preconceived ideas. All we have to decide is whether we choose to embrace these noble ideas or live the opposite way. In the end, whatever ideas we choose will determine our actions and, eventually, the kind of life we live.

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Must-read Memoirs about Struggles and New Beginnings

As you set your sail through life, there are different storms that will come your way. These hurricanes can either bring you down or push you up. The thing with all the uncertainties and hindrances is that they exist to keep you going and make you appreciate your hard work. But, while you journey towards those moments, you might not realize their value given the complexity and tension of the situations. Regardless of your struggles, one thing is for sure, the sun will rise up again, and you will wake up to a new beginning.

There are many who have experienced falling down and standing up. Some of them braved to share their personal experiences to express, unload, and inspire. Thus, listed below are the best memoirs that will teach you about struggles, hope, and starting new.

My Alcoholic, My Love: My Love and Loss of An Alcoholic Husband by Margaret Moschak

My Alcoholic, My Love: My Love and Loss of An Alcoholic Husband by Margaret Moschak is a book that chronicles the author’s married life. Moschak was dealing with an alcoholic spouse. Their happy marriage went downhill after her husband suffered from alcoholism and was in denial for years. But, she fought her way up so she and her kids could live a better life and save themselves from the alcoholic’s impacts on their lives. It was not an easy journey, but according to Margaret: “I am impaled by my alcoholic and must move on. I realized I could not live with him but had to move to another city where he could not be in my life easily.”

Languages of Loss: A Psychotherapist’s Journey Through Grief by Sasha Bates

In 2020, Yellow Kite published the book titled Languages of Loss: A Psychotherapist’s Journey Through Grief penned by psychotherapist, journalist, and former documentary filmmaker Sasha Bates.  This book was written after the author’s husband died, and it showcases an essential and long-overdue talk about losing someone and dying. It aims to teach people that everybody has varying experiences when it comes to grief. However, gaining more understanding about the subject and learning a new vocabulary while not automatically easing it can alleviate the solitary feeling and allow you to assess what you’ve been through and how far you’ve come.

In Search of Silence by Poorna Bell

This book narrates the story of the widow Poorna Bell and how she dealt with the loss of her husband, who died through suicide after fighting addiction and depression. Given her atypical situation, a bunch of questions comes to her mind, and most of them center on happiness, love, sadness, and saving. After quite some time of reconstructing her life, she starts to look into stuff endemic in the society to assess the reasons why people depend on other individuals to fix their inner issues. Thus, In Search of Silence is a book that acknowledges the echo chamber that people discover in them when it comes to the things that consist a successful and satisfactory life.

Life in Pieces by Dawn O’porter

Dawn O’porter’s Sunday Times bestselling book titled Life in Pieces was published by Harper Collins in 2020. It is a bold, raw, and humorous diary of the author during one of the toughest times that the world has gone through. The book narrates the life of the author as she reflects on different things in life during the lockdown, including grief, parenting, spirituality, identity, and more. It also talks about controllable and uncontrollable things. According to the book, when everything seems to come to pieces, there will always be a way to put them back together. 

Coming Undone: A Memoir by Terri White

Canongate Books published Terri White’s memoir titled Coming Undone in 2020. For others, White seemed to be living the life that many wanted, such as residing in the Empire State and having a competitive job in a major magazine. But, little did everyone know, Terri was in a battle. She was fighting childhood traumas and mental health crises. Thus, this book narrates the author’s experiences, from her darkest moments to the time she realized and decided to slowly pull herself together and stand up again.

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Keys in Achieving Success in Life

People go through different stages of development. As they journey through life, they will encounter multiple phases and events that can either make or break them. There will also be several paths that will open and various opportunities that will knock on your doors. Along with those changes, hindrances and struggles are also present. But, there will always be that particular moment and road that will bring you to success.

The little and grand victories you have attained are definitely among the reasons you continue pursuing the path you’ve chosen, regardless of how many times you have fallen. So, how does it arrive at this particular state? To answer the question, here are the keys to a successful life that you should take into consideration:

Be teachable always

Being open to learning and constructive criticism is a quality that many are trying to develop. When you are teachable, you know how to recognize your skills and talents. It will also help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, which is good because you will know what to improve and what to maximize. Most importantly, every step you take towards success can become a learning experience that will further strengthen you until you become tougher and more eager to aim higher.

Don’t be too hard on yourself

Sometimes trying too hard can be the reason for your downfall. Thus, taking one step at a time is definitely the key to conquering greater heights. Always remember to savor the moment because they are part of your growth and development.  If you feel like you’ll fall short and need guidance, there are many means to help you with your journey. Among them is the book Vision: Going to the Next Level, which will surely inspire you along with the author Virgil Revish biography.

Establish you goals

Setting your targets and objectives before you start your journey increases your drive to conquer each day. Your aspirations also serve as the compass that will direct you to success. Why? It’s because they help in choosing the best direction to take, clearing your focus, making good decisions, and boosting your motivation. At the end of the day, you will be thankful for the goals that you’ve set and be more satisfied with what you have accomplished.

Learn to communicate

In life, knowing how to communicate well is essential to acquiring success. There are many things you will surely come across and stumble upon; thus, it is vital that you know how to connect, speak up, negotiate, and listen. This is one way to create great relationships with others, build teamwork, and live in a more harmonious society. Hence, you will become more enthusiastic, gain more knowledge, obtain a bunch of tips, work well with others, resolve conflicts, attain your dreams, and be one step closer to success.

Act with determination and passion

Your persistence and attitude will be among the things that will fuel you to move forward and grow. Choosing a path and making decisions is not easy, especially when you reach the middle of the road and stumble on many hindrances. Sometimes your judgment becomes clouded, and your passion starts to dull. But, when you let your determination take over you, passion, drive, and other vital aspects will reignite. A persistent and passionate person will never quit no matter how hard things get until he reaches the top of the ladder with a head held high.

Display confidence and character

Self-esteem and character are two different things; but, when you combine and use them together, motivation, power, and strength will rise within you. With confidence, you will be more prepared and courageous in facing life’s difficulties, grabbing opportunities, and trying new things. Added with your character, your genuineness and sincerity will be appreciated by many. As a result, people will be happy to support, offer, and help you. Apart from that, your booming confidence and amazing character will be the elements that will bring your closer to your goals, drive you to pursue your journey, and make you successfully finish the race.

Setting your sail and navigating life to be successful can be daunting in this competitive and fast-paced life. But, that doesn’t mean that there are no ways to make your voyage better and storm-proof. You have to be prepared and strong-willed no matter what stage you’re in life and hard it becomes.

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Forms of Christian Meditation You Should Know

Christianity has become the largest religion in the world that already has several denominations and sects. The Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Churches are the three main divisions of Christianity. Given its vastness, profoundness, and diversity, the Christian family has come up with different practices and traditions based on the Word of God, the Holy Scripture, and Christianity as a whole. These acts and observances are created to further strengthen the relationship of Christians to the Lord and be reminded of the teachings of God.

Christian meditation, moreover, is among the practices that members of the Christian community still conduct today. It refers to a type of prayer done by many to become aware of and reflect upon His revelations. In other words, it is the activity in which Christians thoroughly concentrate on certain passages from the Holy Bible and deliberate the gist of each thought in the context of His love.

Meditation is truly one of the religious practices that are widely carried out today. Luckily, there are many mediums that can help the Christian family on their meditation journey, such as the literature. On that note, Stations of the Risen Christ: Resurrection Meditations showcases the meditation on specific Scriptural passages and Stations of the Cross of Christ on Heelan’s book.

When it comes to meditation, specifically Christian meditation, there are indeed different ways and forms to do it — like the ones below:

Scripture Meditation

It is among the infamous kinds of Christian meditation and probably the oldest one. Meditating on the Scripture is discovered in the Old Testament, specifically the book of Psalms. The Lord wants his children to meditate on His words for them to follow Him. As His people obey His commands, He will shower them with grace. Most of the Psalm verses encourage you to meditate solemnly on God’s love, mercy, miracles, and other defining aspects so that you can develop a better understanding of His ways and plans.

There is no established number of verses for you to meditate on. Thus, it depends on you on how many passages you can read and ponder. All you have to do is pray before choosing, reading, and reflecting on the particular passages. You should also focus on His laws and commandments, absorb the message by heart, and develop ways to apply them as you live each day. To conclude your meditation, a genuine prayer must be done.

Responsive Meditation

Although there were some concerns about this type of meditation, given that it is technically a prayer, there are ways to make this form a complete and better practice. Hence, there are other kinds of practices that are mixed with a simple prayer. After you read and internalize on the word of God or his attributes, a response must be made. The reply can be in the form of a conscious decision or option to turn your life around or a prayerful answer to Him.

Responsive meditation encourages you to become proactive and inquisitive, for its starts with a secure Christian meditation. It ends with praising, thanking, and adoring His throne — with multiple practices in between, such as realizations, requests, confession, and prayer.

Meditation on God’s Character

God has various attributes that are evident and displayed throughout the Holy Bible. And because of that, meditating on the character of the Lord was developed. In this practice, you have to always start by praying and pick a verse in the Bible or a characteristic of God.

For example, you have chosen Psalm 145:8-9 that states, “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” Either you read it silently or speak the verses out. Afterward, you contemplate on them, concentrate on God, and worship him. Like all other meditation practices, always conclude with a prayer.

Contemplative Reading

Contemplative Reading is deemed as almost identical to Scriptural Meditation. It entails reading a particular passage of the Holy Bible and reflecting on the chosen verses. But, it is more particular to the words than the meaning. Hence, contemplative Reading focuses more on the ideas on the scriptural passages to fully uncover God’s love on the entire Bible as a whole. It is the best practice to execute for those who find it difficult to recognize His love and mercy in life and the world.

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Benefits of Reading Christian Self-help Books

Christian self-help is a subgenre that belongs to Christian literature. Works under this category possess a blend of elements found in both self-help and Christian books, like the Christian self-help books by Dr. Sharon. The common goal of these writings is to encourage readers to aspire for different things — such as growth, peace, and healing, with the help of various Christian teachings and themes. Moreover, it often features a particular aspect of Christianity along with other reliable references to strengthen its central messages.

There are many things in life that can affect people’s lives, especially those that are part of the Christian community. The struggles and adversities might break them, which leads them to look for several ways to look for answers, alleviate the pain, heal the trauma, obtain growth, and achieve spiritual development. Luckily, Christian self-help books can be one of their support systems during these times. But, what could be the benefits of reading these kinds of books? Listed below are the best perks that you should know.

Reflect on your past actions

People change over time. The person you were years ago might not be the same individual you are today. And, it cannot be denied that you have made decisions and actions in the past that you have regretted doing. By reading through some Christian self-help books, you can better understand how much you can learn, improve, and apply in this lifetime. You can start to accept that the things you’ve done may not be altered anymore, but you can still choose a better path with God’s guidance and through His ways in both the present and future. Thus, acceptance, awareness, and guidance will gradually come to you.

Strengthen your faith in Him

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

There are moments that can definitely shake your ship and challenge your voyage; and, your faith is among the things that are affected by the waves of life. Surprisingly, writings in Christian self-help always know what to say. Although there are different things one can do to strengthen his faith, books just have a unique way of instilling lessons, advice, and reminders that can greatly encourage and make you realize the essence of faith. Whether it is the toughest situation or the calmest one, you can see how your faith in Him slowly works its way to keep you on your feet with your heart strong and your head held high.

Understand complex situations

Life is full of complications that can either make or break your life. These complexities may come in different times and forms, but one thing is for sure, God will always be there to watch, guide, and help you. Oftentimes, your views and judgment tend to be clouded, but there are many mediums that can help you regain clarity and realizations amid your darkest hours — and books are among those.

Many self-help books in Christian literature tackle a wide array of issues and provide great information on how you can obtain a better understanding, find new ways, develop a sense of purpose, put your faith in Him, and enjoy life regardless of its ups and downs. Those writings will remind you that challenges and complexities are part of life and His plans to make you tougher and stronger.

See the bigger picture

With everything that you have been through and dealt with, sometimes it is hard to see the bigger picture in each situation. But, Christian self-help books are here to help you develop a better mindset, greater perspective, and sounder judgment.

No matter what path you choose to take and what things hinder your progress, there are many things that these Christian books can teach you, such as love, faith, relationships, goals, inspiration, and spirituality. Thus, no matter what circumstances you encounter, you will be more open to rooms for improvement, opportunities to grow, a chance to be a better follower of God, and a whole lot more. You can start to see life from a new angle and view things with a broader and growth mindset.

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Captivating Books under Christian Literature

In the literary world, there are several book genres that aim to help both readers and writers pick a certain kind of literature to work within or delve into.  Christian literature is among the major genres that house thousands of books possessing features of either fiction or nonfiction. Over time, the said category has evolved and gave light to many subgenres, such as Bible fiction, Christian poetry, Christian devotional, Christian allegory, Christian nonfiction, and more.

Moreover, works under Christian literature basically tackle themes and express views on Christianity, linking those to real-world situations and other significant factors. If these kinds of books interest you, then here are some great titles that you shouldn’t miss reading.

Heart-Ease: The Beautiful Truth by Lynn Roberson

Heart-Ease: The Beautiful Truth by Lynn Roberson was published in 2020 by Rustik Haws. This book gives a ray of hope for those weary spirits and provides answers to questions concerning the term “soul-weary.” Furthermore, it talks about how people take different roads but end up sharing the same heartbreaks and wounds that need some moment to mend. People often follow a path that exhausts their souls, but with God, they can find the way back home, soothe their hearts, and rest their spirits. Thus, this book uncovers the goodness of the Lord and how putting one’s faith in Him is the start to acquire peace of mind, calmness, and rest.  

Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane C. Ortlund

This Amazon bestselling book in Christian discipleship is authored by Dane C. Ortlund. Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers implies that Christians often feel that Christ is constantly disheartened and discouraged of them. It also talks about how Jesus seems to be on the verge of giving up on them. All members of the Christian family recognize what He has done for them, but what about Jesus? Does anyone know his real identity, as well as his feelings toward his disciples regardless of the sins and mistakes that they’ve committed? Gentle and Lowly reflects on Christ’s words, looking thoroughly into different passages of the Bible that talk about His love for sinners and inspiring His followers as they set sail toward heaven.

The Case for Heaven: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for Life After Death by Lee Strobel

Lee Strobel’s The Case for Heaven is recognized as the #1 new release in Christian Salvation Theory in Amazon. Moreover, the bestselling author tackles the afterlife by interviewing respected and credible figures about the shreds of evidence of life after death—several aggravating questions revolving around death, heaven, hell, and more. Lee Strobel provides enthralling reasons why dying doesn’t end an individual’s existence; instead, it is a transition to an interesting realm that’s yet to come. He also tackles the belief that souls start a new life after death, that there is the salvation of all spirit and exclusivity proclamations of Christ.

God Gave Us You by Lisa Tawn Bergren

God Gave Us You by Lisa Tawn Bergren and illustrated by Laura J. Bryant is not your typical Christian literature book, for it is a story for kids perfect to read during bedtime and naptime. The illustrated edition was published in 2011 by WaterBrook. It gives a significant chance to help kids gradually build their confidence and give assurance to everyone that they are, indeed, loved, important, and cherished gifts from God. The story centers on a mother bear and her cub. She slowly and lovingly makes the little one understand a significant message that every parent wants their kids to hear and comprehend, which is: “We wanted you very, very much, and we are so very glad because—God gave us you.”

The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller

The bestselling Christian author Timothy Keller penned the remarkable book titled The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. In this book, he utilizes different aspects, such as literature, reasoning, philosophy, and more, to elaborate the how putting faith in a Christian God is logical and rational. Keller provides a great avenue for the genuine followers of God so they can standstill from the counterblasts to religion made by the Age of Skepticism.

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Human Emotions Evoked by Reading Poems

Poetry often starts with feelings and ends with a deep lesson about life and human nature. As a reader, you have probably experienced being moved, inspired, and impacted by a poem. Thus, according to Study.com, poetry is when a feeling has discovered its concept, and the idea has discovered words.

There are different matters that poets often consider when writing, such as self-expression, experience, and the likes. From that, poets surprisingly create masterpieces that build an emotional connection to the readers on their own. Somehow, it seems like poetry knows how to connect to its readers even without realizing or intending it in the first place.

The great choice of words, build-up of imagery, usage of figurative language, and other remaining factors are the primary sources of emotion that can contribute to the mood of the work that can appeal to the readers. Hence, the following are some of the emotions evoked by poetry that has already been felt by many:

Love

If you are an avid reader of poems, you probably have observed that love is the most commonly depicted emotion. The reason behind it is that many can relate to it — not just on romantic affection but also on the different types of love. For example, Poetry in Motion Quattlbaum book about life makes you fall in love with the idea of expressing oneself through life.

Thus, self-love and inspiration can emerge from this book. There are also other books that can evoke other kinds of love, such as mother’s love in Trini: My Life of Poems, love for self and adventure Love Her Wild, etc.

Compassion

Compassion is linked to both empathy and sympathy. It is the emotional response that generates a strong feeling to help others. Upon reading several poems, you tend to witness the experiences of the poet, recognize people’s struggles, be aware of the issues in society, appreciate life, and more. From all these aspects, awareness and sensitivity to other people’s battles and experiences spring up. Thus, you start to become compassionate.

Sadness

In this lifetime, sadness is one of the most common emotions. There are many aspects that can trigger it, leading people to feel disappointed, hopeless, disinterested, down, and among others. Given that poetry also highlights human experience, readers start to relate to the emotion and mood implied by the text during or after the reading process.

What makes the emotional connection stronger is the way the piece is written and the message is hidden. For example, the persona is deeply grieving, but the work doesn’t directly tell you they are; instead, it walks you through their experience, thoughts, and feelings. As a result, you become affected by the text, making you feel the same emotion and look back on the times that you were in the same situation.

Hatred

With the raw emotions and experiences captured by poetry, readers become more invested in reading them. There are poems that contain different messages, but most of these points are either based on real events or inspired by a certain thought, person, object, and the likes. There are also works that are written with ravaging feelings that radiate to the readers. For example, a persona is narrating her years of living with abusive parents.

As a reader, hatred towards the abusers starts to brew within your while compassion for the persona arises. Moreover, there are definitely various works that can make you feel hate for a person, place, memory, and object. And, when you experience that emotion while reading, that’s when you can say that a poem is effective.

Pain

You probably have observed that pain seems like a constant variable in most poems. What could be the reason behind it? Pain has been felt by many, whether physically or emotionally. Thus, there are many poems that convey profound messages relating. With multiple works that depict pain with the help of figurative language and other elements, readers gradually connect with the text and recognize the familiar emotion. Hence, they become moved by the piece, look back on their painful experience, gain appreciation from the pain that they’ve gone through, or generate other intense emotions relating to it.

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Outstanding Nonfiction Authors You Should Know

You probably have heard about the term “nonfiction,” especially if you are someone who loves to read. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the aforementioned word as a “writing or cinema that is about facts and real events. Hence, works under this genre are deemed to be factual and true, which is definitely in contrast to the popular literary genre that put your imagination to work called fiction.  What makes readers get drawn into nonfiction is its ability to present history, give instructions, provide commentary, and more.

There are millions of books that are housed in nonfiction. Most of them are split into different subcategories, which are biographies, travelogues, self-help, journals, memoirs, textbooks, and more. With the great variety that this genre offers, there are many who prefer to write for it in order to tell a story, express a thought, expound a concept and the likes. That said, listed below are the best nonfiction authors that you should know.

Carol Wilson-Mack

Carol Wilson-Mack is the author of the book Patchwork: Conversation Between Generations, a book that showcases the stories of the women in South Carolina around 1939-1959. She obtained her MA in Communication Arts from the New York Institute of Technology. Apart from that, she is also a registered professional nurse. Her great credentials and experiences in the different fields allow her to work as a teacher in Health Care Industry with a concentration on staff education and as an author of multiple-stage scripts and screenplays. Carol is also a graduate of Long Ridge Writers Group. She also earned a Doctorate in Divinity, which developed her inspirational script writing skills.

Judith Wright Favor

Judith Wright Favor is not your ordinary author, for she is also a spiritual counselor, educator, and pilot. In 1970, she participated in the Writer’s Flick after challenging Richard Back to allow women in the all-men (book titled) Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Moreover, Judith is strongly linked with spiritual seekers for over half a century by guiding individuals in writing for optimistic change amidst the tough times. She is also a firm advocate for devoted approaches when it comes to faith and finance.  As an author, Judith has penned several amazing books, which are Silent Voices, The Edgefielders: Tales of a Poor Farm Great-Grandmother, Spirit Awakening: A Book of Practices, The Beacons of Larkin Street, Friending Rosie: Respect on Death Row, Sabbath Economics: A Spiritual Guide to Linking Love with Money, and more.

Aura McClain

As you can observe in her book titled Happiness in Quantum Leaps, Aura McClain is an author and a certified professional life coach. Thus, she is an expert when it comes to healing and guiding individuals when it comes to spiritual, emotional, and relationship concerns. McClain has helped multiple people by utilizing her skills as a life coach. These individuals include young adults with doubts and low self-esteem, a soldier with PTSD, and more. Moreover, Aura was also the former president and part of the Orange County Youth Motivation Task Force, part of the boards of two biotech businesses, and an aerospace engineer.

Mike Honeycutt

Travelogues are definitely fun and interesting to read because they make readers more encouraged to go for an adventure. Mike Honeycutt is a nonfiction author who wrote two remarkable books that center on traveling and experiencing the wild, which are World of Hunting and Fishing and Into the Wild. He personally takes joy in exploring one place to another all around the globe to discover unique trophies and amazing sceneries. As of the moment, he resides in remote South-Central Missouri close to the national forest together with his two adorable pets, a dog and a cat.

Scott Kleiner

The Cincinnati, Ohio-born author Scott Kleiner penned the impressive book titled Taking History of Science Really Seriously. His impressive educational and career background has greatly helped him in writing a reliable and outstanding book. In 1960, he earned his bachelor’s degree in physics at Williams College. After a year, he pursued and obtained his master’s degree from the University of Chicago; and also got his Ph.D. in the same institution seven years after. Scott then became an instructor at Sweet Briar and assistant professor at the University of Georgia, where he was promoted and worked until this day.

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Nonfiction Page Turners You Should Check Out

In reading, it is all about preference. You may know some bookworms who are into fiction, you may see readers that are hooked by nonfiction, or you may have met bibliophiles that love reading both genres. There are really no rules for reading. But, what you should know are the major literary genres, which are nonfiction, fiction, prose, and poetry, to help you sort and pick the book that fits your liking.

Speaking of nonfiction, it is the genre that features millions of books that is either chronicle or a representation of a topic that is introduced as a fact. There are many subgenres under nonfiction; these include but are not limited to memoirs, travelogues, self-help books, biographies, textbooks, and more. So, if you are interested in reading nonfiction, listed below are the page turners to check out that will surely give you a meaningful reading experience.

Sabbath Economics: A Spiritual Guide to Linking Love with Money by Judith Favor

Sabbath Economics: A Spiritual Guide Linking Love and Money is an inspiring book penned by Judith Favor. The author utilizes her personal account on handling finances and her research of money to offer a positive and creative perspective stemming from her faith. Moreover, this book guides the readers on transforming their lives by helping them get a better grasp on the realm of money and spirituality. This is the perfect read for those who are finding it difficult to make ends meet financially, having enough or more resources to live comfortably, belonging to a nicely organized religious tradition, and partially organized group of meditators.

What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey

The first edition of Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey’s book titled What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing was recently published in April 2021 by Flatiron Books. The authors remarkably evaluate the impact of trauma on the developing mind and tackle the emotional and biological alterations and adaptations that it makes. The conversational tone of the book also helps set the mood and allow the readers to breathe freely while understanding how different traumatic events can affect the lives of everyone and how recognizing its effects can slowly raise awareness to people.

Well, This Is Exhausting: Essays by Sophia Benoit

This newly released book and instant bestseller was authored by Sophia Benoit. Well, This is Exhausting: Essays discusses the true meaning behind caring a lot and trying too much. Benoit allows the readers to get to know more about her by sharing some fragments of her life from her formative years until the moment that she realizes that it’s fine if you take it slowly and not pressure yourself by trying so hard. After the realization, Sophia begins to take a step back and recalibrated her ways, pace, and perception. Thus, she learned the meaning of becoming a feminist, loving her voice, and knowing the ideal moment to lend her ears to others.

The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Green

Bestselling YA fiction author John Green has released the signed edition of his nonfiction book titled The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet last May 2021. Like all other Green books, it is also hailed as a bestseller. Moreover, the book is a collection of essays adapted and elaborated from his popular podcast. It is an insightful discovery of the journeys that people established and an unironic commemoration of falling in love with the planet.

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie is a promising self-help book that was published in October 1998 by Pocket Books. It has already sold millions of copies worldwide and has remained to be among the bestselling books of its genre. This book will teach the readers the different methods to make others be fond of you, a dozen of ways to win individuals to your mindset, and several means of changing people without triggering resentment. Thus, this bestselling book by Carnegie has helped millions of readers to achieve success in both their career and personal lives.

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5 Must-Reads That Can Bring You Healing

For bookworms, reading is comfort, and books are the Holy Grail that helps them cope up with the good, bad, and ugly events in the world. The stories that they read and experiences helped them to slowly gain more awareness of how difficult life can get. Most remarkable tales contained by books are also the reason why many people become driven to tell their stories and inspire others.

That said, if you are a bibliophile who is looking for inspiring books that can help you cope up with the complexities of the world or heal from the wounds that life gave you, then here are the best titles that you should look out for.

The Journey Home: My Journey to Find Peace of Mind and Heart While Fighting a War Against Bi-Polar Disorder by Lori-Ellen Pisani

Pisani’s book on mental illness titled The Journey Home was published in 2018 by Outskirts Press. She tells a raw and honest story on how she battled the powerful enemy in her brain and how she managed to get by while unknowingly battling bipolar disorder until her early thirties and working as an educator. Her career would be compromised if the parents discovered the teacher’s condition. Thus, Pisani brings you on a meaningful journey to learn more about bipolar disorder and how she handled it. Every chapter will surely make you encounter different things, including divorce, abandonment, abuse, and cancer. Each reader will definitely relate to her words as she tells her truth and narrates her journey to victory.

You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay

According to this international bestseller book by bestselling author Louise Hay, life is not complex because what people give, they can also take it back later on. Thus, what everyone thinks about them turns out to be the truth for them, and this is where self-accountability and responsibility come into view. You Can Heal Your Life also points out how every concept and idea that comes to mind helps in molding the future because everyone makes their own experiences through thinking and feeling. Thus, every thought that forms in your mind and each word that comes out of your mouth create your experiences.

The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brene Brown

The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brene Brown is a bestselling book that was translated into over 30 languages. Moreover, the author boosts the confidence and self-improvement process by her touching and raw storytelling. Along with thorough study and a bunch of inspiration, Brown looks into the psychology of disclosing everyone’s definitions of the “imperfect” life and welcoming the act of living authentically.  The “ten guideposts” of the author become the guiding principle for authenticity, which can assist people in setting practice for a life of honest wonder that others referred to as the perfectly imperfect life.

Happiness in Quantum Leaps by Aura McClain

This book is a self-help book published in 2020 by Christian Faith Publishing. It is a guidebook to help readers attain the love, happiness, peace, and joy that they deserve by positively aligning of their mind, body, and soul. Happiness in Quantum Leaps talks about three major parts, which are: Mind – Attain Mental Peace by Learning to Control Your Mind, Energy/Spirit – Reconnecting to God’s Spiritual Energy Source & Learning How to Use It, and Body – Physical Healing Related to Mental Stress.

The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael Alan Singer

The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael Alan Singer is a New York Times and Amazon bestselling book published in 2007. This book starts by recounting your relationship with your ideas and feelings, which help you discover the origin and changes of your inner energy. It also looks into the things you can do to release yourself from the persistent thoughts, feelings, and energy patterns that restrain your consciousness. Thus, the book titled The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself introduces you to a life with liberty and freedom of your inner self.

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Brilliant Poetry Books That Will Touch Your Hearts

Poetry is a literary genre that utilizes language for its aesthetic and poignant characteristics. It frequently uses certain types and arrangements to expound the meaning of the words; thus, the text is representing something that’s beyond its literal meaning. This genre also aims to draw particular emotional and sensual responses from the readers with the help of different literary devices, such as figurative language.

Like other forms of literature, poetry is also here to tell stories, highlight traditions, express thoughts, and a whole lot more. Readers often seek poetry for advice, comfort, wisdom, and other reasons. So if you are looking for brilliant works under this genre, then listed below are the poetry books that you might want to check out.

Poetry to Live By: Messages From the Heart by Teresa Dye

Poetry to Live by Messages From the Heart is penned by Teresa Dye, which was published last 2020 by AuthorHouse. This book tackles different angles of life, including love, reflection, motivation, and life in general. It also stands as a great adviser as it gives a variety of advice to the readers focusing on forgiveness, friendship, and the likes. Poetry to Live By also provides some tips for on the best ways for the youth to become productive and active parts of the society and aims to help readers in appreciating the methods on cultivating a deeper relationship with the Lord.

Jaime’s Inspirations: Poems From the Heart & Mind by Jaime P. Fidler

Published poet Jaime Fidler, with two amazing pieces in the National Book of Poetry, wrote the remarkable Jaime’s Inspirations: Poems From the Heart & Mind. It talks about how at various times in everyone’s lives, they always go through some moments where they feel extreme emotions. People discover their own ways of managing both positive and negative circumstances, as well as the consequences that these feelings bring. However, everybody can get a better grasp and relate to those intense emotions, especially while reading poetry books like Jaime Fidler’s.

A Love Story by Joanna C. Valente

Joanna C. Valente’s A Love Story looks into the bleakest edges of the heart, unraveling our idea of identity. The book was recently published last July 13, 2021 by Vegetarian Alcoholic Press. A Love Story uncovers everyone’s experiences in a peculiar and undiscovered universe that they frequently engage with to make sense of. Thus, the poems featured in this promising book are a harmony inside a closed box. Do people prefer to open the box and examine what it contains or are they courageous enough to delve deeper to get to know themselves better?

Goldenrod: Poems by Maggie Smith

This Amazon and National bestseller was recently released by Atria/One Signal Publishers last July 27, 2021. It is penned by the award-winning poet Maggie Smith. This book features a poignant anthology of poems that center on different aspects of life, specifically parenthood, solitariness, love, and memory. Smith definitely knows how to showcase the wonders of the present through the recollection of memories from various things and places. Therefore, the poems in this heartwarming book honor the forms of daily life, discover and enjoy the space between idea and experiences, and help everyone to remember that they have the power to judge what is beautiful.

The Princess Saves Herself in This One by Amanda Lovelace

The Princess Saves Herself in This One by Amanda Lovelace is part of Women Are Some Kind of Magic Series. CreateSpace published this book in 2016 and in the same year, the book won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Poetry. It is a collection of poems that is split into four different sections. The said parts are the following: the princess; the damsel; the queen; and you. The first three parts sews together the personal experiences of Lovelace in three phases, while the last chapter serves as a reminder for the readers and for the whole human race. Thus, this book looks into life and all its angles, including love, motivation, loss, grief, mending, and more.

Poetry, therefore, has the ability to bring out both the good and ugly of life and help readers learn from them in a better and more entertaining way.

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Insightful Books to Read in This Lifetime

Books are the third greatest adviser in this lifetime, next to parents and teachers. They remarkably instill multiple lessons and values to readers through the stories that they tell and the facts that they highlight. Apart from the amazing way that they educate people, they also bring entertainment — which is a good way of keep readers engaged with every story.

So, if you are looking for the best books to read in this life that will give you great insights, guidance, and inspiration, then you might want to check out the list below.

The Two Sides of Being Single: A Biblical Perspective by Wayne Drayton

The Two Sides of Being Single: A Biblical Perspective is a promising Christian book published in 2018 by Christian Faith Publishing. You can get a bunch of wisdom on how to maintain a single Christian life on Wayne’s book, as well as some knowledge keeping it together until God blesses you with the one. The book is composed of two parts, where the first one centers on keeping a single life as a Christian while the second section highlights those single people that are patiently waiting for God to grant them a partner. At the end of the book, prayer is introduced for those that desire to recognize and accept Christ as Lord and Savior.

Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man’s Soul by John Eldredge

The expanded edition of John Eldredge’s Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man’s Soul was published by Thomas Nelson last March 2021. It reaches out to men, as well as the women who genuinely are in love with them, to uncover the real secret of a man’s soul and welcome the risk, passion, and liberty God planned to bestow to each man. Thus, the author encourages every guy to wholeheartedness through the following: regaining men’s genuine masculine hearts, mending the pain and traumas in their stories, and finding happiness in both the strength and wildness they were molded to give to the world. At the end of the day, God didn’t make these men be good boys; instead, he created them to live the best possible lives there is.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

This historical fiction novel by Markus Zusak has received multiple recognitions and was adapted into a film. The Book Thief follows the coming of age story of Liesel Meminger, a girl who was under the foster care of Hans and Rosa Huberman. It was during World War II in Nazi Germany where she was taken and nurtured by the couple. There, she was taught how to read and write and was put to school. She met a boy named Rudy, whom she became friends with. During the tough times, she also met a man named Max, who was fighting for his life and was hidden well in their basement. What made this book more remarkable is Leisel’s drive to learn, make connections, and put a brave face amid it all. Death as the story’s narrator also has a great impact on the novel.

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie is a wonderful book that touches the hearts of the readers while instilling great lessons in their minds. The tale centers on the rekindled relationship of a teacher, Morrie Schwartz, and a student, Mitch Albom. After the latter discovered the former in Ted Kopel’s show on the ABC channel, he was reminded of how Morrie was a good professor and friend. Mitch visited Morrie, and from then on, he continued coming to his house every Tuesday until he breathed his last breath. Hence, Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom is an amazing book that narrates their great time with one another, by which the student shares his teacher’s permanent gift to the world.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is a touching children’s book published in 1964. It highlights the give and take relationship between the boy and the tree. This bond has, later on, grows into a toxic one for the boy, who has already gone through the different stages of development, starts to take advantage of the tree. Thus, the tree continues to grant every demand of the boy. Readers will surely learn various things from this story, including the gift of giving and a calm acceptance of a person’s capability to love in return.

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Literature 101: What Is a Literary Genre

Literature is a vague and interesting world to delve into. It has a wide array of works that have moved and inspired people for quite some time. But because of its broadness, its prospects might become confused, especially those who are new to reading books, writing stories, and telling tales. To start, an individual must get acquainted with the different literary terms and aspects that are playing great roles in literature. A literary genre is a term you often hear in picking the next novel to read, planning the next bestselling book, etc. What could it be?

Literary Genre

A literary genre, in the broadest sense, refers to the classification of composition. It is often determined through the narrative technique, tone, and content used in a particular work. In most cases, a genre can transform from abstract categories that are eventually sub-divided to tangible variations. The differences between genres and classifications are versatile and indistinctly defined.

Furthermore, the word “genre” also pertains to any writing that possesses certain traits. If there are a handful of characteristics that two pieces share, then they may belong to a particular genre. In the literary realm, there are four main genres that will definitely help each reader to project their expectations for the work, although these categories can be split further.

Types of Literary Genre

Fiction

This genre houses millions of books written by brilliant authors. It pertains to any creative piece comprising of individuals, activities, or places that are the products of the writer’s imagination. Thus, works of this category are not based on fact or history but are more imaginative and free.

A fictional work highlights the creative building of an imaginary realm. The way work is fictionalized widely recognized; so, its target readers basically anticipate it to vary in some factors in the real world instead of introducing characters that are real people or representations that are factually correct.

There are many sub-genres that fictions have. Most of them are beloved and widely patronized by many readers, such as the following:

  • Adventure
  • Science Fiction
  • Romance
  • Young Adult Fiction
  • Mystery
  • Horror Fiction
  • Crime & Thriller

Nonfiction

Nonfiction is the branch of literature that is opposite to fiction. It is made up of works that are factual instead of imaginative. Thus, most of the writings under it are narrative prose that frequently provides insights or speculations on reality, such as history, memoirs, essays, self-help books, travelogues, journals, and the likes.

But, nonfiction books are not written not only focused on depicting reality but are also written using figurative language but as long as it doesn’t alter the factual information conveyed in work. In this day and age, nonfiction works are also selling millions of copies worldwide. In addition, there are also various remarkable authors who penned promising works, such as the following:

  • Ta-Nehisi Coates
  • Isabel Wilkerson
  • Jerry Delaney
  • Paul Kalanithi
  • Daniel Kahneman

Poetry

Are you fond of reading poems? Did you know that poetry is more than stanzas, aesthetics, and ambiguity? It is considered one of the main genres of literature. Most poems possess the same characteristics, which can be seen in their structure, writing style, and tone. There are works under this genre that follow firm rules when it comes to how many lines and stanza they should contain and what rhyming scheme they must follow. But, there are also other works that are following the free verse. Moreover, poems make use of figurative language. With the said literary device, the poets can deepen the meaning and symbolism conveyed in their works.

Among the popular poems ever written are:

  • The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
  • Still, I Rise by Maya Angelou
  • The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Prose

Prose pertains to the writings that follow a standard grammatical structure, which is in contrast to poetry, for it follows a particular metrical structure and lives up to a writer’s poetic license. It is defined as a language that observes the natural patterns often heard in daily speeches. It is the most basic type of writing, which is frequently utilized in both fiction and nonfiction.

There are different kinds of prose that everyone should know:

  • Nonfictional prose
  • Fictional prose
  • Heroic prose
  • Prose poetry
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Top Nonfiction Books That Offer a Great Reading Experience

Reading is truly a great leisure activity. Imagine having to be transported in different worlds and getting the chance to live another life. The literary world is filled with millions of books that will make you learn and be entertained at the same time. Given that there are wide arrays of novels, there are also various literary genres that will definitely help readers pick better books.

Among the best genres of literature is nonfiction. It is the account of a particular topic that is considered as fact. This introduction of the details can be accurate or not depending on if the information can provide a real or false version of the subject at hand. But, it is basically expected that the authors of the said narratives believe them to be genuine at the moment of writing.

There are many nonfiction books that have crawled into different bestselling charts or have bagged several literary awards. So, if you are interested in reading works of the said genre, then listed below are the titles that you must check out.

The Other Side of Fear by Veronica Lisare

The Other Side of Fear by Veronica Lisare narrates a story of how the author braved herself to leave behind the abuse, fear, and low self-esteem to get to know the extreme and unending love of God. Welcoming her real identity as the daughter of the Almighty Father with open arms, Lisare has found genuine happiness, courage, hope, liberty, and satisfaction. Thus, she lets the readers know her story through some parts of her journals, which contain narratives from different aspects of her life. The said aspects include her lonely childhood, unaffectionate marriage, unfortunate divorce, heartbreaking death of a granddaughter, and a great fight with cancer. But those unlucky circumstances were exchanged with positive ones, such as a fulfilling nursing career and an amazing second job as a minister.

Patchwork: Conversations Between Generations by Carol Wilson-Mack

Published by ReadersMagnet last year, Patchwork: Conversation Between Generations is a promising book penned by Carol Wilson-Mack. This book doesn’t only highlights how communication is essential in eradicating the generation gap but also showcases how stories matter. Patchwork recounts the tales and lives of the bunch of women in Bamberg, South Carolina, in the mid-90s. These remarkable individuals found a way to communicate and share their stories through quilting together. It was quite a surprise how a normal activity resulted in something more remarkable. Thus, this book encourages readers to find a way to connect to different generations through communicating with one another.

Happiness in Quantum Leaps by Aura McClain

Aura McClain authored a self-help book that aims to give aid to people who want to attain true love, happiness, and tranquility titled Happiness in Quantum Leaps. Thus, the book provides a great guide on how the readers can achieve them all by positively adjusting their minds, bodies, and spirits. There are three important points highlighted in the book. The first one revolves around how to obtain peace of mind through learning to tame the mind. The next point centers on reigniting the spiritual energy core of God and knowing how to maximize it. The last one focuses on the tips to heal and mend the body from mental stress.  

Somebody’s Daughter: A Memoir by Ashley C. Ford

This book has been recognized as a New York Times bestseller and an Amazon editor’s pick. It was published just last month by Flatiron Books: An Oprah Book. Ashley Ford’s masterpiece brings every reader to the world of a Black girl in Indiana who grew up in poverty with a family broken by confinement, discovering how alienating and difficult such childhood can become. As the author fights her own body and environment, Ashley starts a trip to find the connection between her identity and her fate, as well as the complex familial affection that frequently binds them.

Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell

Talking to Strangers is a bestselling and award-winning book by Malcolm Gladwell. Thus, the author raises an assertion that there is something extremely wrong with the equipment and techniques people utilize to make sense of others that they aren’t familiar with. Since you don’t know how to approach and interact with strangers, you are somehow drawing conflict and misunderstanding in methods that have a deep impact on your life and the world. But, this book will surely give you a better grasp of the subject.

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Activities That Will Make Your Days Better

As the world goes through changes, many tend to struggle in keeping up with all the progress that’s happening. The changes and advancements that time has brought can definitely impact everyone’s lives. There are some who find it hard to develop new ways to grow while there are others who choose to go with the flow and enjoy everything that surrounds them.

In this fast-paced world, there will always be days that you feel frustrated and weary. They can affect your productivity and hinder your plans. But, you can always find a way to make your days better that can radiate to your mindset and emotions. Here are some of the best activities that you might want to try:

Reading

Books always have their unique ways in helping people calm their minds, understand themselves, figure out life, and shift their views. What’s more amazing is that when you decide to read, you have millions of novels to choose from. There’s fiction, which features books with stories are product of the authors’ imaginations. There’s nonfiction, which houses books that are based on facts, data, and real events. And, there are also books that are inspiring and interactive; these are the types of books that engage the readers to do different activities — such as color journaling on Botanical Reflectionsby Doris Lance, for their own betterment.

Arts and crafts

Through arts and crafts, you can discover a way to let out your emotions. You probably will not see the impact of this activity on the early stages but when you finish your work, you can definitely get an incomparable sense of fulfillment. There are many benefits that arts and crafts bring and among them are enhanced coordination skills, improved creativity, boosted productivity, increased motivation, and more. The simple idea of creating a cute scrapbook, knitting a small pouch, painting a tiny pot, and coloring a fantastic drawing can help make your days become better.

Writing

Writing is not only an essential because it is a form of non-verbal communication but also because of how it can be a great avenue for expression.  If you are having a bad day because of reasons that you cannot control or you are having a heavy heart, then writing is the best option for you. It can absolutely help brighten your day and makes you feel better. It gives you the freedom to let out your ideas, concepts, and emotions without the fear of being judged by others. Moreover, it can also develop your other skills and give you time to reflect on yourself.

Working out

Fitness is among the most essential things in life. Unfortunately, people are busy attending hustling and bustling to pay bills and achieve a more comfortable life that ends up often disregarding their health. But, it shouldn’t stay that way because health must always come first. If you are looking for ways that can enhance the quality of your day, then you might want to try working out. It will not only make you feel better but can also reduce the risk of developing a medical condition. So, change into your workout clothes, ready your equipment, and start exercising. You will never know how much improvement this can bring to your physical health, as well as to your mental and emotional well-being.

Cleaning

Many seem to see cleaning as a demanding task. Imagine you have to sweep around, carry boxes, sort things out, wipe dusts, and other chores. But as you grow older, tidying your room is becoming therapeutic. If you are in you’re stuck in your house with no idea what to do, why don’t you try to clean?  A clean environment can result to a positive mind and lowered stress levels. Apart from that, you can also prevent catching germs that might lead to illnesses.  

Talking to others

Communication is an integral aspect in keeping and developing relationships. It is also a way of developing your social skills because you are interacting with others. But, this doesn’t necessarily pertain to conversing with others face to face since there are already other ways of reaching out to others with the help of technology and the internet. You can talk about how your day went, things that you’ve missed out with one another, and the likes.

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Environmentally Sustainable Ways that Can Positively Impact Caregiving

The phrase “sustainable environment” is widely used today. It is often associated with the development of efficient ways to conserve natural resources to satisfy the needs of present and future generations. But, sustainability doesn’t limit its scope in that particular aspect because it also applies to healthcare, specifically caregiving. 

According to ResearchAndMarkets.com I t has been reported that the worldwide health caregiving market is deemed to grow by $234.6 billion within the next 6 years with the rise of the numbers, it is expected that the caregiving necessities would also increase.

Moreover, creating a quality sustainable in a caregiving environment is essential. It can help the caregiver, the person receiving the care, and the the environment the care is provided in to meet each of the involved party’s current needs without compromising the future.

In Eleanor Gaccetta’s book One Caregiver’s Journey she states, from her personal experience, that caregiving is not for sissies because this job requires a lot of personal commitment. To be sure, that means that that the person being cared for demands personal and medical needs and the person providing the care must be committed to doing whatever is necessary to accomplish the job to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their loved one.  You can learn more about the prerequisites of becoming a caregiver in the book One Caregiver’s Journey.

Caregivers need to be creative to ensure their home is arranged in a manner that is sustainable. Suggestions to create a quality caregiving environment that also promotes environmental sustainability include:

Waste Disposal Management

Caregiving is considered part of the healthcare industry. According to American Nurse Journal, it is one of the many industries that contends with solid waste production, and increased greenhouse gasses that can contribute to worsening climate change. The amount of waste products of many healthcare facilities and households has increased with Covid-19. 

To prioritize the your well-being and that of the person you are taking care of, focus on improving your waste disposal management. But, how does it relate to sustainability and caregiving? Knowing how to dispose of waste correctly cannot only lead to cleaner surroundings but also protect you and your loved one. A sanitized environment promotes a healthy environment reducing the risk of infection. A clean environment also will lessen the waste by-products by knowing what to reduce, reuse, and recycle.  The intention to create a clean environmental footprint also mandates consideration of the products a caregiver purchases.  Proper products, be it personal hygiene or medical items, will not only be sustainable in the environment but also ensure the safety and wellbeing of the loved one receiving the care.  So, you must be responsible for uplifting  your waste disposal game to benefit your home caregiving setup and both of your well-being.

Eliminating Plastic

The healthcare industry was forced to begin using single-use plastic items for health safety.  That included everything from food utensils and serving to needles and personal care items such as adult diapers.

Plastic does not decompose in waste sites.  Scientists and environmental groups have begun a campaign to avoid using plastic.  One way to do so is to invest in reusable cloth bags for shopping.  These bags do need to be laundered regularly to eliminate the chance of contaminating food from one shopping visit to another.  Caregivers could invest in reusable glass or metal straws for drinking or eating.  These products can be re-used and sanitized by washing them with hot soap and water or running them through a dishwasher cycle.  Look for products that are more eco-friendly.

How can this become beneficial in caregiving? Every living creature on this earth is impacted by pollution, whether it is air pollution or solid waste. Caregivers who are mindful of the products they use in their caregiving gig can also protect the environment.  That will promote health and wellbeing for your loved one as well.  Scientists are asking that people slowly change our habits and inspire others to do the same

Conserve Natural Resources

Caregivers need to also be mindful of our natural resources, such as water, electricity in daily caregiving needs and even in food preparation. Conserving natural resources will also save on financial expenditures.  Skip the bottled water and turn on the tap.  Use the time, energy and water saving cycles when doing laundry.  Reduce the time you spend in the shower to conserve water.   There are many innovative ways to save energy from solar panels to turning off the lights if you are not in a room or the television if you are not watching a program.

By being mindful, a caregiver can provide for their loved ones needs in a way that also is environmentally sustainable.  Caregivers can also ensure the safety and wellbeing of their loved ones by incorporating some of these simple facts into their caregiving routine.

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Activities That Can Develop Your Child’s Skills

If there is an adjective that can describe kids, it would be “teachable”. You probably are asking why does that particular modifier is chosen instead of “innocent”? The latter can disappear overtime since children are going through the stages of development at their own paces. But, the former can be seen no matter what phase they arrive at since learning doesn’t stop and humans always crave for knowledge.

Because a kid is teachable, you can start interacting with your child as early as birth and instill him with lessons that he can use while growing up. There are various means that can help you understand the learning capabilities of children and the works of Jo Ann Gramlich are among them.

Moreover, now that they are still on the process of growth, you should know how to help them develop their skills, mold their mindsets, and prepare for the future. Your guidance is highly necessary during these parts of your kid’s life. Thus, here are some of the bet activities that can help nurture their abilities, which can also give you a great parent-child bonding.

Reading children’s books

Kids cannot read and that’s a fact, especially babies and toddlers. Although there are some who can recognize some words but they definitely cannot comprehend meanings of every story yet. Since everyone gets drawn to things that are visually appealing or materials that contains visual elements, then children’s books would be a great fit for your child. There are wide arrays of books that contain pictures and illustrations, which are beneficial so that kids can follow the events of the story. Reading these types of books helps your child to slowly learn and manifest different life values.

Watching educational videos

As stated earlier, the younger ones haven’t fully developed their comprehension. That’s why educational videos are great source of both fun and knowledge. They also have the capability to catch the kid’s attention given that they have fickle minds and can be easily distracted. There are already multiple platforms where you can watch multimedia shows, the most accessible ones are TV shows and YouTube videos. The former has been around for many years now and has entertained kids before the internet took over. But, the latter is the most popular option today with the YouTube channel Cocomelon as one of the widely watched platform with millions of subscribers.

Building things using play-dough

When you were a young, did you spend most of your time building structures using play-dough? You cannot deny how fun and amazing it was to create different things by personally molding them. Hence, you might want to let your kids experience the same too. This activity can boost your child’s creativity. You are allowing them do and build whatever that comes in their imagination. Apart from that it also promotes sensory development, enhances motor skills, magnets attention, and boosts confidence. There are definitely provides multiple perks for just a fun activity.

Singing nursery rhymes

Did you know that singing is among the most effective activities that can build up the vocabulary and memory of a kid? Can you still recall your favorite nursery rhyme when you were young? You still do, right? Children are enthusiastic and energetic. When you sing them a song, they will definitely dance or clap to it. So, start introducing them to music, teaching them songs, and more. Since there are patterns in nursery rhymes, they held the younger ones in remembering and memorizing the song and even the story behind the song easily, especially if they learn them with videos.

Playing outdoors

Playing is the best way for kids to learn. There are different areas in your kid’s development that can be improved because of this activity, such as improved well-being, self-awareness, motor skills, social skills, and muscle strength. They can also enhance their decision-making and critical-thinking skills in dealing with different situations while having fun. Playing outdoors can also impact their physical health because they can get the essential vitamins from the sun, have a breath of fresh air, and exercise their bones by walking around. What are you waiting for? Let you child play in your backyard or at the park but still follow the health protocols imposed by your state.

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Importance of Expressing Yourself

You probably have heard of the word “expression” for a thousand times now. It is usually associated to talking, writing, and other forms of communication. Many even link this term to manifest their rights in different aspects of society. But, what does it really mean? It is defined in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as the activity, process, or case of representing in a particular mean, such as words.

As mentioned, words are often the commonly used medium for expression. The things that you say and write hold such power that encourage others to do the same and make a difference in the society. However, there are also others that express themselves in their chosen craft, like art, fashion, food, and more. Everything is dependent on people’s lifestyle, characteristics, and likes.

So, what could be the importance of expressing oneself and why do many promotes it? Here are some of the points that you should know.

To share stories

Knowing that there is someone that shares the same type of highs and lows with you gives an incomparable sense of comfort. Does sharing your stories really matter? Yes. The things that you’ve gone can encourage others to strive and survive. Without you knowing it, you have already made an impact to everyone’s lives just by letting them know about your story of courage, kindness, love, weakness, and survival. You can do this activity using the method that you are most comfortable with. You can tell your tales through art to touch lives or through poetry, such as the poems to inspire others by Jaime Fidler in her book Jaime’s Inspirations.

To keep a healthy mind

A healthy mind radiates a healthy life. Who doesn’t desire to be free from bothering things that infiltrate the mind? In this day and age, many tend to get lost in their thoughts causing them to be unproductive and inactive. There are also times that surge of memories, ideas, and traumas overwhelm impacting your outlook on things that once made you enthusiastic.

But, when you start to let them free by expressing them on modes that you feel most confident and happy with, you can develop a better mindset, see the bigger picture in every situation, and become the master of your mind. The more you express yourself, the healthier your mind becomes and it will reflect on your well-being — physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual, and life in general.

To live life fully

You always hear the phrase “live life to the fullest,” but how? There are definitely hundreds of ways to achieve this state and self-expression is one of them. Imagine overcoming every obstacle, whether internal or external, that comes your way just by using your voice, pursuing your passion, and being yourself. That would be the dream for most people.

If you take the courage to open up to the right individuals, those that you feel the safest with, you can develop a better outlook in life. As a result, you tend to get more guts to continue what you’ve started or try new things because there is nothing holding you back now. There are no negativities, toxicities, and other undesirable things that prevent you to becoming a better person and to live life to the fullest. Thus, you are more determined to face life no matter how hard the circumstances can be and be positive that you can survive and savor its ups and downs.

To acquire peace

Peace is a luxury that many try so hard to achieve. When you were young, you never thought of the importance of peace. But as you grow older, you tend to crave for it. Living with peace can help you in taming your raging mind, aching heart, and weakening body. With the overwhelming situation that happen in your daily life, you often focus on becoming overwhelmed instead of working your way to get a peace of mind that can help you deal with everything in a calm and better manner.

The moment you start to be burdened by your responsibilities in both your personal life and career, you will lose your enthusiasm to look forward on each day. Everything starts to become annoying and messy. But when you release these frustrations through talking with your loved ones, doing things that you love, or exploring new hobbies, you will start to regain the peace that was once lost. You will also live a better, more tranquil, and more orderly life.

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Meaningful Poetry Books That Will Touch Your Hearts

Have you ever felt a strong surge of emotions making you confused and overwhelmed at the same time? Do these feelings affect your daily life? Emotions are truly powerful and predictable. But, people are more powerful because they own them. Whether they are being swamped by waves of strong emotions and bothering thoughts, everyone still find ways to get back on their feet and enjoy life as it is.

Among the methods that individuals often turn to when they are engulfed by their feelings is poetry. Trapping or suppressing those emotions would do them no good, but expressing them through poetry would be the best option. Why? It is because the words, experiences, and feelings embedded on every poem can give people relief and can inspire others as well. Poetry is definitely a great platform for expression and a great source of inspiration. That said, here are some of the most meaningful books under poetry that will touch your hearts.

Poetry in Motion by Raymond Quattlebaum

Poetry in Motion is the first book of Raymond Quattlebaum that was published in 2019 by ReadersMagnet. It often makes the readers think about how poetry is life in motion and motion is poetry of life, which is amazingly spinning at a vibration that is a great seen for everyone to witness. Hence, this poetry book was written to take the readers in the different paths of life to know themselves and understand how the presence of God is integral in it.

Welcome Home: A Guide to Building a Home for Your Soul by Najwa Zebian

Najwa Zebian’s Welcome Home: A Guide to Building a Home for Your Soul was recently published last month by Harmony. The poet expresses her personal experiences in creating a home within herself and shows everyone the ways to build the “rooms” named after different values and aspects of life, such as self-love, forgiveness, compassion, clarity, surrender, and the dream garden. Welcome Home: A Guide to Building a Home for Your Soul indeed brings light to the sufferings and pain that everyone has experienced when they ran out of peace with themselves.

Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine

Published in 2014 by Graywolf Press, the book titled Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine has garnered multiple awards and recognitions because of how bold and deep it is. Among these awards is National Book Critics Circle Award in Poetry winner, NAACP Image Award winner, PEN Open Book Award winner, L.A Times Book Prize winner, and more. This amazing poetry book talks about the ascending racial hostility in the proceeding encounters in both people’s daily lives and in the media during the 21st century.  Thus, it is a strong and influential testament to the singular and collective impact of racial discrimination in the present contemporary society.

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur

Milk and Honey is a critically-acclaimed book by Rupi Kaur. It was published in 2014 by Andrews McMeel Publishing. The poems in this collection revolve around womanhood and survival, which are drawn from the author’s personal experiences. It is split into different parts and every part has diverse purpose and relevance. Moreover, the poet’s writing style arises from her cultural heritage and her drive to be reachable to her target readers. But, regardless of how many praises this book got and how big of an impact it made in people’s lives, there are still many criticisms both on the style of writing and the author herself. Regardless of the mixed feedback on this book, it still sold millions of copies worldwide and has been recognized as a The New York Times best seller for more than 160 weeks.

Empty Bottles Full of Stories by r.h. Sin and Robert M. Drake

This touching poetry book was penned by two popular poets in this contemporary period, which are r.h. Sin and Robert M. Drake. It was published in 2019 by Andrews McMeel Publishing. The poems tell the readers to express the truth and tales that they have been keeping for so long. They also give the targets a sense of comfort upon assuring them that each word of every poem will set them free and offer them peace.                           

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Amazing Romance Novelists You Should Know

As a bookworm, you probably have various romance books on your reading list or on your shelf. There is just something amazing and wonderful about romance novels that capture both your heart and mind. In this contemporary period of literature, there is already a wide array of progress that happened in genre mentioned. It is already combined with another genre, which enhances its overall impact and success.

With the growing numbers of romance books, the number of authors increases as well. Most of these novelists have sold millions of copies of their books while others are currently jump-starting their careers. So, if you want to get to know more about this genre, you should start looking into the wide array of brilliant novelists. That said, here are some of the best romance book authors that you should know.

Monique Boyd

If you are a fan of romantic suspense novels, then you might have heard and read the book titled Jasmine A Woman of Color by Monique Boyd. The novel was published in the early part of the year 2018 and was reprinted in 2020 by ReadersMagnet. Monique Boyd continues to write the following novels to complete a series. In fact, the sequel of the aforementioned book was recently published by the same publisher and is titled Jasmine: A Greater Love.

Monique was born in New Jersey but grew up and settled in another state, which is Kansas. She has been in the work force for 31 years, specifically in the office administration industry. She allocated her time and talents in two competitive companies, which are Boeing Company and Spirit AeroSystems. In her more than 3 decades of being in the office administration world, she spent 2 decades and a year of it becoming a Senior Executive Assistant — which is the same job description as the protagonist of her books.

Sophie Kinsella

Sophie Kinsella is a popular name in the literary realm, specifically in the romance genre. However, it is only a pseudonym used by Madeleine Sophie Wickham. Among her popular works are Confessions of a Shopaholic and The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic. Collectively, Kinsella’s books have sold more than 40 million copies in different countries worldwide. The novels were also translated into various languages, which widen its reader base.

Before her literary breakthrough, Sophie is known to be the big sister of the remarkable writers named Gemma and Abigail Townley. She went into different amazing schools, such as Putney High School, St. Mary’s School, Sherborne School for Girls, and New College, Oxford. When she turned 24, she wrote her debut novel titled The Tennis Party; however, it was published when she is already 26. Her first book already carried her pen name, which is based from her middle name and her mom’s maiden name. Sophie continued using her pseudonym and only revealed her real identity in 2003.

Nicholas Sparks

Do the names Noah and Ally or Jamie and Landon ring a bell? If yes, then you probably have seen them in the movie adaptations and read them in the books of Nicholas Sparks. A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, Dear John, The Best of Me, Safe Haven, and more are among his most remarkable works where each has a corresponding film adaptations starred by popular actors.

Nicholas Charles Sparks, moreover, is not just a promising novelist but also an amazing philanthropist and screenwriter. He currently resides in North Carolina, which is evident in most of his books because some of the stories are set or associated on that particular state. With the success of his career, he launched a foundation in 2011 called the Nicholas Sparks Foundation aimed to enhance the cultural and foreign understanding through worldwide education experiences for learners of different ages.

Sarah Dessen

That Summer, Dreamland, Just Listen, Along for the Ride, and This Lullaby are some of the award-winning works of romance novelist Sarah Dessen. Perhaps what sets her apart from other authors in this genre is her “effortless perfection” style of writing. Hence, readers start to engage in her stories because of how the characters of her book show relatable aspects.

Sarah Dessen, furthermore, was born in Evanston, Illinois whose parents are both educators. She grew up as a timid and quite teenager who formed a bond with a 21-year-old individual when she was still 15, but she suddenly cut their communication. Before she became a writer, she was once a waitress in Flying Burrito at Chapel Hill.

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Essential Things You Can Learn After Reading Biographies

Have you ever had a particular experience that you want to share with the world? Do you fancy stories that are based on personal accounts of different individuals? Then, biographies and memoirs definitely suit your taste. Reading tales about the intimate experiences of a certain person can bring so much difference in your life. There are so many benefits that you can get just by reading those books.

Biographies can bring a sense of assurance and comfort that you can never find anywhere else. So, if you are reading these kinds of books or are looking into titles in this genre, then here are some of the essential things that you can possibly learn after delving into them.

Learn more about life and everything in between

Life is a big mystery that many tend to ponder. There are moments that can break you while there are also times that can make you. In the hopes of trying to figure out life and all its angles, you often fall into the pit of confusion. There are many things that you may question and events that you’ll have to make sense of. Amid these roller coaster moments, biographies can be a great means to calm the surge of questions in your head trying to get you overwhelmed.

Books like biographies, in their own little way, teach you what you need to know in life. A great example is the narration of David extraordinary journey on Kooman’s book,

There are many stories that talk about achieving goals, dealing with failures, mending wounds, keeping up with others, discovering oneself, and more. From these themes, you begin to learn that life is not something you can learn in one go; but, a matter of taking baby steps until you get to know all it inside out. Hence, you can come up with proper action plans and fallbacks when things don’t go your way, as well as get a better understanding of the uncertainty of life.

Know that you are not alone

Being alone, perhaps, is one of the toughest things in this lifetime. Although there are also positive sides to solitude, becoming too independent and alone for quite some time can be difficult. You will have to deal with different kinds of events on your own without someone to talk to or confide with. If you have been on this setup for so long, you need to reward yourself for being strong. However, there are definitely moments where the struggles and pain become too much to handle.

Upon reading the stories of notable people, you get to learn that you are not alone in the sense that they also experience the same things as you did. You will find comfort in their words and their experiences. When you get to know that there are many people out there who struggle and succeed to the same extent as you do, it will give you the motivation that you never thought that you had in you.

Give you tips on dealing with different situations

Living is not easy. There are times that you feel that everything is going your way but there are also moments that everything is going downhill. With the unpredictability of life, coming up with suitable aid for each situation can be tough. But with biographies, you will come to know the account of other people’s life. Thus, it will give you the knowledge and tips that you need in handling situations that are overwhelming, new, and recurring. These circumstances may occur in different parts of your life; but, what is important is that you already know how to act on these events and how much they can impact your life. As a result, you become stronger and wiser than you were before.

 Enhance your self-esteem

Self-esteem is crucial. Possessing high levels of confidence is the key to achieving good mental and overall health. There are a handful of life lessons that biographies offer, which you can process and apply on your own journey. There are also a couple of great stories that you can relate to, which can definitely improve your self-esteem. Upon knowing that there are also others who share or have gone through the same pain, struggles, and happiness as you, you become more confident in life.

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Stirring Books that Should Be On Your Reading List

Reading has always been beneficial. It isn’t just an activity for leisure but it has become part of the lifestyle of many, especially for bookworms. Books just offer different sense of comfort and entertainment making every reader craves for more. Like how the real world is filled with different kinds of people, the literary realm is also full of diverse genres. There are those that tell stories that can light up your imagination while there are also those that will open your eyes to reality. At the end of the day, regardless of what genre you pick, you can still get the great experience brought by reading.

So, if you are currently on the look-out for new titles to add on your reading list, then here are some great and stirring ones that you should check out!

The Madhouse Projects by Rick Badman

The Madhouse Projects by Rick Badman is a science fiction book published in 2019 that showcases the sci-fi trope adventure, where the invention is helping the protagonist succeed or struggle. It follows the story of a former automotive engineer who was fired from California University. With his knowledge and talent in his field of specialty, he was hired at the Madhouse in Arizona to help create fly-wheel-power electric Indy cars. The cars that they are inventing are anticipated to race at the 2037 fictional Indianapolis 500. He was followed by her wife at the Madhouse following the event where they were assumed to be dead in an accident. Their life and work at the madhouse turned their lives into a rollercoaster ride.

1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

Are you a fan of Haruki Murakami? If you are, then you should check out this book. 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami was published in 2009 by Shinchosha. The book was translated by Jay Rubin and Philip Grabriel since it was originally written in Japanese. The story showcases an alternate history and parallel worlds, which are clearly elements of science fiction. It centers on both the fictionalized and real year 1984, in which the two variations are in parallel with one another. It started when a girl named Aomame, who noticed peculiar modifications that are taking place in the world. She suddenly got involved in a plot entailing a religious cult called Sakigake and her puppy love named Tengo. Thus, she set her sail to discover what world is real and what is not.

The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen

This 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction winner is the debut novel of Viet Thanh Nguyen. It was published in 2015 by Grove Press and has become a critically-acclaimed and bestselling book. It depicts the story of an unknown narrator, who is a North Vietnamese spy in the South Vietnamese troops. He kept immerses in the South Vietnamese circle in expulsion in the United States. While in America, the narrator talks about becoming an immigrant and a cultural advisor on the movie set of a particular American movie, almost taking after Platoon and Apocalypse Now, prior to coming back to Vietnam as a member of the guerilla raid as opposed to the communists.

The anonymous narrator’s different identities, which is as a spy and expatriate, as well as the Vietnam War’s Americanization are among the central messages of the book. The novel, moreover, is being housed under different genres, such as metafiction, historical fiction, mystery, and more.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is the first published book of Gail Honeyman. The U.K. edition was published by Harper Collins while the U.S. edition was published by Pamela Dorman books. The publication year of the both editions is 2017. The story follows the social outcast named Eleanor Oliphant. She has a traumatic past, which contributed on her misfit social status. She later on became a great singer, which she was always believed that it is her destiny. The book features the themes of alienation and sadness and depicts the transformation of the protagonist as she move towards a broader understanding of her life and herself. Moreover, the book won the Costa Debut Novel Award in 2017 and the British Award’s Debut Book of the Year in 2018.

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Perfect Books to Read for Personal Development

In this day and age, people do not 100% crave for success anymore, instead they start to aspire for other things that can make their lives more comfortable and bearable. Personal development is among the essential things in this world that individuals try their best to achieve. Imagine living in an advancing world knowing that you are also progressing, that would be amazing.

But how could you attain personal development? There are many means and methods on how, but books can be the most convenient medium. That said, listed below are the best books to read for personal growth.

Happiness in Quantum Leaps by Aura McClain

Aura D. McClain authored the remarkable book titled Happiness in Quantum Leaps. It was published by Christian Faith Publishing in 2020. It serves as a guidebook for people who want to attain love, tranquility, happiness, and delight via positive order of their mind, body, and soul or energy united as one. You can definitely achieve mental peace through learning to manage your mind, get to reunite to the spiritual energy source and knowing the ways to utilize it, and heal physically when it comes to mental stress. What makes the book more influential is the way McClain cited different sources or references that strengthens an idea or concept.

Declutter Your Mind: How to Stop Worrying, Relieve Anxiety, and Eliminate Negative Thinking by S.J. Scott and Barrie Davenport

This book was published in 2016 by Oldtown Publishing. Declutter Your Mind: How to Stop Worrying, Relieve Anxiety, and Eliminate Negative Thinking by S.J. Scott and Barrie Davenportteaches the readers the practices, acts, and perspectives to tidy up the mess in their mind that is restraining them from living significantly. It learn different things upon reading the book including the roots of mental clutter, tactics to enhance or remove bad relationships, a simple technique to uncover the things essential to you, and more. There are also various exercises that can surely create an instant and optimistic effect in your outlook in life.

10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works – A True Story by Dan Harris

10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works – A True Story is a New York Times bestselling book written by Dan Harris. It contains the story on how the author experienced a panic attack on national television and embarked into an unanticipated and witty journey through the unfamiliar realms of self-help and spirituality to uncover the methods of becoming genuinely happy. This book will bring the readers on a trip from the external reaches of neuroscience to the internal sanctuary of network news to the rare perimeters of America’s spiritual sequence.

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

The 25th anniversary edition of Julia Cameron’s bestselling book The Artist’s Way was published in 2016 by TarcherPerigee. The book has encouraged and motivated a wide array of readers to jumpstart their creative journey and discover a more profound bond to purpose and procedure. Cameron’s book helps the readers in seeing the pressure points and issues, which hold back their creative flow. It also provides great strategies and tactics to clean up the parts where the creative juices are stuck and offers a way to let chances for self-improvement and development.

Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don’t Know by Malcolm Gladwell

The bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell wrote the award-winning book Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don’t Know. It was published in 2019 by Little, Brown and Company. The book looks into the miscommunication, encounters, and presumptions that individuals do in managing people that they aren’t familiar with. The author also talks about different kinds of events and problems to make his point, such as the capturing and succeeding death of Sandra Bland, the child sex abuse issue of Jerry Sandusky, the death of author Sylvia Plath, and more. Moreover, it brings about the truth-default theory of Timothy R. Levine, a renowned psychologist and communication studies professor.

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Ideal Books to Read that Show Strong Female Qualities

In this day and age, women are in the peak of breaking gender stereotypes and unleashing their full potential. Literature is among the many platforms that allow females to express themselves and show the world how equally skilled and capable they are if compared to other genders. There are several remarkable books written by great females that successfully show the amazing sides of females in a world filled with twists and turns.

If you are on the lookout for books that feature and highlight the resiliency, determination, and other notable qualities of a woman, then here are some of the great titles that should be on your reading list.

Trini: My Life of Poems by Trinidad Rodriguez

The strength of woman in relationships on Trini: My Life of Poems book by Trinidad Rodriguez is one of the many essential things that it tackles. This poetry book is a memoir of how the author conquered the struggles of becoming a single mother. Going through problems and celebrating victories through constant manifestation of bravery, faith, and determination will definitely inspire every reader. Some of the poems will surely help you soar above like a beautiful butterfly experiencing the liberty of its first flight, while other poems will absolutely break your heart.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Kristin Hannah’s fiction book titled The Nightingale was published in 2015 by St. Martin’s Press. It is a historical fiction novel that centers on the tale of two sisters in the course of World War II in France. It shows the hardships that the ladies went through just to survive and withstand the German occupation in their country. The book is, in fact, inspired on the personal experiences of Andrée de Jongh, a Belgian female who assisted the knocked down Allied pilots to flee the land of Nazis. Right after the book was launched, it became an instant bestseller. Because of its remarkable story, it was planned to be adapted into a movie with Melanie Laurent as its director.

Lilac Girls: A Novel by Martha Hall Kelly

This New York Times bestselling book is authored by Martha Hall Kelley that has touched millions of lives. It is recognized as the New and Noteworthy Book by USA Today and the Top Ten Pick of LibraryReads. Lilac Girls was published in 2017 and is part of the Woolsey-Ferriday series. The story revolves around the lives of three women namely Caroline Ferriday, a socialite in New York, Kasia Kuzmerick, a Polish youth, and Herta Oberheuser, a German doctor. Their paths are about to cross when an unthinkable event takes place. Their tales are going places as two of the three girls do their best in giving justice to those who are being buried by history.

My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

My Dear Hamilton was published in 2018 by William Morrow Paperbacks and is authored by two bestselling authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie. This book is about a revolutionary female named Eliza Schuyler Hamilton. She faced different challenges, like her nation, in defining herself in the course of war, deception, and catastrophe. Dray and Kamoie definitely wrote a touching and beautiful novel that successfully tells the tale of Eliza. The story doesn’t only tell her experiences on being a wronged wife but also her experiences in becoming the person that molded an American legacy using her personal rights. My Dear Hamilton also talks about her being a general’s daughter, founding father’s wife, and final surviving hope of the Revolution.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

You are probably familiar with the TV series that has the same title as this book. Did you know that it was based on the book series of Diana Gabaldon called the Outlander series? Moreover, Outlander is a historical fantasy book, which is known to be the first novel of the series, which was primarily set in World War II. It centers on the tale of Claire Beauchamp, who is a nurse that time travelled to Scotland around 1800s. She found herself in an adventure with a touch of love after being romantically involved with Jamie Fraser. Because of how remarkable the book was, it was awarded with the RITA Award for Best Romance by Romance Writers of America in 1991.

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Great Nonfiction Books You Must Read in Your Lifetime

As we age, we start to crave for change. This doesn’t only apply to life in general but also to our preferences, especially as a bookworm. Many book lovers experience reading slumps and disinterest in genres that they recently enjoyed. It could be perhaps people are constantly developing, and there are many things that they tend to outgrow.

But, nonfiction is among the book genres that are timeless and that many tend to obsess on, especially when they start to enter adulthood. There are just so much lesson that everyone can get, which they can apply in their lives.

You may have been a die-hard fan of fiction during your teenage years, but you suddenly lose interest in those types of books now that you are a full-grown adult. But, worry not, because nonfiction has multiple books that will surely suit your taste. These books have a wide range of topics and learning that we can apply in our lives. So, if you want to check out some works in this genre, then here are a bunch of great titles you should never miss reading.

The Face of Hunger: Reflections on a Famine in Ethiopia by Dr. Byron Conner

This book is a comprehensive and excellent memoir of Dr. Conner’s experiences in Ethiopia. The Face of Hunger: Reflections on a Famine in Ethiopia enlightens the minds of the readers on the humanitarian catastrophe, specifically famine, which has risked and ended thousands of Ethiopians between 1983 and 1985. Those who survived this crisis were luckily but were left poverty-stricken.

The 3-year missionary trip that the author and his wife have embarked on was the start of a brand-new way of living when it comes to ministry and outreach. Even though they left Ethiopia after how many years of service, they still deemed themselves as missionaries; but now, to their own nation and not in a foreign land anymore.

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie was published by Pocket Books last October 1998. This bestselling self-help book helps readers who are struggling to get out there and conquer the world. It is also the perfect book for those who have low self-esteems because it encourage everyone to land on their dream job, improve their career paths, and make each situation doable.

The author gives substantial tips and advises that have been helping readers achieve personal and professional success for how many years now. There are different methods and ways that center on different aspects of the social and personal lives of everyone, which can help them succeed.

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi are the authors of the promising New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling book titled Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You. The book is, in fact, gives an amazing reimagining of the critically-acclaimed book of Dr. Kendi. It uncovers the history of racist concepts emerging in America and has grown hopes for an incoming antiracist era.

Thus, the book will surely bring the readers on a trip from past to present, which presents the way everyone feels and the reason why racism still exists. Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You is definitely a must-read.

Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women that a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall

The first edition of Mikki Kendall’s Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women that a Movement Forgot was published in 2020 by Viking. A year after this work was published, it immediately become a New York Times bestseller. The book shows indisputable charges about an irregularity in a movement. During her evaluation of anthology of essays, the author has decided to target the authenticity of the modern feminist movement, where she raises indictments that is has subsequently failed to tackle the needs of only few ladies.

Thus, Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women that a Movement Forgot was written by Kendall in a ferocious manner that successfully spread awareness and insights to every aspiring feminist to carry out the legitimate mandate of the movement in both concept and action.

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Ideal Books to Check Out by Home Cooks and Aspiring Chefs

Food always has a special place in our hearts. Sometimes these delectable dishes bring us to a trip down memory lane with just one to two bites. Imagine being able to recall your childhood through a piece of biscuit or other particular dish. There are just so much wonderful things that food can bring to each of our lives. There is also a wide array of dishes that originate from different countries and representing diverse cultures. As a result, there are many who get inspired to cook for their family as a hobby while there are also those who opt to cook for a living.

There are various recipes in this world that many might lose especially if they are only remembered by memory. Thus, literature gave everyone the chance to keep these recipes and share them to the world. That explains why there are several cook books and even food fiction books in the market that have inspired a lot of people to learn the art of cooking until this day. That said, here are some of the best books that every home cooks and aspiring chefs should check out.

Family Recipes by Kathryn Coltrin

Favorite Family Recipes book by Coltrin was published in 2019 by Blurb. The different recipes contained by the book originated from several places. Many of us were raised along with these delicious dishes and have grown to love them as we become older. Hence, the recipes of these courses were handed down from one generation to another.

These dishes swiftly captured the hearts and taste buds of every family. There are also a bunch of recipes that others consider as back-ups, which they know that will constantly be a hit with theirs. In this book, there are blends of recipes that exist for many years and several ones that are popular at every family event.

Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume I: A Cookbook by Julia Child, Louisette Bertholle, Simone Beck

The first book of Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child, Louisette Bertholle, and Simone Beck was published in 1983 by Knopf. This bestselling cookbook has been the most patronized by American readers when it comes to French cuisine for more than 50 years. The book showcases more than 500 delectable recipes and over a hundred instructional images to supervise readers in every step that they’ll take.

The authors have sort out the classic dishes in France and formed a reasonable series of themes and categories instead of introducing an infinite and scattered catalogue of food.

Modern Comfort Food: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten

The illustrated edition of Ina Garten’s critically-acclaimed book titled Modern Comfort Food: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook was published last year by Clarkson Potter. This remarkable cookbook contains almost a hundred recipes that will definitely satisfy your cravings.

Several of the foods in this book are inspired by the favorite dishes from our childhood but with great enhancement, such as smashed Hamburgers with Caramelized Onions, Boston Cream Pie, Roasted Sausages, Peppers, and Onions, Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas, and the likes.

Dessert Person: Recipes and Guidance for Baking with Confidence by Claire Saffitz

Dessert Person: Recipes and Guidance for Baking with Confidence by Claire Saffitz is a New York Times and Amazon bestseller. It was also named as one of the best cookbooks of the year by different platforms, such as The New York Times, NPR, and more. There are over 100 detailed and comprehensive recipes that will surely motivate you to create and bake different types of desserts. Among the promising recipes in the book are Strawberry-Cornmeal Layer Cake, Malted Forever Brownies, Sour Cherry Pie, and more.

The Well Plated Cookbook: Fast, Healthy Recipes You’ll Want to Eat by Erin Clarke

The illustrated edition of The Well Plated Cookbook: Fast, Healthy Recipes You’ll Want to Eat by Erin Clarke was published last year. As of April of 2021, this book is an Amazon Editor’s pick in best cookbooks and food & wine category. The book showcase over 130 recipes together with the secrets to enhancing classic comfort foods based on her Midwestern ancestry and wise recipe hacks that allow everyone to create healthy dishes and serve them on the table.

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5 Simple Ways for You to Be Happy

Happiness was always the big question in our lives that we needed to solve. It was often the question that starts with what we needed to do in order to be happy. Actually, we already knew the answer. We just didn’t know where to start looking. We all walk different paths in life in our pursuit to find happiness. You may come to battle the fights that you started, or come to face the battle found deep within yourself.

It’s pretty much a different cause, course, and experience for everyone. Naturally, you may spend your whole life hoping, expecting, and living in eternal frustration while waiting for happiness to knock on your door—and the moment can never come. And then, looking back, you might wonder, “Was I really that unhappy, or did I succumb to the happiness craze?”

That is, how can you tell whether you are truly unhappy, when happiness means different things to different people, it’s impossible to measure directly when the feeling of happiness, is fleeting.

If you’re reading this blog, it just means that you don’t know where are the right places to find your happiness. Happiness In Quantum Leaps by Aura McClain is a great piece to start if you wish to find your happiness. It is a self-help guidebook of how we can find new ways, and make new paths to finding our happiness; such as relationship issues and failure vs. success, and ultimately, how to achieve proper happiness. This book will surely entice you to read more and help you find your happily ever after, whoever, or wherever it may be.

Here are a few simple ways for you to look, to be happy:

Build relationships

No man is an island, as the saying goes. Although we all want our privacy, we all want to be close to each other. Make an attempt to communicate with the ones you love (e.g., friends, family, or lover) on a daily basis. Ideally, set aside time at least once a week for an in-depth conversation in which each of you has a chance to talk and be heard.

Instead of talking about your issues, concentrate on your goals, dreams, and ambitions. Discuss what makes you “oomph’ and what brings you the most joy in life. At these times, listening is just as important as speaking. In order to have real intimacy, both parties must benefit emotionally from these conversations.

Having a relationship with someone is a two-way street, whether he/she maybe your lover, family, or friend. You can’t just talk about you, but rather you should also talk about them.

Build your self-esteem

Being confident in your own skin is very important. The same goes with confidence in one’s own ability; self-respect and freedom to make your own decisions. Why is this important? It’s because it’s one small problem that eventually becomes a big one. In fact, this is one of the many reasons why people are depressed, enough that it drove them to their deaths.

But, how do I gain self-esteem?

Stop looking through other people’s lenses, and starting looking through your own lenses. Nowadays, people are more focused on their outer shells rather than the inner qualities of what makes them who they are as a person.  We spend our time thinking about how others may perceive us that we dress according to their liking, act according to their will,  and even lick their shoes if we must. We don’t see ourselves when we always live up to the expectations of others, rather we see a completely different person living in someone else’s body.

Stop living someone else’s life, and start living your own life! Happiness is not found there. It is found when you can be yourself— making your own decision, making your own mistakes, and accomplishments that you hope to achieve all on your own. McClain believes mental health, such as building self-esteem is one of the most important aspects of any person’s life, and her book Happiness in Quantum Leaps really hits home.

Build security with love and belongingness

Since the quality of our personal relationships is connected to our mental health and well-being, the desire to belong is important. The closer we are to the ones we love, the happier we feel; and more contentment we have in our lives.

Most people view moments of intimacy and mutual pleasure with their loved ones as their most valuable life experiences. These valuable relationships are not only limited to family and personal friends but also larger groups and communities to which we belong. Forming bonds and a sense of belonging with coworkers, neighbors, and the various groups that make up our identity (e.g., such as sports, interests, religion, and community groups) all lead to our happiness. Developing a sense of belonging with other people around a common goal, or identity is a major contributor that gives personal meaning in life.

Such groups will help us get back up when we’re down and give us the strength to face whatever obstacles come our way. Therefore, it’s important to maintain and cultivate our relationships

Spend more time outdoors

Are you constantly switching between clients and phone calls at work, or clicking from spreadsheets to presentations? Even at home, you can find yourself balancing chores, babysitting, and maybe some household equipment you need fixing. Your brain can only handle so much distraction before it needs to recharge, and I know just the way for you to be fully recharged.

Why not spend your time outdoor? Spending your time outdoors helps reduce stress and anxiety, improve your mood, and boost feelings of happiness. When you feel stuffy or frustrated, just take a step outside and breathe for a moment.  The outdoors will surely help you recharge from your laundry list of things to do! Out of sight, out of mind is what I’d like to call it.

Use your time wisely

Do you constantly feel that you’ve wasted so much time on one thing, and feel so unhappy because of it? Spending your time wisely may be the solution to leading a happy life.

What’s the problem with your time management? Well, it’s everything from going to work, sleeping, eating, and taking a break. You may think that overworking yourself is a good thing, when in fact it does more harm than good. And believe me, some people work themselves to the bone, straight for 5 days in a week without sleep, and still manage to get everything done. McClain stresses that time is very important, and we must know how to spend it wisely with the ones we care about; and ourselves as well.

Don’t spend your time slaving away for a company, learn to manage time properly including proper meals, good sleep, exercise, and vacation leave for you to rest.

However, the most efficient path to long-term happiness and satisfaction is to consider not just your own interests, but also the interests of others. When we turn our attention away from ourselves, we live lives with more meaning and contribution.

Nonetheless, the pursuit of happiness by so many people is no small matter. Let’s make certain we find it, both in the short and long term.

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Literature 101: Poetry and Its Elements

Have you ever find poetry comforting? Do you have great interest on reading literary works written with the smallest number of words but with the strongest meaning? Poetry definitely goes beyond what is expected of it. This form of literature has been offering readers with relatable, inspiring, and touching words making everyone more motivated and understood.

Poems convey different meanings and talk about different essential things in life. As a result, they impact the lives of many through their ambiguous and aesthetic words and affective and heartwarming messages. Poetry in Motion Quattlebaum book, for example, is a contemporary poetry book by author Raymond Quattlebaum that revolves around life and everything in between. As you try reading the poems, you may think of how vague their scope are, but you can definitely see the meaning if you look more closely.

Moreover, with all the amazing things that poetry has offered, what could be the elements that make a remarkable poem? If the thought ever crossed your mind, then here are the things that you need to know.

Persona

You probably have heard this term multiple times in your English class. Persona refers to the character used by the poet to express the things that he wants to let out by utilizing the first-person point-of-view. It is also known as voice. Many readers often think that the persona of the poem is the poet; hence, this mindset must be eliminated because the writer is not always the one telling his story. You can distinguish the persona by thinking about the things that the speaker obtains from the character that he created. Looking into the poems other details objectively can also help you discover faults and information about the persona.

Tone

Tone can mean different things in diverse branches of literature. But when it comes to poetry, tone pertains to the viewpoint and behavior in writing style of the writer or the form of expression of the persona. It is also known as mood because it helps in creating the entire mood of the whole poem, in the sense of a diffusing atmosphere meant to influence the feelings of the readers and evoke expectations.

Diction

Poetic diction is defined as the operating language of a poem. The language sets the poetry apart from the different types of writing because it typically involves the utilization of descriptive words, terms, phrases, and other parts of speech that enhances the ambiguity of the poem and sometimes set the rhyme. Diction is generated by the lyrical words that often relate to a particular theme infused in the poem and frequently forms a euphonious sound.

Imagery

Imagery is a common element of a poem that adds to its beauty and depth. It is usually defined as the clear and colorful form of description that captivates the attention, attracts the senses, and generates the imagination of the readers. However, imagery doesn’t only centers on the visual aspects that a poem can offer but also focuses on the entire scale of sensory experiences, including the emotions and sensations. It also enables the readers to vividly use their senses while reading the poems and empathize with the speaker.

Figurative Language

Figurative language pertains to the utilization of words in a method that digresses from the traditional arrangement and meaning so that the work can deliver a more profound meaning, vibrant writing, clear idea, and/or poignant comparison. Furthermore, it makes use of the ordinary sentence structure to refer to a particular thing without stating it head on. There are different types of figurative language a poem can contain. These languages have their own usage and trait that can beautify and deepen a poem’s meaning and appearance. Simile, metaphor, alliteration, hyperbole, synecdoche, metonymy, and personification are among the commonly used figurative language.

Poetry is truly a rich and wonderful form of literature. Every poem has the power to evoke different kinds of emotions, inspire readers, and create a difference in the world. With the slightest amount of words, these poems — with the help of their remarkable elements, can impart such knowledge, encourage others to express, and help people utilize their empathies. From the voice to the figurative language, these elements put together truly create a magnificent whole.

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Reasons to Read Romantic Suspense Novels

Romance and suspense are two different genres; but, when paired together, they create a powerful whole. Many bookworms preferred love stories with unexpected turn of events than plain happy endings. What is the best thing about this genre is that the two fused categories do not overpower one another. Hence, there is a complete balance of romance and tension found on the plot, which is really exciting.

The Darkest Hour by Maya Banks, Against All Odds by Irene Hannon, Faithless in Death by J.D. Robb, The Last Sister by Kendra Elliot, and The Witness by Nora Roberts are some of the notable books of this genre. But, are there any possible reasons to read novels of this sort? Here are the answers to your whys.

Cool set of characters

In a good romantic suspense story, there is always a cool set of characters. At least one of the characters, preferably the protagonist or his love interest, is in deep danger. So, there is typically a hero or a heroine that saves the target victim and faces the progressing jeopardy. The story, moreover, is typically being told by a woman who has all it takes to solve the mystery while finding love at the same time. There are also other characters that are either helping or deceiving the protagonist. Thus, they perfectly move the story forward with their remarkable characteristics.

Heartwarming romance

What good would be a romantic suspense novel if there won’t be any love story written on it? It wouldn’t make sense. Hence, there is always a heartwarming romance in these novels that defy the odds and break the barriers. You will surely get hooked by the different love languages and moving love story of the characters. But, reaching that picture-perfect love wouldn’t be easy because there are always struggles and hardships that the couple needs to overcome. Take for example the quest of finding Jasmine a better love on Boyd’s book after she lost her husband, uncovered his secrets, and seek for revenge.

Amazing twists and turns

Great books have great twists. Can you imagine reading a novel without any turn of events? It would be uninteresting. But, worry not because romantic suspense books definitely contain various twists and turns that will motivate you to turn the page. With the set conflict and deception, the characters — especially the protagonist, will definitely either survive the tension or break down from the pressure of the events. There will also be a lot of shocking revelations that will be uncovered in different parts of the story that will become the reasons of character developments and shift of fate.

Unconventional plots

The sequence of events in a story is as important as the element that moves it. Many might not notice its flow, but others will surely do. The fact that novels of this genre are mixed with suspense; thus, they would definitely use different writing styles and literary devices to spice up the stories. There are many novels that do not follow the traditional plots. Some of them starts in the middle and uses flashbacks to let the readers know the root of the conflict and such. With the help of other aspects of the story, the unconventional plots definitely enhance the engagement of the readers and provide them with great reading experiences.

Intense tension

Tension is significant in literature because it is the key ingredient that evokes the feelings in the readers. The readers have been deeply attracted to the story during the first few stages of the plot; but, when the tension starts to rise up, they would become more attached to the story. Since the genre is romantic suspense, the tension becomes stronger due to the infused romantic elements. Hence, more intense emotions will be generated from the readers. This aspect of the novel is what you need to look out for because it will not only magnet you to the story but will also make you excited to reveal the mystery. Apart from that, tension mixed with romance, twists, and mystery will surely blow your minds and make you crave for more chapters to read until you reach the end of the story.

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Inspiring Children’s Books with Valuable Messages

Learning doesn’t stop. No matter how old you get, you still acquire new learning at any parts of the path that you chose to take. In order to develop into a formidable and great individual, you must have a constant and wise teacher on your early years. That said, being introduced to books at such a young age can help develop your mind and learn practical lessons and values. There are different kinds of children’s books that can significantly teach the kids valuable things that they can use as they grow older, such as picture books, story books, activity books, and more.

The little ones will discover how magnificent the world of literature is and how much essential things they can learn from it the moment that they look back when they become adults. Books are truly inspiring and great. That said, listed below are some of the most spectacular children’s books that are filled with valuable themes your kids should read.

A Kids Life: Loving, Learning, Growing by Alana Konieczka

Imagination and application are both important things in life, especially to children. The book A Kids Life: Loving, Learning, Growing by Alana Konieczka definitely did a wonderful job on igniting the imagination of the readers as well as urging them to apply their learning to the world. Moreover, this notable work by Konieczka is a collection of stories where each tale tackles different lessons. Reminding people that bullying shouldn’t be preached and tolerated, displaying sportsmanship is essential regardless of what game you play, and savoring life as a kid are some best themes that the book teach to the readers.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

This Caldecott Medal winner was written by Maurice Sendak. It has been adapted into film and opera, which made readers and fans of this book to be more encouraged and inspired to dream and believe. The magical story happened after the little boy named Max caused a messed in their home while wearing a wolf costume. As he started to give in and sleep, he found himself in a world that is beyond the ordinary. The creatures are wild and extraordinary, which considered Max as their king. They created a bond that is strong even if the creatures don’t exist in real life. The book titled Where the Wild Things Are, furthermore, is indeed a great and remarkable story.

I Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth

I Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth is one of the bestselling books in Children’s literature category. It contains beautiful illustrations created by Tim Warnes, an exceptional illustrator. The book is made not only to be read but also for adults to show their love and affection to kids. Additionally, the story follows a bear and a cub that always do things together — such as climbing mountains, witnessing vibrant lights from the sky, mingling with buddies, playing chase, hugging one another, and more. This book will surely make the readers appreciate the value of love and family.

Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman

Published in June 12, 1960 by Random House, this classic children’s book by P.D. Eastman is still teaching kids on the importance of the connection between a child and a mother and the value of not giving up. It follows the story of a little hatchling bird that was left to hatch alone for its mother is looking for food. Without proper comprehension of who and where its mother, the hatchling attempted to look for the mother; and, that’s when the adventure, perseverance, and determination happened. This classic book has received multiple critical reactions and recognitions, such as becoming among the Top 100 Picture Books of all time by the School Library Journal.

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss, author of multiple notable children’s books, penned the famous The Lorax. This book was already adapted into film and has received multiple critical feedbacks. The book follows the story of a peculiar character named the Lorax, which was known to be the one who speaks for the trees. Hence, this outstanding book surely teaches the children and adults to be aware and take good care of the environment.

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Best Contemporary Poetry Books that You Should Never Miss Reading

It has already been 67 days since 2021 started, and your reading list is running out of titles for sure. We still have this brand-new year ahead of us; hence, let us make the most of it by keeping our to-be-read list full. Exploring new genres might be a great option in order to widen your taste in literature and discover other amazing books that will surely impact your life.

Poetry is one of the best genres of all-time. It showcases multiple heartwarming and inspiring works that you should never miss reading. Thus, make sure to refill your shelves and update your reading lists with the top poetry books that can definitely generate a handful of motivation in your life. If you are still looking for great reads, then here are the ones that you must check out.

Trini: My Life of Poems by Trinidad Rodriguez

This poetry book is written by a remarkably strong and brave woman, Trinidad Rodriguez. Every poem represents a fragment of the author’s life that is loaded with the challenges and persistence of a single mother. You will surely see the perseverance, courage, and faith of the persona as you go through every poem in the book. A mix of both painful and happy emotions will generate within you while reading the book. Trini: My Life of Poems will take you on an engrossing journey voiced out from the heart of a brilliant author.  So, find the most comfortable place to read and experience a heartwarming journey upon reading these poems.

Jaime’s Inspirations: Poems from the Heart & Mind by Jaime P. Fidler

Published in 2019, Jaime’s Inspirations: Poems from the Heart and Mind is an anthology of poems that came from the heart of the National Book Poetry winner and published poet Jaime Fidler. At the various times of living in this world, everyone has already experienced going through the feeling and impact of different extreme emotions. As a result, we have already come up with our diverse methods of taming and managing both good and bad moments in our lives — as well as the outcome of these events. However, we can surely comprehend and connect to these emotions, especially via poetry.

Poetry in Motion by Raymond Quattlebaum

Raymond Quattlebaum’s Poetry in Motion continues to inspire a lot of people from all around the world. This book showcases wonderful poems that centers on life and its beauty. The poetry of life that is circling at a vibration so spectacular with an outlook towards a magical world is also being tackled in this poetry book. As people try to express their hearts out to conquer life, Poetry in Motion is here to also help us recognize and get a better grasp on life along with the presence of the Almighty Father. This book was first published in 2009 by Red Lead Press and was republished in 2019 by Readersmagnet.

Healing Words: A Poetry Collection for Broken Hearts by Alexandra Vasiliu

Another promising book written by Alexandra Vasiliu is being patronized by readers from different parts of the world because of the empowerment and healing that it provides. Healing Words: A Poetry Collection for Broken Hearts is a promising book that centers on different serious issues that every person in this world has already experienced, such as love, sadness, healing, transformation, depression, happiness, and anxiety. This poetry book is intended for those who have secret wounds and pains that need healing. Loving yourself, letting go, reigniting hope, uplifting yourself, and appreciating your worth are some of the lessons that this book will teach you.

Her. by Pierre Alex Jeanty

One of the most notable contemporary poets, Pierre Alex Jeanty, has written another amazing book. Her. is currently  Amazon’s bestselling poetry book in dating category. The book was published in 2017 by Jeanius Publishing LLC. Moreover, it is generally dedicated to those readers who are in the process of achieving self-love and acceptance. Every word in this book will somehow help you to discover the beauty while staring at your reflection; see the strength to mend your broken heart; obtain the will to conquer insecurities and more.

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The Perfect Books to Read to Ignite Inspiration within You

Nothing can compare to the power that books hold. Their amazing ability to create a big impact on the lives of their readers and generate great levels of inspiration is surreal, especially after knowing that they are physically made with only ink and paper. The ideas and concepts of the authors have truly created a bunch of inanimate teachers that can live from one generation to another.

Many books can become a good source of motivation. All you need is to allocate some time to read so that you will experience how great books are. So, if you are low on inspiration these days — then this must be your lucky day! Listed below are the ideal books to read to ignite encouragement and inspiration within you on days.

Stations of the Risen Christ: Resurrection Meditations by Frank Heelan

This book aims to motivate everyone to pray and meditate on the Bible passages referring to the rising of Jesus from the dead. Stations of the Risen Christ: Resurrection Meditations by Frank Heelan also centers on the Scriptural passages about the emergence of more than 500 disciples. Hence, the book has truly expressed 14 headpieces from John’s, Luke’s, and Matthew’s Gospel writings. A short form of meditation comes after every Scripture readings to encourage each Christian to pray and obtain a better grasp on the said divine mysteries.

Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

Robert Kiyosaki’s bestselling book has been inspiring people for over 20 years now. In this book, you will know the common misconceptions about earning a great amount of income to become wealthy. It also evaluates the belief that your home is an asset and differentiates what an asset is and what a liability is. Moreover, there are parts of the help parents know the reasons why they shouldn’t and cannot depend on the educational system to educate their children about finances. Hence, it is a great book to help you teach yourself and your children about finances for their upcoming money success.

The Three Keys to Our Relationship with God by Roslynn Bryant

Last July 31, 2020, the book The Three Keys to Our Relationship with God by Roslynn Bryant was published. It centers on a personal account of the ways of cultivating a great relationship with God that is eased by having faith in Jesus. The connection between the Father and child is being developed as everybody carries out the three keys to grow a deeper relationship with God, namely loving, trusting, and obeying Him. Therefore, the book grants us wonderful insights into the way that Lord Jesus has loved, trusted, and obeyed God the Father.

Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

Outliers: The Story of Success is one of the editor’s picks and best nonfiction books on Amazon. It was published in 2011 by Back Bay Books. This remarkable book brings the readers on an intellectual trip to the realm of “outliers.” Gladwell tries to ask everyone about the aspects that mold high-achievers to be different. The answer to this question is also given by him, which is that people tend to focus on what successful individuals are like but concentrates less on where they currently situated in life today.

Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo

2 years ago, the bestselling book by Marie Forleo titled Everything is Figureoutable was published by Portfolio. It will reteach your mind to think in a more creative manner and keep a positive outlook even in facing difficulties. This is the best source of motivation and inspiration if you are struggling to hit your goals or deal with the lemons thrown at you by life. All you need to know is that you are not the problem. The only concern is that the belief that will turn the tables has not yet instilled in your mind.

12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson

This top international and national bestselling book by Jordan B. Paterson is full of both humor and substance. In 12 Rules for Life, the author starts to share the reasons we need to let skateboarders be, know the dreadful destiny that awaits people who judge easily, and the points why it is essential to pet a cat. The book truly breaks the contemporary routine of science, faith, and human nature.

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Keys in Writing a Great Mystery Romance Book

Mystery fiction is already a hit genre ever since. There are many mystery classic books that inspired some of the best contemporary mystery novels today. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, JB Clemmens, and J.D. Robb are among the top mystery writers in literature. Romance, on the other hand, is also a powerful literary genre that readers from all over the world have read once in their life. Daniele Steele, Patricia Sims, Monique Boyd, and Nora Roberts are some of the best romance authors in this period.

But, how wonderful would it be if these top genres will be combined? Readers will surely be anticipated to read every chapter because of the twists and turns of the story. So, if you desire to write the next bestselling mystery romance novel, then here’s the guide to writing a great story.

Identify the type of mystery

There are different kinds of mystery that your story can feature. Disappearances and killings that are connected to the protagonist are the typical mystery showcased by mystery romance books. Since there is wide array of conundrums and cases to choose from, it is important that you identify the puzzle that the characters of your story needs to solve. This is essential so that your readers will not be confused and in order for them to perfectly follow the story. Thus, ensure to know the type of mystery that needs to be solved before you jumpstart the writing process.

Conduct a proper research

Research is vital. Even though this is a fictional story, you should never go wrong in inputting the crucial details — such as legal terms, investigation process, and such. Conducting a thorough research adds to the authenticity of your story. Hence, the readers will be more drawn into the tale and create profundity to it. Another benefit that you can get in doing the study is that you can come up with new concepts and ideas that can help your story arrive at a certain point that is better than what you’ve planned. So, start studying the important aspects of your mystery romance book and make sure that they are relevant to your plot.

Use appropriate language

Language contributes to the overall impact of you novel. With the wrong usage of it, your work might be on the risk of losing its readers. That said, you should focus and identify what language is appropriate base on your target readers and the theme of your book. Since this is under mystery romance fiction, your targets are definitely not children. You are allowed to use terms that are appropriate for adults, scenes that are romantic, events that are passionate, and happenings that are full of suspense. It is all about relevancy and hitting the spots. Hence, it is truly essential to use the right language so your readers can also fully understand the story and the meaning of every text.

Ensure to convey both romance and mystery

It wouldn’t be a mystery romance novel if there are no mystery and romance scenes on it. Do the best that you can to convey and show the romantic events that the characters create in the story. But, make sure that these situations full of affection and love don’t compromise the journey towards revealing the mystery. It should always be balance. Take for example the unique love on A Major Hurdle book by Patricia Sims, there is a harmony between the romance of the main character and her love interest and the mystery that revolves around an invisible enemy.

Pay attention to plot holes

Plot holes can definitely throw your story to the edge. These are some of the things that you should be careful of in writing a great mystery romance book. Each inconsistency in your plot has the ability to elude the logic of the tale. Readers will surely lose interest in your book if they spot more than one gap in the storyline. Therefore, check your manuscript after you finished the draft. You may also want to get the help of a professional editor for a more engaging and cleaner manuscript. The bottom line is that you have to make sure that the plot of your story is gapless and engaging.

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Educational Gift Ideas for Your Kids

Giving presents to your kids is a great way to show them that you love them. You can hand them special little things that can boost their confidence and make them feel good about themselves after doing a good job. Getting them something after doing a poor performance is also a wonderful way to enhance their self-esteem and strive to do better next time. However, you shouldn’t spoil them too much with gifts because it can also create a negative impact on their growth and characteristics.

What you should prioritize in looking for things to give to your kids is if can both entertain and teach them. Enjoyment and learning should always be present and be put first so that they can grow into great individuals with great potentials. Thus, here are some of the best educational gift ideas for your children that you might want to check out!

Children’s books

Books are the best gift. They don’t cost you too much but they offer a lot of lessons. Children’s books can help the kids to enhance their emotional intelligence, as well as their creativity. With the attractive and vibrant covers and wonderful and heartwarming stories, the kids will surely love this type of gift! Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss, Katie and Kenny Tour the Railroad by Keith N. Corman, Lizzie and Leopold by Patricia A. Gummeson, and Grandpa Nick’s Bump by Lynda Daniele are some of the best books that you should consider gifting to your kids.

Shape and number sorting set

Shape and number sorting set is perhaps one of the beneficial toys that you can get your kids. They primarily enable the children to enhance their hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and problem-solving abilities. This sort of toy can also develop their vocabulary and mathematical skills. Your kids will surely love this as a present because of the colorful shapes and numbers.

Jewelry making kit

Who doesn’t want to create cute jewelry? Kids would definitely love getting jewelry-making kits. At their age, they may already have a childhood best friend. With the jewelry-making kit, they can create matching friendship bracelets for their friends, adorable bead necklaces for their own, and other accessories that they want to create. The benefits that this gift can give include the improvement of their creativity, enhancement of their fine motor skills, and development of their cognitive skills.

Board games

Chess, snakes and ladders, monopoly, backgammon, connect four, and scrabbles are some of the best board games that people of all ages are playing. With these games, you can also bond with the kids because they can be played by both children and adults. These board games have the means to improve your kid’s focus, develop their vocabulary, learn more about teamwork, and get them away from gadgets. Hence, they do not only offer fun and excitement but also personal development and learning.

Activity cube

Activity cubes are a great present to give to your kids. These large block-formed objects typically have moving aspects and activities that children can do. Some of the cubes are powered by batteries and can create a sound, have different lights, and other cute features. The kids will surely love this gift because they will be entertained by just the physical aspects of the cube. Apart from that, they will have fun doing the activity and improve essential parts of themselves.

Maze puzzles

Building a maze puzzle can bring out both good and bad. Your kids will be taught how to appreciate hard work and effort. Although this can really make them impatient and frustrated, this kind of puzzle is one of the best ways to develop their problem-solving skills. Also, the more they try solving the puzzle, the more they become patient and persistent. Hence, the value of effort, patience, and determination is being highlighted and showcased by this toy.

Drawing board

Drawing boards surely capture the attention of kids. At their young age, they are into scribbling and doodling; and, gifting them withdrawing boards just boosts their creativity and motivation. These boards also help you prevent them from messing around the wall because they already have a medium to draw on. Moreover, the best benefits that drawing boards bring are developing hand-eye coordination, boosting confidence, improving problem-solving, and more.

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The Proper Vibe for Being a Likeable Friend

Much like in the beautifully-crafted children’s book by Rosella Calauti, many of us have enjoyed the company of good, childhood friends in the past. Here…There…Everywhere!!! by Calauti shows us the value of good friendships and how they prepare us for life in the future. However, for many young teenagers around the globe, the making friends in the corporate world aspect of life after college becomes somewhat difficult, especially for certain people who are just starting out in their careers, fresh out of graduate school, and still adjusting to an new, unfamiliar and competitive working world.

These young people are introduced to a foreign and previously-unknown setting in which they may potentially associate with anyone from the leading minds of the industry, skillful professionals, or even newbies and newcomers just like themselves. In this challenging new environment, much of a person’s success can be attributed to the firmly well-woven connections that they have solidified throughout the course of their professional lives, and many of these influential and beneficial companions that they make on this path are usually like-minded friends who share similar goals and interests, who always learn from and motivate each other to strive for higher feats and accomplishments. It is true enough that opposites attract – but in the corporate network of similarly-thinking creatives and brilliant entrepreneurs, it’s much more accurate to see it otherwise – in the sense that birds of the same feather flock together.

It could be a considerably daunting or uncomfortable experience to integrate oneself into new and meaningful friendships in a corporate setting, especially if that particular person was not the best socializer or extrovert back in their schooling days. So, some may be stuck with a dilemma that they eventually find themselves self-asking – something along the lines of: “How do I make solid friendships as an adult in this industry? How do I make find and befriend people who think just like me?”

Now usually this is a highly-subjective and varying process, as people-skills vary from person to person –  as do office settings, colleagues, work politics, and the attitudes and behaviors of our co-workers around us. However, there are a handful of tested and proven ways to achieve this proper connection with like-minded workers in any industry. These universal methods transcend fads and societal trends, as they are the basic and fundamental psychological components that facilitate improvement in one’s life through practicing effective social skills at work –  a hallmark of future success wherever you work.

Here are a few ways to adapt to a new work environment and meet friends of the same vibe and frequency in the corporate world:

Avoid condemning or criticizing others

Constructive criticism is direct advice with the intention of influencing improvement, delivered in a positive light. On the other hand, complaining or condemning others, their work, or anything about them merely serves as a medium for nit-picking and pointless negativity. Instead, offer positive suggestions and avoid being a bully in general.

Be highly optimistic about the success of others

It’s truly inspiring to behold the degree of self-improvement in workers responding to the positive praise of approval and admiration as compared to the negative pull of criticism and ill-intended comparison.

Be particular with people’s names and titles

It’s not easy to recall everyone’s names, especially in the casual setting in which many employees and workers meet. However, it is important to remember how flattering it feels when others remember our names. The feeling is mutual and universal, so make sure to call people by their names when you can – it could brighten their day, and portray you in a good light.

Be honest in recognizing when you’ve slipped up

Mistakes can happen to the best of us, especially to people who are new to any particular industry of course. People tend to agree to you more and respond better when you accept your own faults immediately and take active measures to correct them. Being accountable for your own actions is a hallmark of professionalism and integrity.

Find common ground when you don’t see eye to eye with a colleague on a particular subject

Rather than attempting to win an argument with a co-worker, try digging deeper and analyzing different aspects of your differing conclusions, and persuade them that your thoughts align with theirs by highlighting the common ground by which you both stand. This is an integral key-factor in team-building and effective internal communication.

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What You Need to Know about Latvia

If you are a travel junkie or a person who are fond maps, you probably have known Latvia by now. There are so much you extraordinarily beautiful aspects that the country holds, from its people to its cuisine. Hence, here are the basic things that you need to know about Latvia.

Quick Facts

Formally referred to as the Republic of Latvia, this country is located at Northern Europe’s Baltic Sea region. The neighboring borders are Lithuania to the south, Russia to the east, Estonia to the north, and Belarus to the southeast. In 1940, the country was inhabited and annexed by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; but, got its independency 13 months after.

Riga is its capital and biggest city. Due to its location, the country is rich in rivers that stream down to the Baltic Sea. Latvia also has a bunch of lakes, where a couple of these particular bodies of water stretches up to 30 square kilometers. It is also significantly an undulating plain that has equitably even lowlands varying with hills. However, one main issue when it comes to preserving structure of the hills with highly cultivated lands is erosion.

People

Latvia is not just rich in waters, lands, floras, and faunas. The nation is also filled with amazing citizens that belong to different ethnic groups. For how many years, it has a multiethnic population. However, there was a great change in the demographics caused by the World Wars and other significant events, such as the migration and elimination of the Baltic Germans, the occurrence of the Holocaust, and the inhabitation of the Soviet Union.

Now, 3/5 of the population are ethnic Latvians, approximately ¼ are Russians, and the rest are composed of a bunch of Poles, Belarusians, Lithuanians, Ukrainians, etc. As a result, many residents speak a different language. Most speak Russians, but there are also some who speak Romany, Yiddish, and more. When it comes to religion, 26.0% of Latvians are nonreligious followed by Roman Catholics at 19%, Russian Orthodox at 16%, Lutherans at 14%, and the rest are other Orthodox, atheist, etc.

Cuisine

The Latvian cuisine plays a great role in preserving and highlighting the country’s culture. That said, these magnificent and delectable dishes are being featured in the remarkable food fiction anthology titled Remembrance of Meals Past by Anita Legsdin. Latvian Christmas cookies were also mentioned in the hit series Brooklyn 99 by the adoptive son of Charles Boyle named Nikolaj in the episode 10 of the 4th season. Thus, they make the readers and audiences more curious about Latvia and its dishes.

Latvian cuisine is basically comprised of agricultural goods, with meat as the star of almost all the dishes. Given the geographic location of the country, fish is among the common food eaten by Latvians apart from meat. The basic ingredients in cooking Latvian food are wheat, onions, potatoes, eggs, barley, pork, and cabbage. However, the availability of their dishes depends on their 4 seasons.

Their food is known to be fatty with only a bit of spices used. The common dishes that they serve are the Lido lunch comprised of cold beet soup, sauerkraut, cutlet, gherkin, kefir, and kvass. When it comes to dairy products, they have an abundant milk supply that made it possible to produce different types of cheese including cottage cheese which they referred as biezpiens and caraway cheese. They also have other products made of milk apart from cheese. Moreover, they also have wide arrays of soups, breads, pastries, and mushrooms that make their cuisine more interesting and flavorful.

Culture

Latvia has a rich cultural heritage. The different ethnic tribes inhabiting the country contributed to richness of the country’s culture. However, it is also because of the historic events that made the nation have a hard time restoring their own folktales, which gives them their identity.

Furthermore, Latvians conduct both religious and folkloric feasts. These spectacular events are filled with music and dance that are being executed by performers in vibrant costumes representing the different regions of Latvia.  The most significant festival in the country is the Jāņi. It is a tradition conducted every midsummer that is inspired by the ancient pagan ceremonials that honor the summer solstice. There is even a belief that when the dawn breaks on the celebration of the said festival, people are not allowed to fall asleep or else they’ll attract bad luck.

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10 Children’s Books About Small Animals To Read Today

Children love to read books that have animals – especially small animals – as the main characters. Here is a list of children’s books about small animals that every child and parent should read today:

The Ladybug And The Bully Frog by Caroleann Rice

The Ladybug and the Bully Frog by Caroleann Rice tells the story of animals that live near the pond and are facing a bully named Milton the Frog. The animals cannot play at the pond because of Milton, so they approach Solomon the Snail to seek his wisdom on how to deal with Milton’s bullying. They decide to send a tiny little ladybug named Dot, as she is the only one who can fly above water and brave enough to face him. Will a tiny ladybug succeed in persuading the bully frog to change his ways? Get a copy of The Ladybug and the Bully Frog today.

Oscar, the Mighty Crab by Penny Higgins

This fun, rhythmic children’s book tells the story of a young crab who gets a brief taste of life on the surface world. His adventure in the upper world is great, that he wants to stay. His best friend, Tom, advises him otherwise. Will Oscar stay behind on the surface or return under the sea to be with his family and friends.

Ralphie the Roach by Raymond Sobrino Jr.

Many are the children’s books written to help children boost their self-esteem but only a few were written about cockroaches, the ugliest of all insects. The author, drawing from his experience as a bullied schoolchild, created an uplifting, empowering story that teaches children how to develop or increase their self-esteem after experiencing bully and accept other children’s differences.

Charlie Finds a Home: A Homeless Guinea Hen’s Journey by Robin Vergato

This children’s book is based on a true story about a guinea fowl who gets separated from his flock during a furious storm, which had carried him away into the woods. Charlie tries to find his way back home, but he is unable to reunite with his flock. When he comes out of the woods, he finds a new home and family waiting for him. The book abounds with themes of home, family, and love for animals and contains information about guinea hens and guinea fouls.

Buffy the Butterfly by Ted Landkammer

Inspired by his granddaughters’ love for butterflies, the author has told Buffy’s story many times to five-year-old twins Sophia and Isabelle, both of whom would ‘ooh’ and ‘aww’ every time they see butterflies flying over their grandmother’s yard. They love the adventuresome, fun-loving Buffy so much that whenever they see any butterfly fly by, they would exclaim, “I wonder if that is Buffy!”

Secret Paws by Margaret Tomlinson

What happens when a small kitten strays beyond the fence of its home? When Shadow discovers a hole in the fence that leads to the outside world, she charges forward through the opening into the street. Follow Shadow as she gets into one misadventure after another in this charming children’s picture book.

JoJo’s Adventure by Joyce Nealy

Children would always love stories about parrots. In this storybook, a pet parrot longs to explore the world beyond his birdcage. JoJo always sees the family dog running in and out of the house – and he would like to experience that adventure too. One day, he picks the lock on his cage door, climbs down his cage, and walks out the open door. What would JoJo see in the outside world?

Where is Morris? by Joyce Nealy

Morris is a playful little kitten who loves to run all around the farm, play in the yard, and visit friends. He sometimes gets into trouble but his mom and his friends are always there to help him out. Then on one beautiful warm sunny summer day, Morris is nowhere to be found.

Mollie’s Surprise by Joyce Nealy

Mollie the raccoon spends most of her time playing and exploring in the woods. She also loves to go for a ride in PaPa’s little blue truck. But one sunny afternoon, Mollie is nowhere to be found. Where is she? When she is found, she brings a surprise for the family. What is this surprise?

Turtle Tales by Heidi Lynn Studer

This delightful historical book, written in a scrapbook format, shares the history of international turtle racing in Perham, Minnesota. Through rhyme and rhythm, readers will meet Squirtle the Turtle’s five audacious friends and learn what takes place on summer Wednesday mornings in downtown Perham. The characters, created by local teen artists, relay true and interesting facts about the turtles that take part in the races.

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A Couple of Outstanding Women of Color You Should Know About

ML Boyd, a highly-talented author and currently a Senior Executive Assistant at an aircraft manufacturing company, penned the book Jasmine: A Woman Of Color. It was published on the 8th of October, 2020, by ReadersMagnet. 

In her book, an executive assistant named Jasmine Moore reels with grief at the loss of her beloved husband, only to have those feelings replaced with anger and frustration when she discovers word of his past infidelity behind her back. She wasn’t having any of that – not one single bit. This woman of color finds herself in a position where she’s able to come to terms with reality and let go of her desire for revenge when she sees another special someone to fill in the gaping void that her deceased ex-husband left in her heart – Dr. Jason. He stepped into her life and changed it up for the better. Just when all seemed to be going fine and dandy – the exact opposite happens, of course.

Jasmine eventually finds out that someone with ill intentions is after her and wants to take her life. But who could it be, and for what reason might that possibly be? This woman of color finds herself in an extraordinary and peculiar situation filled with ups and downs as her life suddenly hangs in the balance of it all. 

Furthermore, it’s sad to admit that a whole lot of times, women and people of color usually don’t have it that easy compared to more privileged members of society. As of now, it doesn’t take a genius to see the recurring pattern of inequality repetitively reincarnating and perpetuating itself throughout human history. Combine those two, being a female and person of color, and indeed that’s an equation for extreme inequality in the context of today’s societal standards. For some, it definitely is, and that’s a harsh reality of life that’s stood true to itself for a tragically long time. For some, it meant a reason to shine bright and brave on through the hindrances and disadvantages that women of color experience in society. This is why, as the years continue to go by, we’ve come to celebrate those women of color whose names stood out for the way their actions shone so brightly towards the opposition and whose ideals inspired so many like themselves to do the same. 

It’s not Black History month yet, but as February approaches and the time for celebrating African-American pride and heritage draws near, a little pre-game and some commemoration and appreciation for these outstanding women of color couldn’t hurt. In fact, the women on this list are some of the most revered and respected black women to have ever lived, no matter what month of the year it is. Show a soul-sista some love this coming February by remembering these brilliant African American symbols of inspiration and change pioneers.  

Marian Anderson

She’s widely recognized as one of the 20th century’s most prolific singers and was well known for her three-octave vocal range as she toured Europe and the US beginning in the 1920’s. In 1936, by courtesy of President Franklin Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, she was asked to appear at the White House for a special-request performance. Then, after the rejection of Anderson in Washington, DC by the Daughters of the American Revolution three years later, she was asked to perform at the meeting of the Roosevelts at the Lincoln Memorial. 

Her professional singing career progressed into the 1960’s until she eventually became active in activism and civil rights issues. In 1963, Anderson was awarded the President’s Medal of Independence, and again in 1991 with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Claudette Colvin 

Almost a year before Rosa Parks (ten months to be exact), young Claudette Colvin made history at fifteen years old for being arrested for the segregation-ordinance violation on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, in March of 1955. She got dragged and thrown off the bus but claims that it was worth it to live to see Barack Obama become President of the United States. 

Wilma Rudolph 

In the 1960’s she was known as the world’s fastest woman, and in the year 1960, she was the first American female to achieve three gold medals in track and field at the Olympics. She was a poster-woman for civil rights as well, as she declined to attend a segregated homecoming set in place to honor her victory. She went on to earn a degree from Tennessee State University and was added to the US Olympic Hall of Fame. 

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Inspiring Nonfiction Books You Should Never Miss Reading

Nonfiction is a grand literary genre. It features multiple amazing categories, such as self-help, memoir, travelogue, biography, and among others. Moreover, it features works that are factual and real that were product of the author’s hard work and impeccable writing skills. Although books are primarily written to pour one’s heart out, the common purpose of nonfiction works is to express or inform.

There are many notable nonfiction writers of all-time, such as Ta-Nehisi Coates, Michelle Obama, Rebecca Skloot, Rachel Carson, Jon Krakauer, Eric Larson, and more. These authors have already inspired a lot of readers from different parts of the world because of their brilliant works. Hence, if you want to get to know more about this genre — here are some of the best ones that you must never miss reading.

Going… Going…; The Abduction of A Mind by Jack Weaver

Published by WestBow Press in 2019, Going Gong: The Abduction of A Mind by Jack Weaver is a heartwarming memoir that will surely inspire and educate readers about Alzheimer’s disease and how to cope up with it. Furthermore, it documents the experiences and struggles of the couple Jack and Janey pertaining to Alzheimer’s. The author shares that personal experience that he shares with his wife, which he aims to let every reader learn from their tough battle. The 15 years of coping up with Alzheimer’s was full of rays of hope, marshes of distress, and summits of happiness. There are just a lot of learning and mixed emotions that this book brings.

The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert

This amazing book by Elizabeth Kolbert tackles topics like wildlife, biology, conservation science, archaeology, and a whole lot more. The Sixth Extinction claims that the planet Earth is in the middle of a man-made, contemporary, sixth annihilation. The author laid down the past massive extinctions and analogized these events to the fast and extensive extinctions in the present. The book also contains descriptions about particular species wiped out by the human race, and the ecologies circling the extinctions from the prehistoric era and the present times.

One Caregiver’s Journey by Eleanor Gaccetta

Eleanor Gaccetta wrote her personal experiences as a caregiver for almost a decade in her book One Caregiver’s Journey. Hence, this is a perfect read for those who have no background in caregiving but needs to take care of loved one who is aging or sick. Gaccetta poured out some great substances in this book including her apprehensions, advices, and experiences on the way caregiving changes as her mother is aging. Readers from will surely get some tips from this insightful memoir because the author also tackled the financial issues that most caregivers have gone through — as well as the personal issues faced by caregivers.

The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf

Written by Andrea Wulf in 2015, The Invention of Nature documents the life of the great Alexander von Humboldt, a geographer, Prussian naturalist, and explorer. Moreover, the book centers on the early boyhood of Humboldt, as well as his trips to Europe and Latin America and his return to Europe in his early adult stage. There are four chapters in the book, which are the Part 1. Departure: Emerging Ideas, Part 2. Arrival: Collecting Ideas, Part 3. Return: Sorting Ideas, and Part 4. New Worlds: Spreading Ideas. It has become a New York Times bestseller and a Royal Society Insight Investment Science Book Prize awardee.

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

In February 1994, the popular true crime story written by Truman Capote titled In Cold Blood was published by Vintage. The story is set in the suburbs of Holcomb, Kansas on November 15, 1958. There were 4 people who were gruesomely killed by a shotgun. These individuals were part of the Clutter family. The only mystery left is that there was no clear motive for the murder, as well as no concrete clues left. Thus, the author reestablished the crime and the investigation that resulted in the captivity, trial, and punishment of the suspects. Capote also sparked both captivating suspense and shocking empathy through his brilliant writing. The book is truly a piece of literature that goes beyond its time and is showing deep insights into the nature of violence of Americans.

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Perfect Books to Read this Christmas

Christmas is the most amazing time of the year. There are a lot of playful lights in every house and building, white snow covering the streets, popular stores are full of customers, and cute presents are already placed under the Christmas trees. When December came, it seemed like all the struggles and challenges that are happening in the world and replaced with hope, fun, and silver linings for the remaining days of 2020 and for the years to come.

Additionally, there are various platforms that celebrate this beautiful holiday — one of them is literature. In fact, there are a lot of books in different genres that centers and highlights the essence of Christmas. That said, listed below are the ideal books to read on, before, and even after Christmas.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

The great Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol at that moment when the British were discovering and re-assessing the past Christmas rituals, including carols, and current traditions like Christmas trees. It was originally published in 1843 in England by Chapman & Hall. The protagonist of the story is an old grumpy and workaholic man who doesn’t acknowledge Christmas named Ebenezer Scrooge. Because of his attitude towards the holiday, he was visited by spirits. The first visitor was his late business partner named Jacob Marley, who warned him about his actions and the other spirits. The next visitors were Spirit of Christmas Past, Spirit of Christmas Present, and Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come. After the visitation, Scrooge started to view Christmas from another angle and developed a positive attitude towards the holiday.

Is it Santa by Nelibeth Plaza

Published on November 26, 2020, Is it Santa by Nelibeth Plaza is a remarkable tale based on real events. The book follows the story of Mother Rebekkah who has been anticipating the arrival of Santa Claus by baking delectable Christmas cookies. She soon started to organize the cookies in a beautiful gift basket, which she wrapped with clear cellophane. After she came home from getting her kids, Charlie, Mya, and Jacob from school, she found out that her cookies were withdrawn from the baskets and transferred to the kitchen counters and the living room. Her kids assumed that it was the works of Santa. But Mother Rebekkah immediately elaborated that it wasn’t Santa due to several foul plays, such as the takedown of the red poinsettias by the window sill. Everyone is frustrated upon figuring out the person behind it and solving the mystery. Jacob started to investigate the scene by utilizing his investigative skills and the magnifying glass.

Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle

Let it Snow is a young adult fiction book co-authored by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle. The book was published by Speak: The Penguin Group in 2008 and is also available in e-book format. It contains three tales of different teenagers that were somehow connected together. The part written by Maureen Johnson was The Jubilee Express, John Green was A Cheertastic Christmas, and Lauren Myracle was The Patron Saint of Pigs. The tales center on three teenagers who went through a strong snow storm during Christmas in Gracetown. Because of how it depicted Christmas and the teenage life, it was adapted into film by Netflix and has received multiple recognitions.

Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Ember published one of the books that were co-authored by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn titled The Twelve Days of Dash & Lily in 2011. It centered on the story of Lily and Dash, two teenagers that were brought together and connected by a red moleskin notebook on the holidays. Lily left her notebook somewhere on the shelves of NYC’s bookstore. She is just waiting for the person who is willing to do the dares, which turned out to be Dash — a teen who is not in a good mood on the season. He accepted Lily’s dares, and before they knew it; they have fallen in love with one another. Moreover, this book was adapted into a Netflix series that was released last November. It also has a sequel titled Twelve Days of Dash & Lily.

Time Management Tips to Help Caregivers Enjoy Their Life

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

Knowing time management tips to help caregivers is important because those who provide care are also humans who have a life to live.

Eleanor Gaccetta, author of One Caregiver’s Journey, appreciates the wonderful journey of caring for a loved one. For caregivers, the time they spend for themselves is just as valuable as the time they spend for those they’re caring for. Without balance, they’ll find themselves getting burnt out and end up losing the passion they hold for their chosen profession.

Caregivers and everyone else don’t want to reach this point, so today, we’re here to offer tips to help caregivers manage their time better!

Tip #1: Setting Goals and Planning How to Follow Through Them

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Planning and setting goals can be challenging and stressful for caregivers because they already have a limited amount of time. But with practice and frequent planning/goal setting, caregivers can adjust and eventually find the habit to be beneficial. It’ll eventually make caregivers feel as though they’ve been freed from being in an infinite loop of crisis management.

Whenever possible, caregivers can practice planning for the long term and then break it down into more manageable objectives. They can receive help to get the ball rolling by getting a mentoring program, coaching session, or training day. Along with jobs, these should cover other aspects of life, such as family and personal objectives.

By utilizing SMART, which stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely, caregivers can guarantee that all their goals will come to fruition.

Tip #2: Practice Mindfulness All the Time

Photo by Yan Krukau

Since our phones incessantly alert us to incoming emails, texts, and calls, it is incredibly simple to become sidetracked throughout the day.

When engaged in a specific activity, caregivers should, if feasible and safe, shut off or mute their mobile devices and give their full attention to that task. For example, they should be present with a client, for instance, if they’re engaging with one. In addition, they ought to give their entire attention to their own needs and well-being while they are taking a break.

This is one of the time management tips to help caregivers live in the present moment. It’s not unusual for caregivers to always think about their past mistakes and worry about their future performance. They’re in desperate need to be grounded in the present, giving them a chance to enjoy and appreciate what’s in front of them.

Learning effective time management for caregivers helps slow things down and lets caregivers tackle things one thing at a time. Focusing on the wonderful journey of caring for a loved one a day at a time is very helpful for caregivers.

Tip #3: Make a Time Audit

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Changing behaviors rather than time is the primary goal of time management. The easiest way to achieve this is to observe our daily behavioral patterns and how we spend our time.

It’s vital for caregivers to prepare a time audit, which can be done in writing or using an app that tracks time (many businesses offer free versions). Our perception of what is occupying our time is often not aligned with reality. For instance, it could seem harmless to spend an hour a day on social media for distraction.

But over the course of a year, those discrete hours add up to almost 336 hours or 42 eight-hour workdays. Caregivers will be better able to see how much time they spend on different everyday tasks if they track their actions for a week. They will be able to see what occupies their time and how they devote their days using this data.

Another benefit is that they can determine whether they have an excessive amount to do in the allotted time. It’ll also help identify if they must adopt specific behaviors to utilize their time more effectively.

Take Advantage of These Time Management Tips to Help Caregivers

Not many people realize that time is their most valuable asset. It’s something that, once spent, can no longer be taken back. So, let’s help our caregivers spend their time better so that they can continue the wonderful journey of caring for a loved one they’re in.

We encourage you to purchase a copy of One Caregiver’s Journey today by clicking here to learn more about Eleanor Gaccetta’s personal experience as a caregiver for her mother.

Don’t forget to check out our other blogs, too, and learn four caregiving tips every aspiring caregiver should know!

Christ and Children: The Messiah and the Inheritors of Heaven

Photo by Jessica Lewis 🦋 thepaintedsquare

Rockabye Jesus by Teresa Haven Pelinski is a story of Jesus and children and the remarkable and enduring connection they both have as the Messiah and the future inheritors of heaven.

A child cries at the side of a busy street. She is looking for her parents, who are nowhere to be found. Everyone else just passes her by, ignoring her pleas. Christ emerges from the crowd, his disciples following him. He approaches the child and asks her why she cries. She says she misses her parents. In his kindness and mercy, Christ takes her hand and leads her to look for her parents. This is a story of Jesus and the children.

As I kneel before Christ inside my local church, sunlight streams through stained glass. It paints vibrant squares on the wooden floor, worn from countless feet treading upon it. The scent of the trees outside mingles with the quiet murmur of a Sunday morning congregation. I stand up, preparing to get some air, but my gaze is drawn to the depiction of Jesus blessing children behind the altar. It’s a familiar scene, etched in the minds of billions for centuries, yet its depth never ceases to astonish me.

Christ and Children

In a world preoccupied with power and prestige, Christians should choose to elevate the vulnerable and innocent. Christ saw worth in the unassuming eyes of children, recognizing a pureness of spirit often obscured by the complexities of adulthood. His interactions with them weren’t mere photo ops or fleeting moments of sentimentality; they were profound lessons woven into the fabric of his teachings.

One such lesson unfolds in Mark 10:13-16. Parents, eager for their children to receive Jesus’ blessing, are met with resistance from the disciples. But Jesus, ever the champion of the marginalized, rebukes them, saying, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” He then scoops a child into his arms, his touch radiating tenderness and acceptance.

In this simple act, Jesus dismantles hierarchies and redefines greatness. He declares that the kingdom of God isn’t reserved for the powerful or the learned but for those who possess the childlike qualities of humility, openness, and trust. He reminds us that true greatness lies not in worldly achievements but in the purity of our hearts.

But Jesus’ relationship with children wasn’t limited to pronouncements and pronouncements. He also used them as living metaphors, their playful innocence illuminating profound truths. In Matthew 18:2-5, he calls a child to stand before his disciples and declares, “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven.”

Here, Jesus challenges our tendency to overcomplicate life. He urges us to shed the cynicism and jadedness that often accumulate with age and embrace the simple wonder that children possess. He reminds us that faith isn’t about intellectual arguments or theological debates but about a childlike openness to the mysteries of the universe.

The Messiah and the Inheritors of Heaven

The image of Jesus with children transcends religious boundaries. It speaks to a universal yearning for innocence, for a return to a time when the world was filled with unadulterated joy and boundless curiosity. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of turmoil and darkness, the light of hope can be found in the eyes of a child.

So, the next time you encounter a child, take a moment to pause. Look beyond the tantrums and messy faces and see the reflection of Jesus’ message. See the potential for unconditional love, boundless faith, and unbridled joy. Nurture these qualities within yourself, and perhaps, just perhaps, you, too, will catch a glimpse of the kingdom of Heaven.

And as I leave the church, the weight of the world seems a little lighter. The stained glass figures shimmer with renewed meaning, and the scent of incense now carries a hint of hope. Perhaps, just like the children Jesus welcomed, we can all open our hearts and find our way back to that place of childlike wonder, where love reigns supreme, and the kingdom of Heaven lies within reach.

Remember, the kingdom of Heaven is open to all, regardless of age or circumstance. So let us approach life like the children Jesus embraced with open hearts and childlike wonder and, together, build a world where love and compassion reign supreme.

Wisdom and Growth: Exploring The Precious Link Between Them

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

As the years pass, something remarkable often occurs as we age – wisdom takes root and flourishes. 

Wisdom is not bestowed upon us at birth but is acquired throughout our lifetime. As people progress through life’s stages, there is an accumulation of experiences that are both joyful and challenging. These experiences act as catalysts for personal growth and a chance to reflect on ourselves, which are factors for developing wisdom. After all, life’s triumphs and challenges become the building blocks of knowledge, and these aspects also shape perspectives, values, and decision-making processes.

Maturity as A Crucible for Wisdom

Maturity is a crucial ingredient in the development of wisdom. The more we age, the passage of time grants us a broader point of view and a deeper understanding of the complexities of life. The accumulation of diverse experiences makes one feel compassion and the ability to consider multiple sides of a story. Older adults often exhibit an enhanced capacity for emotional regulation and self-control. This trait results in better ways of dealing with tense situations that test a person’s capacity to express emotions. Maturity enables people to synthesize knowledge, intuition, and discernment, leading to wiser choices and actions.

Moreover, wisdom is more than just a collection of knowledge; it influences the well-being of older adults. It brings a sense of purpose and meaning to life. Through their wisdom, older adults gain a clearer understanding of their values and priorities, allowing them to focus on what truly matters. Moreover, wisdom is a trait that not everyone can master on their own. Books like Commentaries on the Book of Wisdom by Russell Marlett give a sense of purpose to overall life satisfaction and a greater understanding of fulfillment.

Benefits of Wisdom to A Person

Wise individuals possess better interpersonal skills, including active listening, empathy, and effective communication. Through the wisdom that older adults have acquired through the years, they have healthier ways to express themselves to other people without causing a negative impact. People with knowledge are often sought after for guidance and mentorship, enhancing their sense of belonging and purpose.

In decision-making, a wise person can approach choices more carefully, considering the long-term benefits and consequences of every step they take. This capacity for intelligent decision-making leads to better outcomes in various aspects of life, especially in practical situations that require careful decision-making.

Gaining wisdom as we age makes us think outside the box and rediscover the wisdom of human nature. As a society, we have come a long way from starting fires out of rocks to having massive and advanced infrastructure. However, there are downsides to civilization’s progress that made some people age backward regarding how they lived their lives. That’s why we need bits of wisdom from reliable resources like Russell Marlett’s book so we can learn how to live a life full of wisdom and how it can significantly impact the life of another.

Time and Wisdom Working Together

While wisdom naturally flourishes with age, it is not solely a byproduct of time. While it may provide the canvas for wisdom, time can act as a catalyst to make or break the person. As people gain wisdom and learn from their successes and failures, developing a better viewpoint allows maturity and positive evolution.

Gaining wisdom affects how people perceive and spend their time. Those wise have a heightened awareness of what matters now, appreciating the value of time. They understand that time is finite and can’t be taken back, so they aim to make the most of it. Wisdom helps people prioritize their activities, focusing on what truly matters and aligning their actions with their values and goals. This discernment allows them to allocate their time intentionally, creating a sense of fulfillment and purpose.

Furthermore, time can serve as a test of wisdom. When people go through life struggles, wise people draw upon their accumulated knowledge to navigate these situations effectively. They demonstrate their strength and ability to adapt and learn from past experiences, even in adversity. Time continually provides opportunities for people who have gained wisdom to apply and refine it, reinforcing its significance to their lives.

Maternal Love: The Invisible Link Between Mother and Child

Photo by Nandhu Kumar

Psychic Redemption by David W. Stewart, although a fantastical tale, is still a great portrayal of the strength of maternal love and how it transcends time and space.

Have you seen a mother holding her child and looking into their eyes? 

For us bystanders, there is sometimes an almost palpable force, a connection between the two of them that we are deeply aware cannot be explained by human capacity. This is a knowing that transcends words and bridges the gap between body and soul. This, I believe, is the magic of maternal love, the parent-child bond. It is a spiritual connection that spans time and space: an invisible cord that never loosens even if there are miles between mother and child.

This indescribable link isn’t anything new. If you pore through literature from ancient times up to now, you will know that countless cultures have spoken about this mystical tie. They picture it in metaphors like threads of fate, silver cords, and echoes of souls. To the Greeks, this thread was from the Moirai, the Sisters of Fate, who spun individual threads that forever bonded the destinies of parent and child.

Maternal Love

My own experience with this spiritual connection began the moment I laid eyes on my newborn daughter. It wasn’t just the biological marvel of creation, the awe of nurturing a tiny, perfect being. It was a recognition, a deep knowing that this soul, somehow familiar, had chosen me as its caretaker. As the years flew by, this feeling only deepened. We developed a silent language, a symphony of shared glances, knowing smiles, and unspoken understandings.

One memory that stands out is from when she was barely five. We were separated for the first time, a weekend trip for just me and my husband. The silence in the house was deafening, an echo of her absence. I dreamt of her laughter and felt her tiny hand in mine, a phantom limb aching for its missing counterpart. When I finally held her again, the relief was a physical wave, washing over me as tears streamed down my face. It was then I realized the distance hadn’t severed the cord. The cord merely stretched itself, a constant reminder of the invisible tether that bound us.

This connection isn’t always rosy, though. It manifests also in shared emotions, both positive and negative. My daughter’s joy radiates like sunshine. It warms my heart from afar. But her pain, a scraped knee or a tearful tantrum, pierces me like a physical blow. We laugh together, cry together, and navigate the world hand-in-hand, even when miles separate us.

As she grows older, the nature of our link evolves. It loosens, allowing her to explore, to stumble, to find her own path. Yet, it remains firmly anchored, a safety net, a beacon guiding her home, guiding her to me. My role shifts from protector to mentor, from voice of authority to sounding board. But the connection, the essence of that invisible cord, remains.

The Invisible Link Between Mother and Child

The beauty of this spiritual bond lies in its universality. It transcends cultural, religious, and socioeconomic boundaries. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom or a career woman, a single parent, or part of a large family, the invisible cord binds you to your child. It’s a silent promise that you and your child are always forever connected.

So, embrace this invisible cord, cherish it, nurture it. Talk to your children about it, even if they scoff or roll their eyes. Share stories, create traditions, and build rituals that strengthen the bond. Remember, in the grand tapestry of life, this connection is one of the most precious threads, a gift to be treasured.

And on those days when distance weighs heavy, when doubt creeps in, or fear threatens to drown you, whisper a silent prayer, send a loving thought. For even in the darkest corners, the invisible cord will guide you, reminding you that you are never truly alone. You are forever connected, parent and child, two souls dancing to the rhythm of an ancient song, a love story written in the stars.

This is just a glimpse into the vast ocean of the parent-child bond. I encourage you to share your own experiences and your stories of invisible cords that have touched your life. Let’s celebrate this universal connection, weave a tapestry of shared experiences, and remind each other that love, in its purest form, transcends the boundaries of the physical world.

Remember, the invisible cord is always there, a silent symphony of love, a testament to the profound connection between parent and child. So, go forth, nurture it, cherish it, and let it guide you on your journey together.

I got to thinking about the invisible link between mother and child after reading David W. Stewart’s Psychic Redemption, a fantastical tale about a mother who died and was reborn looking for her daughter. I know the premise is out of this world, but it’s a wonderful portrayal of the lengths that mothers go to keep their children safe. 

The Secret Ingredient To Creating A Family Cookbook

Photo by Joanna Lopez on Unsplash

Aside from bloodlines and memories, there are more memorable things and affairs families desire to pass on to the next generations.

They say food is one of the best ways to a person’s heart.

This doesn’t only mean knowing how to prepare an excellent dish makes one more attractive. Instead, an abundance of hearty meals is a great way to make memories, and strengthen connections. Simply put, good food brings people happiness. People enjoy having good dishes served before them, whether consuming or preparing. There’s a profound sense of satisfaction in consuming appetizing food, of warmth and happiness blooming from one’s heart.

Indeed, eating has always been  a source of leisure and pleasure, more than simply being essential for survival. Food is a universal experience and not just a necessity. Everybody enjoys good food regardless of which race, age, or class they belong to. Sure, people might have different preferences. One dish won’t impress everyone’s palate. But they all consume around the same ingredients, only prepared through different combinations and cooking techniques.

Food is a universally enjoyed essential.

In fact, most have admitted that their mood often depends on the food quality they consume. A bad dish would have the power to turn their days sour, while great meals can complete them. Studies have also shown that most people’s memories revolve around eating.

Eating or cooking makes perfect universally shared experiences.

But these can also be something intimately shared within a specific group.

Some of people’s most treasured memories revolve around the time they’ve had enjoyable feasts with their families. Whether it’s cooking together at home or trying new cuisines at local restaurants, there’s a significant value attached to any food-related activity that makes it memorable.

Food brings people together, and a hearty meal under the same roof is critical to maintaining and strengthening the family dynamic. Whenever people are asked what their favorite food is, their answers are almost commonly linked to a memory with their family. Perhaps their comfort food is a specific type of soup because their mother made it for them when they were young. Or they’ve built a little tradition around cooking dinner for Thanksgiving because it’s what they’ve been accustomed to growing up.

This is why food – consuming and preparing – is a beautiful experience. Its link with familial relationships and the blissful nostalgia makes it special. Perhaps this is also why most families create their cookbooks and share them for others to enjoy.

These materials are already abundant in the market. They’re among the easiest to write and most popularized because of their function. Hence, it’s no surprise how they increased in the industry.

Family cookbooks are among the many ways families keep their heritage alive. While others pass on heirlooms that capture their bloodlines’ identities, others write stories and experiences to share for others to read and learn from. These materials don’t only capture shared preferences among families.

They also document how these preferences change over time and what has been done to adapt these recipes to the family’s lifestyle and dietary changes. In a way, family cookbooks capture a fraction of the family’s history. It reflects on paper this trajectory and any significant changes its members have undergone. These make cookbooks more than a compilation of family recipes that satisfy everyone’s palate but an entwining of stories and food.

It’s an intricate connection, how authors lace simple recipes with stories they’re fond of. This way, how the food turns out isn’t the only reason they may end up smiling but also the memories that come with it. Family cookbooks are more than a listing of ingredients and procedures.

Instead, they’re also documentation of how families have prepared their favorite meals and how they discovered the best ways to create these.

However, beyond the sentiments weaved into these recipes, there’s also the significance of ensuring these will remain enjoyable regardless of which generations hold onto the book. After all, as an heirloom, family cookbooks or recipes would have to be passed and practiced for generations for these traditions to stay alive. Given this, how does one ensure these remain timeless?

Family cookbooks shouldn’t only carry families’ fondest and most significant memories. Instead, they must include techniques on how to infuse new styles in traditional recipes. This allows these processes and ingredients to be passed around from one generation to the next quickly. They must still hold a place for inventiveness for future members to adjust and make them relevant.

Hence, the secret to making a perfect family cookbook revolves around picking recipes with the most value within the family and ensuring they can remain timeless. Its success is woven into how fond the stories behind these recipes are and how well they can be recrafted depending on time.

Happiness Is a Choice: Reasons Why Being Happy Is a Decision

Photo by Kenny Eliason

Now, we’d like to start this blog by saying that although we believe that happiness is a choice and that someone has control over it, there are exceptions to this.

We do acknowledge that certain mental illnesses and physical diseases make it nearly impossible for a person to actively choose to be happy. Our sympathies go out to those who are suffering from any physical disease or mental illness that prevents them from being happy.

We hope that they eventually find the help they need and that they find happiness at some point. And while Robert Knapick’s book, Choose To Be Happy, may not be for them, they are more than welcome to get a copy.

With that said, what we’ll be talking about today are the reasons that make happiness a choice and how Choose To Be Happy by Knapick can help individuals choose to be happy.

Reason #1: Choosing Happiness Makes People Better Citizens

Social beings by nature, humans seek out pleasant experiences inside their social circles and thrive in groups. However, did you realize that contentment can also improve your civic virtues?

A recent study found that future civic engagement during the transition from childhood to adulthood and midlife is predicted by happiness. Put another way, you’re more inclined to participate in community service initiatives that advance the growth and general well-being of your neighborhood when you’re content and joyful with your life.

Additionally, doing community service fosters empathy and fortifies ties between neighbors. It also serves as a great method to address various issues in one’s neighborhood, particularly when local authorities don’t have the means to address them.

Put simply, content individuals lead happy citizens who unite to form content communities.

Reason #2: You Don’t Really Need Much to Live a Happy Life

Happiness is within your reach, as you have undoubtedly already recognized, and the best part is that you do not require much to get or maintain it.

Happiness can be found anywhere—at home, having a wonderful time with your lover, in the community, going out with friends, and when you do things you enjoy by yourself. The secret is to change your perspective and look for happiness in events within your reach and in individuals who are prepared to share it with you.

The reason why happiness is a choice is because if we want to, we can even find it in the most dire of situations. Choose To Be Happy by Knapick aims to help people actively make themselves happy instead of waiting for it to come. This is one of the best reasons why happiness is a decision that we must consciously and actively make for ourselves.

Reason #3: Believe It or Not, Happiness Keeps People Healthy

Happier people tend to be healthier. The fact that you’re in an upbeat state will inevitably increase the effectiveness of your immune system. It can also improve your motivation to take part in healthy activities. Your ability to cope with stress is also greatly enhanced.

Researchers have found that happy feelings are generally associated with good health, reducing the incidence of coronary heart disease and various other medical disorders. In summary, happiness isn’t the key to lifelong health or a panacea for pain and ailment. However, it can significantly increase your chances of leading a healthy life.

With that in mind, take some time to consider some pleasurable and healthful self-care routines and outdoor activities.

Reason #4: Being Happy Spreads Happiness to Everyone

When was the most recent time you attended a festival or concert? Do you remember what kind of mood it was? What was the general atmosphere of the occasion?

Remember those certain times when everyone was in a frenzy, and it was nearly hard to avoid getting sucked into the same energy? Other than that pure moment of bliss, nothing else mattered.

We may be inherently wired to pick up on the psychological vibe of a community we are a part of, or it may have to do with our basic need for belonging. Whatever the reasons underlying this occurrence, one thing is certain: happiness is highly contagious.

Happiness Is a Choice That We Must All Make

Knowing that we have a choice regarding happiness can be liberating for some, while others may find it counterintuitive. Nevertheless, if being happy is something we want for our lives, then we must eventually accept that the pursuit of happiness starts with us.

We hope you enjoyed this blog! Don’t forget to buy a copy of Choose To Be Happy by Knapick by clicking here. Read some of our other blogs, too, and learn how to constantly choose happiness on a daily basis!

How Food Brings Happiness: The Joy of Eating

Photo by Chris Benson

Knowing how food brings happiness is a positive experience that a lot of get to experience, but we end up being somewhat oblivious to it happening.

Kenny Harmon, author of Sad Papaw, is aware of how powerful food can be. Though unrelated to food, his other book, Sad Papaw’s Heritage, details the memories he treasures the most and shares them with others. It’s like a biography, but on a deeper and personal level—it’s like actually hearing your grandpa retell his life near the fireplace.

With Kenny, it’s all about the happy times and connecting with people. Today, we’ll be taking a look at how food can bring us joy and connect us with others, the same way that it did for Sad Papaw himself!

Certain Food Provides Us With Serotonin and Dopamine

Depression and low serotonin levels have been related. Well-known antidepressants work by increasing serotonin levels. Tryptophan is a crucial amino acid needed for the production of serotonin. The body cannot create serotonin if tryptophan is absent.

Foods high in protein are rich in tryptophan. Tryptophan is an amino acid generated when several other amino acids combine to form a protein. It makes sense to believe that eating foods that have lots of protein will keep you happy because protein contains a lot of tryptophan. Regretfully, that is untrue.

More than twenty amino acids are discharged during protein digestion, and they compete with one another to enter the brain. During the process, tryptophan is lost. The only food that will raise tryptophan levels—which serve as a precursor to serotonin—is an all-carb snack.

Foods Are also Embedded In Our Customs of Happiness

Every culture has traditions related to food. When there was a special event in my childhood, we would use our meager resources to purchase unique foods because money was tight. It indicated that we were receiving preferential treatment. Selecting a special dinner, cake, and ice cream flavor (all within budget) was customary on birthdays.

Food was brought to the grieving during funerals. This topic is of particular interest because of funeral rituals. The food is presented with a lot of love and care, and nothing is maliciously meant. It is, nevertheless, only more evidence that we should eat to “feel better.”

This is one of the many ways on how food brings happiness. In a similar manner, Kenny is trying to spread happiness with his book Sad Papaw’s Heritage, the same way he did with his burgers. A food that many people consider “comfort food” further reinforces our connection with food and “feeling good.”

Behavioral Conditioning Also Plays a Factor

Knowing how we become conditioned to respond a certain way to stimuli when we are exposed to them repeatedly is a key to understanding the relationship between food and behavior. In this instance, we believe that eating cakes, cookies, and the like makes us “feel better” (the response), as we have been constantly told that food can make us feel better (the stimuli).

What we overlook, though, is the additional stimulus—the love, care, and concern that accompanied the food and the feelings it evoked in us. Put another way, we might have linked our reaction—feeling better—to the incorrect stimulus—food—instead of the stimulus that truly improved our mood—the love we experienced.

Perhaps happiness is not something that food can provide. Perhaps it is the recollection of these individuals showing us their love and concern. Perhaps that’s what brings us true happiness. Patients frequently tell doctors that they eat when they’re bored, lonely, or depressed. They’re looking for solace.

People eat because it provides a physical outlet for their desire to feel “full” or “satisfied.” But the real solace they seek lies not in fat or carbohydrates, but in a sense of community, in relating to people, in being inspired and feeling creative.

How Food Brings Happiness Matters

Some may think of it as a trivial thing, but knowing how food brings joy to people is very important. By knowing the intricacies of such a phenomenon, we can continue to provide ourselves and others with delicious dishes. We can give them meals that will fill their bellies with satisfaction and their hearts with glee.

If you wish to know more about sharing happiness, not just through food, then buy Sad Papaw’s Heritage by Kenny Harmon. You can get the book via his website at https://www.sadpapawbooks.net/order/.

Read some of our other blog posts as well and find out why eating comfort food makes us feel so good!

Rhythm, Rhyme and Verse for the Lord | Inner Journey

Photo by Tara Winstead

Yoked with Christ and Little Child by Pamela KC Hollrah-Asleson are all the result of a deep and intimate inner journey connecting with God through rhythm, rhyme, and verse.

I have always looked to the arts to help ease my soul and strengthen my faith. You see, I believe—truly, I do—that art is a very potent gateway to faith. Whenever I find myself in the clouds, I would engage with art and even make some myself.

And whenever I do so, in the depths of my soul, a melody of faith resonates. I cannot say for certain, but I feel that the Holy Spirit is beckoning me to partake in this poetic journey.

With pen in hand, I always surrender to the rhythm of my heart, allowing words to flow like a rushing flood, making each verse an expression of my longing for spiritual communion.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

– John 14:26

Rhythm, Rhyme, and Verse for the Lord

My journey into poetry first began as a quest for solace while I was in a dark time of my life. The world around me seemed so dark. I was, in all honesty, grappling with questions of purpose and meaning. I wanted to know my place in the vastness of the universe. Poetry became my refuge, a sanctuary where I could work through my vulnerabilities and seek quiet with the Holy Spirit.

Poetry allowed me to delve deeper into the depths of my faith. I explored the intricacies of my beliefs and the profound connection I shared with God. My writings had become a testament to my faith, a light that led to the path toward spiritual enlightenment.

Through art, specifically poetry, I discovered a profound connection between my faith and my creativity. The act of writing down verses became an act of worship. It was a means of expressing my adoration and gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon me.

And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

– 1 John 1:4

Through the rhythm, rhyme, and verse, I sought to capture the essence of God’s love, its boundless compassion, and its unwavering presence in my life.

As my poetic journey unfolded, I realized that the process of writing was not merely about constructing lines; it was a transformative spiritual experience. With each poem, I shed layers of self-doubt and fear and became closer to Christ.

Inner Journey through Poetry

The journey of writing poetry to deepen my faith was not without its challenges, of course. There were moments when inspiration seemed dry, when the words failed to capture the depths of my emotions and faith. Yet, through perseverance and unwavering faith, I pressed on, driven by an insatiable desire to commune with God through the power of verse.

Along the way, I discovered that poetry served as a bridge between my human experiences and my spiritual aspirations. It allowed me to transcribe the mundane into something more sacred: art. This has helped me find beauty and meaning in the ordinary moments of life.

Through poetry, I learned to appreciate the interconnectedness of all creation and the delicate balance between the physical and the spiritual realms.

The ultimate purpose of my poetic journey was not to create literary masterpieces but to foster a deeper connection with my faith. Poetry is a tool for self-discovery, a means of navigating the labyrinth of my inner world and unearthing the profound truths that lay dormant within.

Through the rhythm of words and the cadence of emotions, I discovered the transformative power of poetry as a conduit for spiritual growth.

Today, as I continue my poetic journey, I am filled with gratitude for the Lord for introducing me to this art form. Poetry has enriched my faith, nurtured my soul, and instilled within me a profound appreciation for the beauty and wonder of the world around me.

With every line I write, I strive to honor the divine spark that resides within each of us, reminding myself and others of the boundless love and compassion that permeates the universe from God.

Yoked with Christ and Little Child by Pamela KC Hollrah-Asleson are wonderful examples of how poetry can be a vector to express your faith and how art helps us connect more fully and intimately with the Holy Spirit.

Choosing to Persevere in the Life of Discipleship

Photo by Iyan Kurnia on Unsplash

The life of discipleship is a journey filled with both joys and challenges. The journey surrounds faith, inspiration, and a deepening relationship with God. 

In the footsteps of the disciples who walked with Jesus, we can discover a path of faith that can transform our lives and bring us closer to our Creator.

At times, however, the weight of the world and the pressures of daily life may tempt us to abandon the path we have chosen to follow.

Furthermore, during these moments of trial and doubt, our commitment to persevere becomes all the more crucial. The book STEPPING INTO DISCIPLESHIP: Our Journey Begins by Mary Venable Vaughn will show us how we can still be fruitful in discipleship. Throughout the journey to discipleship in this book, we learn that there are more reasons to continue instead of halting and giving up altogether.

Why It’s Tempting to Give Up the Life of Discipleship

Comfort and Convenience

One of the most significant temptations we may encounter in discipleship is the desire for comfort and convenience. Following Jesus requires us to step outside our comfort zones, embrace sacrifice, and prioritize the needs of others over our own. It is natural to long for an easier path, free from the challenges and demands of discipleship, especially when finding faith and inspiration feels lacking.

However, it is precisely in those moments of discomfort and selflessness that we have the opportunity to grow and experience the transformative power of God in our lives. Keeping going means embracing the refining process, even when it feels uncomfortable.

Doubt and Uncertainty

Doubt and uncertainty are familiar companions on the journey of discipleship. We may question the validity of our beliefs, our faith’s relevance, or God’s goodness in the face of life’s trials. These doubts can be disorienting and may tempt us to abandon our commitment to following Jesus. However, our faith can deepen and mature in those moments of doubt. Choosing to keep going means seeking answers to our questions, wrestling with our doubts, and trusting that God is present even amid uncertainty.

Discouragement and Failure

There may be moments when we feel discouraged by our failures and shortcomings as disciples. We may stumble and fall, struggle with recurring sins, or feel inadequate in fulfilling the call to love and serve others. In these moments, the enemy of our souls may tempt us to give up, convincing us that we are unworthy or incapable of being true disciples. However, it is precisely in our weaknesses that God’s grace and strength are made perfect. Choosing to keep going means embracing the forgiveness and restoration offered by Jesus and allowing His transformative power to work in and through our lives.

The World’s Influences

The allure of the world and its values can be a persistent temptation in discipleship. Pursuing wealth, fame, success, or worldly pleasures may distract us from our commitment to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. We may be tempted to compromise our beliefs or adopt a lukewarm attitude toward our faith. However, choosing to keep going means intentionally aligning our lives with the teachings of Jesus, resisting the pull of worldly influences, and seeking to live in a way that honors God and reflects His love for others.

Choosing to Live a Life of Faith

The decision to continue in the life of discipleship is a choice that requires courage, perseverance, and faith. While the journey may be challenging at times, it is through these challenges that our faith is refined, our character is shaped, and our relationship with God deepens.

As disciples, we must remember that we are not alone in our struggles. God’s grace, guidance, and strength are available to us every step of the way. So, let us choose to keep going, trusting in the transformative power of God’s love and embracing the abundant life that comes from walking in the footsteps of Jesus.

The Road to Healing: Finding Inner Peace With Christ

Photo by Johannes Plenio

One Woman’s Testimony of a Transformed Life by Darlene Lorraine Gibson is proof of the cathartic and transformational power that the Holy Spirit bestows upon us if we are willing.

Now, the God of hope fills you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost.

– Romans 15:13

Living means a lot of things. Often, it means enjoying joy and triumph, but it also means having to suffer through sorrow and tribulation. Through these experiences, the moments that we feel deepest, whether it is happiness or pain, leave an indelible mark on our souls. While being marked endlessly with happiness is not something to worry about, pain is another thing.

When someone is covered in the scars (seen and unseen) of their experiences, almost always that individual is working on spent fumes. They are like a house of cards, one thing away from having their sense of self shattered, their faith eroded, and getting lost in the darkness.

Yet, it is often in these moments of tragedy, where we find ourselves in the farthest pits, that we find opportunity. When we are hurting, we are given the chance to embrace the healing touch of the Holy Spirit.

The Road to Healing with the Holy Spirit

In Darlene Lorrain Gibson’s One Woman’s Testimony of a Transformed Life, we are given a glimpse of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. 

When we are healed by the Holy Spirit, the core of our being is being healed directly, penetrating layers of pain and fear that have accumulated over time. Everything, even those hidden in the corners of the heart, is illuminated, and the root cause of our suffering is mended. This process of self-awareness, though often challenging, is essential for proper healing.

As we confront the sources of our pain, the Holy Spirit empowers us with the courage to forgive ourselves and others. It teaches us to let go of resentment, anger, and bitterness, emotions that weigh us down and prevent us from moving forward.

The Holy Spirit rekindles our faith in God’s love and compassion, reminding us that we are never truly alone in our struggles. When we take in the Holy Spirit’s healing embrace, we gradually experience a profound shift in our perspective. We begin to see the world through a lens of love and compassion, recognizing the interconnectedness of all beings. We develop empathy and understanding for others, even those who have caused us pain.

The Holy Spirit also compels us to act with integrity, kindness, and compassion, guided by a desire to impact the world positively. We become instruments of God’s love, spreading light and hope in a desperately needy world.

The journey of transformation can be challenging. However, with each step forward, we draw closer to the fullness of our true selves, the divinely created beings we were always meant to be. 

Finding Inner Peace with Christ

True peace, the kind that transcends circumstances and remains unshaken by life’s storms, can only be found in one place: in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

My journey to inner peace began years ago when I was struggling with a troubled past and a sense of emptiness. I searched for answers in all the wrong places, seeking fulfillment in fleeting relationships and material possessions. But nothing could truly satisfy the longing in my heart.

It was then that I turned to Christ.

Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you.

– 1 Peter 5:7

As I delved into His teachings and embraced His love, I began to experience a transformation within me. The burdens of my past started to lose their grip, and a sense of serenity washed over me. I realized that true peace is not about the absence of problems or challenges; it’s about having a foundation that remains unshaken amidst the storms of life.

Through my relationship with Christ, I discovered the true meaning of inner peace. It’s not a state of complacency or indifference; it’s a deep-rooted assurance from knowing God’s love and grace. It’s the ability to face life’s challenges with confidence and resilience, knowing I am held in God’s hands.

If you seek inner peace, I invite you to embark on this journey with Christ. Open your heart to His love, and let His presence guide you toward a life filled with peace, joy, and fulfillment.

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