The Happy Hammock

The Treasure Behind Animal Stories

Animals are one of the essential components of fictional literature. Often used as a representation of human beings, there is more to animal storybooks than meets the eye.

When people think about treasure, they conjure images of a chest filled with gold coins, valuable jewelry, sparkling diamonds, rubies, and all kinds of expensive gems.

Do people think the same way when it comes to fictitious animal stories?

Do people associate animal stories with a treasure chest?

Why do people love animal stories?

As far as many people can remember – or to the Generation X (’80s) and Millennials (’90s) – Aesop’s Fables have been a staple part of a kid’s childhood while growing up. Aesop’s Fables is a compiled series of stories by Aesop, a Greek storyteller. The tales are mainly led by animals as main characters and would revolve around plots that would help readers to learn a moral lesson.

Or how about The Jungle Book?

This beloved classic novel-turned-Disney-world-famous-movie is a story about a group of animals raising and protecting the “man-cub” Mowgli against the jungle’s predators.

Then there’s Animal Farm, Black Beauty, Charlotte’s Web, and all many other fictional animal stories that were able to make their way into the world of literature and won the hearts of readers of all ages and from all walks of life.

Animal storybooks have this defining aura – albeit set in a fantasy world – of comfort, warmth, compassion, and all of the positive values that readers would take away from the feeling of being content, satiated or indulged.

Is it because those authors would portray animals as lovable creatures in the way they’d describe them as colorful characters full of life? Or is it because of how authors describe these creatures as similar to living human beings?

Connection

Like in real life, there’s something special between people and animals, so it is the same for animal storybooks and readers.

Storybook writers would create animal characters that would emulate and depict humans in the real world. These characters would walk and talk just like the way people would, laugh, cry, sing, dance, and play just like any other average person.

This is the connection readers felt when they opened those pages of the animal storybook. It is more of an emotional connection, a kind of sensitivity that is evoked as these animals play their part in the stories on behalf of a real-life person. The readers see themselves in these characters’ shoes and, consciously or unconsciously, feel what the animals are feeling and learn the lessons that the characters gain – an emotion known as empathy.

Free Flow

Animal storybooks provide readers a venue and a space to freely express their thoughts, feelings, emotions, and other abilities that they would otherwise find themselves being judged in the real world.

How so?

For readers who are shy type in real life, they’d be able to envision themselves in the shoes of animals who are aggressive, open, and a bit risky or adventurous. Readers who longed to be loved could relate and imagine themselves with these characters as they share their compassion and love towards others.

Moral Lessons

A bit of a cliché, but yes, animal stories are often used as a reference for personality and character development and teach readers valuable life lessons.

Parents and educators commonly use this type of literature to teach their young ones or students essential character traits in the hope that they’d become responsible, caring, and resilient adults later in the future.

And animal stories are full of moral lessons, if not all of the books!

A Link that Goes Beyond Books

Interestingly, the love for reading animal stories goes beyond literature. Subconsciously, one of the reasons why someone would grab a copy of this type of storybook is because they have an inherent love for animals.

It has become about the relationship between men and animals in real life.

Dog lovers in real life would find themselves looking through books that touch on canine topics. A cat lover would be interested in reading a story about felines. Fish, a mouse, a reptile, and all other animal lovers have a natural inclination to read literature, whether fiction or non-fiction, on wildlife or the animal kingdom.

Animals and Literature

Animals play a significant role when it comes to literature. They are the “humans in disguise” that depicts human ideals to their readers.

JoJo’s Adventure by Joyce Nealy is a book that exemplifies the beautiful impact that children’s animal stories bring to their readers. The book describes the adventure of Jojo the bird and his other animal friends as they set foot in the world outside. The story is about the human side that thirsts for adventure and touches on the significance of friendship and loyalty.

Yes, animal stories are treasure chests full of the human side of characters, emotions, and values.

Finding Your Self-Esteem in the Pages of a Story Book

Self-esteem helps kids cope with negativity

Photo by RODNAE Productions

Self-esteem is often hard to cultivate, but through active engagement with their characters, children can learn to build confidence and self-love from story books.

Self-esteem is a rather tricky thing to talk about, especially with children. Where does one go about finding it? Do you have to do something to have self-esteem? Is it an acquired attribute? Or is it something given to you? What’s the difference between someone who holds themselves confidently and someone who people think is confident but is actually quite shy inside?

One thing’s for sure, though, self-esteem is NOT something someone is born with. Rather, it is something that one somehow has, at some point, in their life. If you’re lucky, you get to have it throughout your whole life!

Why is Having Self-Esteem Important?

As members of what Aristotle described as “social animals,” humans, you and I, are always interacting with one another. It is the foundation of relationships and the basis for government, these engagements we have towards one another. So, learning to navigate this vast and interconnected web of relationships is important to surviving in this world.

And how successfully you navigate the world depends as much on your confidence as it does on luck.

At a young age, we associate confidence with self-satisfaction. Sometimes, we go too far and twist it with arrogance. But I would think that arrogance can be defined more specifically as “misplaced” confidence. Proper confidence, on the other hand, can be described more in terms of awareness and self-understanding.

But going back to my earlier statement–at a young age, we associate confidence with self-satisfaction. Children who are quite confident, those who feel good about themselves, are the kids who are open to trying new things. These are the kids who take the initiative to learn more about the world around them. These kids are the ones who persevere longer before giving up.

The most useful aspect of having self-esteem when you are a young kid is that it gives you the ability to cope with mistakes, negative situations, and the like.

When I was still a young child, I did not have much confidence and so whenever I failed to do anything, my first course of action would always be to retreat to myself and just give up.

But there was one kid in my neighborhood who I remember who never gave up. He was always moving forward, climbing up trees, running everywhere, and just enjoying himself.

This is a critical benefit of having self-esteem, the ability to enjoy yourself despite failure.

Kids who have a low opinion of themselves or, at least, who are unconfident, tend to think very negatively of every possible outcome. They won’t join in with other kids because they might not like them. They won’t try to do this and that because they might not be good at it. Kids with no self-esteem give up easily or never try at all. If they are bullied, they do not stand up for themselves, and when something bad happens, they think it is their fault.

I mean, we’ve been kids before, and I think we can all agree that failure, even just failing at throwing a ball through a hoop at that age, is devastating. That’s why it is so important that we teach our children how to be confident in themselves.

How Do We Build Up Confidence?

There are a ton of ways we can help to make our kids confident. But one method I have found and am delighted with is reading. For a lot of kids, reading can be a difficult task–but that’s if no one is there to guide them. This is where, as parents, we can truly help our children. You see, the lack of self-confidence oftentimes comes from an absence, or lack, of support. What this means is when a kid fails or experiences a setback, no one is there to assure them of anything. No one is there to help them get back up.

And reading is a perfect opportunity for parents to provide support to their children while, at the same time, bonding with them and helping them learn. Those are three birds with one stone!

By being there for your kids and guiding them with their reading journey, you slowly build up confidence and a sense of satisfaction from persevering. This is especially so with reading story books.

With story books, there is a character for your child to relate to and grow with along the read. For the parent, a storybook is a perfect vehicle to teach children values and good behavior.

So, if you’re looking to start, why not go and build confidence and self-love from story books?

Home Sweet Home: The Hype Around Hyperlocal Food

^{Photo by Mikhail Nilov}

Eleanor Gaccetta’s book on home-cooked food recipes features some delicious and unique dishes. Some of which can be made purely out of hyperlocal ingredients. There’s a growing craze around hyperlocal food. Here’s a look into why such a trend is growing.

When it comes to cooking, it’s scientifically proven that fresh and organic ingredients make a tremendous difference in ensuring an excellent outcome. These ingredients, without fail, make food taste better and healthier than other alternatives. People don’t need professional insight to know otherwise.

However, with local produce displayed and mixed regardless of time and date of harvest, it’s challenging to differentiate a fresh from a stale vegetable. Additionally, there’s no guarantee that everything on display is organic unless it’s explicitly stated on labels, and often, these don’t even exist in vegetable stalls and displays. This puts consumers in a tight spot. If fresh and organic ingredients are becoming hard to find, how can one ensure their meals are healthier?

Cue, Hyperlocal Sourcing

Sustainability dramatically contributes to how the produce industry functions and how consumers decide and control their purchases. And with recent environmental changes, there’s a need for the food industry to work on efficiently maintaining this sustainability to survive. Fortunately, companies are now looking for better means to combat these changes, especially regarding the disparity between produce demand and supply.

If someone is closely updated with the latest fads, they’ll know there’s been a massive demand for “hyperlocal sourcing.” From high-class restaurants and cafes to residents and home cooking, more people are embracing this concept, with most taking pride in having their indoor farms and rooftop gardens to grow vegetables, fruits, and other ingredients.

What Exactly Is Hyperlocal Food?

Most produce is manufactured and grown in massive greenhouses riddled with pesticides and other chemicals to ensure a successful harvest. Hardly any ingredients in malls and shops are guaranteed organic, save for a few house-grown by some sellers or communities. As regards restaurants, most of them ensure that their ingredients are grown in their gardens.

Hyperlocal food refers to any food, vegetable, and fruits grown where they’re eaten. This means food grown and harvested in the comfort of people’s houses or within restaurants.

This concept started with individuals wanting to produce for their families without expensive machinery or constantly needing to purchase ingredients. This makes cooking safer and more sustainable yet cheaper for consumers. Without a doubt, the public was bound to catch up with this practice due to its immediate benefits.

But beyond the organic and safer benefit, what else does hyperlocal food bring to the table?

Adding Variety to the Diet

Mass production doesn’t automatically lead to more options. When one browses through the produce section in malls, they’re commonly filled with the same food, only in different quantities. This limits what consumers can make in the comfort of their homes.

However, homeowners can plant whatever distinctive ingredient they desire with indoor farms or rooftop gardens. By ordering seedlings online or buying them from the market, they can culture more varieties of food without having to spend more money or hardly any effort.

Cutting Shopping Costs

Shopping doesn’t only ask people to spend for the products they’re buying per se. This will also cost them money for transportation, whether for their fare or gasoline. Either way, this means more money going out of their pockets.

Additionally, hyperlocal planting helps shops and restaurants – basically, the whole community – cut transport costs. Instead of produce getting transported for miles and hours, which gradually causes them to lose their freshness, they’re grown closely with their consumers. Lots of other costs are cut with this kind of practice.

Supporting Local Economy

Not only are consumers benefiting from choosing hyperlocal sourcing, but they’re also contributing to their local economy. Besides cooking their meals, they can also sell these ingredients, promoting local businesses since this can also be done within the community.

Hence, this is hitting two birds with one stone. Consumers don’t only get to enjoy healthier and more delicious meals. They can also earn from growing their produce.

To Conclude

Through hyperlocal sourcing, consumers are assured they’re eating purely organic food without chemicals. Likewise, beyond the satisfaction and assurance of making their food practically from scratch, they’re also gardening, which benefits their mental and psychological states.

Eleanor Gaccetta’s book on home-cooked food recipes features some delicious and unique dishes. Some of which can be made purely out of hyperlocal ingredients. Like most restaurants, she’s a home cook who grows her ingredients, highlighting what differences personal produce can offer. Try the practice and discover what it can change in your dish and financial capacity.

Contentment: Finding This Unmistakable Freedom

^{Photo by Gary Barnes}

“Contentment is natural wealth. And luxury is an artificial poverty.” —Socrates.

There were many reasons we chose to simplify our lives and become minimalists. We were frustrated with clutter. We realized happiness was not found in our custody. We found the time that was wasted managing our possessions. And we identified that we value other things far more than physical belongings. This primary process of simplifying our home required effort, energy, and encouragement.

However, remaining minimalist and living this counter-cultural lifestyle against all odds requires something completely different. It requires knowing how to be content.

Contentment is the lifeblood of minimalism. And without it, the journey toward minimalism is indeed short-lived. Discontent will always rear its unpleasant head and become a significant obstacle to fully thriving in a simple and happy life.

Finding One’s Contentment

Although there is no one-size-fits-all strategy to fully-attain contentment, you can learn how to be content by being intentional. Here are six (6) tips you can apply now to find more contentment in your life:

Tip #1. Take control of your attitude. Individuals who lack contentment in their life will often engage in “then and when thinking. Instead, take control of your attitude. Remember that your happiness is not reliant on acquiring any possession. Your satisfaction is based solely on your decision to be happy, which may be one of the essential life lessons you can ever learn.

Tip #2. Practice gratitude. It is impossible to develop contentment without appreciation—they are inseparable. And a grateful person has learned to anchor on the many good things in their life, not on the things they lack. The simple discipline of starting the exercise will genuinely shift your focus back to the many good things you already have.

Tip #3. Break the buying habit. For many of us, it has been implanted into our lives that the right way to disperse discontent is to purchase the outward item seemingly causing it. We must break that habit. Material possessions will never fully satisfy your heart’s desires, which is why discontent always returns. Instead, commit to better understanding yourself and why the lack of that thing is causing discontent. Only after you deliberately break this thinking will true contentment start to surface.

Tip #4. Help others. You will learn to be content when you begin helping others and sharing your talents, time, and money. The practice will give you a finer appreciation of who you are, what you own, and what you have to offer.

Tip #5. Stop comparing yourself to others. Comparing your life with others will always lead to discontentment. You are unique and special. Your life is different, and it is better that way always. Prioritize learning how to cease comparing yourself to others.

Tip #6. Be content with what you have and never with what you are. Do not ever stop discovering, growing, or learning. Take pride in your individuality and the progress that you have made, but only become so content that you can find room for improvement.

Contentment versus Complacency

The difference can seem minor, but there is a world of difference. Contentment is to be joyful with what you have and find satisfaction in your current situation. Complacency is being unsatisfied with your life but still being unwilling to make changes to improve your circumstance.

Is contentment a choice?

Although it is more challenging than it sounds, learning to be content comes from a combination of intentional mindset shifts, habit changes, and awareness of our thoughts and actions.

Relatively, Chet Shupe, a whistleblower to the world, speaks with urgency about the need to rediscover people’s connections with their nature if we are ever again to experience the contentment of sisterhood and brotherhood that is our natural heritage.

Chet is an electronics engineer with severe Attention Deficit Disorder for much of his life. When he was 43, his condition was finally diagnosed, and he began treatment with Ritalin. Suddenly, life made sense. As a result of that extraordinary experience, he began writing on brain dysfunction to provide a conceptual framework for medically treating the brain.

As a result of that effort—combined with his professional knowledge of system control theory—Shupe’s subject soon changed from brain dysfunction to cultural dysfunction. He realized that the brain could not find lasting contentment, nor can it produce behavior that serves its species when functioning in a reality that it does not comprehend emotionally.

Get to know more about Chet Shupe by visiting his website.

First Time Travelling Solo? Here’s How To Do It

^{Photo by Bhupendra Singh}

You are about to travel alone for the very first time. It is a big deal, yet not such a big deal if you know how.

So, you are either thinking about traveling alone or have already decided to go. That is great! You must have a gazillion questions, like where should you go? And for how long? And is it all right to travel alone?

The initial step you need to do is take courage. Fear stopped many people from traveling alone for a long time, but the fear disappeared once you hopped on that plane. The thing with anxiety is that it is only in your head. Yes, it would be best to take some safety precautions, but traveling alone is not as scary as it seems. As you travel more, you will feel invincible afterward.

Here are the best tips for traveling alone for the first time.

Traveling solo need not be a lonely experience. Many solo travelers say they meet more people traveling alone than when traveling with others. After all, you are not centered on a consort. You are willing and open to meeting new people, and that makes people feel comfortable making small talk with you. Read on for some of the best tips on traveling solo.

1. Book your flights through comparison sites. Now that you have chosen a place to go, you will need to find flights. The cheapest and easiest way to do this is through comparison sites, which do all the work by comparing the best and cheapest flights and showing you the options.

2. Choose a place where you feel safe and comfortable. Traveling alone for the very first time can be daunting somehow. And the truth is, the first time is more about the experience of traveling alone than the target destination. So ensure to choose a place that you feel safe and comfortable with. It could be a place close to home or somewhere you have already been with friends.

3. Make a plan (and a backup plan). The best advice is to make a plan and always have a backup plan. That way, you will avoid stressing over where you are staying, what to see, and how you get from destination A to destination B. Plan ahead of time so you arrive at your destination before sundown. And always write down the address, name, and phone number of the hotel you are staying at, just in case the taxi driver needs to learn the way.

4. Make a booking. Booking your hotel in advance can lessen a lot of stress when you are traveling solo for the first time. You should also book airport transportation in advance. When you book your hostel or hotel, ask if they will send a driver to pick you up or if they have a shuttle service. Go easy on yourself and spend a little extra money on reasonable accommodation.

5. Talk to people. If you are going to a touristy place like Thailand, there are many other solo travelers. They will likely be easy to talk to and want to make contact with. If you are staying at a hostel or joining organized day trips, you will have someone to chat with and ask questions. Ask them where they are from and where they are going next. Or if they know a good restaurant nearby. They might ask you to join them for dinner or a beer. That happens a lot, especially if it is a group.

6. Read Books About Traveling. Reading travel books can help spark your excitement in a solo traveling expedition. Grab a copy of Faces And Places In The World by Monique Yvette Elias. Monique features the world’s beauty through her book’s pages. She takes her readers on an adventure, giving kids and their parents an exciting expedition to experience the world’s breathtaking beauty in the comfort of their homes. Brought to life by someone passionate about traveling, the book perfectly conveys a traveler’s fire for exploration. With illustrations that closely capture the world’s natural essence and captivating charm, children will feel like they are indeed one with nature. The vibrancy of the pictures has the power to captivate the readers, while the rhythmic note of Monique’s narration will encourage them to think and grow beyond their capacities.

Final Words

Some people must give their plan to travel alone a second or third thought. Some live with anxiety at every phase of the planning process. For others, their worries only come at the last minute when you are about to leave and start having a panic attack. Having a good sense of what traveling solo is like and planning for it will go a long way to relieving you on your first solo trip.

Importance Of Authenticity: Ways On How To Be Authentic

^{Photo by Amine M’siouri}

Authentic people are true to themselves, enabling them to live fulfilling lives and develop deep, meaningful relationships. Learn how to be a more genuine person with these tips.

Authenticity refers to the quality of being true to yourself and your beliefs. It means acting in alignment with your inner values and character rather than allowing your adaptive self—the behavioral drive to fit in with other human beings like friends, family, or co-workers—to dictate everything you do. Authentic people would not try to be like anyone else or hold back their honest opinions. Instead of engaging in people-pleasing behaviors, a genuine person’s actions, thoughts, and intentions align with who they are.

Being authentic is essential because it contributes to your holistic well-being, encouraging happiness, fulfillment, and high self-esteem. When your actions align with your genuine nature, you are more likely to pursue your passions, believe in yourself, and feel confident in your opinions. Conversely, inauthenticity can negatively impact your mental health, creating a displaced sense of purpose.

How to Be an Authentic Person

Anyone can live an authentic life, but it may take hard work. Follow these tips to become a more genuine person:

Be honest. Maintain an open mind toward other people’s opinions and feel comfortable expressing your point of view. Being vulnerable will help you think you are living your truth, attracting other genuine people into your life.
Listen to your intuition. Listen to what your inner voice says as often as possible. Let your core values and true nature guide your decisions rather than responding out of habit or what you think will please others.
Develop self-awareness. Take time to think about why you react to situations in the ways you do. Consider how your upbringing, home, or work environment influences your behaviors. Evaluate how your adaptive self—the part that adjusts your behavior in social situations—is in line or out of line with your authentic self. Being self-aware in this way helps you to make real choices. Learn more about self-awareness.
Practice self-reflection. Think of times when you felt like your best self. What were you doing? Who were you with? By journaling, thinking, or talking it out, taking note of these things will allow you to seek more authentic experiences.
Work on your self-esteem. Authenticity makes you less likely to seek external validation because you have the confidence to feel secure in your identity and actions. (Learn how to build trust.) However, it is essential to nurture this confidence through practicing self-care activities like positive self-talk. Also, try letting go of negative feelings when others criticize you. Focus instead on making yourself a better person.
Talk to your inner child. Familial, generational, and societal conditioning is applied to us at an early age. We spend our lives defending and representing that. It influences your models of relationships, your models of love, and your political take on things, all of which might not be yours. Be prepared to dig deep and unearth some pain in pursuit of your true self – by examining your early life, and we can break old patterns.
Establish your boundaries. When our boundaries are not in place, it can be effortless to lapse away from our true selves. While it can involve frank conversations, putting these boundaries in place is integral to faithful living. Set these with partners, friends, family, and colleagues by ring-fencing your time, energy, emotions, ethics, personal space, and standards.

You Are Worth It

Are you figuring out what to do next and how to get there? Read Wonder Stream Of The Soul by Craig Carpenter Downer to learn how to embrace your passions. The book is a beautiful, inspiring collection of poems and philosophical passages accompanied by exquisite images – all reaped from a lifetime of diverse, vast, and treasured insights and experiences. Its conceptions confront life’s most crucial dilemmas and are soul-liberating. They draw upon profound lessons of the past while simultaneously tapping future-oriented visions.

The book unites imagination and visions of the soul with the workings of logic and revelations of science. It befits life’s true nature and brings hearts and minds together. Uniting diverse, even opposite, facets open a beautiful vision of hope for all life’s future. This vision of hope guides our steps—conceived by a keen, truth-seeking intelligence and an exquisite moral and aesthetic sense, Wonder Streams of the Soul opens with meanings that cry out for recognition today. This can be brought to life by anyone humbly open to receiving them using the power and majesty of words.

Go ahead and grab a copy now online!

4 Tips to Deal with “Happiness Guilt”

^{Photo by Liza Summer}

Going through the death of a person you love is hard, but it does not have to be the end of your happiness.

Guilt and grief often walk hand in hand. When we grieve the death of someone, we love dearly, our minds go to places we wish they would not travel. We even ask ourselves, “Could I have done more? Why did I not do more? Why did I not tell them I loved them? Did I love them enough?” We tell ourselves our version of the truth, “I was not enough. I should have done that or this.” All these things go through our minds after the death of a treasured individual in our life. It is normal. It is not good, though, but it is normal. Guilt is part of our human makeup and usually waits around the corner. It is essential to be intentional about handling our guilt in a way that permits us to walk through grief healthily and even feel happy.

We feel guilty. We feel happy. We feel sadder than ever; this is the so-called “happiness guilt.” It may sound odd to our ears, but our hearts know the feeling too well. You have the right to feel happy. Happiness should not be limited to only the most comfortable times. Happiness can be found even in the saddest of times. Let me say that again. There is joy even in the lowest of times. How can it be? We all possess sadness, and we all have pleasure. They both reside within us, and if we allow them the space they deserve, we can live well within that balance. We need to give ourselves the permission and space to grieve profoundly and be sad, so we can feel happy without guilt, a dichotomy of emotion that puts up a more balanced person.

These simple steps may aid you in managing happiness guilt:

#1. Give enough time and space for your grief and sadness. Sorrow and tears need to happen before joy stands a chance. During grief, some people find it hard to accept comfort and company from those they love most. In these instances, knowing how to best support them is difficult.

#2. Remind yourself that your loved one would indeed want genuine happiness for you. They would not want you to be stuck in your sadness forever. Embrace joy because happiness is in the process, not just the result, through your life journey. Know that you still have other people who love you endlessly and will always be there for you to support you no matter what happens.

#3. Permit yourself to be in the presence of laughter. Laughter feels good and is infectious. And smiling helps too! That does not mean you have to walk around with an unauthentic smile on your face all the time. But the next time you feel low, crack a smile and see what happens. Or start each morning by smiling at yourself in the mirror.

#4. Be kind to yourself. Give yourself the favor to feel joy again. Self-kindness refers to acting in understanding and thoughtful ways toward ourselves. For example, our inner voice is supportive and warm instead of critical. A sense of shared humanity recognizes that everyone has flaws and nobody (not even one) is without their weaknesses. Trusting and accepting that we are not alone in our suffering gives us comfort with feelings of inclusivity rather than alienation. Finally, mindfulness offers a “meta-perspective” of our hardships, helping us not to exaggerate our distress and become engulfed by it.

Parting Words

Remember, it is A-OK to be happy. It is A-OK to live a happy life even after the death of someone you love. To live your life to the fullest, despite the sadness, can be a lasting tribute to the individual who died. Permit yourself that you may find your sorrow and grief to change who you are and heal you so you become happier and more balanced.

Joy resides even in the saddest of times. Submit to tears, whether they be tears of joy or tears of sadness.

Further, if you are struggling, a good book can help. Widow’s Cry is a book for widow ministries by Jamie Pulos-Fry. It is a book to help people understand what widows need to encourage them when we visit them, call or have church events for them as a person or church member. For more details about Widow’s Cry, check out Jamie’s website.

Something In Helping: Your Purpose In Life

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Happiness begins the minute you do something for other people.

People who consistently help others are happy and do not come across any hurdles in their lives. Research shows that they are less stressed and experience better mental health.

The purpose of life is, indeed, to serve others. In doing so, you should not expect something in return, and your intention should be to lessen other people’s misery.

Living a meaningful life is something that everyone needs. However, it is not something going into a spiritual quest. You can find the real core of life only when you help others because you are living with others, and your relationship matters. Remember, you are living in this world because there are other people. Can you imagine living on this vast earth alone (probably lonely)? You will undoubtedly go crazy if you find yourself alone in this world. Life takes place concerning others. Whether it’s someone from Europe or Africa, that does not matter; it is the same human being. Your idea of separate humans is just an idea; otherwise, you all are interrelated and interconnected.

Hence, by helping others, you can make this world a better place. People would love to be around you and be grateful to you. You must help people if you want a blessed life.

There are many benefits of helping others in life. If you want to know, here are the following:

It makes us feel good about ourselves. The most obvious one is when we help someone in need, our brain releases serotonin, a hormone that makes us feel happy and satisfied. For years, the greatest thinkers have suggested that happiness is found in helping other people.

It also gives us a sense of purpose and meaning in life. The idea that helping people is part of a relevant life has been around for many years. Aristotle wrote that happiness and fulfillment are achieved “by loving rather than being loved.” According to a psychologist, who assessed the writings of various philosophers throughout history, relationships with others are “a central feature of a well-lived, positive life.”

Helping others allows us to connect with people more profoundly and form meaningful relationships. It also gives us a sense of belonging and strengthens our bond with the community. Offering your time, experience, skills, expertise, and even to the point of your resources proves your value and can help build positive and deeper relationships. So be proactive, help others, and if there’s an opportunity to assist with something – take it.

An author named Gary Lindberg has written a book, “The Vegetable Grows and the Lion Roars: My Peace Corps Service,” a book of memoir about Peace Corps Volunteer experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Ivory Coast, Africa, in the 1960s. This powerful book offers a fascinating glimpse into what it was like to be a Peace Corps Volunteer in the program’s early days. This one-of-a-kind memoir presents how he decided to apply for the opportunity, how he trained, his project, his daily life activities, and the friends he made there. He further shares highlights from his travels on vacation breaks, like his experience on a safari and his visit to the legendary city of Timbuktu. Get ready for first-hand insight into a truly extraordinary experience!

This memoir combines historical elements with personal vignettes as Gary Lindberg elaborates on his adventures – such as having a broken radiator in the middle of nowhere and how he and his companions got help. In addition, he offers an exciting view of village life and works during a particular project he worked on in a village called Déahouépleu. The text’s accompanying photos illustrate his work, life, and travels.

Closing Note

Therefore, helping others is beneficial not only for the person in need but also for the helper. It makes us feel excellent about ourselves and offers us a sense of purpose and meaning in life. It also has many practical benefits that can boost our career prospects and lead to positive societal changes. So, next time you come across someone who needs help, don’t hesitate to lend a helping hand. It will make a huge difference in their life and yours too.

Your Five Spiritual Self-Care Tips To Be Happy

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How deeply are you willing to know yourself better and explore spiritually? To face your deepest sorrows, heartbreaks, and loss? Understand the root of your fears and the origins of your emotional triggers.

When was the last time you fostered your spirit? Plenty is said about promoting the physical body through exercise and diet, but the spiritual body is often ignored or forgotten. To live a thriving and happy life, all aspects (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual) must be acknowledged to sustain overall well-being.

Notice what area of your life needs some attention and focus on it. If spirituality is diminishing, there are ways to revitalize it. You may discover you have already been doing a few of these things, as self-care ideas are pretty intuitive. The difference now is that you will begin to pay attention with new awareness.

What Is Spiritual Self-Care And Its Importance

Spiritual self-care is any ritual that links you to your genuine and authentic you. It is energizing, inspiring, and, most of all, it feels right. You may already be experiencing this or have had glimpses of what this looks or feels like. Becoming familiar with how you think is an essential part of being able to navigate through life.

On the other hand, taking time for spiritual self-care is soul-fulfilling. It encourages introspection and offers comfort and clarity. An application in spiritual self-care quiets the mind and calms it. Your body and emotions cannot lie; when you are pleased and thriving, you will know it at your core. You deserve to live life in this place.

Still, trying to figure out Where To Begin? Below Are A Few Spiritual Self-Care Tips To Get You Started.

Meditate. Meditation is one of the most accessible and straightforward spiritual practices to maintain. It may take a little inspiration to start, but it is hard to think about life without it once you get going.

Try Mindful Walking. Walking is undervalued. Any form of physical activity is advantageous, but walking is distinct. It allows you to press a pause on life and be in the moment. Feeling the sand on your toes, breathing in the fresh air, and seeing the open sky are subtle ways that nourish and ground the senses. Mindful walking is a routine that has many incredible benefits that might surprise you.

Clear Your Space. Generally, a good practice is maintaining clear, good space around you. You are constantly exchanging information and energy with others, and naturally, you may be affected in some way. Connecting to your true self is hard if you feel dragged down and tired. Smudging using a particular sage, incense, or cedar is an excellent way to clear your space (including your mental space). You can also try Shamanic Practices, a self-help guide for inner healing by Alma Lightbody. The journey of the Shaman is one of awakening and transformation. They honor the traditions of their ancestors and the energies of heaven and earth. To them, the practice of spiritual power and knowledge is the vehicle that holds the balance of life in order. They teach about the need of all people to find an order and balance in life and realize there is no quick, easy road to enlightenment, and it is a way of life – the course of the heart, of stillness, patience, prayer, and focus.

Practice Forgiveness. Life is too valuable and short to remain stuck in patterns that do not serve you. It drags you back from fully experiencing life when you cannot forgive someone. Much energy is rerouted to maintaining a grudge when that energy could be directed toward making the life you want.

Connect With Community. Humans are communal by nature. Unfortunately, the lifestyle you lead now does not often support this way of life. Laughter, connection, emotional support, exchange of ideas, and the power to persevere are some of what you can experience through the community. If you do not have these connections, step out of your comfort zone and seek some. Find people that share your interest, volunteer, and attend religious or cultural gatherings. Making an effort will be rewarding!

Takeaways

It is essential to stay present and accept pain and pleasure as part of your journey to spiritual balance and health. Your ego naturally leans toward pleasure and comfort. It takes concerted effort and discipline to explore the truth of who you are and create a stronger connection to your true self.

A Taste of Home: Appreciating Where We Come From

^{Photo by cottonbro studio}

If we let it, food can tell some beautiful stories that we may not be able to hear otherwise.

What do your favorite meals from your childhood say about who you are and where you come from? Do you reminisce about tuna noodle casserole that was a staple on Friday nights? Potatoes cooked to crisp perfection in a way you cannot quite replicate? Stews made with just “a dash of this and that” that, try as you might, you can never get your grandma to give you actual quantities.

The food cultures we grow up with, whether exceedingly elaborate or practical, say about who we are and where our parents and grandparents come from. If we let it, food can tell some beautiful stories that we may not be able to hear otherwise.

We do not ask our parents enough questions about where they came from and what life was like.

To some, it might be that some of your favorite conversations with other people revolved around learning about the food other people grew up with. You even heard about their experiences bridging the “food divide” between home, school, and work.

Food was how we could express who we were and where we came from in a way we could share tangibly with others. It allowed us to talk about the stories that we knew–or sometimes did not know–about the lives of our parents and grandparents. It was a beautiful way to connect deeply with each other.

But often, we do not stop and think about how the food we ate growing up reflects the experiences of those who raised and fed us. We rush through our busy lives, not thinking much of the quick breakfast we whipped up when we were late for work. But when we pause to think and ask questions about why grandma started adding that one spice or what circumstances led to the blend of cuisines we grew up with, we can connect with our roots in ways that truly enrich our lives.

Celebrating who we are with what we eat!

In the United States, nearly 25% of the U.S. population was first or second-generation American in 2013, meaning they were either born outside of the U.S. or had at least one parent who was. And, very often, the pieces of culture that stick with us the longest are the foods that make their way to the family table. Sometimes, knowing how to open a conversation with a loved one about their life and where they came from cannot be easy. But starting the conversation with the foods you love and the culture you share can make those conversations easier.

Maybe at the next family meal, that dish that is so precious to your family—whether it is a beautiful day or my family’s favorite, cheesy mashed potatoes—could be the conversation starter to learn more about the people you love and where you come from. Each time they make their way to the table, they allow us to celebrate where we come from and tell stories we may never hear otherwise.

Generations of Good Food

This book is a compilation of recipes that span six generations by Eleanor Gaccetta. Eleanor’s book is a taste of home on a generation of good food. It is a collection of straightforward recipes and heartfelt stories of Italian life that brought families together around the table. This book will raise your interest whether you are a novice in the kitchen, a home cook, or a professionally trained cook. The cookbook is a compilation of nearly 200 recipes, including main dishes, bread, cakes, pies, cookies, and candy. Would you like to cook pasta dishes, bake sweet Easter bread, a Chiffon cake, lemon ricotta cookies, or make Tiger butter fudge? These and many more recipes are included. Just glancing through the table of contents will urge you to cook, bake and eat.

Further, it has recipes that conjure up heavenly aromas that bring you back to Sunday dinner tables, summer picnics, and holiday parties that call vividly to mind the extraordinary cooks who made them. The ones that make you close your eyes, smile, and say, “Mmmmm!” So, what are the tastes of your childhood? Whose name and story do you honor every time you dig in? What stories can you share with the people you love about the food that brings you together?