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Media: The Truth About Pastor Kimberly Brown Preaching Rant Vs Brian Carn
By: Hood Evangelist
Tags: Christianity, Mental Health, BlackLivesMatter, Church, Wellbeing

Media: The Truth About Pastor Kimberly Brown Preaching Rant Vs Brian Carn

The old black church and black gospel news with Hood Evangelis. Click the links below to check out her reactions for celebrity Pastors and false prophets like: Gino Jennings, Bishop Bernard Jordan, Larry Reid, Pastor Creflo Dollar, Td Jake’s, Pastor John Gray, Prophet Brian Carn, Marcus Rogers, Pastor Kimberly Brown, Joel Osteen and more…

Click Link to Video Below

https://youtu.be/_hkP2sc6c_M

Hood Evangelist Website

http://hood-evangelist.ml

Subscribe to Hood Evangelist YouTube Channel

https://youtube.com/channel/UCHQIEPzrkqumQfGcht2X8wQ
It’s December 26th. Now what?
By: Samantha Rohman
Tags: December 26, New Years Resolutions, Wellness Tips, Healthy Lifestyle, Wellbeing

One of my favorite scenes in The Holiday is after Cameron Diaz’s character arrives at Rosehill Cottage. Forcefully stuffing her coat away in the armoire (“Cute dress”), and stowing her suitcase under the bed, she stands back, sighs, and asks into the void “okay, now what?”

This sums up my feelings on the day after Christmas. Okay, December 26th, now what?

9 months in to a global pandemic and I’ve figured out how to live inside a hermetically-sealed bubble, but 31 years and I still can’t figure out what I’m supposed to be doing the day after Christmas.

Do I take the decorations down? Leave them up till 2021? Have a glass of wine and some leftovers, or get a jump on fitness resolutions with green tea and celery?

This is the no-mans land between Christmas and New Years, where we ask, “what day is it?” Followed by “does it even matter?”

But this routine sounds all too familiar…we’ve been asking these questions since March. Is December 26th just another less-merry day in the quarantine world?

I have big self-improvement plans for January; and you may too. What’s stopping us from starting them now? January isn’t magical. But, I’m not ready yet.

Maybe, after an unprecedented year, a month of holiday prep, and a day (or days) full of coming and going and cooking and cleaning and family and zooming and shopping and prepping, December 26th is meant to be relished like a lazy Saturday morning.
Growth Mindset Toolkit
By: Amna Sagheer
Tags: Amal Academy, Lockdown, Wellbeing, Growth Mindset

Having a growth mindset is important because it can help you overcome obstacles you may face when learning something new or developing a new skill .

While completing my online courses of Amal Academy this week, I came across a very very useful and unique toolkit i.e Growth mindset toolkit. It shares tips on how can we develop a growth mindset. I found these tips very valuable and helpful , that is the reason I am sharing them will all of you!

So the tips are ,

Self Talk : To change your mindset, upgrade your negative self talk to positive one. Get out of your comfort zone : It means doing things that you don’t feel comfortable with doing. Create new habits: Try to incorporate meaningful habits in your day. Ask people help: Ask your loved ones to comment on your progress. Fake it till you make it: Act as if you already have it (growth mindset), or simply “act as if”, is a central concept of this statement.

The tip that attracted me the most is the last one, since I was new to this concept. I have started implementing this tip already and I hope this will work good for me. Pretending I know more than I do, and eventually I will.
Mental Health Literacy
By: Amna Sagheer
Tags: Mental Health Awareness, Mental Health, Amal Academy, Wellbeing

The ratio of mental illness in Pakistan has increased with time due to economic issues like unemployment, inflation, political dilemmas, terrorism disruptive society and pandemics. The main factor that hinders mental health treatment till recent times is the stigma that mental illness like depression is a natural feeling and people who do worry about their mental health and seek treatment, face social unacceptance throughout. In Pakistan it’s considered as a taboo and most people therefore are unlikely to share about their mental illness.

The term “Mental health literacy” is defined as knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders which aid their recognition, management or prevention. The importance of health literacy for physical health is widely studied worldwide; however, the area of mental health literacy has been mostly neglected especially in Pakistan.

Therefore, mental health literacy is the need of the hour. According to Mental Health America (MHA), one in five people will experience mental illness during their lifetime. Therefore my problem statement goes like,

Mental illnesses affect 19% of the adult population, 46% of teenagers and 13% of children each year. These conditions are not joke, so why don’t we take mental health more seriously?

My idea to overcome this issue is to start a mental health education service through which people will get an awareness of this social cause. What me and my team will do to raise awareness among people ?

1.We will arrange online sessions ,seminars and programs to increase the level of mental health care awareness among people.

2. We will introduce credits and incentives , so that people tend to attend those awareness sessions.

3. We will request educational authorities to introduce a new compulsory course related to mental health care is schools, colleges and universities.

4. We will make use of social , electronic and print media to raise awareness among people especially the youth of this nation.

5. We will try to bridge the patients with psychologists virtually , so that their counselling can be made possible online.

6. Also people will be made familiar with the mental wellness activities that they can do easily in their homes and workplaces.

By gently, and thoughtfully educating our community, we can definitely make people around us more sensible and aware of the importance of mental wellbeing which will have positive effects on the bodies, minds and spirits of the community.
20 Thoughts on Life, Relationships and Wellbeing — Courtesy, 2020.
By: Susan Nwaobiala
Tags: Life Lessons, Thoughts And Feelings, 2020, Relationships Love Dating, Wellbeing

20 Thoughts on Life, Relationships and Wellbeing — Courtesy, 2020.

Here are a collection of 20 independent thoughts that have jumped at me at different points this year. Honestly, they’ve been sitting around in my notes app for a while, so I decided to share.

I hope you find one or two that resonate.

Avoid making someone else (especially a friend) look bad just to prove a point to others...strangers. Whatever is worth doing is what doing with soul. Time does prove that nothing is absolute; the distance between minutes, hours, days or years makes a whole world of difference. Stop stiffling your emotions. Let them serve their purpose.

5. Having your thoughts as company for too long can be harmful to your mental health. Unlike visitors who take their leave after a while, thoughts are always there in your waking hours. And if you don’t learn to take hold of the steering, they can drive you crazy.

6. Don’t force things; friendships, healing, yourself into spaces, relationships (or your butt into a too-tight jeans, lol).

7. Friendship breakups hurt too. A lot.

8. There is a mocking quality to nighttime; after all is said and done, we have no choice but to return to it.

9. It's crazy how you can have so much in common with someone - even the evolving parts.

10. One thing you can give and take simultaneously is advice.

11. 2020 is proof that people will have different experiences of you - good or bad. And that’s okay, too.

12. Life is a long-term project - success or failure depends on how well you manage it.

13. Sometimes, it's okay to admire a flower and not always feel the need to pluck it.

14. The person you absolutely admire, was once the person you are now. Don’t invalidate your own unique journey.

15. There will be days when you’ll be clueless as to how to navigate life. But you will find a way, somehow.

16. Scars do not hurt - they remind us of what we’ve had to survive. So, don’t be ashamed of them.

17. The greatest height of love is when souls meet at a point and hearts get rounded up to a decimal place.

18. When you make a choice over and over again, it becomes easier - choose happiness.

19. You can tell a lot about a person by the books they read.

20. Your mindset is the most relevant aspect you can change about yourself.
Хуульчдын сэтгэцийн (сэтгэлзүйн) эрүүл мэнд (I хэсэг)
By: Suvd Tuul
Tags: Mental Health, Lawyers, Wellbeing

Эх сурвалж:

American Society of Addiction Medicine. Volume 10, Number 1, January/February 2016. The Prevalence of Substance Use and Other Mental Health Concerns Among American Attorneys. p.46–52.

ABA Journal, February 26, 2016. Lawyers’ Alcohol-Use Study: Implications, Next steps Discussed.

The George Washington Law Review. Volume 83, Number 2, February 2015. What Makes Lawyers Happy?

National Task Force on Lawyer Wellbeing. August 2017. The Path to Lawyer Well-Being.
A Simple Pen and a Blank Paper
By: Noopur Dingar
Tags: Expression, Decluttering, Journaling, Mental Health, Wellbeing

Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

The underrated potential of simplicity.

NO. I am not challenging the concept of writing using a keyboard and neither I am getting into any debate about which one is better, keyboard or pen & paper.

The idea is about understanding the capability of simplicity. Talking about a basic pen and a blank paper simply shows the prospects of expression.

NO. This is not pertaining to only writers, authors, novelists or editors. This is a basic tool for anyone and everyone to use it for sorting out their mental chatter and making it either productive, useful or simply decluttering.

And since pen and paper is so basic, that it is available throughout the world for everyone, it makes it the most probable tool for expression. Not having access to a machine or digital technology does not make you any less capable of experiencing the potential of expression.

What can this basic tool do?

It can help you to take the appropriate path. It can give you the answers for your confusion. It can make you see your realisations. It can save your time. It can be your medium to overcome obstacles. It will be your basic sense of achievement leading to a motivated person in you. It can be anything impactful in your life depending upon how you mould it.

So grab that pen and paper and start journaling. Dive into the world of your own thoughts even if you think you do not need it and you know it all. As the potential of something can only be seen until utilised.

Remember “knowledge not put into practice is only fantasy”.

So Happy journaling…!!!

Sending love..!!

Sending happy vibes…!!
Find out “How am I?” in five minutes.
Tags: Five Minutes, Pillar, Life Hacking, Self-awareness, Wellbeing

Find out “How am I?” in five minutes.

We often greet each other with “how are you!” But when was the last time you asked yourself: how am I? This simple open question of “how am I” invites us to do a real honest check on our wellbeing. After all, if we do not even know our current status, then it’s very hard to improve! Since we all have very busy schedules and many to-do lists, then let’s take just 5 minutes to assess how I am:

from Ian Stauffer in unsplash.com

Minute 1: Take in a deep breath, then have a long exhale. As you slowly exhale, make yourself comfortable. Sit up straight, and put your hands on your lap or on the seat. Relax as you exhale. Take two more deep breaths, you can close your eyes, and focus on the exhales.

Minute 2: Check your physical wellbeing: on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the healthiest you’ve ever been, where are you right now? Think about your exercises, sleep quality, food or drink intakes, etc. How do these impact your health?

Minute 3: Check your intellectual wellbeing: on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the most engaged, where are you right now? What intellectual activities make you happy or help you to be “in the zone”?

Minute 4: Check your emotional wellbeing: on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the most emotionally balanced, aware or confident, where are you right now? How are you in dealing with your own and other people’s emotions?

Minute 5: Check your spiritual wellbeing: on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the most spiritually enlightened or connected, where are you right now? What are your values, beliefs, and purposes in life? How strong or clear do you feel about your goals?

Now stop and take a step back. Look at the scores you have for your physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. What do you notice? What new thoughts come to mind? What interesting take-away do you have now?

And if you’re curious about any specific area, you can do the same exercise again with a focus in that area. For example, if you want to focus on your physical wellbeing, you can take a minute of deep breathing, then check four sub-topics of: health, exercise, food, sleep. By using this flexible framework, you can give yourself quick checks on how you’re doing, and drill down to discover new observations.

By Mathieu Turle from unsplash.com

Only by knowing the present state, can we begin the transformation needed to reach our preferred state. So take that 5 minutes, and ask yourself: how am I?
Using Chakra Meditation to Balance Mind, Body and Spirit
By: Michelle Beltran
Tags: Chakras, Wellness, Chakra Meditation, Meditation, Wellbeing

Michelle Beltran on Chakra Meditation

Meditation can be an excellent practice to help you center yourself and calm your mind, let you work through difficult emotions, and be more in touch with your physical and spiritual needs. ‘Chakra’ roughly translates from Sanskrit as ‘wheel’, referring to the shape and movement of the chakra; there are seven of these spiritual energy sources throughout your body, each of which has a specific function. It is believed that the unobstructed flow of energy through your chakras will provide good spiritual health. If there is a blockage in one of your chakras, it can cause you to become out of touch with yourself. The practice of chakra yoga is focused on clearing these spiritual centers and harnessing the energy which flows between them. These exercises can be used to help you relax and clear your mind.

The seven chakras throughout the body are referred to as the Sahasrara or Crown Chakra (which is at the top of your head), the Ajna or Third Eye Chakra (on your forehead), the Vishuddha or Throat Chakra, the Anahata or Heart Chakra, the Manipura or Solar Plexus Chakra, the Svadhisthana or Sacral Chakra (at your pelvis), and the Muladhara or Root Chakra (at the base of your spine). There are different meditations to help you clear each chakra and work through negative thoughts towards a state of peace and harmony.

Focusing on a specific chakra will allow you to work through the type of problems with which that energy center is associated; for example, the Crown Chakra is the center of spiritual connection, so engaging in meditation to clear that chakra will allow you to commune more easily with the divine. Depending on which meditation is being practiced, it may also be beneficial to engage in supportive practices, such as humming or singing for Throat Chakra meditation.

All meditation is best practiced in a quiet, peaceful environment, without distractions, while sitting or lying down. Many visualizations may assist you in meditating; these include visualizing colors and objects. All these practices combine to assist you in creating a relaxing experience that will allow you to create a better connection between your body, mind, and spirit, as well as with the greater spiritual universe.

This article was originally published on michellebeltran.net.
Life Sucks Sometimes
By: Sydney Duke Richey
Tags: Life, Happiness, Poetry, Letting Go, Wellbeing

Poem One

a chasm, rift

canyon, crevasse

fissure, gorge

the abyss

whatever you call it

at times it seems so deep

there’s no way across

but there is a way across

there is always a way

along the chasm’s edge

a path leads to a bridge

a rickety bridge

spanning from rim to rim

it’s the only way across

the path is treacherous

it takes effort and focus

to follow it

then when you finally

get to the bridge

you face another decision

should you cross it?

should you trust

the rickety bridge to

hold steady under your weight?

should you cross

with a trusting heart?

should you

summon your courage

before the bridge weakens

from disrepair?

should you cross it

before it’s unpassable?

it’s never too late
3 Strategies I Tested to Show Up Full of Energy No Matter What
By: Anne Trager
Tags: Lifestyle, Lifestyle Design, Energy, Life Hacking, Wellbeing

How do you maintain your energy levels? What do you do to have even more energy? Hint: It’s not about willpower!

If your body cannot create the energy it needs, the brain, which is an energy hog, panics and returns to a primitive state focused on fear, hunger, or procreation. You know the symptoms: forgetfulness, cravings, brain fog, drowsiness, anger, lack of willpower. Yes, willpower depends on your energy levels. As a result, a lack of willpower is not a moral failing, but an energy deficit.

Is it possible, every day, to draw on a constant supply of energy without too many peaks and crashes? I believe it is, and that is our normal state, often lost to the hectic pace of more-more or to an “I’m just getting older” mentality. I’ll admit, I’m so convinced, energy has become a bit of an obsession.

The basics

Did you know that our energy depends on our mitochondria? Mitochondria are organelles in cells that produce the energy used to fuel our daily activities. They are the basis of all our energy — for both the muscles and the brain. It is therefore necessary to treat them particularly well.

Moreover, brain, heart and retina cells have the most mitochondria and suffer the most when energy demand exceeds supply. All the unpleasant aspects of aging — fatigue, fat accumulation, muscle loss and cognitive decline — stem from weakened mitochondria.

3 strategies to have more energy

Here are three basic strategies I’ve tested and have worked for me. Test them yourself.
Teddy Bears: The Modern Punching Bag
By: Shreya Sangani
Tags: Stay At Home, Covid 19, Self Help, Wellbeing

Photo by Oxana Lyashenko on Unsplash

The need to vent out, has never been stronger. Every family is undergoing an unprecedented time, and not a single individual is able to envision a future with certainty for themselves. In this situation, every member of the household has something to (complain about or) say:

The Student: My teacher started assigning us more work than usual. Just because we’re staying home, doesn’t mean we have more hours to spend on school.

The Employed Parent: I wish the dog would quiet down during my meetings.

The Cook: Lockdown, isn’t an invitation for fancy dinner requests.

The Toddler: No-one has time for me.

This situation (in which everyone is complaining about their problems), is ironic. I mean, if everyone is only going to complain, whose going to listen?

We can try to vent out to our family, or friends… But, another dilemma may arise from this. What if your family/friends are pre-occupied, or they find your complain trivial, or they feel helpless in trying to put themselves in your shoes? Then your problem would become irrelevant to them (and this isn’t your goal). Now, what do you do?

It’s obvious here, that when on occasion we need to vent out openly without feeling judged/irrelevant… we should try talking to something non-human (which preferably isn’t a wall or frame). We should try talking to a TEDDY BEAR. I know, it may sound childish or not worth-your-while. But, it may help to be able to alleviate your anger, by having a (one-sided) conversation with someone who won’t judge you, won’t find your problem irrelevant, won’t interrupt, and most likely has a never-changing smile on their face.

So, if you’re ever bored or feel stressed out or are without company, try to sit in a quiet place with a fluffy friend and just talk. Person-to-bear. It might just help you, who knows?
#AskTheDoc: What Is The Best Skincare Routine For Combination Skin?
Tags: Acne, Healing, Pharmaceutical, Skin Care Tips, Wellbeing

Rule #1: Don’t Be So Picky-Choosey.

When it comes to skincare, we’re usually told to choose between ‘oily’ or ‘dry’, and ‘acne-prone’ or ‘anti-aging’. However, skin is always changing, and many of us fall somewhere in between. We buzzed b.glen CSO, Dr. Brian Keller to find what factors contribute to someone’s changing skin type.

Dr Keller: “I feel like we have to mention the tools that are necessary to fully understand someone’s skin type. The Fitzpatrick Skin Type Classification Scale is used most often to assess someone’s sensitivity and risk for skin cancers. The Fitzpatrick Skin Typing system was created in 1975 for predicting skin reactivity in PUVA photochemotherapy.

Since its creation, the Fitzpatrick system has been used worldwide to estimate the risk of a variety of skin cancers. This self-reported skin type is determined by the use of a questionnaire, where the person grades her/his tendency to burn and ability to tan when under the sun.

To best assess the degree of moisture and oil in the skin, we would use a corneometer, testing the skin directly…any other way is too subjective.”

“It’s easy for us to know when our skin is dry or oily, finding that most of us have ‘combination’ skin. Although this is a subjective assessment, it usually serves as an effective guide to direct our own skin treatment regimens.”

Overall? Finding your skin type and building a routine based off of this is far less complicated than we may think it is. Since most of us have skin that is continuously changing, we can monitor our skin’s behavior, and adjust our array of products accordingly.
Life lessons I have learned in 2020
By: Fon Lalyn
Tags: Life, Happiness, Life Lessons, Mindfulness, Wellbeing

In 2020, a lot has changed in my life. There are many important lessons I have learned in this year and I’m looking forward for more challenges. For my first blog in Medium, I would like to share my life lessons which I hope you could connect and find it interesting and meaningful to your life. Let’s get started! :)

LESSON #1 Know and Accept Who You Are

It is very important to know our personality and priority. As I grew up, I learn that knowing and listening to ourselves is essential for living life. Before we try to understand others, we must understand ourselves first. Some people might think that they know themselves really well, while others might not really do. One of the ways that I use to understand myself is that I listen to what I feel, monitor, and control my emotions. Once we listen to our thoughts towards certain things, we can accept how we feel, and control our emotions and behavior. What we think reflect who we are. We also have to understand our emotions and try not to be under their control.

LESSON #2 People’s feelings matter when it comes to communication.

Speak with the words you want to hear, and behave like someone you want to be treated. This year, I have an opportunity to get to know various types of people. I believe that everyone wants to be with people who are positive, rather than negative people who always talk without caring other people’s feelings. Be careful and selective with the words you use to communicate with people whether they are your love ones, acquaintances, or maybe people whom you barely known of. We all have feelings and limited ability to cope with other people’s words.

LESSON #3 Let go of the past and learn from it. They gave us precious lessons.

Some people may say, ‘Don’t look back’. But I have an idea that we can look back and see how far we’ve come which makes us become a person we really are, today. I value my past because I think they are important lessons which I could learn from as I have experienced it by myself. As a reminder, and self-note, we should learn from mistakes and not to do it again if it causes harm to ourselves and others. Some people may have habits that they eagerly want to get rid of, but can’t because they are not ready to change. But, honestly, there is only now or never. We all have potential to become better persons and create a beautiful society with graceful minds.

I wholeheartedly encourage people to think and act positively with less harm on others because we are matter in this beautiful world.

We will grow together :)
5 positive side effects of cbd
By: Cbd Handbook
Tags: Health, Cbd, Cannabis Medical, Cannabis, Wellbeing

1) A sense of control and hope — When someone is faced with a severe chronic illness where the disease itself may be incurable, improving their quality of life is of course the goal. CBD can provide relief from suffering and can help you regain a sense of control over your symptoms and your life.

2) An increased uptake of mindfulness and meditation — Studies have shown that you must stick with a practice daily for 8 weeks or so to begin seeing a substantial benefit. CBD can be used to help wind down your mind enough to engage in meditation or other relaxation practices. Without CBD, many people who suffer with chronic pain or toxic stress levels and/or anxiety may find it difficult to stick to a practice for more than a few days. This is due to an inability to calm the system down for long enough each day and sit through the discomfort of learning and techniques.

3) A reduced pill burden — CBD can dramatically reduce the number of prescription and over-the-counter medications you require on a daily basis to manage symptoms such as pain, inflammation, anxiety, poor sleep, stress and fatigue. Some people may even find they’re able to completely cut out painkillers, opioids, benzodiazepines, sleeping pills and other high-side-effect drugs.

4) Weight Loss — You may find it easier to lose weight when using a CBD product. Preliminary research reveals the positive metabolic effects of CBD and other cannabinoids in pre-diabetes, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. It has also been found that CBD could boost the number and activity of mitochondria, amplifying the body’s ability to burn calories.

5) The ability to return to work and regain a sense of normality — Contrary to the notion that CBD can make you lazy, an extremely important side effect of CBD is the fact that many people are able to return to work and regain a routine as symptoms such as pain and anxiety are eased.
We need to pick our battles wisely
By: Natasha Sniehirova
Tags: Choices, Battle, Inner Peace, Goals, Wellbeing

We can’t react to every dog that barks. Because we will end up feeling drained of emotional, mental and physical energy.

And both our inner peace and well-being will inevitably suffer as a result.

Over the years I’ve met so many people who think that they know me better than I know myself. And it used to come so naturally to stand up for myself and prove that they are wrong and that I am so much more than what they choose to see in me.

But growing older but also wiser has taught me not to argue with people who are committed to misunderstanding me. And I’ve learned to not even try to prove anything to them. This is because, firstly, I know my truth and, secondly, because it goes past my ability to make them change how they look at others, since it all comes down to how they look at themselves.

After all, life is too short to spend it on fighting too many battles on too many fronts. Choose to fight only the most important ones and let the rest go.
Poverty to Power
Tags: Environmental, Sustainable Development, Infrastructure, Climate Change, Wellbeing

MA0003 Title: Poverty to Power

Build Bangladesh (www.buildbangladesh.org.bd) took a scientific and sustainable approach to develop ‘antidote’ against ‘virus’ like poverty, by transforming Poverty to Power! In 2016, we developed few strategies and actions as part of the ingredients for our dream ‘antidote’. We have been testing all components of our models over last four years and happy to share that we are getting closure to share a comprehensive package to the world soon.

We strongly believe, ‘people do not want charity, they want a chance’!

The key INGREDIENTS for the ‘antidote’ are:

Intergenerational wellbeing (sharing and caring)

Financial, Environmental and Health literacy

Skills development

Entrepreneurships (in all need-based sectors)

Housing and infrastructure (targeting lower/middle income households)

Reciprocal agreements between developed and developing countries

To test these ingredients, we created a supportive ECOSYSTEM in Bangladesh by:

Bringing one of the largest corporate sectors in Bangladesh on board as partner;

Partnering with the UNDP;

Establishing the National Advisory Board (NAB) for Impact Investment in Bangladesh;

Bangladesh becoming the 19th member of the Global Steering Group (GSG) for Impact Investment; and

Gaining support from Government regulators and financial institutions.

To realize the expected outcomes of these ingredients within the ecosystem, we incorporated an appropriate FUNDING/INVESTMENT instrument. We chose Impact Investment as the ‘21st century tool’ rather than traditional debt, charity, grant, micro finance, and social business. This has been supported by:

The Alternative Investment Rules 2015, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC);

The Bangladesh Bank circular on linking Impact Investment with Green Finance (2019);

Launching of the first Social Entrepreneurs Impact Fund — Build Bangladesh Social Entrepreneurs Fund sponsored by foreign investors; and

sponsored by foreign investors; and Launching few open-ended Mutual Funds targeting the wellbeing of the people at the bottom of the pyramid.

With the Ingredients, Ecosystem and Funding/Investment in place, we have been testing our models at the grass root level across Bangladesh. The data to date is revealing positive outcomes, reconfirming our pathway, and helping us to refine our way forward constantly.

Contributor/s: Farhadur Reza

Contact: farhad.reza@impress.bz
5 Self Care Tips to Help You Kick Ass Everyday
By: Ally Garofalo
Tags: Lifehacks, Self Improvement, Self Care Tips, Wellbeing

With life getting more complex each day, it’s so easy to find yourself in a rut of perpetual to-dos. Unfortunately, not too many of us can say we properly carve out time to decompress, unwind or unplug from the world and just be with our thoughts and relax.

Now more than ever, it’s important to create time to reflect and possibly improve ourselves so we may be able to show up for others in our personal and professional lives even stronger than before.

Here are my top five self-care tips that may help you improve your life:

This one is more difficult than it seems. When you hear the phrase “Don’t work too hard,” there’s certainly some truth behind it. Society has most of us working tirelessly in our jobs and on projects day in and day out that we may not even realize that it’s severely draining our energy. The reality is, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Upon noticing a situation in my professional life with one of my former employers, I acknowledged the fact that not only was I being taken advantage of within my role capacity, but it was also taking over my life! The alarm bells went off when my supposed days off turned into working days, even from home. Balance is key and it’s crucial for your mental health, too.

Gratitude is something most of us often overlook and it can be difficult at times to take a moment to appreciate the little wonders or small joys life has to offer. Think you’re having a bad day? Week? Month? Year? Take a time out each evening, even if it’s for five or 10 minutes, and document a couple of things that didn’t suck throughout the day. You don’t have to even buy a notebook. If it makes sense for you to use the notepad section in your phone, then so be it. Want a digital file? Why not use a Google Drive link instead. Ending each day on a positive note will set the tone for the following day.

Speaking of ending the day off right, there’s NOTHING more satisfying than getting in a solid six to eight hours of shut eye to recharge your body and keep you energized for the day ahead. Sleep is super important and, even though you know better, somehow you always seem to sacrifice this important physical need. Can’t fall asleep at night? Try closing your phone or electronic devices at least one hour before hitting the hay.

For me, seeing clutter or a mess doesn’t put my mind at ease. It’s a proven fact that when your space is in order, you are more inclined to focus on your thoughts and be much more productive in your day. Try establishing a cleaning routine regularly at home and at work to ensure you don’t find yourself feeling submissive to a pile of clutter.

READ MORE: Be More Productive at Home

Having a passion project or hobby is a fantastic way to put your creativity to work and focus your energy more elegantly. It may seem like a therapeutic practice but you’ll be surprised how much more happier you’ll feel when you can devote time each day to doing something you love. In turn, it gives you something to look forward to each day.
The Spirit of Christmas
By: Bridget Webber
Tags: Positive Thinking, Psychology, Christmas, Wellness, Wellbeing

The Spirit of Christmas

Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash

It’s strange that amid winter’s chill humans often reveal their warmest nature. Perhaps we compensate for the dull sky, low light, and decrease in wild growth with added compassion.

There’s always negative news on the TV and radio, and it could depress you. Pick out the terrific tales of people who help one another at this time of year, though, and your heart will fill with the spirit of Christmas.

Here, in the little countryside valley where I live, villagers look out for each other. We attempt to reduce loneliness, help those who are aged or unwell, and brighten the village with cheer.

Kind words and compassion are exchanged, not just gifts wrapped in colorful festive paper, and I note it’s the little things that make a big difference to the atmosphere and individual’s wellbeing.

It’s easy to feel helpless while chaos and COVID-19 run amok, and you might inadvertently tap into negativity spread via the airwaves. Yet, you can give yourself a precious gift this Christmas. Vow to concentrate on cheer, kindness, and warmth.

You might steer clear of repetitive pessimistic tides of news, play uplifting music, and see how many positive tales you can gather (and create) to disperse the shadows cast over festivities.

We may not all manage family get-togethers this Xmas, but we can keep in touch with loved ones and build the festive spirit with generous thoughts and positive actions.
Promoting mental health
By: The Loop Co
Tags: P5, Mental Health, Wellbeing

Mental health is characterized as the basis for general physical and emotional wellness. This wellness allows a better adaptation to new circumstances in life, to overcome crises and emotional conflicts. In the same way, the human being learns to be able to recognise limits and signs of unease. When there is emotional suffering and the relationship with family and friends is not sufficient to resolve it, it is important to ask for the help of health professionals. — By Joana Beja

In this context, The Loop Co. has joined the P5 Digital Medicine Centre to create a platform for Mental Health. On this page, people can assess their mental health and, if necessary, be redirected to professional support.

The Loop Co. also leaves you some suggestions that may contribute to the promotion of your wellness:

1- Maintain a healthy lifestyle: balanced diet, good sleep hygiene, physical exercise and structured routines.

2- Take some time for activities that promote pleasure:

Reading, painting, writing, singing, playing an instrument, remodelling furniture, cooking, watching films, learning a new language, sewing, sorting old clothes for charity, tidying up the garage, among others.

3- Define time to work and to relax to make possible this separation.

4- Use experiences and effective methods, where you have managed to overcome a crisis to get ideas on how to overcome the current situation.

5- Cultivate practices of relaxation and tranquillity. Do one task at a time, calmly.

6- Have time for yourself, in silence, to contemplate, meditate, pray, for example.

7- Write a diary or record an audio and ask the following questions: “How do I feel? What am I thinking? What have I been doing?” This process can help you to put your experience in perspective and to have a record of this moment in your personal history to which you can return.

8- Find and thank the positive things. Take a few minutes for every day to think about three good things that have happened to you, that you have felt or experienced and for which you feel grateful.

9- Try to make a pyramid out of your fears and concerns. Identify the situations that cause you anxiety and the degree of anxiety with which you experience them. Put the situations or thoughts that cause you the most anxiety and restlessness into an increasing degree. This exercise can even be done as a family, where everyone builds their scale, shares, and talks about the common ground and the like. You can later return to it and reflect on what has changed or remained.

If you feel that none of these strategies have worked, you can call on more specialised help here.

— By Joana Beja, Trainee

Sources:

DGS

Ordem dos Psicólogos
Responsibility and consequence
By: Christine Mcdougall
Tags: Syntropic World, Covid 19, Consequence, Responsibility, Wellbeing

One week ago Australia was free of community transmission of COVID. Life was pretty normal.

On Wednesday in Sydney two cases were reported. By that afternoon that was 5.

Just as in the state of Victoria earlier in the year, these cases were the result of people, individuals, choosing to break rules and guidelines. The consequences of this is almost everyone in Australia being affected in the week leading to Christmas. Borders closed, the city of Sydney shut down, families unable to travel, holiday plans in disarray, businesses shut.

In Austalia we have watched the wilful selfishness of people around the world who believe that their rights are greater than the wellbeing of the collective whole.

Refusal to wear masks, to distance, to remain home.

In this day and age we want a scapegoat. Preferably a political scapegoat. Scapegoating is a luxury. In our righteousness in pointing the finger at someone else, we avoid looking at our own contribution.

If we are given the responsibility of acting to support the wellbeing of the whole, including ourselves and our families, we would be wise to take it seriously.

Photo taken December 22nd 2020

#worldwithafuture #businessreimagined #syntropicworld #syntropicenterprise
Can I be forced to have the vaccine by my employer?
By: The Legal Digest
Tags: Legal, Working, Covid 19, Vaccines, Wellbeing

Can I be forced to have the vaccine by my employer?

Photo by RF._.studio from Pexels

With the news of the vaccine approval and it being administered on the population at a faster rate than most countries, what does this mean for employees if they don’t want to have the vaccine?

Some employees may have a medical condition that means they are allergic to the vaccine or are likely to suffer adverse side effects and others just choose not to have it.

What does this also mean for their right to remain working from home to protect themselves from contracting the virus or if they live with someone who is extremely clinically vulnerable?

Other ways to stop the spread

With no evidence at this stage that the vaccine is 100% effective at protecting and stopping the spread of Covid-19 it is difficult to justify forcing employees to have the vaccine and return to the office.

However, it is likely that employers will encourage it rather than make it a requirement in attempt to return to some normality.

The UK government has not made the vaccine mandatory at this stage and it is currently not the only way to prevent the risk of contracting the virus, people are still encouraged to maintain a distance and wear a mask.

Whether or not having the vaccine is mandatory for your job will depend on certain circumstances such as if you are a healthcare worker then having the vaccine may be necessary in protecting you from contracting the virus from other patients and further spreading it.

Data privacy

There are also data privacy considerations such as requiring consent to obtain healthcare information from employees and diversity/ethical considerations such as those who cannot have a vaccine due to religious or other beliefs.

Can the government make it mandatory?

The UK government has the power under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 to prevent, control or mitigate the spread of an infectious disease and currently the legislation prevents the government from forcing people to have the vaccine or any other medical treatment.

The only way this could then be made compulsory is if the government amended legislation to give them such powers. In comparison, in the US the government has such powers to make it compulsory however, taking this approach along with the criticism of it being a rushed vaccine could create divisiveness and anxiety amongst people who are concerned about its potential side effects.

It remains to be seen whether employers will be left to make it mandatory and employers should consider the effects of mandatory vaccination on its employees and the wider considerations affecting their personal life particularly the freedoms for employees to choose not to have medical treatment, their personal health concerns and other issues affecting their personal life.

Carrying out risk assessments and best and worse case scenarios for a long term working from home set up will no doubt be something businesses will have carefully considered in its long term plans.
BUJOTASTIC
By: Chris Allton
Tags: Teachers, Journal, New Year, Bujo, Wellbeing

New Page Smell

So, when I returned home, off to the shop I went and purchased a black Leuchtturm 1917 and some rather satisfying fibre tip pens (Stabilo thin line). I opened at the first page and was greeted with the feeling I had at school as a child and still do now at the start of the year as a teacher. That new page smell.

It was the summer holidays so I filled in the bujo based upon my music plans. Gigs, songs to learn, things to do, etc... More importantly, I drew out all the grids for months, weeks, to-do lists. I took the time to do it and felt pride in what I had done. It made perfect sense to have it all together.

Don’t get me wrong, being a teacher and having six weeks over summer gave me a lot of time to do it. It did cross my mind how efficient it would be when I returned to the classroom.

“Journaling is like whispering to one’s self and listening at the same time.” — Mina Murray

I included many different elements over the summer and when I went back to school, I continued with my weekly plan and to-do lists. I wish I hadn’t. Some of the contents of the Bujo were personal to me, like a teenage diary, and having that sat on my desk in school was not a good idea.

So, I purchased another (a different colour) and kept the original for home and my thoughts and the new for school. Again, the school one eventually fell by the way and I continued using the original. I found myself adapting it more and more.

A section on positive affirmations; something to remind me of what to think each morning to improve my mood. I also developed a mood tracker I had seen online to track bad habits I was trying to stop and good habits I was hoping to develop. I evaluated the previous week and planned the following one. I thought about who I needed to thank and addressed anything that was negative in my day.

“Journal writing gives us insights into who we are, who we were, and who we can become” — Sandra Marinella

I also pooled all my old, inferior, lined hardback books and all song lyrics were entered into a new Leuchtturm 1917 and I must admit, it was a very satisfying process which has led me to compose a book of my song lyrics.

I found the school journal was being used less and less; eventually not at all but I felt I wanted to use the “Bujo” vibe in school and it intrigued me how children would take to it. So, throughout the year, I decided to develop my own journal for teachers. I pulled together all the elements of what I had found useful and chucked out what I did not find useful. Finally, I had a teacher bujo. So how would I describe it?
The Spirit of Christmas
By: Tim W Coats
Tags: Life Well Lived, Being, Spirit, Inspirational, Wellbeing

Our family celebrates Christmas. For me, it is the time of year when spirit is strongest.

I remember my mother, who instilled my love of music and the arts, gone now for eleven years.

I think of my Father, my coach, and mentor, gone now for nearly ten years.

I think of my Grandmother, who was always glad to see me and told me so,

… and of Grams, MJ’s mom who gave her to us.

I think of our children. This will be the first Christmas our family won’t be together.

The Holiday season is full of emotions. Many, but not all are positive. There is something about holiday lights, a carol, a meal, or a tradition that unites us in spirit, across distance and time.

Spirit leads us to love, which is its purpose and home. We feel this at Christmastime.

It doesn’t seem that long ago when excited children woke us too early to open presents on Christmas morning. In recent years, our extended family sleeps over on Christmas eve. On Christmas morning, we have a leisurely brunch, light a fire in the fireplace, and gather around the tree to pass out presents, taking turns opening them one by one.

A while back, we started a new tradition, Beatles music.

I know it’s strange, but Bryan got me the “Love” album for Christmas in 2006. It’s a “mash-up” of sound clips from Beatles songs produced for the popular Cirque du Soleil show of the same name. When I opened the gift, I immediately put it on the stereo. It drew everyone in. We stopped opening presents, and listened to the entire CD! Somehow that became a tradition!

No doubt, you have unique family traditions as well!

After “Silent Night” is sung on Christmas eve, Christian ministers throughout the nation invite their congregations to go out and live the “spirit of Christmas” the whole year through!

That’s a great idea, but hard to do.

Why is spirit so strong at Christmas?

While not meant as a rhetorical question, here’s my take on it:

The Christmas season is crazy busy. But, when Christmas Eve finally arrives, we stop, set busyness aside, and allow each other to become the focal point, sharing a common center of Christmas.

The Christian faith is grounded in “The Trilogy.” Fr. Richard Rohr has a beautiful description of it in his book “The Divine Dance,” I paraphrase his words:

“In the beginning, there was relationship; we exist only in relationship,….and an infinite current of love streamed without ceasing, to and fro, to and fro, and to and fro,…..we are invited to participate in a divine inclusion, an eternal dance, of which love is the center.”

Merry Christmas!

— — — — — — — —

Fundamental Principle: Bringing mind, body, and spirit into balance.

A Question To Consider: When is spirit most alive for you?

More information including background principles, suggested reading, and a library of previous posts can be found at http://tim-coats.com
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Tags: Beauty, Skin Care Products, Gummies, Health Foods, Wellbeing

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