The unexpected moment is always sweeter.

The unexpected moment is always sweeter.

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15 Reasons Why The Middle Child Is Always Likeable

The middle child, the balancer, the keeper of peace, the glue that holds the family together… however you want to say it, their role is intrinsic to the health and well being of the family. Research shows that the middle child is always likeable.

1. They have a strong work ethic.

Middle children have some of the strongest work ethics out of anyone. It makes sense! From a young age, their role between the trailblazer oldest and rambunctious youngest make them hard workers. Nothing brand new has ever been given to them. They learn that things don’t come easy, and that you have to work for everything.

2. They are peace-keepers.

Middle children are caught in a very unique role between two strong personalities. Without them, order would be non-fluent and turmoil among sibling children would always exist. They dilute both the oldest and youngest’s personalities. They tend to be agreeable and look to please others in the family. This “with the grain” behavior is what makes them crucial to every family dynamic.

3. They are independent.

No matter the circumstance, the middle child will rarely complain about being bored. The middle child know how to entertain themselves and more importantly, he is comfortable being alone. He doesn’t rely on others to provide all of his joy; he is completely content in findings things to do or just staying in and watching a move on a Saturday night.

4. They are extremely creative.

When it comes to being handy or just having a knack for design, a middle child knows whats best. She is very introspective people, and with this comes a deep sense of right and wrong. She knows what she wants before she creates something; she rarely struggles to craft works of art from nothing. A blank canvas is seen as an opportunity in her eyes while it can be intimidating for the rest of us. If there is a way to improve design and function of a tool or device, it is almost guaranteed that a middle child came up with it.

5. They are easygoing.

Middle children know how to go with the flow. They don’t want to rock the boat or create conflict. This makes them some of the best companions on adventures. They won’t have their own agenda, they want to do whatever you want to do and they will enjoy it just the same. This is an extremely likeable treat, people want to include middle children in their plans.

6. They are intelligent.

A middle child knows logic, and reasoning with great understanding. He is well read and knows what he is talking about. He can expand your mind with philosophy and teach you complex topics with ease. Also, think before you try to argue with a middle child, they know their stuff.

7. They know how to pick their battles.

Know exactly what you want to say before you argue with a middle child, they have a way of knowing what hill they want to die on. This can be surprising to what we know of the usual “go with the flow” attitude of the middle child. This is what is so great about middle children though, they don’t pick petty arguments, they don’t nit pick about everything. They are concise and calculated. If they are upset about something, then it is something serious. They know their reasons and they know how to deliver them.

8. They are reliable.

Middle children know the strife of being forgotten. They know the meaning of “ten minutes early is on time.” You can always count on a middle child to be there when you need them. They are never flaky and if you ask them to do something, you will never have to worry otherwise.

9. They are resourceful.

If you need a problem solver, look no further than the middle child. They have grown up with hand-me-down toys and clothing. They know how to make things work in a pinch. This skill is innate to them, almost like breathing, they are rarely flustered with a difficult situation or circumstance.

10. They are negotiators.

Middle children know how to pick their battles but more importantly they know how to compromise. Growing up in a household where everything is shared teaches many great life lessons. At a young age, they always had to share their toys with their siblings. As they grow up, they know how to compromise and reach understandings. This is what makes them great members of any company or team.

11. They are selfless.

This is one of the most admirable traits of middle children. They know how to put others above themselves. They grew up in that kind of atmosphere, it’s innate to them. This makes them an extremely sought after mate. If you have the chance to make a middle child a part of your life then you are lucky.

12. They are the bridge.

What does this mean? Ask a middle child this question. She will respond as such “I am closer to my older sibling than my older sibling is to my youngest sibling” and vice versa for youngest to oldest. This means she is the family bridge. She has common ground with both siblings but provides support for all siblings to interact and communicate. Her role is essential for family structure and dynamics.

13. They know right from wrong.

A middle child has a strong grasp of their own beliefs and value system. They grew up being the mediators. They see things as cut and dry. This can help them with many difficult life decisions. They know how to look at problems with logic and facts rather than emotion and hypotheticals.

14. They know how to listen.

This world is dominated by people who know how to talk but few that know how to listen. Middle children get the meaning of being a good listener. They are empathetic and can provide insight. Again, they know how to solve problems because they know to listen first before opening their mouths. If you have a problem, consult the middle child.

15. They are competitors.

This makes sense. Middle children have grown up having to compete over everything. This only makes sense that this will transcend over to their sporting lives. Many great athletes are middle children. Given an unparalleled work ethic, the middle child knows how to win something through sheer will power.

Featured photo credit: man watching sunrise on balcony/Ed Gregory via stokpic.com

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15 Creative Packages That Will Brighten Up Your Day

Opening up a package can be fun, but when the packaging itself makes you smile, you know its going to be a good day. Whether you are picking up something at the grocery store, receiving your latest purchase from Amazon, or sending your friend a get well soon box, the packaging can make all the difference. Here are 15 creative packages that are sure to bring a smile to your face.

1. Eat My ‘Fro Bro

Not only do you get to eat an awesome chocolate cookie, but you get enjoy while chowing down on this dude’s hair. Thank you Japan!

via whatsworthy

2. The Tea Closet

If you are like me, you own quite a few T-shirts. With a little help from this package, the number of Tea-shirts you own is going to skyrocket! Get your Tea Closet ready because these tea bags know what’s up.

via mymodernmet

3. Drunken Oragami Challenge

You know what’s great after a few beers? Making oragami of course! Finding supplies is an annoyance. With this little bottle, you’ve got everything you need for the challenge. This can be a great way to drive your friends crazy after an eventful evening.

via notcot

4. White Teeth for Fido

Who loves having whiter teeth? Your dog obviously. This whitening treat lets you know its purpose with a single glance. Plus its super cute. Who wouldn’t want such a smiling little doggy to live in their cupboard, at least for a while anyways.

via Cecilia Uhr

5. I Moustache you to paint

Painting can definitely be a chore, but with these furry faces, you will definitely enjoy it! If you keep the packaging, you can even turn their natural colors into something even more hilarious!

via memolition

6. Orange you ready for a drink?

Orange juice is delicious, but drinking it from a little box is very third grade. How about a box that looks like an orange? Absolutely perfect.

via Preston Grubbs

7. Grape BLOOD? Yum!

Wine is a nice enough word, but really that isn’t getting to the heart of the matter. Let’s start calling our wine what it is, GRAPE BLOOD!

via packagingserved

8. Why Add Cheese when you can add wood shavings?

Just kidding, this Parmesan pencil really does produce cheese. But get ready to freak grandma out!

via Packaging Connections

9. Minion Delivery

Next time you are sending some awesome goodies, consider involving minions. Little to no artistic skills required!

via Instagram

10. Did somebody need a doctor?

Why just tell someone to get well when you can package their own little home nurse and bring it right to their door? It may not be as good as the red cross, but its still pretty yummy.

via creaturecomfortsblog.com.

11. Support Your local lifting bro

Its a lot of work to maintain those muscles, so show your support with this Hulk inspired care package.

via Instagram

12. Looking dressy inside and out

H&M knows how to go the extra mile with these fancy duds for their boxes. You know its got to be special if its looking this snazzy.

via Elite Daily

13. New York is coming to dinner

When you think of New York pasta, you think of something special, right? Well this package will help you remember one of New York’s famous landmarks while making your dinner delicious.

via Elite Daily

14. Music you can hear

These headphones are designed specifically to make your tunes come to life. Its no secret either. From the moment you see them, you know that’s where the music is at.

via Elite Daily

15. Your bag of water has arrived

Do you need a waterproof watch? Are you nervous about what it can stand up to? Well Festina is not pulling any punches. When you get your watch, it comes dressed like a goldfish. Waterproof, check.

via Elite Daily

Featured photo credit: ranii via pixabay.com

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10 Reasons Ambiverts Are Wonderful Leaders

The Ambivert straddles the line perfectly, between extroversion and introversion. A fascinating hybrid of the outward extrovert and inward introvert, they are poised and ready at any given event, and are un-fluffed by any situation that may require a more extroverted, or introverted stance. The advantages to being an ambivert are as numerous as the many lists that make up all the great things about being an introvert, or an extrovert.

However, the difference here being that no one group is dominant in the ambivert; each side compliments the other. There are many extroverted vs introverted warrings going on, so we thought we’d give a nod to the wonderful ambiverts out there who help to keep the peace and remind us we are all simply wonderful!

1. They are intuitive

They are aware of subtle changes in people, tone and environments. Intuitive, like the introvert, the ambivert is well positioned to notice when something is up, but like the extrovert, will offer to discuss any underlying issues with the individuals or groups of people, and work with them to work it out.

2. They are inspiring

Both introverts and extroverts can see themselves reflected in the ambivert and so are inspired and influenced, rather than turned off, by their attributes. An introvert will turn away from an extroverted leader who is far too brash or loud, or who intimidates them, and the extrovert will find no inspiration in an introverted leader who tends to come slightly unstuck in social situations, or who the extrovert feels is unable to take charge.

3. They are assertive

They are not afraid to speak up, and how. Strong, direct yet respectfully aware whilst commanding that same respect, the ambivert is a true leader in every sense. A perfect mix of confidence, self-assuredness and quiet strength.

4. They liaise like a pro

Different clients and contacts require different approaches in communication. An extrovert may put off an introverted contact if they come on too strong, and the introvert may appear anti-social to an extroverted investor looking for a people-person. Ambiverts are adept at adapting to any situation, and are able to rise to the occasion without having to play out of range.

5. They don’t fake it

There’s nothing like an introvert being told to act extroverted, or an extrovert constantly being asked to “tone it down” to throw a spanner in the works. An ambivert has the clear advantage here as they can get on with the task at hand without worrying which of their many personalities need to come out and play. They are free to just be and navigate perfectly, the murky waters of prescribed conduct, and have no problem being themselves in all situations. And because they’re not having to pretend to be something they’re not, they are less likely to experience burn out.

6. They delegate according to strength

Ambiverts make excellent managers as they are well aware of the strengths of both personality groups and play to those strengths accordingly, in order to get the best and most efficient results from their workers. Want someone to wine and dine clients all week? The extrovert is your call. Need someone to read and review that new book over the weekend? The introvert is your go to. Everyone’s happy!

7. They wrote the book on networking

Send them into the lions den that is the networking room, and they’ll come back with hundreds of new leads and 100 new confirmed clients for you to work with, and possibly keys to a new yacht! They’ll be the highlight of the room, and when it’s time to wine down and recharge, they’ll know when to bid adieu, and leave the room on a high. Fist pump!

8. They don’t play favourites

With a balanced personality and a more balanced outlook on life, they show no favouritism to one side, and therefore are fair in their dealings. You won’t get the bully-boss who only picks on the introvert, or the boss who runs a mile from their extroverted employees. They are approachable to all, and not an anomaly. They’re not in the business of asking you to be more “out there” or calling you “anti-social”. They see, and know all too well both sides of the coin.

9. They make excellent peacekeepers

In a world that has gotten far too used to bashing opposing personality types, ambiverts are the cool and calm hippies of the world. They’re all about keeping the peace because they understand that no one personality type is better than the other. They are the mediator, refusing to speak ill about either. To the ambivert, each personality is pure gold and we should just all respect each other and get along!

10. They get you

A confidant, who embraces your personality and encourages you is someone anyone would be glad to follow. There’s no having to explain or convince or apologise with the ambivert. They understand who you are. You’re free to just be, which builds confidence, which in turn makes you a confident and competent worker. And that’s always a good thing.

Featured photo credit: Luo Ting/Jonathan Kos-Read via imcreator.com

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10 Things Only Stay-At-Home Dads Would Understand

Whether it is a choice or a necessity, many men are leaving the regular workplace to become stay-at-home-dads. According to studies men are beginning to embrace parenting and shouldering more of domestic responsibilities than previous generations. It is becoming apparent that men want to be more actively involved in the lives of their kids. And what better way to do that than to be a stay-at-home dad.

1. You are a committed partner

You want the best for your household. You can make a sacrifice to ensure that work doesn’t come in the way of giving your family the time and attention it needs. You can be committed to the emotional and physical improvement of your household rather than exchanging this time for more money.

2. You can enjoy special moments with your kids

You do not have to be worrying about not being there for your kids birthdays or special moments in their growth. Yes, you can be there for your kids during their life-changing and defining moments. Being a part of their growing up is something you will always cherish and find to be profound.

3. You have to fix everything

Being a stay at home dad makes you more detailed, more careful, more domestic and appreciative of the simple things. You can cook, clean, do yard work, shop for groceries, maintain the car, change diapers, counsel your children and put the house in order. Being a stay at home dad sort of gives you a sense of homeliness and appreciating your home for what it is. And you accept such responsibility with enthusiasm.

4. You are unconventional

Being a stay-at-home dad means going against the norm or traditions of going to an office every day. You have the right to choose the way you live your life and determine how you can fulfill your obligations. You are willing to defy the conventional way to become the man you want to be within.

5. You are an expert at multitasking

Something dreadful and challenging, but being able to be the dad, the cook, the shopper, the repairer, the maintenance man, all in one can be pretty multitasking and fun. You become aware of those potentials within you that were previously untapped.

6. You can connect with other stay-at-home dads

You can get connected with other stay-at-home dads through blogs, societies, support groups and conventions to help you share interesting and motivating experiences and get through the challenges of being a stay-at-home dad.

7. You have to teach your kids all the way

You are there to teach and tutor your children to growth. You can offer them the best in relationships, care and concern that will make them appreciate learning and education. You do not miss a bit of it whether you are homeschooling them or driving them to and from school.

8. You will have to build trust and communication with your kids

You can create an environment where nothing is kept in secret but spoken out, because you are there to listen to them and benefit from their sense of sharing their emotions and thoughts with you.

9. You are in charge expenditure

Money that would be spent on getting a nanny or a baby sitter is saved. You are also responsible for managing expenditure and doing well to ensure that your children and the house gets the best from the resources available.

10. You have those photos to remember

Whether it is in a memory or in an actual photo you will be able to capture moments that may have been lost. As a stay-at-home dad you are somehow reconnected to your childhood and periods of your own growth. You can thus find direction, personal growth, rediscovery in being a stay-at-home dad and being there for your kids during their growth.

Featured photo credit: http://www.pixabay.com via pixabay.com

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18 Things Only People Who Live By The Beach Understand

For most people the beach is somewhere to go on vacation, or for an occasional day out. The idea of living there might seem like a dream, but what is it really like for those who live right there and can see it every day? Here are 18 things that can only be fully understood by those who live by the beach.

1. You understand that the beach isn’t just for summer

Wrapping up warm and walking on a deserted beach in winter is a uniquely invigorating experience.

2. You always feel a little bit smug

After all, you get to live somewhere that people yearn to visit all year.

3. You’ve discovered that solutions to most problems can be found by sitting on the beach and staring out over the water

Similarly, if you’re in need of some inspiration, you will find it by digging your toes in the sand.

4. You take it personally when people leave trash at the beach

You wouldn’t leave trash in their backyards, so why do they leave it on your beach?

5. You always have something to do when you live near the beach

Even if it’s just sitting on the beach which is a perfectly valid way to spend time, unlike anywhere else when just sitting and doing nothing is clearly a waste of time.

6. You know that any food tastes better when eaten sitting on the sand

Even better if it’s been prepared on the beach. You’ve perfected the art of preparing and eating food on the beach without ingesting gritty sand, this is a skill to be envied by the casual beach visitor.

7. You never get bored of the view

Especially the sunsets. And the sunrises. And during the midday sun.

8. You’ve accepted that your house will never be completely sand-free

Ditto your car, clothes, hair, and pets.

9. You can instantly categorize visitors into beach “types” just by looking at them

This categorization enables you to predict their behavior on the beach, providing you with hours of entertainment as you watch and nod knowingly.

10. You hope you never lose the childlike awe of the beach

The delight in finding and collecting pretty shells, or coming across small sea creatures in little pools of water, is not reserved for children or occasional visitors.

11. You know that there is no sound in the world better than the lapping of waves on the beach

And no smell better than the salty sea air.

12. You’re constantly torn about your feelings towards tourists

You understand that they are essential for the economy of the area, and you love to see them arrive, but you wish they could be less intrusive in your beach paradise. You aim to be friendly and welcoming to them, but wish at times they showed more consideration for their surroundings and the local residents when they visit.

13. Your wardrobe is 80% beach wear

In the summer you can easily forget that other types of clothes exist.

14. You respect the power of the ocean

You’ve seen it at its calmest best and at its roughest worst, and understand the need to always respect it.

15. You get defensive if anyone compares your beach unfavorably to other beaches

They clearly haven’t understood your beach, and this situation must be rectified immediately.

16. You mistakenly think you’ve seen it all

However long you’ve lived near the beach, and however many things you’ve seen there, every year when the visitors arrive you will be surprised by new things they do, wear, and say.

17. You can’t understand anyone who says they don’t like the beach

They might as well say they don’t like breathing.

18. You can’t imagine living anywhere else

You may leave for a while, but you’ll be back. They always come back.

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7 Illegal Questions You Might Be Asked During an Interview

During a job interview, you might feel as if your prospective employer is in the driver’s seat, and you must go wherever he or she leads you. However, this is simply not true. There are many laws in place to protect applicants from facing undue discrimination and to ensure each candidate for a job is viewed as objectively as possible. If you find yourself in a situation in which you feel you’ll be unfairly judged, there are many ways in which you can “flip the script” and drive the interview in a direction you’re more comfortable with.

1. How old are you?

This might seem fairly innocuous to job seekers in their 30s, but there are many hidden agendas behind a question of an applicant’s age. Employers can ask if an applicant is over 18 if it is company policy to not hire minors, but that’s about all they can ask as far as age is concerned. According to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, it’s illegal to inquire about an applicant’s age, since those over 40 are specifically protected by the law. Such a question is clearly attempts to discern how long a person may stay with a company, and whether or not he or she will be able to perform the job’s duties 10 or 20 years down the line. There is no need to answer this question; instead, refocus your answer on your years of experience.

2. Are you married?

Again, this question might just seem like small talk, but the answer can give away more information than you think. If, for example, you just got married in the past year, the interviewer might decide you won’t be dedicated enough to the job, as you will just be starting a family, might have to take maternity/paternity leave, etc. Also, your answer might reveal your sexuality, which is, of course, protected by the US Department of Labor. It’s best to avoid going into your personal life, about which you do not have to volunteer any information. However, any info you choose to give might be used to disqualify you from employment.

3. What country are you from?

While it might seem like a good time to discuss your worldliness, discussing your national origin may lead to a subjective judgement by your interviewer. Of course, you must be lawfully able to work in the United States, and must possess documentation expressing this. However, you are under no obligation to divulge what part of the world you were born in. Along with this, you cannot be made to discuss other languages spoken at home, unless it is to your advantage. If you are comfortable discussing these aspects of your personal life, repurpose your answer to show that your bilingualism is an advantage to the workplace.

4. What religion do you follow?

This goes along with the aforementioned Civil Rights act. Though obviously there is a chance that the interviewer might be biased toward a certain religion, there are other implications to how you answer this question as well. Employers might be fishing for information regarding your availability to work on weekends or holidays. Of course, they can just ask about your availability, but many interviewers don’t wish to be so candid. Again, repurpose your answer to express your availability, and inform them that the company will know far in advance if you will be taking a holiday.

5. Do you drink socially?

This question might come up in interviews for jobs regarding public safety, but you are under no obligation to answer. In fact, the ADA protects alcoholics as long as the disability does not interfere with their duties. And, as alcohol is a legal entity in the US, prospective employers have no right to know what you do on your time off. If this question comes up, simply answer no. As a word of advice, I wouldn’t drink at job-related events or parties in the future, regardless of how you answered the question.

6. Do you or have you used drugs?

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone, am I right? Just kidding, of course. This question might seem cut and dry, but it’s actually up to interpretation. Do you drink coffee or soda? Caffeine’s a drug. How about Motrin? What about if you’re a medical marijuana patient? There are many facets to this question, so in order for interviewers to be in the right, they must ask: “Are you currently using any illegal drugs?” Asking in such a manner specifies that it is not a past habit, and that an affirmative answer is confirmation that you partake in illegal activities. Employers also have a right to drug test prospective employees, as well as ask about past convictions regarding drug possession. And while we’re on the subject…

7. Have you ever been arrested?

Interviewers can’t ask this question, because an answer of “yes, but I wasn’t convicted” won’t exactly put you in a positive light. Some states do allow this question, but employers cannot discriminate based on the answer given. However, they can ask “Have you ever been convicted of a crime?” and ask for details, and they can run background checks on applicants. If you have been convicted of a crime, and you know a background check is imminent but may not disqualify you from employment, the best thing to do is be upfront about it. Express regret about the circumstances, and demonstrate that you’ve learned from your mistake and have grown as a responsible adult.

For more information regarding the legal issues surrounding employment, visit the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website.

Featured photo credit: Flickr via flickr.com

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10 Reasons Small Businesses Fail

There are times businesses fail, and even when you feel you have done everything right, things go wrong. The odds of a business achieving success are low; that is why it is important to pay attention to every detail required to run a business. If you can stay clear of the mistakes of business owners discussed below, your business is far more likely to be around for a long time.

“There are no disasters in business that you can’t avoid if you see them coming and make the adjustments.” –Boune T. Pickens. Jr.

1. They lack focus

There should be a clear objective regarding the direction a business is going and where it should be within a proposed timeframe. Many fail to understand this concept and pursue several objectives at once. It is better to have a core vision and steer your employees in that direction.

2. They make poor decisions

Businesses succeed because of smart decisions. It is important to avoid poor decisions if you want your business to last and make money. It is better to get as much information and review it meticulously than to make hasty judgements based on too little data. Perhaps you should try to draw up worst case scenarios and discuss them with your advisory team before taking any action.

3. They lack the ability to adapt to changes

Change is constant, and we live in a technological age where change happens every second. To survive as a business, you have to constantly adapt and improve your strengths to meet with the demands before you. You can’t be stagnant and expect success.

4. They maintain poor leadership

Every successful business needs the right leadership to continually challenge its people to step out of their comfort zones and seek answers. You can be kind and compassionate, but that won’t yield results if you do not challenge your people.

5. They have fierce competition

Competition is a certainty in business. But sometimes, competition can be so fierce that you are forced to shut down your business. Competition shouldn’t create fear, but should challenge you to get better and stand out from the crowd.

6. They stay in the wrong location

Location is pivotal to how far a business can go. You cannot be located close to a fierce competitor and expect to succeed. When choosing a location, it is better to make sure it is going to work towards your advantage. Consider the road network, accessibility, proximity to your clients, population, and demographics.

7. They lack the required skills

For your business to succeed, you have to have the right employees who are skilled and can help execute the mission of the company. According to Warren Buffet, “Risk comes from not knowing what you are doing.” To be successful in your business, you need the right experience and knowledge to make the business sustainable.

8. They delegate duties poorly

Money is always tight during the start-up stage. It is better to outsource or delegate duties to the right personnel. Rather than being a “do it all” kind of boss, you should focus on your strengths and delegate other duties to professionals that can execute them appropriately and maximize the output of your business.

9. They lack sufficient capital

There is a reason why business owners seek funding from investors and venture capitalists. Money and cash flow is the life blood of every business. No matter how great your business idea or product may be, without the capital and profitability of the business, you won’t be able to take your business to the next level and attain success.

10. They don’t have enough credit

Another reason businesses fail is because money for its services or products is not promptly payed by customers. You do not need bad debts when running a business. Cash flow is important to running a business; making sure your customers are loyal and consistent in paying you is advantageous to the long term success of your business.

Featured photo credit: http://www.flickr.com via flickr.com

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10 Habits Financially Stable People Have

Keeping your financial life stable requires some discipline and development of good financial habits. We all do not want to be in a financial hole that leaves us emotionally and psychologically devastated. It is better to protect our finances when we can, before situations cause our money to slip away from our fingers. That is why it is important to learn a thing or two from the financially stable.

1. They don’t spend impulsively

Money has a way of engaging us. This apparently happens to a big problem for us all as we want to take advantage of the “easier” life. Impulse spending means eating out and shopping extensively until we drain our finances. Financial stability can only be attained when we control and monitor our impulse spending.

2. They save money

Financially stable people spend less than they earn. You may not have abundant capital but you can indulge in the right and important things and not overspend. This affords you the opportunity to save money. So learn to negotiate phone, cable and utility bills. Or simply reduce how much you spend on grocery, restaurants and clothing.

3. They track their spending

They monitor their spending. This can be done occasionally. Perhaps once a month you can write how much you have spent, and see what areas you are running deficient. When this is done one can understand how efficient he is using up his finances.

4. They invest

Financial stable people do well to secure their future. Even when retirement isn’t lurking nearby you can start setting some money outside in deposits for investments

5. They eliminate and prevent debts

All debts are not the same. A loan that builds with high interest is not the same as low interest loans such as mortgage and student loans. Debt has a psychological effect that works against the debtor, so it is better to eliminate or prevent debts. Know how much you owe now, whether it is a car loan or credit card debt.

6. They budget

Financially stable people budget their income. By using a budget they are able to ascertain where their money is going to and seeing that it goes to where they actually want it to go to. With apps like Mint and You need a budget you can take charge of your budget and start becoming accountable for it.

7. They respond automatically

Yes they do not procrastinate with their finance. They do not delay in the paying of their bills. By doing this there is no room for debt growth and affords you the opportunity to know what money can be used for personal expenses.

8. They give up bad habits

This takes some discipline. But financially stable people understand that bad habits have a way of eating into their income and robbing them off their future joys. Things that truly make you happy are inexpensive and do not leave you swimming in financial wreckage.

9. They plan

There are special things or activities that you would want to reward yourself with. It could be buying a house, buying a car, going on vacation. This could be long term goals that require you to efficiently plan and achieve them. Instead of simply procrastinating, put numbers and dates on those goals. By doing this you can be consistent and see them to fruition.

10. They take care of their health

Financial stability requires some responsibility. You cannot accomplish nor do much without protecting your vehicle to success, besides medicine is expensive, from medication, examination to treatment. Financially stable people protect their finances by also protecting their health and ascertaining a healthy lifestyle. We all do know unforeseen occurrences can happen but please there are things one can manage and are still in your control.

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10 Things Only “Type A” People Would Understand

Type A people are motivated to achieve and make a great help for our society. Like any group of people, they have their winning qualities and their blindspots. Let’s dive in to explore the qualities that define these people. If you have Type A pride, then read on!

1. You Love To Win At Work And Everything Else

More than any other quality, Type A people love to win.

You work hard to get a big bonus. You have no problem putting in extra hours to help your boss meet a deadline. If your company offers awards for top performance, you are working hard to make sure that you win. Outside of the office, you are drawn to playing sports where you can keep score and record victories. If an activity comes with a medal, a score or an award, you will find Type A people achieving success.

2. You Are Frustrated By Delays and Process

Sitting in traffic and waiting on hold drives you crazy as a Type A person.

Type A people have a long list of activities to work through and delays keep them from making progress. Fortunately, some Type A professionals have discovered ways to make use of delays – such as working on email or an important document while on hold. Being told to fill out forms and go through complicated procedures tends to make you frustrated or even angry.

Just remember that exploding and screaming at someone will probably make it more difficult to win!

3. You Are Highly Organized

Type A people are known for their outstanding organizational skills.

High achieving people tend to rely on productivity practices to stay organized. Type A people bring drive and intensity to every part of their work and life. For example, I knew a Type A person who prepared a detailed, color coded Excel spreadsheet to plan a golf trip to Scotland for his friends. He knew that travel can be complicated, so he left nothing to chance. Few things in life frustrate a Type A person more than working with a disorganized person who constantly forgets their tasks.

4. You Probably Have Some Nervous Habits

Type A people are full of energy and passion. Sometimes, that energy can only be expressed in nervous habits and tics.

Unlike some of the other fine qualities that define Type A people, this quality can become a distracting weakness. For example, you may have a habit of tapping your foot on the floor during a stressful meeting. At home, you may check that the lights are off in every room several times before you go to bed. If the nervous habits help you focus and don’t cause harm, you may as well run with them. On a less positive note, you may have stress habits such as grinding your teeth when you sleep (it’s bad for your health – you need to get a mouth guard for that problem).

5. You Find It Difficult To Relax

Type A people are so focused on achievement and winning that they find it difficult to relax, even after a long day of productive work.

For example, let’s say that you are a Type A with a demanding corporate job. You probably put in a 40-50 hour work week and then keep going on the weekend – building a start up company, studying for a MBA or volunteering. On their own, there is nothing wrong with any of these activities. At a certain point (or when you are over 30), you may find the demanding pace is cutting into your mental health.

What’s the solution? Apply your Type A abilities to relaxation and leisure: Plan a summer trip to the beach. Organize a dinner party for your friends. Pick an idea from your bucket list and do it this weekend. Go on a bucket list trip somewhere (read 50 Extraordinary Places To Put On Your Bucket List to get some ideas).

6. You Are Punctual

Type A people trust the clock and aim to be on time.

Attention to time and punctuality is one of the great ways that Type A people show respect for other people. For example, some Type A people I know in business aim to arrive 5-10 minutes early to meetings. That practice creates a good first impression and it allows them to greet other people as they walk into the room. In social life, Type A people never lose their reservations due to being late – it is one of their best qualities that people admire about them. Whether you identify as Type A or not, paying close attention to time is a great way to show respect to others.

7. Your Task Manager Is Your Best Friend

Type A people love to-do lists and use powerful task management tools. They know the value in writing down tasks and crossing each item off their list as they work through the day.

Working from a to-do list is one of the best ways to stay organized. In fact, Type A people like task lists because they get a sense of satisfaction from each task they complete. There are also many ways to achieve success with a task manager. For example, Michael Hyatt, a best selling author and former publishing executive, uses Nozbe for task management. In contrast, entrepreneur Tim Ferriss prefers to use index cards. The exact tool used is less important than being consistent in using it. Instead, it is important to learn a productivity framework that you can apply (e.g. Leading Yourself With Getting Things Done)

8. You Constantly Work On Your Goals

Type A people focus on goals and usually achieve what they work on.

In the working world, Type A sales professionals are known to complete challenging sales goals. They invest in sales training, work long hours and seek every advantage in reaching their goals. In order to reach their goals faster, Type A people read about goal achievement and read productivity books. In many cases, high achieving people also set significant goals that go beyond their careers. Did you know that the average triathlete’s household income is $126,000 according to Fortune magazine? It is more than possible to work on challenging fitness goals and earn a high income at the same time.

9. You Commit To Play Full Out

Type A people are filled with passion – it is one of their finest qualities.

They know that half measured efforts rarely lead to success or satisfaction. At the office, they are happy to edit a PowerPoint file one more time to make sure it is free of errors. Type A people also tend to play hard and enjoy exploring challenging activities such as sky diving, climbing mountains or traveling around the world. Bringing energy and enthusiasm to life makes a big difference to your results.

10. You Think Everything Is Urgent

Type A people are so driven to complete all of their tasks that they view every task as urgent.

Unfortunately, this belief means that some Type A people focus on urgent matters (e.g. responding to every email as it arrives) rather than important matters (i.e. taking care of their health). There are a few ways to work around this weakness. First, you can label certain tasks as “high priority” in your task manager. Second, you can ask another person to help you with priorities (e.g. ask your spouse to remind you to exercise or engage in other healthy habits).

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10 Things You Learn Growing Up As the Oldest Sibling

Are you the oldest sibling? There are advantages and disadvantages to being the oldest sibling, from getting brand new clothes to getting told off for your younger sibling’s mistakes.

Check out 10 things you learn when you grow up as the oldest sibling.

1. Hand-Me-Downs Were Not A Problem For You

There are some good parts to being the eldest sibling, and one of them was getting brand new toys and clothes. If you wanted something, you got the newest version – and when you grew out of it or got bored of it, it went to the next youngest sibling as a hand-me-down.

They complained to your parents that it wasn’t fair, but you were too busy playing with your new toys to back them up.

2. You Were A Reluctant Role Model

You looked up to pop stars and your parents, while your younger siblings looked up to you. It was a lot of pressure, considering you were a child too – especially when they did something wrong and you got the blame. You didn’t want to be a role model; you just wanted to play in peace!

3. Your Parents Were Strictest With You

You couldn’t date until you were 18, but your siblings started dating at 16. You had to make sure you were home for 9PM on the dot, but your siblings just had to make sure they were home before midnight. Not that it really mattered – if you wanted to go somewhere, you would pester your parents for hours until they reluctantly agreed.

4. You Understand The Importance Of Being Bossy

Since you’re just as likely to get in trouble as your little sister when she did something wrong, you developed eagle-eyed vision to check that they were behaving.

Normally it would play out like this; you catch your little sister putting on your mom’s make-up, so you would yell at her not to use mom’s make-up – and then your mom would yell at you for making your little sister cry. Sigh.

5. When You Passed Your Driving Test, You Became A Free Taxi

You patiently waited for years to get your driver’s license. You took your lessons diligently, and practised at home with your parents. Finally you passed your test and got a second-hand you loved – only to immediately become a taxi driver for your younger siblings. The worst part? They never paid you!

6. You Were The Family Guinea Pig

Your parents were first time parents when you were born, and they really wanted to make sure they did it right. They tried all kinds of weird and wonderful parenting techniques on you – most which involved being strict and sticking their ground. They got bored of this just in time for your other siblings to arrive, when they decided to be more relaxed and carefree. Thanks, guys.

7. You Feel Old When You Think About How Old Your Siblings Are

It doesn’t bother you when you think about your own age, but whenever you think about your sibling’s age you feel seriously old. You can remember when your siblings were wearing nappies, and now they talk to you about politics – so weird.

8. A Free Babysitter Is Better Than One Who Costs

You had a babysitter when you were little, but your parents saw the chance to save some money when you grew older. You regularly babysat your siblings for free, and while you may have complained at the time, you secretly loved it – after all, who wouldn’t love eating all the best snacks and telling your siblings what to do?

9. You Are Protective Over Your Siblings

Despite the fact that they always got you in trouble, you love your siblings more than anyone else in the world. You feel grateful to share their lives and honoured that they considered you a role model.

10. You’re More Capable Than You Thought You Were

Being the oldest sibling deserves some credit; you had to test our parent’s weird parenting skills, and you were the first person that your younger siblings turned to when they were in trouble. Oldest siblings are capable, calm and collected – which isn’t really that surprising when you think about it. Hurray for being an oldest sibling!

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16 Habits Of Empathetic People

Empathetic people aren’t always that easy to find – we’re those rare foil-wrapped Lindt truffles, smooth on the outside and gooey in the center. So how d’you spot an empathetic person from a mile off? Here are 16 habits to help you find these shining jewels among the crowd – because they are very worth finding.

1. They overspend on presents

The most empathetic of us trawl the internet for the perfect gift to light up birthdays everywhere. That expensive lawn mower that we can’t really afford for Mum, that newest of the cool gadgets Dad wanted, the signed Britney CD for our best friend (who is slightly stuck in the past…) Because as empathasisers, we don’t just feel others’ pain, we feel their pleasure.

2. They overthink

Because we are always stuck in the shoes of other people, looking through the eyes of those around us, we can be rather harsh on ourselves and overthink things. We’re too nice. Sometimes we take it too hard when we are criticized and are too keen to please. We should be better to ourselves and stop caring quite so much about what other people think.

3. They’re mega affectionate on social media

Do you have that one friend who likes every single photo, status, blog post and whatever else you throw at the internet? I know, we’re like an army of like-happy stalkers, all over your Instagram, your Facebook, your Twitter – we even endorse you on LinkedIn. Because we know how it feels when no one likes our stuff and we love you far too much to let that happen.

4. They never bail

You have plans? You’ve been looking forward to that fat burger at Five Guys all day? Never fear, we may have trying headaches and an early start tomorrow but we will be there, because we hate how it feels to be let down and we refuse to be the cause of that in our friends.

5. They’re great bakers

When you’re down in the dumps, we get our oven mitts on, because we know all you need is a moist slice of cakey goodness to get you back on your feet. We’ve perfected the art of Oreo brownies and we know your favorite desserts by heart.

6. They’re great in the sack

We’re great at romance and we like to know what makes you tick. We’ll always treat you well and we’re always aware of just how much fun you’re really having. You want generosity? Check in with an empie.

7. They always use their pleases and thank yous

You barrel into us on the street and knock our bags out of our hands? We’ll probably be the ones to apologize first. And when someone thanks us, our instinct is not ‘you’re welcome’, but a ‘thank you’ right back (we know it makes no sense, it’s just hardwired into our niceness…) We’re uber polite, perhaps too polite, but our parents taught us our manners and we stick to them.

8. They’ll always leave you the last Malteser

If you know any empathisers in your life, treat them to the last biscuit in the barrel, the last donut, the last Revel (even if it is that shriveled chocolate raisin). Because empies always, without fail, give out the last goodie to anyone else who will take it. Because it makes us happier to make your day than to indulge ourselves.

9. They love animals

If we see a golden retriever on the train or find a cat in a car park, we will love that little fur ball as if we have known the critter our whole life. Lock your pets away because we might just steal them (except we would feel your loss and return said creature immediately, before the cycle started all over again).

10. They always feel guilty

We didn’t text you back, we forgot about an appointment and wasted the doctor’s much-sought-after time, we dropped the ball on the most high-profile project of the year at the office – it all cuts us like a knife. Because we don’t just feel our own pain, we take the bullet for the whole building.

11. They’re big on comfort eating

Empathisers really appreciate a good tasty treat, because we’re so aware of the comfort it gives us. And man, when the boyfriend dumps us in Zizzi’s or our boss demotes us for photocopying our unmentionables, boy do we hit Ben and Jerry’s hard. Because it makes us feel so damn good.

12. They sometimes cry in bathrooms

Empathisers are always there for you, but rarely ask for that support to be returned. We’re so attuned to others that we jump to aid anyone who is upset, which means that we often expect others to have the same intuition. Which often leads to lonely emotional outpourings in public toilets.

13. They couldn’t harm a fly

Literally. Empies are even sensitive to insects and no matter how many nightmares we have about that hairy eight-legged monster in the corner of the bedroom, we will not destroy. We’ll cup-and-paper it if we’re feeling brave, but mostly, we’ll just pretend it doesn’t exist. And when our cat brings in a half dead mouse? The pet ambulance is here – we’ll race down the road to the nearest vet and if that mouse can be saved, we’ll make damn sure that it is.

14. They are experts in all things tea-related

White, with two sugars, lukewarm? Half a dash of milk and one sweetener? We’ve got your back. We remember how much you love your cuppa and we do not disappoint with those warming leaves of glory. Which makes us the very best of hosts – no need to grin and bear it, your empie friend knows how you feel before you do and has used their magical empathetic skills to suss you out.

15. They give great hugs

None of those reserved bodies-barely-touching hugs from us empies – full on close cuddles are our forte. We’ll get all up in your grill and invade your personal space, because that’s where we know we belong.

16. They stick like glue

You’ll never get rid of an empie once you’ve befriended them. You can have the biggest row and your empie will forgive you immediately – because we know what you’re really feeling, what the fight is really about, and we couldn’t possibly hold it against you when you’re in such emotional distress over the loss of poor Mr Flops, the cutest, most loyal bunny in the country. So kick and scream but you can’t get rid of us that easily – we’ll just hug you into submission for years to come.

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10 Amazing Benefits of Strawberries that You Probably Never Knew

It’s widely known how delicious these little red fruits are, but that’s not even close to what they can offer. Next to their amazing taste, strawberries have a powerful effect on your health and they can help a lot in fighting off many different diseases. But, that’s still not all – they can also be used as a natural aesthetical weapon, and help you get rid of imperfections on your skin. Find out more!

1. Strawberries Make Your Teeth Whiter

The next time you consider your teeth need a whitening treatment, maybe you shouldn’t waste your money and time on going to your dentist. Instead of that, you should simply enjoy some strawberries. Thanks to the strong concentration of vitamin C in their contents, they are able to breakdown that plaque which causes your teeth to turn yellow. By making a simple strawberry mixture, and by applying this treatment periodically, you can make a huge difference when it comes to the color of your teeth.

2. They Reduce Risk of Heart Diseases

Heart disease is the number one killer momentarily, and it needs to be taken seriously. By eating right, you can significantly lower the chances of getting a heart attack, and strawberries should be a part of your new healthy diet. Ellagic acid helps control LDL, which is actually bad cholesterol, and strawberries are quite reach in this acid. Also, vitamin C helps a lot in strengthening your blood vessels and arteries, and strawberries are filled with it!

3. Strawberries Slow Aging

We age because the cells in our body do, but this process can be slowed down. Because of the constant exposure to Sun and pollution, our skin is aging faster, but if you turn to nature and look for a solution there, you will be able to make some sort of balance. Strawberries are strong antioxidants, which are powerful fighters against free radicals that make you age faster. According to studies, you’ll be able to increase your antioxidants levels just half an hour after eating these delicious fruits.

4. They Are Really Helpful with Acne Problems

However, if you spend about only half an hour on creating and applying a strawberry mask, you’ll also have a powerful acne and wrinkle fighter right by your side. Antioxidants in their contents work differently if you apply them on your skin directly instead of eating them, which makes this face mask absolutely perfect for summer, when Sun exposure is unavoidable.

5. They Can Make Freckles Fade

As far as I’m concerned, freckles are beautiful and you shouldn’t try to make them disappear. But, the fact is, some people don’t find them attractive at all, and if you do want them gone, you should use strawberries instead of expensive creams or treatments. When combined with other ingredients, such as lemon juice, sour cream, papaya or butter milk, strawberries can naturally affect the color of the spots on your skin and fade them.

6. Eat Strawberries & Fight Your Asthma & Allergies

If you’re getting tired of fighting your asthma or allergies with medicaments, maybe it’s time to try something different. Thanks to the anti-inflammatory effect strawberries have, if you intake them they’ll be able to help with all kinds of symptoms, such as a runny nose, hives and watery eyes. Various studies show that you can really decrease asthma incidence by changing your diet.

7. Strawberries Help Your Body Produce Happy Hormones

It’s a scientific fact that depression is caused by your mental state, but that doesn’t mean you can’t fight it with an intake of natural ingredients. So, next time you start feeling blue, try eating strawberries – their contents prevent homocysteine from forming in unhealthy amounts, and therefore enables the blood to deliver nutrients to your brain. Unhealthy amounts of homocysteine prevent glands in your body to produce happy hormones such as dopamine and serotonin, which obviously leads to feeling sad, and we don’t want that, do we?

8. They Are a Delicious Desert with an Anti-Cancer Effect

It’s amazing how these small fruits have such an extraordinary effect on our bodies, isn’t it? The next time you want to make delicious homemade chocolate ice-cream, add at least a couple of strawberries on top – their powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory abilities can decrease tumor growth and prevent it from spreading further.

9. Strawberries Take Care of Your Eyesight & Help You Get Rid of Eye Bags

We already mentioned how powerful they are when it comes to fighting against heart disease, asthma and cancer, but their contents can also be used for aesthetic purposes. If you have a problem with dark eye bags, you should know that strawberries help you get rid of them – their anti-inflammatory effect and whitening power are the perfect combination. Besides, that concentration of vitamin C prevents eye disease like cataract from forming or ever appearing.

10. Expectant Mothers Should Indulge Their Strawberry Cravings

Paying additional attention to nutrition during pregnancy is very important if you want to give birth to an absolutely healthy baby with strong predispositions for fast development. If you intake healthy doses of strawberries while you’re pregnant, you’ll enable your baby and you enough vitamins and minerals necessary for growth.

I bet you have a strawberry craving right now – I know I do! The next time you have strawberries around, make sure they are put to good use. I hope you enjoyed my tips and suggestions, and that you’ll find them helpful.

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You hate when people see you cry because you want…

You hate when people see you cry because you want to be that strong girl. At the same time, though, you hate how nobody notices how torn apart and broken you are.

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Don’t confuse your path with your destination. Just because it’s…

Don’t confuse your path with your destination. Just because it’s stormy now doesn’t mean that you aren’t headed for sunshine.

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15 Daily habits Of Highly Organized People

If you have a strong ambition to become successful, it’s practically a condition to be highly organized. This isn’t something you’re born with – this is something you need to practice. It will require a lot of sacrifice, but you can be sure it’ll pay off.

Luckily for you, there’s a pattern that occurs if you closely observe people who do well in this area. Highly organized people have small daily routines which enable them to get everything done. If you adopt these little habits, there’s only one way to go from there – and that’s up!

1. They Are Honest

Being organized implies that you don’t have time to spare on petty lies and dramatic schemes. By removing dishonesty from your life permanently, you’ll have more time for positivity, and that’s a fact all organized people know. Always being honest isn’t the easier way, but it can potentially save you from a lot of stress in the future.

2. They Get Up Early

Discipline is quite important when you want to achieve your goals. Getting up early should be the first habit you adopt if you want to become organized, because then you have the whole day in front of you and possibilities regarding what you can achieve during only one day are limitless, really.

3. They Don’t Deny Help

The help that’s being offered to you shouldn’t be denied so lightly, because you don’t have to do everything by yourself. Accepting someone’s help doesn’t mean you’re not capable enough – besides, you can always return the favor. I’m sure that organized people who achieved great things with their lives and careers accepted help at some point, so why shouldn’t you?

4. They Eat Healthy

Like getting up early, this one two is a daily routine which is implied in the circle of organized people. It’s quite simple if you think about it; if you want to have everything from your list done, you need to have enough energy to go through the whole day. It’s never too late to learn how to prepare healthy meals – it’s only necessary to be willing.

5. They Have a To-Do List

Speaking of lists, every organized person has a to-do list. No matter how well your memory is, something will slip your mind eventually. In order to remember every task that needs to be done and plan your time correctly, you should start your mornings with making a to-do list.

6. They Work Out

Your body is your temple, and if you want it to serve you well in the future, you need to maintain it. If gym isn’t really your cup of tea, you can always go with something like jogging. One day of a highly organized person may require all sorts of activities, and they’re always prepared.

7. They Don’t Procrastinate

Leaving things for which you have time to accomplish for tomorrow won’t lead you anywhere. It will only take more time to finish your projects, which obviously lowers your efficiency. Highly organized people don’t leave anything for later, which is exactly what makes them so productive.

8. They Practice Concentration

In order to successfully compete everything on your to-do list, it’s quite important to stay concentrated. Most highly organized people solve this problem by meditating. If you learn how to meditate, you’ll be able to freshen up in a matter of minutes, and continue with finishing your daily tasks successfully.

9. They Have Extraordinary Appreciation for Time

Their schedule is the secret weapon of organized people, and they show great appreciation for their and other people’s time. It’s a very practical habit – if you show up on time, and get things done when you planned, you can move on to another task. Of course, you should always leave at least a few gaps for changes and improvements.

10. They Put Everything Back in Place

This habit is a real time-saver. A precondition to being organized is that you maintain order in your surroundings. Getting rid of all that clutter in your life will help you with achieving efficiency, but it will also have a positive effect on your mind, no matter if you have previously paid attention to the mess around you or not.

11. They Take Care of Their Appearance

If you want to be maximally efficient, it’s very important to remove all distractions, which is why highly organized people always strive towards neatness. If you want to take up your responsibilities, you need to learn how to be an organized adult who takes care about their appearance. But that’s not the only benefit that looking like a professional brings – it will also help a lot with making the right first impression when meeting new people.

12. They Don’t Have Bad Habits

Bad habits slow you down. Highly organized people can do so much during the day because they don’t have anything pulling them back, which is why you need to leave your bad habits in the past, and make room for new ones.

13. They Use All Kinds of Tools

Organized people always look for an optimal solution and the smartest way to achieve their tasks. Before you engage in any kind of action, think about its process, because there’s probably some kind of tool which will help you get it done faster, while the results stay the same or perhaps get even better.

14. They Take Breaks

Highly successful people know how to listen to their bodies. It’s a scientific fact that breaks help your mind process things faster, and that they enable you to look at your problems from a different perspective. So, when your mind slows down or when you start feeling tired, get up, take a walk and rest your head for the next ten minutes, and you’ll be able to see the effect for yourself.

15. They Don’t Leave Anything Unresolved

Getting enough sleep is very important if you want to be well, rested and ready for the next day, which is why nothing should trouble you when you go to sleep. Being organized requires from you to maintain clear and honest relationships with people in your private and in your professional life.

Once you start applying these suggestions to your daily routine, you’ll probably get stuck for at least a couple of times. But, that is a test all of us need to pass, so don’t give up. I hope you’ll find my suggestions insightful. Good luck!

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Ladies, most of you have no idea how beautiful you…

Ladies, most of you have no idea how beautiful you are. Don’t let mean words from an insecure soul blind you from the truth of your beauty. You are beautiful by design… just the way you are. – Steve Maraboli

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Get over your hill and see what you find there…

Get over your hill and see what you find there with grace in your heart and flowers in your hair.

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There’s something wrong with your character if opportunity controls your…

There’s something wrong with your character if opportunity controls your loyalty.

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20 Disturbing Fast Food Facts that Will Change Your Diet Forever

Quickly made, quickly served, quickly eaten. That’s fast food in six simple words, although in reality, perhaps badly made, poorly served, quickly eaten is a more appropriate summary.

It’s been well documented that junk food is exactly what it says on the tin: junk. Still, it doesn’t seem to stop us from lining up in droves and flinging our hard-earned cash into fast food chains’ tills.

McDonald’s continue to sell an astounding 75 hamburgers per second, and you can never go more than just over one hundred miles in the US without seeing those famous golden arches luring hungry clientele inside.

Indeed, most people are willing to occasionally gorge on the kind of food that isn’t exactly great for them. An understandable mind-set of course, given that a couple of solid gym sessions will work off the high calorie count that came inside that Big Mac box.

But there’s more concerning aspects to fast food than the prospect of putting on a few extra pounds, and recent research across the board has revealed several horror stories that hide behind the glossy menus and vibrant packaging. Listed here are some of these stories: disturbing fast food facts that will change your diet forever.

1. Draining the Brain          

This is perhaps the most alarming information available about fast food in the modern day. Everyone is familiar with the fatty contents and high sugar levels present in burgers, chips and soda in these environments, but what people may be less aware of is the fact that fast food items may also actually have detrimental effects on the human mind.

Chowing down on junk food on a regular basis disrupts the flow of blood to the brain, and after a certain amount of time can make you appear like a member of the walking dead. Unless we begin to actively cut back on our fast food consumption, a world of shuffling zombies might not be such an implausible possibility after all.

2. Fecal Fizz

Some people may claim that they do not necessarily mind where their food comes from as long as it tastes good. However, there’s an exception to every rule, and the fact that thousands of drink dispensers in fast food restaurants have displayed traces of fecal bacteria is surely that exception in this case.

In low doses, the particular form of bacteria found on these drink dispensers (known as coliform bacteria) won’t kill you, but the fact that this strand is commonly found in feces is revolting enough to make even the most unhygienic person want to kick the fizzy drinks forever.

Whilst this substance might not necessarily make you sick, another form of bacteria found in these drink dispensers certainly will: a nasty little strand called e.coli. This bacteria can cause severe food poisoning symptoms, and in rare cases has even caused death.

The message here couldn’t be clearer: stay away from fast food drink dispensers.

3. Sickly Syrup

Ever notice that you still feel thirsty after guzzling down a jumbo-sized fizzy drink from your local fast food restaurant? Well, there’s a reason for that.

To give these beverages a succinct, sickly-sweet taste, many fast food chains gleefully load their fizzy drinks with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) – a highly processed substance that performs as a sugar substitute.

Whilst high levels of HFCS allow a sweet flavor to dance on your tongue, they also tear away at the enamel on your teeth, stretch out your stomach lining, and attack your vital organs. Bizarrely, gobbling right out of a sugar bowl might actually be healthier for you.

4. Bad Eggs

You might want to start taking a pass on any egg-based fast food breakfasts when hunger hits you in the morning time.

In an attempt to cut back on production costs, a wide variety of fast food chains often use an egg substitute for their breakfast dishes known as “Premium Egg Blend” – which has been proven to contain a troubling substance named glycerine. You might not be too familiar with the name of this material, but chances are you will have come into contact with it whilst taking a shower or having a shave.

Yup, this solvent is regularly apparent in shaving foam and soap, and whilst consuming either of these products in small doses probably wouldn’t kill you, that’s hardly an endorsement for a breakfast meal is it?

5. Stretchy Bread

You might be surprised to learn that Subway is actually the largest fast food supplier in the world, even ahead of those inescapable giant golden arches that seem to follow you around to every single street corner wherever you go.

But this is perhaps only the second most surprising fact about the Subway sandwich chain, with the “winner” being a little a fact that’s a little more unsettling.

Until recently, the bread used for sandwiches in this fast food establishment contained a chemical called azodicarbonamide – a substance that’s previously been used to create yoga mats.

Subway has since declared that this chemical has been wiped away from their bread recipe, but it’s still enough to turn your stomach if you’ve ever munched down on an Italian BMT before.

6. Fly Egg Sauce

Some disturbing news for you Americans out there. Regulations sanctioned by the Food and Drug Administration of the USA actually allow for 30 or more fly eggs per 100 grams and 1 or more maggot per 100 grams to be present in tomato-based sauces.

Admittedly, these guys are the ones who know their stuff when it comes bacteria, but the thought of scoffing down fly eggs as part of your dish is enough to turn you off fast-food pasta dishes forever.

7. Cows and Cows and Cows

If you ever felt a little guilty about eating an animal after licking your fingers clean and binning your Big Mac box, the following little tidbit may be enough to guilt-trip you into never buying a hamburger ever again. Taking one bite of a big, fat juicy fast food burger might mean that you’re actually chomping into bits and pieces extracted from over one hundred different cows.

After cattle are slaughtered, the “cheaper” bits and pieces are all tossed together for processing, where these gristly cuts of meat are mushed up into circular shapes and given a pump of fat for good measure. The result is the typical, cheaply made fast food hamburger, which is subsequently shipped off to a variety of fast food chains around the world and then flies off the shelves into the hands of antsy customers.

Perhaps if more of them knew what they were eating, they might begin to ration their burger buying habits, and switch to grilling in their own backyards instead.

8. Cheese That Won’t Please

Nothing makes a burger better than a thick slice of succulent cheddar cheese sizzling nicely between the meat and bun. Problem is, at fast food restaurants this cheese isn’t cheddar. Heck, half the time it’s barely even cheese.

Research has revealed that around half the contents of most processed cheese in fast food restaurants is chemicals, additives and fat – leaving a final slice that’s less than 50% of what it claims to be. Isn’t that some barely-food for thought?

9. Beach Food

There’s an ingredient called silicon dioxide that’s often found in spicier fast food items such as chili and buffalo wings. You’re probably more familiar with its other name: sand. Nobody asked for their food to be sprinkled with bits from the beach, but fast food restaurants have gone ahead and done it anyway. Urgh.

10. Chemical Shakes

Fast food joints really know how to jazz up a milkshake, but if you knew exactly what went into these drinks, it’d be enough to make you hurl your milk-based beverage at the wall in disgust. Indeed, junk shakes contain all kinds of dodgy ingredients that spice that are pumped in to spice up their image, and in some cases contain even more chemicals than a typical garden fertiliser.

11. Immortal Burger

It’s a haunting sight when you accidentally stumble across expired food that’s been hidden away in the deep recesses of the fridge for weeks. At times like these, when you’re forced to pinch your nose and tentatively pluck the moldy monstrosity and tip-toe to your bin, it’s tempting to think “why do foods have to look so gross when they go off?”

Well as it so happens, McDonald’s burgers can last for 14 years and barely change in appearance. Great, right? Wrong. Foods are supposed to look revolting when they’ve expired – it’s a natural process and the warning sign that we humans need to realize that it’s no longer fit for consumption.

So when a burger barely changes after an entire decade, there’s only one real conclusion to be made: it isn’t really a burger at all. Whilst it will crust and harden when left to its own devices for years, a typical fast food burger contains so little water and so few naturally produced ingredients it’ll simply sit there looking pretty much exactly how it did when it was first made. A bit like plastic. Which is essentially what many takeaway burgers are.

12. Fries Forever

Unfortunately, McDonald’s fries display the same kind of ardent resistance to rot that a typical fast food burger does. An experiment conducted several years ago showed a batch of fries from the famous fast food chain looking exactly the same despite having sat in a pot for three long years. If ruthless bacteria isn’t prepared to nibble at these chips, then you sure as hell shouldn’t either.

13. The Sweet Taste of Beavers

Now might be the time to stop slurping on the vanilla and raspberry shakes that are available for selection on so many different fast food menus.

For added sweetness, the production process for these flavored drinks involves intermingling a head-slapping horrid ingredient into the mix called castoreum – which actually comes from the anal gland of the beaver. Shudder.

14. Not Really Nuggets

Golden, crispy chicken nuggets are a treat for the tongue when they’re cooked right. At fast food restaurants, however, the way that they’re produced is all wrong. Studies have shown that junk nuggets contain barely any chicken at all, instead being mainly comprised of fats, bone, nerve and tissue. Yuck.

15. Duck Feather Pie

Apple pie isn’t quite as appetizing as it might appear, at least not in fast food restaurants. These establishments add a bunch of strange chemicals to these juicy pies during the production phase in order to allow them to feed easily through the machines and speed up processing, and one of these unsavory additions is often an extract called L-cysteine.

Unfortunately, this ingredient is plucked from the most gag-inducing areas – including hog hair, human hair, and most incredibly, duck feathers. Take a pass on the apple pie in future.

16. Salads That Increase Your Size

Ordering a salad at a fast food restaurant is a bit like puffing on an e-cig inside a cigar bar. Sure, you’re being good and going for the healthy option, but you’re in an environment where harmful substances are being produced at a rapid rate, and whichever way you look at it, you’re still going be heading out the door in a worse state than you were before you came in.

Alarmingly, many typical fast food salads are stuffed with lots of saturated fats and sodium, and in some cases are even more detrimental to your health than a good old Big Mac burger.

17. Pictures Tell A Thousand Lies

Those posters you see of fast food burgers dripping with deliciousness are never real burgers. You probably already knew this one, but you might not realize the sheer effort that the fast food companies put in to shaping and shading their pictures to make their food look mouth-watering.

Every junk food restaurant has staff solely dedicated to making their food look absolutely sensational in print form – stopping at nothing to enhance its appearance. See, it’s not just celebs who use Photoshop after all.

18. Crazy Kids

Many of the more colorful foods served up at fast food chains contain food dyes that attempt to make the finalized product resemble something close to those glossy posters slapped on the restaurant’s interior windows.

If you frequently take your kids to eat at fast food restaurants, the presence of this ingredient ought to be enough to make you change your habits. Food dyes have been proven to actively alter the behavior of children, making them more hyperactive, intense, bad-tempered and irritable, and having even more severe symptoms for kids suffering from ADHD.

19. Beetle Juice, Beetle Juice, Beetle Juice

Oh, and those food dyes that have the potential to send your kids into hyperactive overdrive have another unsettling element to them. Some of them contain the red cochineal beetle - an insect that’s frequently captured, dried and crushed to produce an “artificial coloring” that will jazz up the look of your fast food milkshake or meal.

Consumed in low doses, this particular food dye made out of crunched-up insects isn’t going to have a nasty effect on your health, but be honest, do you want to eat something that’s come from a battered up beetle?

20. Walk It Off

If none of the above facts managed to put you off purchasing fast food, consider this as a final thought: If you went into McDonald’s right now, and purchased a small burger, small fries, and a small coke, the amount of calories, salt and saturated fat present in this moderate meal means that it woulds still take you over four hours to walk it all off.

And let’s be honest, the last thing you ever feel like doing after scoffing down a MacDonald’s burger is going for a tiring 240 minute-long walk.

Featured photo credit: Flickr, ciron810 via flickr.com

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You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to…

You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.

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15 Things Only New Moms Would Understand

Dirty nappies, constant sleep deprivation and never having time for yourself – most people would think you are mad to be a parent! They just don’t get it, and the fact is that as a new mom there are certain things that only you can understand.

Here are 15 things in particular that you are bound to relate to if you recently had your first child:

1. You worry about everything

With new moms you are constantly aware of the dangers and hazards that surround you at every turn. Even watching your child in the pool can get you worried as you think about the dangers children face in the water.

2. You forget what its like to get your 8 hours

6 hours uninterrupted sleep is now heaven. Gone are the days where you used to have a full 8 hours most nights – they are so far behind you that you often forget what it feels like to be completely rested. Just the thought of 8 hours makes you feel like superwoman!

3. You are all too familiar with fear

Fear is something that is part of your everyday life. There are a lot of ‘firsts’ involved with being a new mom and while you are constantly fearful you always have the strength to do what needs to be done.

4. You can’t stand to see your child sad

A little bit inside of you dies when you see your child sad. Whether it’s because they fell over in the park or their favourite teddy bear has been misplaced, you feel terrible that you can’t provide a quick solution to turn that frown upside down.

5. You always put your child first

Overnight you have become one selfless human being. You put your needs so far behind your child’s that they are almost non-existent in your mind.

6. You never have enough time in the day

Between getting to the shop to buy food supplies, changing your child and the million other things on your to-do list it can often feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day. That being said, you feel as if you achieve something significant everyday and that is one fantastic feeling!

7. You watch your child while they sleep

You love your child so much that you’ll often find yourself watching them sleep, even just for a minute. It is impossible not to savour the peace and quiet, but at the same time you look forward to what the next day brings.

8. You treasure every moment

You have a new found appreciation for life and the camera is your best friend. Even a trip to the supermarket is a chance for you to take photos of your child and savour the memories. Somehow in the back of your mind you know that the teenage years will rapidly creep up on you.

9. You know that your child isn’t perfect

While you would never tell anyone, you know deep down that your child isn’t perfect… but they are as close as you can get!

10. You count down the days to when you can fit in your regular clothes again

Pregnancy is over but you still can’t fit into your pre-pregnancy clothes. You’ll try all the diets and exercise in the world but you just haven’t quite got there yet.

11. You have a humongous appetite

All of a sudden you have a humongous appetite – you’ll even find yourself secretly nibbling at a bag of crisps as you prepare dinner for yourself and the family.

12. You don’t get offered a seat on public transport any more

You liked having a guaranteed seat on public transport when you were pregnant, but for some reason people don’t readily give up their seat for you any more and you often find yourself standing during busy hours like a regular person.

13. You have no idea what’s going on in your neighbourhood

You used to love a good chin wag to find out what was going on in your neighbourhood but all of a sudden you are out of the loop. You now have to rely solely on Facebook to get your dose of the local gossip

14. You have to listen to your child-free friends talk about their weekends

Your friends who don’t have children talk about going for weekend breaks or a night out on the town and you pretend not to be envious. For a second you feel jealous of their freedom but then you realise that you have something so much more rewarding in your life.

15. You wouldn’t swap it for the world

Despite any perceived disadvantages you wouldn’t swap your life for the world.

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