#the ability to nourish yourself....love love love that for me and everyone I cook for <3

[dexlexia]

sautéed - sanji x reader

pairing: sanji vinsmoke x trans!reader (he/him) rating: 18+ summary: When Sanji first saw you take off your binder. You expected him to act like he did towards anyone else he had a set of breasts. You wanted to turn away from him but he stopped you.

His eyes cast down to them as he turned you towards him. But then his eyes met with yours once more. All he said was, ”Are you able to breathe in that thing?“ tags: pwp, smut, trans!reader, kitchen sex, food, sanji's love language is cooking, sweet & gentle, strawberries, chest binders

When Sanji first saw you take off your binder. You expected him to act like he did towards anyone else he had a set of breasts. You wanted to turn away from him but he stopped you. 

His eyes cast down to them as he turned you towards him. But then his eyes met with yours once more. All he said was, ”Are you able to breathe in that thing?“

Your eyes met his and you nodded, ”Just gotta be careful.“ 

The corner of his mouth turned upwards. He leaned down and kissed the top of your head, ”Well, don't go dying on me. I like having you around.“

You had met the Strawhats about six months prior. It was strange being with pirates. You were an ”author“, which meant you worked a day job and wrote until you passed out in front of your typewriter. Your books were sold across the Grand Line. So you never expected to end up with the Strawhats. But after your village was attacked by the same forces that were after the Strawhats, you joined them so you wouldn't ever be weak again. 

So instead of working your day job at the local restaurant. You were at sea with you writing by hand on scraps of paper in the evening. You were so caught up with the thrill of being a pirate and training to become a stronger fighter, you didn't even notice that Sanji had his eyes on you. 

It took a while before you and Sanji got close enough for him to admit his feelings. It was sweet when he finally said he wanted to be with you. You honestly didn't know how to take it. You were confused because Sanji liked women. Not men. 

  ”Things change.“ He said when you questioned him about it. 

Now the two of you were closer than ever. Sanji loved your ability to keep high spirits and you loved how he was a tender partner, but didn't treat you as a weakling. He believed in your strength as much as you believed in his. 

You were currently on a small island getting more supplies. Sanji gave Nami a list and trusted her judgment on the quality of the fruits he wanted her to get.

So it left you and Sanji alone on the ship. 

With everyone else gone you could walk around in your binder and baggy shorts. It wasn't the most impressive binder, it was stained and old. But despite your hardest efforts you had trouble finding a replacement. So you did your best with what you had. It was like second skin, it made the anxiety about your chest a little less intense. 

You found yourself in the kitchen where Sanji was cutting up celery. He had his apron on that you gave him a few months ago that read “kiss the cook”. He looked intently at what he was doing as you walked in and headed to the fridge.

You weren't too sure when they were coming back, but it meant less chaos on board so you were fine with that. But as you closed the fridge door with pieces of cheese in hand you felt your boyfriend's eyes on you. 

  “You know I can make you something.“ He said as he put down the knife, ”You need to eat.“ 

  ”I'm fine, Sanji.“ You smiled as you happily ate your very small snack. You noticed Sanji was handing you the whole carrot. 

You gave him a look but he was insistent on you eating it. You sat at the table nearby and Sanji handed you pieces of dried meat, a roll and some strawberries.

  ”Eat.“ He said. 

You had no choice but to take the food. It was his love language. Food nourished and at times healed. If you wanted to get stronger, you had to fuel your body. Without food you become brittle and slow. 

You got through what Sanji gave you but ended up leaving behind the strawberries. Sanji came back with prepared food for you but noticed what you left behind. 

  ”I thought you loved them.“ He recalled as he placed down a plate in front of you. It was leftovers from the night before, but you could never steer wrong with fish, rice and a little bit of oil. 

You picked one up and examined it, ”It's never fun to eat them alone. It's the type of food you enjoy with others.“ And then looked at him. 

He smiled and took off the apron before he sat across from you at the table. ”You know they say that strawberries have to go through a lot of change before they can become perfect.  From a flower to a berry, a transformation.“ 

You exhaled dramatically and laughed, ”Yeah, Sanji... Good one.“ 

  ”I'm trying. I don't want you to think you're anything less than because you transitioned.“ He reached out for you and held your hand. He grasped it tightly and looked at you, ”I find it quite amazing that you're doing that.“

You leaned forward with a strawberry in hand, ”Oh shush you. You're such a sap.“ You joked as you fed him the berry. Before he could put it into his mouth he leaned forward to meet you halfway and kissed you. He let go of your hand and held your jaw as he pressed further into the kiss from the otherside of the table. 

  ”I mean it.“ he said as he broke the kiss. He took the strawberry from you with his teeth and happily ate it to the stem, ”I've never met a man like you before. I didn't think it was possible for me to be attracted to one.” He leaned back in his chair and placed the stem on the table, “I mean I didn't have many options aboard the ship. But I look at you and it's like my whole life comes together.” 

You sheepishly ate one of the berries and looked away as a blush stained your cheeks, “Are you trying to butter me up, Sanji?”

He laughed, it shook all the way down to your heart which only made it beat faster. “I'm your boyfriend, of course I'm going to butter you up. Because right now we're alone on this ship, and I've been thinking about you all morning. I want to see you naked.“ He tried to play it off cool but you knew he was sweating under his collar. 

Your lips curled upwards as you put the stem on the plate before you got up from your chair. You rounded the table and leaned against it with your arms crossed. You stared down at him as he stared up at you. Your smile remained as you reached for him and stroked his jaw, ”Well then, Sanji. We don't have much time.“ 

He soon got up and picked you up by the waist. He pulled at your baggy shorts until they were off of you then followed by your boxers. Your exposed pussy to him made his mouth water. But before he could start, he put his hands on your shoulders. He could feel the spandex of the binder. 

  ”Do you want this off?“ He asked. 

You swallowed, ”I think I should be okay, we'll just have to take it slow.“ You ran your fingers through his blond hair. He undid his belt and pulled his cock out of his pants. You leaned in and kissed him on the lips as his hands were placed on your hips. 

  ”I want to make sure.“ 

  ”I'll be fine." You responded before you wrapped your legs around his waist and held onto his shoulder for support. You tensed up when you felt his cock enter you. But Sanji kept it slow. 

  “Good. Good.” He muttered under his breath as he held oto you and started to move his hips back and forth, he pushed his cock deeper into you as you held onto him. He was gentle and caring. He didn't want to push you so hard you broke. 

He wasn't a brute. He was a gentleman, especially to his boyfriend. He eventually wrapped his arms around you and rested his nose on your shoulder. He let the spandex of the binder rub against it. 

He started to move his hips marginally faster. You held onto him and issued at the collar of his shirt. You occasionally hit the skin of his neck and let out shaky breaths. He loved making love to you, as he called it. It wasn't fucking or sex, it as love making. He wanted to idolize your body as you went through change, you could get all the surgeries you needed and he'd still worship you.

He was like that, he fell in love too easily. But with you, the feelings were reciprocated. He wasn't an obsessie puppy, he respected you. He loved you. He wanted to know that he loved you. He always wanted you. Never had another person bring such joy to Sanji's life in a romantic way. You stayed close to him as he rocked inside of you. 

The feeling of closeness staved off any dysphoria. You felt like a man having sex with another man. You held onto him. This felt right. This felt okay. Even if it was in an unconventional place. But in all fairness on a pirate ship there was little privacy. 

  “You're the most beautiful man I've ever met.” Sanji said after a sharp groan. His face buried in your shoulder as he continued to hold you close. He kissed into your skin and moved his hips against you. 

You were close, intimate as most couples were. You both craved closeness, it was something you both had been denied for a long time. The oceans were so vast that it was hard at times to make connections in your tiny towns. Loneliness was a disease, so you were fortunate to find someone who understood you. 

Life felt kinder with Sanji by your side. 

You kissed into his suit jacket and moaned into the fabric. You held onto him close and let him rock into you. He moved his body against yours and you in response gripped onto him tighter. 

It was warm, passionate and sweet. It was gentle but steady. His pace was methodic, there was a rhythm to it. He knew what he was doing. He knew how to make his man feel good. 

Pleasure raced up his spine, the feeling was intense. The intensity of it caused Sanji to bite into  the strap of your binder. He groaned through grit teeth and pulled his head back slightly as the feeling became more intense, he pulled the binder strap between his teeth. His breath was becoming heavier. 

  “Fuck, Sanji.” 

  “That's it." He said, his voice muffled before he let go of the strap and looked into your eyes as he thrusted. You could tell he was getting close. Your lips met once more as he moved you back and forth on the table. 

You dug your fingers into the shoulders of his suit as the pleasure washed over the both of you. His lips trailed across your teeth as he found your neck. He left wet kisses and breathed heavily into your warm skin. 

 ”I love you. I love you so much. You're the only man I want to be with." He panted. 

  “Same. Fuck, same.” You respond, out of breath as he continued to thrust up into you. it wouldn't be long before you both climaxed. You held onto him as tight as you could as the swell of pleasure entered your blood. Your head felt dizzy, your back was sweaty and you could feel the sweat make your binder cling to your skin.

  “Never forget.” Sanji said, “It's you and I forever.” And with one last hard thrust, he finished inside of you. Then he slumped against your shoulder as he tried to gain his bearings.

You two were at the height of climax. You also collapsed fully onto the table but held yourself up by gripping onto the table. You felt soft kisses against your chest, over your heart and binder. 

  “How was that?” He asked. 

 “Amazing.” You replied out of breath. Eventually you parted and Sanji grabbed some napkins and cleaned the sweat and cum off of you. 

  “So.” He said as he wiped the sweat from your brow, “Want to help me cut some potatoes?”

  “Lovely post-sex talk.” You replied, then pulled him in, “But I'd be happy to.” 

#dexlexia writes #black foot sanji #black leg sanji #sanji x y/n #sanji x you #sanji x reader #sanji vinsmoke #sanji one piece #one piece x reader #one piece smut #one piece #one piece sanji #anime x reader #anime #reader insert

[double-edged-pen]

Hiiii!! The writing here is lovely! I’m not sure which characters you’re okay to do with danganronpa but can I request Ultimate Imposter, Kokichi Oma, Gundham Tanaka and Byakuya Togami (if those are too many, you can just pick whoever c:) with a fem! s/o who gets overwhelmed by several different things easily? Like work, chores, etc.?

Thank you so much by the way!! :D

Helping You When You're Overwhelmed HC's: Fem!Reader X Ultimate Impostor, Gundham, Kokichi, and Byakuya

Hey there! It's lovely to meet you! We're okay with basically all the characters from Danganronpa (issues only begin when we get to Despair Girls).

Thank you for the wonderful compliment! I brought Mod Pink with me this time, so I hope that's okay with you. If you have a favorite, or if you prefer the way someone writes a certain character, you can always request from one specific Mod (no hard feelings from either of us!). Otherwise, we'll just divide the workload however we see fit.

Requests are currently open to all! Hope we'll see everyone, soon!

~ Mod Yellow

Byakuya Togami (Impostor):

The Ultimate Imposter cares about the wellbeing of anyone he considers a friend, so he cares at least double for someone as close to him as his S/O is.

When tackling a task that seems too large, he tends to break it down into parts. You don’t just become someone else overnight! You have to get the right clothes, know what sort of grades to earn (and how to do that), and a bunch of other details. If you take it one step at a time, you’ll do just fine!

He tries his best to help you in whatever way he can. Concerned with chores? Well, let’s start in the bathroom. Would you prefer to wipe the mirror or the countertop? If he has time, he’ll do the other. If he doesn’t, he’ll talk you through step after step, reassuring you the whole way.

He doesn’t really care how you did in the past. Was yesterday a bad workday? So what? It’s one day out of many. He’ll do what he can to take care of you no matter what grades you get. But here, let him show you how to do this tricky bit. You’ll have to do it by yourself in class, and there’s no need to panic about the same problem twice.

“S/O…you’re making a mountain out of a molehill. You need not concern yourself with such worries.”

As you work, he’ll make sure to remind you to take frequent breaks to take care of yourself, and will of course reward your efforts, no matter how small they seem. You did great, and naturally you can’t be at your best at all times. After all, that’s why you have someone like him to rely on. He’ll guide you when you’re at your lowest so that you can hope to match him at your best.

Speaking of rewards, what better way to reward you than with your favorite fast food? Not only will eating nourish you, but as the superior food option, it will also help to motivate and comfort you.

Whether or not you agree with his views of fast food being superior, you can’t deny how good your favorite fast food joint sounds. After all, comfort food is comfort food! And who understands what food you're craving better than your S/O?

Just remember to encourage him to introduce different rewards, such as a movie night or cooking or something besides just fast food. You ate out 5 times last week, and as much as you enjoy burgers, fries, and chicken nuggets, you are getting tired of eating the same foods over and over. Not that you’re complaining.

Gundham Tanaka:

As someone who can read the moods of his Four Dark Devas of Destruction, as well as many other animals, with ease, he can easily transfer this ability to helping his S/O long before her stress becomes a large issue.

Are there too many chores to complete? Fear not! Gaze upon the speed of his Dark Devas as they purge your desk of dust! …You aren’t sure if the hamsters rolling around in front of you are creating more work, as your desk wasn’t that dusty and now there’s hamster hair on your homework, but you can’t help but calm down a little at how cute they are as they work! Gundham seems proud of himself, at least.

Since Gundham has taught others to care for animals in the past, he finds no trouble in displaying the art of folding the laundry or doing the dishes to you, advising the best techniques to further hone your abilities. Or something like that. You can’t remember what he said exactly, but having him help you with the chores was nice of him. Not that you’ll tell him.

“I have tamed powerful creatures such as the cerberus and the phoenix. I have faced many a demon and come out of such encounters unscathed. So fear not! With the Supreme Overlord of Ice by your side, your own demons are powerless!”

On the off chance you become too overwhelmed, he’ll set the Four Dark Devas of Destruction upon you to distract you until you are calm again. Sometimes he’ll speak what you believe are words of reassurance, and sometimes he’ll just sit off to the side and watch in silence. 

If that somehow doesn’t calm you down, he might try to build up the courage to hold your hand to reassure you. Despite his aversion to physical touch with mortals, he’ll make a special exception for an extremely stressed-out S/O. But you better keep your end of the pact and continue to fight to banish your inner demons!

As a reward for conquering your foes, such as completing the full chore list, making it through a particularly challenging workday, or doing well on that test you were worried about, Gundham will take you to wherever he’s keeping the animals he’s breeding at the time and will let you pet as many as you desire for however long you want.

Alternatively, he’ll host a game night with several video games or board games for you to try so you can release your worry fighting literal demons instead of internal ones. Or playing a game with cute animals. You’ll both have fun either way.

Kokichi Oma:

Who knows how to turn work into play better than Kokichi? You may worry about your workload now, but by the time the day is done, you’ll be under the impression you were fooling around the whole time!

On the days that it’s really rough, everything’s a game if it means you’re kept engaged. Let’s time S/O to see how quickly she can finish those files! If you can do it within a certain time limit, you’ll earn a special prize~!

Rewards can range from anywhere between Kokichi bringing you some form of a snack to cuddles to kisses…he might even start a pillow fight if he thinks you’re too stressed.

“Okay! It’s time for us to take a break from the computer and make a blanket fort~! Whaddya say?”

Of course, he’ll help with the chores when you ask. Even if you don’t, sometimes he’ll just look at you and start a competition. Can you sweep the floors before he finishes folding the laundry?

You had to ban that last game because Kokichi folded the clothes so horrendously that you had to redo the load. Everything had wrinkles in it.

Every time one of these days happens, where you just can’t focus and Kokichi tricks you into working, you’ll go out to eat.

Sometimes it’s just fast food. Other times, you go somewhere nice as a big reward. No matter what, though, you always end up enjoying yourselves.

By the end of the day, you’ll forget what had you so worried in the first place. Whenever you need him to, Kokichi is ready to show you that work and play aren’t worlds apart, after all.

Byakuya Togami:

Byakuya knows what it’s like to have several different things on his plate at once. What else do you expect from someone who’s about to inherit a multi-billion dollar company? Multitasking is just another part of his routine.

That said, he has his own strategies as to how he keeps himself underwhelmed. Stress has been proven to enhance people’s abilities; it only negatively affects you if you let it. Byakuya will gladly share this information with you in an attempt to reassure you.

He’ll recommend a few courses of action to you. You could put everything you have to do that day into a list, organized by importance. Maybe you’re the type that needs to set timers to grant yourself a certain amount of time to work and a certain amount of time to take a break. Spending 30 minutes working and taking 5 minute breaks in between until the task is finished has proven to increase productivity.

Will make sure that you aren’t spending too much time panicking over work or studies rather than actually doing the tasks. There’s no need to waste time that could be put to use. He’ll make sure to help you step back and take a look at everything you need to do. Once you break it all down, it really isn’t that much, see?

Don’t even think about chores. Really. Don’t. Byakuya has a whole team meant to do just that. Neither of you should have to bother with such a thing, in his opinion.

On that note, if any of your tasks are truly menial, he’ll just have one of his assistants help you. Need to deliver a file or an important paper? Someone is already grabbing their keys to do it for you. Having trouble with some of your schoolwork? Congratulations, you now have a private tutor ready to help. He can’t have someone close to him failing classes or risking unemployment. Byakuya won’t allow you to be anything less than your best.

“Tch. You shouldn’t be wasting your time on something as trivial as this. Let me get someone else to do it; you’ll focus on more important things.”

Whenever Byakuya finishes with his own work for the day, he’s always sure to check in on you. Odds are, you’ll both want to relax after your minds have been working all day.

Relaxing might consist of just sitting on the couch together and watching a movie. Not one that demands your attention; just something for background noise while you two chat quietly about whatever comes to your minds.

Whatever you both choose to do, you make sure each others’ minds are empty before finally heading to bed (or before he finally has someone drive you home). There’s no reason for any of tomorrow’s worries to worm their way into your head today, after all.

~ Mod Yellow & Mod Pink

#danganronpa thh #danganronpa #danganronpa x reader #danganronpa trigger happy havoc #killing harmony #sdr2 #drv3 #dr goodbye despair #dr killing harmony #dr1 trigger happy havoc #dr1 #byakuya x reader #byakuya togami #kokichi oma #drv3 kokichi #gundham x reader #gundham tanaka #ultimate imposter #kokichi x reader

[hanemiso]

Hello may i request headcanons?

Kunikida with an older sibling relationship with ADA member Reader (gender neutral please) despite not being related to them. He's really protective over them, making extra sure they are safe and always bringing them food and water! But he can be a bit harsh about missions and whether or not they can go on them no matter how much Reader wants to.

Maybe Reader is in a wholesome relationship with Atsushi and Kunikida's constantly on his tail about making sure Reader is being treated right :)

Thanks 4 reading this, i hope you have a really good day 💜

a/n: omg my first bsd request! thank you for requesting, i'm sorry these were a couple days late, i had my final exam for a college class yesterday :/ anyway, I hope you enjoy! i'm so sorry if these are shitty

also thank you to my bestie @wontonjaegerchan for some of the ideas!

big brother kunikida hcs!

okay so the thing about big brother kunikida-

he's on your case A LOT

but not really about work, since he trusts you'll get your work done unless you're like dazai then rip

he's more on your case about your wellbeing, which you appreciate but at the same time he can be extra with it

"have you eaten today?"

"kunikida it's 10AM yes i just had toast"

"y/n you need nourishment to work productively, have you completely ignored the meal plan i gave you?"

yes he gave you a meal plan and it was according to his ideals of how many meals should be eaten a day and what exact food to eat

but do not worry, it was modified to match your food preferences

but if you're a picky eater like me he will fckin fight you on everything

"you need all of the food groups y/n"

"no >:( forget it kunikida i'm not eating nasty ass tomatoes"

if you like tomatoes you’re lying

if you're lazy with cooking be prepared for a stack of bentos to be dropped off at your apartment

there will be no note but you know it’s kunikida because they’re all nicely packaged and they match the meal plan

if you don’t eat regularly y’all are gonna have a problem, he said it not me

but he’s not going to be insensitive about it if it’s for personal reasons

if anything he’d love if you talked to him about it so he could help you through it, but he’s not gonna press the issue

he just wants to make sure you eat something :,)

he's also big on getting you to stay hydrated

ideally eight cups a day, but he wants to see you drink at least one each day and won't leave your desk until you do

"kunikida i'm not thirsty"

"nice, i didn't ask. drink the glass or i'll throw you in the river with dazai, plently of water in there."

you: 🧍

if you don’t hydrate often or even at all you best believe he’ll be like a fruit fly hovering in your vision

“you haven’t drank even one glass of water today.”

“not true, there’s water in the ice cubes in my iced coffee ☺️”

yeah he didn’t appreciate that joke and your iced coffee was replaced by water rip to your iced coffee bruh

he comes off as harsh, but it's because he cares

he was an algebra instructor what are you expecting lmao

oh god but when it comes to missions-

he knows you can take care of yourself, okay? everyone in the agency knows you're plenty capable to be sent on solo missions and even dangerous ones

but kunikida has seen death, from children to friends

i mean shit he works at the fuckin ada everyone there has witnessed death at least once

but when it comes to you, someone he holds dearly like a sibling

your capability gets tossed out the window

you get a hard no and you're pissed, but it happens every time a dangerous case is brought to the office

it'll be perfect for you and your ability, or if you don't have an ability, it's just perfect for your expertise

but with even the slightest chance you won't walk back through the door to the ada the next morning, he'll give it to someone else

too many times have your missions been given to atsushi and you'd be sent with tanizaki to do research/gather intel

he had to save your ass one time when you went against his orders and accompanied atsushi, and he didn't talk to you for the rest of the day

it was the type of silent treatment that someone gives when they're not really angry, but just disappointed

and it ate you up inside

you made up later obviously, but it's still something you both argue about

he definitely makes you text him when you get home and when you leave for work (thank you mía)

“are you home yet?”

“yes ‘kida”

“there was a 10 second delay in your response, is something wrong?”

“kunikida i misspelled ‘yes’ what-“

bottom line, kunikida is very protective over you

so when he suspected that something might be going on between you and atsushi

pray for tiger boi oh god

when y'all are sent on missions together he corners atsushi, like until he's backed up into a wall, and makes it clear that he needs to look out for you or he'll eat his liver 🥰🥰

anytime you guys interact in the office, kunikida is EYEING you both so intensely omg

like

👁👁

but if y’all are touching-

it's like being watched by a nark LMAO

although he comes off as overbearing and cold sometimes

it's clear that he really cares about you and just wants the best for you

taglist: @justmycupoftea93 @loveliestmolly @darlingimawitch @b-i-t-t-i-e-s @browneyespinkhair @silverstar22x @anotakugardener @jhopesstickeredcarrier @spacedoutcoffeebeans @puddingowo66 @beomluvrr @stupidfrogfreak @joyfulartisanstudentlamp @kaeyapng

#anime #bungou stray dogs #bungou stray dogs x reader #bsd headcanons #bsd #bsd x reader #bsd kunikida #kunikida doppo x reader #kunikida x reader #kunikida doppo #kunikida hcs

[chalkrevelations]

OK, y’all, I’m back, finally, with Word of Honor Episode 8, and I have … a LOT of notes on this one. I’m trying to figure out how to organize this. Buckle up, I guess, because this is kind of a long one.

First of all, the usual warning: SPOILERS. This is a re-watch, so there are spoilers not only for this episode, but for the entire show. Scroll away and come back later if you want to watch all 36.5 eps unspoiled.

So, this is an ep that’s really good to me, because the found-family dynamic is one of the things that sold me on the show, and a ton of the ensemble work that builds and enriches that dynamic is centered on scenes about food and eating together, on literally nourishing the body(ies) of the family, from A-Xiang’s repeated instances of cooking bread on a stick over a fire, to fish soup with Ye Baiyi, to Wen Kexing’s elaborate New Year’s meal, and all the various and sundry restaurant sit-downs in between. Feeding each other and eating together is how these characters form bonds. Alternately, inability to provide sustenance or rejection of food implies distance. The point at which Zhou Zishu is still denying Chengling’s request to become his disciple, he’s unable to cook a fish properly for the poor kid to eat. Cao Weining falls in love at first sight and immediately buys A-Xiang not one, but two dinners, because the first one gets cold and he’s going to spend the rest of his life providing the best (emotional) nourishment he can for her. Paying for Ye Bayi’s meal earns a favor from him. When A-Xiang is separated from Wen Kexing and Zhang Chengling and Zhou Zishu, she eats up the little corn family she sees as representative of them, as if she can keep them with her by taking the food that represents them into herself. Despite the fact that Zhou Zishu is losing his sense of taste (evidenced by his ability to suck down wine that any and everyone else spits out in disgust), he continues to fully participate in meals, sharing food and both accepting and providing choice bits to Chengling and WKX at Siji Manor, in a scene that is possibly the most heartfelt domestic bit of the show. Rejecting (dramatically so) the table that’s been set for him by Prince Jin is symbolic of Zhou Zishu’s rejection of their relationship. And as we ultimately learn from Ye Baiyi’s storyline, eating is what makes us human, with all of our messy, painful, gorgeous connections to the world, in contrast to the icy seclusion of immortality. Which makes me feel some kind of way about the facts that WKX started out by burning A-Xiang’s mouth on too-hot porridge before he learned how to take care of her and was saved by her in Ghost Valley and that A-Xiang and WKX, who are both trying to find their way back to the human world from the world of ghosts, become the primary physical nourishers in their relationships with Cao Weining, Zhang Chengling, and Zhou Zishu. It also makes me feel some kind of other (ambivalent) way that part and parcel of the immortality Ye Baiyi achieves for a time and passes on is predicated on being willing to only eat and drink ice and snow, and the symbolic ways that separates you from the rest of the world and from forming the various connections we see forged through food.

All of which is to say that I’m delighted by this ep, where one of the first scenes is an extremely awkward dinner scene at the restaurant with ZZS, WKX, A-Xiang and Cao Weining, which not only plays into a lot of that, but is also comedy gold, and possibly one of the best scenes of the ep (and I say that knowing we’re eventually going to be getting to Han Ying, My Beloved). It’s hilarious how irritated WKX is by the mere fact of Cao Weining’s existence (JunJun, your little pouty face, it’s amazing). And it is triply hilarious how much of a whole-ass troll ZZS manages to be when he realizes the opportunity this presents. I’m not sure we’ve seen ZZS this cheerful … well, yet, at this point in the show, as when he’s just realized how much WKX clearly disapproves of this character who’s after his baby girl and how much of a chance this provides to fuck with WKX. It’s such an asshole move, but at the same time, it’s so weirdly charming to see him willing to play like this. It gives us a great character grace note right in the middle of the comedy - it’s the sort of teasing we see from him with Jiuxiao over the hairpin in Ep 1, and at the same time, it’s also kind of subtle, I think, in the way it calls back to almost the entire ZZS-WKX relationship up to this point. ZZS has clearly been paying attention – almost everything he says to Cao Weining is him giving up with both hands stuff that WKX has had to pry out of him with a crowbar. And it’s blazingly obvious that it’s deliberate. When he compliments CWN, ZZS comments that “it’s our fate to meet each other,” directly echoing what WKX said to ZZS in Ep 2. He waves off the price of dinner, telling CWN that “money is just a possession” after making WKX beg for his wallet and deploy the Sadness Eyebrows before he was willing to hand it over in the last ep. He immediately volunteers his name (or, at least, the name he’s using, Zhou Xu), and asks CWN’s in return. He waxes eloquent about CWN’s sect and background. WKX’s entire face journey through all of this is a delight to watch. ZZS repeats that it’s their fate to meet, and WKX’s eyes almost roll out of his head. ZZS invites CWN to sit and have a drink together, and WKX’s mouth literally drops open. Finally, when WKX learns that A-Xiang is not going to make this interloper go away because he’s her ticket into Yueyang sect, he orders her to go find his wallet (presumably knowing that CWN will follow her when she leaves). As CWN leaves, ZZS reassures him that making friends is “mostly about resonance,” and the implication I presume, is that there is resonance between ZZS and CWN (and yeah, in more ways than one, as CWN will be the ZZS stand-in as these two relationships grow more and more parallel), in contrast to a supposed lack of resonance between ZZS and WKX. I … am not entirely sure that this is just to fuck with WKX, although it’s definitely part and parcel of that, or if it’s a little bit of ZZS trying to convince himself, particularly given a moment later in the ep, which I’ll get to later. In which case, sure, A-Xu. You keep telling yourself that. You didn’t get off at ALL on him staring at you like you’re the most gorgeous thing on earth. Uh-huh.

Outside, A-Xiang and CWN have a little foodie moment together, and if there ever was a fandom that needed a food-truck AU, it’s this one. I’m SO glad that after A-Xiang and Cao-dage got married, they settled down together and opened that little restaurant just down the mountain from Siji Manor. (Shut. Up.) Meanwhile, ZZS and WKX continue to drink inside, now that they’ve gotten rid of the kids. They discuss Mo Huaiyang (:spits:), with ZZS calling him a “cunning old fox” and wondering what a big rabbit like CWN is doing in his den (owowowoOW). WKX promises to get A-Xiang to check on ZZS’s disciple inside Yueyang Sect – he kind of emphasizes that your disciple bit, like he doesn’t really care at all what happens to Chengling, nuh-uh. OK, my dude, you keep telling yourself that, I guess. There’s yet another discussion about Philanthropist Wen’s real motives, which he claims are to empty out hell, which is metaphorically taken to mean saving the damned, although he probably literally means razing Ghost Valley and maybe the jianghu along with it, as he warns ZZS once again that “the fiercest ghosts tend to disguise themselves as human.” And because everything has a triple meaning in this show, this also, again, is also, again, a warning about himself – that he may look human, but he’s not, really.

Meanwhile, Chengling’s been delivered to Gao Chong at Yueyang Sect, where he’s undergoing the worst kind of family bonding. We learn where ShenShen gets his sparkling way with people, when Gao Chong’s first move is to frown at Chengling, feel his biceps and want to know if he’s sick, because he’s such a weakling. We also see where ShenShen gets the yelling and threats of violence. Both Gao Chong and ShenShen put the press on Chengling for the Glazed Armor, as he continues to insist he doesn’t remember anything about it, while Zhao Jing continues to be the “reasonable” one, tearfully telling Gao Chong to be nicer to the traumatized orphan for the sake of his father, oh, oops, I didn’t mean to remind Da-ge of the estrangement with Mirror Lake that’s mentally torturing him now and make him so emotional that this conversation gets cut short, no really, that was not my intention at all, my bad. Sure, buddy. Anyway, this gives us confirmation that Zhang Yusen hadn’t been interacting with his Five Lakes brothers for a while before Mirror Lake was targeted. But never mind that, you can trust us, Gao Chong tells Chengling, and follows up by asking him: Besides us, who can you trust? Which does not actually sound that trustworthy, my guy, and I begin to suspect that Five Lakes Alliance is running things because you’re the biggest bullies, as not a single one of you seems to know how to be the least bit politic. Except for Awful Yifu, who’s not so much adept at politics as at skullduggery. ANYWAY, when asked who he can trust, we can see Chengling thinking “MY NEW DADS” like it’s lit up in neon over his head. We also see him continue to press or clutch the place on his abdomen where we previously saw his injury, so that’s still bothering him, and I can’t imagine why it might do that any time he has to argue with one of these Five Lakes assholes about the Glazed Armor, amirite? I do also notice, though, that he calls both Gao Chong and Zhao Jing “bobo,” which I think is a more familial term for uncle? as opposed to “shishu” for ShenShen, which is martial, and I’m not sure exactly what distinction he’s driving home by doing so, but there you go. Chengling is sent away to rest, and on leaving the hall he immediately gets bullied by Xie Wuyang, one of Zhao Jing’s undercover Yueyang twinks, before being rescued by Gao Xiaolian, daughter of Gao Chong. She takes him to his new room, which faces right onto the training grounds, because no one’s told him yet how much he needs to build himself up, right? And we get to see a bunch of little Yueyang shits who acted like good boys and promised Xiaolian to her face that they would train with Chengling but who then immediately turn around and start mocking him as soon as she goes away, so WKX’s assessment of how the jianghu is full of assholes continues to look kind of correct. What is Cao Weining doing in this whole hive of scum and villainy?

We get a brief detour here to go with Xiaolian to meet Cao Weining and A-Xiang, and she agrees to let A-Xiang stay with her, before a disciple comes to get her to help set up for taking Chengling to worship at the Five Lakes Alliance memorial. Xiaolian helpfully lets us know that this is weird, because it’s going to be dark soon. A-Xiang sneaks away and informs WKX and ZZS that this is weird, because it’s going to be dark soon. ZZS and WKX also spot some of the Tian Chuang Action Lanterns and surmise that some “feudal lords” seen outside the city are up to no good, so they go and skulk in the bushes along the road to the Five Lakes Alliance monument.

This is getting super-long, so I’m going to get right to the next important part, which is the bit where Han Ying (My Beloved) and his Tian Chuang forces have laid a trap for Gao Chong and Chengling on the way back from the monument, and they try to kidnap Chengling. Han Ying continues to be cold, haughty, and capable at his job right up to the moment when ZZS jumps out of the bushes to foil the kidnapping with his signature Swiftly Moving Steps and a frankly ridiculous bit of gauzy fabric tied around the bottom half of his face as a disguise. Han Ying’s instant change of demeanor is something to behold – he can’t even notice that WKX has him by the throat around the hearts in his eyes as he recognizes ZZS. Which, let’s face it, he ought to, because ZZS spent a decade and a half running around with all of these guys with the bottom half of his face covered, so you’d think more of them would recognize him, but apparently the Cover Girl bangs throw them off. Anyway, WKX grabs Han Ying and they use him as a hostage to get Tian Chuang to release Gao Chong, Chengling and a bunch of Yueyang disciples. Once everyone else is gone, WKX and ZZS drag Han Ying into the bushes, where he hits his knees ten times faster than WKX has yet for ZZS, so maybe it’s WKX’s own fault that he’s left standing around, ignored and vinegary. Han Ying is back to the puppy-dog he was around ZZS in Ep 1, and interestingly, the way Zhang Zhehan is styled here makes ZZS look more severe than he has in a while – he’s got a lot of his hair up in the high pony that looks a bit like the topknot from the front, all the rest of his hair is back behind his shoulders, and his bangs are pushed back out of his face more than usual, making him look more like his Tian Chuang self as he talks to Han Ying. Who he calls Ying’er, and omg, fuck you subtitles, for not including this because HE CALLS HIM YING’ER AND I’M DYING. (Also, oh god, I just realized that the Ying of his name is the same character as “hero.” Which, just, the simple fact of it, of course, but also it was used in the “hero saving the beauty/beauty saving the hero” (overdubbed) lip-read from Ep 6, and now I’m dying on the floor, because that’s kind of a weird little link between Zhen Yan WKX and Han Ying already. It’s likely coincidence, but it’s potentially USEFUL, yes, all my fic writers out there?) Anyway, Han Ying is desperately worried - he knows something’s wrong, because ZZS isn’t bothering to disguise himself with that awful fake face anymore to keep himself safe from Prince Jin’s spies, and also, HOW IS YOUR INJURY, MY LORD? (DO YOU NEED SOMEONE TO TAKE TENDER CARE OF YOU?) WKX continues to look vaguely uncomfortable about this whole thing that’s going on right in front of his salad. Han Ying swears he’ll do anything for ZZS. WKX clears his throat loudly to draw attention and suggestively asks if he should leave for a while. (I am not shitposting here, this actually, literally happens.) ZSS literally huffs in annoyance and ignores him. He tells Han Ying that he saw signs of Tian Chuang at Yueyang and thought they were after him. We can see Han Ying thinking, “No, if I’d known you were here, you’d have found me on my knees by your bedside waiting patiently like a good boy.” We learn that Duang Pengju (that asshole) has had Han Ying looking for the Glazed Armor since the Mirror Lake massacre, probably to take credit for anything he finds. Han Ying reiterates that he’ll do anything for ZZS, and ZZS tells him to stay out of all this, saying that what Han Ying can do for him is stay alive (well, OW).

After this, we get a scene of ZZS and WKX still hanging around by the side of the road after dark. ZZS sincerely thanks WKX for his help, and says he owes WKX a favor. WKX asks him what’s really going on with ZZS and Chengling. ZZS says that he couldn’t stand around and do nothing while this kid was in danger, likely stirring some Zhen Yan feels in WKX that we don’t officially know about yet, at this point. ZZS asks WKX, again, about his Weird Thing about the Five Lakes Alliance and whether it was a coincidence that WKX was at Mirror Lake for the massacre. WKX goes vaguely Ghost Valley Master wild-eyed and says of course not! before laughing and saying, “I followed you, remember?” He gets friend-zoned and follows up by asking ZZS, “Why don’t you ask what I think of you?” ZZS – pretty unconvincingly, tbqh – says he doesn’t care and stomps off, leaving WKX to stare after him soulfully and call him zhiji. Much like that resonance thing earlier - you keep telling yourself that, A-Xu. The next time we see them, they’re at the marketplace, probably the next day, and you remember that thing I said about bonding via food? We’ve come back full circle to that, too. Zhen Yan WKX is 7 years old again, he wants some reassurance that he is ZZS’s super-special friend, and he works his way through the marketplace making ZZS buy him every sweet thing to eat that he can find. Every time ZZS has to pull out his wallet, he makes this pissy little face, but he keeps paying. ZZS is hopeless at cooking, but if you can’t make your own, store-bought will do, WKX is craving reassurance, and as uncomfortable as ZZS is with how close WKX has gotten at this point, he continues to provide it. I also want to point out another censorship dub here, thanks again to AvenueX on Youtube: As they’re figting over the way WKX is spending ZZS’s money in this scene, when WKX tries to grab ZZS’s hand, and ZZS is all ‘”Don’t touch me,” the voice dubbing has WKX say that repaying ZZS is no big deal, he’ll just let ZZS order him around, with ZZS’s response being to tell him to get lost, then. OTOH, lip-read gives us, from WKX, that it’s no big deal, he’ll sell the rest of his life to ZZS, with ZZS’s response as a threat to sell him to a brothel, then. :hands:

Quick wrap-up from there: They go watch some exotic dancers, only there turns out to be an unexpected pile of heads in the follow-up magician’s act, which turn out to be from the guys who were in the “bridal party” at the Ghost Valley “wedding” a few eps ago, and everyone swears vengeance against the Ghost Valley. WKX and ZZS go to visit Chengling, who is supposedly sick and can’t see them, but they get introduced to Gao Chong. Gao Chong and WKX are weird at each other, and ZZS is increasingly suspicious. He’s got his thinky face on, and we don’t get any literally pokey fingers, but I can’t help but think there are some mental pokey fingers going on, as he turns over all the info he knows in his head. Then some Yueyang disciple comes shrieking in about a dead body, omg, death, destruction, death, and Gao Chong is all, Seriously? In front of guests? before we’re out.

#zhou zishu #wen kexing #gu xiang #zhang chengling #cao weining #han ying #gao chong #shen shen #zhao jing #gao xiaolian #something something food as bonding #word of honor #word of honor episode reax

[theladymorganlefay]

Witchcraft doesn’t require fancy, glittery wands, swords or chalices. Your altar doesn’t have to look like a scene from Game of Thrones (unless you want it to). In fact, there are everyday household items that most people have in their house that can be used in witchcraft. These household staples are just as powerful as a store-bought magical tool (if not moreso). So get ready to check around your house for these magical items and get to witchin’!

1. Sugar

Almost everyone has a bowl or canister of sugar in their kitchen. But did you know sugar has magical properties? Sugar comes from a plant called sugar cane that’s been grown in the South for centuries. Use sugar in love spells or to sweeten someone’s attitude.

2. Mirror

Have you read our article about haunted and magic mirrors? Mirrors are connected to water and represent our emotions, intuition, and dreams. BUT mirrors can also be portals to other worlds. Use mirrors in candle spells to reflect magick back at a person, scry your future in the mirror, and cast a little glamour magick while looking in the mirror.

3. Candles

This is an obvious one, but should be mentioned. If you can’t afford to go out and buy a bunch of new candles solely for witchcraft, use the candles you have around the house. Birthday candles and votives are great for candle spells! Candles also give off a magical ambiance and set the mood for casting and ritual.

4. Ribbons and String

Whether it’s a rogue shoelace, ribbon, yarn or string, this is a staple any witch can use in her magick. The easiest magick with string is knot magick. But ribbons and string can also be used to draw out your magick circle on the floor, decorate the house for Beltane and Midsummer, or can be enchanted and worn on one’s person as an amulet or talisman. Not to mention you can tie up a spell bag or mojo bag with a piece of yarn or ribbon!

5. Refrigerator/Freezer

Say what? How does one use the refrigerator or freezer in witchcraft? Easy! Are you dealing with a “hot” situation with angry relatives or co-workers? Write the situation and people involved on a piece of paper, roll it up, and pop it in the fridge to cool everyone down. The freezer works to “freeze” a fast-moving situation or stop a person from making any decisions. Don’t forget you can freeze a name or situation by putting it in water and popping it in the freezer.

6. Broom

Everyone has a broom in their house for cleaning purposes. But the broom has been a magical tool of witches for centuries. Start at the front of the house and move counter-clockwise, sweep the negativity from each room out the back door! Turn the broom bristles up when not in use, especially if it’s behind a door or in a corner.

7. Honey

Also found in the kitchen of many homes is a jar or bottle of honey. Honey has been used in the Hoodoo tradition for centuries to sweeten someone up. While sticky, honey can be used to dress a candle for a love spell (lightly), or spells can be covered in honey and sealed up in a jar. Honey is also a great offering to love gods and goddesses and the ocean. Anoint your power points to take on the likeness of the bee.

8. Jars and Bottles

Speaking of jars and bottles, why not save your pickle jars, spice bottles and other glass containers to use in future spells? Clean them out thoroughly, then cleanse them with smoke or the elements, before making witch bottles, jars, or storing your spell ingredients and herbs.

9. Tea Kettle

Super easy magick involves making a simple cup of tea! Your tea kettle becomes a ritual tool for relaxation, medicine, and magick on a daily basis. Draw symbols of power over the tea kettle with your finger while waiting for the water to boil. Learn more about tea witchcraft here. Who doesn’t love the comforting whistle of grandma’s old tea kettle? That was magic in and of itself.

10. Stockpot or Crockpot

Cauldrons were once standard in our ancestors’ homes found at the hearth. Now our kitchen is the hearth of the house and our cauldrons are our pots and pans. Use your stockpot or crockpot to cook magickal meals or simmer magickal potpourris. I’ve also made herbal infusions and decoctions with my stockpot. And brew a floor wash in your stockpot before cleaning your floors!

11. Soap

And now you’re thinking is she crazy? Soap can be used in witchcraft? To that I say, of course! When washing in the morning or at night, use your bar of soap in a downwards fashion from head to feet to cleanse yourself of all negative vibes. You can even buy soaps made by witches for specific purposes!

12. Clothing

Everyone has to wear clothes, right? Why not enchant your clothing before putting them on? Select certain colors for certain intentions. For example, wear pink when you want to increase the romance in your life. Wear green when you want to attract more money. Shoes and jewelry are also magical tools common in every household.

13. Buttons

Have a jar of buttons you don’t know what to do with? Use the buttons in your witchcraft. Add them to your spell bags and adorn your poppets. Buttons make great eyes and noses for poppets. Sew buttons into a pattern or symbol inside a jacket or coat to align with a magical intention.

14. Flour

Every house has a bag of canister of flour in the kitchen. Flour is typically made from wheat, rice or corn so it also carries the magical properties of the plant from which it’s made. Obviously, flour can be used to make magical breads and pies, BUT you can also use it to draw out circles and sigils on the ground.

15. Bathtub

If you have a bathtub or shower, you have access to an incredibly magical experience. A safe place where you can connect with the water element. Take a shower to cleanse away negative vibes from the day, or add herbs and flowers to your bath to cast spells for money, success, love, etc.

16. Paper and Pen

Every household has paper and pen or pencil, right? We take the ability to write for granted in modern times, but many of our ancestors were never taught how to write. Nor did they have access to paper and writing utensils. Write your spells on a piece of paper, then burn the paper to release the magick. You can also bury the paper, freeze it, cut it in shreds and watch it blow away, etc. Paper and pen are also important when keeping notes on spells and ritual.

17. Books

Speaking of paper, books are magical items in many different ways. Not only do they educate and entertain us, but they can also be used in witchcraft. Press a special flower, plant, or feather in your favorite book. Later when you open the book, your magical item will fall out and bring you luck! Ask a question to the universe, then flip a book open to a random spot. Whatever sentence your eyes land on will be your answer!

18. Milk

Milk is a staple in many family’s refrigerators. If you have cow’s milk, you have an ingredient with magical properties of motherhood, nourishment, protection and abundance. Cook or bake with it or add a bit of it to the bathtub. Almond and coconut milk also have magical properties related to the plants from which they are made.

19. Spices

I’ll bet you have a drawer or cabinet filled with random herbs and spices in your kitchen. If so, you have access to a plethora of magical herbs! Cinnamon, oregano, pepper, cumin, parsley, curry, cilantro, and basil are just a few of the magical herbs most people have right in their kitchen! Learn more about magical kitchen spices here.

20. Coffee Pot

You know that wonderful machine that brews a magical potion every morning to wake us out of our slumber? Yeah, the coffee pot is just as magical as a cauldron! Enchant it by drawing a symbol in the air over top. Then sip your coffee and thank the coffee gods for energy and vitality!

21. House Plants

I think a lot of people forget that house plants are just as magical as herbs or flowers in the garden! Succulents, ivies, and small trees all have their own magical properties. Gather fallen leaves and foliage, dry and use in your spells. Place a jade plant by the front door to bring in abundance. Etc.

22. Salt

Is there anything more purifying and protective than salt? I bet you have some in your kitchen! If so, salt can be used in the bathtub, sprinkled around candles in spells, left in a bowl on the altar for purification, sprinkled in the corners of the house and on windowsills. And so much more!

23. Ancestral Heirlooms

Did your grandmother give you a quilt? Did you inherit a special item from your uncle or father? Ancestral heirlooms are some of the most powerful items to have in one’s home. They tie you directly to your ancestors! Place them on the ancestral altar or simply hold in your hand while praying to the ancestors to bridge the gap between you and your passed loved ones.

24. Seashells

You know those seashells you gathered at the beach last summer? Are they sitting in a drawer somewhere not being used? Add them to the altar to represent the water element, encircle a candle to aid in fertility and water magic spells, or make them into a necklace for magical use.

25. Olive Oil

If you have olive oil in your house, you have the ability to bless and anoint your home and magical tools. Dab a little on your index finger and draw protective symbols on the doorways and windows. You can also use olive oil to anoint your third eye and chakras before ritual. Infuse herbs into oils and use to anoint candles, tools, etc. Learn more about making herb-infused oils here.

26. Silver Bowl

If you have a silver bowl or vase, pour water in it and leave it to charge under the next full moon. BAM. Instant moon water. Silver bowls and plates are also great for candle spells and offerings.

27. Animal Figurines

My great grandmother gave me a small owl figurine made of glass. I now keep it in my living room and it watches over my magical workings. If you have any animal figurines around the house, you can turn these into your magical guardians. Click here to learn more.

28. Knife

One of the first magical tools I ever used was a kitchen knife. Back when I was a teenager, Wicca was the main witchcraft movement and it “required” using an athame for many rituals and spells. If you have an old kitchen knife, you have an athame. Even if you’re not Wiccan, a knife can be used to carve symbols and letters into candles. It can be used to cut things in half like twine, string, etc. It can also be used to draw symbols into the earth for ritual.

29. Bell

Whether small or large, a bell is a household item that has cleansing properties. Ring it a few times and send negative energy and spirits running. It can also be used to signal the start to a ritual or gathering.

30. Sewing Machine

Do you have a sewing machine? Time to make magical altar cloths, tablecloths, curtains, clothing and more! I’ve also used my sewing machine to make magical cloaks and poppets. Cleanse it and enchant it for added magical effects!

#wicca #witchblr #witchy #witchcraft #witch #witches of tumblr #witches #paganism #pagan witch #pagan wicca #pagan #eclectic wicca #eclecticwitch #eclectic

[ashlip-arts]

pl

1. If waking up is the only thing you can do, worry not.

Do not feel sorry if you’re feeling lazy today or you don't feel like accomplishing anything, there’s still tomorrow. And in today's time, what matters more is you wake up because it's a sign that God has given you another shot in life. You have your own pace to do everything you need as long as there’s a goal in your mind.

  2. People will come into your life unexpectedly.

Some people will drop by your life and will make a big impact on your life. They may be people who are strangers to you, but as the quarantine extends for a few more months, they become someone who'll make you smile. You shared the ups and downs of each other's lives, the incomparable laughter shared, and for once, once this is all over, you decided to meet up and that’s okay. Cherish the moments and experiences throughout your journey with every person because someday, in those ordinary days of your life, you'll remember the people who gave you so much lesson and made you grow as a person.

 3.    Personal health must come first before academics.

Never pressure yourself to complete your academic requirements. Education is important, but so does health, and whenever you feel like doing nothing and you’re feeling off, you can stop what you’re doing. I know time is very precious, but for once, look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself that it's okay to calm down and relax.

  4. Your family will always be your strongest companions.

Nothing in the world can replace your family, even though sometimes it doesn’t have your best interest in mind. There will be times when you guys are untiringly arguing about the little things, but you have to believe that it’s normal for family members to argue sometimes. And trust me, that won't change the fact that they still want the best for you and will be supporting you no matter what. They still love you even though you're being too hard on yourself and you're having a hard time loving your entirety. Even though your family can hurt you in a way no one else can, but during struggles, you can always count on them to nourish you and bring out the best in you, again.

 5. Give time to hone God-give talents.

We are all naturally gifted, and during this period in time, we should also give time to our skills because it’s a wonderful thing to do. Play musical instruments, cover a song, do some artworks, cook for yourself, and even for your loved ones, sing like there’s no tomorrow. You have all the time in the world to hone your skills and to perfect them. Stop comparing your talent to others, as we all have our unique aspects as a person. Never look for validation of others and let them tell you what they like and what they don't. What matters the most is you love what you're doing and you're giving your all to the passion of doing what you love to do. It will all be enough, just enjoy things and keep on getting better every day.

  6. Pain might not what we want, but it is something we need.

 Sometimes life gives you so much pain that you barely hold on and it makes you feel very vulnerable and there will be times that you just wish to end the void of losing someone, a friend, a relative, or maybe yourself. The time you feel that the entire world is on your shoulder, continuously crushing and pushing you to the edge of giving up. But dear, that madness, the pain, will only make you stronger than before, it will bring out a better version of yourself. It will teach you so much and you'll barely know it. Take a deep breath because every person has their struggles and everyone has their strategy to deal with it But dear,Rule of parallelismCrushing and pushing you to the edge— and so are you . Time passes by and the pain will eventually stop, so hold on. Life isn't about the destination, it's about the journey.

 7. Time is a big factor in life.

Have the wounds healed and the scars of yesterday's struggles have now become unnoticeable? After the encounters of everything that broke you in the past, the people who hurt you and left a scar on you,  suddenly you begin to see a better version of yourself and you feel so much better than before. Even though some scars are still visible, it's fine. Remember, warriors got wounded in battles. The scars will be reminders of his bravery and fortitude.  Time may not undo the things that broke you, but it also reminds us to heal not for them, but ourselves.

 8. Taking care of yourself must become your priority.

During this quarantine period, taking good care of yourself is a must. No one else can do the relaxing for you. Have fun with those little things you do in your bed at 3 in the morning, sing along while your favorite OPM song is playing, take your time in the shower, or maybe try cooking something you saw on the internet, or maybe your favorite dish. Enjoy being yourself at your home. But as much as there's leisure time, never forget to work out as exercising makes your body look better and will help your immune system to be stronger. Get enough sleep and always stay hydrated.

 9. Prayer is powerful.

Filipinos are culturally religious and one part of that is praying. Filipinos are known to be prayer warriors. And during the hard times like this, we always come to Him, to lean on to Him and believe that He's in control of everything that's happening. Praying also is a way to communicate with Him, and talking to Him will give you a lighter heart, and the belief that you'll overcome everything will be existent. Individuals seek His guidance amidst the crisis, asking to save everyone who is infected, the medical experts, the victims, the Filipino people, the entire world. Maybe God is not answering right now, but believe that He, always, has a plan. Believe that He's in control of everything and things will get better in time.

 10. Anxiety and crying are normal.

 Everyone breaks down and cries, just for various reasons. But during this time, the anxious feeling and the urge to cry is common. It won’t make you less of a person if you cry. It’s alright to break down sometimes. It's not a sin to feel sad and feel like the world turned its back on you. Don’t feel sorry for yourself, it doesn't mean that you're weak. Crying won't make you less strong. Letting those tears fall down your face is helpful to ease the pain and the burden you're feeling because life may be unfair to you or your order online just got canceled. Always believe that it's fine to be sad. Sadness is temporary, it is a normal feeling. You may feel like you failed, but hey, you did not, you learned.

11. Boredom will never be an excuse to hurt yourself again.

We are in the quarantine period and of course, everyone is bored and so is your ex-lover. Just focus on yourself and think that he's part of the past now. Move forward in life and see the great things that lie ahead of you. As the famous quote says, "There's a lot of fish in the sea". And you don't have to worry about love. Love is everywhere, and love doesn't need to be a romantic kind of love. If a person cares about you and loves you for who you are, they will want you to grow, be successful, help you become a better version of yourself while you guys are making what you have grown. Know that in the end, the world will always find a way for you to meet the perfect person at the perfect time. Just trust God's timings. Breakups might be stressful and might damage you so much, but someone will come to help you always remember your worth.

12. Pessimism and stress must not be entertained.

  Although life is full of drama, it will continue to happen and the only choice we have in life is to never stop living because we have only one life. We only have one precious chance to live our life to the fullest. And stress must nowhere to be found in that single opportunity. Enjoy every little thing you do and figure out the things you love the most. Always look at the positive side of life.

 13. Love yourself more than you love anyone.

My mother always reminds me to not lower my standard to anyone, especially in love, because in this world, there this one person who will do everything to love you and while waiting, love yourself more, so that if that person comes, you know how to act maturely and how to reciprocate the love your partner will give you. Love your flaws and embrace your insecurities because thinking about them will just eat up too much of our time and will fill our minds with negative thoughts. But those things don't define us, it will never summarize our entirety. Instead, turn your weakness into a strength so that no one will use it against you.

14. The past doesn’t define who you are in the future.

Mistakes are lessons in life that will make you become a better person. If you’ve made a lot of mistakes in the past, it doesn’t make you less of a person. Although our past reminds us of who we were before and the people who we have been, use that to fuel you and prove that what you've done, doesn't count on what you'll become. You are the ruler of yourself, you are  the vase of your garden, so take care of your flowers and let your flower blooms beautifully through positivity and love.

15. Your dreams are always reachable no matter what's going on.

 Never give up on your dreams, It’s your ticket that will bring you to places, freeing you from the shackles of impossibility. Look at yourself in the mirror and let go of what's holding you back because you can reach for whatever you're looking up to. Never lose your ability to dream. Be like Peter Pan - he who never held back because your dreams can come true and life will be as colorful as Neverland.

 16. Prevention is better than cure.

We often overlook the fact that we could have prevented this pandemic if we have taken necessary precautionary measures. If we help prevent something bad to happen, we won't be needing a lot of time to figure out how to solve things. But as much as we prevent these things from happening, there will be times that God will test us. It might not be what we want to happen, but His plans will always be better than ours.

17. We take a lot of things for granted.

The dusted books in your bookshelf are now being read. The clothes and the pajamas you haven't worn before are now covering your skin almost twice every week. Yes, we take a lot of things for granted. But as much as the personal stuff we have in the corners of our rooms, there are more out there that we often overlook but are now crucial in this period. What I'm talking about are our front liners. Those are the people in the groceries, the janitors, nurses and doctors, health workers. Admit it, at some point in our lives, we have taken them for granted, but this pandemic changed our perspective in what they can do. After this tough time, never forget to thank them and always value what they can do for others.

 18. Home is and will always be the safest place on earth.

We often time hear the government says stay in our homes, to not go out if it is not essential. As much as we want to go outside, being behind closed doors will always be the best option. Our homes are the safest and best place. Home is our heart’s sanctuary, but also, it helps us grow and foster.

19. This pandemic brings out the best and the worst in all of us.

Some of us discovered how to cook, some of us got into better shape. Unfortunately, a lot of people lost their jobs and worse, someone might have lost a loved one due to COVID-19. In this trying time, let’s do our fair share to end this pandemic. This time made us find ourselves more, but let us not forget those who just lost a part of their life. This might be a tough time for us, but let us always remember to look at the silver linings in everything that's happening.

20. There's no problem that we cannot surpass.

No dilemma in life can stay forever in our lives. We are definitely in the toughest times of our lives, but let's keep on holding on and believe that this, too, shall pass. There's no mountain we cannot climb and there's more to life than being sad. Learn to believe that we can overcome what's happening and know that you are not alone in this battle. Your family, friends, and most especially, the Lord will never turn their backs on us. . Know that any problem that we encounter, we can always find a way to overcome it and it will help us have a better perspective in life.

#writing #spilled-ink #thought #catalog #realization #20 #quarantine #life #lifelesson #lesson #gif #l writes #creativewriting #@ashlip-arts #self-love #self #love #discovery #world #pandem #family #probl #solution

[thisstableground]

Thank you so much for being one of like 3 people on the internet who writes docs with Ruben in them!!! Could you write fluff with Ruben making breakfast?

[This isn’t fluff! I apologise! It was supposed to be but it turned into Ruben in a bittersweet but not unhappy introspection about four months into his recovery, having a nourishing breakfast with a side of slow but steady emotional healing. So, y’know, classic thisstableground content. Warning for PTSD things, implied past suicidal thoughts, and also for some kinda disordered eating talk.]

Also on AO3!

***

Ruben had always been under the impression that near death experiences were supposed to come with new appreciation of the life you almost lost. He had a whole run of them and only came away with a blurred recollection of what now feels like someone else’s rescue: he doesn’t remember having to be sedated for the plane back, or arriving at a Philadelphia hospital that thankfully wasn’t Independence Memorial. He doesn’t remember seeing his family again for the first time in months. The earliest thing he can recall from his return is that Ma was the one who was there to stop him when he tried to tear out his own IV and make a break for it.

“The doctor said you have to stay here for just a little while, sweetheart,” she’d explained, as he begged her to let him leave. “You’ve lost too much weight, and you have a fever. They want to make sure you’re going to be okay before you come back home.”

He remembers thinking, I’m never going to be okay. But they treated him for dehydration, fed him gritty-textured nutrition shakes and hospital food he had no appetite for till he started to put on weight again, put him on antibiotics for the infection from poorly-cared for wounds that had hit him with the fever, and after a few weeks they let him go back to live with his ma.

Near death hasn’t gifted him with a new lease on life so far. At best he’s been having life pushed on him while he passively lets it happen. When he wakes up hours before everyone else, he lies there with the day a vast, black expanse of vacuum and inside himself the same expanse, and wants to go back to sleep forever. Ma is the one who makes him get up, knocks on his locked door in the morning and tells him that she’s made breakfast so he needs to come downstairs and eat before she leaves. She does’t believe him when he says he eats while she’s at work, which is fair. He didn’t at first. Hunger has just been the background noise of consciousness for a long enough time he forgot what it meant.

From those early days he remembers her trying to grasp his thin wrist gently in one hand, and how she looked when he shied away from her touch, and her voice tearfully saying, “look at yourself, cariño, there’s almost nothing left of you”.  He remembers thinking, good. If there’s nothing left of him then there’s nothing anyone can take from him. If he’s nothing but hollow no matter what, then what could hungry even mean any more?

But he’d eat, only because it was easier than lying to Ma about it, and because it was easier than making her cry again. And life pushed on him pushes him to live: he goes to therapy. He exists. He wakes up in the morning, every morning, even though there’s nothing to wake up to when the trial in April is over, the now what of May and June.

In July he wakes up, and thinks about lying here all day, and thinks about the gnawing feeling of unfilled space echoing around his body, and thinks, I want arroz con leche.

What? Jesus. When was the last time he wanted anything?

Breakfast sounds…good, though. Good enough that it seems too long to wait for Ma to get up in an hour. Even though he’s got nothing but time it’s somehow a lot harder to let the minutes slip by when there’s actually something he could do about what he wants, so after fidgeting around restlessly for a while he gives into it and unlocks his door. Crouches at the top of the stairs to peek through the railings into the living room below, like he used to in their first house in Philadelphia when he was eavesdropping on Ma having whispered disagreements with his father about Ruben when they thought that he was sleeping.

Nobody in the living room, or in the dining room when he tiptoes down there. He leans around the doorway of the kitchen, nobody in there. Ground floor cleared for safety he can relax some, putting the rice and cinnamon sticks on to boil and opening a can of condensed milk to add later. As he’s taking a bowl out of the cupboard, he realises that when he woke up feeling empty his first thought was that’s probably because I’m hungry not that’s because I wish I was dead. He drops the bowl on the counter in shock: it clatters loudly but doesn’t break.

“Shit!” he curses, gripping the edge of the bowl tightly and trying not to let the sound fling him into fight-or-flight, and then repeats “shit,” when he hears the sound of a door opening on the floor above and then footsteps down the stairs. Ma’s room is above the kitchen. She must have heard him.

“It’s only me, Ma,” he calls softly.

“Rubén?” She comes to the kitchen. “¿Estás bien?”

“Sí, just dropped a bowl.”

“You’re up very early,” she says. Ruben’s pretty sure she means, you’re up at all?

“I’m making arroz con leche. You can go back to bed, it’s okay.”

“Do you need any help?”

“I got it.” Don’t be irritated. It’s a reasonable question. Still, he’s glad that she leaves the room instead of watching him, though he pauses to hear her footsteps and can tell she hasn’t gone back upstairs. She’s probably listening out for him from the living room. Don’t be irritated at that, either.

The rice simmers gently releasing cinnamon-scented steam and Ruben dips a finger into the can of condensed milk to taste it while he waits. Arroz con leche reminds him of sick days off school: insisting he needed to go in to stay on top of his work, but secretly relieved when Ma refused because it meant being able to stay in the quiet, just him and the one person he could always rely on, the way he’d always preferred things to be. She’d cook the rice while he went upstairs to bring his quilt and a pillow down to the sofa and then when he was tucked in comfortably she’d bring him a bowlful, that comforting mixture of warm and spiced and sweet but still bland enough to be easy to eat when he had no appetite. He’d feed spoonfuls from his own bowl to Paola and Mercedes when they were babies too, his way of letting them know sick days used to be for just me and Mamá, but it’s okay that you’re here now too.

When it’s ready he dishes out two bowls, puts raisins on Ma’s but not his own. Makes two coffees, both black with cinnamon, and takes one bowl and one mug on a tray into the living room. Ma is sitting on the sofa in her bathrobe, absent-mindedly pencilling answers into the newspaper crossword.

“Desayuno,” he says, putting the tray down on the coffee table.

“Oh, gracias,” she says, putting a hand over her heart. “What a nice surprise.”

It shouldn’t be a surprise for him to do something so simple as this for her, he thinks. He stands for a minute watching as she sets her newspaper down and picks up the tray. When he was growing up she always used to watch the news in the morning but they don’t do that any more after half the local news was him for so long. Ruben might be old news now but they still don’t watch it: there’s enough sadness in their lives without having to learn the sadness of the rest of the world too. What does she do to fill the time before work instead? Does she do the crossword every day? Does she sit in the stillness of the early hours listening out for him and the girls, trying to anticipate what kind of morning they might have? Psyching herself up to pull him out of his room to come eat, dreading how difficult he’ll make it for her today, and all while she’s got her actual job to go to afterwards. Does she think about him staying home from school when he was little too, and wonder like he does if he’ll be here in a second childhood forever, long after the girls grow up, just Ruben and her and long, quiet, empty days?

She didn’t sign up for this. She must think it, but she never says it to his face, never lets it show. He leans in to give her a tentative kiss on the cheek, and says, “I love you, Mamá.” It comes out a little pitiful.

“I love you too, cariño,” she says, patting his wrist. “Don’t forget to eat your own breakfast, now.”

In the kitchen, he covers the rest of the rice over so that the girls can have it when they wake up, and contemplates going to eat next to Ma on the couch or maybe the dining room, but instead end up sitting on the kitchen counter by the window because that’s the best spot at this time of day. The sun’s just coming up, spilling in clear and luminant across the windowsill. He’s always said Ma has a perfect spot to grow herbs there, but she’s never got round to doing it. Maybe he’ll do it for her one day, when he’s more certain of his ability to take care of something consistently. Maybe one day he’ll even have a place of his own again, a nice bright little kitchen full of herbs, drinking coffee and—no, that’s too much to think about for now. For now, he’s having breakfast on the counter in the growing sunlight by the window in his mother’s kitchen, and that has to be enough. Alive enough to remember that he can do nice things for other people, alive enough to remind his family that he loves them. He remembered how to feel that, if nothing else. He remembered how to make arroz con leche like Ma used to and that cinnamon and sweet and warm are all things that he can still feel good about. He isn’t ready to be happy that he’s alive yet. But at this particular moment, he’s glad he isn’t dead. That will have to be enough.

#ruben marcado #do no harm #sophia writes fic #fandom: do no harm #character: ruben #sometimes getting better just means recognising allt he things that aren't actively making you worse for a while #i could and have written a hundred stories of ruben having quiet moments of trying to understand himself and grow #and i will never ever tire of it #10lincommandments

[chasingeast]

Day 108- 9:42 p.m., Monday, April 6, 2020

My heart was pumping today. I could hear it pounding in my ears. For the past few weeks the chill has been relentless and I would feel a sting from how cold my ears would get, but today was different. Today was a beautiful sunny day. The sun was out and the weather was most ideal. Not quite warm enough for just short sleeves, but not nearly cold enough to need more than a light sweater. It was a perfect combination and truly my type of weather. I had the thought of wanting to wear a dress or a skirt today, but that wouldn’t have mixed well while riding my bike. I don’t feel as worn out going up the same hills anymore, if anything, I’ve done them several times that I know I can make it over the top. Some hills were easier and I would fly up them. Others, I would slow down, but with a couple swift rolls of the pedals and I would be at the top before I knew it. Today was a great combination of things. I was up early as usual- I can’t seem to sleep past 6:30 a.m., so you can only imagine how sore I was trying to force myself to lay in bed until 8 a.m. It was a combination of things such as cleaning, germinating plants, bicycling, prepping food, reading, walking, reading some more, prepping some more, and finishing my night off with a movie and hopefully some more stories. 

 If this is how my life is to be in the nearer future I think I would love it. Honestly, I just felt so much freedom. The most, was really when I didn’t have my phone with me while biking. Though I really would have loved to make a phone call, it was nice to be free of distractions and to just focus on what was right in front of me whether it was the road or just the sounds I would hear as I biked along. It was such a freeing moment. I loved every second of it. I wanted nothing more than to be able to spend my free time doing whatever I pleased and if it comes with a sprinkle of sunshine, count me in! I love the sun. I love being outside (not during hot weather). 

 Feeling the breeze roll by or taking in the colors around me, I loved every second of it. I don’t need many things. I really don’t need much, I just like wandering and seeing. If I really had to name what I needed, I guess it would all come down to a place to rest, some food and space to cook to nourish, my computer, my phone, my bunnies, and my stationery. I suppose I really don’t need much of anything else since everything could be replicated. Having a television would be nice. Having a couch would be nice. But other things like clothes, the number of dishware, other items really aren’t necessary for a wholesome happy life. They were great while I collected them and they no doubt do make me happy, but they aren’t essential. 

 I would love to have my camping gear, but I really don’t need any more. My bicycle to get around. A car is nice. I really feel that I have everything I need. The only thing I don’t have is my own space and freedom to be and do as I completely please. To be able to choose what I eat, how to live my life, how to make myself happy, those are the types of things I don’t have. It can be difficult living here at times. I’m really not complaining in the grand scheme of things. I am free of responsibilities, I am free of expectations, I am free of just about anything, but perhaps that’s the problem. I am too free here. I am so free that it’s frowned upon. I’ve offered to help out but felt increasingly frustrated being laughed at. I’ve tried to be useful but feel embarrassed when given snide comments. More often than not, when I’ve thought of a good deed, I end up changing my mind because I felt belittled. So then I think to myself, why should I bother when I am nothing more than what I’m told. Why make a difference, so I do nothing at all and am only what I’ve been called. 

 There are times that I wish they could understand, but I know I can’t expect this. I wish they would realize that their actions do matter. That they matter. So yes, it is hurtful to be told that I don’t care. Yes, it is hurtful to be told that they wouldn’t be missed if they disappeared, and they guarantee that my wish, that I never wished, would come true. What am I supposed to say to that? How many times must I try to support but am shot down and told that I lie through my teeth? How many times do I need to take it before I give back the same attitude to be told that their words are the truth? How many times do I need to get frustrated and confront this only for me to be called disrespectful and selfish? I get tired too. And though I may not be as tired as you, I am tired too. How many times must I defend someone that pushes me? How many times can I tell someone not to say hurtful things about other people simply because they themselves are unhappy with themselves? Wishing death and pain on others doesn’t do any good. It does not make you better because you wish a sin on others who may seemingly deserve pain. Everyone deserves a chance, and if not a chance then a consequence. There is such a thing as not talking to people a certain way. Just because you give advice doesn’t mean you’re trying to shut them out. You’ve listened and they asked for it, so you gave what they requested, even though they didn’t get to hear all of what they wanted to only hear. 

 So I’m sorry to say that I too get tired of this. You want to know why the family doesn’t care for one another? Look at the way you mock us. Look at the way you laugh with the most delightful voice, dripped with sarcasm how we tend to our own devices and joys. Look at how spiteful you are and wonder why we never spend time together. I’ve asked and been rejected. People only appreciate being rejected so many times. People can only take being spit at so many times. This is a result of your lack of ability to lead. So rather than trying, because it would be more effort, you blame it on others. You blame it on me when I don’t want to be home to listen to you shout more things at me. You take it out on other people and mutter these threats under your breath because you’re too unwilling to say the words that you truly mean. So rather than finding a solution, you’d rather play the victim and showcase your story to find someone to latch onto. You feel so much disappointment in yourself that you take it out on others. And I wish I could do something to help ease your pain, but that is a choice you need to make for yourself. I can only be here on the side as support. You need to decide that it is a choice you want. So the words of wisdom you give me, I know are really just a projection of wishes and desires that you wish you had. The noose you tighten is your fear of losing happiness because you’ve depended on others to provide that for you. So you saying all those words of sarcasm and hurtful words of advice were really to nurture your own heart which feels alone and is too unsure to do something about. I’m tired, but I’m not unforgiving. I just wish I didn’t have to be at the receiving end of it all the time.

[jeantmelton]

Dr. Tamika’s Self-Care Prescription

Do you ever wish there were more hours in the day? I get it. 

As a wife, mother and doctor it is hard to fit everything in, especially time for yourself. It can become easy to put self-care at the bottom of the list and let those practices slide during busy weeks and when life throws a curveball. 

Many of my patients come to me feeling overwhelmed, anxious or exhausted. They feel like life is happening to them instead of having the time and space to create what they desire. This can be especially true for women who are caregivers and are used to putting everyone’s needs before their own. Over time, a lack of self-care can lead to burnout, decrease your ability to be resilient in the face of stress and even contribute to disease. 

That’s why, as a doctor, I prescribe self-care to my patients and to myself as well!  Self-care is foundational. It’s about putting practices in place to support your wellbeing and being proactive with your health. For example, it’s really hard to start meditating during an incredibly stressful time, but if you already have a meditation practice in place, you can access the breathing and meditative state when you need it most. 

I’m not asking you to be perfect because the truth is that perfectionism isn’t good self-care at all. Instead, I suggest taking small steps toward reclaiming your health. It’s okay to take it slow and put one piece in place at a time. In fact, that’s the best way to build lasting lifestyle change. Self-care is important in several areas including food, supplements, exercise, sleep and mindset. 

Let’s dive in to some approachable action steps that can make a big impact in your life! 

Food

I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all diet and have found that different approaches – Mediterranean, paleo, keto – work well for different people. However, when it comes to choosing food from day-to-day, there are a couple foundational components that I’ve found incredibly supportive for everyone. These include:

Choose real food. By real food I mean food that is in its most whole, unprocessed state. The more you choose whole foods instead of processed, packaged options, the more you show care for your body by providing complete nutrition. While you are at it, choose the highest quality foods that you can find and afford. This might mean getting organic produce from a farmer’s market or choosing grass-fed beef. A good place to start is by spending a little more time in the kitchen. Try to cook one more meal at home each week. 

Eat your veggies. 5-9 serving of produce each day has been shown over and over again in research to decrease the risk for developing chronic disease while contributing to healthy aging. Start with adding just one serving per day to what you already eat. A serving is typically about ½ cup cooked vegetable, 1 cup raw veggie or one medium sized piece of fruit. 

Supplements

Like diet, I believe in a personalized approach to supplements. Afterall, we all have unique biochemistry, genetics and health concerns. However, in today’s world because of a less nutrient dense food supply combined with an increased exposure to toxins there are a few supplements that I widely recommend for everyone. A minute in the morning to get some extra nutrients in is an easy, and incredibly nourishing, self-care practice. I recommend:

A high quality multivitamin. The specific product will depend on your sex and stage of life, but I prefer multis that have the active forms of the nutrients. For example, look for the active methylfolate instead of the synthetic folic acid. Brands that make good multis include Pure Encapsulations, Seeking Health and Thorne Research. 

A high quality probiotic. Toxins, stress and even some medications negatively impact the microbiome in the gut and most of us benefit from a probiotic in order to replenish these beneficial bacteria regularly. Look for a dairy-free product from a reputable source such as Klaire Labs or Metagenics. 

Exercise

Since many of us spend a lot of time sitting for work, commuting and even recreation, I’m always talking with patients about simple ways to move more. Certainly this could mean adding in a yoga class or hike to your week, yet simply building in more movement throughout the day is important as well. Here are some suggestions:

Start your day with dance. Pick one or two songs and just move your body to wake up and get the blood flowing.

Break up sitting by getting up to walk or stretch for 3-5 minutes every hour. 

Park farther from your destination and walk. 

Always take the stairs. 

Stand or walk during phone calls. 

Sleep

While self-care might sometimes feel like adding more things to your do list, there is a lot to be gained from going back to the basics, including prioritizing sleep. Sleep is where the body is able to rejuvenate, repair and detoxify. It also supports hormone balance and a healthy circadian rhythm. If you have a specific sleep issue, such as insomnia, I can help support you in uncovering and treating the root cause. For many of us, some simple bedtime strategies can improve sleep. I recommend: 

Setting a regular bedtime.

Limiting screens before bed. If you really need to use a screen, try wearing blue light blocking glasses after dark. 

Practice relaxation before bed. This could include taking a bath, drinking herbal tea, reading, journaling, stretching or meditation.

Mindset

Adopting a positive mindset when it comes to self-care is one of the best ways to care for ourselves. It brings us out of a drive for perfectionism and the need to do everything. Instead, our mindset can allow us to put these simple practices into place in our lives from a place of self-compassion and self-love. By seeing the value in ourselves and working to meet our own needs, self-care becomes a priority and a non-negotiable in our daily schedules. Afterall, we are more able to handle everything on our plates when our tank is full. 

The time of running on empty is over and I wholeheartedly give you permission to stop being reactive about your health and instead become proactive about self-care and your wellbeing. Remember that self-care is about you, your needs and what works best for your life.

I hope you’ll take some of these suggestions and then create your own version of self-care. The focus is you and you are unlimited!

The post Dr. Tamika’s Self-Care Prescription appeared first on Unlimited Health Institute.

from Lastest News https://unlimitedhealthinstitute.com/dr-tamikas-self-care-prescription/

[topmillionairedatingapp-blog]

What Asian beauty method can make my face look young and radiant?

I am very glad to answer this question, and I have come to consult my Asian women friends.

They give three main Suggestions.

One is beauty sleep, the other is diet, and three is love.

So let me just briefly talk about these three things.

One, nine to learn to sleep beauty sleep, let you be radiant.

To get a good night's sleep, there are several things you should avoid:

Don't eat a full meal.

Don't eat before bed, so as not to burden your stomach.

Avoid drinking strong tea and coffee in the evening, not drinking strong tea, coffee and other foods, so as not to affect the normal sleep due to mental or urinary frequency.

Drinking alcohol studies have shown that drinking alcohol seems to help people fall asleep, but it's actually not true.

Alcohol releases a natural stimulant that disrupts our sleep in the middle of the night.

Watch your sleep.

In order to improve the quality of sleep, time must be noted;

Can obtain better sleep sleep time is 9 to 11 PM, 12 noon to 1 PM, at 2 PM to 3 PM, when the body energy, slow, slow in thinking, mood low, beneficial to the human body into slow-wave sleep, to get into the sweet dreams.

Eat an apple before going to bed.

Or put a peeled or sliced orange on the bedside table so that the insomniac can sniff the scent and calm the central nervous system to help you fall asleep.

3. The Onions should be smashed in the right amount, put it in the bottle and put it on the pillow before going to bed and smell it. After a short time, you can sleep.

4. Soak your feet in hot water before bed, then apply the lotion to your feet and rub them with your hands on your toes, feet, and feet.

5, 5 seconds before bed, 5 seconds to bend, 5 times each foot, will help ease the exhaustion of the day, so that you can have a good sleep.

Try to avoid or drink a small amount of salt and alcohol during dinner to avoid the swelling of your face and eyes during the morning.

After taking a shower, massage your whole body with a moisturizer or moisturizer, and then put on a 10-minute cotton robe or bathrobe.

The temperature on the clothes will be completely absorbed by the skin, making the skin more smooth and elastic.

It is easy to lose sleep and drink a glass of milk before you go to bed, because the ingredients in the milk have the effect of relaxing the nerves.

Get enough sleep every day, not less than 8 hours.

If you can do all of these things, it won't be long before you feel better about your appearance.

7 foods that make sleep sweet

Milk contains tryptophan, a necessary amino acid.

Drink a glass of milk before bed, and the amount of tryptophan is enough to help you sleep.

Walnut is a kind of nourishing and strong product, it is good for the human body's neurasthenia, forgetfulness, insomnia, many dreams and diet.

Every morning and evening eat some walnut kernel, or take walnut kernel, black sesame pounded, the day take 2 times, each time 10 grams, beneficial sleep.

The jujube taste is sweet, nourishing the stomach, invigorating the spleen and invigorating qi.

Insomniacs single use red jujube 30~60 grams, add sugar a few decoction soup, nightly wear before bed.

It can also be served with 20 pieces of red jujube, 7 green onion, boiled water, and then served.

The osmanthus taste is sweet, non - toxic.

Osmanthus, nourishing and nourishing and nourishing the heart and blood, can cure insomnia, forgetfulness and neurasthenia.

Insomniacs can be used to use the cinnamon and jujube of the jujube of the nine grams, the fat is 15 grams, the stew soup, before bed take;

You can also use the fresh cinnamon round before going to bed.

The lotus seed has the effect of raising the heart.

The heart palpitation of the heart palpitate the weak sleep is not real and has the spleen and stomach for the weak to be able to use the core lotus seed, the eur10 grams, add the glutinous rice to boil the porridge, and add the palm of the lotus leaf 1 piece, cover on the water, porridge good food.

If you are upset, you can have 30 lilies, a little salt, a little water and a night before bed.

Two, six kinds of health food, help women to glow and raise good health

Wanting to make yourself more beautiful and healthier is a common goal Shared by all female friends.

So what can you do to keep yourself beautiful and healthy?

1

Pumpkin: weight loss anti-virus

Pumpkins are very nutritious vegetables, they contain A lot of vitamin A and pectin, and A special kind of material that can prevent diabetes and resist virus invasion.

At the same time, the pumpkin is low in calories, and you don't have to worry about getting fat. Women who want to lose weight don't miss the pumpkins.

The vitamin A in the pumpkin is also the essential nutrient to keep skin young and beautiful.

2

Apples: help skin to resist oxidation

It's better to eat an apple every day than your female friends are.

The apple contains very rich vitamin and highly effective antioxidant capacity, can make women reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, help reduce phlegm, beauty to raise colour aperient, keep your body healthy and beautiful.

3

Radish: help to defecate decrease internal heat

There is an old saying in China: eat radish, eat ginger, and be healthy all the year round.

In winter, female friends can use radish to keep health care.

Radish heat is low, contain fiber much, can help defecate, help decrease internal heat to be dry.

4

Honey: moisten the stomach and sleep

Honey is a very good health food, which contains a variety of nutrients to help women keep health care.

Honey has the ability to help anshen sleep, protect the heart and blood vessels and liver function, strengthen the body's resistance and immunity.

Often eat honey can moisten bowel general, improve the symptom of constipation, let you no longer have the annoyance of small abdomen, easy raise healthy body.

5

Peanuts: nourishing anti - aging

Peanut is very good anti-aging food, in the dry season, very suitable for eating peanut to nourish the body.

Peanut is rich in vitamin E, which is beneficial to prevent skin melanin deposition and avoid the formation of spots.

At the same time, it can effectively prevent the aging of the female friends, and use peanut and ribs to cook soup together, very nourishing.

Nuts, such as peanuts, can also be eaten by female friends, not only for the brain, but also for health care.

6

Tofu: skin tonic

Tofu is rich in plant-based protein and soy isoflavones, all natural beauty care nutrition.

Female friends often eat bean curd can make the color red and lubricious have burnish, complement sufficient calcium element, especially suitable for the female friend of medium and old age calcium to eat.

The above six kinds of food, female friends can eat more, it is very good for nourishing body, beauty and beauty.

Three.Love makes women more and more beautiful

Love is the most beautiful word of mankind. It is a symbol of romance, a symbol of warmth, a symbol of eternity, and when you are weak, it is as if a powerful force always pushes you forward.

Love is a kind of giving, it is for the love of the person happiness.

To love a person is to give all your heart and love, and to love a person is to give him tender dependence;

Love a person is to let him because have you and be happy, love a person is about to give him your enthusiastic and sincere heartbeat!

Love a person will not care about how much benefit he can bring you, he will give him your warmest hug when he needs it most.

...

When your love to bring trouble to the lover, when the lovers love for you is make you depressed, when love become the two sides exchange chip, when the love is selfish to ask for, when love is two people deliberately pursue perfect, love also is no longer a kind of beauty, but became a painful burden, a kind of disturbing white elephants!

Love is the assimilation between lovers, which is the love and care between lovers.

In the quiet days of love and love, we become infected with each other and become assimilated.

Day after day, when the years in our faces carved mark, when a circle and round rings under our feet, when two people in casual to show consideration to each other, to love each other, a look, a sigh, a smile, will give each other the resonance of the mind, love, will lift!

Love is seeking, just waiting for your predestined encounter.

How can you get a good friend?

"To die, to be rich, and to be happy, to take the hand, to grow old together!"

The vast expanse of the human sea, can come together, that is fate;

It's a long, long life, and it's true.

On the way to life, the people who love each other all the way, let the time rush, tell each other: "I only care about you!"

There will always be sunny skies and flowers in the road ahead!

Love is forever, love is the eternal change of two stars in the sky.

There are too many regrets in life, too much sadness in years.

In our lifetime, we should make good use of our love and love and treat other people's love well.

Only in this way, when the end of life, will not let the love take away regret, won't leave to oneself sad, just can draw a beautiful circle for life!

For love.

I think love is the best in the world.

Love makes us more and more beautiful.

I hope everyone can find their own love.

For this. Love is really amazing.

Love can make us change, to love our people, for the people we love, we will make ourselves better.

All in all: I will not leave, because there is love, I will not be afraid.

I also hope that everyone can find their true love. and I have a suggestion. I’ll introduce you an wonderful dating website— http://www.sugardaddymatch.us/

You just need sign up on website.And I’ll introduce you an wonderful dating app-http://www.topmillionairedatinga...

Best Sugardaddy Dating Site just registered in site, Top Millionaire Datingneed to copy the link on your phone to download and registration.You're only one step away from a perfect date.

Love is wonderful.We should treat others with the heart, treat the world with love, everyone wants to find a true love.I hope you can find your love .Find new pleasures.Just click on the ilnk.

http://www.sugardaddymatch.us/

http://www.topmillionairedatinga...

Hope it can make sense to you:)

#luxuryluxurylifestylesugardaddyssugardaddydatingsugardaddysingledadsrichmancollegegirlmakeuptipsshoppingssexymansinglelifeproblemdatingsites

[gethealthy18-blog]

If you ever say “something is missing in my life” – you need to read this

New Post has been published on http://healingawerness.com/news/if-you-ever-say-something-is-missing-in-my-life-you-need-to-read-this/

If you ever say “something is missing in my life” – you need to read this

Do you ever get that nagging feeling – the one where you think “something is missing in my life” and that feeling just won’t go away? Here’s an unusual answer to the question “what’s missing in my life?” and steps to bring your life more purpose.

How can you be happy if you don’t know yourself?

That’s a question I ask in my free eBook Awake — and I’m not the only one who sees the connection.

When you have that deep down feeling that something is missing in your life, there’s a chance it’s… you.

Why?

You’re not here to be a mindless robot. You’re here to be you.

And when you aren’t being true to yourself (or if you don’t even really know who you are), then you’re not living up to your full potential.

And where does that lead?

Definitely not happiness.

Please welcome the very insightful Lisa Henriksson, author of I Was Supposed to be Happy. She’s here to share a few key ways you can tap into your own potential to find that oh-so-elusive feeling of enough.

As a child, I was called Little Miss Sunshine. I was always happy, even when I wasn’t. As an adult, I kept up that persona.

To the outside world, I had every reason to be happy. I was beautiful, successful, had a lot of friends and a perfect family.

And yet, it wasn’t enough. I wasn’t happy.

Like so many of us, I grew up with the conviction that my studies, my career, and my perfect future family would make me happy. I gave my all to succeed in every area of life and I made sure to be the best daughter, the best girlfriend and the best mom I could possibly be.

I never paused to ask myself if I was following my own deep desires. I lived more like a robot, trying hard to live up to the programming of my own and others’ expectations.

Eventually, this nagging feeling caught up with me – something just felt off.

Sound familiar?

It led me on a long journey to discover (and re-discover) what’s really true for me. And that became my key to happiness. My happiness no longer depends on having the perfect job or the perfect career.

When I don’t focus all of my energy on trying to get it “right” the possibilities multiply.

What if you start asking yourself what’s true for you beyond what your family taught you, beyond the values and rules of your culture, beyond any “universal truth?” What if you would start trusting in what you know (and have always known)? What would your life be like then?

Here are five keys I share in my seminars that helped me discover the real me and get out of playing the person others wanted me to be:

1. Acknowledge you’re aware of greater possibilities

My entire life I made myself so wrong for often wanting more than I had, for feeling nothing was ever enough. Why couldn’t I just be content?

Then I read this quote from Dr. Dain Heer: “Have you ever felt dissatisfied? Do you always want more and do you know that it’s possible? What if that wasn’t a wrongness? What if that ache of dissatisfaction is a gift and capacity? What if that is what drives your life forward?”

I read those words again and again. It hit me that the urge for more in my life is actually a sense of greater possibilities; it’s what sparks change and drives me forward! It’s not a bad thing. And it doesn’t mean I’m not deeply grateful for everything that is here now.

Ask yourself:

What if it is ok that I am not satisfied with what others long for even though it feels like I am supposed to be happy with what I already have?

What longing and desire do I have that I have not acknowledged yet?

What would happen if I started to look at what is true for me and my desires and longings beyond everyone else’s ideals and ideas of right and wrong?

2. Find out what is true for YOU!

Many of us learn early in life not to listen to ourselves, to what our body signals, and to what we intuitively know is true and works for us. When you say “something is missing in my life” – maybe part of what’s missing is understanding what’s important to you.

Society and parents place expectations on us in spoken and unspoken ways, and we pick up on all of them, consciously or not.

As children, we learn to follow norms for right or wrong behavior, right or wrong appearance, right or wrong opinions. It goes on. We’re encouraged to copy the adults who are raising us, and if we choose to go against what’s expected of us, we face the consequences—disapproval, worry, less attention, and even exclusion.

As a result, we learn to accept points of view that are not our own. To different degrees, this limits us and often reduces our ability to live life to the fullest and enjoy the unique being each of us truly is!

Remember the scene in Runaway Bride where Richard Gere asks Julia Roberts what kind of eggs she likes? At that point, Julia Roberts’ character has had four fiancés.

With each one, without even thinking about it, she’s eaten the style of eggs they preferred. Scrambled, fried, poached, egg whites only—what they ate for breakfast, she ate for breakfast. She can’t answer the question, because she has no idea what type of eggs she likes. So she cooks them all, until she discovers she absolutely loves eggs Benedict.

But what if she’d never taken the time to ask herself what she liked? She may never have found out what she loved. So get curious.

Ask yourself:

Is this point of view mine, or did I buy into it somewhere along the line?

Am I choosing what is true for me, or what everyone else is choosing?

(Have you ever asked yourself what “kind of eggs” you really like?)

3. Don’t be afraid of CHANGE!

Choosing to change something—your thinking, your life, the world—doesn’t have to mean you go from bad to good, from wrong to right. When you step out of this polarized way of looking at your life and no longer choose from judgment, you open up a space where you have greater choice.

When there’s no charge on whether you go this way or that way, you’ll find that your options multiply! Many people don’t move forward with change because they’re afraid to make the wrong choice. I have an encouraging message: You can choose again!

Ask yourself:

What can I choose today that I was not willing to choose yesterday?

What else is possible for me that I have not yet acknowledged?

4. Choose what makes you HAPPY!

What if it’s okay to choose what makes you light and fills you with energy, happiness, and joy? To some it might sound incredibly self-centered to seek your own happiness—egotistical even. That’s not necessarily the case.

Actually, a number of surveys show that unhappy people are much more self-centered. They more often withdraw, worry, and show hostile behavior.

Happy people, on the other hand, are more social, flexible, creative, and capable of dealing with complex and difficult situations in their everyday lives. Happy people are also more loving, helpful, and forgiving. That doesn’t sound very self-centered, does it?

So if happy choices are the “something missing in my life” – the questions below can be powerful.

Ask yourself:

What can I choose today that would give me more of me?

What would be fun for me today?

What is it that I truly long for?

5. Surround yourself with people who LIKE YOU, just the way you are!

Along this journey, I’ve discovered that some of the people I used to call friends constantly judged me and made me wrong. Today I choose to hang with people who aren’t interested in making me wrong or changing me. When we say “something is missing in my life” – it can also mean people who encourage us and bring out the best in our journey.

This doesn’t mean I want to surround myself with yes-men (or yes-women) or people who will never challenge my point of view. That would quickly become very boring. But there are different ways to go about it.

So who else out there is longing for a rich life filled with joy, free from judgments of right and wrong?

Ask yourself:

Who else can I include in my life that will make it even more exciting and fun to live?

About Lisa

Lisa Henriksson, author of I Was Supposed to Be Happy, shares her own journey to help others find their true choice and happiness. Co-founder of Wisdom Stockholm, an Access Consciousness® Certified Facilitator, and the founder and CEO of the Yoga studios Egen tid, Henriksson finds pure joy in aiding others to grow and blossom. Henriksson travels the world coaching and facilitating individuals and groups inviting others to a new reality. With Egen tid, Henriksson has opened up new possibilities for expectant women and today the single studio begun 10 years ago has expanded into a flourishing business in numerous health centers, fitness locations, and online. Follow @lisahhappy and on Facebook.

More Articles on Positive and Nourished Living:

Elizabeth is the founder of The Nourished Life and has been writing about natural living for 12 years. Her work has been featured at Shape, Bustle, and Mother Earth Living. Her mission is to help you lower your stress levels and find fun ways to become happier and healthier. Read more about Elizabeth here.

Source: https://livingthenourishedlife.com/something-missing-in-your-life/

[dancekickboxcardio]

When I first started working out 💪🏾 🏃🏼‍♀️ my days are not loose. They are very much packed. They still are and I try to adapt to whatever it is that is required of me. Since I have injured ⛑ my back and a little even before that because of the changes in hours 🕠 I have put on the back burner my studies 📖. I am trying to be on top of it but there is so much reading assignments and I am not putting enough time. I don’t have it. Early in the morning I would pick out something a person said and say a piece of my mind. My outlook has shifted a little bit because it is required. Like again. It’s not exactly where if you ask me I would run and not everyone is happy 😃 about me changing it. I must continue romance ❤️. I still do. I just feel that I have to wake myself up. I am too cozy snug. It’s all that hours covered in bed 🛌.

I am a little hungry 😋. I should make something beautiful. I really should. I was browsing through pins 📍yesterday and it got me want to eat. I want real food 🥘 . My eating pattern changed last night. I don’t know 🤷🏼‍♀️ if it was for the good. Vie, you have to realize that your fat percentage has improved a lot. Also, have you seen the space between your legs 🦵🏾 ?

I have been focusing on what shall give me energy and abilities when I eat 🍽. Yes, of course I am feeling the heat in my stomach but really without input in no output out. I cannot do what I do in the gym 🏃🏼‍♀️ 💪🏾 floor if I don’t do the necessary stuff to nourish my bod. Maybe I really don’t have to focus so much on meeting the demands. I have to shift on actually liking it and not the very dry meal 🥘 plans. Ah, Wawames 🐈 is knocking at my door 🚪 again.

I tried finding 🔍 something that shall whet my thinking 🤔 cap. Ayayay, he’s crying 😿. It doesn’t have to be something profound. This jump to me. Anyone else love 💕 bread 🍞? I wondered why they didn’t have balsamic vinegar on the dip Sunday. It was my sister’s husband’s birthday 🎂 and we celebrated 🎊 .

Gawd, I miss being a mallrat. But they served us sourdough and not focaccia? I loved 💗 it. Perhaps I should make my own oven bake no. Last night I was seeing spaces to cook 👩🏼‍🍳 📸 and I am really getting excited 😆 going towards the direction ↗️➡️↘️ of enjoying the kitchen, the creativity in it. I need my tools. But yeah, carbs are my thing. Only I have a small amounts of it. I want to step into a bakery 🥯. Smell 👃🏾 the stuff and feast my eyes 👀 and other senses at what delicious stuff I can have.

I woke up early today. My alarm ⏰ worked however I cannot show up right now. I have less than 7 hours of sleep 💤 and if you don’t want to develop a flu 🤧 and perform well, better take care of yourself. Don’t be dumb. I am not grabbing fit Americano yet. Shucks, it’s Thursday 🗓, BJ’s. Ugh 😑, Hames wants to go out. My gawd. If only he’s not cute. He’s playful sociable energy. I want to read 📚 actually although I have not been wanting watching TV 📺 and I haven’t. Maybe I should try it this early morning 🌞. My need to stuff my mouth is there. Espresso concoction has not dampened it. I should soon. I wonder if I’ll go back to bed 🛏. I have been laying for an hour and no succcess.

I was speedy Gonzalez yesterday. I actually like that I am establishing the pace and it of course sets a way of how do things. I am not being a team player. Pain in the butt. If I think 🤔 about it, as much as I want to do work and accomplish ☑️ many things, I stopped 🛑 to talk and have a real conversation with people. I was telling Will café that I try to zone in and many mentioned how they saw me rowing 🚣🏼‍♀️. I didn’t feel like paddling. I wanted to use the elliptical that works on your stride and the space of it. But the issue was my ankle. I had to make sure I don’t get like an injury. Sometime. Not now. Lorene said it too. I was trying to be serious at the efforts I actually put in. Vie. Although I told L’Tan I channeled her Tina Turner and when I was doing my treadmill, I was dancing 🕺🏽perky. Thank God, Kiss FM LA remix 💿 🎵. Donna brought out a great point. Are you happy 😃? Shall I be quiet 🤐 smug about it. No, I’ll be effusive honest. Not candid. Forthcoming exactly and evidenced. I already know what I am going to do today. I have to shower 🚿. I am itchy and stinky. I have an idea 💡 today on how I’ll execute my compact afternoon. I noticed that I need fuel at around 500p. But I am altering the metabolism by breakfasting 🥞 early. Maybe I need to make a snack since Mom has not picked up my request. They have a recipe on last issue of Life Experience magazine. I wanted to do Barbell yesterday like I was telling my sister. I decided against it even if I made sure I didn’t overdo things. I had a time constraint and abide by it. I could have extended. I said to self, “Another day.”

[pensola]

DAY 6: DOMESTIC

Saga loves hiking in the mountains, and traveling in general.

Kim calls Saga “mamsen”, while she calls Ragnhild “mamma”.

Saga’s biggest weakness in photography is portraits. She is used to take pictures on-the-go and without warning. Having to direct people and find the right position and lighting feels awkward for her.

There are not many pictures of Saga and Kim together from when Kim was a child, because Kim got the habit of refusing to be photographed unless Saga was behind the camera.

Saga has studied law over the years to feel safer about her work, knowing what is legal and what can technically be legal if done or worded right.

She has a chunk of the upper part of her left ear missing, looking like a hole. Many think it is from a bullet because of her work, but she actually woke up with it after a crazy weekend of drinking when she was 30. She still has no idea how she got it, but is too embarassed to say it.

Asside from Norwegian, Sami and English, Saga speaks some Spanish, Swiss-German and Chinese. Spanish from her high school, Swiss-German over the years she lived in Switzerland, and Chinese because she figured it could be helpful since she had to travel all over the world.

Saga likes to cook plain and boring food that is quick and easy to make. She doesn’t mind eating complicated or spiced meals, but she feels it’s a waste of time to make herself when she can be nourished by simpler, cheaper food.

If she had to choose between never having to sleep or never having to eat, she’d choose never having to eat.

She doesn’t like to admit it, but she loves to read comments about herself and her articles both on her own website and on various forums. It is a way for her to remember what she has done and what she does have meaning. She never replies or comments back, though.

She sleeps in on Sundays and doesn’t work until 12AM.

Here are also more voice lines that Saga would say in-game, since that could help humanize her too, I guess?

Interactions with Allies:

Torbjörn: I never thought I would be fighting side by side with a Norwegian. Saga: What about side by side with a-... Ugh, no, I don’t want to say it.

Torbjörn: At least, we CAN agree that we’re better off than those darn Danes. Saga: *laughs* Right you are, Torbjörn. Screw them.

Saga: Morri- Hmm, Soldier: 76, is it true that you KNEW about Overwatch’s dark side and did NOTHING? Soldier: 76: They didn’t exactly promote me to do what I wanted.

Soldier: 76: You’re trying to look for truth where there is none, what makes you think you make a flick of difference? Saga: If you ask me, I’ll ask you.

Saga: Angela Ziegler, what do you feel about the accusations that your work can be considered unethical and inhumane? Mercy: All I want is to save lives as best I can. What could be wrong with that?

Saga: Zenyatta, don’t you think it is insensitive to be a fighting omnic with the second Omnic Crisis around the corner? The past is not that easily forgotten. Zenyatta: The people I protect far outweight possible consequences based on memories and fear. For a better world, we need to move beyond our past.

Saga: If another God Program activates, it can take over normal omnics with no warning. Don’t you see that is reason for humans to worry? Zenyatta: Not as much as omnics worry.

Saga: Mako Rutlegde, is it TRUE that you lead the Australian rebellion and caused the Outbacks to become a toxic wasteland? Roadhog: *growls threateningly*

Saga: Lúcio dos Santos, DJ, musician and famed savior of Rio de Janeiro! I have SO many questions! Lúcio: Sure, but let us save them to after the mission! I’d be happy to answer them when we’re safe and sound.

Winston: You went against your job by openly criticizing Overwatch, why are you on our side now? Do you regret your actions? Saga: The truth at the time was that Overwatch had become corrupted and overstepped human rights.The truth today is that the world needs heroes working together. There is nothing more to it.

Saga: Reaper, just what was it that made you a spree-killing psychopath targetting former Overwatch agents? Reaper: You should ask the actual psychopath about that.

Saga: Satya Vaswani, alias Symmetra, do you have any idea what the Vishkar Corporation is doing to people they claim to help around the world? Symmetra: No commments.

Ana: Your camera is certainly old, it looks before my time. Won’t the light give up your position and make enemies aware of you? Saga: Who says that wasn’t my intention?

Winston: You and Olympia Shaw from Atlas News seem to have a lot in common. Ever met her? Saga: I wish, but no. Her reports of your resurgence turned my view on Overwatch, and I would like to thank her for that.

Sombra: You know, I’m sure we could do amazing things together. Saga: I don’t want ANYTHING to do with you.

Sombra: What is really the difference between us two? We both seek knowledge, after all. Saga: The difference is that I’m fighting to reveal the truth to people for the right thing, and you are cheating and destroying lives to gain knowledge for yourself.

Doomfist: It has been a long time, Mrs. Sara. Saga: Not long enough, Ogundimu.

Receiving Things Lines:

Armour: “Takk som byr!” (Thanks for the offering!”)

Healing: Feels great, thanks!

Nano Boost: Scoop of the year, here I come!

Quickwheel Lines:

Hello! / Hei! / Heisann!

Thank you! / Takk! / Takker!

Understood. / Forstått. / OK. / Ikke no’ problem. (No problem.)

I need healing / Need some bandaids over here!

Respawn Lines:

“Arbeidet adler mennesket” (”Work honours the person”, proverb)

“Etterpå er hvermann klok.” (”Afterwards, everyone is wise”, proverb about hindsight)

“Oh well, in a hundred years it’s all forgotten. ...Hopefully.”

*in a teasing voice* “Ris gjør ungen vis.” (”Spanking wisens the child”, proverb)

(killed with Sightsee active) “I will never forget the one that got away.”

Hero-change to Saga: “Saga is on the scene, reporting live!”

Map-Specific Lines:

Temple of Anubis: “Den som ikke i hete vil svette, får i kulde sulte.” (”Those who do not want to sweat in the heat, shall hunger in the cold”, proverb)

Temple of Anubis: “It is hard to trust Omnics when you know there is a God Program that could make them suddenly change side with no warning.”

Oasis: “This. Is. The. Worst. I am sweating a waterfall here and they won’t even let me keep any of my pictures when I leave. What am I DOING here?”

Volskaya Industries: “Better badly dressed than naked, I guess.”

Numbani: “This city is an ideal, but everything casts a shadow.”

Junkertown: “Huh, this place has improved a lot since last time I was here. That’s kind of sad.

Battle Lines:

Solo-eliminating an enemy: “Den som vil være med på leken, må tåle steken.” (”If you want to join the game, you have to handle the pain./No pain, no gain.”

Thirty seconds left: “A good day is never too late! Let us do this!” / “Better to die standing, than live kneeling! Let’s keep this going!”

Destroying enemy turret: *mockingly* “MAI TUHREHT! Buuhuuu! *nonchalant* Anyway enemy turret’s gone.”

Killing your killer: “You never live long enough to leave grudgeless.”

Killing Torbjörn: “Have you heard that joke about the Swede that died?”

Killing Soldier: 76/Reaper: “Now, Overwatch can start anew.”

Seeing allied Lúcio killed: “And the world lost a great hero that day.”

When shocked by Winston: “Au, au, au, au, au!”

Ability Lines:

Using Sightsee: “Ah, just a sec I want to ask you something!” Using Sightsee on Soldier:76: “I’ve got you in my sight!” Killing Sightsee target: “Thanks for the interview, see you again never!” Ally kills Sightsee target: “I’ll make sure to mention you in the article!” Sightsee target suicides: “Oh, I’ll... write the eulogy, I guess.”

Using Emergency: “Here’s some stuff, come get it.” / *imitating Tobjörn* “Come getcher bandies!” / “Come over here for healing!”

Ultimate Line:

Allies: “Picture time, everyone! ...Smile!”

Enemies: *singing* “Smil til the skulte... kamera!” (”Smile to the hidden... camera!”, the intro of an old Norwegian hidden camera show)

#OWOCweek #saga #my characters

[kevinselders99-blog]

8 Factors Why Burgers are actually the best Popular Quick Food Items

8 Factors Why Burgers are actually the best Popular Quick Food Items

 The initial word that stands out into your mind when you listen to words junk food is actually: burger. While the globe might provide me 1,000 factors not to eat meat hamburgers and hot pet dogs coming from any kind of burger loop, I can easily assure you, I can easily give the globe 1,001 factors not to. Below are 7 reasons that I believe cheeseburgers are one of the most well-known away from all prompt food things:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Winghart%E2%80%99s/@40.4401443,-80.0028231,85m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x8834f156baa3b211:0x5075fd2e4363f5e5!2zV2luZ2hhcnTigJlz!8m2!3d40.4401439!4d-80.0023328!3m4!1s0x8834f156baa3b211:0x5075fd2e4363f5e5!8m2!3d40.4401439!4d-80.0023328

 1. They fit the budget plan simply right

 A hamburger is actually economical food items as well as gives you extra value for a lot less loan. You don't need to have a wallet loaded with costs to get a cheeseburger coming from any hamburger loophole.

 2. Hamburgers can be found in various range

https://winghartburgers.com/

 Call your preferred dental filling as well as your junk food hamburger outlet will have it. Whether it is actually Italian beef burger, frankfurter, or every other; you may have it with your favorite dress up. Mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, jalapenos, as well as what not!

 3. They (in some cases) featured free of charge fries as well as a cocktail

 Properly, what is actually better than getting a hamburger merely to discover you can easily get fries and also drink along with it also! That makes the perfectly total food.

 4. Hamburgers are actually the finest food items when you're famished

 If you believe unmanageable hunger and really want instant meals, a burger is actually the quickest achievable tasty food that you can get! You may order or get your beloved burger whenever you think you need to have meals on place.

 5. Hamburgers match today's fast way of living

 In these times, lifestyle is actually swiftly. Everybody remains in a fight against time. In the usual program of operating to and fro in between work and also home, many people may not be as well weary to stand up as well as cook in the home. Burgers are the excellent comfort food items that you can easily get hold of on the move South Side.

 6. Hamburgers are actually readily available night and day

 That is actually the ideal component - you can buy or eliminate a burger any hr of the time. Many burger loopholes are open all throughout the full week at all hrs. As a result, whether it's AM or even PM, you can constantly order a burger on your own.

 7. Aged practices die hard

 The cheeseburger is actually one of the very first convenience food products that found popular worldwide. Even though it is available in with different flavor variants, you can still find the original meat hamburger, which the most effective. Being actually the 1st of the junk food things, hamburgers are enjoyed by everyone; old and young. Regrettable, you can't merely stop anybody coming from consuming all of them.

 8. They sample delectable

 Final, but not the least, burgers simply sample great tasting. There is actually no other better description than this why every person adores hamburgers. The development along with the alternatives is every bit as impressive, which is why hamburgers are the favorite junk food product away from the whole great deal 15203.

 A lot of hamburger channels deliver scrumptious, vivid as well as completely lip smacking hamburgers to tantalize your palate. Some joints takeout companies and also house distribution too. They have a selection of entrees besides burgers; such as gyros, fries, club sandwiches and finest hotdogs. Take pleasure in a burger when you do not seem like entering into the home kitchen and wish to appreciate a laid back night before the tv.

 Greatest Burgers on earth

 Although that our team reside in a globe significantly populated through vegetarians as well as constant-dieters - it is actually a comfort to know that not everybody hates meat product or even is actually seeing his or even her waist!

 With its own authentic ascension to present day popularity in the late 1800's, the burger has come to be the ultimate American heritage (which has likewise located its method throughout lots of boundaries). Sold anywhere from food pushcarts on an area corner as well as good ol' burger joints, to great dining business and distinguished meat houses, a great hamburger could be a genuine pleasure Best Burger Pittsburgh.

 Whatever beating or seasoning is picked to come with the hamburger usually depends upon where you're coming from - New Yorkers really love lettuce, tomato and raw onions, Californians loves chili or even mustard, while the Southerners can not obtain away coming from adding some spicy hot dressing to give the burger a little bit of zing South Side.

 In any case, if you commonly find your own self in a hamburger state of mind ... or question what is actually the greatest and where it could be found - think about no additional! Along with no lack of excellent hamburgers shelters coming from around the planet, prepare to chow and break up those waistband loops at some of these choices:

 The Apple Pan (Los Angeles, CA) - A long time cheeseburger location for over fifty years, The Apple Pan is actually a simple junction with a horseshoe-shaped counter that gives no tables yet a damn really good burger that balances the absence of resting room. Make an effort the Hickory hamburger (covered with Tillamook Cheddar as well as BBQ dressing) - our preferred! Oh, and also if you possess any room left behind after that, make an effort the epic apple pie.

 Fruit Boat Restaurant (Turks & Caicos) - Anyone that has actually been to the Turks will inform you that this is actually a festive area along with terrific hamburgers. An ultimate isle hangout, the spot serves impressive half-pound cheeseburgers (you 'd much better be actually starving!) and delicious shellfish cheeseburgers you will not locate anywhere else. Oh, and also if you can easily ... swing through on a Sunday mid-day to enjoy some of the greatest reggae music with your tasty Best Burger Pittsburgh.

 Daniel Boulud Brasserie (Las Vegas, NV) - Who will would like to pay off $40 for a burger and also fries? We would! Our company performed! As well as, we enjoyed it! Talk about the fanciest cheeseburger in the planet - the "Original NY DB Burger" as it's knowned as is a 9 oz. sirloin cheeseburger featuring foie gras, wine-braised quick ribs and dark truffles on a parmesan danish offered along with tomato and horseradish. So ... if you're looking for one thing different - this is definitely it.

 Joe Allen (Paris, France) - Going tough because 1972, Joe Allen (with its own sister dining establishment in NY) was the initial restaurant to carry American fare to Paris. A preference of nearby businessmen and stars alike, Joe Allen provides the area's greatest cheeseburger as well as a number of the absolute most exceptional alcoholic drinks!

 Daddy O's (New York, NY) - Craving a good ol' cheeseburger in NYC - certainly never has one tried this divine. (Just do not neglect the tater kiddies that select it!) Situated in the West Village, this downtown kicked back staple is actually the ideal stomping ground for individuals intending to leave the pretentious carb-counting group you would certainly discover in other areas in NY. They are open overdue and are the perfect location to get hold of a different beverage with your closest good friends Best Burger

 Nightclub Diner (Kyoto, Japan) - A coffee shop through day as well as complete by night, the Speakeasy Diner is actually a fantastic stomping ground in the heart of the city. Recognized for its fantastic international menu and outstanding hamburgers, the spot is famous one of residents as well as out-of-towners identical. Speakeasy likewise delivers English foreign language models of Japanese documents and sizable display TVs that regularly have CNN on. Seats is actually limited (regarding 40 folks), thus be sure you're prepped to hang around Best Burger Pittsburgh.

 Hamburger Inasal: Why It is actually Great to Have a Burger.

 Hamburgers are actually considered the utmost snack food. World-famous and also Filipino fast-food establishment owners aren't unconcerned to this. Cheeseburgers are actually the go-to treat when catching up on your favored TV series. If you are actually a big enthusiast of the hamburger, at that point it is actually concerning opportunity that you make your own self knowledgeable of the numerous reasons everybody only really loves cheeseburgers as long as you do.

 You can't go wrong with a burger.

Burgers are something you'll likely order if you find yourself discovering a brand new place and also you don't think that forcing your palate to take a threat. Cheeseburger eaters seem to be to consistently find a safe zone when trying a new flavor so long as it looks and also really feels like the familiar hamburger. This gives reality to the mentioning that you may just never make a mistake along with a burger PA

 . The Five-Minute Food

Considered that you actually possess your preferred attachments prepped, crafting your personal hamburger definitely would not take long. It will surely take you 5 mins or a lot less to prep. This is why hamburgers are actually excellent as jam-packed snacks for spontaneous journey 15222.

 No-fuss.

No expensive eating ability is actually included when eating cheeseburgers. It is actually ready to fit whatever method there is actually that is actually convenient for you. You may eat all of them at all you desire to. Stuff all of them in a bun, pair it along with rice, or even eat it as it is - the unembellished cheeseburger can suit any sort of meal establishing Best Burger.

 Hamburgers may be nourishing as well.

In contrast to the fatty as well as fatty fast-food cheeseburger meals, there are already far healthier options to burger substances. Cheeseburgers could be a healthy and balanced alternative for you if you will just be actually a bit much more cautious in sourcing or even prepping it your own self. Chicken hamburger and veggie hamburgers are absolutely healthier than the frequent beef or pork-based ones. Incorporating veggies, low-fat and also all-natural spices may also assist lessen the fats 15601.

 Do not these explanations merely create you would like to grab a burger today? Effectively, if you are currently in the comfort of your property, know that you do not need to go much to get your palms on one. You can really tailor your own burger. Merely prep some breadstuff, cheeseburger patties of your option, and your favored spices as well as add-ons available at residence. Establish your grill as well as start cooking. You may also try something new with an arbitrary healthy and balanced ingredient that you really feel would contribute to its own taste and be actually amazed of its healthy and balanced flavorful goodness!

[beautysupply101]

Rawsome Beauty: Luck of the Draw or Within Reach of All?

Excerpted from the book "Your Right to Be Beautiful: How to Halt the Train of Aging and Meet the Most Beautiful You" by Tonya Zavasta.

All of my life, I wanted to be beautiful. In today's society, it is more acceptable to insist that you are "beautiful on the inside", unfortunately, those of us on the outside are not seeing your insides. Wanting to be beautiful is now criticized as being shallow. I'm sorry but I would rather be perceived as shallow than hypocritical because I find it impossible to believe than any women is content to be less than she can be.

Personal initiative is a powerful force in achieving goals and attaining wealth. What about beauty? Are we desperately helpless here, or is there a way to bring it under personal control? I believe we have as much leverage in becoming beautiful as we have in accomplishing anything else we set our minds to. But we have not been looking in the right places for beauty.

The most inspiring books about becoming wealthy are written by people who have made it from rags to riches. However, advice on becoming beautiful often comes from those blessed with exceptional beauty to begin with. For a woman born beautiful to teach others how to become beautiful is like a sweepstakes winner teaching people how to earn a fortune through hard work. Is there a means for achieving beauty for those of us who are not big winners in the gene lottery?

Good news! It is biologically possible to look beautiful at any age. If you do not see yourself as beautiful, it is because your beauty is unclaimed. Your body has never been given a chance to reveal how it can look when provided with the best possible nourishment and care.

Some of our physical characteristics we cannot change--they are determined by our lineage, food choices our mothers made during pregnancy, and our environment. Oriental diagnosis has noted that small eyes are caused by consumption of cooked vegetables and animal products during pregnancy and early childhood. Large eyes, on the other hand, are caused by intake of raw vegetables, fruits, and fruit juices. Long eyelashes in a child indicate the intake of substantial amounts of liquids, raw vegetables, and fruits by the pregnant mother.

These things we cannot change. We can change much, however, by the consumption of a raw plant diet as an adult. This diet will make a difference in weight, complexion, and the texture of skin, hair, and nails. All of these traits and more are determined by our daily choices, with food being one of the most important--and one we have full control of.

Our bodies' natural ability to renew cells means that your body is capable of improving your looks. After all, we were designed to bloom continuously as old cells are replaced by new ones. The raw food diet makes the most of that rejuvenating ability. Rawsome beauty is not manufactured from the outside; it is cultivated from the inside by nutritionally charged food. The body responds with alacrity to an improved diet. As the body strengthens and heals your insides, you will see your beauty starting to surface on your face and re-structuring your body.

The artistic ability of your body will surprise you. It will seem as though a sculptor is chiseling your face and body. Fat deposits will disappear from the right spots. Everything bumpy or lumpy will be smoothed or straightened. Everything dull will be illuminated. The features will be refined until a lovely face surfaces, and the skin will be polished until it glows. By revealing and intensifying what is good, the raw food lifestyle will make the best of whatever goodness you have and will open every avenue for more. This lifestyle bestows upon you an identity of your own and makes you beautiful.

Only the body sustained on raw food demonstrates natural beauty or, shall we say, "rawsome beauty." The landscape of the body will change. Fat that has accumulated in pockets under the eyes and at the jaw will melt away. The lumpy potato look of one's face will give way to sleek, smooth contours. Pockets of fat and retained water will disappear. The surface of the skin will become soft and smooth yet firm and supple. Visible pores will diminish. Sallow, yellowish skin will turn into a porcelain-like complexion. The whites of the eyes, once red, will become bright with a bluish tinge.

The body becomes transformed and will unfold from the inside out. While your non-raw-eating peers discover new blemishes, blotches, and moles on a nearly daily basis, you will see your own skin irregularities gradually fade or disappear. Feeding your body raw food will make your eyes, once sunken in bulbous flesh, look larger and rounder by eliminating the surrounding puffiness and by firming the eyelids. Eyebrows that were beginning to form an awning over the eyes will regain their youthful arch. As natural collagen production improves, it will fill in the places where it is needed, as in hollow cheeks. It will not just patch your face, but it will improve every one of your 3,000 square inches of skin.

Raw food eating will clarify and refine your features and bring delicacy to your face. This diet will give the impression of high cheekbones. In fact, it will give the effect of a cheek implant, by providing a subtle contour to the cheek area. The blurred chin-to-neck curve will become sharper and more pronounced. Broad jaws and square jowls will slowly give way to a more desirable oval shape. Sagging cheeks will gradually become tauter and tighter. Incidentally, an oval-shaped face, high cheekbones, thin jaws, and large eyes are universally considered to be the major characteristics of a beautiful face.

As the cleansing is completed, you will see how you were meant to look. You will become satisfied, even fascinated, with your appearance. When you look your very best, you look perfect, in a sense that you are as close to the divine image for yourself as you could ever be. You accept yourself completely. Natural beauty is above conformity; it doesn't demand to be accepted by the dictates of the beauty norm.

People who have been on the raw food lifestyle for several years begin to have an emerging radiance. The glow is hard to fake because it is basically internal. It comes from an abundance of clear pink, almost transparent, cells that light up the face. Only superior blood circulation can bring this transfiguring glow. Several years on the raw diet will give you a translucent radiance.

There are beautiful people who are not on the diet, but even they have never been as beautiful as they could be because they have not been cleansed of all toxins. Our frustration with our looks is a subconscious reaction to our innate knowledge that we have not achieved our best look. The Rawsome Diet gives us confidence that we look the way we were meant to look when we are at our most beautiful.

The best proof that raw plant eating is optimal for the body is that it makes you beautiful. Slim face, slender waist, and clear skin with smooth coloration--these subtle changes will convince you that the raw plant diet is the best for good health and graceful beauty. No woman knows her true beauty until she cleanses her body completely of all waste.

I like to study each woman's face. I see not just how she does look, but how much better she could look. What I now see is just how far her looks fall short of her potential. I see her beauty as it would be if her body had been cleansed from all toxins and excesses. On the Rawsome Diet, you will be stunned by how the Master Artist makes the most of your individual features and brings balance to the face. Texture, hues, and shape will be re-arranged into a harmonious whole. Perfection and imperfection will be joined into a unique personal beauty.

But our imagination is limited. The perfect face is an invention of our culture. It shows human preference in particular time and place, and it is severely limited in its variety. While eye bags, puffiness, and sallow skin make faces look similarly unattractive, the variety of beauty versions, supplied by God Himself, is endless.

When your peer group is going through a stage where they think: "I am losing my looks," you will be finding yours. At 47, I enjoy looking in the mirror, while in my youth and young adult life I detested my reflection. People who have not seen me for years often tell me that they hardly recognize me. Even my mother recently said I looked like a different person.

Adopting the raw food diet actually brings the beauty equation full circle. Finally, beauty is for everyone! We can drop the pretence. Ugly Ducklings of the world, this is your chance! It is forgivable to be born ugly, but there is no more excuse for staying ugly. Healthy foods create healthy organs. Strive to become beautiful on the inside--you will be beautiful on the outside.

The book is available at: http://www.beautifulonraw.com

This article may be freely reprinted as long as the entire article and byline are included.

Tonya Zavasta is the raw food lifestyle expert, the author of the books Beautiful On Raw: UnCooked Creations and Your Right to Be Beautiful: How to Halt the Train of Aging and Meet the Most Beautiful You, named a 2004 Health Book of the Year Award finalist by ForeWord Magazine. In these books Tonya makes a stand as an ambassador for plain looking women in their quest for physical beauty. Firmly believing that the roots of under-performing and under-achieving lie in feeling and looking less than your personal best, she is on a mission: she wants every woman to look and feel beautiful. To learn more about how you can reveal your Rawsome beauty, visit: http://www.beautifulonraw.com or call 866-STAY-RAW

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Tonya_Zavasta/9013

http://bit.ly/2CQt1I6

#Luck #Rawsome Beauty #Rawsome Beauty: Luck of the Draw or Within Reach of All? #the Draw #Within Rea

[positivepsychologyinterventions]

9 Powerful Ways to Care for Your Emotional Health

We tend to dismiss our emotional health. We certainly don’t talk about it around the dinner table, at the office, or really anywhere. If we talk about any kind of health, we prefer to chat about our physical wellness: what we’re eating, and not eating, what kind of exercise we’re trying, and not trying, how much we’re sleeping or not sleeping.

One reason we do this is because talking about our physical health offers external validation from others, said Marline Francois-Madden, LCSW, a psychotherapist and owner of Hearts Empowerment Counseling Center in Montclair, New Jersey.

Talking about our emotional health, however, feels too vulnerable, she said. And this is understandable. Our pain feels fresh, tender, private. Often, we don’t even admit we’re hurting to ourselves.

Ignoring our emotional health makes life easier in the short term. For instance, it means “we can avoid conflict, which many people want to do if at all possible,” said Lea Seigen Shinraku, MFT, a therapist who specializes in self-compassion at her private practice in San Francisco.

“We can also maintain an identity of being easy-going, selfless, or strong…” she said.

Tanvi Patel’s clients regularly tell her that having painful emotions makes them feel weak and childlike. “Ignoring [their emotions] is something that they’ve been taught makes them strong, mature and healthy.”

Many of us also have been taught that if we’re sad, we should be able to pick ourselves up “quickly and quietly,” said Patel, LPC-S, a psychotherapist specializing in work with high achieving adults and adult survivors of trauma in Houston, Texas.

In reality, however, “the ability to look at painful experiences and painful emotions is far more developmentally mature and healthy, and takes enormous strength.”

Our emotional health is vital for a host of reasons. It’s vital for our relationships, career, and physical health, said Alicia Hodge, Psy.D, a licensed psychologist and speaker in Maryland whose work centers around assisting people to overcome anxiety, gain new perspectives, and enhance their self-care.

What Emotional Health Really Is

Emotional health is “the ability to feel and respond to emotions in a way that is adaptive and functional, that supports one’s relationships and autonomy, and is in alignment with one’s core values,” Shinraku said.

It is recognizing that emotions give us vital information about ourselves and our needs, telling us whether our needs are being met or not, she said. It is intentionally choosing to respond to an emotion, instead of reacting “in a way that is habitual, unconsidered and often unconscious.”

Patel defines emotional health as a combination of resilience, insight, self-care and self-regulation. Specifically, it’s being able to traverse difficult experiences; notice our needs and reactions; engage in activities that bring joy and calm; and sit with difficult emotions and regulate our behavior, she said.

Hodge regularly makes parallels between emotional health and physical health. Just like you couldn’t run a marathon if you ate only chips, you can’t endure stressful periods if you’re unaware of your feelings or not taking care of yourself, she said.

Caring for Your Emotional Health

Below are nine powerful, compassionate ways to care for your emotional health.

Track your mood. Francois-Madden’s clients track their mood by journaling or using mood tracking apps, such as Happify, eMoods, and Moodtrack Social Diary. This helps them to see how often they’re struggling with negative thoughts—and what strategies they need to build up their emotional well-being, she said.

Welcome all emotions. Patel encouraged readers to allow every emotion “into your space,” which means not dismissing or discounting them. She shared this example: You feel shame—and naturally you want to get rid of it right away. Maybe you try to focus on something else, or you talk yourself out of it: “No, they didn’t see you make that mistake, no one thinks you’re a failure, etc.”

Patel believes we move too quickly to “fix” our feelings. Instead, it’s important to truly process our feelings (which “helps us stay emotionally healthy by releasing their hold on us”). This means accepting that you feel shame and letting yourself feel it. It means identifying the shame, such as: “My stomach is in knots because it makes me feel like everyone can see I’m a failure.”

Cultivate curiosity. Patel also suggested asking ourselves different questions about our difficult feelings: “Why did my stomach just lurch when my friend said that? Why did my heart start beating faster when my co-worker did that?” Similarly, consider “learning a larger breadth of emotions beyond happy, sad and angry,” which “can help us put words to these often abstract feelings.”

Do nightly check-ins. Hodge stressed the importance of carving out time every night to identify how you felt throughout the day. This not only helps us tune into ourselves, but it also helps us to reframe some situations—which teaches us to be resilient, she said.

For instance, we tend to think of our days as either “good” or “bad,” she said. Instead, it’s more helpful to see the nuance. Maybe you were late to an important meeting, but at lunch you had a meaningful conversation with a coworker. Maybe missing your train stop allowed you to explore a new place, Hodge said.

Practice a self-compassionate break. When a tough situation arises, Shinraku suggested doing an adaptation of the self-compassionate break (developed by self-compassion researcher Kristin Neff). Pause, and tell yourself these words:

“This is an emotionally challenging moment.

Emotional challenges are part of life.

May I be kind and curious with myself.”

“These phrases are a kind of mantra that can help us be more aware or mindful of our experience, and remind us that we are human and not alone,” Shinraku said. And they remind us that “being kind and curious with ourselves is usually the most helpful response when we are struggling.”

Focus on your inner dialogue. When you get upset, what do you tell yourself? Pay attention to how you talk about your emotions and reactions and how you relate to yourself in general. Because how we talk to ourselves affects everything. Which is why it’s powerful to “engage in positive self-talk and say words of affirmation about yourself,” said Francois-Madden, author of the Therapist Planner.

Use non-violent communication. Non-violent communication was developed by Marshall Rosenberg, “which is where the idea of the connection between feelings and needs comes from,” Shinraku said. To use it in your interactions, she suggested identifying: what specifically happened; the feeling that came up; and the needs that underlie that feeling. Next, make a request of the other person, see if you can meet your needs on your own, or grieve that the needs can’t be met right now.

For instance, according to Shinraku, if a loved one is late to meet you for the fourth time, after reflecting on how you feel, you tell them: “I feel uncomfortable bringing this up, because I care about you and don’t want to hurt your feelings. I realized, though, that if I don’t talk about it with you, I’m going to feel resentful, so I’ll give it a try: I felt frustrated when you got to the restaurant 20 minutes late last week. When that happened, I felt hurt because it seemed like you don’t value my time. I’d really like to count on you to be there when you say you will. Are you open to talking about this?”

Shinraku added that sometimes non-violent communication can feel formulaic. However, with practice, you’ll develop “your own way of expressing yourself with honesty and compassion for yourself and the people in your life.”

Learn what fills your cup. Taking the time to do what nourishes and relaxes you helps you to effectively regulate yourself when tough times arise. For instance, Patel’s clients cook, practice yoga, read, take walks, volunteer and spend time with supportive people. “This would also include avoiding stressful situations such as judgmental friends,” Patel said.

Seek therapy. Both Patel and Hodge named psychotherapy as an important intervention. “Therapy with a licensed professional allows you to engage in a trusted relationship to explore and improve your emotional health,” Hodge said. “Therapeutic work does not have to be crisis based; you can engage in therapy as a form of prevention and maintenance.”

The Nature of Humanity

“Emotional health isn’t about not feeling emotions or decreasing how much emotion we have in our lives,” Patel said. We will still feel anger, anxiety, sadness and shame. This is the nature of being human. And that’s a great thing—because, again, these emotions give us invaluable insights into what we want and need.

But the key is to be thoughtful and intentional. Which is where emotional health comes in: It is about managing our emotions, and making deliberate decisions about how they affect our behavior and our lives.

from World of Psychology https://ift.tt/2zs05F4 via IFTTT

#IFTTT #World of Psychology