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10 Reasons to Ignore Negative People

February 15, 2023 by Kristen Butler

When you consider your happiness, you likely believe it’s linked to your wealth, beauty, and position in life. Conversely, it’s connected to the quality of relationships around you. Humans are social creatures and having friends in your inner circle is essential for a well-rounded life. Negative people can be challenging to manage, and these folks’ constant pessimism and negativity can be difficult to handle.

Individuals who see the glass as half empty can affect your mood, give you anxiety, and cause you to experience distrust in the world around you. It’s also challenging to dream and conquer your goals when their negativity crushes every plan in your life. It isn’t easy to be positive when you’re around constant pessimism. Too many times, you might find yourself being uncaring, anxious, indifferent, or even distrustful of others.

Why Negative People Should Be Ignored?

Negativity is toxic, as it tends to rub off onto others. Have you ever left tuna salad in the refrigerator for too long? Over time, bacterium gets into this fish and causes an intense aroma.

Anything not sealed in an airtight container can absorb this odor as the bacteria becomes airborne. The same thing happens when you fill your inner circle with negative people. It won’t be long before their chronic pessimism infects you like poison. Here are some reasons why you should avoid negative folks.

1. Negative People Drain Your Energy

If you’ve ever had a breaker kick in your home, you know the classic flickering lights. The breaker box warns you that you’re using too much electricity, and the flickering comes from overloading the current. Hanging with negative people will do the same thing, as they tend to drain the life and energy right out of you.

Negative folks can change how you think and feel about matters, especially if you’re with them for long periods. They can alter how you view the world if you listen to them. You can come to work feeling amazing and ready to conquer the world, but the coworker next to you might be having a horrible day. Their pessimism can quickly bring your mood down to their level.

2. Negativity Is Judgmental

How often did your parents tell you that you’re known by the company you keep? It’s true, even in nature, birds of a feather only flock with others of their kind. When was the last time you saw a blue jay hanging out with a pigeon? No, they travel with their kind, as it’s their instinct.

When you surround yourself with people who are chronic naysayers, you soon find that their beliefs rub off on you. In the court system, there’s something called guilt by association. According to the Legal Dictionary, this happens when you’re with someone who committed a crime, as you’re also charged. While you’re not going to be indicted for hanging with negative people, you will undoubtedly find that they drag you down with them.

The folks around you know the people with toxic negativity, and when you hang with these individuals, it can damage your credibility. Being guilty by association can work against you in the workplace and social circles.

3. They’re Challenging to Get Rid Of

Have you ever had a pest control issue in your home? Some insects seem impossible to eliminate. Take, for instance, roaches. They tend to multiply and come out of the woodwork. Once they get into your home, eliminating them is a costly problem.

When you have negative people in your inner circle, getting rid of them is challenging. Like those pesky bugs, they tend to cling to you and contaminate everything they touch. You may find that you are loyal to them as they’ve been your friend since high school, or you shared an experience. However, it’s essential to pick the folks you surround yourself with wisely, as it may be the thing that keeps you down.

4. Negative People Can Affect Your Health

A study under the direction of Dr. Lisa R. Yanek and John Hopkins found that chronic negativity has a dramatic influence on your risk of heart disease. The research discovered that negative people are 13 percent more likely to develop coronary artery disease than optimistic people. Experts always say that stress kills, so this study shows that staying on the sunny side of life is less risky.

5. There’s Less Drama

Some folks love drama. Have you ever seen someone worthy of an Oscar for their performance over the simplest of matters? They magnify everything to epic proportions because their mindset is geared toward the dramatic.

If anything unexpected happens to them, it can tank their mood for a week. Something as simple as a flat tire might send them into a tailspin. A flat tire is frustrating, but the positive person fixes it and moves on.

Negative people have a challenging time seeing past some circumstances, and they use one bad incident as a springboard for more chronic negativity. When the people in your life are constantly in an upheaval about things, it can affect your mood too. Who needs any extra drama?

6. Negativity Reminds You That Life Is Too Short to Be Miserable

If you live on this earth for 70 years, you will have 25,550 days to make a difference. While it seems like a lot, time flies by. Wouldn’t it be better to fill your days with laughter and happiness rather than misery and dark clouds?

Your life is what you make it, and the people you hang out with are a big part of your overall level of happiness. Why waste any precious time being miserable?

7. Negative People Stagnate Your Growth

Parents have a significant job raising their children to be well-rounded adults. They must pour them positivity and encouragement so they can grow and flourish. According to a study by Walden University, words are powerful tools that will lift or tear down. Any remark made to a child that is derogatory and messes with their esteem is considered verbal abuse.

The study documents the impact that harsh words can have on the psyche. A child who grows up in a home where they’re told they will never be anything will believe those words. Conversely, a kid that grows up being constantly praised and thinking they can conquer the world has a higher chance of success.

If you want to grow and reach your goals, you will kick negative people out of your life. Most flowers grow only with direct sunshine, so you don’t need dark clouds to overshadow your success.

8. There’s No Support

Sitting at a picnic table is a fun way to eat a meal in the summer. However, the lack of back support can be challenging after any period. You might start to feel stiff and develop muscular aches from the lack of support from the seat. Negativity has the same impact on your mind.

As you go through life, you need a strong support system. Positive folks have your back and will be by your side through thick and thin. Consequently, the negative person won’t’ encourage or support you. They will be more apt to knock you down further.

9. Negative People Drag You Down

If you’ve raised a teenager, you deserve a reward. Young adults have a challenging time today, and making good relationships can be difficult. You can always tell when your kid is hanging out with someone who isn’t the best influence, as their behavior will change.

Your once honor roll student might have failing grades, and there might be in-school suspensions and detentions. Who you let into your inner circle dramatically affects your life. They will encourage you to think and do things you usually wouldn’t consider.

There’s safety in numbers, and sometimes finding a friend of any caliber still means you have someone to talk to. However, you must be very selective about the people you call friends, as not everyone has your best interests at heart.

10. Negativity Alters Your Thought Processes

You can’t hang out with negative people and expect a life full of positivity. Pessimistic folks will emphasize the negative things you say, and they will give you 101 reasons why any toxic thinking is justified. However, a positive person will reinforce your life with optimism.

Even when the whole world is against you and everything looks bleak, the positive person will help you see the silver lining in the darkest cloud.

Final Thoughts on Negative People

Every day you make choices for your life. You choose what to eat, whether you’ll go to work, and who you will let into your inner circle. Negative people have a skewed view of the world around them, and much of their pessimism derives from experience.

When you feed into the negativity and drama, you will soon find that you become just like the friend everyone avoids. It’s easier to end relationships with colleagues who are toxic than with family. Still, you can set boundaries for people you can’t avoid. The less time you spend with chronically pessimistic folks, the better your life will be.

5 Signs You’re in a Relationship With an Enlightened Man

February 15, 2023 by Kristen Lawrence

It’s like finding a needle in a haystack when encountering an enlightened man. They’re a rare breed in our world, so you should consider yourself lucky if you’ve met one of these beautiful souls. Enlightenment traditionally means being free from the cycles of birth and death, or samsara, in Sanskrit.

However, it can also refer to having a spiritual or emotional awakening that alters your perspective. Someone who goes through a dark night of the soul will often feel like a new person after shedding layers of their ego.

They may have more karma to work out on Earth, but they have evolved and matured in their current incarnation. An enlightened man will often see the world differently and have a more open, compassionate mindset.

He also will have a clear vision of what he wants in life and won’t settle for less. However, he won’t cut others down to feel taller or more successful, as he’s too humble to act maliciously. A sophisticated, intelligent man helps others on their journey while he traverses his path. He’s also optimistic and tries to see the silver lining in all situations.

If you’re in a relationship with an awakened soul, he will have so much love and wisdom to offer. You’re sure to become your best self and learn something from an exceptional man like this by your side.

But how can you know if you’re dating one of these unique souls? Make sure to look out for the following signs of an illuminated man.

NOTE: If you seek information on the signs of an awakened woman, we cover those traits in a separate article.

5 Signs You’re Dating an Enlightened Man

1. An enlightened man prioritizes spiritual and emotional development.

A critical difference between an enlightened and an average man is his desire to improve himself consistently. Men who want to become the best version of themselves never feel comfortable with complacency. They always strive to acquire more knowledge and seek the truth in their souls instead of looking elsewhere. If you’re in a relationship with someone who yearns to find the ultimate answers in life, it’s a sign you’ve met a highly spiritual man.

He probably practices yoga or meditation to cleanse his spirit and feel connected to his higher self. These spiritual practices also allow him to experience deeper emotions and develop closer relationships with people. Since he knows himself on a higher plane, he can give more love, affection, and compassion in his platonic and romantic relationships.

2. He cares deeply about the well-being and happiness of others.

An enlightened man will have a pure, beautiful soul and see others’ happiness as an extension of his. In other words, an illuminated man knows that the separation between himself and others is merely an illusion. Therefore, he cares about life beyond his physical body and tries to help people whenever possible.

He values connections with others and talks to everyone he meets, even if only for a few minutes. An enlightened man has no selfish motives and tries to create positive karma by carrying out the universal will. He puts aside ideas of personal gain and does his best to make a difference with his limited time on Earth. When you’re in a relationship with an enlightened man, he’ll have a warm, uplifting energy and put everyone around him at ease.

You’ll know you’re in a relationship with a high-caliber man by how he treats others, including you. His beautiful soul will shine through his eyes, and you will feel rejuvenated and peaceful in his presence.

3. An enlightened man forms his own beliefs and opinions.

While a spiritually evolved man may seem headstrong, he doesn’t mean to come off that way. He stands behind his convictions and doesn’t waver, even if no one else agrees. He’s comfortable in his skin and doesn’t need validation from anyone else. That sets him apart from others who may cave under peer pressure or follow trends just to become popular.

He stays in his lane and doesn’t worry about what others think or say behind his back. The enlightened man may seem unconventional and strange compared to others in the modern world, but he follows his heart. When you’re in a relationship with an awakened soul, it will seem like a breath of fresh air.

He won’t attempt to change your opinions because he’s evolved enough to accept them, even if he disagrees. These rare souls see the beauty in diversity and understand the importance of keeping an open mind. He also won’t get defensive or interrupt you when you talk because he knows active listening strengthens relationships.

4. He practices gratitude and mindfulness.

While typical male behavior encourages ambition, dominance, and power, the enlightened male doesn’t follow the crowd. He seeks inner peace instead of outward success and egotistical activities that only create more problems in his life. Even if he enjoys a prestigious career, he remains humble and focuses on serving others. The evolved man isn’t greedy and expresses gratitude for everything the universe provides for him.

Instead of living in the past or present, he accepts the current moment and feels content in any situation. This attitude helps him maintain mental equanimity and ensures he can withstand life’s many tests. If you’re in a relationship with an enlightened man, he will show gratitude often for having you in his life. Every moment with him will feel special because he’ll put everything aside and give you his full attention.

5. An enlightened man knows how to tame his ego.

While an enlightened male isn’t perfect, he will still try to conquer his ego instead of feeding it. He knows the ego only causes more suffering, so he works relentlessly to dissolve it and become entirely selfless. If you’re in a relationship with an evolved man, you’ll notice he always puts others first. He probably won’t talk much about himself, preferring to listen to you most of the time. An altruistic, unpretentious man is truly a gem and an incredible partner to have in life.

Final Thoughts on Being in a Relationship with an Enlightened Man

The enlightened man enhances his relationships because he knows himself deeply and puts his best foot forward. He encourages his partner to become their most authentic self but doesn’t try to control them. The evolved man prioritizes self-development, knowing that his transformation is the greatest gift he can offer the world. He’s also compassionate and generous and looks out for those around him. In a relationship with an exceptional man like this, you will surely become a more enlightened version of yourself.

20 Best Love Quotes for Every Couple

February 14, 2023 by Sarah Barkley

It’s not always easy to find the words to express your love. When that’s the case, love quotes are a beneficial way to communicate your feelings to your partner.

You can share these quotes with your partner or read them together. Bonding over these phrases can help you see how much you mean to one another. Your partner will also think of you whenever they read the quote, even if you’re not around.

While it’s good to tell your partner you love them, it’s sometimes not enough. These quotes delve deeper, explaining what you can’t find words to say. They help clarify your feelings, letting your partner know how important they are in your life.

Twenty Quotes About Love for Couples

Whether your relationship is new or you’ve been together for a while, these love quotes can help you explain your feelings. They can also help you improve your relationship or determine what to do next.

1 – “I love you for all that you are, all that you have been and all that you will be.” – Unknown

This quote shows that you’ll care about your partner unconditionally. You care for who they used to be, who they are in the present, and who they will become. When your partner knows this, they’ll feel secure in the relationship and happy knowing how you feel.

2 – “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao-Tzu

Being in a loving relationship is a blessing that offers strength and courage. As Lao-Tzu explains, you’ll gain strength from being cared for and courage from feeling deeply about someone.

3 – “Because of you, I can feel myself slowly, but surely, becoming the me I have always dreamed of being.” – Tyler Knott Gregson

Your partner can help you become a better version of yourself. They can encourage you to achieve your dreams, learn all you can, and experience growth. Sharing this quote can express to your partner how good they are for you and how much you appreciate them being around you.

4 – “You are the finest, loveliest, tenderest, and most beautiful person I have ever known and even that is an understatement.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

Finding the best words to express your feelings about your partner can be hard. This quote describes how you feel about the one you love, but Fitzgerald also clarifies that it’s still not enough description. Sharing this phrase with your partner will help them understand that your feelings for them are deeper than any words can explain.

5 – “We’re often afraid of being vulnerable, but vulnerability creates genuine connection.” – Gabby Bernstein

Don’t be afraid to show your vulnerable sign. It’s one of the best ways to deepen your connection and develop a healthy relationship. When you want the romance to last, let your guard down and release your fears.

6 – “Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get, only with what you are expecting to give—which is everything.” – Katharine Hepburn

When you romantically care for someone, you won’t worry about what you’ll receive. Instead, you’ll only consider what you can give to your partner. You’ll know you’re in it for the long haul when you feel this way.

7 – “Trust in a relationship is very crucial. Without trust, a relationship cannot last as a healthy and happy bond.” – Alana Johnson

Developing trust within your relationship is essential. As Johnson explains, romance won’t last or be a healthy experience without a trusting bond.

8 – “It is a curious thought, but it is only when you see people looking ridiculous that you realize just how much you love them.” – Agatha Christie

You’ll know how deeply you care for your partner when you find joy in watching them be ridiculous. It’ll happen when they let loose and show their silly or exciting side. How you feel in those moments can clarify your feelings and make you fall for your partner even more.

9 – “My soul and your soul are forever tangled.” – N.R. Hart

Falling in love with someone connects you for life. Whether you split up later or stay together forever, your souls are entangled. You grew and learned together, forming an unbreakable connection that remains with you forever.

10 – “If I had a flower for every time I thought of you… I could walk through my garden forever.” – Alfred Tennyson

This Tennyson quote explains how being in love with someone often leads to thinking about them. Your partner will always be on your mind, frequently causing you to lose focus on other things.

11 – “In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world, there is no love for you like mine.” – Maya Angelou

When you find your person, you won’t want to lose them or find another partner. Having them will feel like the best thing you could ask for, filling your heart with joy.

12 – “Love is when you sit beside someone doing nothing, yet you feel perfectly happy.” – Unknown

Loving someone often means spending time with your partner without doing anything exciting. You won’t always need plans or to stay busy because sitting next to one another is good enough. It shows that you want their company and don’t need anything else.

13 – “Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.” – Robert A. Heinlein

While you’re responsible for your happiness, your partner’s feelings can affect them. You’ll notice that when they get upset, you can’t be happy until they feel better. It signifies a deep emotional connection and shows that you want your partner to feel good.

14 – “Remember that creating a successful marriage is like farming: you have to start over again every morning.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr

Having a lasting relationship requires constant work. Keep working on your connection, even when things are going well. Consider what you can do to show your feelings each day.

15 – “I saw that you were perfect, and so I loved you. Then I saw that you were not perfect and I loved you even more.” – Angelita Lim

Some love quotes are reminders–like this one.No one is perfect, even if you think they are when you first meet them. You might fall for your partner for the things you enjoy about them, but there’s much more to a relationship.

Eventually, you’ll notice imperfections in your partner, but you continue loving them. Sometimes you’ll fall harder when you see that they aren’t perfect, learning to cherish their unique qualities.

16 – “You don’t love someone for their looks, or their clothes, or for their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear.” – Oscar Wilde

Someone’s appearance, fashion, or material items might initially attract you to them. However, you don’t fall for someone because of those things. Deep feelings occur when you connect with them in a way no one else does.

17 – “Spend a few minutes a day really listening to your spouse. No matter how stupid his problems sound to you.” – Megan Mullally

Listening to your partner is one of the best ways to show how much you care about them. You might not even be interested in what they’re talking about, but they still want you to listen.

18 – “When you’re lucky enough to meet your one person, then life takes a turn for the best. It can’t get better than that.” – John Krasinski

Meeting a person you can deeply connect with is one of the biggest blessings. Don’t take it for granted because not everyone experiences it. Share this quote with your partner, so they know how you feel about your romance.

19 – “You might not have been my first love, but you were the love that made all the other loves irrelevant.” – Rupi Kaur

Many people fall for different people on their journey to finding the one. As Kaur explains, once you find your person, all the others won’t matter as much anymore. Make sure your partner knows they’re different from your exes so that they know how special they are to you.

20 – “We’re all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness—and call it love—true love.” – Robert Fulghum

You won’t be compatible with everyone, so it’s a good feeling when you find someone you connect with. This quote reminds you of how lucky you are to find your person, and it can bring a smile to your partner’s face.

Final Thoughts on the Best Quotes About Love

These quotes about love can help you recognize how lucky you are to have found your person. Whether you find advice or the words to describe your feelings, these phrases can help strengthen your relationship.

You can share the phrases with your partner to let them know how you feel. It’ll bring a smile to their face and make them think about you that day as they reflect on the love quote.

3 Manifestation Hacks to Live Your Best Life

February 14, 2023 by Ellie Shoja

Like gravity, the Law of Attraction applies to everyone equally. No exceptions! Why, then, can some people manifest the life of their dreams while others struggle to get by? It just doesn’t seem fair. And if you’ve been on the “tried that, it didn’t work” side of the manifestation conversation, you might feel frustrated and discouraged. It might seem to you like you’re swimming upstream, fighting tooth and nail for what you want, and feeling defeated when it still doesn’t manifest. Perhaps you feel confused and overwhelmed by all the complex Law of Attraction theories and don’t know where to begin.

Manifestation Hacks for the Best Life Imaginable

Here are three easy, actionable Law of Attraction hacks that you can use today to make this mighty law of the universe work for you so you can manifest your dream life.

Implementing just one of these hacks significantly changes your point of attraction and turns you into a cooperative component in creating your best life. These three hacks, used together, can significantly accelerate the manifestation process, transforming your life into one you’re excited to experience.

By incorporating these hacks into your manifestation toolkit, you not only accelerate the manifestation process but also deepen your connection to the universal flow of abundance. As you witness the tangible results of your intentional focus and alignment, you cultivate a profound sense of trust in the inherent wisdom of the universe. This trust becomes a cornerstone of your spiritual growth journey, guiding you towards greater self-awareness, expansion, and fulfillment. With each hack, you reaffirm your innate power to shape your reality and manifest a life that reflects your highest aspirations and deepest truths.

Manifestation Hack #1: Align Your Intentions

Intentional living is perhaps the greatest gift you can give to not only yourself but to everyone who knows and interacts with you.

When you live intentionally, you transition from WISHful living into WILLful living. You do this by realizing that you choose every moment of your life and that you can choose deliberately.

To set an effective intention, you must first become clear about what it is you want. This is often easier said than done. Many people never allow themselves the luxury of asking the vital question: “What is it that I actually want?”

Whether you’ve never done this before or you set intentions regularly, take a moment now and define your intentions. This is a gift you give yourself.

Even though setting intentions is vital in manifesting what you want, it is only half the work. This is evidenced by how not everyone who sets intentions attains them. Many people set intentions, but few live the intentions they set. For most people, their intentions are dreams that in time, fade into the shadows of their minds and cause them pain and regret. This is because four elements must align for an intention to manifest.

These four additional elements are:

Vision
Belief
Emotion
Action

Each of the below elements leads into and supports the next:

Let’s start with a vision. For your vision to manifest, you must first see it with absolute clarity. If your vision is fuzzy or it keeps changing, you’re not cultivating a strong point of attraction. If you’re not sure what you want or you can’t see it with clarity, take some time to build out your vision. Journal on it, talk to your allies about it, daydream, and meditate on it.

Once your vision is clear, you must match it with equal or greater belief. Let’s say you have a clear vision to make a million dollars this year. You know precisely what this would look like, how this money would change or influence your life, what you’d spend it on, and so on. But, when you’re truly honest with yourself, you realize that you don’t believe that you can make that much money in one year. In this situation, you can want the money and see it with absolute clarity, but it will not manifest because you don’t believe it’s possible. You have too much doubt.

To make the Law of Attraction work for you, you’ll have to either raise your belief to match your vision or you need to adjust your vision to one that you can actually believe is possible.

Your emotions and intentions must align.

When you think about your intention, the relationship between your belief and vision creates your emotions. You want your emotions to be mostly positive for your intention to manifest. Enthusiasm, excitement, positive anticipation, gratitude. These emotions turn you into a magnet for your desires. If, when you think about your intention, you experience fear, paralysis, or feel overwhelmed, you need to find ways to shift your emotions into a more positive place.

Finally, to work toward your intentions, you need to take action fueled by positive emotions like enthusiasm and excitement rather than by fear. If you find yourself taking action because you fear missing out on an opportunity, it’s time to take a step back, take a deep breath, and relax.

Manifestation favors inspired action, not forced action.

Aligning your intentions along the four elements of Vision, Belief, Emotion, and Action is a highly effective way of manifesting more deliberately.

Manifestation Hack #2: Match the Emotion, Not the Action

“Act as though you already have the thing you want,” is the most misunderstood piece of manifestation advice shared by nearly everyone who speaks of or teaches the Law of Attraction. Misunderstood because too often, this advice leads well-meaning people to take unnecessary risk with their lives and livelihoods that lead them into financial disaster, heightened anxiety, and a sense of being dishonest with themselves.

This advice, though seemingly reckless, is quite sound. To make it work for you, however, you have to understand one key quality of the inner workings of your brain: Your brain cannot distinguish between whether you are experiencing an event in your physical reality right now, remembering that event from a past experience, or fantasizing about a possible future.

If your brain cannot differentiate between a current occurrence, a memory, or a fantasy, do you have to buy that Chanel purse to feel like you own it? Or can you imagine what having a Chanel purse would feel like and give yourself the experience of owning it without having to charge $3,000 to your credit card?

Be bold enough to match the emotion, not the behavior.

Matching the emotion is vital in the manifestation process. That’s because it is the emotion within you that the Law of Attraction responds to.

Your desires can mobilize toward you only when you become an emotional match to them. So, instead of going out and charging a bunch of goodies to your credit cards, take a few minutes and answer these three questions:

What would you like to manifest?
How would you feel if you manifested your desire today?
What free, easy, low-impact action can you take daily that helps you feel this way?

Now that you know what having what you want feels like and what free action you can take to feel this way, make sure that you create this emotion within yourself every day. You’ll be surprised how quickly you start manifesting the things you want when you match the emotion of already having them.

Manifestation Hack #3: Keep Your Word To Yourself

The Law of Attraction responds to the certainty you feel when you decide on what you want and declare it to yourself. One powerful way to develop this certainty within yourself is by strengthening your personal integrity.

Many people mistake integrity for morality or ethics, but there are distinct differences between these.

Morality refers to a society’s standards about right and wrong behavior. It assumes that there is a course of action or behavior that is right and something that is wrong.
Ethics refers to the normative sets of values between right and wrong and applies them to all members of a group or organization.
Integrity, on the other hand, is a purely positive proposition devoid of all judgment of right or wrongdoing.

Social science backs this up.

Michael Jensen of the Social Science Research Network (SSRN) defines integrity as the decision to be your word or honor your word. He says that integrity sets up the relationship between your word and the outcome of your actions. Basically, when you live 100% in integrity, you are your word by following through on all your promises. Suppose you can’t follow through on your promise. In that case, you can honor your word by letting each person affected know right away and make alternate arrangements to minimize the impact of your inability to follow through.

Here’s an example:

If I tell you that I will call you tomorrow at ten in the morning, I can either be my word by calling you at the predetermined time or, if I, for whatever reason, am unable to call, I will let you know as soon as possible.

Let’s say I’m calling to translate a conversation for you. This means that you’re counting on me and have perhaps arranged your phone call at that specific time so that I’d be available to help you. In a situation like this, it would be very inconvenient for you if I didn’t show up or if I canceled last minute without offering a solution.

If I’m genuinely in integrity, I’ll honor my word by finding you an alternate translator who can fill in for me. I then message you as soon as possible, letting you know that, regretfully, I won’t be able to be there for your call, but I have arranged for Sarah, an excellent translator, to take over for me. Sarah has already been briefed on the job. I’ll even send an introduction email or text, connecting you to Sarah, so you can rest assured that your translation needs will still be met, even though I won’t be able to meet them.

Integrity is much like the law of gravity.

There’s no right or wrong gravity. There’s only gravity. Similarly, there’s no right or wrong integrity; you are either in integrity or not. If you’re not integrity, that’s okay. You can always decide to be more integrity than you have been in the past. In fact, I urge you to do so. That’s because becoming a person who is in integrity will change your life in positive ways far greater than the small amount of effort required.

Michael Jensen found that when companies implement a 100% in-integrity policy — meaning every employee is his/her word or honors his/her word 100% of the time — productivity within the company rises between 100 – 500% without additional input. This is a vast increase in productivity!

On an individual level, too, being in integrity has a massive impact. When you make plans and decisions you don’t honor, you fall out of integrity with yourself. This lack of integrity causes you to mistrust your own words. This mistrust gets in the way of you manifesting the life you want.

If you lack integrity and declare your desires, some doubt you can have what you want. This makes it nearly impossible for you to manifest.

On the other hand, a powerful psychological and metaphysical occurrence takes root within you when you consciously choose to live in integrity: When you become your word, you KNOW that what you say will come true.

When you learn to live 100% in integrity with yourself. That means you are either your word or honor it 100% of the time. Everything you declare becomes infused with the certainty of, “It is done!” This certainty magnetizes your intentions, draws to you all cooperative components, and allows you to use The Law of Attraction to manifest your dreams.

Final Thoughts on Putting These Manifestation Hacks to Work for a Fuller Life

Let me know in the comments which of these three hacks you’re committing to using. For one whole week, implement the hack into your daily life. Then return and let me know how this hack has changed your life. I cannot wait to hear your manifestation stories.

12 Signs Someone is a Toxic Perfectionist

February 13, 2023 by Chris Butler

Most people like perfection. You want to do a good job and have things align flawlessly, which is an admirable trait. So, being a perfectionist isn’t always a bad thing until the need to have everything picture-perfect becomes toxic.

Striving to do things correctly and having a good work ethic is impressive. However, when the thoughts that everything must be perfect consume you, they can take over your entire life. When something is less than you envisioned, you feel angry with yourself and those around you.

The real problem with being a perfectionist isn’t that everything must be impeccable, and you must always be on top. Consequently, the crux of the matter goes much deeper, as these ideations can hurt you and those you love. Something is fundamentally wrong inside when you think you can’t be anything less than perfect.

Twelve Signs of a Toxic Perfectionist

Perfectionists don’t understand that they’re chasing the avoidance of failure rather than pursuing excellence. Something fundamental happened along the way, making you feel inferior to those around you. It can stem from depression, anxiety disorders, and growing up in a home where you didn’t feel loved and appreciated. Here are some classic signs of toxic perfectionism.

1. A Toxic Perfectionist Can’t Take Any Criticism

If you want everything in your life to be picture-perfect, you likely have difficulty dealing with criticism. Even constructive criticism can send you over the edge. You don’t like making mistakes, and when someone points out such things, you only hear, “you’re not good enough.” People who want perfectionism hold high standards they live by, and when someone offers advice, they feel attacked and defensive.

2. Feeling Unsatisfied

While you strive for perfection, you likely don’t do well under stress. You work best in a low-stress environment, as you can’t deal with anything that challenges you. Folks with the mindset that everything must be perfect often have issues when the things they envision don’t happen as they should. These moments are unsettling and increase their anxiety, but they also decrease their life satisfaction.

3. A Toxic Perfectionist Avoids Socializing

Someone who has a mindset of perfection might avoid socializing. The rationale behind this is that they need to uphold the perfect self-image. These individuals fear that if people get to know the real them they wouldn’t be liked.

It’s not uncommon for them to put intense pressure on themselves to wear specific social masks. Some of the pressure they feel is socially prescribed. For instance, women often think they need precise measurements and a certain weight to be acceptable. If someone isn’t a size two with blonde hair and blue eyes, they might avoid social gatherings for fear of being judged.

The struggle with not socializing is that it’s a lonely world when you’re all alone. Socializing is healthy and necessary; isolating yourself can lead to mental health issues.

4. Superior Work Ethic

Remember the movie Beauty and the Beast? Gaston was trying to win the heart of Belle, and he was a classic narcissist. He felt he was the better man for her because he had everything to offer her.

He was severely depressed, and the town folks gathered and sang a song to him about all his power and might. While it’s a fairy tale, there’s a lot of truth to unpack. Perfectionists believe that no one can be as good as them. They think they’re always the best person for the job, and it can be devastating when they take a fatal blow to their ego.

5. A Toxic Perfectionist Is a Master Procrastinator

Perfectionists often are procrastinators. They have many ideas swimming around, but few come to fruition. They know what they need to do. However, their high standards make it impossible to know where to start.

They often become overwhelmed by all the steps and look at the entire project instead of small, manageable pieces. The key is jumping in and getting started, but these individuals contemplate how they can fail, making it challenging to accomplish anything.

6. Misses Deadlines

When you were in school, how often did you tear up a paper and throw it away because it wasn’t good enough? Did you ever miss any of your deadlines for assignments? People with toxic perfectionism often miss deadlines because they will only turn in something they view as perfect.

So, they will try time and again to get something they feel is worthy of their reputation. Sadly, this causes them to miss work, school, and home deadlines because their mindset has them going in circles.

7. Everything Must Be Done Their Way

The phrase “It’s my way or the highway” was probably created with a toxic perfectionist in mind. These individuals can’t see things any way but through their lenses. They can’t for one moment consider anyone else’s opinion.

This mindset’s controlling nature is at the helm, and the underlying issue must be addressed. Thinking that things will always go your way is unrealistic. According to Harvard University, many behaviors are rooted in toxic perfectionism, such as failing to delegate and not knowing when to stop. The article further states that many folks overcompensate in this area because they feel they lack in others.

8. Plays The Blame Game

Rather than admit that they’ve fallen short, these folks would rather blame others for their mistakes. The perfectionist can cross over into the lines of a narcissist, as both issues have similar characteristics.

It’s much too painful for the person who wants everything just right to see their failures, so if something doesn’t turn out as it should, they would rather point fingers.

9. Doesn’t Celebrate Success

Celebrating milestones and success in your personal and professional life is unnecessary to the toxic perfectionist. These individuals think that celebrating things is for babies, and they’ve had so many successful things happen in their lives that they would constantly be partying.

However, this isn’t why they don’t celebrate; inside, they feel they could have done better. Nothing is ever good enough, according to their toxic mindset.

10. A Toxic Perfectionist Believes People Won’t Like Them Unless They’re Perfect

It’s not uncommon for perfectionists to equate their self-worth with their job. They don’t understand that people see them as passionate, having a sense of humor, or all the other wonderful qualities they possess. Rather, they measure their worth by the things they do.

Consider Robert. He was a man who never graduated from high school, yet he worked hard as a mechanic and made his way into the world with his excellent work ethic. He always felt less than others because he didn’t finish his education, and the abuse from his childhood also fueled the mindset that he wasn’t good enough.

Robert worked until his body gave out at 70, always trying to prove something. The sad thing is the people around him knew he was a hard worker and had many gifts and talents. The real problem is that, on the inside, he always felt inferior.

This story is a classic example that you can’t measure your worth by your actions, as people will love you regardless of how you work. Folks will love you for the exceptional qualities you possess.

11. Small Mistakes Feel Like Huge Failures

Have you ever seen someone who makes mountains out of molehills? Perfectionists often blow everything out of proportion because their mindset is geared towards negativity, and they cannot see the positive. Even the smallest infraction is cause for alarm because their brain magnifies the issue.

12. A Toxic Perfectionist Engages in Self-Sabotaging Behaviors

Toxic mindsets cause perfectionists to ruminate on harmful beliefs. They often use negative self-talk and tell themselves things like:

“I’m worthless.”
“I will never be good enough.”
“My life has no meaning.”
“I’m undeserving of love.”

While none of these things are true, they’re setting themselves up for failure. They use perfectionism as a cover for what’s going on inside. According to an article by Anderson University, perfectionism is a faulty belief system. The mindset these folks have is self-destructive and addictive. While they believe being perfect is the key to their success, it hampers achievement.

The article further discusses that perfectionism is a defensive move, as this person has deep-seated issues that they don’t want others to see.

Final Thoughts on Knowing the Signs of a Toxic Perfectionist

You can overcome perfectionism if you get to the root cause and manage it. Those who occasionally want things to be perfect don’t have an issue, but it’s those folks who stress and worry excessively if everything isn’t picture perfect.

Learn to embrace your flaws as you’re human. Learn from your failures instead of sweeping them under the rug and blaming someone else. You can develop a healthier, more rewarding, and less toxic mindset, but it will require effort.

Science Explains What Happens to Your Body When You Stretch Every Day

February 13, 2023 by Kristen Lawrence

Making time to stretch each morning can help improve flexibility and energize you for the day ahead. Most people feel like stretching upon waking up to relieve stiff joints and improve blood circulation. Plus, a stretching exercise or two can boost mental health by reconnecting you with your body and taking attention off the mind.

In addition to these benefits, it simply feels good to move your body after lying in bed for seven or eight hours. Some people like to stretch on breaks at work or when they get home after a long day. Practicing these exercises before and after workouts is also essential to prevent muscle strains.

No matter when you decide to do moves, they will help improve your mental and physical well-being. Below, we’ll delve deeper into the benefits of stretching and give you a few exercises to try at home.

Here’s What Happens to Your Body When You Stretch Each Day

1. Improves flexibility

Performing these motions daily helps increase your flexibility because it elongates the muscles. Most experts recommend doing stretches for at least 10-30 seconds to reap the full benefits of the exercise. Having greater flexibility may not seem that important, but it helps reduce joint stiffness and mobility issues as you age. You naturally lose cartilage in your joints and bones as you get older, so it’s essential to stretch regularly.

2. Enhances range of motion

When you don’t move often, it can lead to stiff, inflexible joints and muscles. This can cause muscles to become shortened and fragile, increasing the risk of injuries like strains and fractures. However, frequent stretching can help loosen tense muscles and improve your range of motion. In fact, one study discovered that static and dynamic stretches, in particular, can help increase your range of motion.

3. Improves athletic performance

Any sports coach or health expert will stress the importance of stretching before exercising. Warming up before a game or workout session prepares the muscles for movement and relieves tension in the body. Therefore, having increased flexibility and range of motion can help enhance your athletic performance. Stretching after a sports event is also essential to reduce the risk of injury.

4. Boosts blood circulation throughout the body

When you stretch regularly, it improves blood flow and increases nutrient supply to the muscles. Consequently, the increased blood circulation enhances oxygen levels in the body, helping you feel more energized and refreshed. Finally, having better circulation can reduce your recovery time following a workout and ease sore muscles.

5. Stretching improves posture

Stiff, tight muscles can cause poor posture due to a limited range of motion and inflexibility. In turn, slouching can put extra strain on the muscles, causing them to shorten and weaken. If you’re not careful, it’s a vicious cycle that may eventually lead to injuries.

But studies show that strength training exercises and stretches can help reduce muscle pain and enhance spinal alignment. This can improve your posture over time.

6. Alleviates back pain

Lower back pain is one of the most common complaints among Americans and the leading cause of global disability. Increasingly sedentary lifestyles and the prevalence of desk jobs have reduced our range of motion, leading to stiff, sore muscles. However, exercising and regular stretches can improve mobility and help ease tension in the back muscles. Improving body strength and muscle mass will enhance your physical health, reducing your risk of back injuries.

7. Making time to stretch daily relieves stress

Stress originates in the mind, so eliminating it at the source can help prevent body aches. When you feel stressed, your body naturally tenses up, preventing energy from flowing evenly. However, stretching reminds you to slow down and focus on breathing, which can help calm the mind. It also gives you a break from thinking by getting you back in touch with your body. Like yoga, stretches are mind-body exercises, promoting overall well-being and positive energy.

Three Major Stretching Techniques

There are many types of exercises, but the most common forms include the following:

Static stretches. A static stretch involves lengthening your muscles as much as possible and holding the pose for 10-30 seconds. These help elongate the muscles by stretching muscle fibers and alleviating tension. Perform these after a workout to reduce your risk of injury.
Dynamic stretches. While static stretches are a passive exercise, dynamic stretching involves more movement. It’s best to warm up with these exercises before a workout to increase blood circulation and improve range of motion. A few ideas for dynamic stretches include hip movement with a twist, front kicks with a hand reach, and lateral lunges. Hold each pose for two or three seconds and repeat for six to eight reps.
Ballistic stretches. Finally, ballistic stretching involves repetitive bouncing to help stretch specific muscle groups. The exercises require extending your joints and muscles to a greater range of motion than average. These moves are usually only used for athletic drills with proper supervision, as uncontrolled movements may result in injury. Therefore, most people should stick to dynamic and static options.

Aim for five to ten minutes of muscle-lengthening techniques if you don’t stretch regularly. Try to hold each position for at least ten seconds and focus on areas where you harbor the most tension, like your back, shoulders, and neck. Going at your own pace is essential to avoid injury or overstretching your muscles. Talk with your doctor before starting a stretching routine if you have any physical limitations or injuries.

Final Thoughts on the Benefits of Stretching Daily

Everyone should remember the importance of engaging their joints and muscles daily. However, our increasingly sedentary lifestyles have highlighted the dire need for exercise and self-care. We can feel more energized and restore our health by taking a few moments to extend our sore, stiff muscles. Movement can also help alleviate back pain and improve blood circulation, increasing vitality. While stretches don’t substitute for cardio and weight-lifting exercises, they’re a necessary part of any workout routine. Hopefully, you’ll notice these moves’ mental and physical benefits and feel encouraged to continue the practice.

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