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Science Explains How Much Water Your Body Needs To Lose Weight

January 20, 2016 by Power of Positivity

Water is an important element for so many different reasons. Let’s start with us: we’re made up of about 50-75% water, depending on body composition. Water is responsible for many different body functions – regulating body temperature, helping lose weight, carrying oxygen and nutrients to the cells, dissolving minerals and nutrients, aiding digestion, protecting body organs and tissues, and lubricating joints, among others.

Oh, and it increases metabolism. Just in case you wanted to know if aqua can help you lose some stubborn pounds – the answer is a resounding “YES!”

According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, drinking 17 ounces of water increases metabolic rate by 30% in healthy men and women. The maximum effect was reached 30-40 minutes after the subjects drank.

Let’s look at another study that highlights water’s weight loss properties. Researchers from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom conducted a 12-week experiment in which 84 obese adults received basic weight loss advice and were assigned to one of two groups. The first group was instructed to drink about sixteen ounces of water half an hour before their meals, while the second group had to imagine their stomachs full before each meal. At its conclusion, the experiment revealed that the first group lost three pounds more than the second.

Healthful Benefits of Drinking Water to Help Lose Weight

Water is life, and clean water is health. – Audrey Hepburn

This is much-welcomed news to those who have the desire to lose a few pounds (dang near everyone), but we should be drinking an adequate amount of water – from six to ten cups daily – regardless. Before we delve further into the relationship between water intake and weight loss, let’s briefly list H₂O’s other health benefits:

Helps keep us alert
Prevents headaches
Boosts cognitive abilities
Protects our heart

If you are indeed among the multitudes that is seeking to lose a few pounds, proper hydration needs to be a key factor. Aside from nourishing the body before, during and after any physical activity, we should be tracking our water intake throughout the day. This is very important, as the proper amount of water consumption can assure our metabolism is operating at capacity while suppressing the desire to overeat.

We will provide the formula for calculating optimal water intake and a basic numerical breakdown to serve as a quick reference point.

Please note: it’s unnecessary to be exacting in your water intake. Be as accurate as possible within reason. Although, if you feel better busting out the water beaker, feel free! Measuring cups could be beneficial, however.

First, here are the formula steps and a quick explanation on why you need this much water to lose weight effectively:

Step 1: Get your weight

Obviously, it’s important to have an accurate number depicting weight in determining optimal water consumption. This is necessary since, as the pounds or kilograms increase, water intake will increase accordingly.

If the numbers on the scale show a decimal, round down if it is a .4 or lower; round up if it is a .5 or higher. If using an analog scale, get the most accurate reading possible

(Example: 200.4 pounds = 200 pounds. 200.5 is rounded to 201, etc.)

Step 2: Divide your weight in half

If this number includes a decimal, round up. The resulting number is our required water intake in ounces.

(Example: 201 pounds/ 2= 100.5, which is rounded to 101 ounces.)

Step 3: Determine the activity level

The level we physically exert ourselves directly correlates with our water intake. As we exercise or perform anything strenuous, our bodies will naturally expel water, which must be compensated for.

For every thirty minutes of exercise, add sixteen ounces.

Step 4: Calculate water intake

Simply add the numbers derived in steps 2 and 3.

Here’s an example of what the resulting calculation should look like:

Weight: 201 pounds
201/2 = 101 ounces (rounded)
30 minutes of exercise daily = 16 ounces
101 ounces + 16 ounces = 117 ounces (or about 10 12-ounce glasses of water)

Here’s how much water your body needs to lose weight:

Weight Intake # of 12-ounce servings

80 lbs. 40 oz. 3

90 lbs. 45 oz. 4

100 lbs. 50 oz. 4

110 lbs. 55 oz. 5

120 lbs. 60 oz. 5

130 lbs. 65 lbs. 5-6

140 lbs. 70 oz. 6

150 lbs. 75 oz. 6

160 lbs. 80 oz. 7

170 lbs. 85 oz. 7

180 lbs. 90 oz. 8

190 lbs. 95 oz. 8

200 lbs. 100 oz. 8-9

210 lbs. 105 oz. 9

220 lbs. 110 oz. 9

230 lbs. 115 oz. 10

240 lbs. 120 oz. 10

250 lbs. 125 oz. 10-11

Final Thoughts on Drinking Water to Lose Weight

Here are a couple of helpful pointers to help achieve our water intake:

1. Drink two 8-ounce cups of water before every meal. This adds up to 48 ounces.

2. When getting up in the morning and before going to bed, drink one 16-ounce glass to get another 32 ounces.

(Side note: if getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom is a concern, drink this additional serving in the morning instead.)

In simply following these two tips, we’ll get 80 ounces of our water intake. This should make it much simpler to reach our daily goal!

These TWO Ingredients Can Eliminate Earwax and Ear Infections

January 20, 2016 by Kristen Lawrence

Earwax is bothersome, and ear infections can be a painful experience and one that you would hope to eliminate from your future health concerns.

Fortunately, some people have had great success with a home remedy with only two natural, safe ingredients that can help reduce the likelihood of ear infections and also remove ear wax buildup.

You most likely already have these two ingredients in your home, so there is no need to go out and buy anything. You’ll probably find these two products in your bathroom and kitchen. Here’s a simple home remedy with only two ingredients that can eliminate earwax buildup and prevent ear infections.

These Two Ingredients Can Eliminate Earwax and Ear Infections

Mix equal parts of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol together for our ear health recipe. Start with a small amount, about a teaspoon of each. Mix them in a small bowl or measuring cup. You can make a more considerable amount and store it for next time, but try it first to see how it works for you.

After mixing these two ingredients, use a clean eyedropper to put about half of the mixture into one ear while you tilt your head to the side. Keep your head tilted and allow the mixture to sit in your ear for one minute. After a minute, tilt your head over the sink to enable the solution to drip out.

Repeat the process with the other half of the healthy ear mixture in your other ear, and again allow it to sit in your ear for one minute. Then tilt your head and drain it out.

Audiologist Dr. Robert L. Martin says that alcohol can dry out the ear, which can cause the skin to crack and bleed. This treatment should be used for those who need to dry out an ear exposed to moisture, not those in a dry environment.

Dr. Martin suggests this treatment twice a day for four days when you know that your ears have been exposed to moisture, for example, after swimming. The ear health remedy can be used twice a week for several months if you have chronically moist ears or are exposed to high humidity.

Earwax prevention

This prevention tool is highly recommended for those who frequently suffer from swimmer’s ear problems or sinus infections that can spread to the ear. The remedy should be used before issues occur, not on an already infected ear.

Conditions that make ear infections more likely include:

Higher outside temperatures
Higher humidity
Exposure to moisture for long periods

Swimmers, those who often get water in their ears during showers or baths, and people who live in hot, humid climates are more likely to develop infections. These warm, moist environments are breeding grounds for fungi and bacteria.

As much as possible, keep your ears dry inside by wearing earplugs when swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving. Avoid tilting your head to let the shower water run into your ear. If water does get into your ear, dry the outer ear with a towel, tilt your head to allow the water to drain out, and carefully use a cotton swab to absorb additional moisture.

Symptoms of an ear infection

Both bacteria and fungus can live in a moist ear. Either of these microbes can be responsible for the pain of an earache and infection. If these symptoms are present, see a medical professional rather than using the vinegar and alcohol treatment. Again, the two-ingredient remedy is meant to prevent ear problems, not treat them. Signs of ear infection include:

Itching
Pain
Tenderness
Hearing loss
A plugged ear feeling
A feeling of the ear having fluid in it

Earwax problems

A buildup of wax inside the ear should not happen naturally because the ear is naturally self-cleaning. To clean the ear, we push earwax into the ear canal with a cotton swab rather than removing it. Symptoms of an earwax buildup are similar to those of infection and include the following:

Dizziness
Ringing in the ear
Itching
Drainage
Decreased hearing
A feeling of a plugged ear
Itchiness
Pain

Healthy ears

Dr. Martin says that the natural ear is self-cleaning, so we should never wash inside the ear canal with soap or water. He says that ear wax is not something you can dissolve with water anyway, so cleaning with water will not be effective.

The symptoms of an ear infection and earwax buildup are similar, so don’t diagnose yourself. If you are experiencing symptoms, it is probably too late for the ear problem prevention recipe.

Protect your hearing and consult with an audiologist or otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat doctor) at the first sign of a problem.

Conventional medicine may need to provide a cure before you can use vinegar and alcohol on your ears. To prevent future ear health problems, earplugs can be used for swimmers to keep the ear canal dry.

Besides Removing Earwax, Try These 8 Other Ways to Improve Ear Health

Now that you have one solution to try, what else might help improve your ear health?

1. Wear earplugs when exposed to loud sounds.

According to a report by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), about 24% of adults aged 20-69 suffer from some degree of noise-induced hearing loss. Those who had on-the-job exposure to loud noise had a higher likelihood of developing audiometric notches. These notches appear in the ears due to prolonged exposure to loud sounds. The report found that loud sounds in the workplace increased the likelihood of “noise” notches in the ears by 2X.

Loud sounds may include chainsaws, lawnmowers, and other types of heavy machinery. Music at clubs and concerts can also induce hearing loss over time. To prevent this, invest in quality earplugs, such as musicians’ earplugs, when exposed to noisy environments. These earplugs have filters that allow a person to hear conversations but reduce dangerous sound levels. If you work in a factory or other industrial site, your company will probably provide or recommend special industrial earplugs.

2. Turn your volume down when using headphones.

According to the World Health Organization, over 1 billion people worldwide risk noise-induced hearing loss from booming music and other recreational sounds. When listening to music on personal audio devices, avoid using earbuds next to the eardrum. Instead, wear headphones that fit over the ears to reduce your noise exposure. Also, the WHO recommends keeping the volume level below 85 decibels for safe listening.

For safe listening at concerts and other venues, they also set these guidelines for implementation:

a maximum average sound level of 100 decibels;
live monitoring and recording of sound levels using calibrated equipment by designated staff;
optimizing venue acoustics and sound systems to ensure enjoyable sound quality and safe listening;
making personal hearing protection available to audiences, including instructions on use;
access to quiet zones for people to rest their ears and decrease the risk of hearing damage; and
provision of training and information to staff.

3. Exercise frequently.

Exercise benefits every part of your mind and body, including the ears. During a workout, blood flow to the ear increases. This helps the tiny hair cells in the inner ear translate sound into signals, which get transmitted to your brain. Since the hairs don’t regrow, it can lead to permanent hearing loss if the hair cells get damaged. So, in addition to keeping the volume down on your earphones, it’s also essential to engage in regular exercise. This will improve your hearing since you’ll have increased blood flow and, therefore, oxygen to keep the ears working optimally.

Also, the increased blood flow will keep blood pressure down, a primary driver of hearing loss.

4. Manage stress levels.

According to a 2018 study, otologic symptoms such as dizziness and tinnitus have been linked to emotional stress. Prolonged stress can therefore make tinnitus worse. Researchers believe tinnitus acts as a warning sign when reacting to an external stressor. Your body then goes into fight-or-flight mode, a survival instinct that increases adrenaline and cortisol in the body.

Experts believe that when the blood flow travels into your inner ear, it can lead to tinnitus symptoms.

5. Get regular checkups.

When you go for a doctor’s visit, ask him or her to perform a hearing screening just in case. Hearing loss doesn’t happen immediately, so many people can go years without noticing the difference. That’s why it’s essential to have annual hearing screenings so that doctors can alert you to the warning signs of early hearing loss. Additionally, consider asking about ear care services, such as Ear Wax Removal Sutton Coldfield, to ensure your ears are in optimal condition.

Untreated hearing loss reduces the quality of life and can even cause depression, dementia, and heart disease.

6. Stop smoking.

According to research from the University of Manchester in the UK, smoking increases the risk of hearing loss by 28%. The risk for hearing loss was even more pronounced in those who smoked more often. Experts believe smoking contributes to hearing loss because of chemicals in cigarettes that constrict blood vessels. This prevents oxygen from traveling to your inner ear and keeps hair cells in the cochlea functioning correctly. In addition, nicotine can disrupt neurotransmitters in the auditory nerve, causing them to mishear sounds.

7. Take medications only as needed.

Certain medications, such as aspirin, NSAIDs, or acetaminophen, can sometimes result in hearing loss. Make sure to take these medications when needed, and avoid taking them daily for prolonged periods.

8. Wear hearing aids if necessary.

If you’ve been prescribed hearing aids to help with hearing loss, it’s vital to wear them during waking hours. The hearing aids work by amplifying sound and converting it to a digital signal, which travels into the ear. Then, it makes its way into the brain’s auditory region, which processes it into audible sound. Untreated hearing loss can cause this part of the brain to shrink from lack of use, making hearing nearly impossible.

Hearing aids improve your health in other ways as well. A 2019 study examined the positive effects of hearing aids in participants’ first three years of wearing them. In people with newly-diagnosed hearing loss, hearing aids reduced dementia risk, fall-related injuries, and anxiety or depression by 18, 13, and 11 percentage points, respectively.

Final Thoughts on Preventing Earwax and Ear Infections

Luckily, preventing earwax and ear infections requires only two ingredients that you probably already have at home. A mixture of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol can help remove moisture from the ears, especially after swimming. Using this treatment twice per day for four days reduces the risk of developing infections or earwax buildup.

Of course, the ears clean themselves naturally, so you should only use the treatment after swimming or for sinus infections. Other ways to keep the ears healthy include regular checkups, exercising, managing stress, and keeping the volume down on audio devices. In addition, make sure to avoid smoking or taking aspirin frequently, as both have been linked to hearing loss.

What You Need To Know About The Planetary Alignment on January 20th

January 20, 2016 by Power of Positivity

For the first time in a decade, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will be in planetary alignment beginning tomorrow, January. They will remain this way through February 20.

The best part is they will be visible to the naked eye!

According to Dr. Alan Duffy, a research fellow at Swinburne University in Melbourne, Australia, people in the Northern Hemisphere can view this phenomenon by 6:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time. He said to look toward the south sometime before sunrise for the best viewing experience.

Dr. Duffy said this alignment is a “quirk of the universe,” as they have different yearly cycles. As rare as this planetary alignment is, you certainly won’t want to miss it!

Dr. Tanya Hill, a senior curator at the Melbourne Planetarium, explained that another planetary alignment would occur in August. But it won’t occur again until October 2018. Unfortunately, distant Uranus, Pluto, and Neptune won’t appear to us in the sky, at least without a telescope. However, if you have a keen eye, you might spot Uranus close to the horizon.

Jupiter and Venus will appear most vividly in the sky. However, Mars should be fairly easy to spot with its bright red glow.

Some tips for seeing the planetary alignment are to go out of the city where the horizon is clear and avoid any place with trees or buildings obstructing your view. Also, hold your arm up straight from the horizon to the moon, and the planets should fall along that line. If you don’t see the planetary alignment the first time, try going out on a less cloudy night if possible.

Another interesting thing to note is that the planets will appear in a different order than they do from the sun. Starting from the eastern horizon, Mercury and Venus will appear first, then Saturn, then Mars, and finally, Jupiter.

At first, Mercury will be hard to spot since it will sit very low near the horizon. But in February, it will rise higher in the sky, making it easier to view.

While you will have to wake up quite early to enjoy the planetary alignment, this rare event in our beautiful sky will make you grateful to have rolled out of bed an hour or two earlier than usual!

12 Telling Signs Someone Is Attracted to You

January 19, 2016 by Power of Positivity

Are you reading these signs of attraction correctly? When you’re interested in someone romantically, you’ve probably been watching them closely for signs that they are attracted to you.

Flirting can be fun. But usually, you are hoping that the object of your attraction will notice your efforts and they will return your interest. If you’ve been putting your best foot forward and making obvious moves. But if your potential romantic partner is less obvious, you may wonder if they are interested in you.

Reading the signs of attraction can be complicated. In a study of nonverbal attraction cues in opposite-sex couples, researchers found that signals can have multiple meanings, which is on purpose. For example, when it comes to signs of attraction from a woman, laughter can send a playful message, or its meaning can be modified by another body language. Researchers say that laughter from a woman, together with its accompanying body postures and movements, can mean anything from sexual solicitation to aversion, depending on which and how many different signals are used.

In the same study, men seem to communicate interest in women during laughter with only a few body language signals, such as body orientation and dominant postures. There are not so many subconscious signs of male attraction — men tend to be more straightforward in their flirtation. Unless they are shy, if they are attracted to you, they will make sure that you know.

Here are 6 signs that will tell you whether that man or woman you’ve had your eye on is also attracted to you.

SIGNS OF ATTRACTION: 12 TELLING SIGNS SOMEONE IS ATTRACTED TO YOU

SIX SIGNS THAT A WOMAN IS ATTRACTED TO YOU

As mentioned, when it comes to women, generally speaking, the signs of attraction may be a little more subtle. Rather than direct, obvious body movements, they may show telltale signs in smaller ways. Here are a few of the most common signs of attraction from a woman.

1. SUSTAINED EYE CONTACT

Have you exchanged some long, smoldering glances? That is a good sign that she’s attracted to you. Maybe you turned your head toward her and caught her watching you, only to see her quickly turn away in embarrassment? Another very positive sign of attraction.

Maybe you had a conversation over the file cabinet, and neither looked at the file drawers? That is another good sign. Direct, sustained eye contact of more than ten seconds is a sign that she is attracted to you. Her eyes may briefly break away from your gaze to check out your body as you talk, which is also a good sign.

2. TOUCHING

When a woman is interested in you, she will find a way to touch you often. It could be a sign of attraction if she briefly touches your shoulders or your knee as you sit near each other. If you find that her touch lingers longer than might be normal or that she finds excuses to touch you when most people wouldn’t, she may send you some nonverbal cues that she is attracted to you.

3. LAUGHING

Giggling, especially with eye contact and touching, are good signs that a woman is attracted to you. Laughter is a great way to break the ice and get you in a happy, positive, and receptive mood. It means she notices your interest in her. If a woman doesn’t find something funny, she’s not likely to laugh, so if you say something that you don’t think was necessarily very funny and get a big response, that may hint that she is interested or flirting with you.

4. HIGHER VOCAL TONE

Women tend to use a higher vocal pitch when interested in a potential romantic partner. Their voices get higher in acoustical tone, not in volume when they find an attractive mate. By changing the pitch of her voice, a woman is signaling her feminine traits to the object of her affection. This could be a telltale sign for some people, particularly if you notice that her voice is higher than her normal pitch.

5. TOUCHING HER FACE

She might push her hair back behind her ear, showing you some skin on her neck. This is a gesture of trust and also one that may indicate interest in you. She might cover her mouth when she laughs or put her hand up to her mouth when she is quiet. These hand gestures may just be out of nerves, but they could also be good signs that she is attracted to you.

6. TURNING TOWARD YOU WITH HER LEGS

Facing you is a good sign, but that could be a courteous way of giving you attention when talking. If her legs and feet are all turned toward you, especially in combination with some of the above signals, it is a good sign that she is attracted to you. This signal is one to look for in a group setting. If there are several people, but she is facing toward you or only talking to you, this can signify attraction.

SIX SIGNS THAT A MAN IS ATTRACTED TO YOU:

Again, the signs of male attraction tend to be more apparent, as most societies encourage men to speak their minds and make the first move. But if you are dealing with a shy guy or maybe just one who wants to be respectful, here are some more subconscious signs of male attraction.

1. GROOMING

Does he straighten his tie, smooth his hair, or buttons his coat when you appear? Then it’s a good sign that he is attracted to you. Before you came into view, he checked for food in his teeth, popped a breath mint, and applied a splash of cologne. Especially if a guy does not typically put extra care into his appearance, this can be a telling sign of attraction.

2. ATTRACTING ATTENTION

The term ‘peacocking’ describes how men display their attraction to someone. This is a showy behavior that is designed to attract your attention. They are saying “look at me” with their behavior.

The behavior could be anything from wearing showy clothing, like a brightly colored tie, to challenging other men to physical contests, like arm wrestling. Just like a male bird tries to make a show for the female, you can tell he is attracted to you if he makes these showy gestures with you around.

3. STANDING STRAIGHTER

He slouched until you showed up. Then he sat up straight or stood a little taller when you came around. He probably pushed his chest out and sucked in his gut too. These body posture adjustments to look more attractive are a good sign.

4. FIDGETING

He can’t sit still when you’re around. If he touches his watch repeatedly or buttons and unbuttons his jacket or brushes his hair away from his face repeatedly, it’s a good sign that he’s attracted to you.

5. FLEXING

You notice his arms bend, he balls his hands into fists, and he appears to be tightening his chest and arm muscles for you. He’s putting on a display of his best masculine traits to attract your approval.

6. OPEN FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

Raised eyebrows, open lips, wide eyes, and smiling are all open facial expressions. Combine these with sustained eye contact and his eyes checking out your body. That is a sure sign that he is attracted to you.

75 Truths I’ve Learned About Life

January 19, 2016 by Power of Positivity

In somewhat of a deviation from the norm, we thought it’d be fun to talk about some “universal truths.”

“All truth is eternal. Truth is nobody’s property; no race, no individual can lay any exclusive claim to it. Truth is the nature of all souls.” – Swami Vivekananda

In fact, here’s universal truth numero uno: finding universal truths is a difficult task. In most ways, it’s terrific that we don’t all have common thoughts and beliefs; it makes our world much more diverse and culturally rich. Divergent thinking is an asset that has led to some of the world’s greatest advancements. There are a common set of thoughts, beliefs and guiding principles that have made both us and our world better.

Without further ado, let’s take a closer look at 75 truths I’ve learned about life (hopefully, you’ll agree with most)!

1. Time is our most valuable asset – we can never get it back.

2. Wishing for circumstances to be different is a waste of time and energy…and

3. Taking action is much more satisfying!

4. The fewer things one has, the more they have meaning.

5. Success is a journey, not a destination.

6. Every circumstance – good or bad – has something to teach us.

7. Finishing a boring book is a waste of time; find the next one.

8. Watching the stars or ocean always has a tranquil effect.

9. People we know that don’t add to our betterment subtract from it.

10. Some relationships are not worth keeping.

11. We can’t always show happiness to others, but we can always show politeness.

12. Most things that we worry about will never happen.

13. Discipline is a lot less painful than regret.

14. If we can picture our dreams, we can find the motivation to achieve them.

15. Thinking about our problems causes much more fear than addressing them.

16. Trying new things is always a journey.

17. Most food that is packaged, bagged and canned is not healthy.

18. Very few things are worth the cost shown on the price tag.

20. Buying experiences rather than items is more fulfilling over the long-term.

21. People born in California rarely move to the east coast.

22. Immigrants have made developed nations better – almost every time.

23. Words carry incredible power, for the good and the bad.

24. Indiscriminately cursing makes one sound ignorant.

25. The best education for life takes place far away from the classroom.

26. Giving a smile to someone who’s hurting is an inspirational act.

27. Children don’t have a very good attention span.

28. Taking action in the name of “justice” often brings out the worst in people.

29. There are lessons to be learned from the past, but not too many.

30. A great mind doesn’t matter if one is idle.

31. Giving our word is not to be taken lightly.

32. We are much more resilient than we think.Starting late is a slight better than never starting at all.

33. Most reality television shows are worthless.

34. Life is far too short not to live out our passions.

35. The best people often arise from the worst circumstances.

36. A high-quality mattress is one of your best investments.

37. We’ll never know what the future holds.

38. Worrying is one of life’s most useless activities.

39. When thinking back a hundred years ago, we all think “How did they live like that?”

40. Mindfulness and meditation are immensely powerful practices.

41. Don’t go grocery shopping when you’re hungry.

42. Our animals are very much our family.

43. Distractions are the #1 killer of productivity.

44. We should all give a little time to something greater than ourselves.

45. There’s always someone smarter or better at something than you.

46. The rights of minorities are something to be preserved and fought for.

47. Most suffering in the world is caused by man and can be overcome by man.

48. Father Time will win any matchup.

49. Contemplating the Universe is a mind-bending experience.

50. Nearly every marketing message is misleading in some way.

51. We’re all entitled to our own opinion; nobody is entitled to be ignorant.

52. Self-mastery is a long, difficult fight…but worthwhile.

53. Taking responsibility for oneself is an absolute necessity for success.

54. There can never be too many environmentalists.

55. Good teachers, firefighters, and police are all underpaid.

56. Too many people go to bed hungry every night.

57. Feeling too uncomfortable hinders advancement.

58. A great artist at work is an amazing sight to behold.

59. Honesty is always the best policy.

60. Our Universe is one of laws – we are no different; what we give, we get back.

61. Kids do not get outside enough anymore.

62. Nobody likes political ads.

63. People that litter are clueless.

64. There is too much dogma and not enough tolerance.

65. Hating someone is the worst type of negative energy.

66. We don’t have the right to judge anyone; all paths are different.

67. We can’t control the things that happen to us, but we can control how we respond.

68. People often think about their legacy much too late in life.

69. Children should be encouraged to daydream more, not less.

70. An afternoon nap is always awesome.

71. Good food makes almost everything better.

72. Having the ability to focus on the task is one of life’s most valuable skills.

73. The energy of the Universe is limitless.

74. Reading a good book is one of the best investments of our time.

75. Our world needs more selfless people.

5 Truths That Will Make You A Better Person

January 18, 2016 by Power of Positivity

Uncovering truths can be painful if we think there’s a chance that our beliefs may be proven false. On some level, we see this with people who never admit they’re wrong regardless of evidence to the contrary. This is essentially the type of thinking that Nietzsche advocated against; though the man was certainly guilty of closed-mindedness in his own life.

“People don’t want to hear the truth because they don’t want their illusions destroyed.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

The point here is that a tendency to deflect simple truths in favor of our preconceived notions is counterproductive. When we consistently deny truths, we’re consciously affirming that living in denial is our reality. Notice the sad irony in that last statement?

As logical beings blessed with an immense capacity for thought, we possess the unique ability to embrace the truth as its revealed and live accordingly. To be clear, this is not pertaining to spiritual beliefs (despite what Nietzsche may say on the subject).

Instead, the truths that follow pertain to the world as it is now. As we know, living in a fallible world can be an uncertain, difficult journey. Let’s dissect some of these simple truths and make ourselves better people in the process!

Here are five tough truths that will make you a better person:

1. There are forces against us that fight self-improvement

We’re not talking about transcendent forces that religious dogma subscribes to. This relates specifically to the inner and outer resistance encountered when trying to become a better person.

Inner resistance to change is perhaps our biggest obstacle. The human mind is an absolutely incredible, powerful force – but it’s not without flaws. Perhaps the mind’s most conspicuous fault is its ability to manipulate our thoughts and actions. People experience this resistance all the time with failed resolutions to get in better shape, quit smoking, eat healthier, spend less, etc. The human brain is equipped with defense mechanisms that vehemently oppose any effort to tame it.

Then there are those around us that inexplicably don’t want us to succeed. Strangely, these individuals feel threatened when they see someone else trying to become a better person – often out of envy and insecurity. When these folks see someone else’s improvement, feelings of inadequacy and guilt often surface since they haven’t taken the same initiative for themselves. Ideally, we would celebrate each other’s victories and empathize with their setbacks. Unfortunately, this is often not the case.

2. Most people don’t care about us on the inside

A fact about most people: they don’t care about our “inner person.” The majority only cares about what we produce. Thank heavens for friends and family, right? Without them, the world would be a much more difficult place to tolerate, much less thrive in.

While we would all love for people to accept us for our inner selves, this is simply (and unfortunately) not the case. At work, we’re measured by what we’ve done lately. Society judges us based on what we possess. Physical appearance often takes precedence over innate qualities. We’re critiqued on our clothing, houses, cars and balance in our bank accounts. People make assumptions about our intelligence, motives, and personalities.

Here’s the question we need to ask ourselves: do we give others a reason to judge? In other words, are we behaving in a way that is conducive to our inner self or not? Whether someone is aware of our character is irrelevant – we’re aware. Our inner conscious – our better selves – should manifest itself in our deeds.

If others are judging us without reason that’s their problem; if our inner selves and our actions contradict each other, it’s up to us to change that. We deserve nothing less than striving to become better people.

3. We’re prone to defeatism

In going back to that resistance theme earlier: it can defeat us if we’re not diligent. The truth is that there are millions and millions of people around the world who are – in their own minds – defeated. They may not label what they’re experiencing as defeatism; in some cases, they’re not even conscious of it. They’re just passively resigned to their current predicament.

So, how do we defeat defeatism? We overcome a defeatist attitude through diligence and action. We must first become aware of its presence, and then take the necessary action to effectively counteract its negative influence. In short, we can’t rationalize or will a defeatist mentality out of our lives. We have to take the initiative in order to become a better person.

Whether it’s our finances, relationships, health or something else, we can change our mentality simply by coming up with a plan and then taking one step at a time. Action will take care of resistance.

4. We’re not entitled to everything

For reasons unknown, some people still continue to think that they’re entitled to something they haven’t earned. The topic of entitlement is discussed in multiple arenas – business, government, and personal life included. The question of entitlement has been debated repeatedly and has even led to political uprisings, wars, famines, rebellions and other societal upheavals.

There are many different ways people feel and act entitled – far too many to be listed here. This sense of entitlement can be physical, psychological and behavioral in nature. It can be monetary or non-monetary. It can be in public or in private. There is one common denominator in nearly every circumstance: the misguided belief that one deserves preferential treatment over another.

Here’s what the world has repeatedly said: nobody should believe they’re entitled to anything…at all, ever. If a person has the capability to produce something, they should produce something. When we’re a member of society, we should expect to play by the rules. When out in public, we must be respectful and treat others as equals.

Naturally, a sense of entitlement feeds our susceptibility to self-sabotage and daily resistance that we’re all faced with. Just remember: there are millions of people that have overcome tremendous odds and left the world a better place. We owe it to ourselves, our fellow human beings and our planet to do no less.

5. Shortcuts are a myth

When the Powerball jackpot reached $1.5 billion recently, local grocers and gas stations had to contend with hordes of people waiting to get their “lucky ticket.” Some spent hundreds of dollars on multiple tickets, only to be hundreds of dollars poorer the next day. The odds of winning the Powerball: 1 in 292,201,338 – roughly the same odds of being killed by an asteroid. No kidding.

On many levels, it’s understandable. A lot of folks are enticed by the prospect – no matter how small – of winning an exorbitant amount of money and living worry free for the rest of our lives.

Aside from a very select few, one of life’s main rules has always remained constant: if we want to achieve success in anything, we have to work at it and we must be persistent. The vast majority of the world’s most successful authors, actors, businesspeople and so forth achieved their goals only after years of diligent work, rejection and failure.

If we’re to achieve our own version of success, there must be mindset of “do whatever it takes.”

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