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Little Girl Whose Entire Family Got Killed In An Act of Arson Wants Cards For Christmas

December 9, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Two years ago, A 5 year old girl named Sa’fyre, lost her entire family in a suspected arson fire. This heinous crime murdered her father David her 3 year old sister Layah and her 2 brothers Micheal (2 yo), Donavan (11 mo). Sa’fyre survived, but had suffered burns on 75% of her body.

Arson survivor asks for Christmas cards. (Source: Safyre Schenectady’s Super Survivor/Facebook)
Read more: http://www.foxcarolina.com/story/30696197/this-girl-whose-entire-family-got-killed-in-an-act-of-arson-just-wants-cards-for-christmas#ixzz3tml92BNR

Despite the turmoil and severity of trauma, Sa’fyre asked for only one thing for Christmas this year, and that’s enough cards to fill her card tree.

Let’s make a Christmas wish for Sa’fyre come true…

We’ve sent ours. If you possibly can take the time to write and send Safyre a Merry Christmas card that she can hang on her card tree, we would be very appreciative to have this community support her wish….

Please mail Sa’fyre’s christmas card to:

Safyre
P.O. Box 6126
Schenectady NY 12306

Thank you!

5 Reasons To Forgive People Who Don’t Apologize

December 9, 2015 by Power of Positivity

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” – Mahatma Gandhi

When people apologize for doing something wrong, forgiving them is much easier. But, what happens when you don’t get an apology?

Many of us would find it hard to go up to someone and grant them forgiveness when they haven’t accepted fault for what they did. However, holding a grudge or plotting revenge against the person will only burden you in the end, and will use up valuable energy. Not to mention, many studies have found that the act of forgiveness can actually benefit your health!

Researchers have found that forgiveness can reduce pain and blood pressure, eliminate or greatly ease anxiety, depression, and stress, lower the risk of a heart attack, and even improve cholesterol levels and sleep quality.

If better health doesn’t inspire you to forgive those who have wronged you, we have found a few more reasons to extend your forgiveness as well.

Here are 5 reasons to forgive people who don’t apologize:

1. People aren’t perfect.

Even though the fact that they didn’t say sorry might make you livid, confused, and hurt, understand that people make mistakes sometimes. Not apologizing doesn’t mean that they don’t love or care about you, but maybe they genuinely don’t see what they did wrong. Or, maybe they have a lot on their plate right now and simply took out their frustrations on you. You have no idea what goes on inside people’s heads or in their lives at all times, so show compassion. Ask if they need help. Offer an ear to listen.

Just because they wronged you, doesn’t mean they deserve a punishment of some sort. Try to put yourself in their shoes and look at the issue from a wider perspective.

2. Forgiveness will improve your life, as well as theirs.

Holding a grudge will only weigh you emotionally, mentally, and sometimes, even physically. Any negative emotions we harbor can quickly transform into physical sickness, so keep this in mind the next time you avoid forgiving someone.

When you do choose forgiveness, you also choose happiness. You have taken responsibility for your emotions and realized that you don’t have to hold on to negative emotions. You can let them go by forgiving someone, regardless of if they have apologized to you or not. In turn, when you forgive someone, you set them free, too. You tell them, “Even though you hurt me, I value our friendship and want to give you a second chance.”

Hearing this will make them understand your friendship or relationship’s importance, and the experience will strengthen your bond.

3. It isn’t your place to judge them.

Judgment only divides people further – when you label someone as a “bad person” just because they haven’t apologized to you, you invite negativity and fear back into your energy field. You allow your ego to consume you, and you only stoop down to their level when that happens. Remember, two wrongs don’t make a right, so instead of judging them for their mistake, use your compassion and understanding. Forgive them anyway, and ask if you can help them with anything.

Your job as a spiritual being having a human experience is simply to love – as much as possible, as often as you can.

4. Karma will take care of their actions anyway.

You don’t have to get revenge on someone who hurts you; karma will do that for you. Karma provides balance to the universe; every action bears a consequence, so any wrongdoing must, by law of the universe, have a repercussion. Don’t trouble your soul with thoughts of getting back at them – let time and the universe do their part, and keep living according to your own truth.

5. When you forgive, you allow a relationship to heal and grow.

Holding grudges and harboring feelings of resentment will only stunt the growth of a relationship. On the other hand, forgiveness acts as the water that nourishes the seed, sprouting it and bringing it to life. So, using this metaphor, holding a grudge causes a relationship to die, while forgiveness breathes life into the relationship. Make sure you do your part to keep your relationships healthy; this way, you can live light-hearted and accessible, knowing you have lived in a way that embodies love and compassion.

However, this doesn’t mean you must let people walk all over you. Suppose you have chosen to forgive the person, but they continue to repeat the actions that hurt you. In that case, you should either walk away from the relationship or sit down and talk seriously with them about their behavior.

10 Plants That Work Better Than Pills

December 8, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Before the advent of modern medicine, ancient cultures used what they had readily available to them out in nature to heal their bodies of various diseases and ailments. They couldn’t go to a pharmacy and pick up anti-anxiety medication or decongestants. Instead, they used their instincts and best judgment to work with plants to heal themselves naturally. Prescription medications might get rid of the problem. But they come with a slew of unwanted side effects that even include death, in some cases.

Not to mention, a study published by the UK-based group Alliance for Natural Health International revealed that you have a 900 times greater chance of dying from food poisoning from taking prescription drugs rather than supplements and a 62,000 times higher chance of dying from adverse reactions to pharmaceutical drugs compared to supplements. Drugs also have a 7,750 times higher chance of killing you than herbal remedies.

Here are 10 plants that work better than pills:

So, with that knowledge in mind, you might want to throw out the prescription painkillers and other medicines you have lying around the house and turn back to nature’s plants for healing instead.

1. Cannabis

Medical marijuana can treat and heal many different ailments and disorders, making it one of the most versatile, powerful plants known to man. According to studies, it can treat glaucoma, improve lung health, stop seizures, heal cancer, decrease anxiety, slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s, eases pain, stops muscle spasms, helps people with PTSD, eases arthritis pain, and much more. Other studies have even found that marijuana can help heal broken bones. As you can see, cannabis has the potential to cure people of many different ailments and without the nasty side effects from prescription medications.

2. Cacao

Originally, ancient cultures such as the Aztecs used cacao for medicinal purposes, and they even used it as currency because they considered the seeds highly valuable. The Guna people of northeastern Panama drink cacao up to five times per day and have almost no recorded cases of hypertension. In America and other westernized nations, most people recognize cacao from candy bars. But unfortunately, most candy today contains 10% or less cacao, and most of the ingredients have been heavily processed.

If you want to get the full benefits of cacao, which include everything from lowering blood pressure to preventing cardiovascular disease to reducing stress, make sure to buy either raw, pure cacao powder or buy candy bars that have the highest amount of cacao you can find, with few other added ingredients.

3. Red Yeast Rice

In Chinese culture, people use red yeast rice as both a food and medicine. Red yeast rice contains some of the same properties as prescription statin medications used to lower cholesterol; one of these chemicals is called monacolin K, which has the same chemical properties as the drug Mevacor. Many studies have shown that red yeast rice can effectively lower cholesterol levels and triglycerides in the blood.

4. Ashwagandha Plant

This Indian herb is an adaptogen. This term means that it can help people adapt to their environment and process physical and mental changes better. It can relieve brain fog, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase one’s overall energy levels. Ashwagandha aids in cell replenishment, which means that it can boost vitality.

5. Echinacea

Echinacea contains many compounds that have been proven to boost the immune system and protect against colds and the flu. Some studies have even found that taking echinacea can reduce your chances of contracting a cold by as much as 58%. Echinacea can also treat wounds and heal upper respiratory infections.

6. Turmeric

Turmeric originates from India and contains many antioxidants that can heal the human body. Studies have found that it can fight cancer, stop the formation of free radicals, stop inflammation, prevent heart disease, ease arthritis pain, stop indigestion and heartburn, and even prevent diabetes.

7. Lavender

Lavender is probably best known for its incredible calming effect on the mind; many people use lavender oil to rub on the skin when they feel stressed or anxious. In addition to helping with mental problems, lavender may ease pain all over the body. This herb works wonders for ailments from headaches to sprains to minor burns. Other studies have even found it to be effective in treating digestive issues and fungal infections.

8. Oregano

Oregano, a powerful antimicrobial plant, contains many vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants. Studies have found that it can boost immune system health, kill superbugs, reduce inflammation, treat upper respiratory infections, and even fight menstrual pain.

9. Black Peppermint

Black peppermint, the most potent form of peppermint, is most commonly used to heal gastrointestinal problems. Still, it can also ease headaches and muscle pains, treat the common cold, and even ward off mosquitoes.

10. Butterbur Plants

Finally, butterbur, found growing in very moist environments, can treat headaches and allergies, break up congestion, eliminate hay fever, reduce anxiety, and even treat insomnia.

5 Things Couples Who Stay Together Do Often

December 8, 2015 by Power of Positivity

‘Till death do us part is a commitment that takes more than a little effort from both partners. If you’re hoping to stay together with your partner long-term, then hopefully you’re up to that challenge. Arming yourself with a positive attitude, devotion and a willingness to put in the effort to make it work is a good part of what keeps couples together.

Couples who are successful at staying together have found a way to blend two unique personalities into one united family. Whether you yourself are part of a long-term couple or you’d like to be, here are 5 things that couples who stay together do often.

5 Things Couples Who Stay Together Do Often

1. Embrace New Experiences

Couples who play together stay together.

A German study found that couples who were more open to new experiences were more likely to be married longer term. The researchers looked at openness as a personality trait which both members of the couple shared. Personality similarity seemed to be an important factor for couples who stay together.

One of the challenges that long-term couples face is maintaining the spark that initially brought them together. When they choose to seek out new experiences, the excitement of that challenge helps them to bond in a new way. For example, couples who try a sport together for the first time learn good sportsmanship which can help them during their next argument.

2. Communicate Positively.

No one wants to stay in a relationship where arguing happens too often. Anger and resentment are emotions that drive couples apart. Disagreements will happen in any partnership, but fighting fairly in a positive way is something that couples who stay together have learned to do. You can read more about how to fight fair here.

Even if you aren’t fighting with your partner, the way in which you communicate can help or hurt the likelihood of you staying together. A positive communication style is one where each person acknowledges, respects and learns from the other. Couples who stay together don’t use demeaning language or make their partner feel like they are less than themselves.

Not only is positive communication important when speaking, it is also important non-verbally. In a study in the journal Human Communication, researchers found that communicating non-verbally in a positive way also increased relationship satisfaction and longevity. These non-verbal behaviors include touching, smiling, nodding, and making eye contact.

3. Listen For Understanding.

“It’s not at all hard to understand a person; it’s only hard to listen without bias.” – Criss Jami

It’s difficult to listen to someone without automatically thinking of what we want to say in response. Couples who stay together long term work to understand their partners, then after they know their partner’s meaning, they work on being understood themselves. Listening to understand someone fully requires us to put aside our own agenda until we really know what feelings and meaning our partner is trying to communicate.

Rather than being a give and take, listening deeply is a gift that you give to your partner. Your full attention should be focused on your partner when they speak. Your body language should also show that you are listening with eye contact, nodding and appropriate facial expressions. You can read more about effective listening here.

4. Find a Win-Win Compromise.

Couples who stay together know that neither of them can have things their way all the time. When disputes pop up in a relationship, it’s time to find a compromise that works for both partners. Couples who stay together compromise effectively to make sure that both of them have their needs met. They may sacrifice a little in the negotiating process, but they work together to make sure that both of them are happy in the end.

Compromise is a way for couples to solve problems creatively. They ask themselves, “How can we solve this so we are both happy?” By having a discussion that is focused on solutions, they can often find one that will benefit both partners.

5. Enjoy Spontaneous Fun.

Couples who stay together know that quality time that they spend together is more important that the quantity of time together. When they are together, loving partners make an effort to pack as much teasing, playing, flirting, touching, smiling and laughing into each hour as they possibly can.

You know these couples when you see them because they have inside jokes that no one else could possibly understand. They share a laugh over burning the dinner and having to order take out. Other people admire the playful way that they tease each other as they tell their shared stories.

Final Thoughts on the Things Couples Do to Stay Together for the Long Haul

For couples who stay together, fun is its’ own reward; the more fun that couples have, the more often they want to spend time together. The positive interactions that they share work like a reinforcement of their behavior. They feel good when they are with their partner, so they want more of that positive emotion. The reward for both of them is a stronger relationship.

6 Foods That Make You Lose Sleep

December 6, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Most people know that drinking two cups of fully caffeinated coffee before bed will leave you tossing and turning all night. However, many don’t realize that even healthier foods can keep you up for hours past your bedtime. Thus, some foods might cause you to turn to higher fat, higher calorie foods to compensate for excess stress caused by sleep deprivation.

According to a study, a survey on sleep deprivation and insomnia in more than 1.1 million participants revealed that regularly getting less than 7-8 hours of sleep resulted in a higher BMI. Therefore, you can infer that getting a good night’s sleep can help you stave off unwanted pounds, and also, avoid cravings for unhealthy foods.

In order to maintain a healthy weight and feel good overall, you will need to get adequate sleep. Unfortunately, many people indulge at foods at night that do anything but send them off to dreamland, instead, keeping them alert and awake well into the night.

Here are 6 foods that are making you lose sleep:

1. Cruciferous vegetables may cause sleep loss

Who would’ve ever guessed that broccoli and cauliflower could cause you to pull an all-nighter? These types of veggies have tons of important minerals and phytochemicals that greatly benefit your health, as well as tryptophan, an amino acid that helps to produce serotonin. Thus, they induce sleep. However, cruciferous vegetables are among the hardest to digest, containing a high amount of insoluble fiber. Of course, these veggies take longer to move through your system. By eating these veggies too close to bedtime, your body will have to work on digesting the food instead of getting you ready for sleep, meaning hours of potential sleep time down the drain.

2. Dark chocolate

While dark chocolate contains tons of antioxidants and minerals, lowers the risk of heart disease, decreases blood pressure, and even protects the skin from the sun, eating it too close to bed will leave you staring at the ceiling all night long. Some dark chocolate contains almost as much caffeine as a regular cup of coffee, with the darker varieties having the most caffeine. They also contain tyrosine, an amino acid that stimulates the body, making it even more difficult to fall asleep.

3. Cured meats and aged cheeses

Many people snack on these foods at a party or other special event, but while they taste good, they don’t do much for your beauty rest. Cured meats and aged cheese contain an amino acid called tyramine which releases norepinephrine, another stimulant that will do anything except make you feel sleepy.

4. Tomato sauce can cause you to lose sleep

Tomato sauce accompanies many dishes, especially Italian ones such as spaghetti, pizza, lasagna, or other similar favorites. While most people love a steaming bowl of pasta covered in marinara sauce, indulging in this delicious comfort food could keep you awake longer than you’d intended. Tomatoes contain a slew of important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. However, they also are very acidic. Therefore, they may lead to heartburn and indigestion late at night. Try to consume tomatoes a few hours before bed to avoid any symptoms of acid reflux.

5. Red meat

According to research, high fat foods such as red meat take longer to digest than high fiber, high carbohydrate foods because fattier foods send signals to the stomach to empty it slowly. On average, it takes meat-eaters 24 hours longer for food to exit their digestive system due to their higher fat intake. However, if you do choose to eat meat, try to avoid eating heavier meats, such as beef and pork, close to bedtime. Opt for chicken or fish instead, which are much easier to digest. Keep in mind that high-protein diets have been linked to sleep apnea, however, so make sure to eat an adequate amount of fiber to keep your diet balanced.

6. Spicy foods

Just like tomatoes, spicy foods can trigger heartburn and indigestion, making it very difficult to get a sound sleep. They also boost the metabolism and raise your body’s core temperature. So that makes for a very uncomfortable situation when you get ready to drift off at night. If you do eat spicy foods, make sure to eat them at least a few hours before bed, to give them time to digest properly.

5 Signs You May Have An Iron Deficiency

December 6, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Did you know that a staggering 2 billion people, or 30% of the world’s population, have anemia caused by an iron deficiency?

Iron plays a vital role in many bodily functions. Primarily, they carry oxygen in the blood to all cells in the body. Additionally, iron helps maintain healthy skin, hair, and nails. Iron makes up an important part of the protein hemoglobin, which carries oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body.

Women, especially during childbearing, have the highest risk of iron deficiency because of blood loss during menstruation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 18mg of iron per day for 19-to-50-year old women and 8mg per day for men.

You can get iron from two different sources: plants and animals. Animal-based sources contain heme iron, and plant-based sources contain non-heme iron. While heme iron gets absorbed more easily by the blood, some studies have found a link between heme iron consumption and coronary heart disease.

Plant-based sources of iron include the following:

Fortified cereals
White beans
Dark chocolate
Lentils
Spinach
Tofu
Chickpeas

Add a serving of one of these foods to your menu each day to keep from becoming deficient in this vital nutrient.

Here are 5 signs you may have an iron deficiency:

With so many people worldwide showing signs of iron deficiency, you should know what to look for to prevent any serious health problems from occurring.

1. You constantly feel tired.

Extreme exhaustion can signal many different ailments and conditions. So consider having your iron levels checked if you feel this way for prolonged periods of time. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, fatigue is the most common symptom associated with iron deficiency and occurs because the body can’t efficiently carry oxygen to your blood. If you don’t have enough oxygen in your blood, you will quickly become lethargic and weak.

In addition, the red blood cells in your body may contain less hemoglobin than normal, and this can cause fatigue as these cells will have trouble carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

2. You notice significant hair loss.

Another telltale sign of iron deficiency is hair loss; while losing around 100 strands per day is normal, a significant amount of hair loss can point to a serious underlying problem. According to Marilyn Murr, MD, clinical assistant professor of family and community medicine at the School of Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, “When hair follicles don’t get enough oxygen, they go into a resting stage, and hair falls out and doesn’t grow back until anemia is improved.”

If you notice excessive hair loss, make sure to up your intake of iron-rich foods, or consider taking iron supplements.

3. You frequently become ill.

When our bodies have any nutritional deficiency, our immune systems naturally become weaker, because they don’t have what they need to fight off infections efficiently. Dr. Murr said that red blood cells assist in carrying oxygen to the spleen, a key location where the body fights off infections. Not having enough iron in the blood can severely inhibit the body from warding off infections. Also, red blood cells carrying oxygen to the lymph nodes contain powerful infection-fighting white blood cells.

If you have an iron deficiency, your body won’t produce enough white blood cells. This nutritional lack might make you more prone to infections.

4. You have pale skin.

Though many people have pale skin and no illnesses or deficiencies, a lack of color in the skin could point to an iron deficiency. Hemoglobin in the blood contributes to the skin’s rosy color. So having low levels could make the skin appear ghost-like. Dr. Murr says this:

“When red blood cells become low with iron, they become smaller and paler in the center so skin also becomes paler.”

In particular, keep an eye on the inside of the bottom eyelid. You can pull it down at home to examine this area of your eye. If it looks red, you probably don’t have an iron deficiency. You might want to schedule a doctor’s visit for further testing if it’s white or pale.

5. Your tongue is swollen.

When the body doesn’t have enough oxygen, the muscles can become swollen and sore. You might also notice cracks along the side of your mouth if you have this deficiency.

Remember, if you think you have an iron deficiency, you’ll want to see a doctor first and foremost. He or she can help you figure out which nutrient-dense foods to include more of in your diet, or suggest some iron supplements to help you restore your body’s natural levels.

Please mail Sa’fyre’s christmas card to:

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Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!

Let’s make a Christmas wish for Sa’fyre come true…

Please mail Sa’fyre’s christmas card to:

Thank you!

Here are 5 reasons to forgive people who don’t apologize:

1. People aren’t perfect.

2. Forgiveness will improve your life, as well as theirs.

3. It isn’t your place to judge them.

4. Karma will take care of their actions anyway.

5. When you forgive, you allow a relationship to heal and grow.

Here are 10 plants that work better than pills:

1. Cannabis

2. Cacao

3. Red Yeast Rice

4. Ashwagandha Plant

5. Echinacea

6. Turmeric

7. Lavender

8. Oregano

9. Black Peppermint

10. Butterbur Plants

5 Things Couples Who Stay Together Do Often

1. Embrace New Experiences

2. Communicate Positively.

3. Listen For Understanding.

4. Find a Win-Win Compromise.

5. Enjoy Spontaneous Fun.

Final Thoughts on the Things Couples Do to Stay Together for the Long Haul

Here are 6 foods that are making you lose sleep:

1. Cruciferous vegetables may cause sleep loss

2. Dark chocolate

3. Cured meats and aged cheeses

4. Tomato sauce can cause you to lose sleep

5. Red meat

6. Spicy foods

Plant-based sources of iron include the following:

Here are 5 signs you may have an iron deficiency:

1. You constantly feel tired.

2. You notice significant hair loss.

3. You frequently become ill.

4. You have pale skin.

5. Your tongue is swollen.

The Community

Our Free Community of Positively Powerful SuperFans

Rise and Shine On! Master Your Day with the Ultimate Positive Morning Guide + Checklist

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Us

Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!

Rise and Shine On!
Master Your Day with the Ultimate Positive Morning Guide + Checklist