This Simple Little Invention Will Save MILLIONS Of Lives

October 28, 2015 by Power of Positivity

This only little invention could save millions of lives!

Did you know that worldwide, around 780 million people don’t have access to clean drinking water? That equates to a staggering 11% of the world’s population.

Also, according to the CDC, lack of access to sanitation, unsafe drinking water, and lack of availability of clean water for hygiene contribute to 88% of deaths due to diarrheal diseases.

For many years now, people worldwide have tried to figure out a way to provide access to clean drinking water for people living in impoverished countries. Everyone deserves to have clean drinking water, but sadly, much of the world’s population drinks contaminated water daily. Due to a lack of resources and funding, many people simply drink from whatever water source they can find. As a result, a lack of clean water leads to exposure to dangerous parasites and other waterborne contaminants.

However, one invention could change all that and provide clean drinking water for billions of people. Not only is the invention simple, it has the ability to be manufactured on a large scale so that everyone who needs clean drinking water can have access to it.

The LifeStraw turns otherwise undrinkable water into safe, clean drinking water. The company sells various products to suit each person’s lifestyle. The most popular product, the actual straw, can filter up to a thousand liters of water. That volume provides enough water for one person for an entire year. In addition to Life Straw, they also sell a water bottle called LifeStraw Go. That product incorporates the life straw filter, the LifeStraw Family for family use, and the LifeStraw Mission water purifier.

The LifeStraw Family can filter a maximum of 18,000 liters of water, providing a family of five with safe drinking water for three years.

Each of these products has the potential to save millions of lives, because water IS life. Without water, everyone would perish. However, most of us don’t even think twice about the clean water we drink daily. We simply go to our faucet or refrigerator, fill our glass or water bottle, and chug down cold, fresh water. We tend to take it for granted, because we have no idea what people go through who don’t have the privilege of drinking clean water.

So, how can YOU help these children out? Well, for every LifeStraw product you purchase, one child in a developing community will get safe drinking water for an entire school year. In 2014 alone, 157,975 children received clean drinking water and participated in752 follow-up visits. In 2015, LifeStraw wants their invention to reach 203,000 school children and perform 1,800 follow-up visits.

The LifeStraw can be used for many purposes, including camping trips, hikes, kayaking, and other outdoor expeditions. Wherever you go, you can take the LifeStraw products with you. Then, you will always have safe water to drink, and you get to help a child access clean drinking water, too.

6 Things to Remember When You’re Bored Out of Your Mind

October 28, 2015 by Power of Positivity

With the endless cell phone scrolling and screen staring, it seems like people are always bored, forgetting about all of the fun left in life. Between work and family responsibilities, somewhere along the line we became adults, and having fun almost seems taboo. Having fun can often seem like a guilty pleasure, and we feel we are selfish because of it.

Just because we are adults, doesn’t mean that we have to live a borerd lifestyle. The need for play is no less important than when we were children. Dr. Stuart Brown, a psychiatrist and founder of the National Institute for Play, has reviewed over 6,000 case studies of childhood and adulthood exposure to playing.

He found that boredom and a lack of exposure to playing was equally as important in predicting criminal behavior as other factors. He is also learned that couples who played together were more emotionally connected and intimate.

So what does it mean to have fun, and how much of it do we need? Having fun means to do something because it’s meaningful and for pure pleasure. And that something can’t be work. The beauty of fun and play is that a little goes a long way. Just a few minutes a day of doing something just for the fun of it can keep you from being bored, as well as contribute to better overall productivity and happiness.

Here 6 Things to Remember When You’re Bored Out of Your Mind

1. Remember what fun means to you.

Fun means different things to different people. Sometimes we do “fun” things with friends but it might not be our preferred type of fun. Fun might mean hiking or knitting, painting or gardening, or playing sport or playing online casino malaysia games or baking. It’s important that we foster that feeling of fun that we had when we were younger. Pick an activity that allows you to get lost in it as if time is flying by.

2. Remember to surround yourself with fun people who like to play.

It’s a lot easier to make life fun again when we are surrounded by people who like to have fun and have similar interests as us. Having fun shouldn’t be work, and creating a fun habit is much more rewarding when you share it with the people you are closest to. It’s also important to incorporate play into our existing relationships, so let’s schedule some “fun” dates to help get our partners on the same page.

3. Remember that you don’t have to stay bored.

We often get so caught up in our routine that it becomes almost mundane. Add a splash of color to your wardrobe or your hair, bike to work one day a week, or plan a coffee date with someone new each week. Sometimes just doing something a little different or changing our habits can breathe a bit of fresh air into our lives.

4. Remember to find the small joys in things you don’t like.

It’s obvious that not every day can be full of fun things. There are still things we have to do that aren’t necessarily our ideal version of fun. For some people that might be going to work, a doctor’s appointment or even running errands.

The goal is to find something about the things we don’t enjoy that can make them more fun. It can be something like listening to a podcast while walking on a break at work, reading that magazine you never have time to read while waiting for the doctor, or singing along to fun songs while running errands.

When we take the time to make our time count, we can begin to be more mindful of our time and realize we can create our own fun. Having fun isn’t a thing, it’s a process, so add more of it wherever you can.

5. Remember possibility.

Sometimes our thinking is limited by the daily grind. There are no rules to how any day will unfold except the ones we put in place. We should let the possibility of the day inspire us to think bigger and do more. Having fun isn’t about what we should do or could do, it’s what we will do. There are endless possibilities for fun, and it’s up to us to find them.

6. Remember to schedule in the fun.

The idea of having to schedule fun seems like it will take the fun out of it. On the contrary, it will remind us and create a focus on having fun, so it doesn’t get swept under the rug when the latest crises arise. It’s easy to find reasons to not to have fun, but it’s harder to ignore it when you make time for it.

When we were kids, life was all about fun. We chose to do things because we loved doing them. We didn’t think about it; we just did it. It’s time to get back to that mindset. Fun isn’t just something to do to pass the time. It adds tremendous value to our lives through increased satisfaction, decreasing stress levels and strengthening our relationships.

5 Things People Who Like Themselves Do Differently

October 28, 2015 by Power of Positivity

According to John David McCarthy, an American sociologist who now teaches sociology at Pennsylvania State University, around 80% of people in the world have low self-esteem at any given time.

This means that most of us could learn a lot from the 20% of people who seem to like themselves, despite the negativity and turmoil in the world. Having a healthy image of ourselves can seem challenging, especially since advertisements constantly try to sell us something to better our image, and social media sites make it easy to compare ourselves to others. However, we can’t do much in life if we don’t have confidence in ourselves and our abilities. If we can’t even like ourselves, if we’d rather hide away from the world because we fear what it will think or say, then we can’t contribute to the planet in a positive way.

While having high self-esteem might seem impossible to some, we need to have the self-worth to function at our best.

Here are five things people who like themselves do differently:

1. They believe in themselves.

People with a positive self-image might have doubts, but they don’t let those voices dictate their lives. They have a go-getter attitude, and even if they fail, they don’t let it stop them from achieving their goals and moving forward. Believing in yourself doesn’t mean you have unrealistic expectations that everything will always go as planned, but you have faith that you can get through both the good and bad times.

People with a positive self-image don’t allow themselves to fall into a slump of insecurity; they approach life confidently and keep an optimistic outlook in their back pocket.

2. They don’t beat themselves up whenever they make a mistake.

They don’t expect perfection from themselves; they know that they will inevitably make many mistakes in life. But they know that mistakes will help them learn and grow, so they don’t take it too seriously when they slip up. They simply take it in stride and take it as a positive experience in their journey. People with a positive self-image usually have a carefree, light-hearted attitude. Maybe they were born with it, or maybe they learned over time not to take life so seriously because it will always unfold a little differently than they’d planned.

3. People with a positive self-image don’t compare themselves to others.

They don’t use other people as a point of comparison. Instead, they simply follow their hearts and focus on their own journey. They know comparing themselves to others will only fill them with doubts and disappointment. As a result, they allow other people to live their lives and go confidently and boldly in their own way. They know they can learn from other people’s lifestyles and choices, but they don’t let other people’s journeys make them jealous or insecure. They feel happy and fulfilled enough, contributing to their positive self-image.

4. They value themselves.

People with a positive self-image have learned to become their own best friend. They may not have gotten to this place of acceptance overnight, but they worked at it enough to feel worthy in their own eyes. It doesn’t matter how other people view them, because they realize their importance on this planet, and don’t let anyone tell them otherwise. They know that their own unique strengths and talents can bring a world of difference and much-needed change to the Earth, and they hold that vibration of themselves so that nothing can drag them down.

People with a positive self-image know their worth and don’t let anyone devalue them.

5. They don’t allow others to define them.

Most importantly, people with a positive self-image define themselves; they don’t listen to the opinions of others. No one can know them as they can, so they have realized that only their definition of themselves matters. How can a person define something they don’t know? They can’t. Most people who try to define you or throw you into a box have no clue who you are; they just want to pigeonhole you to boost their own self-esteem, most likely. People will always have an opinion of you, but that doesn’t mean you have to let it affect you.

People with a positive self-image do not mind what others think or say about them; they just focus on their own path and don’t concern themselves with trivial matters.

5 Signs You Spend Too Much Time Alone

October 28, 2015 by Power of Positivity

The evidence continues to mount regarding loneliness and how damaging it can be to our health. In fact, being alone too much kills twice as many people as obesity. Besides that, the increased mortality risk compares to that of smoking cigarettes every single day.

According to a survey conducted by the Knowledge Networks, loneliness has doubled since the 1980s, with 40 percent of adults feeling lonely compared to 20 percent just a few decades ago. In the next few years, many scientists predict a loneliness epidemic to sweep America, and even the world, with the rising use of technology to communicate instead of face-to-face interactions.

However, just because you feel lonely now does not mean you can’t make meaningful connections with people and fill that emptiness in your heart. Many people fear they will remain lonely forever, so they give up on even trying to reach out to others and form positive relationships. Loneliness can cause numerous health problems, even death, if people don’t act to combat loneliness.

After isolating ourselves, it can almost feel normal, and we tend to stay inside our warm, safe shells instead of socializing with others.

Here are five signs you spend too much time alone:

1. You long for meaningful, deep connections with people.

Many lonely people don’t enjoy spending so much time alone; they have just lost their connection to people and thus, don’t know how to get it back. If you find yourself craving social interactions and forming deep relationships with people, you probably spend too much time alone. Even if you have a few friends, you see from time to time. You can still feel lonely if you don’t feel deeply connected to them.

2. You use food, drugs, alcohol, or something else to forget about your loneliness.

Sadly, many people use harmful substances to fill a void in their lives, whether from loneliness, depression, anxiety, lack of purpose, or anything else that causes unhappiness. If you turn to your pantry or refrigerator for companionship more than other people, you likely spend too much time alone. While food and an occasional drink should be enjoyed, you shouldn’t turn to them for comfort or to escape your life. They won’t help you stop feeling lonely; they will mask the problem for a while.

3. You feel restless and bored a lot.

As mentioned above, when we feel bored, we numb our emotions through TV shows, video games, or food, drugs, or alcohol. But whatever happened to hang out with friends or family when we feel bored or restless? While you should enjoy your own company and be able to be alone without feeling lonely, doing this too much can enhance your feelings of loneliness. We are social creatures and need one another to get by in this lifetime. If you feel bored, call up an old friend and see if they feel like catching up. Or, check out local groups to form new connections and possibly find a new favorite hobby.

4. You have forgotten how to talk to people in a conversation.

Social isolation can damage our social skills, especially if we have isolated ourselves for long periods. The advent of social media and other forms of entertainment only accelerates our decline in social skills because we use the Internet as a safety net, going to it whenever we don’t feel like talking. However, this can quickly get out of control if we don’t find some balance. If you feel uncomfortable or don’t remember talking to people in social situations, you probably spend too much time alone.

5. You have developed social anxiety as a result of isolating yourself.

Finally, the more you isolate yourself, the harder it will feel to go up to people and converse with them. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, approximately 15 million, or 6.8%, Americans suffer from social anxiety. The only way to overcome this is to start talking to people because you have to meet your fears head on if you want to beat them. However, people who spend most of their time alone eventually feel so comfortable doing this that they lose their desire to form relationships with others. If you feel socially anxious and have lost your motivation to talk to others, you probably spend way too much time by yourself.

Consider joining support groups for social anxiety to help you ease your way into talking to others, or maybe join an organization or activity you feel passionate about, so you can meet other like-minded people.

You shouldn’t feel embarrassed about loneliness; many people feel lonely, but don’t ever admit it to others in fear of being ridiculed or rejected. However, social isolation should be taken seriously; no one likes feeling alone, but sadly, a startling amount of people do in today’s world.

Remember to take baby steps to become social again and turn to trusted friends and family for support. As long as you believe in yourself and have the motivation to form connections again, you will get there. On the flip side, if you ever see someone while you’re out and about who looks lonely or depressed, make sure to reach out to them. A simple smile and a “How are you feeling?” can go a long way, especially for someone feeling isolated and alone.

8 Reasons You Need To Drink Apple Cider Vinegar

October 28, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Most of us seem to be on a quest for a magic pill, the fountain of youth, or a cure-all solution to having more energy, better skin and a healthier body. We pin our hopes to super foods, the latest fad in oils, and the most recent supplements being touted as the answer to our prayers. Lately, there has been a lot of talk about apple cider vinegar. But the use of apple cider vinegar is anything but a fad. In fact, it has documented uses dating back to 400 B.C. when Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, used it to manage wounds.

In the 1700s, medical practitioners used it for everything from indigestion to croup to poison ivy to diabetes. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is full of nutrition and rich in enzymes our bodies love, and that can help keep the germs in our bodies under control.

It has been used as a tonic, a poultice, taken straight and diluted in water to treat various ailments. Because of the acidity levels in ACV, taking it straight can be a bit harsh to your tooth enamel and your esophagus. Instead, try mixing two tablespoons into a glass of water before meals to help soften the effects on your stomach and throat.

Apple cider vinegar has been promoted as the cure-all to everything from detoxing the body to relieving arthritis symptoms. Studies on this folk remedy are ongoing, but experts say that adding some apple cider vinegar to your daily routine can have some noticeable health benefits.

Here are eight reasons you need to drink apple cider vinegar:

1. Apple cider vinegar can lower blood sugar levels.

A study conducted by the American Diabetes Foundation found that apple cider vinegar taken before meals significantly reduced insulin and glucose levels. The study was conducted on three groups of people, one group diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, one group with pre-diabetic symptoms and the last group was healthy.

All three groups improved their blood glucose levels. The pre-diabetic group improved their blood glucose levels by nearly 50% and the group with diabetes improved theirs by 25%. As an added benefit, it is thought that this increase in better glucose levels can contribute to some assistance in losing weight.

2. It can relieve sinus infections and soothe sore throats.

ACV helps detoxify our bodies by cleansing the lymph node, breaking up mucous, and even helping with allergy symptoms. As a result, it can help relieve sinus infections and soothe sore throats that are often caused by congestion.

3. Apple cider vinegar can regulate the pH of the skin.

Applying ACV directly to the skin with a cotton ball can help balance the skin. Use as a replacement for facial toner and it can even be left on the face overnight to lighten age-related dark spots or sun damage.

4. It can promote healthy-looking hair.

Use apple cider vinegar as a replacement for hair conditioner. Mix ½ tablespoon of vinegar with cold water and rinse hair with it after shampooing. Just a few times a week will boost shine, give the hair natural body and even eliminate dandruff.

5. Apple cider vinegar can whiten teeth.

Apple cider vinegar helps remove yellowing stains from the teeth. Simply gargle with it in the morning and then brush normally. You can boost the process by brushing your teeth with baking soda at least once week.

6. It can increase energy levels.

The amino acids in ACV act to combat excess lactic acid in our bodies that accumulate from exercise and other types of stress. Excessive lactic acid causes fatigue, and a tablespoon of vinegar added to a glass of water can help alleviate it. The extra potassium and enzymes contained in the vinegar are a bonus.

7. Apple cider vinegar can lessen joint pain due to inflammation.

Mixing apple cider vinegar with honey, lemon, and hot water twice a day may promote joint relief. This is especially helpful to relieve arthritis. The deficiency of certain minerals in our bodies can intensify joint pain, and vinegar contains the necessary minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus, to help alleviate it.

8. It can diminish the appearance of bruises.

Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, ACV can help lessen the appearance of discoloration caused by bruising. Use a cotton ball to dab the vinegar directly to the bruise several times a day.

Apple cider vinegar is a natural, holistic remedy for many common ailments. As a preventative measure, add some organic apple cider vinegar to warm water in the morning. Try it out for a week or two and see how it works. There certainly won’t be any harm, and most likely it will be doing the body some good.

5 Ways To Cut The Strings Of Manipulation

October 28, 2015 by Power of Positivity

As defined, a manipulator is someone who influences or attempts to influence the behavior or emotions of others for one’s own purposes or gain. We’ve all done it and have been a victim of it, maybe not knowingly or with malicious intentions, but it’s more common than most people think.

Being manipulated can often feel like we were violated and maybe even victimized. Manipulators find creative ways to make us feel guilty when we don’t agree to their request. They may lie, withhold information and even use emotional blackmail. They have a bag of tricks up their sleeves.

For some people, manipulation is a core strategy for getting what they want. They do it and get good results, so they continue. Manipulators manipulate because they can.

The problem with manipulation isn’t that people manipulate; it’s that people allow themselves to be manipulated. If the manipulator ran out of willing subjects, they would look to other people or even new ways of getting what they want.

What that means is we are entirely in control of whether we are manipulated or not, and it’s time to take back that control.

5 Ways to Cut The Strings of Manipulation

1. Recognize The Victim Mentality

Manipulation happens when we stand by and allow it to happen. There are some things in life that place us in the role of victim that we have no control over, but being manipulated isn’t one of them. Recognizing our role in the manipulation process is the first step to cutting the strings.

If we are being manipulated, then that is entirely on us, and it is up to us to stop it. That happens by recognizing that we have the ability to control our reactions. When something doesn’t feel right, we must stop ourselves before agreeing. If we aren’t comfortable saying no, at least make a commitment to avoid saying yes.

2. Figure Out What Matters Most

It’s easy to be manipulated and take up causes that support what is important to someone else when we don’t know what matters most to us. When we know what’s important, we are empowered to take a stand. It’s easier to align what we are willing to commit to with our values.

A “no” because you are working for something specific is easier for a manipulator to accept than a “just because” no. A no without substance only empowers the manipulator to wear us down. Let’s take back our power and fight for the right things.

3. Demand Clarity

Manipulators are good at what they do. They are masters at selling us on why we should do what they want us to do. A great way to start cutting the strings is for us to ask them how this benefits us. It will scare them when we begin to demand clarity on the request including what we expect to gain from helping him. Because manipulators are all about what’s in it for them, they will recognize we aren’t a good target anymore when we begin putting our needs out there.

4. Be Resolute

It’s hard sometimes to get out of the clutches of a master manipulator because they are so good and so experienced at what they do. It’s in a confrontation with this charming, yet, manipulative person that our determination, will, and a strong purpose will serve us. They will try to wear us down, but if we are resolute, we can beat them at their own game.

5. Practice Self-Compassion

It’s impossible to be resolute and stand for ourselves if we don’t believe in and love ourselves for who we are. We are strong and capable, and we need to know that about ourselves. Sure we make mistakes, but as long as we learn from those mistakes and vow to do better, then we are doing what we need to do. We deserve better than to be used by other people, and we can stop giving them the opportunity by staying true to our values.

We can stop ourselves from being manipulated by learning to recognize the tricks of the trade and by identifying those people in our life that are doing it. This is where it becomes important for us to recognize the people in our lives that truly need us and those that are using us.

When we begin to stand up for ourselves, a master manipulator will realize he has no use for us and will walk away from the relationship. If we were being manipulated by a friend who didn’t realize what they were doing, they would accept our “no” with grace and the friendship will remain intact. It’s time to find out who our real friends are.

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This Simple Little Invention Will Save MILLIONS Of Lives

Here 6 Things to Remember When You’re Bored Out of Your Mind

1. Remember what fun means to you.

2. Remember to surround yourself with fun people who like to play.

3. Remember that you don’t have to stay bored.

4. Remember to find the small joys in things you don’t like.

5. Remember possibility.

6. Remember to schedule in the fun.

Here are five things people who like themselves do differently:

1. They believe in themselves.

2. They don’t beat themselves up whenever they make a mistake.

3. People with a positive self-image don’t compare themselves to others.

4. They value themselves.

5. They don’t allow others to define them.

Here are five signs you spend too much time alone:

1. You long for meaningful, deep connections with people.

2. You use food, drugs, alcohol, or something else to forget about your loneliness.

3. You feel restless and bored a lot.

4. You have forgotten how to talk to people in a conversation.

5. You have developed social anxiety as a result of isolating yourself.

Here are eight reasons you need to drink apple cider vinegar:

1. Apple cider vinegar can lower blood sugar levels.

2. It can relieve sinus infections and soothe sore throats.

3. Apple cider vinegar can regulate the pH of the skin.

4. It can promote healthy-looking hair.

5. Apple cider vinegar can whiten teeth.

6. It can increase energy levels.

7. Apple cider vinegar can lessen joint pain due to inflammation.

8. It can diminish the appearance of bruises.

5 Ways to Cut The Strings of Manipulation

1. Recognize The Victim Mentality

2. Figure Out What Matters Most

3. Demand Clarity

4. Be Resolute

5. Practice Self-Compassion

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