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5 Mindset Shifts To Remember When You Don’t Feel Good Enough

November 1, 2019 by Kristen Lawrence

Many of us go through periods, or even years, of not feeling “good enough.” It’s a dangerous mindset.

It can stem from early childhood trauma, specific life events, or looking at your life and finding it lacking. There is also a massive push in society, telling you how you should be and how your life should be. It can create a mental state within you of not being good enough because you aren’t “that way.”

Guess what. You aren’t alone, and if you aren’t alone, then the image society is creating is a lie. This is becoming more and more recognized, which why the expression “You be you” is becoming more popular. It’s not just so everyone can feel right about being themselves, but also a recognition that no one has life figured out and that we are all flawed and beautiful at the same time.

Here are five mindset shifts to remember when you don’t feel good enough.

Life is every day, not just where you are going

It’s funny. Our parents, schools, society, and potentially our religious affiliation all teach us to set markers for our lives: graduate high school, possibly go to college, get a job or career, get married, have kids, and so on. They can even tell us the picture-perfect steps to get us there. Yet, most of us don’t follow that set-in-stone path. We rebel, diverge paths and want to find our way. Also, we learn and grow.

We might get to where we want to be or think we ought to be, or we might find ourselves in situations or locations that were unfathomable when we started. I look back at my life, and it is nowhere as I had planned. It feels like my life has taken so many twists and turns, and while I am the same at my core, the lessons I have learned are now ingrained and have changed me. That’s life.

We fail to tell our children that life happens every day. It’s an experience, a journey, a discovery, not a destination. Every day, you are alive from the moment of your birth.

Live it. Cherish it. Learn from it and grow from it. That is what life is truly about. We will always have plans, goals to achieve, aspirations, and dreams. That is what propels us forward. We must have a “why” in our life. Why do we get up every day and do whatever we do? It can appear grandiose as ” I want to become President of the United States,” or it can be humbling as ” to put food on the table for my children.” It doesn’t matter.

The power of goals

Our goals propel us forward through life, but it is not what life is. Our purposes don’t keep us breathing. They don’t make our heartbeat or our blood flow. Life does that. Every second and every day. If you still have a pulse and are breathing, you are still living life. Cherish what this day did bring, and what you learned today, and recognize that life is every moment, not just when you reach that particular goal.

A Mindset of Gratitude

Every day we tell ourselves what we need or want. When was the last time you said, “I am so grateful for having the capability to buy what I need and for having the people in my life”? I read this great quote:

“Remember the days you prayed for the things you have now.” – Unknown

I can’t count how many times I’ve been in scenarios where I didn’t know how I would have money for essentials. When that emergency is over and enough time has passed, it’s easy to forget how it felt not having enough and how grateful and relieved you felt when somehow you managed. Sometimes stopping and looking back on those times can help you look where you are now and be like, “Wow! I am so blessed, fortunate, and grateful for what I have”.

This shouldn’t just apply to money or things. It should also apply to ourselves.

We must recognize where we have grown as individuals, not just for the accomplishments that can be placed on a resume.

Learn to recognize how you have become stronger, more resilient, and more self-aware. Be grateful for your improvements and your growth. Appreciate the fact that you survived and thrived after tough situations. When you find the balance between who you were and how you are now, take pride in yourself for persevering.

By stating what you are grateful for daily, you are programming your brain to recognize what you want. Through its very programming, your mind will automatically seek out what is needed to continue to provide that for you. This applies to people you want in your life, personal development of habits and mindsets, experiences, and financial security.

Self-development vs. self-improvement

There is an interesting way in which our mind works. When we tell ourselves that we need to improve on procrastinating less, we tend to continue to procrastinate. If we tell ourselves that “I will be focused and organized,” we augment our habits to reflect that intention. Why is that? We are putting a negative slant on that behavior by telling ourselves that we need to improve on a poor habit. Our brain then focuses on what we do wrong. We will criticize ourselves and feel less than because of it. We are working against ourselves by focusing on our flaws rather than our strengths. That is the nature of self-improvement.

When we take traits we possess and say, ” I will do this,” we are taking positive features and are choosing to build upon them. Our brain then starts seeking ways to enhance or further develop what we already can do. That is self-development. Sometimes that means establishing smaller goals in the beginning. Such as “I will focus on intention and be organized for 2 hours first thing in the morning”. As we accomplish that goal, we expand upon it until we have reached the ultimate goal of staying focused and organized for entire days.

The power of affirmations in self-development

Another aspect of self-development includes using affirmations to accomplish what we want. Affirmations are statements that start with “I am..”. For example, “I am committed to focusing on writing 500 words every morning”. By wording it in the present tense and a positive manner, we are programming our minds to do that action. As a result, it will not randomly search for what you will do. It will already know what you want to do.

This distinct yet subtle difference between self-improvement vs. self-development can significantly affect how we feel about changing something and how our brain will operate to support it.

Commitment

Commitment is the difference between “I will try and do this,” and “I am doing this.”

“I will try” essentially gives room to make excuses not to follow through. You have subliminally told your brain that you expect to fail. You will do this as long as it is easy, but if it gets too hard, you will quit.

“I am doing this,” when stated with a reinforcing action, tells your brain that you are serious and committed to doing the work necessary to achieve the goal. The more often you reinforce the statement with action, the easier it is to be committed. You have shown your brain your commitment so that it won’t look for other options. It’s like when you need to go to work. You will get up every morning, and under 97% of the circumstances, you will go to work regardless of how you feel. Your brain doesn’t even question it. That is commitment.

Be flexible in your thinking

A growth mindset is one in which you understand that you are not limited in your capabilities except by your willingness to do them. A growth mindset will foster the ability to take on challenges, do more, learn more, and apply more to new things. People with this mindset believe that if they work at it, stay open to different options and persevere; they can do or learn almost anything. It keeps the brain open and flexible to growth and development.

A fixed mindset has told themselves they can’t do certain things or believes that if they weren’t born with established talents, they can’t learn it. A fixed mindset believes if things aren’t a certain way, don’t go according to plan, or as they think it should go, then there is nothing more they can do. Their brain is closed to adapting to new situations or seeing alternative ways of accomplishing tasks. The brain’s pathways to learning and growth have been closed.

It is the difference between seeing opportunities vs. obstacles.

The good news is that you can move from a fixed to a growth mindset by making the decision and being willing to accept new information. It does require pushing yourself to question old beliefs, but it can happen.

Final Thoughts on Making Mindset Shifts to Boost Your Confidence

Mindset is probably 90% of how well you make it through life and everything it throws at you. It is normal to have days when you don’t feel good enough or question yourself. We all have times like that. Taking a step back and accepting that is how you feel now but that it doesn’t need to be your life is crucial. Remembering these five mindsets when you aren’t feeling good enough and adopting even one can create positive change for you and your life.

Life is not an endless tunnel. It is rolling hills, mountains, and plains stretched out before you, waiting for you to forge your path one step at a time.

Doctors Reveal 15 Whole Foods for a Healthy Pregnancy

November 1, 2019 by Power of Positivity

Some may wonder why whole foods are so important for women to consume during pregnancy. There are a few reasons, all of which are related to the health of both the expectant mother and the unborn baby. Consuming whole foods means consuming foods in the most natural form possible.

When this is the case, unhealthy ingredients including preservatives, dyes, artificial sugars, and many others are not being consumed. This leads to overall improved health for the mother and the unborn baby. It also ensures that essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals are being consumed.

Without a healthy diet, a pregnant mom runs the risk of many issues including:

Excessive weight gain that is difficult to lose after birth
Gestational diabetes
Complications for the unborn baby
Birth complications

The Important Nutrients a Pregnant Mom Needs to Consume

While there are many nutrients and minerals that are necessary for a pregnant mom to be healthy and grow a healthy baby, there are some that are more important than others. The ones that are most important and should be consumed regularly each day include:

Folic acid
Omega 3 fatty acids
Vitamin A
Zinc
Calcium
Magnesium
Vitamin E
Vitamin C
Protein
Iron
Vitamin D

Each nutrient, mineral, or vitamin listed above can easily be found in whole foods.

Whole Foods For a Healthy Pregnancy

1. Eggs

Being a great source of protein, eggs are important in the diet of a pregnant woman. Protein contains amino acids that are essential to the building of cells in both your body and your baby’s body. Protein isn’t the only reason that eggs are important in the diet of a pregnant woman.

Eggs contain many other vitamins and minerals that help with the proper development of the baby’s spinal cord and brain. Other minerals in eggs prevent neural tube defects.

As a versatile food, eggs can be used in many different recipes or simply scrambled and mixed with vegetables. From egg bakes to over-medium fried eggs, there are limitless possibilities with eggs.

2. Beans

Another source of protein, beans also contain high amounts of iron, folic acid, potassium, magnesium, and fatty acids. All of the named nutrients are essential to a pregnant woman’s diet.

Another benefit of beans is that they contain fiber which can prevent or relieve constipation and hemorrhoids.

Easy Ways to Use Beans

Add them to soup
Make chili
Beans with sausage
Put them on a tostada
Make refried beans

3. Whole Grains

Whole grains are high in many nutrients including fiber, antioxidant vitamin E, phytonutrients, and the mineral selenium. Together, these nutrients and vitamins protect cells, help with the baby’s development, and help keep the pregnant mother healthy.

4. Avocado

Avocados are full of fiber, vitamin B, vitamin K, potassium, copper, vitamin E, and vitamin C. They contain high amounts of monosaturated fats (which are healthy fats) and folate, which are important for a pregnant woman.

The healthy fats of avocado are so important because they help with the development of the baby’s skin, brain, and tissues. They also help prevent neural tube defects.

Another huge benefit is that the potassium contained in an avocado can help relieve leg cramps, which are highly common for pregnant women.

5. Berries

Berries are a quick and easy way for a pregnant woman to increase both her nutrient and water intake. Packed full of water, healthy carbohydrates, vitamin C (which aids with iron absorption), fiber, and antioxidants, a pregnant woman is sure to get a nutrient punch that is essential for skin and immune health.

Other benefits of berries in a pregnant woman’s diet are that they have lots of flavor and nutrients, but are low in calories and have a low glycemic index value. This means that they won’t overload the expecting mom with excessive calories and they also won’t cause a spike in blood sugar levels.

6. Cauliflower

This vegetable is surprisingly popular amongst pregnant women, but once you know why it is so popular it all makes sense. Cauliflower contains essential minerals such as zinc, phosphorus, and selenium. It also contains fiber and antioxidants, which help keep a pregnant woman feeling her best.

Cauliflower helps a mom stay healthy by improving her immune system, aids in constipation issues, and promotes heart health. It is even more beneficial to the baby as it promotes cell growth in the baby’s body.

7. Skinless chicken breast

Removing the skin from the chicken breast is important because the skin contains high amounts of unhealthy fats. In the chicken breast, a pregnant mom will consume omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, vitamin A, iron, zinc, and Selenium. Plus, one cup of chicken breast gives more than 85% of the daily recommended value of protein.

These benefits all allow for healthy bone, organ, and cell development of the baby. It also protects the baby from diabetes, heart problems, and high cholesterol.

8. Greens

Dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, swiss chard, and other greens are considered superfoods for pregnant mothers. They are packed full of vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, and folic acid.

Surprisingly, it is easy to increase the number of greens you consume each day. Some of the easiest ways to eat greens include:

adding them to smoothies
chopping them up to add to soup
mixing into an omelet
combining them with a stir-fry
Using them in a salad

9. Sweet potatoes

This vegetable is a great source of vitamin C, folic acid, fiber, and carotenoids, which are plant pigments that are turned into vitamin A. Sweet potatoes are easy to incorporate into a diet by using them as a side dish, an add-in to the main course, or even as a dessert or snack.

10. Water

This may seem obvious, but a pregnant woman should consume way more water than normal. A pregnant mom can easily become dehydrated, causing headaches, anxiety, tiredness, irritability, reduced memory, constipation, urinary tract infections, and many other issues.

11. Salmon

An unborn baby’s brain and eye development depend on omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in high amounts in salmon. Protein and vitamin B are also found in salmon, making it that much healthier for a pregnant woman.

It’s a popular thought that all fish are unsafe for a pregnant woman to consume, but salmon is actually completely safe because it is low in mercury, unlike many other fish. Doctors say that a pregnant woman can safely eat up to 12 ounces of salmon a week.

12. Oranges

An expecting mother is supposed to have between 80 and 85 milligrams of vitamin C each day. Oranges are the perfect way to help get to that point by being a juicy, delicious, quick, and easy snack to eat on the go.

13. Peanuts

In just a quarter cup of peanuts, a pregnant mom consumes 8 grams of protein. They also contain high amounts of iron, magnesium, and vitamin B, all of which will help an expectant mom and her unborn baby stay healthy. They could make a great snack alone or when paired with a fruit.

14. Bananas

This healthy fruit is full of healthy carbs, fiber, vitamin B, vitamin C, and potassium. They are an easy snack for on the go, or they can be paid with other food to make a healthy breakfast. Another option for consuming fruits is to use them as a natural sweetener in baked goods.

15. Squash

While being full of essential nutrients and vitamins, squash can keep a pregnant woman feeling full, in a good way, for a long time to hold her over until the next meal. This could be useful for a working pregnant mom, as she may have to go longer between meals during the workday. It contains vitamin B, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and potassium, many of the important nutrients a pregnant woman needs.

Some of the ways you could prepare squash include:

grilling it
roasting it
adding it to stove-top dishes
adding it to a soup

Final Thoughts On Whole Foods for a Healthy Pregnancy

Eating healthy whole foods during pregnancy is important for the mom’s health and for the baby’s development. When choosing to eat whole foods, a pregnant mom will know for sure that she isn’t consuming any harmful ingredients. Instead, she’ll know for sure that she is consuming nutrients and minerals that a pregnant woman and unborn baby need.

There are many recipes on the internet containing only whole foods, and there are many websites that offer tips and ideas for increasing the amount you consume each day. Choosing a whole foods diet doesn’t have to restrict what you and can’t eat, you just have to learn new ways to prepare and cook it!

18 Inspirational Quotes About Relationships from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

November 1, 2019 by Power of Positivity

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was one of the most famous civil rights activists in history. But did you know that he also spoke eloquently on love, passion, forgiveness, and communication?

Here are just a few inspirational quotes that can teach you how to navigate relationships of all kinds.

18 QUOTES ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS FROM DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

1. “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”

This is one of Dr. King’s most famous quotes, and it endures because it strikes a chord in everyone who reads it. If you’ve ever hated or even disliked someone, you know how much that it can bring you down. Studies have shown that it can even affect your brain chemistry. If you want to be happy, you’ll need to free yourself from the emotional burden of unhappy emotions.

2. “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.”

When you read the speeches and essays of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, you’ll realize that communication was one of his most exceptional skills. He fought for peace, but he knew that peace wouldn’t come without understanding, and understanding wouldn’t happen without people sitting down and talking to one another. If you’re having relationship problems with someone in your life, communication is critical.

3. “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'”

Dr. King was a significant advocate for helping the poor and oppressed. He wasn’t just a civil rights leader. s In fact, this man also fought for everyone, from sanitation workers to military veterans. He believed quite strongly that people must help each other.

4. “Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is a constant attitude.”

Forgiveness is hard. You might even need a little help in letting go. Once you’ve taught yourself how to move on from injuries and offenses, however, you’ll find that a forgiving attitude can help you improve all of the relationships in your life.

5. “The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: ‘If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?’ But the good Samaritan reversed the question: ‘If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?'”

If anyone can teach you a lesson in selflessness, it’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Many of his sermons were centered around helping people, building communities, treating others fairly, and thinking about the needs of your fellow man before your own. Fight the urge to be self-centered. It won’t nourish your soul as altruism does.

6. “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.”

There are many inspirational quotes about love out there, but romantic love isn’t the only kind of love worth pursuing. You can love everyone in your life, including your enemies. Not only will it help you be a better person, but it might just transform the other individual as well.

7. “You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.”

Silence isn’t always golden. If you aren’t communicating with your partner, you might be hurting the relationship just as much as hurling insults or making accusations. Talk to the people that you love. Open up. Make an effort.

8.”Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.”

How do you define happiness? How can you achieve it? These are big-picture questions that can prompt you to re-think everything from your attitudes to your habits, but if you ask Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, the quickest path to happiness is to make someone else happy. The world would probably be a much better place if we all believed as he did.

9. “We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.”

There are very few mustache-twirling villains in real life. Most people offer up both good and bad traits, and if we want to understand them, we’ll need to recognize the duality of their personality. This understanding applies to everyone, from bad bosses to nosy neighbors. Forgive the people around you for not being perfect. No one is.

10. “There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love.”

You can’t be disappointed in someone if you didn’t have faith in them in the first place. If someone has failed to live up to your expectations, try not to scold them or judge them. Remember why you believed in them, and give them another chance. Your support might make all of the difference in their eventual success, but your intolerance or indifference will only bring suffering.

11. “One day we will learn that the heart can never be totally right if the head is totally wrong. Only through the bringing together of head and heart – intelligence and goodness – shall man rise to a fulfillment of his true nature.”

This quote is a wise observation about balancing the needs of the heart and the head. You should never fully listen to either! Don’t ignore what your instincts are telling you, but don’t forget to be rational and reasonable as well. You have a mind and a soul in your body. Make use of them both.

12. “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.”

Relationships are a two-way street. If you aren’t thriving, your partner can’t succeed either. The reverse is also true: If your partner is struggling, their struggles are going to have ripple effects on you. If you want to build a happy, healthy relationship, both parties need to commit to that goal wholeheartedly.

13. “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”

This statement is another big-picture quote. However, it’s relevant to anyone who is wondering about the meaning of their life or the purpose of their relationships. What kind of person do you want to be? What kind of relationships do you want to have? If an alien was observing you from outer space, what conclusions would they draw about humanity?

14. “Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will.”

Some people don’t know what they’re talking about. The bad news is that even Dr. King had to deal with individuals like this, so there’s no magical cure for making them understand what they’re doing wrong. However, you can learn some coping strategies for dealing with difficult people.

15. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

Character builds through struggle. This fact applies to life, work, family, careers, finances and everything in between. Try not to let the bad times of a relationship overwhelm you; in their way, they’re just as important as the good ones. They’ll show you what you’re made of, and they’ll give you strength and experience to tuck into your belt and use for future hardships.

16. “He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.”

Dr. King was speaking of racial tolerance when he delivered this line, but it can apply to smaller, day-to-day wrongs as well. For example, if you allow bad behavior to persist in a romantic relationship, you’re enabling it in a way that’s just as bad as perpetrating it. As you’ve learned from other quotes on this list, it’s always better to communicate than to silently seethe or stew.

17. “We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope.”

This is one of our favorite inspirational quotes about hope because it acknowledges the reality of unhopeful days. You can’t stop them. Disappointments will happen; failures will occur. The critical thing to remember is that adverse outcomes are always temporary, but positive outlooks can be permanent.

18. “Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

This saying is one of the all-time famous quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and it can teach us a valuable lesson about love, peace, and tolerance. No matter how much you might be justified in hating someone, it isn’t right for you, and it isn’t good for the world. Only love can conquer all.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE TEACHINGS OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of humanity’s greatest thinkers, speakers, and dreamers. Don’t brush his words aside. Even if you have to chew on them for a bit to truly understand them, they’re worth the contemplation.

15 Inspirational Quotes About Success from College Football Legends

October 31, 2019 by Power of Positivity

College football is a sport that bears a striking resemblance to the rest of our lives. Football demands that players give their all to the game to win big.

The greatest athletes and coaches in the business remind us that in football and life, hard work, perseverance, selflessness, and sacrifice are exactly what is needed to excel.

The lessons learned through football can apply to anyone’s life. Whether you’re a fan or not, football can teach you how to go after what you want and win.

Inspirational Quotes for Success from College Football Legends

In college football, student-athletes are asked to give their all both academically and athletically. Many athletes rise to the challenge and learn the most compelling life lessons along the way. The following 15 inspirational quotes show us how to use the lessons from football to overcome our lowest lows and achieve our dreams.

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1. “You learn more lessons on character at the two-yard line in football than anywhere else in the world.” –Paul Dietzel

This football quote compares the rigors of training as a football player with the challenges of life. When you’re on that two-yard line–defensively or offensively–you must be on your A-game. It requires that you have a plan in place and the willingness to put in some hard work.

2. “Don’t miss practice unless you’ve died or your parents have died.” — Frank Leahy

College athletes spend the majority of their time practicing, training, and studying. Though this type of discipline is incredibly uncomfortable, it makes them who they are and is what allows them to win.

Inspirational quotes like this show us that there is no shortcut to success. Don’t make excuses; show up and get to work.

3. “If we don’t tackle well, we must make it up by not blocking.” — John McKay

This quote rings true for football players and fans: there are two sides to every game. McKay shares that whatever the situation, do all it takes to win.

This sentence shows us that if our first attempts weren’t sufficient, we must try a different strategy, but never quit.

4. “I make practices very hard because players that are quitters need to quit during practice, not during a game.” — Bear Bryant

Football weeds out the weakest players. Life is a lot of live football in that it will do the same for us. If you can’t get through the hardest trials of your life, you’ll never play in the “game.”

Regardless of how challenging something may feel in the moment, remember that you can get through it.

5. “Two things every American thinks they are able to do are coach football and work a grill.” –Greg Schiano

This funny quote relates as much to football as it does to all of our lives. There’s always going to be someone that thinks they know how we should act or what we should do to achieve our goals better.

If every football coach listened to every person that gave them their unsolicited opinion, they’d never make the calls necessary to win the game. Coaches have to believe in themselves and know that they know the right calls to make to win the game.

The same is true for you. Tune out those that always have something negative or contradictory to say about you. The only person that knows what’s best for you is you.

6. “Lessons are often learned in defeat, and many teams are getting the best education.” — Murray Warmath

Even when football players lose, they win. In every loss, there’s a lesson. The same is true in your life, so make sure to learn a life lesson from every failure.

7. “When we win, nothing else hurts. ” –Joe Namath

The truth is that there’s nothing that feels as good as winning. Every time you miss an opportunity or fail to meet your goals, remember that you will eventually succeed, and all the other sacrifices will have been worth it.

8. “Let’s fight them until hell freezes over. When that happens, we’ll fight them on the ice.” –Dutch Meyer

Inspirational quotes like this show us how important it is to keep our fighting spirit strong. To get what you want out of life, you have to fight for it. Even in the craziest situations or scenarios–always keep your fighting spirit strong.

9. “Motivation is quite simple. Eliminate everyone that isn’t motivated.” — Lou Holtz

College football coaches like to cull the weak and unmotivated from their teams. This way, they can build a group of people that are willing to do whatever it takes to win.

Keep this in mind when it comes to the people that you spend your time with. If you surround yourself with unmotivated people, you’ll find yourself starting to think and act like them. To win, you must build a team of winners.

10. “Remember that Goliath was the 40 point favorite compared to David.” –Shug Jordan

The age-old story of David and Goliath focuses on how the odds were against David from the beginning. Yet, against all the odds, David was the clear winner.

When it comes to life’s most challenging obstacles, don’t psych yourself out. You can do anything you put your mind to and then some.

11. “Student-athletes must understand that they’ve made good choices in their life so far to keep up with college and athletics. This should encourage them to keep making the same good choices.” –Condoleezza Rice

Ok. You got us. Condoleeza Rice might not rank among these others as a “college football legend.” But, her words ring true and accurate. And so, we included them!

Trying to navigate life between sports and academics is no easy feat. Condoleezza Rice’s quote reminds college athletes (and the rest of us) that being able to find the balance with both is the key to success.

Like student-athletes, we all must learn to find harmony in our lives. Though it won’t always be easy, that is what makes us winners in the end.

12. “Coaches should never underestimate their players. The emphasis must be put on solutions, not problems. ” –John Kessel

As coaches work to push their players to work as hard as possible, they focus on specific coaching techniques to bring the best out of them. Inspirational quotes like John Kessel’s show us that believing in others is the first step in getting them to give their all.

Likewise, we must focus our energy on creating solutions rather than thinking about how severe the problems are that we’re facing.

13. “Bad attitudes will ruin your team.” –Terry Bradshaw

Many people in life think they will make their dreams a reality simply because they are talented. They believe that the Universe owes them. Thus, they develop a negative attitude.

If you don’t put in the time to commit to your goals and work hard every day, your talents are meaningless. Likewise, if you carry around a negative attitude, you will lower the energy of your entire team.

With discipline, you can begin looking on the bright side and harnessing the power of positivity to achieve everything you’ve ever wanted.

14. “Training hard makes you hard– and harder to beat.” –Hershel Walker

In football and life, hard work has transformative power. Before training, student-athletes are fresh from high school, naive, and ignorant to the ways of the world and the game.

Through training, college football players learn to discipline their minds and bodies, continue working harder, and become the best version of themselves.

Life’s challenges can knock us down and cause us to feel small. However, the moments we pick ourselves back up and work harder than ever are the most important. It is in these moments that we become tougher.

When life comes back with new challenges, you’ll be able to stand firm. Not only will you be more robust, but you also won’t break in the same ways you used to.

15. “Though adversity may cause some to break, it causes others to break important records.” –William Ward

Adversity is constant. Though life will continue to throw obstacles in our way, we must learn how to overcome them.

Student athletes soon learn that if they let the pressures of school and sports overwhelm them, they’ll never be able to compete in the ways they need to that will allow them to succeed.

However, athletes that press in and work harder than ever and allow life’s struggles to refine them into the most unbreakable version of themselves will not give up. These are the athletes that break records and go above and beyond.

Learning not to give up and not give in is the first step to becoming unbreakable. No matter how hard it may seem in the moment, giving it your all now will reward you in the end.

Final Thoughts on Learning Success Tips from College Football Legends

College football reminds us that every ounce of sacrifice is worth it. Whether we win or lose, as long as we dedicate our lives to working hard and discipline our selves, we can count ourselves successful.

Whether you’re a football fan or don’t understand the sport at all, these life lessons transcend the sports world. Keep these 15 inspirational quotes from famous college football players (most of whom enjoyed dazzling pro careers) in mind as you work to overcome negativity and embrace your inner positive power every day.

10 Stroke Symptoms That Most Women Miss

October 31, 2019 by Deborah Tayloe

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly disturbed. The condition is more likely in men, but women are at a higher lifetime risk and more likely to die from a one.

According to the CDC, one in five women in the US will have one. More alarming is the fact that almost 60 percent will die from their attacks.

Why are women at a higher risk?

They typically live longer than men, and age is vital in evaluating risk.
They tend to have high blood pressure, which is another risk factor.
Becoming pregnant or using birth control elevates risk.

Most occurrences arise from blocked arteries that lead to the brain. But others stem from bleeding in the brain due to a burst blood vessel. Knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke will help you get the immediate help you need when you need it. Identifying and treating the condition is fundamental to a quick, successful recovery.

Stroke Symptoms in a Woman – What’s the difference?

A woman may have symptoms that are not commonly found in men. These symptoms include the following:

Pain
Hiccups
Seizures
Fainting
Loss of consciousness
Nausea
Vomiting
Trouble breathing
General weakness
Altered mental state

These symptoms primarily occur in women, and they indicate a myriad of medical problems. This fact can hinder a paramedic’s judgment of their condition. The similarity to other conditions can prolong treatment and negatively impact recovery.

Symptoms of an Altered Mental State

Confusion, sudden drowsiness, and other odd behavior can be another indicator. According to a study from 2009, these symptoms are the most common, nontraditional symptoms of a stroke. Health practitioners refer to this group of symptoms as an altered mental status. Women are 1.5 times more likely to experience at least one of these symptoms, which include:

Agitation
Confusion
Hallucination
Disorientation
Sudden change in behavior
Unresponsiveness

Other Common Symptoms

Symptoms usually appear quickly, so recognizing them is crucial for getting help. They often include confusion, an inability to speak, and a strained expression. The most common symptoms are:

Sudden trouble understanding speech or speaking, often linked to confusion
The sudden loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, or issues walking
Sudden weakness or numbness in your limbs and face, particularly on one side of the body
A sudden severe headache without a known cause
Sudden vision problems in one or both eyes

The FAST Method

The FAST method is used to check for the warning signs of X. FAST stands for:

Face. Does the face droop on one side, or is it numb?
Arms. When raising both arms, does one arm stay lower than the other? Is there numbness or weakness in one arm?
Speech. Is speech jumbled or slurred?
Time. If any of these questions apply, call 911 immediately.

When it comes to surviving, time is of the essence. The longer it takes to call emergency services, the higher the chance the stroke will cause permanent brain damage or disability.

It is important not to drive yourself or someone else to the hospital. Emergency services can provide immediate medical aid faster than you’ll receive care in the emergency room.

Once you arrive at the hospital, a physician will evaluate your symptoms and review your medical history. They will conduct a physical exam and order other diagnostic tests to make a definitive diagnosis.

Causes of Strokes

Strokes result from bleeding in the brain or interrupted blood supply to the brain. Here are the types and causes:

Ischemic: These occur when blood clots block the arteries to the brain. A buildup of plaque in the arteries is usually the culprit of many ischemic strokes.
Thrombotic: This event occurs when a blood clot within an artery develops in the brain.
Embolic: These occur when a clot forms elsewhere in the body and travels to the brain.
Hemorrhagic: This event results from a burst, bleeding blood vessel in the brain.
Ministrokes, or transient ischemic attacks (TIA): These are quick events that are difficult to identify solely based on its symptoms. Symptoms often last for less than five minutes and disappear entirely within 24 hours. These ministrokes occur when blood flow to the brain is temporarily blocked. Often, they serve as a red flag pointing and indicate a more severe event in the future.

Treatment for Strokes

Ischemic Strokes

Ischemic events are the most common type and are caused by a blood clot. Your physician will prescribe a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) medication to break down the clot.

This drug must be taken within the first three to four and a half hours for maximum efficiency. For patients who cannot receive tPA, physicians provide blood thinners or some other form of anticoagulant medication to keep clots from developing.

Invasive procedures such as surgery can break clots or unblock arteries. These procedures can be useful for up to 24 hours after the first symptoms begin to manifest.

Hemorrhagic Strokes

Hemorrhagic occurrences result when an artery ruptures or leaks blood in the brain. Treatment is based on the underlying contributor to the stroke:

High blood pressure. Your physician will provide medication that lowers blood pressure and reduces bleeding.
Defective arteries and broken veins. Your physician may recommend a procedure called arteriovenous malformation (AVM) repair to thwart further bleeding.
Aneurysm. Your physician may recommend surgery to restrict blood flow to the aneurysm.

Treatment for a Woman – What’s the difference?

Recent research revealed that women receive worse emergency care than men. A woman will generally wait longer to receive attention than a man. When they are admitted, a woman may not receive as much intensive care or diagnostic workups as a man. Experts hypothesize that this is due to the non-traditional symptoms that a woman may report.

The Woman’s Road to Recovery

Recovery begins in the hospital with treatment. When your condition improves, you may transfer to another location, such as a rehab or skilled nursing facility. Some patients opt for at-home care. This may be provided in conjunction with hospice or outpatient therapy programs.

Due to the nature of stroke, recovery can include several forms of therapy to help you regain and improve cognitive functioning, including speech, physical, and occupational therapy. Your care team will teach you how to do several physical activities, such as bathing, walking, and brushing your teeth.

Some evidence suggests that recovery in a woman is usually slower than in men. Additionally, a woman is more likely to report:

Disability
Impaired daily living
Mental impairment
Depression
Reduced quality of life
Fatigue

Prevention of Future Strokes

Remaining observant of your health is not only crucial for preventing stroke, but it is also important for your health overall. Some things you can do to aid in prevention include the following:

Getting regular exercise
Eating a balanced diet
Maintaining a healthy weight
Managing stress
Quitting smoking

If you are a woman, there are added safeguards you should take due to your unique risks. Before you begin birth control, it is recommended that you get screened for high blood pressure. If you are over 75 years old, you should get tested for atrial fibrillation (AFib). Lastly, if you are pregnant, experts recommend monitoring your blood pressure during and after your pregnancy.

Final Thoughts on Women and Stroke Signs

Although women who suffer from a stroke are more likely to occur in men, women are also at elevated lifetime risk. A woman is more likely to die from an attack than a man. This means that, if you are a woman, you should take precautions to help reduce your risk of having them in the future. These precautions included eating healthily, managing your stress, and quitting bad habits.

There are several types of stroke, and treatment is based on the type. Treatment methods may involve blood thinners, anticoagulants, and/or surgery. Recovery varies among individuals; however, a woman usually recovers slower than her male counterpart. Regardless of gender, recovery may include physical, speech, and occupational therapy. The goal of treatment is for your care team to help you regain your cognitive functioning.

Although some people can talk or walk within a few months, others may need more time to recover fully. It is important to stay dedicated to your rehabilitation. Part of this rehabilitation includes sustaining or developing healthy habits, such as eating balanced diets and exercising regularly.

A healthier lifestyle will not only help you throughout your recovery but also help prevent having a stroke in the future.

10 Super Easy & Healthy Dinner Ideas for Kids

October 31, 2019 by Power of Positivity

As a busy parent, you don’t always have time to cook elaborate, full-course meals. The good news is that you can still feed your kids healthy and nutritious dinners! The trick is to find recipes that don’t sacrifice quality for quickness. If you want to help your children grow their minds and bodies to be the best that they can be, here are just a few healthy dinner ideas to keep them going.

1. Avocado Mac and Cheese

Kids love mac and cheese, but they’ll go especially crazy for the avocado version. It’s green!

Made with lime, garlic, cilantro and plenty of avocados, this tasty dish will destroy your preconceived notions about macaroni and cheese. Not only is it packed with nutritional benefits, but it still retains the gooey, cheesy texture of good comfort food.

It’s also a fun green color that will delight your little ones. You can’t ignore the impact of a food’s appearance on your child’s willingness to eat it, and thankfully, “avo-mac” will pass the visual test of your pint-sized food inspectors.

Put avocado mac and cheese on the menu if you’re looking for dinner ideas that are quick but memorable. You don’t have to slave over a hot stove to make an impression with your meals, and when the food’s this good, your kids will definitely ask for it again.

2. Turkey Burgers

Burgers are one of the most popular dinner ideas for kids, but you don’t want to give them too much red meat, especially if you’re pairing it with fries or tater tots. Try a turkey burger instead!

Turkey burgers are made with ground turkey instead of ground beef. You mold them just like ground beef patties, and you can mix or marinate them the same way as well.

The trick to cooking a good turkey burger is to freeze the patty for 20 – 30 minutes before applying heat. This will firm them up and keep them from crumbling when they’re being baked, fried or grilled.

A well-done turkey burger will taste just like a regular burger, so your kids might not even notice your switcheroo. Try it and see! Put a turkey burger on a sesame seed bun with all of their favorite toppings. If they can tell the difference, they have an advanced palate to admire.

3. Cauliflower Rice

This is more of a side dish than a main course, but it can still be incorporated into healthy dinner ideas. Cauliflower rice looks and tastes just like the real thing, but it has even more nutritional power than the original!

There are several different ways to prepare cauliflower rice. The easiest is a food processor that can take whole cauliflower and turn it into granules, but you can also chop or grate it to reach the same consistency. The latter might be best if you have picky eaters or kids who are particularly sensitive to texture. With your own knife, you can control the size of the granules.

Once your cauliflower has been turned into rice, it’s just a matter of cooking it with whatever other dinner ideas that you have in mind. Bake it in a casserole; pack it into a lettuce wrap; stir fry it with veggies and sauces. It’s up to you!

4. Ten-Minute Pizza Bake

Pizza gets a bad reputation as junk food. However, if you make it at home, you can take out all of the fatty, greasy ingredients and replace them with healthier ones. You can also customize your pizza recipes depending on your family’s unique nutritional needs. For example, if someone needs more potassium in their diet, you can increase the amount of potassium-rich tomato sauce.

As for the ten-minute pizza bake, it’s quite simple. The crust is made with refrigerated biscuits that you spread on the bottom of a pan, and after slathering it with tomato sauce, just sprinkle your desired ingredients on top. Pop it in the oven and bake.

Healthy pizza toppings include garlic, spinach, bell pepper, mushroom, and diced chicken. You can also substitute the usual cheeses for low-fat ones. A tasty slice doesn’t have to be a guilty indulgence when you’re mindful of your ingredients!

5. Thai Salad

If your kids react with horror movie screams to the thought of a salad, you might have better luck with Thai salads. They’re crunchy, colorful and flavorful, and they can expand your family’s horizons with far-flung ingredients like soy sauce and peanut butter dressing.

Despite their exotic nature, Thai salads are also quite simple to prepare. Just toss the ingredients into a bowl and make sure that their sauces and spices are evenly distributed. Like any salad, they can also be customized to your exact tastes; if you don’t like a certain ingredient, leave it out.

Thai salads are a great way to try something new in your usual rotation of dinner ideas. Bring a little bit of the east into your kitchen if you’re looking for fun and tasty meals for the whole family!

6. One-Pot Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

Broccoli has many health benefits, including stronger bones, improved digestion, improved cardiovascular function and stability for your blood sugar levels. The challenge is getting your kids to eat it.

Fortunately, chicken and broccoli pasta can help. You can even make it in a single pot if you’re pressed for time. Heat up the chicken in a bit of broth; add your noodles, sauces, and spices; top it off with broccoli in its final stages. When you stagger the cooking like this, you can prepare it without the need for multiple plates and utensils.

The end result will be a delicious pasta dish that’s both simple and healthy. You can sneak some veggies to your kids, and you won’t have to spend a lot of time on clean-up afterward. Everyone wins!

7. Loaded Sweet Potatoes

Baked potatoes are another food with a PR problem. They’re actually quite nutritious, especially if you eat the skins, but they’re so often loaded with artery-clogging ingredients that they’ve gotten an unfair reputation as a junk or party food.

If you’re willing to try this dish, however, you’ll see that baked potatoes can be yummy and healthy. It swaps out regular potatoes for sweet potatoes, and it allows you to top them with good ingredients like onions, black beans, bell peppers, and pumpkin seeds. You can even substitute sour cream for a dollop of Greek yogurt!

Don’t miss out on a healthy meal just because of stereotypes. Loaded sweet potatoes are quick, easy, cheap and nutritious, so they’re ideal for busy moms and dads who need something simple to put on the table.

8. Lemon Dijon Pork

Studies have shown that citrus fruits are rich in nutrients such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and antioxidants. But how can you incorporate them into healthy dinner ideas instead of just munching on them as snacks?

One option is lemon Dijon pork. Made with lemon zest and Dijon mustard, it can be prepared with everything from pork chops to pork tenderloin, and it’ll offer powerful flavors with a nutritious foundation. It’s also quick and simple to prepare: Just marinate the meat before cooking as usual.

Lemon has been used for centuries as a healing and energizing ingredient. Mustard is a tasty addictive that your kids will love. Put them together, and lemon Dijon pork is sure to be a hit in your household!

9. Vegetable Frittata

Frittatas are the perfect last-minute meal. As long as you have eggs and milk, you can whip up a super-healthy frittata.

As for what actually goes into your omelet, that’s up to you. A vegetable frittata is one of the healthiest options since it doesn’t have any fats or greases from meat products, but if you’re a family of carnivores, it won’t hurt to add them. You’ll also have the choice of baking or frying your frittata depending on how much time you have and how healthy you want it to be.

Think about ingredients like celery, basil, broccoli, zucchini, and leeks. Think about the different cheeses that you can use to glue them all together.

Frittatas are an excellent option for quick and easy meals. If you’re staring at the clock and wondering what you can make for dinner on short notice, try a frittata!

10. Lasagna Rolls

If you love the thick, savory taste of lasagna but hate the hours of preparation that it can require, consider lasagna rolls instead.

Lasagna rolls have all of the same ingredients as lasagna casseroles, but they’re cooked in layered or rolled-up noodles for easier handling. Instead of having to saw away at a plate of lasagna with the edge of your fork, you can just pop a lasagna roll in your mouth.

Another benefit of lasagna rolls is that they can be made with all sorts of healthy ingredients, including eggplant. They’re great for cleaning out your pantry and making use of leftover produce before it goes bad!

Give your kids a treat with lasagna rolls. It’ll taste like a dish that took you forever to prepare, but in reality, you can have them steaming on the table in no time at all.

Final Thoughts on Healthy Dinner Ideas

Dinner ideas can range from elaborate feasts to simple, speedy meals prepared by moms with a million other things to do. If the latter is more of your reality than the former, take advantage of these quick and easy recipes!

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