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Category: Special Thoughts

  • My 5 Favorite 2023 Stories on my Good News for the Soul Blog

    It’s hard to believe, but we reached the end of the year 2023. Like any other year, this one has gone by so fast. We have seen the emergence of AI changed the way we work. It has also been a busy year for health news. As I did last year, I’m going to recap my five favorite posts I enjoyed writing about and sharing with my readers on my blog for 2023.

    5. What is Perimenopause and What you Should Know about it?

    As I entered my 40s this year, I became more curious about the stage that happens before menopause, also known as perimenopause. This stage normally occurs when hormonal changes start to occur in the body. It’s important for any woman who is getting older to educate themselves about what to expect during the perimenopause and menopause stages.

    4. What you Must Know about Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia

    A new disease I’ve learned about from watching a YouTube video that’s affecting women, especially African-American women. Cystic endometrial hyperplasia is a condition where the uterine lining starts to become thick due to an excess of the hormone estrogen. In this post, I also shared about the four types of endometrial hyperplasia and a common way medical professionals usually treat patients experiencing it.

    3. What is Agitation in Alzheimer’s Dementia and How Does it Affect Your Loved Ones?

    This blog post received a nice comment from my LinkedIn page. The person thanked me for spreading awareness about Alzheimer’s Dementia. It also received a few other positive responses from my readers. Agitation in Alzheimer’s Dementia is affecting millions of sufferers including my aunt. A person is usually restless and physically aggressive when experiencing this condition.

    2. 5 Simple Ways to Practice Gratitude Every time of the Year

    I’ve wrote this late last month to illustrate the point of expressing thankfulness and gratitude any time of the year, not just on Thanksgiving. A couple of these were basic, but you’ll be surprised how often we don’t do these things. This post resonated well with my readers, one of them sharing a good comment from my LinkedIn page.

    1. What Daily Bible Reading could do for your Mental Health

    two bibles in English and Haitian Creole
    This was the top post from my blog this year that received a lot of reactions from social media.

    A lot of my readers love my spiritual-related posts such as the Ransom one from last year. But this one, which I’ve also written around the same time as the Memorial of Christ’s Death, breaks down how important daily Bible reading is for our mental well-being. Many of us have been stressed out this year, due to the rise in food prices, gas prices, family problems, etc. But when we take our time to read God’s word and meditate on it, we will find ourselves calming down and figuring out how to handle our problems effectively.

    Those are five of my favorite stories I loved sharing with my readers this year. It has been an interesting year of AI taking over the world. Wherever you are, be sure to take this time to reflect on the year you had, whether it was good or bad. Be thankful that you lived to see another one with your family and friends.

    What were your favorite posts from my Good News blog or topics that you wished I could’ve talked about? Feel free to share in the comments section below. As I always like to say all year, feel free to share this post with the next person care about.

  • 5 Simple Ways to Practice Gratitude Every time of the Year

    During this time of the year, many people like to stop and congregate together to share what they’re grateful for. But would it make even better sense to extend, express, or practice gratitude every time of the year? There are plenty of ways we can show our gratitude to someone or something and it doesn’t have to be only on Thanksgiving. Here are 5 simple ways you can practice gratitude any time you want.

    Always say “Thank You” and “You’re Welcome”

    Sometimes, as imperfect human beings, we could forget to say these two phrases to one another. No matter how old we get, it’s always important to express to someone how thankful we are for the things they’ve done for us. We don’t have to wait for a particular day to express how thankful we are to our loved ones. By saying thank you when someone has done something for us, we are showing them that we appreciate their kindness. It’s also good to reply to someone’s “Thank you” with a “You’re Welcome. This shows you appreciate their gratitude.

    Don’t Take People for Granted

    The first practice of gratitude we can do all year long leads to the second one. This is not taking people close to us for granted. Unfortunately, many of us have been guilty of doing this. We expect our family members and friends to help us when we’re in trouble or need something. But a lot of times we don’t stop and appreciate all the sacrifice that they put into doing this. They choose to help you because they care about you. Telling them how thankful we are to have them in our lives or helping them in return are two good examples of not taking them for granted.

    Start a Gratitude Journal

    Have you ever thought of starting a gratitude journal? Keeping track of what you’re grateful for each year is a good way to practice gratitude. By doing this, you’re able to remind yourself of what you’re thankful for. Many people like to start something like this. A gratitude journal is more like a record of your positive thoughts and reflections.

    Think about the Good Things in your Life

    Take some time to reflect on what’s going well in your life. It could be so easy for all of us to focus on what’s going wrong or things that are not going so well. Focusing on the positive isn’t an easy thing for most of us to do. But we must learn how to do that to be at peace with ourselves. So even if you’re going through something serious, whether it’s a family or health problem, always take some time to reflect on the bright side of a situation.

    Extend an Act of Kindness Towards a Nice Person

    Do you know that special person who deserves an act of kindness? Don’t be afraid to extend that to them. Helping someone by buying them groceries or driving them to a doctor’s appointment are two great acts of kindness. When you extend an act of kindness to someone, you show that you’re grateful for them. You’re showing that you’re thinking of them and that you care.

    two people holding hands
    Extending an act of kindness to someone is a good way to practice gratitude.

    Those are the 5 ways you can practice gratitude every time of the year. Most people may choose to wait till a particular day to do this. But you could be extending or expressing your gratitude any time because it shows you’re content with your life despite it being imperfect.

    Can you think of other ways you can practice gratitude any time of the year? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below. As always, be sure to like or share this post with the next person you’re grateful for.

  • 4 Ways You Can Honor a Caregiver you Love during National Family Caregivers Month

    A lot is going on in November. But one of those things happens to be the fact that it’s National Family Caregivers Month. During this month, we take this time to show encouragement and support for the hardworking caregiver in your life. In my case, it’s my mother. For you, it could be someone else like your best friend or sister. What are some good ways you can show honor to that special caregiver that you know? Try taking these four actions in showing honor to a caregiver during National Family Caregivers Month and throughout the year.

    woman caring for an elderly man
    Being a caregiver is a hardworking, sacrificing job that requires a lot of patience. Show them honor during this National Family Caregivers Month and throughout the year.

    What is the Theme for National Family Caregivers Month 2023?

    Each year National Family Caregivers Month is acknowledged, and there is usually a special theme. This year’s theme shares the importance of caregivers staying in touch with their support and resources. Caregivers Connect is the theme for National Family Caregivers Month 2023. This theme teaches caregivers the importance of building strong connections to access information, share their experiences with others, and find the support they need. There are plenty of available resources for caregivers to help them do their job efficiently and effectively.

    How do you Honor a Caregiver?

    A caregiver’s job is not only hard but very self-sacrificing. We all have either a family member or someone we’re friends with who happens to be one. On National Family Caregivers Month and every month, we all could take a little time to show these people how much we care and appreciate their work. Here are four simple ways we can honor that special caregiver we know:

    Be a Good Listening Ear

    Sometimes a caregiver just needs someone to provide a listening ear to them. They go through so much stress, physically and mentally, when taking care of a sick person. Letting them know that you’re here for them and you’re willing to listen to whatever they have to say is a good way to honor them. Invite that special, hardworking caregiver you know for a cup of coffee and just openly listen to them.

    Encourage them to Take Care of Themselves

    A caregiver who doesn’t take care of themselves is not able to take care of someone else. Taking care of a loved one or a sick, elderly person in general could be physically and emotionally demanding. So encourage that caregiver you know to take care of themselves before they care for someone else. Schedule a mani-pedi or hair appointment for them. Encourage them to take a day off to take a walk in the park with you or visit the museum.

    Make a Homemade Meal

    Most caregivers have to prepare and cook the meals for the people they’re assigned to. They will especially love it if someone else could cook a nice meal for them. If you have a friend or family member who’s working hard as a caregiver, take a few hours in your day to cook them a homemade meal. That caregiver you know so well will especially like it if you make their favorite meal. So take your pots and pans out and start putting some fresh ingredients together

    Assist them with Whatever they Need Help with

    Every caregiver could use some support. So don’t be afraid to offer your assistance to a caregiver who seems overwhelmed with work. Offer to help with cleaning up behind the sick or elderly clients that they may have. Buy some groceries for the caregiver’s home. Run some of their important errands for them. These are just a few examples of ways you can assist a caregiver when they need it.

    What do Caregivers Need Most?

    Being a caregiver is one of the most hardworking, stressful jobs in the world. People who work these types of jobs go above and beyond to help the sick, usually elderly people. Sometimes, the people that they’re helping are their relatives. What these hard workers need the most is more appreciation and support for the sacrifice that they make in taking care of someone else. They don’t need criticism over the decisions they make because this could undermine their confidence. Caregivers just need the support of a good listening ear.

    Why it’s Important to Make Caregivers Feel Appreciated

    When you try to make caregivers feel appreciated, you show that they’re not being taken for granted. You show that their work is being acknowledged. Being a caregiver is a lot of work and sacrifice. We must honor our caregivers by assisting them when they become overwhelmed with work, making them homemade meals, being good listeners, and encouraging them to take care of themselves. Show the caregiver you know that you love and care for them during this National Family Caregivers Month.

    If you know a hardworking caregiver, what are some good ways you can honor and show respect for that person? Do you appreciate the work that this person does and the sacrifice they make to care for elderly, sick ones? Share your thoughts and appreciation of the caregiver you know and care about in the comments section below. Also, if you’re a caregiver who’s overwhelmed and stressed out, I have a printable planner that could help reduce this problem and help you plan your duties more easily. Click here to get yourself a copy. As always, be sure to like or share this post with the next hardworking caregiver that you know and love.

  • The Challenges and Benefits of Change in a Person’s Life

    We all have experienced change in our lives. For some people, it could be scary or exciting. But in most cases, it could lead to special blessings. What types of challenges and benefits have some experienced when it comes to change? Let’s examine the answer to this question along with the advantages of experiencing change.

    Challenges and Benefits of Making Changes in Life

    There are plenty of challenges and benefits to making life changes. Some of those challenges include being confronted with your new surroundings if you decide to move somewhere. Whether you relocated to a different state or changed jobs, it’s usually challenging to adjust to a new situation. You have to learn this whole new state rules and regulations. Adjusting to a new place of employment is another uphill battle for most people.

    However, experiencing changes in your life could sometimes be a blessing. It could open doors to beautiful opportunities and a satisfying life. For example, some people will move away for other reasons that don’t primarily involve financial reasons. It could be to participate in a special meaningful volunteer work that involves helping people to learn and draw closer to God. Whatever personal reasons you intend to make your change, let it be something that will lead to plenty of blessings.

    woman packing
    Experiencing changes, such as moving somewhere, could be scary. But it may could lead to rich blessings.

    Advantages of Experiencing Change

    Experiencing changes could come with a lot of advantages. It could be good for your mental well-being and in some cases, your health. A change could potentially alleviate anxiety, reduce stress, and broaden your horizons. Along with those advantages, here are a few other positives change can bring:

    • Change could help you become more flexible– Being afraid to step out of your comfort zone makes it hard for you to be adaptable. Experiencing change allows you to be a more flexible person.
    • You start to become a more confident person– Listening to nagging doubts prevents us from making new changes in our lives. When you face those doubts head-on, you’re able to challenge yourself. Challenging yourself increases your confidence in your abilities and molds you into a more confident person.
    • Develop more skills– Experiencing and learning to embrace change could lead you to develop new skills. You also get to hone existing ones. Change allows you to keep adding to your abilities.

    How to Make Positive Changes in Your Life

    It takes effort to make some positive changes in your life. You can start making these types of changes by first examining your life. Try asking yourself some questions such as, “What types of changes do I need to make in my life?” “Am I ready to make those types of changes?” or “What would be the consequences if I make these changes?” These are just a few of the questions you could ask yourself before making most changes that could change your life. It’s also important to talk to Jehovah about it by praying to him anytime we need to.

    What personal challenges and benefits have you experienced when it comes to change? How has change benefited you mentally, physically, or even spiritually? Please share your challenges and blessings with change in the comments section below. As always, be sure to like or share this post with the next changemaker you know.

  • The Process of Managing Grief after Losing a Loved One

    Did you know that August 30th is National Grief Awareness Day? This day was founded by a woman named Angie Cartwright in 2014. All of us, including myself, have experienced the horrible feeling of grieving over a loved one. It isn’t something that you could get over quickly. The process of managing grief usually takes time. In acknowledgment of National Grief Awareness Day, let’s examine this process further and how it can manifest in your life. Also, we’ll share some helpful coping tips in going through grief.

    couple consoling each other
    Managing the pain of grief isn’t easy, but you don’t have to deal with it alone.

    What is Grief Awareness?

    More people must become educated about grief and how we can cope with it. Many families and individuals have experienced this emotional state in one way or another. It can be an insurmountable experience to overcome. Losing something precious like a loved one in death is one of the most painful, psychologically damaging challenges anyone can deal with. But you don’t have to deal with it alone. Grieving is something we all have to cope with, but these painful feelings we develop are considered to be a part of life.

    Is it Wrong to Grieve?

    Now is it considered wrong to grieve? Absolutely, not because grieving over the loss of a dear loved one is only natural. Is there a time limit to how long you must grieve? Everyone grieves differently and in their own time. Some people start the grieving process immediately. Others may start grieving a little later. Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong way in how a person respond to a tragic setback in their lives. So it would be wrong of us to judge a person in how and when they choose to grieve.

    Finding the Right Help and Support

    When coping with a devastating loss, you need to find the right support system to help you get through it. It isn’t a good idea to mourn the loss of a loved one on your own. You’ll be isolating yourself and one doing that will be “pursuing their own selfish desires.” Having friends and family will help get through the different stages of the grieving process from denial to acceptance. Some people find support through therapy and local support groups. Taking up hobbies such as writing or art are good way to help get through your loss or honor your deceased loved one.

    How You Can Support Others

    Reaching out to others in need is another great way to cope with your grief. Even if you just visit them and don’t say too much, you could still be a source of strength for them. Helping others could make anyone feel good. Reaching out to someone allows you to give them the support they need. Be a good listening ear for their trials.

    However, you must take care of yourself in the process while helping someone else. If you’re not doing this, you won’t be able to help anyone else. You have to make sure you’re physically and mentally okay before assisting another person’s physical and mental needs. The more you tend to your health, the better you’ll feel about helping your grieving friend.

    Acknowledging Grief Awareness Everyday

    Although National Grief Awareness Day is on a specific day, it still should be something that we must acknowledge every day. Each year, every family has experienced the tragic consequences of death which leads to the grieving process. Everyone copes with the loss of something, usually a loved one, differently. We must educate ourselves on how to cope with grief.

    One of the best educational tools is through God’s Word, the Bible. It teaches us how we can comfort in dealing with grief and be a good support system to others. There are a lot of good resources online and in book form for dealing with grief. But in the end, you truly can’t find a better resource that provides so much wisdom and knowledge than God’s Word. It has helped me and my family. Perhaps, it could help you, too.

    How did you acknowledge National Grief Awareness Day? What is your favorite self-help resource in dealing with insurmountable grief? Feel free to share your thoughts about coping with grief and tragedy in the comments below. As always, be sure to share or like this post with the next grieving loved one you know.

  • How you Can Value and Cherish God’s Gift of Life?

    A recent lesson at our Watchtower Study, “Cherish God’s Gift of Life,” gave us helpful reminders about the importance of taking care of our physical health and being safety conscious. Our heavenly Father, Jehovah, gave us this gift of life and the ability to exist. We would be bringing him plenty of joy if we don’t neglect our health. Because it was such a good article last week, I thought I take this time to share a few of the points from the lesson that we could all apply in our lives.

    Benefits of Being Safety Conscious

    Being aware of our surroundings and being careful when we’re driving or handling machinery is a vital part of our health. If we’re reckless with how we handle dangerous items in our house, that could lead to detrimental accidents. We should especially be careful if we have young children in our homes. Driving while texting, even if you’re on a seemingly not-very-busy street, could lead to you accidentally running over a person. Doing our best in being safety conscious at all times shows that we appreciate God’s gift of life.

    woman on a construction site
    You value the gift of life by being safety conscious on a construction site.

    Being Reasonable with Your Health

    Another important point that was taken from the article is being reasonable with our health. Yes, we must do our best to eat the right type of foods and exercise regularly. But we also must not become overly concerned with our health. Do you find yourself always talking about fad diets and trying to get others to get involved with them? If you have been finding yourself a little too obsessed with the new health trends, you may want to make some adjustments in being reasonable. Apply the principle found in Philippians 4:5 in letting your reasonableness become known to all men.

    Cherish your Health and the Gift of Life

    Your health is something that shouldn’t be taken for granted. It is considered by many to be your wealth, but it is also something you can’t be too obsessed with. Another great way to show you cherish your health is by being safety conscious when driving or operating machinery. Always wear your proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as a helmet, gloves, eye goggles, mask, etc. when you’re on a construction site. Don’t put yourself at risk of a serious accident without these things.

    The scripture found in Proverbs 2:11 shows that we must exercise thinking ability and discernment when making sound decisions about our health. If we know a certain food or beverage causes a certain health problem in us, we do well to avoid consuming it at all times. Be kind to your physical, emotional & above all, spiritual health because it is an important aspect of your life.

    How much do you value and cherish your health? In what ways have you been showing reasonableness in your healthcare? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below. As always, be sure to like or share this post with the next person you care about.

  • 4 Unique Ways to Acknowledge Earth Day Anytime of the Year

    On April 22nd, many people take a little time out of their day to acknowledge different ways they can conserve their natural resources. This day is known as Earth Day. Our planet is filled with so much pollution. It seems like every day man is ruining the Earth. However, there are small but mighty ways you can take the initiative to help the land that we live on. Even better, you can do these any time of the year. Here are 4 of those ways.

    person holding a globe
    We only have one planet Earth. Let’s take care of it everyday as best as we can.

    Recycle your Electronics

    You already know about recycling aluminum cans, glass bottles, and paper. Consider recycling your old electronics as well. There are plenty of recycling companies and centers where you can safely recycle your broken devices for free. Companies like Apple and Best Buy have electronic recycling programs that allow you to recycle your broken or old tablet and phone. Recycling your old devices helps save natural resources and reduces pollution.

    Use Energy-Efficient Lightbulbs

    Although some energy-efficient lightbulbs such as fluorescent light bulbs and LEDs do cost more, they use up less energy than incandescent bulbs. LEDs also have a much higher life expectancy- up to 100,000 hours. You’ll also be saving more money in the long run. If you want to use some light bulbs that’ll allow you to conserve energy all year round, put some LEDs or fluorescent light bulbs in your home.

    Walk or Bike instead of driving

    This next one is obvious, but it’s something we don’t do enough. Consider walking to your destination if it isn’t too far. Many people bike to their jobs. Doing this just a few times a week could save you money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and get some exercise in, too.

    Try Composting

    Instead of throwing their food away, why not consider composting? This involves layering your organic waste in a well-aerated bin. These could be kitchen vegetable scraps or other leftover food you don’t want to throw in the landfill. Be sure to keep the pile moist and mix the layers every week. Adding finished compost to your soil helps it retain moisture and nutrients. It also helps improve the structure and health of your soil.

    Those are just 4 of the unique ways we can acknowledge Earth Day every day of the year. If you care about our planet, not just on Earth Day, do these simple things to make sure you’re doing your best to conserve our natural resources. How do you acknowledge Earth Day on April 22nd or any day of the year? Do you recycle or thinking about getting into composting? Feel free to put in the comments section below what you like to do on this day if you’re much of an environmentalist. As always, be sure to like or share this post with the next person you know who cares about protecting our Earth.

  • What Daily Bible Reading could do for your Mental Health

    Daily Bible reading is vital to our spiritual well-being. In a world that is so corrupted these days, we do need God’s Word to keep us spiritually sound. However, we also need it for our emotional and mental well-being. How does God’s Word benefit us in these ways? In this special blog post this week in honor of the Memorial of Christ’s Death, let’s dig deep into how reading and examining the scriptures daily brings us so many benefits.

    two bibles in different languages
    No matter which language you prefer, daily Bible reading is essential to our mental well-being.

    Daily Bible Reading Gives you Scriptures for Meditation

    One of the beautiful things about daily Bible reading is that by reading the scriptures carefully, you’ll find yourself thinking about what you’re reading. This is known as meditation. This involves you pondering deeply about what Jehovah is telling us and why this information is important to our lives. When reading a few chapters in a Bible book, be sure to ask yourself the following questions: What does this scriptural account tell me about Jehovah? How can I apply it in my daily life? How can I use it to help others? Asking and answering questions like these could help you to get more out of what you’re reading.

    The Bible gives you Peace of Mind

    When reading the Bible, it could give you peace of mind. If you’re dealing with any personal issues, you can find comfort in God’s Word. We’re all dealing with depression and other mental health problems that could rob our personal lives. A lot of people have turned to the Bible in helping them deal with suicidal thoughts. The scripture found in 2 Corinthians 7:6 shows that Jehovah could comfort those who are downhearted. If you start having any sort of negative feelings, you can turn to Jehovah and his insightful words from the Bible in giving you much-needed peace.

    It keeps you grounded

    The principles found in the Bible are here to keep you grounded. They are here to guide you in the right direction of life. Not allowing their lives to be guided by Bible principles has caused many to feel emotionally lost. They start to have no sense of direction and start doing all sorts of questionable things in life. But reading the Bible daily will give them the ability to distinguish what’s right and what’s wrong. It’ll help them develop morals and stay grounded in an immoral world.

    Studying makes you Strong

    Daily Bible reading and meditation not only give you peace of mind and keeps you grounded. It also makes you a strong person. Just like a tree that’s planted by a river stream. Studying makes you strong. This involves meditating on the scriptures and doing some deep research on what you’re reading from our other resources such as the Watchtower Online Library or the JW Library App. Deep studying allows you to not only transfer knowledge into your mind but into your heart as well. This will move you to want to apply what you’re learning in your life.

    So daily Bible reading could give you lots of benefits to your mental health and well-being. It gives you peace of mind, keeps you grounded, and makes you strong. So as you engage in your Bible reading for our upcoming Memorial, may it benefit you not only during this time of the year but throughout the year.

    Of course, while you’re engaging in your daily Bible reading, you may want to have a schedule to help you stay organized. Why not do it on the go with my Daily Bible Reading Tracker Template? Get my free digital Notion Bible Reading schedule here. Leave a comment in the box below and as always, be sure to like or share this post with anyone you care.

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