For Me, I Am Driven By Two Main Philosophies: Know More Today About The World Than I Knew Yesterday And

How to get the most out of life

1. See each day as a fresh start and a new beginning.

2. Don’t be a copy of anybody else – enjoy discovering and being your true self.

3. Be proactive, take control and look for opportunities. You’ve only got one life so make sure you stay in control.

4. Don’t focus on the obstacles or things you cannot change. Just ask yourself “What next? or else “What can I do instead?”

5. Appreciate your limits and then set clear boundaries. You need to care for yourself to be the best “you” you can be.

6. Decide on your values and what matters most to you. Then live in a way that’s consistent with those values.

7. Don’t put life on hold as the months turn into years … and there’s always the chance that some important doors will close.

8. Set goals for yourself – then plan the steps to take you there.

9. Learn from other people that you value as role models – but ignore the naysayers and the hypercritical.

10. Let go of the past, and old hurts and grievances. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, or to see a counsellor.

How to be mentally strong: • Don’t fear alone time. • Don’t dwell on the past. • Don’t give up after the first failure. • Don’t let others influence your emotions. • Don’t waste time feeling sorry for yourself. • Don’t waste energy on things you can’t control.

Half of getting there is having the confidence to show up and keep going.

Sophia Amoruso, Founder, Nasty Gal (via forbes)

The origins of yoga have been speculated to date back to pre-Vedic Indian traditions; it is mentioned in the Rigveda,but most likely developed around the sixth and fifth centuries BCE, in ancient India’s ascetic and śramaṇa movements. The chronology of earliest texts describing yoga-practices is unclear, varyingly credited to Upanishads. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali date from the first half of the 1st millennium CE,but only gained prominence in the West in the 20th century. Hatha yoga texts emerged around the 11th century with origins in tantra.

You have two homes: earth + your body.  Take care of them.

12 Laws of Karma That Will Change Your Life

1. The Great Law.

As you sow, so shall you reap.

2. The Law of Creation.

Life doesn’t just happen. It requires our participation.

3. The Law of Humility.

You can’t change something if you refuse to accept it.

4. The Law of Growth.

When we change who and what we are within our hearts, our lives follow suit and change too.

5. The Law of Responsibility.

We must take responsibility for what is in our life.

6. The Law of Connection.

Neither the first step nor the last are of greater significance, as they were both needed to accomplish the task.

7. The Law of Focus.

You cannot think of two things at the same time.

8. The Law of Giving and Hospitality.

Give without expectation of receiving anything in return.

9. The Law of Here and Now.

Looking backward to examine what was, or forward to worry about the future, prevents us from being totally in the here and now.

10. The Law of Change.

History repeats itself until we learn the lessons we needed to learn.

11. The Law of Patience and Reward.

True joy comes from doing what we’re supposed to be doing, and knowing that the reward will come in its own time.

12. The Law of Significance and Inspiration.

The true value of something is a direct result of the energy and intent that is put into it.

5 Helpful Self Care Tips for Empaths

A person who is an empath is a rarity among our population: only about 25% of the human population are empaths. The difference between a person having empathy and an empath is that while it’s normal to have the ability of empathizing with others, empaths feel on a much deeper emotional and spiritual level. They are very sensitive to other people’s emotional energies, and can easily sense and take on another’s vibes, positive and negative. For example, if we see another person cry, we feel the urge to cry too. If our friend is really excited about something, we start to feel just as excited. If someone around us is spreading negativity, it can end up making us feel sick.

Science researchers have discovered what’s called “mirror neurons” which are a specialized group of brain cells that are responsible for compassion. Empaths are believed to have hyper-responsive mirror neurons, which means we can mirror others’ emotions easily and instantly.

Since empaths feel on such an intense level, sometimes this can feel like a disadvantage. The place we live, the company we keep, observations of the world around us, and life’s inevitable trials and tribulations can really take a toll on an empath. Empaths are very easily stressed and overwhelmed, so it’s especially important for us to practice self care on a regular basis. Here are some great self care techniques that can help empaths keep stability in their mental, emotional, and spiritual state. These tips are also helpful for people with anxiety disorder.

1. Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is an excellent form of self-care for empathetic people. We tend to be sensitive and appreciative of pleasant  aromatic scents such as lavender, mint, hibiscus, lemongrass, florals, or exotic fruity aromas…

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Weed didn’t make you dumb, tobacco did

More on the stigma here. 

How to be a Genuine and Fun-Loving Person

1. Value and respect the fact that you are a totally unique individual, with your own destiny to fulfill. Believe in who you are, what you think and believe, your gifts and talents, and what you have to offer to those around you.

2. Refuse to give into negative feelings of anxiety, self doubt or insecurity. In fact, “fake it till you make it” is often good advice … So, ignore how you feel, and act the way you want to be. Choose to switch off the old tapes that keep playing in your head, try to visualize your goals, and then push on and seek to reach them.

3. Don’t pay any attention to what others think about you. The most important judgment should be yours, and yours alone. If you live in constant fear of what others think about you, it will only hold you back from realizing your potential. Also, you’re not a clone of others as each of us is different. Don’t be afraid to be unique or to stand out against the crowd.

4. Accept that you have good points, and areas for growth. We’re all a mix of different qualities, and flaws, and traits. We all make mistakes – it’s what you do with them matters. So embrace the fact you’re human and won’t always get it right.

5. Also, develop a tough skin and don’t take insults personally. Look back and laugh – don’t cower – or criticise yourself. It won’t help if you’re sensitive or worried all the time. It’s better to forgive yourself, and then move on again.

6. Develop your ability to think creatively. Try out those new ideas, and choose to live outside the box.

7. Seek to enjoy this moment, and to live life in the present. Be grateful for the small things, and savour all you have.

“I want to contribute to combating illiteracy in my country,” says Hiba, 21, from Syria, who’s studying French literature at university. “It’s one of the most important problems in our society.” Pictured, Hiba talks with an out-of-school girl in rural Syria. Learn more about the UNICEF programme to help out-of-school children catch up on education:http://uni.cf/1sNTHCB