Inspiration

“Do not make resolutions without an action plan. The secret to success is right in your hands.” – J. Allen Shaw (Author)

Photo source: Tim Mossholder

The most common day of the year for people to push the symbolic restart button is New Year’s Day. Almost everyone resolves to spend more time with their loved ones. Why do people set resolutions at the beginning of the year and what is it about the New Year that inspires such optimism for change? Mostly because the majority of people desire a second chance to enhance their quality of life.

There are various ways to make resolutions. Some people resolve to stop negative behavior, like procrastinating or overindulging in junk food, among others. Others promise to form good habits, like starting a business, engaging in regular exercise, or affiliating with a church group.

A choice of whether or not to take action to reach a personal objective or stop a habit is referred to as a new year’s resolution. It happens when people are reflecting on the previous year and trying to get better as the new year starts.

Here are three factors that influence people’s decisions to make resolutions.

• Making resolutions signify a person’s desire to change for the better in their life. Although the majority of people fail to keep their new year’s resolutions, they nonetheless provide them the joy of moving closer to their goals and working toward them.

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• Making resolutions also help people feel more purposeful as it makes their reasons for existence more real and specific.

• People are held responsible when they make resolutions. Without it, people frequently veer off course from their intended objective since there is nothing to offer as a constant reminder to fulfill a want or accomplish a goal.

To reach a desired goal or target, new year’s resolutions should not only be simple to state or create but also be adhered to religiously. This is the only way a resolution can be implemented.

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Dominion TV; Africa’s Christian Lifestyle Network for Inspired and Empowered Living.

“Forgiveness is the greatest gift you can give yourself.” -Maya Angelou

By forgiving someone, you are expressing your willingness to let go of the past and go on with your life without dwelling on things that have already happened and cannot be altered.

Self-forgiveness is neither a way to absolve oneself of responsibility nor a show of frailty. Whether you forgive someone who has harmed you or yourself, doing so does not imply that you are endorsing the behavior. Instead, it indicates that you favor peace over the problem. Below are some steps to consider in forgiving yourself.

• Take Ownership of Your Actions

It takes more than just putting the past in the past and moving on to forgive oneself. It involves acknowledging what has occurred and exhibiting self-compassion. To forgive yourself, you must first face what has happened. It is also the most difficult yet most advantageous phase.

• Express Regret For Your Mistakes

You could feel a variety of unfavorable emotions after accepting responsibility, such as guilt and regret. It is very normal to feel guilty after doing something wrong. These sentiments of regret and guilt might serve as motivation for healthy behavior modification. Recognize that making mistakes you feel horrible about neither makes you a bad person nor diminishes your inherent worth.

Photo source: Nick Fewings

• Apologize And Reconcile

Even when it is you who needs to be forgiven, reconciliation is a crucial component of forgiveness. Forgiving yourself is more likely to persist when you feel like you have earned it, similar to how you might not forgive someone else until they have made it up to you in some way. Making the necessary corrections for your mistakes is one method to get over your guilt. If an apology is necessary, give one and seek out ways to make up for the person you have offended.

• Consider the Lessons Learned

Each person has done things they regret and made mistakes. It can be harmful and difficult to retain your motivation if you fall into the self-hatred or even pity trap. Finding a means to grow as a person and learn from the experience is frequently required to forgive yourself. You must comprehend the reasons behind your actions and your feelings of shame to accomplish this. 

• Make an Effort to Improve

Making a conscious effort to improve going forward is another aspect of forgiving yourself. Think back on how you felt about earlier mistakes as you approach comparable circumstances. Remind yourself of what you learned and how you may utilize that information and experience to guide your behavior moving ahead rather than feeling bad about the mistakes you made in the past.

While it might be tough to forgive others for hurting you, it can also be difficult to forgive yourself. Being able to forgive yourself is a process that is unique to each person.  Even though practicing self-forgiveness might have a lot of positive health effects, it is never straightforward or easy. Self-forgiveness can be beneficial for your relationships as well as your physical health in addition to lowering stress, despair, and anxiety.

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Dominion TV, Africa’s Christian Lifestyle Network for Inspired and Empowered Living.

Everyone has experienced anger, whether it was a brief annoyance or a full-blown wrath. We all understand what anger is. The human feeling of anger is entirely natural and typically healthy. However, when it spirals out of control and becomes toxic, it can negatively impact our quality of life overall as well as our ability to function at work and in our intimate relations.

The intensity of anger can range from slight annoyance to violent outrage.   Both external and internal factors may be the cause. For instance, our anger could be motivated by our fear or introspection about our own problems, or it might be a reaction to a particular person or event.

Anger can be contained.  The goal is to control or conceal our anger and channel it into more disciplined behavior. This type of reaction poses a risk because, if allowed to manifest externally, it may turn inward on us. Internalized anger may result in high blood pressure or depression.

Anger that is not voiced can lead to other issues. It can result in behavioral anger outbursts, such as passive-aggressive behavior or a persistently hostile disposition. We can tell we have not mastered the art of constructive anger expression when we continually criticize everything, constantly knock others down, and make negative comments.

Managing Anger

Photo source: Nicola Barts

The objective of anger management is to lessen the physiological stimulation that anger creates as well as our emotional reactions. We may learn to regulate our reactions, even when we cannot change the things or people that irritate us.

We become angry for a variety of reasons, including genetic and physiological factors. According to research, a person’s family background contributes. It is typically considered that those who are easily agitated come from disruptive homes with poor emotional literacy.

Tips For Managing Anger

• Enhanced Communication

In times of anger, we have a tendency to act based on assumptions, some of which may be completely wrong. Whenever we find ourselves in a heated argument, the first thing we should do is take a moment to compose ourselves.

When we are criticized, it is normal for us to become defensive. Despite this, we must wait before responding. It might involve a great deal of calm probing on our part, as well as some breathing room.

• Problem-solving skills

Sometimes, very real, unavoidable challenges in our life are the root of our anger and irritation. Many times, anger is a legitimate, natural reaction to these challenges, therefore not all anger is inappropriate. Additionally, there is a societal presumption that every issue has a solution, so when we learn that this is not always the case, it makes us even more frustrated. Therefore, the best mentality to adopt in such a circumstance is to concentrate less on finding the answer and more on how to approach and deal with the issue.

• Cognitive reorganization

Our thoughts can become too dramatic and overblown when we are furious. Let us, however, try to replace these ideas with something more practical. Even though anger, even when it is justifiable, can easily degenerate into irrationality, logic fails to subdue it. When we are furious, we often demand things like fairness, agreement, and willingness. Everyone wants these things, and when they are not given to us, we are all upset and disappointed. However, when we are angry, we demand these things, and when our requests are not granted, our displeasure turns into anger.

It is important to keep in mind that we cannot and should not try to erase anger. Despite everything we do, there will still be things that make us angry—and sometimes that anger is justified. Life will be full of the erratic behaviors of others. Although we cannot control it, we can modify how we choose to react to unforeseen circumstances. We may avoid being even more unhappy in the long run by learning to control our angry reactions.

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Dominion TV, Africa’s Christian Lifestyle Network for Inspired and Empowered Living.

Pregnancy is getting company inside one’s skin. – Maggie Scarf (American writer, journalist, and lecturer)

Pregnant women frequently experience mood swings as a result of the fluctuating hormone levels that occur throughout pregnancy. When a woman is pregnant, her body goes through changes that might be difficult for her emotions. The hormones estrogen and progesterone rise at this time, which can result in a wide range of emotions and moods, particularly during the first trimester.

There are additional elements that affect mood swings during pregnancy in addition to what occurs physically. When a woman encounters a significant change in her life, she may experience a range of emotions, including excitement and fear about what the future may contain. A woman’s emotions during pregnancy may also be influenced by changes to her social life, body image, and general health.

Photo source: Mustafa Omar

Typical Pregnancy Feelings and Emotions

• Disorientation

Pregnancy brain, as it is sometimes referred to, can be brought on by hormonal changes during pregnancy. Even though the brain is not altering, anything a person goes through during this period can make it simple for them to become forgetful. As the woman’s attention shifts to becoming a parent, an increase in hormones have an impact on some brain circuits.

• Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most typical feelings experienced throughout pregnancy. During this period, a pregnant woman has a lot on her mind, which can make her feel worried. She experiences more worry and fear throughout pregnancy biologically speaking. This is a result of her body mentally preparing her to protect and care for her child after birth.

• Excitement

One of the strongest feelings a pregnant woman has is joy. After months of getting to know 犀利士
her child in the womb, a woman’s joy and excitement only intensify as the time to hold her baby draws near. The mother and child might become even closer by sharing pleasurable moments before the baby is born.

• Sadness

Pregnancy alters many aspects of a person’s life, including how she looks, feels, and how she interacts with others. In light of these changes, some pregnant women may feel depressed about their new normal. It is advisable to discuss depression during pregnancy with her doctor if the person’s sadness seems to be more severe than just a passing emotion.

• Stress

How to Manage Feelings and Emotions During Pregnancy

Photo source: Tony Luginsland

• Communicate

Talking about your feelings is the best method to control your emotions throughout pregnancy. Pregnant women are recommended to be open with their partners, friends, family, doctors, or anybody else they are comfortable around.  Through communication, family members can learn how one is feeling and how they can support if necessary.

• Consult the doctor

If learning how to manage emotions while pregnant is too much, it is advised to talk to the doctor about the best course of action.  For the doctor to help identify anything that may be more urgent or severe than typical mood swings, it is always ideal to be open and honest throughout appointments.

• Create Self-Care Time

It is simple to become preoccupied with other things while pregnant and forget to take time for oneself. It is critical to take breaks to maintain one’s happiness and health as the most important thing is to give oneself and the baby some space to unwind.

Mood swings during pregnancy are extremely frequent and encompass a wide spectrum of feelings. Both the mother and the child benefit from the mother being conscious of her sentiments as it promotes good mental and emotional health.

Dominion TV, Africa’s Christian Lifestyle Network for Inspired and Empowered Living.

“True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” – Rick Warren 

It can be tempting to grow fixated on status when in a position of leadership. The best leaders, however, are unselfish and more concerned with the well-being of their team than with their titles. Leaders must focus on their workers more than they do on themselves. When a leader believes they are superior to their subordinates, there can be no leadership success. Additionally, teams or followers under the stated leadership exhibit low productivity and significant turnover.

To be a leader, however, is to motivate, encourage, and assist people in becoming their best selves while simultaneously developing their abilities and attaining their objectives. It is not a zero-sum problem. The opportunities for others to lead are strengthened rather than diminished when one individual uses their leadership abilities positively. This is due to the fact that the essence of leadership is enabling others to become successful leaders as well. Due to this, many legendary leaders have outstanding mentors who they credit with their success. As an individual starts to embrace their role as a leader, they inexorably connect with others who have already perfected the art of leadership.

It requires dedication to acquire outstanding leadership abilities. Setting objectives is essential, and perfecting a skill takes practice. To see your impact increase, you need to exercise your leadership muscles daily. More importantly, unless a person with influence guides their team in the direction of an idea’s realization, it will always remain just an idea and will not come to fruition.

Photo source: Rodnae Productions

What Constitutes a Good Leader

Before acting, the world’s finest leaders are all focused on a specific goal. Being strong and resilient is a result of having a purpose. Since the purpose is what keeps a person going when times are difficult, being without it makes one far more vulnerable to things with bad implications. Possessing strong leadership qualities is fantastic and entirely natural. It is advised to turn toward the motivation that drives you to accomplish so successfully.

Humility in Leadership

• Be the change

Always keep in mind that as a leader, your team looks on you to set the bar high. By observing your work patterns, you can always make sure the team sees a high quality. The next step is to figure out how to motivate and influence your team to change through your example.

• Consider yourself a leader, not a manager

Each member of your team ought to feel respected, empowered, and appreciated after meeting with you one-on-one. Someone who has this mindset will surely be a strong player for the team. While a manager sees his or her team as a means to an end, a leader sees each team member as equally vital.

• Get your ego out of the way

This might be a difficult rule to abide by when confronted with a difficult decision or demanding personality. One of the most important ways for a leader to display humility is to maintain objectivity. Your team will have a lot of respect for you if they know they can rely on you to put your ego in check and make decisions that will benefit everyone on the team equally. They will not be as trusting of you, on the other hand, if they believe that you prioritize your needs over those of others. People do not want to work for a leader they cannot trust. Getting a trustworthy colleague’s perspective can be a smart method to remove your ego from the decision-making process. You will better understand the situation if you hear the viewpoint of a third party.

Your team will notice a change the moment you choose to lead with humility. You will consequently see a difference right away. Humility in leadership will benefit both your business and you personally as it helps to feel better about your team, your work, and yourself.

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Dominion TV, Africa’s Christian Lifestyle Network for Inspired and Empowered Living.

“Thanksgiving began in 1621 when Native Americans sat down with a bunch of undocumented pilgrims. They had dinner and the pilgrims never left.” – Jay Leno (American television host, comedian, and writer)

The history of Thanksgiving in America is distinctive, and from the first Thanksgiving celebrated by the Pilgrims to the present, the holiday has offered people many things. Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a federal holiday in 1863, establishing the fourth Thursday of November as the holiday every year to foster racial harmony between the North and the South. Ever since the custom has expanded to include a wide range of justifications. Between the time of Abraham Lincoln and the first Thanksgiving celebrated by the Pilgrims in October 1621, however, for over 200 years, Thanksgiving in America was given a little role.

First Thanksgiving of the Pilgrims in Plymouth

In October 1621, the Pilgrims’ commander William Bradford proclaimed a three-day celebration of thanksgiving. After enduring the dreadful winter of 1620–1621, which destroyed their population and left fewer than fifty of the original 102 Mayflower passengers alive, it was to commemorate the abundant harvest of that year.

The Wampanoag Native Americans, who lived close to Plymouth and helped teach the European settlers how to produce crops in the New World, were also honored during the feast. Squanto in particular helped the Pilgrims the most and spent his entire life residing in their encampment.

Photo source: Rodnae Productions

America’s 200-Year History of Thanksgiving, From 1621 to 1863

The Pilgrims and other groups of colonists held informal thanksgivings after the 1621 feast, depending on the prosperity of the crop for that year, until the 1770s when the Continental Congress proposed a national day for expressing thanks. The holiday was first declared a federal holiday by George Washington, after which it only occasionally became observed.

By the middle of the 1800s, several other states had adopted the unofficial practice of having a thanksgiving owing to an annual tradition started in New York State in 1817. Abraham Lincoln’s formal recognition of Thanksgiving Day as a national holiday in 1863, however, was the catalyst for the holiday’s eventual emergence in the United States. Since then, every president has signed an executive order declaring Thanksgiving Day to be observed annually on the fourth Thursday in November. The proclamation was made official by Congress in 1941.

Thanksgiving in America and The Turkey

The wild turkey, which is a native of northern Mexico and the eastern United States and was formerly hailed as a genuine native of North America by Benjamin Franklin, has come to represent Thanksgiving in America. Although there is no concrete proof that the bird was consumed at the Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving, it was reportedly hunted as a staple food in Plymouth. It is unclear how it always came to be associated with the festival.

Given that it is in the male turkey’s instinct to attract and mate with females, it is larger and more colorful than the latter. The turkey’s meat is of good quality and may be prepared in a variety of ways, including deep frying, but baking is the most common. Several classic side dishes are served with the turkey throughout the holiday season, including mashed white and sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie among others.

Today’s American Thanksgiving

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which is held in New York City and is one of many held on this day each year, is the most well-known. It contains TV personalities and numerous themed floats, with Santa Claus coming in last and formally beginning the start of the Christmas season in America. As a result, Thanksgiving in America has evolved into a profound and cherished occasion for people of all ages and backgrounds.

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Dominion TV, Africa’s Christian Lifestyle Network for Inspired and Empowered Living.