You don’t have to be best friends with your mother while you are a teenager, but that changes as time goes by. She is your guardian angel, your inner power that gives you the wings to fly high, each time higher and higher.
She lifts you up; she gives you advice. She watched over you when you had a fever and when you had that stomach bug. You remember that fear of dentists that nearly froze your blood – you thought it stopped from running, but she was there. Letting you hold her hand, clawing your fingers in her soft skin because you are scared.
She helped you with your homework and read you bedtime stories. She used to sneak in the middle of the night to check up on you and cover you with a blanket, so you won’t be cold.
She spent her last dime to buy you those boots you wanted; she gave you the last piece of cake because you wanted it despite the fact that she made it and hasn’t tried it yet (or has tried it by scraping the leftovers from the pan), and she buys only the ice cream you like to eat and she cooks you the foods only you want to eat.
Even after you grow up, she is still your firmest support, your pillar, your shield. Maybe your sharpest critic, but also your voice of reason. She’s been through the same dilemmas and challenges, through the same girly problems, so she knows. Better than anyone.
As adults, you can talk about so much more and laugh over your silliness, how you fell off the bike that one time and you bumped your knee and started crying, you get to talk about the future and life choices; you talk about the first time you got drunk and how she was sleeping while you came in trying to be as quiet as possible, but ended up bumping into a chair.
You tell her about your first kiss and she already knew that was going on because she knows you too well. She knows all your mood swings; when you are upset, when you are angry or hurt, when you are happy or in love.
You started as mother-daughter, yes, but that relationship developed and progressed as you got older. You can talk about anything because you know she means your best, and she knows how to comfort you and calm you down.
Even when you get married or move out she is just one phone call away. You will never bore her, you will never tire her.
Friends can be a tremendous support, but they cannot be your mother. She has sacrificed so much; she suffered your puberty’s cruelty and quirkiness; she stopped living her life to help you live yours.
So be there for her while she is here. She is only getting older and she will not be around forever. Stand by her. Take her out to dinner.
Life is transient and the death of a parent feels like someone has chopped off a pound of flesh off of you. It feels like the whole world is stopping, ending.
You hear the clunky before-collapsing noises of departure; you hear the requiem of your soul: tragic and aching, and you know you have to learn how to live without your pillar, without your shield. You have to learn how to live with the ground shaking below your feet and it’s not easy.
So be there for her. Make the time. We are not here forever.
The massage therapy industry is worth over $18 billion in the United States alone. This industry is filled with competition, but there is still room to make money. Creating a successful massage therapy business will require you to focus heavily on developing customer retention strategies.
Failing to put effort into keeping your customers loyal will result in a lot of money being lost. Are you trying to keep your massage therapy clients happy and loyal? If so, check out the useful tips below.
Keep Your Massage Therapy Clients Loyal and Happy
Taking Detailed Notes is Crucial
Modern consumers have a plethora of massage therapy businesses to choose from. Most people go out in search of a massage therapist that is both knowledgeable and personable. In order for a client to keep paying for your services, they will need to be provided with personalized information about their improvement.
Programs like MassageBook’s SOAP notes provide massage therapists with the ability to track a client’s progress digitally. This program is both easy to use and seamlessly connected to each of your clients. With these notes, you can get a full view of how much a particular client has progressed since they began using your massage therapy business. Sharing this information with your clients is a great way to show them you are invested in their recovery and well-being.
Make Customer Service a Top Priority
Connecting with and building a rapport with your clients is also a key component of a successful customer retention strategy. If you are unsure about how to increase the level of customer service you offer, consider doing things like:
Be as personable as possible. When clients call in, thank them for contacting you and use their name if you know it.
Make small talk when a client first arrives for their session. You may also want to offer them a bottle of water.
Always answer your business phone promptly. If you have employees, explain to them the importance of providing a great experience when clients call in.
Making these small changes will add up over time. If a client sees you are going the extra mile to make them feel comfortable and relaxed, they are more likely to keep using your services.
Customize The Massages You Provide Each Client
Some massage therapists make the mistake of using the same technique and approach with each massage they provide their clients. If a client feels like you are simply going through the motions, they may start to look around for another massage therapist to use. This is why you need to incorporate more customization into your interactions with clients.
When a new client arrives for a massage, find out more about what they like. Asking a new client how much pressure they want to be applied during the massage or whether or not they want small talk during the session is helpful. The information from this exchange with a new client can help you develop a customized massage. Offering this type of customization will allow you to impress new clients and keep them coming back for years to come.
Ignoring the need for this type of massage customization can result in you losing a lot of clients. Rather than dealing with the stress, this can cause, you need to take a more personalized approach.
Developing a Lucrative Massage Therapy Business Takes Time
With the tips in this article, you can make your clients more loyal. Constantly reviewing and optimizing your customer retention strategy is crucial if you want to continue to grow.
Death is the only certain thing in this life. It’s permanent. Unlike life. Yet the death of a loved person is never easy. It’s a fit of anger, an unbridgeable sadness.
The moment when you feel like a part of you is being taken away. You want to catch it, stop it from fading away; you reach with your hand, but there is nothing there. Just air.
Everyone has a different grieving process and how you went through something does not mean it will apply to your friend or relative. Only the person going through that loss knows how it’s like.
So what can you say to someone who’s lost a parent? What can you do?
Acknowledge the emotion. When someone is going through the loss of a parent, you cannot dismiss that pain, pretend it’s not there. Changing that person’s emotions is not the right angle either. You can say something like:
It’s perfectly fine not to be fine right now. You need time.
I cannot imagine what you must be going through, but know that I am here to listen.
This is one of the hardest things in life. I am so sorry you have to go through it.
He/She is at a much better place and watching you from above. He/She will never leave you. Not really. I know it.
Saying my condolences is always appropriate, but if the person going through the loss is very close to you, you might want to show a little care and effort. You can mention the notion of heaven only if the person believes in a higher power, otherwise, they may get angry or upset, so make sure you don’t say something like This was God’s plan if the person is not religious for it may upset them.
Remind the person you are there for them. Tell them that they can call you at any time. Tell them you are there to support them, to lend an ear, to make them company when they feel lonely, and whatever else they need. It’s what the person would love to hear. Knowing they have someone beside them will have a calming effect. Grief eats away your soul, so you need a distraction, you need someone stronger at the moment – someone you can lean on.
I am one phone call away or I can stay with you for the week are all good things to say. Your friend or relative may refuse if they prefer to grieve alone, but they’ll know you are a loyal friend.
Share your favorite memory of their parent. Something happy. Something funny. Show that their parent still leaves. Among the memories, among the words, among the pictures. This would mean the world to the person going through the loss.
There is never an exact formula. We are talking about emotions, of course, there is no exact answer to how you should treat the loss of a parent, but no matter what, your care and understanding, your investment will not be unnoticed. And maybe, as time goes by, your loved one, your dear friend or family member, will heal. Not stop grieving, but heal enough to keep going.
Experiences and existence are inseparable. Some experiences are useful, some negative, some are devastating, while others are defining. Your inherent belief of the past and curiosity as to where you originate is natural. And most of the time, you learn a great deal about your current situation by looking back on your experiences.
Envision then how you would live your life presently if you’re open-minded about looking into the possibilities of learning about your past lives.
The idea of past life or reincarnation is the conviction that for people to evolve, they come to existence several times.
Having that into consideration, asking yourself questions like, “who was I in my past life?” may help you recall things and emotions, or even previous troubles and frustrations which would be helpful to you presently.
Aside from that, learning about your past life offers several valuable benefits. Discover these benefits by reading on below.
You’ll Have New Perspectives In Life
Learning about your past life can help you gain new perspectives. For example, you may learn how to accept yourself as well as other people if you have experienced being an abuser in one breath and a victim in another. Or you may learn to balance giving and receiving by being a physician in one life and a patient in another.
Having a broader spiritual perspective can be useful in adjusting your current life.
Better Understand Complicated Relationships
You may have a strained relationship with someone that can be understood or resolved by digging deeper into your previous lives. Your child may have been your life partner who cheated on you in an earlier existence. This revealed why you are limiting their self-rule in the present life.
Understanding that there are reasons behind your behavior patterns and doubts will teach you to be more forgiving and understanding towards people.
Drop Old Patterns And Make Energy Adjustments
You may have a history of spoiling your energies or refusing to take responsibility for your actions. Such things might have constrained you through many past lives. Your current existence could be the consequence of that process of growth.
You encompass those boundaries by leaning upon your previous life. You are releasing your old habits and mastering to use your energies positively. Doing this will help you to understand that being responsible is a huge part of creating an even more enabling and less mistreated life.
Allows Love To Flow Freely
The feeling of assurance and satisfaction experienced after learning the course of your past life means allowing love to spread freely. Free-flowing love aids in preventing diseases and healing. When you are either loved or in love, your immune system functions at an optimum state resulting in better general wellbeing.
Provides Opportunities To Empower Yourself
By learning about your past lives, you’ll encounter concepts and experiences close to those you work on at present. In other words, you’re empowering yourself. Such behavior is anchored on your desire to respond differently and build a life of honesty, peace, and contentment
Supports Healing
In the same manner as empowering you, learning about your past life offers you an excellent opportunity to resolve your physical and emotional problems and eliminate any undesirable karma of the past.
Access Skills You’ve Developed In The Past
Drawing from abilities from your spiritual heritage is beneficial. In your past life, you might have developed extensive expertise; finding out more about them validates specific skills you have in your present existence.
Maybe in a former life, you were a clothing designer, that would explain why you’re a seamstress today, and get an offer to build a historical costume for a movie studio. Or you’re an investor who is curious about herbs, and you learn that you were an Arabian healer that used herbs to cure.
The choices are limitless. Yet these details are what will motivate you to step ahead and venture in a new way.
Clear Stuck Beliefs
An interpretation of your past life will help shift stuck perceptions and concepts that you retain in your present life. Such stuck beliefs are hurdles in creating the new life you want. You could agree with the assertion that being in a man’s body is more reliable than that of a woman’s. Thus, you become a controlling husband and father to embrace that fixed mindset fully. Past lives are identified as chances for personal transformation and healing. Learn about your experience and use them. The most significant objective is to make your present life and journey clearer.
Provides Comfort From Suffering And Loss
The essence of sorrow and grief changes when you understand that although you have missed physical intimacy with a significant one, you can reach them’ in the next life’ or a separate lifetime. This is where learning about your past life plays its benefits.
Know Your Soul’s Purpose For The Current Life
Your spirit had a mission to build the life which you now lead. It will be constructive to have your life into the background of that larger picture. Once you know you have a lifetime to participate with, it can take some pressure away. You never end there, and you’ll never get anything done.
Transforms You Into A Better Person
An empowered, healed and enlightened version of yourself leads to your transformation as a person. Having an opportunity to look at the course of your destiny, you appreciate life’s larger tapestry. Besides that, you also begin to understand the development of your existence and everyone around you.
Final Thoughts
Most people respect the principles of reincarnation —the belief that individuals have a former life before and that previous life has impacted the present life as a result of looking for the soul.
Everything that you are at present and what role you assume now is shaped by your previous experience. That also includes your emotional wellbeing, social interactions, health, and totality as a person.
Hence why it’s crucial to learn about your past life. Doing so will make way for a healthier and better version of yourself in your present life.
The Toxic Relationship Between An Empath And Narcissist
Toxic relationships manifest themselves in the form of exhaustion, insecurity, discontent, emotional baggage that reappears in relationships with other people, anxiety, even depression. (1)
The thing about toxic relationships between empath and narcissist is that they are usually comprised of a narcissist that weighs the other person down and quite frequently, that another person happens to be an empath or just anyone that’s loving, caring, selfless, and lenient.
Relationship With A Narcissist
The relationship with a narcissist affects all areas of life – from socializing and your ability to focus at work all the way to affect your mental health.
The tricky part about being stuck in such a relationship is not knowing whether your partner really isa narcissist or just overly confident and if they are, what can you do about it? How can you change that? Or should you just leave that toxic environment and turn a new love page?
Narcissists select people that are vulnerable, either because of their past (their childhood or a past relationship) or because they have high levels of empathy. (2)
At the start of the relationship, narcissists will love bomb their victims, making them feel special and showering them with gifts, compliments, and affection. Then there goes their flip side.
All of a sudden, they turn cold and distant, reproaching, critical, harsh, and patronizing. The victim is suddenly confused: What happened? They were so loving and sweet but changed overnight. It must be because of something I did!
No one is bad all the time – neither are narcissists. They have this little game they play called hot and cold. Similarly, they alternate between these two phases, to hook their victim.
Hooked on those tender moments of the narcissists, desperate to feel loved and special again, the victim is willing to stand through the darkness, just so they can feel the light again.
The relationship with a narcissist feels like endless spinning in circles, constant spiraling between heaven and hell, affection and detachment.
What happens when a highly empathetic person is in a relationship with a narcissistic person who lacks empathy and has an immense sense of self-importance. The outcome? Toxic and painful (for the empath).
All narcissists have one common thing that you should be aware of – they are emotionally wounded people.
It is usually some childhood trauma that scarred them for life. Probably they have been feeling unappreciated and worthless in one period of their life which made them a constant ‘seekers’ for validation and admiration from others.
Empaths, on the other hand, are the ‘healers’ of society. They are highly sensitive and empathetic that they are even able to feel the emotions of others as their own. They want to help and protect everyone in need, and they will try to eliminate the pain and the emotional damage of the narcissists. However, these virtues that empaths possess may become their downfall if they are not careful enough.
So, when these two opposites meet the attraction is enormous – but toxic.
This is because the empath fails to see the narcissist’s dark side. A narcissistic person is a person who can suck out the soul from everyone they come in contact with. It is a narcissistic way to feel validated while making others fragile and unbalanced and use them for future needs.
This situation can be very confusing for an empath. An empath might not even be aware that they are dealing with a narcissist because their sensitive nature makes them see only the good in everyone.
Empaths tend to think that everyone is like them, that people are actually good at heart. This gullibility however admirable can be damaging to them because not everyone is honest and good as they are – and different people have different agendas.
A narcissist’s agenda is to manipulate. They want to be in total control of others and use them as a ‘validation tool’ in their need to rise above them. An empath’s agenda, on the contrary, is one of love, care, and healing. There can never be balance a between these two contrasting natures.
If, however, they start a relationship, this relationship will soon become a vicious cycle that it will be almost impossible to get out. The more affection and love that the empath gives, the more in control the narcissist would feel, thus making the empath the victim.
In a relationship between Empath And Narcissist the empath will soon become wounded and begin to feel like the victim that in turn may give them some narcissistic traits. When a narcissist sees that the empath is wounded, it may give them a sense of validation. Because the more unhappy the empath is – the happier the narcissist feels. The unhappy empath will then start seeking for feelings of love and support from the narcissist.
At this point, the empath will focus solely on its feelings of pain and will seek for validation and love, failing to realize that they are not the one to blame for this – the damage is coming from the narcissist. It is essential for the empath to wake-up and realize this before they become self-absorbed and narcissist themselves; because the truth is, everyone who is deeply hurt is vulnerable to become a narcissist.
So, how can an empath stop the damage and put an end to this toxic relationship with a narcissist?
Every plan on having a conversation with a narcissist is useless, because the narcissist, while very charismatic, is a very manipulative person too, and will try to blame the empath for his and their pain as well. It will make the empath feel responsible for all the problems in the relationship.
The empath has a choice: they could remain the victim in the narcissist’s game, or they could find the needed strength to walk away and end the relationship.
The empath should accept the fact that the narcissist will never change. And the waiting for a narcissist to change is a waste of a precious time. (3)
In the end, all that matters is that we let others treat us as we think we deserve to be treated. If an empath chooses willingly to stay in this kind of toxic relationship with a narcissist – it is their way of thinking that they do not deserve better than that.
This could not be further from the truth. Empaths have to understand that it is not their job to fix others, especially those who do not want to be fixed, as they are not aware of their disorder.
Empaths should realize that the treatment they get from the narcissists is not a treatment they deserve and must find the courage to utterly walk away.
Toxic Relationship Signs
It’s never easy to leave a relationship that you invested your soul, time, and energy in for years. BUT if you notice the following signs in your partner, it may just be the time for you to take some action and get rid of the narcissist near you:
1. Your partner is short-tempered and thinks the world revolves around them.
Ever tried to have a conversation with an it’sall about me person? Someone who is all about my way or the highway, only listens to themselves and when the conversation is not about them, they slowly redirect it back?
This stems from the need of the narcissist to be in the spotlight constantly, and if they are not, then they feel irritated and tend to burst out in the heat of their moment.
If you ever wondered why all narcissists are so short-fused and impatient, the answer is quite simple. Narcissists have a sense of entitlement wherein they believe to be entitled or, in other words, that they have the right for constant attention and admiration.
2. They disregard your feelings.
The narcissist will make decisions based on what will benefit them, not the relationship. They simply don’t care about your feelings as they are preoccupied with their own.
Narcissistic people are often quite like children—you take away their toy and they start crying and sulking. Well, it’s the same with the narcissist. It has to be their way or no way that in attempts to meet their wants and needs they forget yours even exist.
Don’t be such a baby, I was only joking.
God, you are impossible. You act like a baby.
Why are you so needy?
Do any of these phrases ring a bell? It’s what narcissists usually say to justify their dismissively selfish behavior.
3. They are manipulation experts.
Being an adult yourself, you may think it’s easy to spot a manipulator. But not a narcissistic manipulator. They have sly tactics that they employ with their victim, that by the time you become aware, the emotional damage has already been done.
Being in a relationship with a narcissist means having to go through a lot of belittling—whether in private or in public, the narcissist won’t hesitate to put you down and expose your insecurities, especially in front of your friends or coworkers. To cover up for their spitefulness, they will just say something like, Relax, it was just a joke. Jesus, can’t you take a joke?
Narcissists play the victim. They cannot take responsibility for their actions, so they either gaslight you by bending the truth and convincing you that it’s not how it happened or that that’s not what they said.
They will twist all your arguments posing as the victim: I have to go through this nightmare with you every single day. See? You’re always just trying to start an argument with me. Do you even want to be with me? I am telling you, I never said such a thing. Are you crazy?
4. They have delusions of grandeur.
These people believe they are superior to everyone else, and they are not afraid to let that vibe float in the air so other people notice it. They want to be feared and admired and believe to be better than other people, so if you notice your narcissistic partner behaving condescendingly towards you and others, know that’s a huge red flag there.
5. Everything is either black or white.
There is no grey area. There is winning and losing. If the narcissist sees any threat to their ego, they will immediately feel attacked and will fight back.
They will go to lengths to make sure the world doesn’t perceive them as weak, ill, or defeated, even if it means attacking their opponent where they know it would hurt them the most. To them, not everyone can be the lucky winner, and they always make sure it’s them.
6. They have a split personality.
The narcissist’s charm comes with a twist. Narcissists are usually loving and caring at the start of a relationship and then they just switch to their regular selves once they have you hooked. From that moment on, it feels like you barely know the person you are with.
One minute you feel as though you’ve found the one, and then the next minute you wonder who is that person standing in front of you. The thing is, these changes happen slowly and gradually, so at first, you think you are the one that did something that hurt your partner.
You try to justify their ill-mannered behavior and every time you become aware that it’s not you, it’s them, they show you glimpses of that same old charm that made you fall in love, and continue to have you trapped in their net of lies.
7. They have no sense of boundaries.
People in a relationship with a narcissist will do something despite the fact that you’ve told them it makes you uncomfortable. Narcissists overstep boundaries in many ways, including breaking promises or responsibilities, showing little remorse, or blaming the other person for something that’s clearly their fault.
Leaving A Relationship With A Narcissist
When you reject a narcissist, their fragile artificially pumped up ego and self-esteem take a plummeting downfall. Because they think they are superior, they can’t understand how someone could no longer want them. They cannot come to terms with rejection.
And what happens next is they will try to claw their way back into you’re your life to prove to themselves that you cannot live without them, that you need them desperately. To prove to themselves, once again, that they are worthy.
They will beg, sugarcoat you with their tender words, while their same old toxic selves will lurk just below the surface waiting to reappear a few weeks or months after you’ve agreed to give them another chance. It’s just a trap! It’s best to go no contact and detach yourself from their constant injections of toxicity.
Don’t fall for their sweet words and empty promises. Seek expert help if you need to heal after their cruelty and public humiliation, after their unpredictable behavior and their twisted mind games of manipulation.
Take action. All your loved ones can help you. Trained coaches can too. It may be hard, but once you close the door to your narcissist, don’t try to open it ever again.
It’s what would hurt them the most. Absolute detachment. Going cold turkey.
You will go back to being your old energetic, lively self—the one you used to be before meeting them. Breakups are not easy, I know. But reiterating anxiety and mental torture is way harder.
Absorb all the strength your friends and family can give you. Absorb all the power you and God will give you and let go.
Your big sister is your best and oldest friend, your greatest critic, and your fiercest protector. Your older sister can drive you mad and bring you to tears, but she’s also the only person out there that you will love unconditionally no matter what. She is your big sister, after all.
This article looks at the 10 reasons why your sister is the most important person in your life, but before we present the reasons, let’s look at what qualities a good sister possesses.
What Are The Qualities Of A Good Sister?
1. Honesty
An honest sister always tells it like it is. She doesn’t beat around the bush or mince her words. Instead, she tells the truth no matter how unpleasant or cruel it might be. It’s nice to have someone in your life who can tell you what they really think about you or something related to you.
2. Loyalty
A good sister is the one you can always count on. She’s always there for you when you’re going through rough times in life. She’s always there to listen to you when you’re complaining about something or articulating your concerns, even when she doesn’t agree with you.
3. Trustworthiness
Having a trustworthy sister means having someone you can always share your secrets with because you know they’ll be safe with her. A trustworthy sister won’t betray your secrets even when you have a serious fight over something. She’ll never do anything that could hurt your feelings or make you feel betrayed and manipulated.
4. She Listens Attentively To You
A good sister is one that listens attentively to you when you’re talking to her. Whether you’re hurting, complaining about something, venting your anger or frustration, or boasting about your successes, she pays close attention to what you have to say.
5. Compassion
It can be difficult to be compassionate with someone when they act irresponsibly or when they don’t take your advice and make a foolish mistake because of that. But a good sister is compassionate with you even when she disapproves of your behavior.
She knows how important it is to be compassionate with you through challenging times. So, whether you’re struggling with a problem or feeling sad, disappointed, or hurt, she’ll always be there to comfort you and give you a wise piece of advice. Because when you have a compassionate sister, you’re never alone in your struggles.
6. Thoughtfulness
A good sister is kind, thinks about your needs, and remembers the things that mean to you the most. Thus, she’ll never forget your birthday or get you a present for Christmas. How great is that?
7. Selflessness
A selfless sister cares more about what you want and need than about what she herself wants and needs. She prioritizes your needs, feelings, desires, and values over her own. She puts you high on her list of priorities, and she won’t let anyone or anything compromise that.
8. She Protects You
A loyal and compassionate sister stands up for you. She doesn’t let anyone talk behind your back or offend you when she’s around. She’s always ready to protect you from anyone and anything.
9. She Apologizes When She’s Wrong
A good sister is not afraid or ashamed to admit her mistakes and takes responsibility for her actions. She accepts criticism and is willing to do anything in her power to correct her mistakes.
10. She’s A Great Leader
A good sister, especially an older one, is a wonderful leader to her younger siblings. Being more experienced, she can make wise decisions and teach you how to obey house rules. She can also teach you how to honor your parents and offer you help when household chores need to be done.
11. She Takes Care Of You
She’s always there to take care of you when you’re sick. She loves you truly and unconditionally, and she’s always willing to sacrifice her needs and postpone doing what she is doing to take care of you when in need.
12. She Corrects Your Mistakes
Regardless of how many mistakes you make, a good sister will always be there to help you put them right and turn them into valuable lessons so that you don’t repeat them in the future.
13. She Doesn’t Perceive You As A Rival
A good sister doesn’t compete with you. She’s not jealous of you. She doesn’t treat you like a rival. For her, your achievements are her achievements. She celebrates your successes as much as you do because she supports you and wants to see you be and do better in life.
14. She Forgives
A good sister would never allow any disagreement or fight to break the bond between you. Instead of holding grudges, she’ll let go of her anger and talk to you about any problem you might be faced with and do her best for you two to overcome it. She’ll never let any argument or disagreement disrupt the harmony in your relationship and cause you to feel resentment against each other.
15. She Always Makes Time For You
Regardless of how hectic her schedule is, she always manages to find time to hang out with you. She is always willing and ready to organize family reunions as well as plan trips and vacations.
16. She Accepts You The Way You Are
She knows all your flaws, insecurities, quirks, and whims, but she doesn’t expect you to change. Instead, she accepts and loves you just the way you are, with all your good and bad sides.
Here are 10 reasons why your older sister is the most important person in your life:
1. She Is Your Best And Most Loyal Friend
Having been there literally from day one, she has witnessed all those significant moments in your life, starting from your first baby steps, your first pimples, your first bad breakup, and pretty much each phase of your development to adulthood as they come along one after the other. Sisters are good at dealing with a bad attitude, teen tantrums, and giving advice. (1)
2. You Share The Same Closet
Have you ever noticed that her clothes always seem to look somewhat better on you? Big sister equals big closet, and I am not ashamed to admit to borrowing a T-shirt or two from my big sister’s closet when we shared a room back in the day.
3. She Knows How To Deal With Your Parents.
Whatever problem you may have with your parents, you can bet your big sister has been there too. Using her own experience, she will help you navigate the problem much more smoothly than you would have yourself. Think of her as your experienced “wingman.”
4. Anything Goes
There really are no boundaries when it comes to interacting with your big sister. You can walk around in your underwear all day long and not try to act and look at your best. You can invade her privacy in the most blatant ways and not feel bad about it. And how about those talks about life and the mysteries of love while she is sitting on the toilet? Priceless.
5. She Is The Go-To Person for Cool Movies, Music, and Fashion Trends
Personally, I have my big sister to thank for steering me away from the fake hair bands of the 80s and the insufferable boy bands of the 90s. I’ve had my share of questionable haircuts, to be honest, and fashion statements, but she has always been there to burst that bubble and point out the atrocities.
6. She Will Not Sugarcoat The Truth
Friends tend to withhold their real opinion about you or something about you simply to avoid confrontation. Big sisters? – not so much! They will slap the truth right in your face. We all need a reality check every once in a while, and she will do just that.
7. You Are Always Welcome
Your big sister will always find time for you when you feel like getting away from everything and need a shoulder to cry on. It’s a door that will always be open for you, no matter what.
8. She Knows What You Are Made Of
Whenever you have self-doubts about your abilities to do something, your older sister is there to reassure you and give you the strength to follow things through. You two are cut from the same cloth, and she knows best what your strengths are and what you are capable of achieving. She will always be your biggest fan!
9. Affordable Therapy
Big sisters always seem to find the right words to say. It’s almost as though they have this magic power to make you feel that everything will work out just fine in the end. Before you try the shrink, try your sister.
10. She Is always There For You
Try as you might, you will never make your sister walk out on you. Regardless of your ‘crime’, she will always have your back, even if you’ve failed to be there during her dark hours. That’s what big sisters are for! Big sisters are really the best, and having a sister sure is a gift. So, if you have an older sister, make sure you let her know how much you appreciate her.
What Does It Mean To Be A Big Sister?
Since I’m the oldest of four girls, here’s what I think a big sister is. A big sister is someone who is a role model to her younger sisters. She is someone her little sisters learn from and look up to.
I serve as a companion and help my little sisters when our parents are angry with them. I’m by their side when they struggle with a problem or feel sad. I’m there to lift them up when they’re feeling down or lack confidence. I’m by their side when they need to vent their frustration or need someone to ask for boy advice.
Being a big sister means hoping my sisters don’t ever allow a boy to hurt them the way I’ve allowed guys to hurt me and praying that they don’t make the same mistakes I’ve made.
Being a big sister means prioritizing their needs and desires over my own.
Being a big sister means being a mother figure, a teacher, a best friend, and a cheerleader.
Being a big sister means doing my best to be perfect since I’m their role model.
Being a big sister means pretending I’m okay when I’m not because I don’t want them to think I am not as tough as I pretend to be.
Being a big sister means being someone who loves and cares about them more than myself. It means being always willing to go out of my way to make them happy, keep them healthy, and make them feel protected. It means being willing to give my life for theirs.
Words and actions are not the same thing. So how do you know if the person you’re with really loves you?
Check out these 7 signs to know for sure:
1. They always follow through.
You don’t have to worry if the person you’re with will show up or not. They always do – like they’ve said they will. They keep their promises and they never disappoint you. Birthdays, couples’ dinners, movie nights, or lumps on the road – doesn’t matter. They stand by you in the good and in the bad.
2. They see a future with you.
Your partner has discussed your future together. They mention they want to live together; they talk about how your kids will look like or what should their names be; they want to have a pet together, and you’ve already met their closest circle of friends and family.
3. They make you feel safe.
The real bond is there when your partner’s presence calms you. You feel safe and sound because they are near you. You don’t need protection, but the fact that they are there, it gives you strength and confidence to go through anything.
4. They ask you for advice.
Whenever your partner hits some challenges in life, dilemmas, or milestones, they consult you. They ask for advice – they need your opinion for better judgment. They are not afraid to ask what should they do or say, what’s the next step, or what’s the right choice. And they ask you because their opinion is all that matters.
Also, they give you their advice when you are going through the same because they want you to be happy and successful. They are constructive and not at all spiteful or jealous because they want to see you grow.
5. They have accepted your flaws.
They don’t care about your annoying habits, character flaws, or physical flaws. They love you and accept you the way you are. They see through your imperfections, even better yet, they don’t even consider them as such. To them, you are beautiful and sweet just the way you are. Acceptance is a cosmic sign of love.
6. They share their deepest insecurities with you.
They have their hurts, complexes, and insecurities from the past, and maybe you’ve noticed them, but the fact that they are able to share them with you, to strip their sole naked is one step further. You show your deepest fears only to those you trust tremendously.
7. They give, and give, and give.
They love you. They give everything to you – their heart, their soul, their time, their energy, they would share even their last penny with you. And they don’t care who’s giving more. Because that’s what love means: to give and expect nothing in return.
There is a belief among all of us that finding the right person is the key to a happy marriage.
But, what if you are the perfect one for you?
Yes, it sounds bizarre, but actually it is becoming a trend now. More and more people stopped looking for their perfect person and instead started marrying themselves. It is called ‘sologamy’.
One of these happy ‘sologamists’ is Erika Anderson.
“I would describe it as women saying ‘yes’ to themselves. It means that we are enough even if we are not partnered with someone else”, Anderson says.
At her wedding Anderson wore a white dress and a bouquet. Everything looked like an ordinary wedding, except she walked the isle alone with no one waiting for her. She always wanted that.
She married herself in front of her closest friends and family because she got sick hearing the frequent comments of her relatives asking her why she is still single.
There are more and more self-marriages or ‘sologamies’ nowadays. It really is becoming a trend among those who decided to stay single.
This ‘sologamy’ movement has gone global now with companies trying everything they can think of to gain profit. For example, in Canada, “Marry Yourself” offers professional wedding photography and consulting. There is also a website called IMarriedMe.com created by a man called Jeffrey Levin from San Francisco.
Anderson started this trend by marrying herself in order to celebrate her independence and she encourages others to do that too.
She flew solo to Mexico to celebrate his one year anniversary. She hadn’t given up on the possibility to find a partner. Even though she is married to herself, she keeps her options open if an opportunity presents.
All in all, self-marriage can’t be a bad idea. What do you think?
Teaching in summer school is an amazing experience. You get complete freedom in designing the curriculum and experiment with new things. An aided advantage is that you have to work with children in small groups, instead of larger classroom settings. Students benefit a lot from summer school as they develop confidence, and improve their concepts of the subject they are weak in. Moreover, there is no pressure of clearing a test or getting good marks, which further increases their focus in studies.
Mathematics can be a tough subject to teach in a summer school. You will have to do some prep before teaching mathematics. Few tips and tricks that can help you in completing a successful session are:
Create a structured course
Your teaching style should be structured in a summer school. You can add some fun elements to make the sessions more interactive. To create a structure, prepare a schedule, working sheets, and fun teaching tools. Communicate all the requirements of the course beforehand itself. Students should be clear on what you are planning to accomplish in the summer math school class. Without any structure to your course, you might struggle to keep the students engaged. Thus, you won’t be able to cover concepts within the stipulated time.
Use new strategies
You can try new teaching concepts during summer school. For starters, you can run a small competition for students who are fast finishers. You can also try taking students for lab or museum visits. Creating task cards is also a good option to engage the students in the class. You should use this opportunity to try such new strategies in the summer school’s relaxed environment. Some of the successfully executed ideas can be implemented in classrooms next year.
Go digital
The summer school provides a great opportunity to use the digital domain as a teaching tool. If you have access to computers, iPads, Chromebooks, etc. you can use apps to help students practice math. A lot of interactive game apps are available both on IOS and Android stores. Apps like DragonBox, Ratio Rumble, can be used to practice maths. Using the app called Quizizz, you can make your own quiz and share it with your students to review their progress. Prodigy is another good app where students play math battles and win prizes. You can pick apps based on the concept that you are teaching in the class.
Badges
Badges are a fun and healthy way to create competition in the class. You can create different badges for your summer class and give them to students once they are able to learn a certain concept. This will motivate the students to learn the concepts faster. The students will get focused and disciplined so that they can win the shiny badges. You can also use these badges to track the progress of your students. Pre-printed stickers or printed cut-outs can be used to make badges. Keeps things simple and fun in the classroom.
Classroom games
Games are the best and easiest way to engage students and introduce new concepts to them. Students also love playing games, so it should be easy for you to handle the class. There are a lot of board games that inspire mathematical thinking. Some games that you can choose from are Achi, Monopoly, Qwirkle, Five Tribes, etc. Depending on the age group of students that you are teaching, you can arrange games for your classroom. Maths is tough for some students and introducing concepts through games makes learning super easy for them.
Online videos
Using videos in the classrooms makes the session lively. You can use videos from websites like Flocabulary, shmoop, etc. to introduce new concepts. Every video website has a different approach. You can pick one based on the content quality and the student’s age group. Share the video links with students so that they can see them in their free time also.
We hope this list helps you in planning the curriculum for the summer school class that you are taking. Making the learning process interactive will help your students grow and generate positive feedback for you as well. try these ideas in the next summer school class that you plan to take. Share your feedback with us too!
When you are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, the first instinct for most of us is denial. We feel that it is not possible; maybe the tests were not performed correctly etc. After a second test, we understand and most of us accept the new reality. The chances of other diseases like heart and kidney disease occurring in our lifetime increases due to diabetes but if we control diabetes these illnesses may never occur. Here are a few tips to do so:
Diet:
An unhealthy diet is one of the main reasons for type 2 diabetes. To control it you need to make drastic changes to your diet. You need to start on a healthy diet to reduce the risk of other problems such as cholesterol levels becoming high, blood pressure being high etc. A healthy diet would include foods like vegetables, fruits, proteins and carbohydrates. You need to consume foods that are low in fat, you need to eat foods that are whole grain and stop eating processed foods altogether. Going slow on red meat is also a good idea. You can consume chicken which is a good alternative for red meat and also you can consume fish as they are rich in protein. Stop drinking carbonated drinks as they have a lot of sugar in them, avoid foods rich in sodium too. It may seem like a big task but over time you will start liking the healthy diet and you will avoid the bad ones automatically.
Exercise:
Exercise is very important, period. A sedentary lifestyle with bad food habits may have been the contributor for type 2 diabetes. You need to exercise moderately for at least half an hour for 5 days of the week. Moderate exercise includes jogging, swift walking and cycling. The exercise should increase your heart rate and improve your lung capacity. If possible you can try moderate weight exercises every other day of the week. This will also help you considerably in the long run. Getting a proper exercise plan and adhering to it will help you immensely. Exercise a particular set of muscle groups every day, for example, if you exercise chest and shoulder on Monday, do back exercises on Tuesday, followed by legs and abs on Wednesday etc. Your fitness trainer will provide you with a good exercise regimen based on your health. Over time you can start strenuous exercises too.
Monitor your diabetes:
Monitoring your diabetes levels is very important. There are many ways to check your sugar levels and you need to do it regularly. You should also be consuming the medicines which your doctor prescribes every day. Mostly a doctor would prescribe metformin or Janumet. The originator of Janumet included sitagliptin along with metformin to combat type 2 diabetes. You should not self-medicate, you should adhere to your doctor’s prescription. Also, regular check-ups with your doctor will help a lot. When you provide the doctor with your daily diabetes levels, the doctor will continue the medication or change it based on the levels.
Making lifestyle changes will help a lot and over time you will be able to deal with type 2 diabetes better.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
